Luke 14

But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, go up higher.’ Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” vv.10-11

Read chapter 14
How hard is it for you to take a humble position?  It's easy to say but a lot harder to do.  If you just graduated from college with a bachelor's degree and go to start an internship and in that internship one of the things you have to do is clean the office bathroom, will you complain about it?  In your mind do you tell yourself 'I have a college degree and all I'm scrubbing toilets'?  Now do you find it easy to take the humble position?
The Lord uses a comparison here with sitting at a feast.  If one sits in an unnoticed position the guest of honor will notice you may put you in a more noticeable seat.  The Lord seems to be saying take the humble seat immediately, right when you walk in to this feast.  When the host notices he will exalt the one in the sight of many.  This would be honorable indeed.  Yet how shameful a feeling to take an exalted position and be lowered in the sight of all.  We find this similar teaching from Solomon in Proverbs 25:6-7, "Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, And do not stand in the place of the great; For it is better that he say to you, “Come up here,” Than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, Whom your eyes have seen."
Where in your life do you struggle to take a humble position waiting to be noticed?  Let God be the one to notice and exalt you than man's words that can bring pride.  We all are sinners save by grace and the most humble position we can take today and live out.

Luke 13

Then He said, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it?  It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and put in his garden; and it grew and became a large tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches.” vv.18-19

Read chapter 13
What is the Kingdom of God?  As we saw in the last chapter, chapter 12, we are to seek first His Kingdom.  How are we suppose to seek something we do not know what we're looking for?  Study of God's scripture!  The Kingdom of God is not just church or christianity as some refer it to, remember the word kingdom means government, the government of God is what we are to seek.
Here the Lord uses a comparison to help his hearers understand what the kingdom of God is like.  Bible teacher Nathan Johnson explains this verse  well: 

The Lord compares the kingdom of God to a mustard seed which a man plants in his garden. This is a very unusual illustration from the start, for who in planting a garden would ever plant just a single seed? Would a farmer planting corn ever plant just a single seed of corn? Would one planting wheat plant a single grain of wheat in the ground? This is not how planting is done! Yet this man plants only a single mustard seed. He must have great confidence indeed in this seed to do such a thing!
Mustard seeds were very small, yet they grew into a rather large plant. Yet this plant was pretty much a bush, and in no wise could be called a large tree. Yet this mustard seed in Christ’s illustration grows beyond all expectation for such a seed. It grows into a great tree, in which the birds of the air can come and nest in its branches.
Thus according to the Lord, the Kingdom of God starts very small. Yet ultimately it will grow so large that those who see it will be astonished, and declare that no one would have expected it to grow so large considering its humble beginnings and considering how much larger it has become than all other governments in the past have ever been. As we look at the record of God’s government in the New Testament, we can see with what small beginnings the Lord began His movement in the earth. Whether we count the beginning as a single babe in a manger in Bethlehem, or as a little group of 120 men gathered together on the day of Pentecost, the kingdom began in a very small way indeed. Yet what a large and all-encompassing government will grow out of these very small beginnings!

You may not plan seeds so this illustration isn't as clear to you, but what can you relate a mustard seed like to you in comparing this point of what the kingdom of God is like?

Luke 12

“And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind.  For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things.  But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you." vv.29-31

Read chapter 12
What makes you anxious?  What are you most afraid of today?
Eating and drinking are man's most basic needs and in many countries and all cities wondering when you'll have your next meal is a normal thought unlike many of us today in the United States.  We do have to remember that Jesus was talking specifically to the twelve disciples (verse 22) while they were to go around and proclaim the Kingdom of God.  In this they would be provided for with food and drink by what God would work out from who and when; kind of like if one goes on a business trip the company usually provides for all the lodging and meals you just have to go.  But we today can still take from these commands.  The world's basic needs don't go unnoticed by the Father although many would say so looking at the world today.  His Kingdom is not on earth now and until His government is ruling the world we will have hunger and poverty.  We are to seek first His kingdom over focusing on things that cause anxiety in us.  Yet what does it look like or mean to seek first His Kingdom?  Since the Kingdom is not here on earth today we can't just stumble upon it.  But we can seek to know what God's Kingdom is in the Bible He's given to us.  Throughout all of scripture the Kingdom of God is preached and a reality that is soon to come as we wait for His return.  The more we seek and desire more of Him the cares of this world diminish and increases our joy.  
So when problems arise what is your first response?  Is it get overwhelmed, worry, anger, fuss?  Try to make your natural response become one to pray first to the Father that knows all things you need.

