Thoughts From the Bible

  Luke 1:  76-80-  Zacharias  continued to pray and in verses 78 and 79 we see the purpose of the message of John the Baptist,  “(78) Through the tender mercy of our God, with which the Dayspring from on high has visited  us; (79) to give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”   For me, this is an amazing moment  when a father knows what his child’s purpose will be when he is born. That shows us the power and omnipotence of God.  The whole plan was also sensitive to people at that time in that God appointed someone to unabashedly proclaim  the day of the Messiah. When I wonder about the plan of God in my life, this is a point in the Bible where I can see God has a huge plan for all of us.  God continues to guide us all and help us through the plan He has for us.    Proverbs 11:21 -   Though they join forces, the wicked will not go unpunished, but  the...

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...