Because of the tender mercy of our God,
With which the Sunrise from on high will visit us,
To shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death,
To guide our feet into the way of peace. Luke 1:78-79 (read vv. 57-80)
INTRO: A day or two after our most recent grandson was added to the clan, I went to see him
When I asked the baby’s name, my son-in-law began to explain how he came up with “Indy”
– he got it from the movie character, Indiana Jones–only Sid didn’t care for “Indiana,” but he liked the nickname Indy
– my daughter, who was lying on her side gently stroking her fourth child, said with a sigh of resignation, “That was our deal. I got to name the girls and Sid got to name the boys.” read more…
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you
But if you had known what this means, “I desire compassion, and not a sacrifice,” you would not have condemned the innocent. Matthew 12:7
Jesus protected his disciples from unnecessary spiritual abuse. The Pharisees had passed judgment on the disciples for doing something that was “not lawful to do on a Sabbath” (v. 2). Jesus responded with two questions that took them back to the Scriptures–both begin with, “Have you not read . . .?”–and then with three statements. read more…
And Mary said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” Luke 1:38
INTRO: On one of our trips to Russia, we walked through a park near the Kremlin in Moscow
Observing that the large metal sculptures reminded me of fairytales, I asked our translators whether the one closest to us was the story of the fish that begged for its life, promising to fulfill a wish for the man who caught it. The translators confirmed that it was what I had guessed and they were surprised to learn that I knew those same fairytales (I was surprised to learn how many fairytales have come to us from Russia). I recognized the sculptures because the familiar images belong to both cultures read more…
[Zecharias] was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And the whole multitude of the people were in prayer outside at the hour of the incense offering. Luke 1:9-10 (read verses 5-25)
INTRO: Last week, we stood in the threshold, now we cross it
No sooner do we enter the story than we’re swept into the temple–a place that was designed to create a sense of heaven on earth (Heb. 8:4-5; 9:23-24)
– it defined sacred space–a bridge on which heaven and earth meet
– a place of encounter read more…
Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught. Luke 1:1-4
INTRO: If there is a book you are thinking about buying, how do you look it over to make your decision?
When you begin a new book, do you turn to the first page and start reading?
– Barbara teases me for taking the time to break in the binding of each new book before I read it
Well, you can’t browse a rolled-up scroll, which is what the Gospel of Luke was written on
– therefore, the first line written on a scroll was very important
– it gave you enough information to form an idea of what would follow and to pique your interest read more…
And the LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child when I am so old?'” Genesis 18:13 (1-15)
INTRO: As we step into the story and look around, where are we?
We are not far from Jerusalem, where spread out on a hillside we see a cluster of tents
(made from goat skins that have been sewn together)
– the homestead of an old man and woman with an empty nest
– in fact, that’s the hint of sorrow in the old lady’s eyes–their nest has always been empty
Their whole marriage she has suffered the stigma of being “barren” read more…
Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
And those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21
INTRO: A few years ago, while channel-surfing I cam across a documentary and had to stop
A woman’s voice arrested my attention–which is unusual for me
(I usually switch channels until I hear squeeling tires, gunfire and explosions)
– the woman was Maya Angelou and she was undoubtably the most eloquent speaker I had ever heard read more…
Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. Matthew 13:13 (Read 10-17)
INTRO: Of the two main candidates in this week’s elections, are you absolutely certain which one would make the best governor?
There are too many unknowns to reach absolute certainty, and we’ve had too many disappointments to be optimistic
– we have to do our research and then make our best guess read more…
Who is the wise man that may understand this? And who is he to whom the mouth of the LORD has spoken, that he may declare it? Jeremiah 9:12
When I saw her, I wondered greatly. And the angel said to me, “Why do you wonder? I will tell you the mystery of the woman . . .” Revelation 17:6-7
This is the way of prophecy; it ventures into the territory of imponderables and mysteries. It divulges a secret, yet even then the message or vision remains inscrutable until explained. read more…
Yet they seek Me day by day and delight to know My ways,
As a nation that has done righteousness
And has not forsaken the ordinance of their God.
They ask Me for just decisions,
They delight in the nearness of their God. Isaiah 58
INTRO: We cannot read this prophetic poem without a sense of surprise, even shock
It describes Israel’s spiritual quest:
- to seek God
- to know his ways
- to enjoy his nearness read more…
Daily Meditations From the Scriptures