Luke 11

"No one, when he has lit a lamp, puts it in a secret place or under a basket, but on a lampstand, that those who come in may see the light. The lamp of the body is the eye. Therefore, when your eye is good, your whole body also is full of light. But when your eyeis bad, your body also is full of darkness." vv.33-34

Read chapter 11
Anyone singing in their heads "This Little Light of Mine" after reading these verses?  The point being made that no one uses a lamp only to hide its light but that they and others may see; that's the whole point of having a lamp.  Well these men who Christ was talking to in this chapter, Pharisees and lawyers, sure did let "Satan blow it out."

"The light that God had given them was for their good, and to enlighten them altogether. These men, however, had blinded their own eyes to the truth of God that the Lord Jesus was speaking to them. Thus their bodies were full of darkness. Otis Sellers gives as an example the truth that the Scriptures taught that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem. This was a truth that God had given, and it was meant to enlighten them to the truth about the Lord Jesus. However, these men had turned this truth into darkness when they just assumed that the Lord must have been born in Nazareth. Thus, by this assumption, they turned what should have been light into darkness." (Bible Teacher Nathan Johnson)

Are you hiding Jesus, who is the light of the world?  Jesus says the lamp of the body is the eye, this allows light to enter and fill the whole body.  If they eye is good your body is full of light but if your eye is back your body is full of darkness.  What are your eyes focusing on? TV shows that make sin ok?  "Beauties" of this world causing desire in you?  Have you allowed your eyes to make you numb to sin?  I'm not saying be ignorant of wars, evil and sin in this world, but if one "looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does" (James 1:25).

Luke 10

"After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go." v.1

Read chapter 10
Did you ever realize that Jesus sent out more than just the twelve to heal the sick and preach the Kingdom of God?  There were commissioned specifically by the Lord and this sending is the Greek word apostello.  These 70 had the title of Apostle during this specific time that they went out until the returned.
Does this number seventy remind you of something else in scripture?  Recall from Numbers 11:

 So the Lord said to Moses: “Gather to Me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them; bring them to the tabernacle of meeting, that they may stand there with you. 17 Then I will come down and talk with you there. I will take of the Spirit that is upon you and will put the same upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, that you may not bear ityourself alone.

Seventy men were chosen to help Moses lead the people and were given the Spirit to do this.  So we see here in Luke the Jesus gives these seventy men the Spirit to do the Lord's work.  Also the Sanhedrin was made up of seventy elders and headed by the High Priest after Moses and his seventy.
This wasn't to 70 different cities but to 35 different cities as Jesus sent them in pairs.  Each is sent with a companion to do the Lord's work and not go it alone.  It is so important to do life and ministry with others and not alone.  It brings joy, thankfulness, support, accountability, deeper relationship, and so much more.  Yes it can be hard if we're paired with someone completely different than us but let that refine you than destroy you.  

"Two are better than one,

Because they have a good reward for their labor.

10 

For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.

But woe to him who is alone when he falls,

For he has no one to help him up.

11 

Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm;

But how can one be warm alone?

12 

Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.

And a threefold cord is not quickly broken." Ecc. 3:9-12

With whom are you doing ministry?

Luke 9

"As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening.  And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah,  who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. But Peter and those with him were heavy with sleep; and when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men who stood with Him. Then it happened, as they were parting from Him, that Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said." vv.29-33

