Category: God’s attributes revealed

Clear Prophesy that Encourages Our Faith

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The second part of Zachariah’s song of praise and prophecy shows his father’s heart and reveals what God has planned for both his son and the effects of the Messiah upon the world. Luke 1:76-80

“And you, my little son,
    will be called the prophet of the Most High,
    because you will prepare the way for the Lord.
77 You will tell his people how to find salvation
    through forgiveness of their sins.
78 Because of God’s tender mercy,
    the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us,
79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
    and to guide us to the path of peace.”

Zachariah’s speaks of who his son will be and his godly mission. John would be a prophet and prepare the hearts of the people for the coming Messiah. He would preach repentance and point the people to God. I am reminded of Isaiah’s prophetic words about this coming messenger from God. Isaiah 40:3-4 gives a description of this messenger and his purpose and was written hundreds of years before John’s birth. “Listen! It’s the voice of someone shouting, “Clear the way through the wilderness
    for the Lord! Make a straight highway through the wasteland for our God!
4 Fill in the valleys, and level the mountains and hills.                     Straighten the curves, and smooth out the rough places.” In the Gospel of John Chapter 1, John the disciple, uses Isaiah’s words to describe this John the Baptist. John 1:22-23 “Then who are you? We need an answer for those who sent us. What do you have to say about yourself?”23 John replied in the words of the prophet Isaiah: “I am a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Clear the way for the Lord’s coming!’” John preached repentance for sin and baptized with water. He said one was coming who would be greater than he. John 1:26-27 “ John told them, “I baptize with water, but right here in the crowd is someone you do not recognize. 27 Though his ministry follows mine, I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandal.”

Zachariah then prophesied about the light of God that would be coming into the world. He would come to give light in our dark world of sin and death and guide us towards peace with God. Jesus spoke of himself as the light to this world. John 8:12 “Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 12:35 “Jesus replied, “My light will shine for you just a little longer. Walk in the light while you can, so the darkness will not overtake you. Those who walk in the darkness cannot see where they are going.” John 16:13 speaks of the guidance Jesus promised through the Holy Spirit, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.” John 16:33 speaks of peace in Jesus, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” Zachariah’s prophecies were immediately fulfilled in the lives of John the Baptist and Jesus and after Jesus’ death in the coming of the Holy Spirit!

This chapter concludes with an anecdote on the growing up years of John before he began to preach. 80 John grew up and became strong in spirit. And he lived in the wilderness until he began his public ministry to Israel. 

God is clearly visible in the fulfilled prophesy included in Zachariah’s song. Praise God for these confirmations in scripture that build and encourage our faith.

Linda

A Song of Praise from Zachariah

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After 9 long months of not being able to speak, Zachariah’s silence ends with the naming of his son John, just as the angel had said. The Lord graciously gave Zachariah words of prophecy that burst forth along with his praises. What a wonderful confirmation to Zachariah and Elizbeth that their son John was to have a part in God’s plan for mankind along with the coming savior. They knew Mary, who was staying in their home, was carrying God’s child. I am dividing Zachariah’s prophecy into two days. Here is part 1 of   Zechariah’s Prophecy, Luke 1:67-75:

67 Then his father, Zechariah, was filled with the Holy Spirit and gave this prophecy                          68 “Praise the Lord, the God of Israel,
    because he has visited and redeemed his people.          Praise God, He is accessible.
                                69 He has sent us a mighty Savior
    from the royal line of his servant David,  Praise God, Savior Jesus is coming.
70 just as he promised            Praises, God keeps His promises   
    through his holy prophets long ago.       from generation to generation.
71 Now we will be saved from our enemies
    and from all who hate us.         Praise God, The Savior will bring salvation.
72 He has been merciful to our ancestors
    by remembering his sacred covenant—   Praise God, He is merciful and faithful.
73 the covenant he swore with an oath
    to our ancestor Abraham.        Praise God He kept His covenant with Abraham..
74 We have been rescued from our enemies
    so we can serve God without fear,     Praise God, He removes our fears.
75 in holiness and righteousness       Praise God, He provides holiness and righteousness.
    for as long as we live.

