Luke #15 – Let’s Get This Party Started Right!

Luke #15 – Let’s Get This Party Started Right!

“And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, ‘Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for He hath visited and redeemed His people, and hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David; as He spake by the mouth of His holy prophets, which have been since the world began: that we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; to perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember His holy covenant; the oath which He sware to our father Abraham, that He would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days of our life. And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways; to give knowledge of salvation unto His people by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.’ And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel” (Luke 1:67-80 – King James Version).

We knew it was coming. We weren’t sure of the time. We were positive of the place. We were there; waiting. It was a “surprise” party. All the preparations had been made; invitations sent; supplies on hand. Then I walked in the door and a hush fell over the room. My buddy walked in behind me and everyone yelled “Surprise!” It was really no surprise for my friend; he knew it was his birthday. The only surprise is that he was fooled that I was used to keep him away from the party.

That may be the case with John the Baptist; or at least how John’s dad saw it. Zacharias had trouble even believing that a son would be born to him in his old age, but that happened. When John was born, Zacharias’ unbelief was cured. Not only did Zacharias believe that John WOULD be born, but the Holy Spirit carried it to the next level. Through Zacharias, the Holy Spirit communicated all that the Messiah would mean to the world. Furthermore, Zacharias finally understood what John’s role would be. John was bringing the news that Jesus was on the scene; it was time to get the party started!

John’s job was to tell the people that salvation was coming; the Messiah was on the way. John was to preach repentance; it was time to face up to sin and get ready to receive the gift of eternal life. John was telling the world “Clear your calendar! It’s time to come together and celebrate!” Now preaching repentance as a way to get invited to a party may seem strange, but think about it for a moment. When invited to a party for a friend the first thing we have to do is decide if we will accept the invitation. The very next thing that we must do is decide if we will forsake our own plans in order to go to the party. That, though crude, is an illustration of repentance. Spiritually we must decide if we will accept God’s invitation and then we must clear out any sin that is in the way of coming to the salvation party that He is throwing for us.

Often we never see it coming. God will use strange and wondrous circumstances to get us to the party. It may be the death of a loved one. It may be an experience with bad health or an accident. It may be a sermon that made us squirm in discomfort. It may even be some strange person like John who leads us to the knowledge that we’ve got to change because the Lord Jesus wants to do a work in our lives.

In the case of Zacharias, he saw past the simple birth of his son and through the Holy Spirit understood the magnitude of what was to come. Three things in closing: (1) God is still calling people to the party. Have you accepted the invitation? (2) God is still using people to call others to come and celebrate in the gift of salvation. Would you be used? (3) Zacharias looked forward to the cross and salvation in faith. We are to look back at it. We have a decided advantage that we KNOW that what Zacharias said would happen DID happen. Are you enjoying the party today? That’s what it is. If you have joined the throng of saints you have a part in the greatest celebration of all time. Any who would come have been freed of their previous commitment to sin and hopelessness and have been guaranteed a spot around the throne of God where we will worship Him forever. All we need to do is repent, confess, believe, and profess. Let’s get this party started right!

Luke #14 – An Opened Mouth

Luke #14 – An Opened Mouth

“And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, ‘His name is John.’ And they marvelled all. And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God. And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea. And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, ‘What manner of child shall this be!’ And the hand of the Lord was with him” (Luke 1:62-66 – King James Version).

I tell young people who complain about their parents that they probably are not obeying their parents. One such young person said “I hate my mom!” I thought those were pretty strong words and told the youth that. He said “All we ever do is yell at each other or say nothing at all.” I told that teenager that the cure to that was obeying their mom. He said “She’s not a Christian and she doesn’t understand me at all.” I asked, “Are you giving her a picture of faith worth noticing? It doesn’t matter if she is not a Christian, YOU are still ordered to “honor” your parents. If you lived a faith worth noticing, began to rejoice in God rather than acting like a sad-sack your mom and you would have a different relationship.” This particular teenager was at a camp that I spoke at for a week. I saw him a year later. He informed me that he began to obey his mom, began to ask God to help him live a more REAL faith, he and his mom began to have a great relationship, his mom began to come to church with him, and she accepted Christ.

