Even Elizabeth, your relative, is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive, is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail. ” I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left. Luke 1:36-38 There is so much in this world that will fail us. People will fail us, and friends will fail us; the family will fail us. Do you know who won’t fail us? God! His word will never fail. Isn’t that amazing. Let’s read 1 Corinthians 13, ” If I speak human or…
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Advent: Day Five
“How can this be,” Mary asked the angel, “Since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to born will be called the Son of God.” Luke 1:34-35 Could you imagine being visited by the angel Gabriel? Let alone a message from God? What do you think your reaction would be? Mary responded with surprise. Then she moved to steadfast confidence in God’s ability to do anything, no matter how improbable. How do you deal with doubt? How do you choose to believe? Let’s read 1 Peter 5:9. It says,…
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Advent: Day Four
You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end. Luke 1:31-33 Where do you put your hope in? People, animals, things? We were made to be connected to God. When we grow in God, we can have an unshakable belief in God. We are created to trust God as a provider, healer, and comforter. However, life happens, and this world sabotages our hope in…
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Advent: Day Three
The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! ‘The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.” Luke 1:28-30 Have you ever encountered God where the message was not exhilarating but was confusing or even alarming? Have you ever question God at that moment? Both Mary and her ancestor, King David, experienced the uncertainties and joys of following God. Psalm 27 says this, ” he Lord is my light and my salvation— whom should I fear? The Lord is the…
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Advent: Day Two
After these days, his wife Elizabeth conceived and kept herself in seclusion for five months. She said, “The Lord has done this for me. He has looked with favor in these days to take away my disgrace among the people.” Luke 1: 24-25 Elizabeth experienced a miracle. For years she was barren. For her, there was no hope that she would ever conceive. She was past the age of being able to conceive. Yet God gave her a child. She conceived at an old age. In our world today, we are probably more apprehensive than the anticipation of anything good. God has created life. Even in this life of…
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Advent: Day One
Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The Virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel,” Isaiah 7:14 God provided a preview of our Messiah through the prophet Isaiah around 700 years before Jesus was born. In Isaiah 7:10-14, it says, “Then the Lord spoke again to Ahaz: ask for a sign from the Lord your God – from the depths of Sheol to the heights of heaven.” But Ahaz replied, “I will not ask; I will not test the lamb.” Isaiah said, Listen, house of David! Is it not enough for you to try the patience of men? Will you also try the patience of…
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Community of Gratitude
And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day, those who were being saved. Acts 2: 46-47 Do you have a church that you attend? Are you breaking bread with your brothers and sisters in Christ? This has a twofold meaning. The first expression in Acts and the early church refers to sharing meals in one another’s home. How often do you cultivate relationships with others in your church? Do you ask them to your home for…
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Magnify With Thanksgiving
I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving. Psalm 69:30 Do you ever complain to God? Then realize you need to praise him and give thanks. The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, And with my song, I shall thank Him. Psalm 28:7 O magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together. Psalm 34:4 The psalmist is an example of Christians, concludes a psalm with holy joy and praise, which he began with complaints and remonstrances of his griefs. He restores to praise God himself. He…
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Give Thanks To The Lord
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart. I will recount all of our wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you. I will sing praise to your name, O Most High. Psalm 9:1-2 In our family growing up, My day would have everyone around the table share what we were thankful for. Let us remember to thank God each day. One way to thank God is through our praise. The Old Testament uses three words for praise: for the Israelites to praise God Barak – bless halal – Hallelujah – praise the Lord yada – sometimes means give thanks I will give thanks to the…
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He Thanked Jesus
Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Luke 17:15-16 Have you thanked God for your salvation, love, grace, and all of his spiritual benefits? We must never forget to thank him. What God has done for us should make us want to thank God continually. We should want to approach Him with a grateful heart. They sang, praising and giving thanks to the LORD, saying, “For He is good, for His lovingkindness is upon Israel forever.” And all the people shouted with a great shout…