Petals from the Basket

Blog

Advent Reading – Day 19

We’ll be back to our normal blog posts the day after Christmas. Thank you for following along as we read through highlights from the twenty-four chapters in the book of Luke in our “countdown to Christmas.” Be sure to subscribe to Petals from the Basket if you haven’t done so already!

Full chapter:

Luke 19: Read Luke 19 by clicking here.

Today’s focus verses:

Luke 19:1–10 (KJV):

1 And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.

2 And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.

3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.

4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.

5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.

6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.

7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.

8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord: Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.

9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.

10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Today’s meditation verse:

Luke 19:10 (KJV) “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

________________________________________________

Did you know that the tab marked “Our Books” provides you with links directly to our books on Amazon? No need to search or type in keywords. Just click, browse, and buy! Click here to view the “Our Books” page, where we feature our devotional books (all of which make great Christmas gifts or personal devotional books).

By Petals from the Basket | December 19, 2018 | Bible Reading, Books |

Advent Reading – Day 18

We’ll be back to our normal blog posts the day after Christmas. Thank you for following along as we read through highlights from the twenty-four chapters in the book of Luke in our “countdown to Christmas.” Be sure to subscribe to Petals from the Basket if you haven’t done so already!

Full chapter:

Luke 18: Read Luke 18 by clicking here.

Today’s focus verses:

Luke 18:9–17 (NASB):

9 And He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

15 And they were bringing even their babies to Him so that He would touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they began rebuking them.16 But Jesus called for them, saying, “Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 17 Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.”

Today’s meditation verse:

Luke 18:27 (NASB): “But He said, ‘The things that are impossible with people are possible with God.’”

________________________________________________

Did you know that the tab marked “Our Books” provides you with links directly to our books on Amazon? No need to search or type in keywords. Just click, browse, and buy! Click here to view the “Our Books” page, where we feature our devotional books (all of which make great Christmas gifts or personal devotional books).

By Petals from the Basket | December 18, 2018 | Bible Reading, Books |

Advent Reading – Day 17

We’re almost there! Hasn’t it been exciting to read through Luke’s account of the life of Christ to get us ready for Christmas? The focus verses give us a peek into Christ’s daily life and His ministry to others while He was on this earth, and I’ve enjoyed sharing my favorites with you. Only eight more days until Christmas! To follow along as we read through highlights from the twenty-four chapters in the book of Luke in our “countdown to Christmas,” be sure to subscribe to Petals from the Basket.

Full chapter:

Luke 17: Read Luke 17 by clicking here.

Today’s focus verses:

Luke 17:11–19 (NKJV):

11 Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. 12 Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. 13 And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”

14 So when He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed.

15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16 and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan.

17 So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? 18 Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” 19 And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.”

Today’s meditation verse:

Luke 17:3 (NKJV): “Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.”

________________________________________________

Did you know that the tab marked “Our Books” provides you with links directly to our books on Amazon? No need to search or type in keywords. Just click, browse, and buy! Click here to view the “Our Books” page, where we feature our devotional books (all of which make great Christmas gifts or personal devotional books).

By Petals from the Basket | December 17, 2018 | Bible Reading, Books |

Advent Reading – Day 15

We are reading the twenty-four chapters of Luke (or focus verses or a meditation verse from each of those chapters) in preparation for Christmas. To follow along as we read through highlights from the twenty-four chapters in the book of Luke in our “countdown to Christmas,” be sure to subscribe to Petals from the Basket.

Full chapter:

Luke 15: Read Luke 15 by clicking here.

Today’s focus verses:

Luke 15:11–32 (NASB):

11 And He said, “A man had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.’ So he divided his wealth between them. 13 And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living.14 Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be impoverished. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would have gladly filled his stomach with the pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving anything to him. 17 But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger! 18 I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men.”’ 20 So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; 23 and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; 24 for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate.

25 “Now his older son was in the field, and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he summoned one of the servants and began inquiring what these things could be. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has received him back safe and sound.’ 28 But he became angry and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him. 29 But he answered and said to his father, ‘Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you have never given me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends; 30 but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.’ 31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours.32 But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.’”

Today’s meditation verse:

Luke 15:7 (NASB): “I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”

By Petals from the Basket | December 15, 2018 | Bible Reading |

Advent Reading – Day 14

We are reading the twenty-four chapters of Luke (or focus verses or a meditation verse from each of those chapters) in preparation for Christmas. To follow along as we read through highlights from the twenty-four chapters in the book of Luke in our “countdown to Christmas,” be sure to subscribe to Petals from the Basket.

Full chapter:

Luke 14: Read Luke 14 by clicking here.

Today’s focus verses:

Luke 14:25–33 (ESV):

25 Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them,26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ 31 Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. 33 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.

Today’s meditation verse:

Luke 14:27 (ESV): “Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.”

By Petals from the Basket | December 14, 2018 | Bible Reading |