Zacharias reacted with unbelief when God told him that he and Elisabeth would have a son, so God prevented Zacharias from speaking for a while. The moment Zacharias got on the same page with God he had a lot of praising to do. Concerning this passage, J. Vernon McGhee said, “As a rule, weaker saints do not do much rejoicing. The stronger saints, with more faith, rejoice in all circumstances.” Zacharias’ faith increased the moment he began to obey God. Again, the angel had told Zacharias and Elisabeth to name the child John. When Zacharias obeyed God on this note he had something to rejoice about.

That teenager and Zacharias had something in common. When they began to obey God they had something to rejoice about. Further, others noticed something miraculous in their lives when they began to rejoice. What, in our lives today, would cause rejoicing if we really began to obey God? Would our jobs and school experiences be different if we began to honor those who have authority over us? Would our homes be different if we began to honor our wives, submit to our husbands, and obey our parents? It makes no difference if those people around us are not people of faith; our personal responsibilities remain the same. How much praises would come from our lives if we lived lives of obedience?

Listen friends, it makes no difference what people around us do or don’t do; believe or don’t believe. Our relationship with God is not conditioned by those around us, BUT it should be effective to those around us. What I mean is this; we are responsible to God and when we live for and through Him it will have an effect on every thing and everyone else around us. When we are obedient to God, He will not disappoint and we will then praise Him and others will notice. When we are praising God and loving God in spite of our circumstances, people will want to know what made the difference in our lives. Our faith will become contagious!

An obedient life of faith between us and God will lead to an opened mouth. That mouth will praise God…no matter the circumstance.

Luke #13 – Simple Obedience

Luke #13 – Simple Obedience

“Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her. And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. And his mother answered and said, ‘Not so; but he shall be called John.’ And they said unto her, ‘There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name’” (Luke 1:57-71 – King James Version).

I have a friend named Pam Cagle that is one of the finest Christians and finest human beings I know. I love to give her a hard time about whatever I can think of that will make either her or me laugh. One of my favorite things is the way Pam drives. Now you may think that she is a bad driver by that previous comment; actually, it’s just the opposite of that. Pam is a very careful driver. So careful in fact that she WILL NOT exceed the posted speed limit. (Having been behind her on the road before I don’t think she is in danger of REACHING the posted speed limit!)

One really has to know Pam to appreciate why she drives that way. Pam does not want to break the law; it’s as simple as that to her. I think Pam takes that Romans 13 (be subject to the authorities) thing seriously. She has a humble nature and an obedient life. Though I like to pick on Pam, I admire her obedience. Her husband picks on her about it; her daughter picks on her about it; Pam doesn’t care…she just obeys the law.

Now some may think Pam could be likened unto a Pharisee (she has called herself that jokingly before). To assume Pam is pharisaical or to imply it seriously would be an indication that the accuser does not know her at all. She is an intelligent, caring, giving, serving, and gracious woman of God. Pam loves Jesus; for that I hold her in high esteem and am honored to call her a friend. I hope to one day be half the Christian she is. I would imagine that her simple obedience has been BUILT one step at a time; I try to remember and emulate that so that one day I may be obedient to our Lord like Pam already is.

I bet Pam and Elisabeth would have made fast friends. When Elisabeth’s term of pregnancy was completed, she had a son (just as the angel had said she would). It was very traditional to name Jewish children after someone in the family; especially naming boys after their fathers. Imagine all Elisabeth’s neighbors’ surprise to find that she did not intend to name the new baby after the father, but wanted to name him John. This, too, was a matter of simple obedience. The angel said to name the baby John and that’s exactly what Elisabeth intended to do (Luke 1:13).

Now here’s our lesson in all of this…Elisabeth’s neighbors probably thought she was strange. Elisabeth obviously cared more about obeying God than pleasing those around her. Could the same be said of us?

