NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD

MARY AND ELIZABETH

Read Luke 1:26-80

      "Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God." Luke 1:36–37 NIV

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     Six months after the angel Gabriel visited Zechariah, leaving him unable to speak because of unbelief, he made another announcement to a young virgin named Mary, telling her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God."

* * *

     Mary's response after hearing all that Gabriel said was, "I am the Lord's servant, May it be to me as you have said." (1:35, 38) She traveled hurriedly from Nazareth to the hill country of Judea to see Elizabeth, now great with child–and Zechariah who was still mute, because he had not believed.

* * *

     Elizabeth said, "Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!" (1:45) Perhaps Mary's youth made her less skeptical, but the miracle of a virgin birth was far more unusual than the birth of a child in old age. Lord, help me to believe the promises in Your Word, even when it seems impossible – because with God all things are possible.

* * *

     And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed… " Luke 1:46–48 NIV

ORDINARY PEOPLE

ZECHARIAH AND ELIZABETH
Read Luke 1:1-25

     "Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord."   Luke 1:13-15a NIV

* * *

     For many years this humble couple in Jerusalem wanted a child, but in spite of continued disappointment, they faithfully served and obeyed God. Zechariah was one of many priests who took their turns burning incense in the temple. How surprised he must have been at this sudden visit by the angel Gabriel, promising him a son - so surprised that he reacted in unbelief: Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years." (Luke 1:18)

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     How wonderful it is that God chooses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Little did Zechariah and Elizabeth realize that they would become the parents of John the Baptist, the prophesied forerunner of Jesus the Messiah.

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     Lord, I have no idea what your plans are for the future of our children, but my deepest desire is that they will follow You. We are ordinary people, but I am trusting in Your extraordinary plan for our lives.

* * *

     And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous-to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."    Luke 1:17 NIV (Malachi 4:6)

THANKSGIVING THOUGHTS

     The month of November brings us to that time of year when we gather with friends and family to express our thankfulness to God for His many blessings. It is a time when churches and charitable groups provide food for families in need. Our church has a weekly grocery program for families in our area and a sumptuous banquet the day before Thanksgiving.

     People can contribute to this program throughout the year at our local grocery stores. No doubt this sort of practical ministry will grow as our country experiences a deepening recession. But even more important, is the ministry of sharing the Bread of Life with those who do not know Jesus.

      I am especially thankful for the opportunity to share God’s Word with people throughout the world by way of the internet. I continue to be amazed at the way in which this tool makes it possible to share one on one with someone I have never met, but who has a very real need of encouragement and the love of Jesus.

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     Now as we enter December, it is time to pause from our regular reading schedule and focus on the story of the Babe of Bethlehem. All of the Old Testament prophets foretold His coming and just as they looked forward to His first appearing, so we look forward to His return. But this month we will go back to the foundation of our faith in the Lord Jesus, Messiah, promised through the ages and fulfilled in Bethlehem.

* * *

     “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16 KJV)

CHARIOTS OF FIRE

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ELISHA

Read 2 Kings 6:8–23; Ephesians 6:10–18

     "Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them."   2 Kings 6:16 NIV

* * *

     The king of Syria (Aram) made war against Israel, but every time he planned where he would camp, God would speak to Elisha who would warn the king of Israel. When the king of Syria found out that Elisha was the informant, he sent horses and chariots and a great army to capture him.

* * *

     Elisha’s servant arose early one morning and there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. Elisha prayed, and said, "LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." and the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (2 Kings 6:17 NKJV)

* * *

     As we read the miraculous events in the lives of Elijah and Elisha, it is difficult to relate. But God's Word tells us that we too are surrounded by angelic protection. We are in a spiritual battle just as real as the physical one Elisha experienced. But God has promised that “the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)

* * *

     Lord, I pray for your protection for my family and my church as we seek to glorify You and share Your precious Word in our community and throughout the world. Help us to be prepared by putting on the whole armor of God.  (Ephesians 6:10-18)

* * *

    “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”   Ephesians 6:14-16 NIV

I HAVE TO WHAT?

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NAAMAN

Read 2 Kings 5:1–14

      “Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than any of the waters of Israel? Couldn't I wash in them and be cleansed?" 2 Kings 5:12 NIV

* * *

      Naaman was the commander of the army of Syria, (Aram) enemy of Israel. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy. His wife's young Israeli servant, who had been captured in a raid, told him that there was a prophet in Israel who could heal him.

* * *

      Naaman expected some sort of dramatic production by Elisha the prophet, but instead he was told to humble himself and wash seven times in the Jordan River–the territory of his enemy. At first he reacted in rage saying, "I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy.” (2 Kings 5:11)

* * *

      Like many people today, Naaman balked at the simplicity and humility required for his healing. Some find it hard to admit that they are sinners in need of Jesus who said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) Through him we have forgiveness and eternal life.

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      Lord, thank You for giving Your Son on the cross so that I could be cleansed of my sin. Give me the opportunity to share my faith, just as Naaman's servant girl shared hers, even in enemy territory.

* * *

      So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy.    2 Kings 5:14 NIV

FACING THE IMPOSSIBLE

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EMPTY JARS AND DITCHES

Read 2 Kings 3:1–4:7

     "Make this valley full of ditches. For this is what the LORD says: 'You will see neither wind nor rain, yet this valley will be filled with water, and you, your cattle and your other animals will drink.' " 2 Kings 3:16-17 NIV

* * *

     In these stories, Elisha performs two miracles: One for the armies of Judah and Israel, asking God to deliver them from the Moabites–and the other for a widow and her sons who could not pay her creditors.  In each case, Elisha asked them to do something that demonstrated their faith: The armies were to dig ditches–in anticipation that God would fill them with water. The widow and her sons were to gather empty jars–believing that God would fill them with oil.

     Both the armies and the widow were faced with a situation they couldn’t handle alone. They had to acknowledge that God was able to meet their needs, by obeying the Word of the Lord spoken through Elisha. The jars were filled with oil and the ditches with water–which miraculously appeared to be blood–causing the Moabites to be defeated.

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     We too can be victorious when our hearts are filled with the water of God’s Word and faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ for our sins. Like the widow’s jars, we will too be filled with the oil of God’s Holy Spirit.  Lord, I bring my empty jar to You. Fill me with a double portion of Your Holy Spirit as I walk out into this day, and may the oil and water continue to flow out to others through me.

* * *

     "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."    John 7:37b-38 NIV