Thoughts From the Bible

Read Luke 1:67-75 Zacharias gives us a prayer in these verses we can all pray. Verses 68 and 69 sa ys,  “ (68)  Blessed is the Lord God of Israel. For He has visited and redeemed His people, (69) and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His  servant David.”  Zacharias was full of joy because of the birth of his son and knowing what his son’s purpose would be. We live in a hard society  that causes  much  stress for people and robs people of joy. Zacharias is giving us an example of how we need to concentrate on the joyful things that happen in our lives and then to hang on to those joyful memories so we can draw on that in  hard times .    Proverbs 11:20-   Those who are of a perverse heart are an abomination to the Lord, but the blameless  in  their ways are His delight.      

Read Luke 1:  57-66-   John the Baptist is born, and Zacharias is no longer mut e. This whole situation was not something anyone could understand. In verses 65 and 66 we read,  ‘Then fear came on all who dwelt around them; and all these saying s were discussed throughout all the hill country of Judea. (66) And all those who heard them, kept them in their hearts, saying, “What kind of child will this be?” And  the  hand of the Lord was with him. ’   The key part of this is the very last sentence.  “And the hand of the Lord was with him.”  This is something I need to strive for in all the things I do in life. Many people do meaningful things for  people,   and they have a positive impact on life. How much more meaningful and impactful will be the things I could do for others if God has a hand in all I do. I would then be much like the people we read about in this passage. I would be stunned by  the impact of actions if I ensure I am r...

Read Luke 1:  39- 56-   Mary is greeted by Elizabeth, and they discussed the mercy of God on Mary . Mary responds with a praise of God that is truly sensitive to God. In verses 46 and 47 ,  ‘(46) And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, (47) And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.”   Mary continues to give praise to Go d after these two verses. I do not want to lose sight of the fact that we have a teenager who is speaking great words of praise to God. Mary has experienced something that could never be imagined.  I want to be sure to listen to anyone regardless of age when they want to speak of the Lord because age does not necessarily diminish the impact of what someone has to say about the goodness of God.  I need to focus on listening and not making assumptions about someone. God may be using this person for my benefit.   Proverbs 11:18-   The wicked man does deceptive work but he who sows righteousness will have a sure reward. 

Read Luke 1:  34- 38-  There is so much in these five verses.  The key verse in this passage is one that is routinely used by Christians in so many situations. Verse 37 says,  “For with God nothing will be impossible.”  First, there is the miracle of  the immaculate  c onception. Second is the miracle that a teenager said in verse 38,  “...Behold the maidservant of the Lord. Let  it  be to me according to your word.”   Then we receive a lesson about God in that nothing is impossible with God. We need to remember in so many situations in our life that nothing is impossible with God. The other part of that whole thought is we must understand we are  not privy to God’s plan or His will in this life. Just because we see something that we think should be done and we do not see God change the situation does not mean God cannot do something.  It means there is a larger plan at work we do not understand.  As Christians, we ne...

Read Luke 1:  26-33-   “ (31) And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a  Son and  shall call His name Jesus. (32) He will be  great and  will be called the Son of the  Highest,  and  the  Lord God will give Him  the  throne of His father David. (33)  And He will reign over  the  house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom there will be no end.”   We see many unsettling things  happening  in our world. We wonder how  the world can  get  any worse  than it is today.  As we study the Bible we know of the spiritual warfare that continues unceasingly. Verse 33 tells us all we need to know about  how  this ends . Jesus will remain  despite  Satan and people who do not believe.   Proverbs 11: 16-  A gracious woman  retains   honor,  but ruthless men  retain  riches.  

Luke 1:  18- 25-  Zacharias was working in the Temple when the angel Gabriel talked to him about the birth of John the Baptist.  Zacharias had questions for Gabriel. Verses 18, 19, and 20 say, ‘ And Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this? Fo r I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.” (19) And the angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. (20) But behold, you will be mu t e and  not able t o  speak  until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.”’   I know many times in given  situations;  I have many questions and need answers before I can  make a decision . I would  sincerely hope   if  Gabriel stood before  me,  I would not question  what he may be telling me.  There are things written in the Bible I ...