Joe wonders if anyone cares. He picks up his phone and posts on social media. He and his girlfriend Julie, argue constantly. He notices her preoccupation with appearance. Julie feels insecure in her demanding job. Joe faces constant boredom with his.
Boomer Sam calls his wife to tell her about another late-night meeting with an employee. He feels guilty about a growing distance with his wife and children. Nearing retirement, he wonders about finding something more meaningful than his job.
June’s last child left home. She wants to make a difference. A friend told her that college age girls at church want to be mentored by someone older.
Jim, a faithful elder, sees most young people bypassing the church. Older people with experience seems bored and apathetic in their relationship with Christ.
Our culture is feeling the result of a mentorless, fatherless generation with a growing chasm between generations. Luke had a similar passion when writing His gospel. He wanted to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children so the rebellious accept the wisdom of the godly (Luke 1:17).
1. Be available
Zechariah, Elizabeth and Mary gained a greater understanding and an unmatched experience after they were able to see God work first-hand in turning people from darkness to the "way of peace”. We should make ourselves available to others by being living testimonies of His faith (Luke 1:1-4)
2. Turn your heart back to God
Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth were old and barren, but walked blamelessly in all God's commandments. Zechariah burned incense in the temple of the Lord. The couple’s prayers were answered and Elizabeth gave birth to a son named John. His future as a forerunner would turn back many of Israel's sons to the Lord (Luke 1:5-17).
3. Believe that God is real
The angel Gabriel said Zechariah' inability to speak would be the sign that he didn't fully believe his words. His actions were significant, but the intentions and beliefs behind his prayer needed to be the same. Despite his shortcomings, Elizabeth still became pregnant since God looked with favor by taking away disgrace among men (Luke 1:18-25).
4. Submit to God's word in impossible situations.
Gabriel said virgin Mary would conceive a son named Jesus, be the Son of the Most High and given the throne of His father David to reign over Jacob's house in an eternal kingdom. Mary believed in the ability of God to do the impossible. She accepted her fate in His hands and said, "Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; be it done to me according to your word" (Luke 1:26-38).
5. Be humble and praise God for His working
Mary said, "My soul exalts the Lord . . . for He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave; . . . for the Mighty One has done great things for me; . . . He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart. . . . And exalted those who were humble. . . . " (Luke 1:39-55).
6. Be a living example of God's work
Elizabeth gave birth and the word got out that the Lord displayed His great mercy toward her. God opened her husband's mouth and he spoke praise of God. Those living around them were in awe at God’s blessings on them and their child. (Lk 1:56-66).
7. Verbally share God's word as a testimony of His work
Being filled with the Holy Spirit, Zechariah proclaimed that God had visited them, accomplished redemption for His people, and shone upon those who sit in darkness and shadow of death by guiding their feet into the way of peace. Zachariah was a testament to the workings of faith (Lk 1:67-80).
Action Steps:
1. I will engage in God's rescue work by being available, by turning my heart to Him, by responding to signs choosing to believe that God is real.
2. I will submit to His word in impossible situations, be humble and praise Him for His working, be a living example and verbally share His word as a testimony of His work.
Boomer Sam calls his wife to tell her about another late-night meeting with an employee. He feels guilty about a growing distance with his wife and children. Nearing retirement, he wonders about finding something more meaningful than his job.
June’s last child left home. She wants to make a difference. A friend told her that college age girls at church want to be mentored by someone older.
Jim, a faithful elder, sees most young people bypassing the church. Older people with experience seems bored and apathetic in their relationship with Christ.
Our culture is feeling the result of a mentorless, fatherless generation with a growing chasm between generations. Luke had a similar passion when writing His gospel. He wanted to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children so the rebellious accept the wisdom of the godly (Luke 1:17).
1. Be available
Zechariah, Elizabeth and Mary gained a greater understanding and an unmatched experience after they were able to see God work first-hand in turning people from darkness to the "way of peace”. We should make ourselves available to others by being living testimonies of His faith (Luke 1:1-4)
2. Turn your heart back to God
Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth were old and barren, but walked blamelessly in all God's commandments. Zechariah burned incense in the temple of the Lord. The couple’s prayers were answered and Elizabeth gave birth to a son named John. His future as a forerunner would turn back many of Israel's sons to the Lord (Luke 1:5-17).
3. Believe that God is real
The angel Gabriel said Zechariah' inability to speak would be the sign that he didn't fully believe his words. His actions were significant, but the intentions and beliefs behind his prayer needed to be the same. Despite his shortcomings, Elizabeth still became pregnant since God looked with favor by taking away disgrace among men (Luke 1:18-25).
4. Submit to God's word in impossible situations.
Gabriel said virgin Mary would conceive a son named Jesus, be the Son of the Most High and given the throne of His father David to reign over Jacob's house in an eternal kingdom. Mary believed in the ability of God to do the impossible. She accepted her fate in His hands and said, "Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; be it done to me according to your word" (Luke 1:26-38).
5. Be humble and praise God for His working
Mary said, "My soul exalts the Lord . . . for He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave; . . . for the Mighty One has done great things for me; . . . He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart. . . . And exalted those who were humble. . . . " (Luke 1:39-55).
6. Be a living example of God's work
Elizabeth gave birth and the word got out that the Lord displayed His great mercy toward her. God opened her husband's mouth and he spoke praise of God. Those living around them were in awe at God’s blessings on them and their child. (Lk 1:56-66).
7. Verbally share God's word as a testimony of His work
Being filled with the Holy Spirit, Zechariah proclaimed that God had visited them, accomplished redemption for His people, and shone upon those who sit in darkness and shadow of death by guiding their feet into the way of peace. Zachariah was a testament to the workings of faith (Lk 1:67-80).
Action Steps:
1. I will engage in God's rescue work by being available, by turning my heart to Him, by responding to signs choosing to believe that God is real.
2. I will submit to His word in impossible situations, be humble and praise Him for His working, be a living example and verbally share His word as a testimony of His work.
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