How about those opportunities we have to earn money and not pay taxes on that money? Do we feel a need to report it? Do we feel guilt about not reporting it? We should! In Jesus words: “And He said unto them, ‘Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's’” (Luke 20:25 – KJV). Things like this should be a matter of simple obedience. Does the government need our money? In some cases, yes. In others, no. That’s not the point. Does the government get enough taxes from us? Well, I certainly believe they do! That’s not the point. The point is simple obedience.

Trust me; if we are obedient in the simple things God will give us opportunities to be obedient in much bigger things. Pam Cagle is an example of that for me. Elisabeth is an example of that for me. I hope one day to be an example for others to follow. How about you? We should all gauge every decision by the leading of the Spirit, the authority and direction of the Word, and with the presumption that we will act in simple obedience to whatever God tells us to do.

Driving the speed limit; paying taxes; tithing; praying; fasting; not making decisions in a worldly manner…all of these things will cause those around us to think we are strange. The question is “Do we love God enough to risk being thought strange or different?” This, too, is a matter of simple obedience.

Luke #12 – A Singing Faith

Luke #12 – A Singing Faith

“And Mary said, ‘My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For He hath regarded the low estate of His handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For He that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is His name. And His mercy is on them that fear Him from generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with his arm; He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich He hath sent empty away. He hath holpen His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy; as He spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.’ And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house” (Luke 1:46-56 – King James Version).

“There is a Fountain” that I was dipped into that sealed God’s “Amazing Grace” towards me. “Just as I Am,” I came to God and cried “Come, O Holy Spirit, Come” for I know that our “Eternal Father, Strong to Save” would save me if I called “That Name”. I felt worthless, but I knew that “His Eye is on the Sparrow” and “God is so Good!” “I’m so Glad that Jesus Lifted Me” that “I’m Gonna Live so God Can Use Me!” “Oh, I Know the Lord’s Laid Hands on Me” and everyday "My Life Flows On (How Can I Keep From Singing?).” OH LORD, You are “Holy, Holy, Holy” and I am amazed that “Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne” to save a wretch like me. “Since Jesus Came Into My Heart” I sing a “Song of Hope.” No matter how much life’s gets “Over My Head”, with Christ I will truly sing “It Is Well With My Soul.”

We have a singing faith and I would confidently say that there is a hymn, contemporary, or praise song out there somewhere that expresses every sort of Christian response a person could have toward God. Sometimes I am sad and I HAVE to sing “It is Well With My Soul” to remind me that God is good in the midst of my troubles. Sometimes I am happy and I HAVE to sing “God of Wonders” to express how awesome God is. I could go on and on; I am thankful that we have a singing faith.

The song that God provoked in Mary is often called the Magnificant. In it there are several things God spoke to me about.

#1 – Mary said that her soul magnified God. That’s a big statement. It DOES NOT mean that Mary made God greater than He is…no one can do that…for He cannot be made greater than He is. It means that she was giving God glory; not just with her lips (as in lip service), but with her heart and soul, her body and being. I had to ask myself “Is God this real in my life?” I ask you, dear friend, does the indwelling presence of God in you “magnify” His name? Is He so real IN us that we are giving Him glory with our lives?

#2 – Mary recognized her need for the savior and “rejoiced” in God’s deliverance. Too many times these days Christians seem to feel as if Christ is some burden to their lives and interests. Do we rejoice that our “low estate” has been regarded by God and that He desires to lift us from the mundane and give us a future heritage that others will call “blessed”?

#3 – Mary thought that the “things” God did to her were “great”. Surely she understood that the world around her would count her pregnant, yet virginal, state as strange (at best!). Obviously whatever God DID to Mary was better than what others THOUGHT of her. She was not ashamed, rather was happy that this “holy” God touched her life. Does the song we live and sing say that we believe that?

