Tag: Prophecy

Posted in Advent, Advent, Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time, The Promised Messiah

Salt and Light

Posted on by

based on the Love God Greatly Advent study, The Promised Messiah / w4d4

Scripture: Luke 1:57-80 / SOAP verses 68-71

This is like a segment from the memorable Paul Harvey and his segments known as “The Rest of the Story.” Previously in Luke’s story we learned of an angel named Gabriel who appeared to a priest who was serving in the Temple, with an announcement that the priest and his wife, both very old, would have a son, whom they were to name John; and John would be the messenger for the coming Messiah. Which of course, is exactly where the story picks up today. Elizabeth gives birth to a son and she named him John. Their neighbors and relatives rejoiced with the miraculous birth but questioned the name she gave since it was not a family name. Zechariah, though still mute because of his disbelief in the angelic proclamation, confirms by writing on a tablet – “His name is John.” Scripture says that Zechariah immediately regained his speech and blessed God and then, filled with Holy Spirit, he prophesied, saying:

“Praise the Lord, the God of Israel,
    because he has visited and redeemed his people.
69 He has sent us a mighty Savior
    from the royal line of his servant David,
70 just as he promised
    through his holy prophets long ago.
71 Now we will be saved from our enemies
    and from all who hate us.

Luke 1:68-71

I love this response and am quite convicted by them. Zechariah’s words, his first words spoken in months, weren’t a story about what had happened to him but they were about God. They were words of praise that would have brought to the people’s minds God’s long awaited promises to His people – promises of a messenger (Malachi 3:1), a savior (Isa 7:14 and 9:6; Micah 5:2), and of salvation from sin (Jeremiah 31:31-34).

“But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins. It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. . . . Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

Gotquestions.org

I see several applications as I read through and study this passage. Certainly we learn the importance of believing and obeying God’s word. I also noticed and was reminded of the importance of keeping our minds on God, whether we are in the midst of hard times or celebratory ones. The ultimate example being how in all of the excitement of the birth of a son to a couple well beyond the years of having a child – the fulfillment of the angel’s message – and the return of his speech – Zechariah’s focus remained on God. Undoubtedly, this was a result of the the filling of the Holy Spirit – but let us remember, this is the same Spirit that fills us who have believed, the Spirit of whom Paul said bears within us the fruit of self-control. Both of these examples lead me to the third, you see – because Zechariah believed and obeyed God, evidenced in his naming the child John, Zechariah was given back the ability to speak and maintaining his focus on God, even in all of the excitement, his words poured forth a beautiful prophesy that pointed the people to God and what He had done and was yet to do. The combination of these examples led me to this ultimate application – when we obey God and keep our minds on Him – what pours forth from our lips will be about what He does or has done in the past – it stirs up thought and attention to who He is and what else He can and will do. Thus, we become the salt and light God has called us to be.

Reflection For the Journey

God undoubtedly saw Zechariah and Elizabeth in their years of pain and longing. He was merciful despite their mistakes and used both to encourage their community and make His name great. He is the same God today. What might He be working to restore in your life, even to your longing or momentary unbelief?

From the LGG devotion journal, p 134 / The Promised Messiah
Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study

Waiting for Deliverance

Posted on by
Today’s Reading: Isaiah 2:1-5; SOAP: Isaiah 2:5
Observation: A prophecy about Israel’s future and ours

God gave Isaiah a message about Judah and Jerusalem. Isaiah’s words would have been questionable at best and totally unbelievable at worst in the minds of his listeners – who had been warned of exile and destruction if they did not repent of their idolatrous ways. His words were nonetheless true and coming. Yes, the words were given to a nation about to go into exile because of their idolatrous ways – but Isaiah points them to a better day of hope and restoration.

From the book of Genesis forward throughout the Old Testament there was the promise of one who would crush the head of the serpent, and one who would save His people from their sins. Then there is the passage where Isaiah talks of how God was preparing a way where there seemed to be no way … or consider the words of the Apostle Matthew, when he said:

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel”

Matthew was connecting Jesus [Immanuel, God with us] to the prophecy of Isaiah in Isaiah 7:14, where he said:

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

Whether this prophecy of Isaiah is solely referring to the birth of Jesus is debatable among scholars but clearly God’s inspired word through Matthew attributes truth to this understanding.