Zachariah knew the Lord and his prophecy is filled with the character of God. He tells what God has done and will do in the future.

How long is your memory? Do you recall things God has done in your life and continue to give Him praise? What about your salvation, His precious promises to you that He makes in His Word, His mercy and faithfulness? Do you thank Him for providing Jesus and a way to be reconciled to Him in spite of your sin? Do you thank Him for answered prayer and the fact that you can go to Him 24/7? Do you thank Him that He is willing to hear about you and your struggles and that He cares for you and about you? What would your own song of prayer be like? What would you include? Both Zachariah and Mary were overcome with who God was and what He was doing that they burst into song. Think about your life. What excites you to praise and thank God? May this season of giving and loving others stimulate you to thoughts of praise to Almighty God! May you sing your own song of Praise to God.

Linda

God Seen in the Arrival of John

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The time for John’s birth arrived. It is recorded in Luke 1:57-66. It as elements of family stresses, nosy neighbors and miraculous happenings all combined to announce John to the world.

57 When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. 58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy. 59 On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, 60 but his mother spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John.” 61 They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who has that name.” 62 Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. 63 He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.” 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God. 65 All the neighbors were filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things. 66 Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, “What then is this child going to be?” For the Lord’s hand was with him.

There were elements of stress leading up to the miraculous! Elizabeth’s birthing went well and the neighbors were relieved and joyous over John’s safe birth. The circumcisions party was to be held on the 8th day according to the Old Testament (Genesis 17:12-14) and everyone gathered at Zachariah and Elizabeth’s home. The baby was named traditionally after the father, so all gathered assuming the boy’s name would be Zachariah. Elizabeth stopped this and said he was to be named John just as the angel had instructed her. This announcement caused quite a stir and they went so far as to give Zachariah a piece of paper so he could write down the name he wanted. It astonished everyone gathered that he wrote John also. Once the baby’s name was announced immediately Zachariah’s mouth was opened and he was able to speak. He began praising God for the miraculous son they had been given and how glorious and powerful God was. (Zachariah’s actual praises will follow tomorrow.) All the family and neighbors for miles around began talking about Zachariah, Elizabeth and baby John. They wondered what God had in store for this special child of His.

What do you see of God in this event? First, there is His tender care for Elizabeth and her safe delivery of baby John. Next, the miraculous release of Zachariah’s speech with the naming of the child as they obediently did as God had commanded them to do through the angel. Then we see peoples’ marveling at the power and sovereignty of God in their midst. Even though this is a scene in an ancient time setting we can still relate. When has God shown you providential care? Did he use a neighbor, a skilled doctor, good medicines, or even warm chicken soup? God uses those around us to minister to our needs. Miracles happen all the time. They may not be as loud and spectacular as speech restored after months of silence, but God intervenes all the time in our lives. He heals the sick, provides for our needs when least expected and in unexpected ways. How have you taken advantage of one of God’s provisions in your life to witness for Him or simply give testimony for what He has done in your life? God deserved praises from Zachariah and he deserves praises from us too. Lastly, this story reminds us that God has a special place and mission for each of us in His Kingdom. We are loved and highly valued by Him. Paul gives his testimony of value in Galatians 2:20, could this be yours too? “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.“ Jesus came for each of us and died to make us free from sin and reconciled to Him. God had a special place for John, Elizabeth and Zachariah and as believers He has a place for us too!

Linda

Evidence of God’s Providential Care

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In our story so far, the angel Gabriel appeared to Zachariah and told him that his aged wife Elizabeth would have a child and his son John would have a mission given by God in calling Israel to repentance in preparation for the coming Messiah. Elizabeth was about 6 months along when the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary. Mary was told that she would give birth to the Son of God. She quickly headed to Elizabeth and Zachariah’s home to stay with them. Elizabeth confirms the baby Mary is carrying is of God.

