Isaiah 9:7 “Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his  kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.  The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.”   Isaiah 22:22 “I will place on his shoulder the key to the house of David; what he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.”   The coming Messiah was to be from the House and Line of King David.  Though Jesus was holy and divine, his earthly line was from the House of David through both His mother and father.  Matthew records the line of Jesus from Abraham to David to Joseph. “and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.” Matthew 1:16    Luke records the lineage of Jesus from God to Abraham to David to Mary’s ancestors.  Luke 3:23-38.

The Christmas story, the birth of Jesus, did not just appear out of nowhere.  Jesus said, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”  Luke 24:44  All the details of His birth matched the prophesies in the Old Testament.  One key prophesy was that Messiah would be born from the line of David.  The New Testament records show Jesus’ line on both his earthly father and mother to be from the line of David.  Jesus was the perfect match, the perfect one.

What does this tell us about God?  God is perfect.  Everything God is, does and says, all His attributes, His revelation and His works, are completely free from faults or defects.  Because God is unchanging and faithful, the measure of perfection begins with God.  What God wills is good and perfect, His ways are flawless, His judgment is upright, His Word is without error.  Therefore, everything God is, does or says is right, including His Word in Scripture.  God in his perfection ordered the life of Jesus to fit exactly as His Word had foretold.  Only a perfect God could arrange and ordain this.  Jesus was and is the perfect Savior from our perfect God.

How have you seen God’s perfection in your life?  Has He brought good and perfect things into your life in spite of the sin filled world in which we exist?  Has He perfectly ordered your life so that you can follow Him, recognize Him and cling to Him in your day to day life?  Have you seen a perfect sunset, a new baby or a beautiful flower opened before you sometime this year?  Think about some perfect things you’ve experienced this year- who could make them happen but God?  God in His perfection brought Jesus to us to save us from our sins.  Thank Him for this great expression of His perfection to us as we celebrate Jesus’ birth.

Praising our Perfect God,

Linda

 

 

 

I have really loved Mary and Zechariah’s songs of praise.  Today is the last portion of Zechariah’s.

Luke 1:76-80  “And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins,  because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those  living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”  And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the desert until he appeared publicly to Israel.

The beginning of Zechariah’s song, verse 67, says, “His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied.”   The power of God came upon him and filled him with God’s Spirit and knowledge so that he was able to tell of events in the future for his young infant son.   He said his son would be called a prophet for Almighty God, would tell others of the coming Messiah, and he also revealed the reason the Messiah was coming.  Only God would know these things- His timing of events and His purpose.  Only God could send a redeemer to bring us from darkness into His light, guide us in the way of peace and save us.  John lived and did just as his father prophesied.  You can read about John’s ministry in the gospels and how he fulfilled in every detail what had been prophesied about him.

What does this revelation from Zechariah tell us about God?  God is Omniscient or all-knowing.  God is never surprised, as He knows all there is to know.   God knows the past and the future; He know every person even before we are born.  He knows the number of our days and all the plans He has for us.  He knows what every person thinks, feels, says and does.  Only God knows the choices people would make if their circumstances were different.   Nothing is hidden from God, as only God knows all things.   God knew all about John and what He had planned for his life.  John was obedient to God’s call and fulfilled the purpose God had for his life.

 

What about you?  Do you believe in the Omniscience of God?  Do you trust Him to guide you and fulfill His purpose for your life?  Knowing and beliving in the Omniscience of God is essential to our walk of faith.  Jeremiah 29:11 holds a promise for us to cling to as we depend upon the omniscience of God.  “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”   Take that leap of faith today and put your total trust in Jesus.  He has you in the palm of His hand!

Learning to lean on the Omniscience of God more each day,

Linda

 

 

“Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people.  He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us–to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.”  Luke 1:68–75

Zachariah uses words to describe God’s actions towards his people like: redeemed, salvation, raised up, rescued, showed mercy, covenant, oath, enabled and without fear.  The nation of Israel had been chosen to bring salvation to the world, to be a people with whom God could live and dwell and a people chosen to live in obedience to Him.  God had been leading and guiding this stiff-necked, rebellious, sinful people toward the day when redemption would be available through Jesus, His Son.  Zachariah praises God that He has been faithful to His people through all the generations.