Read chapter 9
The Transfiguration.  What an honor for Peter, James and John to be a part of this moment.  I always wonder how they knew it was Moses and Elijah with Jesus?  I mean they didn't have photographs then so even though they would know of them they wouldn't know what they looked like; and I don't think they were wearing name tags, probably just called each other by name and picked up on it.  
It's hard to know what exactly Jesus face looked like when it says it was altered, perhaps from Revelation 1:14-15 we can guess what it might have been like: "His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire;  His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters."
Now what exactly is happening here is debated.  Some say they are disembodied souls, some say this is a special resurrection of Moses (since Elijah didn't die) and some say this is a vision of the future when Jesus is standing with Moses and Elijah recounting the time leading up to His decease.  I believe with the latter and gather this from many details in scripture.
Lastly we see Peter tell Jesus he wants to building three tabernacles for Jesus, Moses and Elijah.  Why does it seem wrong or out of place?  Well first scripture says he didn't know what he said.  Second, he is putting Jesus on the same plane as Moses and Elijah.  Third, Peter seems to act rashly not knowing what to say but thinking he needs to say something to try to prolong the moment.  How sometimes do we respond like Peter to great things of the Lord by saying or doing something just to put in our two cents or feel like we have to add to it then just soak the moment in?  

Luke 8

"But as He went, the multitudes thronged Him.  Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any,  came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped." vv.42-45

Read chapter 8
Women, can you imagine having your period every day straight for twelve straight years?!  This women tried everything possible it seems like having spent her livelihood on physicians.  Just like today when people with a sickness go from doctor to doctor all over the country and even world trying to be healed and the cost draining their bank account and some.  You can imagine she would have probably given up hope by now of being healed having most likely believed every doctor and every possible cure presented her, but sure enough every one failed; yet she believed Jesus could.  Her faith cured her.  She believed that Jesus was the Messiah, the promised One to come, who would bring healing.  So believing that He was the Christ, meant believing He could heal.  We know from the other gospel account of this situation in Mark 5 that she thought if she could just touch His garment she'd be made well.
Another interesting thing about this situation is that Jesus is on His way to heal a 12 year old girl who was dying, an emergency indeed and need of Jesus quickly.  Yet on His way to this emergency He heals this woman.  How zoned I get sometimes when I have this grave emergency to get to and can cross right over another emergency or need.  I would be so overwhelmed by a crowd thronging me when I had somewhere to be and do.  Yet not Jesus, He uses His time perfectly all the time.  Now Peter thinks the Lord is being ridiculous having asked who touched him since the multitudes were surrounding Him.  So the Lord has to explain to him what he meant.  What seems obvious to us, the Lord always knows more.
Have you prayed for healing from the Healer?  How do you respond in emergencies when it's dependent on you? Have you been like Peter and thought the Lord was being ridiculous but turned out He knew more?  

Luke 7

"For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” v.27

Read chapter 7

John the Baptist doesn't always seem to be one of the heroes of the faith that pop first in our minds, but listen to this amazing honor Jesus tells of him: "There is not a greater pro prophet than John"!  It distinctly says among those born of women which is every human ever except Adam and Eve.  I mean when you consider prophets of the past like Moses, Samuel, Elijah, Isaiah, etc, we would tend to argue with Jesus of the statement he made here but Christ doesn't make mistakes and says this profound truth of John being greater than even them and for sure greater than any of us today have tried to be.

The statement following is mind-blowing too: "He who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."  Kingdom means government so the kingdom of God is the government of God, when God's government rules the earth and no other governments are in tact like we see today of every country with it's own government.  Jesus is saying that whoever is least in the government of God is greater than John the Baptist who was just said to be the greatest prophet of all.   To be a part of government isn't just to be under it's rule but to have a position or seat like we would say the House and the Senate are part of the US government but John Doe living in Minnesota just is under the US government.  So those the Lord has said are seated with Him, us, get to be in His government: "what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come" (Eph. 1:18-20).

Luke 6

"And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own eye?  Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother’s eye." vv.41-42

Read chapter 6
Ouch!  A plank in my eye!  And how could I or anyone else miss seeing that?  It sounds like something you'd see in a Freak Show.  Well, yes this is just an illustration and not literal as it's impossible to just walk around with a plank in your eye.  Yet the exaggeration to our sin and judgement is well explained through this metaphor.  Metaphor of hypocrisy and that especially among believers.
How often do we not perceive our own sin, the plank in our eye, that is so obvious to others?  Or who do you know that doesn't perceive their own plank in their eye?  How often are you criticizing other's lack and sin and not dealing with your own?  Now it's not telling us don't call someone out in their sin as we need to do that to grow in our walk with the Lord and turn from sin, but the Lord was telling the disciples not to condemn sin if they were committing worse sin.  How hypocritical would it be for someone who is having sex with multiple women condemn someone who for the first time had sex before marriage?
The verse (37) just before these says, "Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven." 