Today’s verse is from Luke 1:56 “Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back to her own home.” Why is this significant? Mary was young and needed emotional support during this time as she adjusted to the changes in her life. Elizabeth was old and needed help as her pregnancy advanced. Mary needed a ‘soft spot to land’ away from prying eyes and wagging tongues while Joseph took care of things. Elizabeth had a husband that could not talk to her and was in need of companionship and physical support. Mary undoubtedly stayed until after John was born, named and Zachariah was able to talk again. God knew that Mary and Elizabeth could be of help to one another at these critical times in their lives and the angel even mentioned Elizabeth to Mary by name. Their love and support for one anther is an example of God’s providential care. God divinely cares for each of us and provides circumstances that will help, support and care for us. Having Mary and Elizabeth live close to one another and being able to come and be with one another shows us God’s care and love for both of these women.

Who can you support and/or care for during this holiday season? Is there someone that you know needs a meal, a card, a phone call, an email, etc. that you could provide? God places us in community to show love and support for one another. Seeking to connect with others with helping hands shows God’s love. Be a Mary or an Elizabeth to those around you this year. You will be blessed.

Linda

May We Echo Mary’s Praises

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When Mary went to stay with Elizabeth and Zachariah, Elizabeth spoke these words to Mary after her baby recognized that the one Mary was carrying was the Lord. Luke 1:45” You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.” The passage that follows is know as the Magnificat, as it is Mary’s response of praise to God for God’s blessing. Marvel at the words Mary uses to describe God and His works in our world,

46 Mary responded, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.
47     How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
48 For he took notice of his lowly servant girl,
    and from now on all generations will call me blessed. God’s blessing caused Mary to rejoice.


49 For the Mighty One is holy,
    and he has done great things for me.
50 He shows mercy from generation to generation
    to all who fear him. God is mighty, holy, eternal, merciful to those who know Him.
51 His mighty arm has done tremendous things!
    He has scattered the proud and haughty ones.
52 He has brought down princes from their thrones
    and exalted the humble. God is sovereign over all, even princely powers.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things
    and sent the rich away with empty hands. God provides.


54 He has helped his servant Israel
    and remembered to be merciful.
55 For he made this promise to our ancestors,
    to Abraham and his children forever.” God keeps his promises.

If you were writing a song of praise to God, what would you have included? Would you acknowledge His power over all things, His great provision for you, His character and how He has blessed you specifically? Mary’s praise if complete and starts with her own knowledge of God’s blessing. It has to start with us. We need to acknowledge His grace and mercy towards us and humbly accept Him into our lives. He has marvelous wonders to work in our lives as we submit to Him. Mary is our example.

May our praises this season be reflective of His grace in our lives and far reaching to those around us.

Linda

Second Sunday of Advent- Love Candle

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The second Sunday of Advent is when the candle of faith or love is lit. Both of these proclaim the blessing to come because of God’s great love for us, by sending Jesus to be born in Bethlehem. This week we will focus on Mary’s magnificent song recorded in scripture, the birth of John to Elizabeth and Zechariah, and their reactions to his birth besides the fact that dad could now talk! Prepare your hearts and minds to reach into scripture and discover new aspects of God’s love and meaning for yourself as you read the scripture with faith. Faith pleases God and through our faith in Jesus He blesses us with His love and peace. He also gives us understand and insights into His Word- so be prepared to be blessed this week.

I will leave you today with this Psalm 92:1-5 and 12-15

A Psalm. A Song for the Sabbath.

92 It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
    to sing praises to your name, O Most High;
2 to declare your steadfast love in the morning,
    and your faithfulness by night,
3 to the music of the lute and the harp,
    to the melody of the lyre.
4 For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work;
    at the works of your hands I sing for joy. 5 How great are your works, O Lord!
    Your thoughts are very deep!

