Thursday, December 6, 2012

Jumping For Joy


Today is Beth’s 6th birthday, and one of the things I look forward to on her birthday is our Advent reading for December 4th which is Luke 1:11-14.

Luke 1:11-14. And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. Zacharias was troubled when he saw the angel, and fear gripped him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John. You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.”

We think it is pretty cool that on our Elizabeth Joy’s birthday that our advent reading extending years before she was born spoke on this day of Elizabeth’s joy when an angel spoke to Zacharias about the baby he and Elizabeth would have which would be the prophet (John the Baptist) who proclaimed the coming of our Lord. Later we will read that when Mary came to visit Elizabeth that the baby in her womb jumped for joy.

Both the birth of John and the birth of Jesus were unique in their own way, Elizabeth being beyond bearing years and Mary never having had sexual relations with a man. BUT GOD, this is how He chose to work, and we can look today and marvel about how He has worked and continues to work. Beyond that we can marvel that He chooses to reveal Himself to us both through His Word and through the indwelling of His Spirit, and that He calls us to come to Him and talk with Him and Him with us.

(By the way, we are not perfect in reading the advent verses. We missed yesterday and will make it up today (Luke 1:8-10))

Luke 1:8-10. Now it happened that while he was performing his priestly service before God in the appointed order of his division, according to the custom of the priestly office, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And the whole multitude of the people were in prayer outside at the hour of the incense offering.

Today in “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

My thoughts are not your thoughts; neither are your ways My ways. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways and thoughts higher than yours. Remember who I AM when you spend time with Me. Marvel at the wonder of being able to commune with the King of the universe – any time, any place. Never take this amazing privilege for granted!

Though I am vastly higher and greater than you, I am training you to think My thoughts. As you spend time in My Presence, My thoughts gradually form in your mind. My Spirit is the Director of this process. Sometimes He brings Bible verse to mind. Sometimes He enables you to hear Me “speak” directly to you. These communications strengthen you and prepare you for whatever is before you on your life-path. Take time to listen to My voice. Through your sacrifice of precious time, I bless you far more than you dare to ask.

Colossians 4:2. Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

Psalm 116:17. I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the Lord.

Quoted earlier is Isaiah 55:8-9.