Scripture: Luke 1:19 The angel replied, “I am Gabriel. I stand in God’s presence. I was sent to speak to you and to bring this good news to you…” Thought for the Day: When the angelic encounter first occurred, Gabriel needed to calm Zechariah with the well known words, “Do not be afraid!” Once the anxiety had diminished, the conversation continued. It might be an inconsequential item to
Scripture: Zephaniah 3:19-20 Watch what I am about to do to all your oppressors at that time. I will deliver the lame; I will gather the outcast. I will change their shame into praise and fame throughout the earth. At that time, I will bring all of you back, at the time when I gather you. I will give you fame and praise among all the neighboring peoples
Scripture: Isaiah 9:2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined. Thought for the Day: It is strange to suggest that darkness is crushing, but on a few occasions in my life, the darkness felt as if it had significant weight to it. The relentless nature of the “deep darkness’ will grind
Scripture: John 1:4-5 …in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. Thought for the Day: Life and light go together. Most everything requires light, specifically sunlight, to live, and the absence of light will lead to death. Too many people attempt to live their spiritual lives in the darkness, but
Scripture: John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. Thought for the Day: As we have seen in recent days, Luke begins his Gospel with a story of one who will help to prepare the way for Jesus’ coming. The Gospel writer of John, on the other hand, is much more philosophical and poetic in his opening
Scripture: Luke 1:11-15 An angel from the Lord appeared to Zechariah, standing to the right of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw the angel, he was startled and overcome with fear. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah. Your prayers have been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will give birth to your son and you must name him John. He will be a joy and delight to you,
Ok – I’m taking a break from my first week of Advent Devotionals to speak to an issue many of us are discussing. Though Matt Lauer is the most recent, the discussion on Christian Radio caught my attention. The morning DJs (one male, one female) were sharing their thoughts on the recent news, and the male DJ talked about how Mr. Lauer had been reporting on others in
Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-4 Comfort, comfort my people! says your God. Speak compassionately to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her compulsory service has ended, that her penalty has been paid, that she has received from the LORD’s hand double for all her sins! A voice is crying out: “Clear the LORD’s way in the desert! Make a level highway in the wilderness for our God! Every valley will
Scripture: Luke 1:5-7 During the rule of King Herod of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah. His wife Elizabeth was a descendant of Aaron. They were both righteous before God, blameless in their observance of all the Lord’s commandments and regulations. They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to become pregnant and they both were very old. Thought
Scripture: Luke 1:3 Now, after having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, I have also decided to write a carefully ordered account for you, most honorable Theophilus. Thought for the Day: Luke (or whoever authored the Gospel that we have assigned to Luke) seeks to set forth what encouraged him to write the Gospel and to whom he is writing. The name is Theophilus which might have been