Spiritual Grit Rewarded – Luke 1:8-17
Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside. Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw…
Tenaciously Faithful -Luke 1:5-7
In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.As we go through life, we see inequities in our lives and…
The Monumental Gift and the Heart of the Giver – Luke 1:1-4 AMP
Since [as is well known] many have undertaken to compile an orderly account of the things which have been fulfilled among us [by God], exactly as they were handed down to us by those [with personal experience] who from the beginning [of Christ’s ministry] were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word [that is, of the teaching concerning salvation through faith in Christ], it seemed fitting for me as well, [and so I have decided] after having carefully…
The Goodness of a Sacrificial Leader – I Peter 2:20-25 (emphasis mine)
But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. TO THIS YOU WERE CALLED, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When they hurled their insults at him, he did not…
The Generational Plans of God to Redeem Broken People – Ruth 4:18-22
This, then, is the family line of Perez: Perez was the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, Boaz the father of Obed, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David. –Parallel verses: Matthew 1:1-6aThis is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham: Abraham was the…
Blessed Richly Beyond – Ruth 4:13-17
So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. When he made love to her, the Lord enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son. The women said to Naomi: “Praise be to the Lord, who this day has not left you without a guardian-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel! He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to…
How Am I Valued, What Am I Worth? – Ruth 4:1-12
Meanwhile Boaz went up to the town gate and sat down there just as the guardian-redeemer he had mentioned came along. Boaz said, “Come over here, my friend, and sit down.” So he went over and sat down. Boaz took ten of the elders of the town and said, “Sit here,” and they did so. Then he said to the guardian-redeemer, “Naomi, who has come back from Moab, is selling the piece of land that belonged to…
The Guardian Redeemer & God’s Bigger Blessing – Ruth 3:12-18
Although it is true that I am a guardian-redeemer of our family, there is another who is more closely related than I. Stay here for the night, and in the morning if he wants to do his duty as your guardian-redeemer, good; let him redeem you. But if he is not willing, as surely as the Lord lives I will do it. Lie here until morning.” So she lay at his feet until morning, but got up…
Giving the Practice of Praise First Place – Psalms 111:1, 3-5, 7-8, 10 AMP
“Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!) I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart, In the company of the upright and in the congregation.Splendid and majestic is His work, And His righteousness endures forever. He has made His wonderful acts to be remembered; The Lord is gracious and merciful and full of loving compassion. He has given food to those who fear Him [with awe-inspired reverence]; He will remember His covenant forever.The works of His hands…