These statements all applied to those to whom Christ was speaking at that time. They were to act in this unusual and startling manner while they were in His company as His disciples. This was God’s plan for them at that time. Moreover, this will be the way things are in the kingdom of God. In that day, God will be making the judgments, and He will be setting men up or pulling them down as He sees is right. For one to judge or condemn in that day, then, when God has not judged or condemned would be to question the very judgment of God. Needless to say, that would not be a good thing to do under God’s government. (precepts.wordpress.org)

No, this is not how we are to act. If we were to never condemn evil, then how could we ever fight against it? If we were never to try to judge and set things right, how would wickedness ever be stopped and justice served? Moreover, if we are not forgiven if we do not forgive, what good is the blood of Christ? We must not try to apply these words to ourselves today of not judging, but we should learn well how to rid hypocrisy when calling out sin.

Luke 5

"And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered and said to them, “Why are you reasoning in your hearts?  Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise up and walk’?  But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the man who was paralyzed, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” vv.21-24

Read chapter 5

Which do you think is easier to say in this scenario of the paralyzed man needing healing: "your sins are forgiven" or "rise up and walk"?  In man's eyes it's easier to say your sins are forgiven because no one can really see sins forgiven and hard to know if it happened or not  for sure.  We as men and women are to forgive others who sin against us but we do not have the power to forgive man's sin against God (all sins are ultimately against God).  The scribes and Pharisees know that only God can forgive sins and so when Jesus says this they, rather than thinking He is God, think He is blaspheming.  Even after Jesus proves the harder of healing the paralytic by just speaking the words "Arise," they still don't believe.  They remain stubborn in their thoughts of who they want the Messiah to be than Who was right before them.

Well sometimes for us it seems more impossible to forgive someone in our lives than to miraculously heal.  Of course we don't have power to heal with just a word like Jesus did, neither do we have the power to forgive man's sin, but we are called to forgive others as the Lord forgave us.  Who and why are you making it seem like it's harder to forgive than performing a miracle?  Prove it if you think so.

Luke 4

"So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read.  And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written:" vv.16-17

Read chapter 4
Jesus was born in Bethlehem but lived most his life in Nazareth and was considered a Nazarene (not a Bethlehemite).  We see in this chapter that his hometown rejected and hated him more than any other town he will visit.  
In this verse we learn a little bit of Christ's childhood in that he was raised in the synagogue; not like Samuel where he literally lived in the temple with Eli the high priest, but more like what someone would say today, "I grew up in the church" or " I was raised a Christian."  Don't forget the fact that Jesus was a Jew, there were no Christians at the time,  Jesus obeyed and lived according to the Law of Israel.  
Another interesting thing we learn here is that Christ could read.  It was very unlikely in those days for many people to read, especially not children of a carpenters son as only the rich usually could read.  Yet the one Who created languages surely enough could read languages.  Today, around 16% of the world's population of adults over 15 years old cannot read, that's about 775 million people today.  Don't take for granted that you can not only read, but read the Bible freely.
So we see Jesus stand up to read Isaiah. "In the other synagogues He preached or proclaimed, whereas here He read. Bullinger suggests in the Companion Bible that this is because He was a member of this synagogue, having been raised in this city of Nazareth, and so had the privilege of being able to participate in this manner, rather than just being a guest, as He was in other synagogues" (https://precepts.wordpress.com).
Were you raised in a church or Christian family?  Has this empowered you to preach Christ?  Why or why not?

Luke 3

When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened.  And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.” vv.21-22

Read chapter 3
If Jesus was sinless, why was He baptized?
This is a common question asked by many but you can't really answer a question that doesn't make sense.  The question is making baptism be a washing away of sin.  If that were true than this verse would show that Jesus was sinful, which would then show that He wasn't a pure spotless lamb, which would then show is death on the cross in vain.  

So then what does baptism mean?  The Greek word is baptizo which is transliterated  to baptism, a change of just a couple letters to make it sound like an English word.  It doesn't mean to dip or immerse for why then would Jesus dip or immerse us in fire (v.16), but is an identification.  We identify all of who we are with Jesus, His Holy Spirit, His judgments (fire), and John's identification (baptism) was a baptism of submission (Greek metenioa meaning after mind, not repentance as some translations say (v.3)), an identification of submission that what John was proclaiming the people would submit and have the after-mind to no matter what was to come.  Baptism means identification.