#4 – Mary recognized that her proper “fear” of the Lord was not unnoticed by God. This is a statement that shows that Mary understood God was RELATIONAL with her. He was not distant and inattentive; cold and uncaring. God hears and answers those that truly fear Him. He is involved; He is proactive to the point that He “shewed” His arm through one who feared Him. He lifts up those of “low degree.” He “fills” the hungry! That was Mary! That is ME! That is YOU! I find so much comfort and joy in that. Are you HUNGRY for God today?

#5 – Mary recognized that God helps those who accept His promises. He’d made promises to Israel; He did not forget them. Whatever promises God has made God keeps! That makes me want to sing of His blessed assurance! JESUS IS MINE…NOW AND LATER…OH WHAT A FORETASTE OF GLORY DEVINE!

Mary’s mouth sang a beautiful song to the Lord, but the record of His love played in Mary’s life. It was only as God spun His record and as Mary was tuned into the music of FAITH could she open her lips and release praise. Are you hearing the music that God is recording in your life today? Is the needle that is your heart translating to the world around you that God is real and alive in you? We have a singing faith, but not only at a piano; the song is played and heard as our life works as the speakers for God’s will and grace. Is your life one of singing faith?

Luke #11 – No Jealousy, Just Joy

Luke #11 – No Jealousy, Just Joy

“And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: and she spake out with a loud voice, and said, ‘Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord’” (Luke 1:41-45 – King James Version).

A study group in my congregation was watching a video when the speaker mentioned that thousands of people were being converted to Christ in China. One of the members of our group is only months away from heading to China for a mission trip. When the speaker on the video mentioned the thousands of conversions I immediately looked toward our member to see her reaction. I was worried that she may feel some sort of pressure to produce results of that magnitude. My fears were immediately allayed; instead of seeming overwhelmed by such a monumental task of participating in that mission trip to China she REJOICED that God was doing a great work in China. As a matter of fact, her reaction was one of pure joy and elation.

After the angel visited Mary she went to visit her cousin Elisabeth. Can you imagine how Mary must have felt? She might have imagined that the preceding events were too unreal to have happened. It was a good move to go visit her older, wiser cousin who had walked with God for many years.

Elisabeth was no stranger to the magnificent power and ways of God. She MUST have been a woman of great faith. When God told her husband that they would have a child in their old age Zacharias acted in unbelief and God took away Zacharias’ ability to speak because of his unbelief. Elisabeth, on the other hand, reacted to her miraculous impregnation with rejoicing, believing God to do the miracle (1:25). The lesson we can learn from this is to go to more experienced Christians to seek counsel and encouragement. People who have walked in the faith longer than ourselves can often share their experiences of how God has moved in their lives and that can help us to see that God wants to do amazing things in US as well.

Another lesson we can learn from this is humility. The OLDER Elisabeth freely admitted that she was awed that God was so good in allowing the mother of Jesus to come and visit her. Was Mary better than Elisabeth? No; that was not the case. Elisabeth simply recognized that the great hand of God was at work and she was humbled to even be near such an amazing act of God. Whether in us, around us, or anywhere near us, when God is letting us see or participate in His glorious work we should be humbled by the privilege. It is commonplace for God to be at work around us; after all, He’s God and He desires to draw people to Himself. What should never become commonplace is our reaction to witnessing that work; we should be humbly moved and appreciative.

Lastly, I could not help but notice that Elisabeth was not jealous when she heard Mary’s news. I probably would have been. Elisabeth had waited YEARS to become pregnant and she miraculously was. It was her time to shine! Here comes YOUNG Mary; tender in years, yet pregnant already. To top it off, it was NO ordinary pregnancy but Mary enjoyed the great honor of bearing the child of the Holy Spirit. Here we find the ingredients to rid ourselves of jealousy; instead of envying Mary, Elisabeth rejoiced at the good news Mary came to share. Whenever we hear of God blessing someone or that God is doing amazing things in a person or church’s life, we should rejoice. Rejoicing WITH someone will prevent us from being jealous OVER them.