What does Zachariah’s song of praise tell us about God?  God is long-suffering.  He faithfully stands by His people through all types of injuries, insults, trouble and anguish.  His patience is enduring.  He is suffering with our sinful nature giving time for us to come to Him.  He never tires of showing mercy, grace and forgiveness to us.  He was even willing to send His only Son, Jesus, to redeem us and bring us into a right relationship with Him.  2 Peter 3:8-9 “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a  thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness.  He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.”   Praise God for his long-suffering nature towards us!  His patience will end with judgment of those who reject His Son and chose to remain in their unbelief.   Who do you know that has yet to believe?  Pray for their salvation and that they would come to know our Long-suffering God.

Has God been long-suffering with you?  Has He waited patiently for you to return to Him, to worship Him, to study His Word and learn of His character?   Has He continued to draw you unto Himself?  The promise in Deuteronomy 31:6 comes to mind “Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”  God is patiently waiting to be there for you- call upon Him, seek Him and He will be with you.  Remember, God is long- suffering towards you and desires you to be in relationship with Him.  Don’t wait, call upon Him today.

Thankful for the Long-suffering nature of God,

Linda

“When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son.  Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.  On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, but his mother spoke up and said , ‘No! He is to be called John.’  They said to her, ‘There is no one among your relatives who has that name.’  Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child.  He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, ‘His name is John.’  Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue was loosed, and he began to speak, praising God.  The neighbors were all filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking abound all these things.  Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, ‘What then is this child going to be?’  For the Lord’s hand was with him.”  Luke 1:57-66

Zachariah and Elizabeth were given a son in their old age, Zachariah was muted for questioning God’s message with his unbelief or doubts, the neighbors were amazed by what they saw and heard and God’s messenger was named John, just as He said.  God keeps his promises and fulfills His plans.  Wouldn’t you have loved to have been in the room when Zachariah, who was muted for 9 months, began to speak?  God’s power and might was evidenced that day by the birth, the name of John and the sound of Zachariah’s voice.  John was to be the forerunner of Jesus and would proclaim him as Savior- “I baptize you with water.  But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”  Luke 3:16

What does this event tell us about God?  God is immutable, unchanging.  “Jesus  Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8  We can count of Him always to be holy, always to be good, always to be faithful, always to love us, always to hate sin.  God’s Word is like Him; it does not change.  We can count on His promises  because God never changes, we can trust Him always!    All those gathered at Zachariah’s that day saw the immutable character of God displayed.  He kept His promise of a son that was to be named John who would have a special mission.  He kept His promise that Zachariah would not speak until John was born and named.  God was faithful to His promises to Zachariah and Elizabeth, and He is faithful to us.  He does not change His mind and His Word stands forever.  His will is perfect and He cannot be swayed.  God is holy and we can count on His immutability.   Praise God, He is unchanging in a constantly changing world.  He is an absolute we can cling to throughout eternity.

Thank you God for you immutable character,

Linda

“His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.  He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.  He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.  He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.  He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers.” Luke 1:50-55

Yesterday I wrote about Mary’s praise for God’s preserving character, but today I want to focus on her praise for God’s mercy.  She knew God to be merciful, why?  She had seen Him show mercy on those who love and worship Him.  She had seen God’s mercy in her people’s history and in her own.

What does it mean that God is merciful?   God in His mercy does not give us what our sins deserve.  He limits the extent of pain.  He restrains evil and holds back sin.  He makes His gospel known in places where people have turned their backs on Him.  God seeks those who are lost, alone, hurting and in need.  He forgives and restores those who repent and turn to Him in faith.

Mary knew that due to their sins in the past- worshiping other gods, idolatry, the people of Israel should have been abandoned by God in the desert, in Babylon, to their enemies, BUT God in His mercy saved them.  She knew that because of their rejection of Him- they should have been overpowered, taken captives and scattered throughout the world, BUT God in His mercy brought them back, kept them as one people returning them from Egypt and Babylon.  Mary knew that God is merciful to the individuals who love and revere Him- David as he fled from King Saul’s persecution, Daniel who survived the Lion’s Den, Joseph who survived being taken captive, imprisoned, wrongfully treated and then elevated to a high position so he could save his brothers, and herself.  She knew God was merciful to her by allowing her to be the mother of the coming Messiah, for choosing her, protecting and keeping her safe in a culture that would have rejected and mistreated her.   Her love for God and her thankfulness for His unending mercies shouts to us today.