So back to why Jesus was baptized, because He of all people was submitting to the Father's will no matter what was to come for the salvation of the world.

How can you identify to live for Christ today no matter what chaos or confusion comes?

Luke 2

"Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,  to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.  So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.  And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." vv.4-7

Read chapter 2
The Christmas story.  In just three verses we see Jesus born and most of what we picture of the nativity scene (verse 8-19 happen the same night too of the angles and shepherds).  A lot of people know what the nativity scene looked like based off of little figurines set up in people's homes or dramas or cartoons of reenactments, but is it really according to scripture?  
For one, many picture Mary traveling at 9 months pregnant about to burst, but here in verse  six that "while they were there" it came time to give birth to Jesus, nothing indicating that on their way the baby was about to come and they were rushing from door to door to fine a place to have the baby.
Secondly is the place where Jesus was born.  The common view is a stable, others say a cave.  Having arrived at Bethlehem early and among Joseph's relatives (since he was from there) they most likely had a place to stay but when the time came to give birth they wouldn't do so in a house (inn) full of people.  Especially according to Israel's law in Leviticus 12 of becoming unclean giving birth, they would not want to make others unclean. Bible teacher Nathan Johnson suggest,

"What they had to concern themselves with were traveling animals, such as donkeys, mules, camels, and the like. (Remember, horses were not allowed in Israel.) This would have been the purpose for which an inn of the time had a room for animals. This room would have been similar to our parking garages, and had nothing to do with farm animals. Knowing that she could not give birth in the common room of the inn, Mary and Joseph and their relatives who owned the inn had to make other plans. Having this room for animals handy, they no doubt hit upon this as the most reasonable place for her to go through the birth process. As the time approached for her delivery, they would have made the stable ready, clearing out and cleaning up a portion of it and preparing it for the big day."

There's more details to check out of tradition verses truth.  Check out this video of what a more like nativity scene would have looked like:Retooning the Nativity   

So what you thinking now of the night of Jesus' birth?

Luke 1

"And Zacharias said to the angel, 'How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years'...Then Mary said to the angel, 'How can this be, since I do not know a man?'" vv.18,34

Read chapter 1
Two visits by the angle Gabriel, two ordinary people, two miraculous conceptions yet one response with two different outcomes.  

Have you ever compared the response of Zacharias and Mary after the angle Gabriel told them they were going to have a child?  The response seems basically the same: "How shall I know this?  For I am an old man..." and "How can this be, since I don't know a man?"  But the outcome for asking this question is different.  For Zacharias it seems too late and for Mary it seems too early.  Because of Zacharias' doubt he becomes mute (v.20) but in Mary's response she only questions to know better what he means. 

Zacharias wants a sign to believe, Mary wants to obey whatever the word of the Lord says (v.38).  Zacharias kept the law meticulously but shows lack of faith.  Just because a person appears religious doesn't always mean they have great faith.  You would assume that Zacharias would have know the story of Abraham and Sarah having a child in their old age, so how could he have doubted so?  Was it just a story to him or really real?
Faith is what God seeks than works; "without faith it is impossible to please God" (Hebrews 11:6).

Do you see your faith similar to Zacharias or Mary?

Psalm 71

"Even when I am old and gray,
    do not forsake me, my God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
    your mighty acts to all who are to come." v.18

Read chapter 71

A psalm of the aged believer.  Something touching about hair whitened by many years of experience and wisdom.  Becoming old shouldn't become and excuse to no longer proclaim God's righteousness just as being young should say they'll preach God's truth when they're older.  The aged believer desires to declareGod's might words to the next generation, knowing the importance of training the young men, women, children in the fear of the Lord.  He desires to continue to share his testimony and grow in faith even when his days are few, nearer and nearer to death.  When the aged looks back it gives us perspective of where we're at and where we are going to walk in the future with God.  Are you living a gospel-saturated life all your days?  God's faithfulness with be true to us when we're young and when we're old.  How can you share today to the next generation (even if it's to a 2 year old)?

