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Advent Reading – Day 7

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 7: Read Luke 7 by clicking here.

Today’s focus verses:

Luke 7:40–50 (NASB):

40 And Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.”And he replied, “Say it, Teacher.” 41 “A moneylender had two debtors: one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When they were unable to repay, he graciously forgave them both. So which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have judged correctly.”44 Turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You gave Me no kiss; but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss My feet. 46 You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume. 47 For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.” 48 Then He said to her, “Your sins have been forgiven.” 49 Those who were reclining at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this man who even forgives sins?” 50 And He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Today’s meditation verse:

Luke 7:50 (NASB): “And He said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you; go in peace.’”

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Joe’s new 31-day devotional book, The Praise Project: Intentional Praise for 31 Days, is an ideal and inexpensive Christmas gift for family and friends. Be sure to get a copy for yourself as well, and then plan to join us as we kick off the year, joining together to walk a deliberate path of praise in January! You may purchase your copies of The Praise Project by clicking on the book’s cover photo below (affiliate link):

By Petals from the Basket | December 7, 2018 | Bible Reading, Books, The Praise Project |

Advent Reading – Day 6

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 6: Read Luke 6 by clicking here.

Today’s focus verses:

Luke 6:20–38 (NASB):

20 And turning His gaze toward His disciples, He began to say, “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 21 Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. 22 Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man. 23 Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For in the same way their fathers used to [l]treat the prophets. 24 But woe to you who are rich, for you are receiving your comfort in full. 25 Woe to you who are well-fed now, for you shall be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep. 26 Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for their fathers used to treat the false prophets in the same way.

27 “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either. 30 Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back. 31 Treat others the same way you want them to treat you. 32 If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned. 38 Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”

Today’s meditation verse:

Luke 6:45 (NASB): “The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.”

By Petals from the Basket | December 6, 2018 | Bible Reading |

Advent Reading – Day 5

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 5: Read Luke 5 by clicking here.

Today’s focus verses:

Luke 5:1–11 (NKJV):

1So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, 2 and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets. 3 Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat.

4 When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”

5 But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” 6 And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. 7 So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!”

9 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; 10 and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” 11 So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.

Today’s meditation verse:

Luke 5:32 (NKJV): “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

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We are thrilled to share that we have greatly revised the previously published Petals of Promises. In fact, it no longer exists in paperback under that title. It is revised, corrected, and uses a more general title and style to make it suitable for men and women alike. You may purchase Pages of Promises: 365 Devotional Thoughts on the Promises of God by clicking on the book’s cover photo below. This is an ideal gift for friends and family! (Be sure to grab one for yourself while you’re there!)

By Petals from the Basket | December 5, 2018 | Bible Reading, Books |

Advent Reading – Day 4

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 4: Read Luke 4 by clicking here.

Today’s focus verses:

Luke 4:1–12 (KJV):

1And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,

2 Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered.

3 And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.

4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.

5 And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.

6 And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.

7 If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine.

8 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

9 And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence:

10 For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee:

11 And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.

12 And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

Today’s meditation verse:

Luke 4:4 (KJV): “And Jesus answered him, saying, ‘It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.'”

By Petals from the Basket | December 4, 2018 | Bible Reading |

Advent Reading – Day 3

 

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 3: Read Luke 3 by clicking here.

Today’s focus verses:

Luke 3:1–6 (ESV):

1In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, 2 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet,

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,[a]
    make his paths straight.
5 Every valley shall be filled,
    and every mountain and hill shall be made low,
and the crooked shall become straight,
    and the rough places shall become level ways,
6 and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”

Today’s meditation verses:

Luke 3:21–22 (ESV): “Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.’”

By Petals from the Basket | December 3, 2018 | Bible Reading |