Seek out and listen to others’ experiences with God. Be humbled that God lets you see and hear such things. Rejoice over God’s moving rather than being jealous that the same is not happening to you. Good news is good news and we should always rejoice in that; whether it is our good news or someone else’s, anything truly good is from OUR good God. Rejoice, I say, rejoice!

His Word + His Presence = Clear, Safe Vision

His Word + His Presence = Clear, Safe Vision

Thy word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path. -- Psalm 119:105; King James Version

You must love the LORD your God and obey all His requirements, laws, regulations, and commands. But you have seen all the LORD's mighty deeds with your own eyes! Therefore, be careful to obey every command I am giving you today, so you may have strength to go in and occupy the land you are about to enter. -- Deuteronomy 11:1, 7 & 8; New Living Translation

We have a storage building that has two rooms and one of them is leaking. My nephew graciously moved all of the stuff from the leaky room into the dry room. That made the one room VERY crowded. The only light in that room operates by a pull chain. The other night I needed to go into the shed, and forgot to carry a flashlight. I am lazy. I didn't want to walk back into the house, so I turned on my cell phone to light the way to the pull switch for the overhead light. Though the room was very dark and very full of boxes and furniture, the little light my phone afforded got me there safely.

That's another thing in using God's word to determine His will...this is a dark, sinful world and God's word lights the way for us to go! It's often very frightening and confusing to make our way through life. We need His "flashlight" to pick our way through this frightful, confusing world.

You know what's better than a light in a dark place? I'll tell you, someone that sees past the darkness, knows the way through it and is tough enough to whip whatever may come at us from the shadows!

Here is a simple truth about direction for our lives: God has given us His word to light the way we should go, but even more important than that, He will go along with us as we use HIS LIGHT.

The Deuteronomy passage above occurred after God gave Moses the second set of stone tablets (after he had destroyed the other set when the people were worshiping a stinking golden cow). God was basically saying, "Obey Me. I'll show you the way to go, and if you obey Me, I will be your strength and you will be okay." God didn't want them worrying as much about what was going to happen next or where exactly they were going as much as He wanted the people to simply trust Him. If any boogie-men came out to get them God would take care of business...IF they obeyed Him and follow His ways.

Moses stated the essence of God's commands in this way: "And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you? He requires you to fear Him, to live according to His will, to love and worship Him with all your heart and soul, and to obey the LORD's commands and laws that I am giving you today for your own good. The highest heavens and the earth and everything in it all belong to the LORD your God" (Deuteronomy 10:11-13; NLT, emphasis mine).

That's light for a dark world right there! Why did He want us to do these things? FOR OUR OWN GOOD!!!! Not only did He provide life mission and direction, but even when Jesus was about to ascend to heaven He reiterated God's command and commitment when He said, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20; ESV, emphasis mine).

So, I am going to give you a straight answer for a change; direction for life should fall under these few things: trust God to show us the way (even when He doesn't tell us exactly where He is going), use the light He has provided, spend the majority of our time concentrated our lives on Him and running every part of life through our God filter, and do that so passionately that we cannot help but sharing the will of God with others until they desire to do the same.

If we take care to do these things, we'll have our hands so full of easing through the darkness that we won't be afraid and we won't feel so lost...and, rest assured of this, He won't leave us alone in the process.

Luke #10 - Common Experiences

Luke #10 – Common Experiences

“And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; and entered the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth: (Luke 1:39-40 – King James Version).

Common experiences are a strange thing. I spilled boiling grease on myself in 2002 during a youth retreat, receiving second and third degree burns. I learned a lot of cool comebacks like “I’m on fire for the Lord” and “My relationship with Jesus is sizzling” and “I’ve got a burning love for the Lord.” (Those were just to make you laugh and have nothing to do with today’s thoughts…I’ve got to laugh; this story breaks my heart.) I was immobile for a few days, but the first day that I was up and around I checked my email. There was an email telling me of a child that had pulled a boiling pot of water onto himself and was so badly burned that survival was unlikely. Immediately I lay my head on my desk and began to weep. I was broken. I could imagine that little one’s pain because I knew it, though on a lesser scale. Just yesterday, two full years later, I read about a boy burned in an accident and was again broken.

