Post by Les on Sept 10, 2023 11:50:27 GMT -5
Promise Fulfilled By: Cindy Hess Kasper
Click here for the Audio Message
Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfil his promises to her!
Luke 1:45
Today's Scripture & Insight:
Luke 1:26–38
Each summer when I was a child, I would travel two hundred miles to enjoy a week with my grandparents. I wasn’t aware until later how much wisdom I soaked up from those two people I loved. Their life experiences and walk with God had given them perspectives that my young mind couldn’t yet imagine. Conversations with them about the faithfulness of God assured me that God is trustworthy and fulfils every promise He makes.
Mary, the mother of Jesus, was a teenager when an angel visited her. The incredible news brought by Gabriel must have been overwhelming, yet she willingly accepted the task with grace (Luke 1:38). But perhaps her visit with her elderly relative Elizabeth—who was also in the midst of a miraculous pregnancy (some scholars believe she may have been sixty years old)—brought her comfort as Elizabeth enthusiastically confirmed Gabriel’s words that she was the mother of the promised Messiah (vv. 39–45).
As we grow and mature in Christ, as my grandparents did, we learn that He keeps His promises. He kept His promise of a child for Elizabeth and her husband Zechariah (vv. 57–58). And that son, John the Baptist, became the harbinger of a promise made hundreds of years before—one that would change the course of humanity’s future. The promised Messiah—the Saviour of the world—was coming (Matthew 1:21–23).
Reflect & Pray
Why can you trust God to fulfil His promises? Which of His promises bring you the most joy?
Loving Father, thank You for being trustworthy and for fulfilling Your promises.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
In the first chapter of Luke, we see an example of doubt and one of faith. Zechariah received news that his long-standing prayer for a baby had been answered (v. 13). But rather than accept God’s gift, Zechariah doubted (v. 18). Later, Gabriel announced to Mary that she’d been chosen to bear God’s Son. Her words mirrored Zechariah’s (v. 34 ), but, unlike Zechariah, Mary hadn’t asked for this blessing from God. She wasn’t objecting; she was only confused. When the angel clarified, Mary agreed with God’s plan (v. 38). Faith doesn’t preclude confusion, but it does require partnering with God in His work.
Jed Ostoich
Luke 1:26-38
King James Version
26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.
32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.
38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
Click here for the Audio Message
Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfil his promises to her!
Luke 1:45
Today's Scripture & Insight:
Luke 1:26–38
Each summer when I was a child, I would travel two hundred miles to enjoy a week with my grandparents. I wasn’t aware until later how much wisdom I soaked up from those two people I loved. Their life experiences and walk with God had given them perspectives that my young mind couldn’t yet imagine. Conversations with them about the faithfulness of God assured me that God is trustworthy and fulfils every promise He makes.
Mary, the mother of Jesus, was a teenager when an angel visited her. The incredible news brought by Gabriel must have been overwhelming, yet she willingly accepted the task with grace (Luke 1:38). But perhaps her visit with her elderly relative Elizabeth—who was also in the midst of a miraculous pregnancy (some scholars believe she may have been sixty years old)—brought her comfort as Elizabeth enthusiastically confirmed Gabriel’s words that she was the mother of the promised Messiah (vv. 39–45).
As we grow and mature in Christ, as my grandparents did, we learn that He keeps His promises. He kept His promise of a child for Elizabeth and her husband Zechariah (vv. 57–58). And that son, John the Baptist, became the harbinger of a promise made hundreds of years before—one that would change the course of humanity’s future. The promised Messiah—the Saviour of the world—was coming (Matthew 1:21–23).
Reflect & Pray
Why can you trust God to fulfil His promises? Which of His promises bring you the most joy?
Loving Father, thank You for being trustworthy and for fulfilling Your promises.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
In the first chapter of Luke, we see an example of doubt and one of faith. Zechariah received news that his long-standing prayer for a baby had been answered (v. 13). But rather than accept God’s gift, Zechariah doubted (v. 18). Later, Gabriel announced to Mary that she’d been chosen to bear God’s Son. Her words mirrored Zechariah’s (v. 34 ), but, unlike Zechariah, Mary hadn’t asked for this blessing from God. She wasn’t objecting; she was only confused. When the angel clarified, Mary agreed with God’s plan (v. 38). Faith doesn’t preclude confusion, but it does require partnering with God in His work.
Jed Ostoich
Luke 1:26-38
King James Version
26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.
32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.
38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.