How have you experienced God’s mercy?  Has He found you when you were lost spiritually, been with you when you were alone, or come to you when you were hurting from worldly circumstances?  Definitely if you know Jesus as your Savior, you have experienced the mercy of forgiveness and restoration, salvation and the hope it brings.  What mercy can you thank God for this Christmas season?   One of my favorite promises is Lamentations 3:21-23  “Yet this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope:  The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”   I know and trust that God in His mercy will renew me each morning and give me a fresh new day.  He is merciful, loving and faithful to me.  Mary knew this, do you?

Thankful for God’s mercies to me,

Linda

Here is a quote I found that really spoke to me.  This truth gives me great reason to Praise Him along with Mary for His great Mercy.

 

“His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.  He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.  He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.  He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.  He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers.” Luke 1:50-55

I see two different attributes of God that stand out to me in Mary’s continuing song of praise. I’ll highlight one today and one tomorrow.  Today I’d like to talk about God’s Protector/Preserver attribute.  Mary knew that God had protected and preserved the children of Israel since the time of Abraham when He made a covenant with him.  Genesis 12: 2-3 “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.  I will bless those who bless you and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”    Mary would have been familiar with the stories of the Exodus from Egypt, the miraculous plagues, the saving of the first born, the parting of the Red Sea, the giving of the law on Mt. Sinai, the feats and battles of Gideon, Deborah, King David and many more.   She would have known of the preservation of Esther and the way God used foreign kings to bring them back from exile in Babylon.  Mary would have been familiar with Daniel and his stay in the lion’s den.  She had seen how God preserved her people generation after generation against all odds.  It is no wonder then that Mary praises and sings of God’s great upholding power with mighty deeds and personal support.

Who is this great preserver that Mary loves?  God preserves His own.  We can trust Him to preserve the good work He has started in us through Christ.  God preserves our lives for His purpose and He preserves our salvation.  Jesus promises that no one can take you out of God’s hand.  No temptation, no failure, no person, not even Satan can make us lose our salvation .  God preserves us, just as He did the children of Israel, so that we can accomplish His purpose.  He is our preserver.  Mary knew this in her heart and sang praises to the preserver of herself and her people.

Is Jesus your preserver?  Do you trust Him to help, defend and protect your faith and salvation against all enemies?  I love the verses in John 10:28-29 “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.  My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.”   Trust God and walk today with assurance that God has got you and will never let you go.  Mary knew this and sang out in praise. Join her in proclaiming praise to our Mighty God who promises to preserve us.

Held in the hand of Almighty God,

Linda

Thank goodness this is true!

On this 75th Anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, we want to take a few minutes to consider the sacrifice of those given in that great conflict.  WWII took many lives, both soldiers and civilians.   Men, women and children died to overcome the evil thrust upon the world by Germany, Japan and their allies.  It was a great conflict and by God’s grace we overcame.  God told the children of Israel to remember what He had done for them.  By remembering they kept alive the great miracles God did in saving them, bringing them out of Egypt, giving them the land of Canaan, giving them a king, keeping them together as a people and bringing a Savior to the world.   Remembering is part of Honor and also helps to guide us into not making mistakes we previously made.

Today let us remember:  the sacrifice, the miraculous missions and rescues, the bravery, the courage, the hope and help those who served gave to the world.

Thank you for your service and sacrifice,

Linda

 

And Mary said:  “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.  from now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me– Holy is his name.”  Luke 1:46-49

This song of Mary’s is known as the Magnificat in Latin as the first word spoken is the word magnificat meaning glorifies.  Mary is praising God for being chosen to be the mother of the coming Savior and all the future honor that will bring.  She says her soul is rejoicing in being able to serve her God and bring glory to His name.  She is reveling in His mercy and grace and calls Him Holy.  Why would Mary choose the word Holy to describe God?  By worldly standards, Mary is in a precarious position.  She is an unwed mother to be in a time when that condition would bring shame upon herself and her family.   Yet, she praises God and extols His holiness.