While we look forward to the second coming of Christ, the people of Judah were given hope and would have been looking forward to the first coming – the first Advent – the coming of the Messiah.

Application: What can we learn from this?

Clearly Isaiah is giving hope but he is also giving them an instruction to not wait to follow the LORD but to live in His ways now. They would enjoy peace “now” if they submitted to Him and faithfully walked in His ways. The same is true for us in this world of chaos and idolatry that seems to hold no hope and demands us to wait – on what at times can appear to be an unbelievable promise – but is nonetheless the hope of our faith.

I love this quote from the LGG devotional and I think it best sums up for us what Isaiah was telling the people then – and can still speak hope to us today:

“That is the character of our God. No matter what we have done or how we (personally and corporately) have turned against Him, He is the God who restores. He sent His Son as the redeemer of our souls. He is the hope we have, the promise of restoration. When we walk in His guiding light, we see the future hope we have in Him.”

LGG Devotion, day 1 of 2022 Advent, The God who Restores
Prayer: Response to God’s Word

Father, while this is a message for the tribe of Judah in the days of Isaiah, Your prophet – I thank you for the hope it brings to all nations. For by faith, those who have believed in Your only begotten Son, will be among those who dwell in Your Kingdom. Blessed be Your glorious and gracious name! In the Name of the One in whom I have placed my hope and faith – Amen.

Your Turn: Reflections on the Word Read

Even though God promised to judge His people for their sin, He offered a glimpse into the future glory of Jerusalem.

  • What does this reveal about His character?
  • What does this mean about us, in our season of waiting?

(I invite you to share your thoughts/answers in the comment section …. If you do not know Jesus as your Savior please message me and let me share with you the greatest gift you will ever receive.)

Posted in Bible study, Choosing God Instead of the World, LGG Study
Posted on by

A Faithful Servant

Week 3, Day 4 of Choosing God Instead of the World, A Love God Greatly Study

Scripture Reading: Genesis 37:2-11 (SOAP – Luke 16:10)

10 “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.  NLT
Observation:
A glimpse of Joseph

Today’s passage from Genesis gives us a sneak peak at Joseph, whom we will continue to learn from in the coming weeks. Some of the things from today’s reading may be helpful to remember in future passages. While some speculate that Joseph was more loved than his brothers because he was the son of Rachel, the truth is that Joseph was loved more than all of his brothers because he born to Jacob in his old age, Genesis 37:3. As you can imagine, this caused problems with the brothers, as jealousy and hatred arose, fueled not only by the obvious display of Jacob’s love for Joseph, Genesis 37:3, but made worse by the dreams Joseph shared with them that seemed to be prophecies that he would one day rule over them. It also didn’t help that he gave a bad report to his father on how the brothers were caring for the sheep, Genesis 37:2. Scripture makes it clear that the brothers hated Joseph, leaves no doubt that the hate was fueled by jealousy, and clearly reveals that the hate destroyed relationships, Genesis 37:4, 8, 11.

Today’s Focus Verse

Today’s verse, Luke 16:10, is short and to the point. Basically it can be a stand-alone statement, “if you are faithful in a little you will be faithful in much and if you are dishonest in a little you will be dishonest in much”. However, there is much to be learned from it and the verses that surround it that make it much more than a general statement.

Application: How then should we Live?

We should be a faithful steward, not unfaithful. Being faithful with our ‘earthly’ wealth or things entrusted to us here will bear witness to what kind of stewards we will be with the responsibilities and treasures that God will entrust to us in His Kingdom.

Prayer: Response to God’s Word

Father, help us to be faithful stewards here so that we may be found even better stewards with the responsibilities and treasures of Your Kingdom. This to Your glory both on earth and in heaven. – Amen!

Your Turn:
  • Over what areas has God given you responsibility?
  • How can you be faithful in the small things in you life?
  • How can you be faithful in the big thing God has given you?
Want More?

Check out today’s LGG Blog