Advent: Preparing for Jesus – Harsh Realities
The angel told Mary that her cousin, Elizabeth, who was well beyond childbearing years, was six months pregnant. As soon as the angel left, Mary hurried to the hill country. Seeing Elizabeth’s pregnancy confirmed to Mary that Gabriel’s visit was not a dream; she would indeed give birth to the Son of God.
Advent: Preparing for Jesus – Teaching God’s Word
Mary concludes her prayer with the reminder that God had not forgotten His people, Israel. His promise to the nation’s ancestors was about to be fulfilled. The Messiah was on His way!
Advent: Preparing for Jesus – Humility
Mary’s great song of praise continued as she proclaimed the “mighty deeds” of God. God’s arm is a symbol of His power and action. His strength is not limited to the heavens. His might is seen as He reaches down and does His work among people on earth.
Advent: Preparing for Jesus – Great Things
The visit from the angel Gabriel was frightening and the news was unbelievable, but Mary surrendered to God’s will. When the angel’s words to her were confirmed by her visit to Elizabeth, who was with child in her old age, Mary burst into song. Her song is filled with Scripture and truth about God
Advent: Preparing for Jesus – Mary’s Song
In a song known as the Magnificat, Mary proclaimed her thankfulness and love to the Father. This song teaches several things about Mary.
Advent: Preparing for Jesus – Proof
Many times when God calls us to do great things, He gives us proof that He is at work. In the Old Testament, He proved Himself to Moses, Joshua, and Gideon. In the New Testament, He proved Himself to the disciples and Paul on the road to Damascus.
Advent: Preparing for Jesus – Surrender
Many people believe that they can draw up the terms of their relationship with Jesus. But that’s not how it works. Everyone who truly wants to follow hard after Jesus must come to a place of surrender.
Hospitality: More than Dinner and Dessert
When you hear the word “hospitality” it is often in terms of a person having people over for dinner capped off with coffee and dessert. That’s a great thing to do, but biblical hospitality goes much deeper. Someone has well said: Hospitality is not having someone into...
Advent: Preparing for Jesus – Call Him Jesus
“The Lord saves.” That’s exactly what Jesus was sent to do. He would do great and powerful things. He would be God in the flesh, “the Son of the Most High.” He would rule as king and His kingdom would be an eternal one.
Advent: Preparing for Jesus – The Visit from Gabriel
God chose a small-town girl for a big-time mission. John Donne described it as “immensity cloistered in thy dear womb.” Through Mary, the eternal God made His way into the temporal world. Indeed, the Lord was with her.
Advent: Preparing for Jesus – Proof for Believing
Some promises from God are hard to believe. In fact, many—like this one, a baby born to parents past childbearing age—are outside the realm of human explanation. Christmas is filled with such miracles.
Preparing Yourself
God has the same promise for you. He is working in your heart to do great things for Him. Every believer lives with the power of the Holy Spirit. You have everything you need to do what God has called you to do.
Keep Believing
Maybe you can relate to the emotions of Zechariah and Elizabeth. Maybe a longing of your heart has not been fulfilled. I challenge you to keep believing. God is not finished writing your story. He may still meet the longing of your heart…or He may give you a new dream.
Thankful
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 Thanksgiving Day is a time to remember, reflect and give thanks for all that God has done, is doing and promises to do. Here...
Taken Up
Whatever you are going through today, Jesus understands. Rejection. Disappointment. Death. Pain. Jesus has experienced your emotions and He wants to give you needed strength.
Yes – Every Battle is Worth it!
Joshua, the Old Testament leader of Israel, was given a heavy assignment. Following the great leader Moses, God charged Joshua to lead Israel into the Promised Land. Joshua knew the challenges and risks. Seven groups of people inhabited the Canaan and there would be...
The Ascension Command
So, you have a couple of choices. You can sit, soak, and sour, or you can put passion into action and follow the command of Jesus. You know what you need to do…what you must do. What are you waiting for?
The Lord is My Shepherd – Part 2
https://www.ronmoore.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/jrn20191127.mp3Podcast: Download (23.8MB) Like a vinyl record with a stuck needle, we sometimes find ourselves in a spiritual rut, repeating the same old tired refrain. From the Twenty-third Psalm, Ron Moore shares...
Disciple-Making
Wherever we go, we are never alone. Jesus is always with us, even to the end. That great promise is the exclamation point on the Great Commission.