Praise, Prediction & Promise

In Luke 1 v 67-79, the old in years but brand-new father Zechariah, overflowing with the Holy Spirit, spoke words over his new born baby boy. New babies always bring a sense of joy and endless possibility, but these words were more powerful than most. Words of praise, prediction, and promise.

Praise v 68- 75 “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us— to show mercy to our ancestors and to remember his holy covenant, the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days”.

Prediction v 76-77 “And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins”

Promise v78-79 “because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven, to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”

It is good to pray over our children and grandchildren, whether new born babies, tricky toddlers or teens, those exploring life away from home or getting married. Any day is a good day to pray for them, but for these life changing moments, seek God for His words and direction over our youngsters.

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Who Jesus is

In Mark’s gospel, he tells of Jesus doing bread miracles for the crowd (chapter 6 v30-44. 8 v1-10) and boat miracles for the disciples (4 v35-41, 6 v45-51), then a miracle with both bread and a boat! (8 v10-21).

The disciples are getting to know Jesus and learning to trust him. Then the storm takes over their vision and trust starts to flounder. Jesus makes a statement in v35 saying they are going to the other side of the lake. The disciples lost focus of this while battling with the wind and waves.

Meanwhile, Jesus sleeps, demonstrating his trust in the Father. He has the authority to calm the storm and so he does, after being woken by some very frightened sailors. Interestingly, that when the storm is stilled by Jesus, we are told that the disciples are now terrified! In the silence. They were just getting their head around Jesus maybe being the Messiah, but this?

This passage is about Jesus and who He is. Notice that:

• He makes them a promise
• He is with them in the good weather
• He is with them in the bad weather
• He changes the circumstances
• He brought peace

How can knowing these things help you when you face a scary situation?

Rest in who Jesus is. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Praise Him today!

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Keep the main thing, the main thing!

Matthew 28 v18-20 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  

This Great Commission, as we know, is the mandate for the church, every church. To go and spread the good news and make disciples. To help us with this task, God has given us:

His Provision – we have ‘All authority’ from Jesus when we speak His words to the world. His words do not return empty (Isaiah 55 v11) but accomplish what He desires and achieves the purpose for which He sent them.

His Purpose – ‘Go and make disciples’ should be the goal of EVERY church activity. We need to have sowing activity as well as reaping events, undergirded of course by prayer.

His Promise – God is with us all the time, every moment of every day, in each conversation, guiding every action. He will never leave us or forsake us (Heb 13 v5) but give daily strength, at home, at work, in church, with friends or at the gym.

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Jeremiah 29

To get to Jeremiah 29 v10 -13…

This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfil my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

…you’ve got to read Jeremiah 29 v4-7

This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon:

“Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”

It feels like we as Christians are living in exile, trying to sing our song in a strange and hostile environment, just like the Israelites in Babylon. But God told them that they would be there for 70 years, so settle down, build, plant and increase in number. Pray for the city / town to prosper. It is good when we get involved locally in the community as we live there and we are living ambassadors of God. Hopefully we as salt and light will make a difference. God says hang in there and my promise will come. He has a plan for you, your church, your town, your city, your country. It only takes a small group of people, a small church to make a difference. Like a mosquito in your bed! Or a red sock in a white wash! A small amount of yeast in the bread mix or the smallest seed to grow into a huge tree,

Do not despise the day of small things (Zech 4 v10), don’t try to copy the church down the road. God has a plan for you, right here, right now.

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Meditation on who God is

Listen to the song ‘Way Maker‘ written by Osinachi Okoro in 2016

Lyrics https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=lyrics+%27way+maker%27

Song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4XWfwLHeLM

I’m sharing some Bible verses for meditation on the words of the chorus:

Way Maker

John 14v6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.

Miracle Worker

Matthew 10v7-8 As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.

Promise Keeper

Galatians 3v14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

Ephesians 3v6 This mystery is that through the gospel, the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

2 Peter 3v9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

2 Peter 3v13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

Light in the Darkness

Genesis 1v3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

John 8v12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Our God, THAT is who You are!

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