Not all common experiences are bad. If I read a particular Scripture or hear a song that moves me I want to talk about it with someone else. The choir in our congregation performed Experiencing God: The Musical. For those that labored over that musical have a bond. We are always anxious to sing it together. No one ever complains when we get the books out and practice some part or that entire musical. It stands as a landmark for many of us because God spoke to us powerfully through that experience.

Mary and Elisabeth had a very common experience; they were both being used of God to fulfill His purposes. Elisabeth bore the herald of God who would prepare the way for the Messiah and Mary bore the Messiah. Elisabeth became pregnant at a very old age; no doubt, a miracle. Mary, as a virgin, was impregnated by the Holy Spirit; no doubt, a miracle as well. Verse 39 says “in those days;” a more fitting rendering may be “in THAT day.” This rendering more properly shows the haste Mary made in leaving to visit Elisabeth. She wasted no time in going to rejoice over their common experience and to confirm the message the angel had given Mary concerning Elisabeth.

What’s my point? I think that if more people were experiencing the hand of God there would be more sharing, more church attendance, more giving, more testimonies, and more fellowship. We can have all kinds of common experiences in Christ, but I am amazed that we don’t seem to. I love going to church; to worship; to learn in God’s word with others; to experience the hand of God moving with other people. I make haste to get to those opportunities. I want to experience God with others and to share how God has shown Himself to me and worked in my life. I want to hear their testimonies.

Has God stopped doing miracles? No! We’ve stopped giving HIM the credit. Has God stopped speaking to people? No! We’ve stopped listening. Has the Holy Spirit stopped convicting hearts? No! We don’t want to surrender. Has the blood of Christ lost its power? NO! Heaven forbid! Has the Spirit stopped comforting hearts, drawing, and instructing? No! We simply are not responding.

Now I am sure I am speaking to the choir, but think about these things for a moment. Is God still fresh to you? Do you go to church and share gossip or does offering worship to God take the center of your activities? Do you spend time with other Christians because of a common awe of Christ or because that just the thing to do? Are we open to share our good and bad experiences with others that God may use us to minister to others? Will we comfort others with the comfort we have been comforted with?

I think we should constantly analyze and examine our motives. We can only worship God in spirit and truth (John 4:24), so we need to make sure that is what we are doing. If we seek God, He will be found (2 Chronicles 15:15). Let’s take all of our experiences with the Lord and use them to call people to righteousness, to comfort the hurting, to rejoice with one another, to lift the weary, and to encourage the weak. Now is not the time to keep things private but to share ourselves and our Lord. Forsake not the assembling of ourselves, but encourage others to do good works, for the Day of Judgment is drawing near (Hebrews 10:24-25). Have you experienced God lately? Share it.

Luke #9 – The Difference Between Doubt and Ignorance

Luke #9 – The Difference Between Doubt and Ignorance (With Some Confirmation and Compliance on the Side!)

“Then said Mary unto the angel, ‘How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?’ And the angel answered and said unto her, ‘The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible.’ And Mary said, ‘Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.’ And the angel departed from her” (Luke 1:34-38 – King James Version).

I’m not tall, but what I miss in height I more than make up for in berth! To be frank, I am about 5’10” tall and I weigh 295 pounds. To put it lightly, I’m a big ‘old boy! (Did you get it? “To put it lightly”…I’m funny!) Often my size has fooled people. There is a certain friend of mine (whose name I won’t say, but his initials are Craig Willingham…another funny!) thought big meant slow. We had a foot race. We tied, but that fella thought he would beat me sound and sure.