"Blessed are they who begin in youth to proclaim the name of the LORD and cease not until their last hour brings their las word for their Devine Master" (Spurgeon).

Psalm 70

Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You;
And let those who love Your salvation say continually,
“Let God be magnified!”  v.4

Read chapter 70
This psalm is almost copied word-for-word from psalm 40 (from verse 13 to the end); perhaps the reason in the title "To Bring Remembrance".  How often it is that we pray the same prayer over and over again, or use the same wording or verbage, so to David prays a similar prayer.  We are not sure if it's the same occasion or a different one from when he wrote psalm 40.  In this verse four when he writes, "Let God be magnified!" uses Elohim for God, whereas in psalm 40 Jehovah is used.  Learning why the Israelites used different names of God at different times helps us understand more of God's character and relationship status between God and man.  
Magnify means to increase the apparent size, to cause to make something greater or more important.  God can't obtain more glory than the infinite worth he had from all eternity. So if we can't make God seem bigger  than he already is, what does it mean for God to be magnified?

To magnify God can't mean that we have the ability to alter God in any way. I don't think that the definition of "magnify God" in these phrases means to actually make God "bigger" or "greater". But can mean to make God more important in our life.  Magnification doesn't make objects bigger, it alters our perception of an object, making it appear bigger to us.  Similarly, magnifying God doesn't make Him bigger, it means He becomes more prominent to us.  How can you let God be magnified in your life by putting him first as your focus and priority?

Psalm 69

"Save me, O God,
    for the waters have come up to my neck.
2 I sink in the miry depths,
    where there is no foothold.
I have come into the deep waters;
    the floods engulf me.
3 I am worn out calling for help;
    my throat is parched.
My eyes fail,
    looking for my God." vv.1-3

Read chapter 69

Do you ever feel like your "drowning" in life?  Feel like your just barely keeping your head above water?

This is a psalm of David, a psalm of heartache crying out to the Lord, ready to throw in the towel.  He's exhausted from crying out for help.  I picture like a child who won't stop crying eventually dries up his mouth and throat and knocks right out.  I feel like I've prayed this prayer before many a times.  When the flood of the enemy and this world overwhelm me.  Hard to believe this was David, a might king, but we need to uremia his hardships: Saul trying to kill him for years and years, his son trying to overthrow him as king, those that hated him for his sin with Bathsheba, etc.  It seems like the closer you get to God the stronger the enemies floods come and raise up against you.  Yet David didn't give up, he didn't throw in the towel.  When he was in pain and distress he still hoped and confided in God's protection (v.29).  

Are you crying out in exhausting right now?  What are you holding on to in the temptation to give in?

Psalm 68

"Your procession, God, has come into view,
    the procession of my God and King into the sanctuary.
25 In front are the singers, after them the musicians;
    with them are the young women playing the timbrels.
26 Praise God in the great congregation;
    praise the Lord in the assembly of Israel.
27 There is the little tribe of Benjamin, leading them,
    there the great throng of Judah’s princes,
    and there the princes of Zebulun and of Naphtali." vv.24-27

Read chapter 68

A parade.  I loved watching parades when I was little, probably more excited about the free candy thrown out, but I loved to wave and be waved at by those in the procession whether it was someone I knew (i.e. Mickey Mouse) or someone I had no idea of but honored that they'd wave at me while they were doing crazy tricks or dances or playing music.  

Here we read of a glorious parade of God the King coming into Jerusalem where He will reign and rule out of over the whole earth.  It's a beautiful procession starting with singers than musicians and women playing tambourines.  (I wonder if this separation of specific instruments being played by maidens because they'll be dancing too as most often you see tambourines played with full body movement than just a marching band?)  

Note the Hebrew word in verse 26 for congregation is qahal and the Greek equivalent is translated 'church.' The church didn't start just at Pentecost in Acts 2, nor did it come to an end, but here is speaking of a certain group called out by God that is Israel (v.26).  

We also see princes of Judah, Zebulan and Naphtali in this procession.  Perhaps these are kings of Judah and Israel in the past that earned the right to still be among the exalted position in the future.  

What's your favorite part of parades?  The candy thrown out?  I can image this parade is one you won't want to miss or take your eyes off of.  Especially for the grand finale of who's at the end.