Blogging Through The Gospels: Luke 3

Before you begin to read this article, I'd like to ask a favor of you: please pray for the recent tornado victims. Tennessee and the whole southeast is only barely starting to recover from the April 27 tornadoes, and now I hear of several tornadoes in the Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma region. Please pray for these people right now.

Thank you so much for praying! That really means a lot to me, and I'm sure to the people who were affected as well. Today's chapter is Luke 3, which is on John the Baptist, Jesus' baptism, and Jesus' genealogy. I thought that Jesus' genealogy was really really cool--it shows how Jesus was related to God...through humans! Read it sometime...it's fascinating.

Scripture:

"The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire." ~Luke 3:9

Observation:

This is John the Baptist talking, urging the people to return to God before it was too late. He was trying to convey to them how close they were to destruction, but they still had one last chance! The ax may be at the root of the tree, and the tree is about to die, but before the ax cuts, the tree is still alive. Same thing with people, John the Baptist said. You have one last chance to return to God! Do it before it's too late!

John went onto say how that every tree that didn't produce fruit would be cut down and cast into the fire. I wonder if Jesus had John's words ringing in his ears as Jesus taught his disciples about the vine and the branches:

"If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned." ~John 15:6

Application:

The good news is that if you're reading this article right now, it's not too late for you! You can still come back to Jesus, and not be cut down. Maybe you've followed Christ for all or most of your life, but now realize that you have just been going through the actions. Half-heartedly done all the "right" stuff. Now as you read this you realize that you have this desire to really, truly have a vibrant, living relationship and connection with God.

Prayer:

Dear God, I haven't been doing all that I should. Please forgive me, and help me to now how a real and vibrant connection and relationship with You. Help me not to be an old scraggly tree about to be cut down. Help me to be a living, vibrant, and green tree growing and living in You. Amen. 

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P.S.--To learn more about this blogging-through-the-gospels program, or if YOU would like to join yourself (you're more than welcome-jump right in!!) go to: http://www.momstoolbox.com/