One night, after a Bible study, some of my youth and I were talking about cheerleading or gymnastics; I can’t recall which. Somehow the discussion turned to a debate over whether I could do a “toe-touch.” I wasn’t real sure what a toe-touch was; they explained that it meant one would jump up and touch the toes to one’s palms. “Why sure,” I said incredulously, “I can do that.” Several youth laughed, one said there was no way I could do it and another thought that I could (but that one youth wanted to see it!) The believer was Brittany Brown, a skinny and very athletic cheerleader. She could do a toe-touch but just couldn’t understand HOW I could, being such a rotund fellow, but she said she thought I could do it. The doubter said there was NO way I could do it. Well…I did that little toe-touch thing. Several jaws dropped, the doubter hushed, and Brittany just giggled.

The simple difference between doubt and ignorance is that the former says a thing can’t be done and the latter just doesn’t understand how it will work. The best thing to do is shut a doubter’s mouth with action. An ignorant person, on the other hand, is not bad; they might not understand the mechanics of a thing; they just need to be educated.

Zacharias was a doubter (1:18). God hushed Zacharias mouth for a while! Mary basically said “It’s not that I don’t believe, I just don’t understand.” Mary did not doubt that God could do something of this nature but she simply did not understand how it would work out. In response, the angel explains it to her. She says, “Okay, no problem.” Further, the angel’s words served as one form of confirmation for Mary and the news that her elderly cousin was pregnant as well. That’s why she has no problem complying; God’s going to do something in her life and He’s already done a miracle in the life of Elisabeth. Confirmation was in the angel’s words and Elisabeth’s pregnancy. Compliance was Mary’s willingness to be used.

Let’s look honestly at ourselves today. Are we doubters or simply ignorant? Is our faith posture one that doubts God will do something or do we simply not understand how He will do it?

Now I am a firm believer that God can do a lot of things that I won’t understand how they’ll be done. I’m just ignorant! BUT I am willing to be educated. I am also thankful that I get to participate in many of these things. Hindsight often shows me the mechanics but faith allows for the possibility! I think we ought to be open to hearing from God; that we ought not to doubt what He can do even if we don’t understand how He’ll do it. Let’s open our lives to the impossible for God is Lord over that.

Luke #8 – At Just the Right Time

Luke #8 – At Just the Right Time

“’And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a Son, and shalt call His name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David: and He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end’” (Luke 1:31-33 – King James Version).

My world was rocked on March 2, 1997. That was the day that I surrendered to Christ. In a split second my whole life; its course and results; were dramatically shifted; changed; transformed. It came at just the right time. I was sick of everything, especially myself. Nothing filled me (I have told you all that before). Nothing satisfied. I remember in the moments leading up to surrendering to Christ I literally asked God that “if this salvation is not all Your word says it is…please kill me. I can’t go on like I am.” Now, that may sound morbid, but it was not. I was casting all my care upon Him. It was an all-or-nothing measure. I had tried everything else; GOD HAD TO BE THE ANSWER. Know what? He was! I was at the end of my mental, emotional, and physical rope. When I realized success, popularity, money, women and the host of other things I had tried would not work I finally came to the point of total emptiness. This was the perfect point, the perfect time for Christ to enter in! There was nothing in the way! My best efforts had failed and I was ready for His transforming presence. I was primed for a miracle; He was it! My situation was so bad that I knew that God would have to do something if anything could be done. It really was just the right time. Obviously, God knew that better than I did.

We cannot read the Scripture above without considering Galatians 4:4, which says, “But when the fullness of time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law” (KJV). In God’s timing…and that’s important to realize…He sent Christ into this world. It was no accident. It was no coincidence. It was not a frivolous decision. The world needed help. The world was primed; ready for something to happen. All that God had planned to redeem man and all that man had done to rebel against God came down to this moment. It was the beginning of the end of sin! Before Jesus could live perfect, die sacrificially and rise triumphantly He had to be born. Before Christ could be born in just the way and just the place that Scripture had prophesied He had to be placed in a woman’s womb.

