In the time of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest name Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendent of Aaron. Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly. But they had no children because Elizabeth was barren and they were both well along in years. ------- Then an angel of the Lord appeared to Him, standing at the right side of the altar of incenses. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. But the angel said to him, 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 of John.
Good Monday morning, my dear brothers and sisters. God was so good to us again this weekend and we were so blessed. Thanks to all who came to our home, and the home of Carry The Light Ministries to help pack food, and pack food we did. You needed to be here to see how this worked. First, with the help of Grant and Wanda Crockett, the tables were ready and sample bags packed. We also had a menu for each bag. Gospel singer and Pastor Tim Beitzel led the group in prayer as before we give instructions... In about an hour and a half, 500 bags of food were packed and ready to go. Thanks be to God for all the help and thanks for all who came to help. Once again we had teenagers in the mix and so preteens even. All worked well. Our next big date will be on the afternoon of Saturday December 17th when we will have very nearly a hundred families drive up and get food. All will get five bags of food, a turkey, several pounds of hot dogs, bread, cakes, pies, and ten pounds of real potatoes. More than that, we will have prayer warriors praying in our driveway with folks, and all will receive tracts telling the way to Christ. Yes, we will need help to load cars, it is a fun day, but it gets cold, so if we have a lot of help, people can rotate in to stand in front of the heater.
Ok, Monday, and the day we pray for our leaders, and I think it is time to start praying for God to give us a leader in Washington that will PROTECT THE UNBORN. I know that in every election, my wife and I vote life, regardless what the office is. If a person does not believe we should protect the unborn, then he/she is not worthy of my vote. Today we also pray for our veterans and all those in our military and also for police and firefighters and all those who work to keep us healthy and safe. Speaking of police, please pray for the Silver Spring Township Police. Mrs. Claus and I did their Christmas party last night and I got to tell the story of Jesus. It was also nice to see a party with no booze... AMEN.
The Journey 2011 Day 22 Luke 1:5 - In the time of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest name Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendent of Aaron. 6 Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly. 7 But they had no children because Elizabeth was barren and they were both well along in years. ------- 11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to Him, standing at the right side of the altar of incenses. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13 But the angel said to him, 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 of John. (NIV)
Again, I ask that you get your Bible out and read the Christmas story from Luke. Follow along today as we take a look at the front runner of Jesus, who was named "John" and called "John the Baptist."
The angel of the Lord who gets to do a lot of God's great work and bring wonderful news to people is named Gabriel. Ok, brothers and sisters, you have lived a long life, maybe you are in your seventies as are Dolores and me, and maybe some of you couples are a tad older than that or a tad younger. But how at your age would you like an angel of the Lord to come to you and tell you, God has found favor in you and will bless you with a child? WHAT, I mean think about it folks, Old Zechariah and Elizabeth were getting up in age and never had a child, now at about a hundred, Elizabeth gets in the motherly way. Gosh would we think of it as a blessing or think God was joking? I could see me talking to the angel and it might go something like this...
I am Gabriel, and God sent me to tell you, Daniel, that He has found favor in you and He is going to bless you and Dolores with a child...
I would more than likely, after getting up from passing out, would say something like this... "you have got to be kidding!!!" You just can't be serious, what is the "punch line?" No Daniel, I am serious, you are going to be a dad again, and Dolores is going to have a child.
I mean how would you react? Think of a couple living in a retirement home, old Joey, pushing his wife of many years in her wheelchair, and then finding out she is with child. Tomorrow we are going to take a look at John and how he is to be raised. For now, just try hard to put yourself in the shoes of one of those we talk about each day. Some questions, will we hear more from the angel of the Lord, and if so when, and how do we know, and it is coming, that there is a child in the womb of Elizabeth. We are going to find out.
Dear Father in Heaven, children are a blessing and yet there are so many that are just being trashed. Even at our age, if you would ever want us to take in an older unwanted child, just let us know. Lord, we watch each week on TV of ads that kids are just not wanted. Lord, forgive this nation and humble the people as we so often kill those unwanted children... Dear Lord, forgive us our sins, and humble us to our knees as we come upon this Holy time of year... Help me to bring out the real story of Christmas. And Lord, according to Your will please answer our prayers... In Jesus' name, Amen.
Now go forth, living the day for Jesus for He gave it to you... and share those blessings please. Love ya, Pastor Dan.
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