What do Mary’s praises tell us about who she thinks God is?  Mary calls God HOLY.  God is high and lifted up.  He is set apart from His creation. No one is like God.  God sets apart His children for Himself and commands us to be holy as He is holy.  Being holy makes you whole, what God intended you to be.  Mary knew she had been set apart by God for His work.  She considers herself whole, complete and is thankful and filled with joy that she can be used by God.

Do you feel whole and complete when you are serving God?  Does your service bring honor and glory to God’s Holy name?  Do you rejoice in serving God?  Paul wrote to Timothy is 1 Timothy 3:13 “Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.”  Peter wrote in 1 Peter 4:10-11 “Each one should use what ever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.  If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. I anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.  To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”   Paul, Peter and Mary recognized that our service can and does bring honor and glory to God when done in and through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Our service also brings joy to our hearts and gives greater assurance in our faith.  God is Holy and desires us to be holy and honor Him in all we say and do.

Striving to serve a Holy God,

Linda

“At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth.  When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.  In a loud voice she exclaimed: ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!  But why am I so favored that the mother of my Lord should come to me?  As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.  Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!'”  Luke 1:39-45

This short passage shows us that not only did Elizabeth and Mary know each other but miraculously Elizabeth and her unborn child recognized the presence of the Lord within Mary.  Since the Spirit of God had not yet come to indwell believers, in Old Testament times the Spirit would come upon a person for a short period of time for a specific task to be accomplished or for a revelation from God.  The Spirit of God revealed to Elizabeth that the child Mary was carrying was to be the long awaited Messiah.  Her words convey the joy, awe and amazement at this revelation.  She praised God for his Grace to her in allowing her to be in the presence of the coming Messiah and for Mary’s faith in believing God.

What does this greeting tell us about God?  Both Mary and Elizabeth were acknowledging and depending upon God’s faithfulness for all to be accomplished.  We serve a faithful God.  God knows and loves each of His own.  He will do all He has promised: care for and make strong; forgive and make new; protect and purify.  God’s plan of redemption depends upon His faithfulness and He will carry out His plan.  He is faithful to His Word and we can trust Him to keep all of His promises.

How has God shown Himself faithful to you?  Have you felt his care, strength, forgiveness, renewal, protection or cleansing regeneration in your life?  When you do, you are experiencing the faithfulness of God at work in your life.  One of my favorite promises comes from Hebrews 10:23 “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.”  We can cling to God’s faithfulness in hope and expectation just as Elizabeth and Mary.  Think about your life and reflect on God’s faithfulness to you. Praise Him for His faithfulness today.

Knowing and serving our Faithful God,

Linda

Learn more about God’s promises- get a copy of Promises for Dynamic Living and study a promise a day for 80 days.  It would be a great way to begin the New Year!  Available on Amazon or contact me for a autographed copy.

Luke 1:34-38  “How will this be”, Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”  The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.  So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.  Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month.  For nothing is impossible with God.”  “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered.  “May it be to me as you have said.”  Then the angel left her.

This is a beautiful portion of scripture that shows the power and intent  of God and the willingness of a lovely young believing girl.  Mary has just been told by a heavenly being that she will bear a child even though she has never been with a man.  Her calmness and obedient heart to the Lord’s amazing plan is incredible.  Most 16 year olds would be screaming -not me, why me, go choose someone else, this isn’t happening to me, no it will ruin my reputation, what will my parents think…..  But Mary takes it all in and says- “May it be as you have said.”  Am I as willing to accept the Lord’s will for my life like Mary was?   Am I obedient to His will over mine?   Mary is definitely a good example for us to meditate upon today.

What does this conversation between Gabriel and Mary tell us about God?  It reveals the Sovereignty of God.  Being Sovereign means that God controls all things.  There is nothing outside God’s wise control, even the exact time and place for each person to live.  What God plans happens.  God planned the time for His Son to come the first time and a time for His son to return.  God will accomplish His plan because He alone has the power to do it.  All things are possible with God.

I pray you will take encouragement from the Sovereignty of God, knowing that all things are within His control.  No matter how difficult your circumstances, like Mary, you can trust them to God.  We need to believe that ‘All things are possible with God.”

Believing and trusting our Sovereign God,

Linda

The image portrayed in the quote by the famous British preacher of the 1800’s makes me smile and gives me comfort as I consider the magnitude of God’s Sovereignty.