The righteous flourish like the palm tree
    and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
13 They are planted in the house of the Lord;
    they flourish in the courts of our God.
14 They still bear fruit in old age;
    they are ever full of sap and green,
15 to declare that the Lord is upright;
    he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.

Have a blessed day!

Linda

You Can Be Special to Someone This Week!

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Our story continues with Mary quickly traveling to the hill country after her encounter with the angel Gabriel to stay with Elizabeth and Zechariah. Luke 1:39-45

39 A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town 40 where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. 41 At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. 43 Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? 44 When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. 45 You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.”

I love this homey scene with the cousins embracing the mission God has given to each of them and encouraging one another. Elizabeth was much older than Mary, perhaps more like a grandmother by age. Her wisdom and joy in greeting Mary is apparent. She knows the child Mary is to bare is to be God’s child and her own child jumps in recognition of the spirit within Mary’s womb. Elizabeth acknowledges Mary place in God’s plan and what a favored relationship that will be. She also acknowledged as fact the blessing that comes through faith. I’m sure her wisdom and joy was an encouragement to young Mary.

What do we learn about God from this family scene? God desires that we be encouraged in our walk with Him. He places special people in our lives that will help us grow in our faith. God orchestrates events and people so that we are supported in our times of need. Mary needed the support of Elizabeth and Zachariah- their wisdom and faith as she prepared for her life as Josephs’ wife and Jesus’ mother. God also blesses us because of our faith in Him. His grace is beyond measure and open to all who believe.

Who do you have in your life right now that you can support and encourage? Perhaps you are a mentor or a friend that can lend support to someone spiritually, monetarily, physically or emotionally. I see Mary receiving all those from Elizabeth and Zachariah. Can you be that support for someone this week?

Linda

Mary, a Look at God’s Plan

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The angel’s visit to Mary reveals significant things about God’s plan to reconcile mankind to Himself. Let’s look at the passage in Luke 1:26-38 again.

26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, 27 to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. 28 Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!” 29 Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. 30 “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!” 34 Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” 35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. 36 What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. 37 For the word of God will never fail.” 38 Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.

What do we learn of God’s plan? *God’s Son will be miraculously born of Mary a young unwed Jewish woman. *Jesus would be his name and he would be born to Jewish parents (Mary and Joseph) in the line of David. *Jesus is God’s son and will be given the throne of David, by God, to reign forever as his kingdom will never end. *The baby will be a holy child (sinless).

God shows his unique ability to cut into human history by bringing His Son into the world in a human way but also making him divine. Only God is holy so this child is His in nature- pure, undefiled by sin. But he is also human as he lived and died on earth. It is an incomprehensible plan by human standards but Sovereign God can and did accomplish it. I pray that the magnitude of God’s sacrifice at giving up His only son for this mission to reconcile you and me will seep into your heart and soul this season. God loved us so much that He sent Jesus. John 3:16 says it perfectly,  “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life” It is a plan filled with love, hope and giving. Say a prayer of thanksgiving for what God did in sending Jesus.

Linda

Mary, Looking to God

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We will leave Zachariah and Elizabeth for a bit and turn our attention to Mary. Mary was a young woman who was pledged to marry a Jewish man named Joseph. Like Zachariah, Mary was visited by an angel with a specific message for her. Here is the first part of her story, Luke 1:26-33.

26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

Mary was visited by the archangel named Gabriel, the same angel who had spoken to Zachariah. We are given times and places where this event occurred. In the sixth month refers to the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy. Jesus and John were to be close in age. The place Nazareth was located in the region of Galilee and where Mary and Joseph resided. Joseph, her betrothed, was in the line of David which was very important as Messiah was to come from the line of David. Actually both Mary and Joseph were descendants of David. After greeting Mary, the angel first addresses her fear and proclaims she is favored by God. What an amazing message the angel gives to this young unwed girl. She was to have a child, but she was not married and had not known any man. She was perplexed about this but asks her questions of the angel with showing doubt towards God. The encounter continues in Luke 1:34-38

34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” 35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Mary does not doubt God’s ability to perform this miracle within her and radiates confidence and hope in her response. She is humble and obedient towards God.