God’s timing is miraculous to say the least. If we only considered how society was ready for this it would be amazing. Travel had become easier in the Mediterranean since the Roman Empire had come to power. Trade had opened between formerly isolated societies. People were moving around on a regular basis. The idea that many “gods” made sense was becoming supplanted by Greek philosophy. Those same philosophies were causing many to question things they’d always believed. Greek had become the common language (much as English is today) that allowed people from different cultures to communicate more easily than anytime since the tower of Babel. There are many more factors, but the point is this…God’s timing was in this moment. No coincidence. He knew better than any His plans and His timing. The fullness of time was at hand. Even if all those events had not taken place God’s sovereign plan was coming into effect.

I am comforted by the fact that God is watching over this time in which we live. Nothing surprises Him. Nothing changes His plans. He is still in the business of redeeming mankind. There might be someone you know and love that you desire to see saved. Trust God, pray, and share the truth with them. In just the right time, God will show up. You might be in a difficult relationship or in a difficult job place. Trust God, He has a different timing than you.

What, then, is our part? (1) Be ready to be involved. Be open to God using us to do something amazing. Be ready for Him to do it in OR through us. (2) Expect God to do something. He’s always at work. Seek to recognize what He is doing around you and take part in it. (3) Become familiar with His plan. Mary never doubted that the Messiah was coming, she just didn’t understand how she would be pregnant without knowing a man (Luke 1:34). That is a subtle yet amazing fact. If we are familiar with what God wants to do we will be more ready to recognize, receive, and respond to Him. (4) Know that hope is not lost. As long as we have not stood before the judgment seat, there is time to act.

We may question God’s methods because we don’t understand God’s ways, but we certainly should not be surprised that He wants to do something. At just the right time, He will. Will you be ready?

Luke #7 – Our Part in His Plan

Luke #7 – Our Part in His Plan

“And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, ‘Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.’ And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, ‘Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God’” (Luke 1:26-30 – King James Version).

Have you ever had a dream that later came true? Don’t think I am weird but I have. One night I had a very vivid dream about leading a man that I’d never seen before to Christ. It was so vivid, in fact, that I awakened surprised to be in my bed. I was freaked out. I woke Care up and told her about it. Usually she would mumble something politely and go back to sleep. This time it was different. It was so clear; alive; dramatic. I guess she could tell because she listened and was just as amazed about the dream as I was. Guess what? It happened! It came true; exactly as the dream showed me. I didn’t really see it unfolding until I was already in the middle of it. It was grand!

I don’t know why, but God seems to give us insights into moments sometimes. Often they are mundane things. At the least, it shows His sovereign power and omniscience. How must the prophets have felt? How must they have felt receiving such great and terrible visions?

How about the folks living out those prophecies? How might they feel when they realize (if they realize) they are part of God’s plan? How do you feel about that?

Isaiah 7:14 says “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel” (KJV). Mary was that virgin. Do you think she realized the monumental thing of which she was part? Do you think she realized that “God with us” was going to be in her womb? If she looked at the situation with worldly eyes she would have seen heartbreak, public scorn, and how she would be ostracized. People would definitely look down upon an unmarried, yet engaged, young lady pregnant with child who said “This is God’s child inside me.” How would you like to wear those shoes? BUT, in God’s eyes she had found favor. With spiritual eyes she would see the unique and wonderful privilege God had granted her.

WE are part of God’s prophecy being fulfilled (Isaiah 49:22 and many more!). We are Gentiles and God saved us. Not only that, but He desires that we carry the message (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8). WE are part of God reaching out to mankind. YOU are part of God reaching out to mankind. We have found favor in God’s eyes; by grace through faith in Christ we have become part of God’s plan.

It is an overwhelming thought that this great privilege has been given us. Too often we feel we have no purpose, but events that God has planned long ago are being unfolded and He desires to use us in the process. Too often we do not see our part in His plan. We may feel unworthy (really, we are); we may be too distracted; we may think it strange that this Holy God has chosen to use us. We may not be willing to pay the price to be used. We may not want to draw the ire of the world while gaining the favor of God. Whatever the case, I believe that God would say to us “I am with thee…do not fear.”

God would speak to you today. He would use you today. How will you respond to your part in His plan?