Luke 6:12-13 Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples. 

Prayer is essential to decision-making. Teach me to pray, Lord!

1 Timothy 2:1-2 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 

I am called to pray in thanksgiving, which will lead to peace. Am I doing this for all people when I pray? Or, am I simply praying for a “wish list”?

Luke 5:31-32 Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

Jesus doesn’t shy away from us as sinners any more than a doctor would avoid ill people. He cares and has the wisdom, love, and power to help us. 

1 Timothy 1:16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. 

My perfection is not the example sinners need to see in me. Rather, it is the mercy God has given me despite my great failings. May sinners see how God has changed and forgiven me, so that they might also believe in Christ Jesus.

Luke 5:30 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”

Most are astounded that Jesus wants anything to do with people who have sinned. The reality? He does. And the truth is that we are ALL sinners. 

2 Thessalonians 3:10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.” 

Lord, keep me from procrastination and may You always enable me to work.

 Luke 5:27-28 After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow me,” Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.

Following Jesus requires intentionality (“he got up”) and sacrifice (“left everything”). Help me, Lord. 

2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 

I should be on the lookout for how Satan works “through signs and wonders that serve the lie”. Lord, help me to stand firm and not be deceived by the lawless one nor those who refuse to be saved.

Luke 5:26 Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.”

Second time in this chapter we see the principle “whatever fills you controls you.”

May I be filled with wonder and awe as I see the Lord work. 

2 Thessalonians 1:11 With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. 

May my every deed be “prompted by faith”. Lord, please bring these deeds to fruition.