What do we learn about God in this encounter? God shows himself and his power through the angel Gabriel. He appeared to her personally and reassured her that all would be well with her. When given momentous tasks to perform, God attends to the details and gives us reassurances that it will succeed. Maybe it is a complement from a coworker, an unexpected gift or money to see the job done, support from a friend, prayers directed to uplift you by other believers, peace in your mind or heart or an encouraging passage from His Word to motivate you. God uses all those around us to do His bidding and support us. Here he used the miraculous and given the mission, it is an encounters that will last a lifetime. God know exactly what Mary needed to reassure her, and He knows what you need. We just have to be open to His encouragements and looking for them expectantly. God was a personal God to Mary and is personal to you and me. He cares about each of us. Peter writes in 1 Peter 5:7 that God encourages us to give Him our anxieties and worries because He cares about us. “Cast all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” Good words for Mary as she was told to trust God and good words for us today.

Linda

Thankfulness, After the Long Wait

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The angel spoke to Zachariah and told him, much to his disbelief, that he and Elizabeth would have a child who would be used mightily by God. What of Elizabeth’s response? Did she say, “Oh, No, that can’t be as I’m well advanced in years?” “What do you mean I’m going to have a child, after all this time? Are you kidding?” Remembering that she was described as a godly woman who sought to serve the Lord, let’s consider her reply. Luke 1:23-25.

23 When Zechariah’s week of service in the Temple was over, he returned home. 24 Soon afterward his wife, Elizabeth, became pregnant and went into seclusion for five months. 25 “How kind the Lord is!” she exclaimed. “He has taken away my disgrace of having no children.”

Elizabeth was accepting of God’s gift of a child and filled with thankfulness. She deemed God’s actions toward her, causing her to be with child, as an act of great kindness. Here we see that the stigma of not being able to have a child had been a burden and a cause for great sorrow in her life. Instead of questioning the why’s of her situation, she accepted it gracefully and gave thanks. Because of her age the 5 months in seclusion were probably precautionary incase of miscarriage and to keep tongues from wagging on her behalf.

Think about your own life. How have you reacted to a long awaited person, place or event in your life? Do you say, “Well finally!” or Do you accept the timing and move forward? We see grace from Elizabeth. She accepted the favor and kindness from the Lord and used the opportunity to give thanks and glory to God. Does this resonate with you? Is your first response one of gratitude. Paul wrote to the Corinthians about gratitude for Jesus. 2 Corinthians 4:15 speaks to us about why we need to respond with gratitude for God’s hand in our lives. “All of this is for your benefit. And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory.” Our gratitude is pleasing to Him and brings Him glory.

What do we learn about God from Elizabeth’s story? God is compassionate and desires to bless us. His timing is not our timing and we need to trust Him. God wanted this specific child, John, to be born to Zachariah and Elizabeth at just this time prior to His own son’s arrival. He wanted a godly couple who would love and care for this special child, and He chose the timing of his arrival. Zachariah and Elizabeth were blessed as they waited upon the Lord in their lives and when the timing was right, God gave them a child. Here we can see the reason for God’s timing but that is not always the case. As we go through life and experience God’s timing, we grow in faith and learn to trust Him more.

Linda

P.S. Like Elizabeth, I waited 14 years for the arrival of my Elizabeth. God’s timing was perfect for her to enter our lives. As I look back, I see that had she arrived earlier we would have struggled mightily. God knew when it was just the perfect time for us to have a child. It helped me to grow in faith and see His timing as a blessing.