Scripture:
Luke 1:57-66 (English Standard Version)
The Birth of John the Baptist
57Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. 58And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord(A) had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. 59And(B) on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father, 60but his mother answered, "No;(C) he shall be called John." 61And they said to her, "None of your relatives is called by this name." 62And(D) they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called. 63And he asked for(E) a writing tablet and wrote,(F) "His name is John." And they all wondered. 64(G) And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue(H) loosed, and he spoke,(I) blessing God. 65And(J) fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all(K) the hill country of Judea, 66and all who heard them(L) laid them up in their hearts, saying, "What then will this child be?" For(M) the hand of the Lord was with him.
Cross references:
Luke 1:58 : Gen 19:19
Luke 1:59 : Luke 2:21; Gen 17:12; Lev 12:3; Phil 3:5
Luke 1:60 : Luke 1:13
Luke 1:62 : Luke 1:22
Luke 1:63 : Isa 8:1; 30:8
Luke 1:63 : Luke 1:60
Luke 1:64 : Luke 1:20
Luke 1:64 : Mark 7:35
Luke 1:64 : Luke 2:28; 24:53
Luke 1:65 : Luke 7:16
Luke 1:65 : Luke 1:39
Luke 1:66 : Luke 2:19, 51
Luke 1:66 : Acts 11:21; 13:11
Reflection:
Are you surprised to see the relatives of Zechariah and Elizabeth quibble over what to name their newborn child? Don’t we do the same thing? This child, however has been named from above! And Elizabeth is firm in her faith and determined to see that God be glorified through this child. The name John means "the Lord is gracious". In the birth of John and in the birth of Jesus the Messiah we see the grace of God breaking forth into a world broken by sin and death and without hope. John’s miraculous birth shows the mercy and favor of God in preparing his people for the coming of its Lord and Savior, the Christ. When God acts to save us he graciously fills us with his Holy Spirit and makes our faith "alive" to his promises. Do you make your life an offering to God, along with your family, and all that you possess? God wants to fill us with his glory all the days of our lives, from birth through death. Renew the offering of your life to God and give him thanks for his mercy and favor towards you?
Prayer For The Day:
Lord, you are gracious and forgiving towards us. May I ever seek to bring you glory in all that I do and say.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Daily Word - Don't Be Disappointed - Luke 1:46-55
Scripture:
Luke 1:46-55 (English Standard Version)
Mary’s Song of Praise:
The Magnificat 46And Mary said, (A) "My(B) soul(C) magnifies the Lord, 47(D) and my(E) spirit rejoices in(F) God my Savior,48for(G) he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations(H) will call me blessed;49for(I) he who is mighty(J) has done great things for me, and(K) holy is his name.50And(L) his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.51(M) He has shown strength with his arm; (N) he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;52(O) he has brought down the mighty from their thrones (P) and exalted those of humble estate;53he has filled(Q) the hungry with good things, and the rich(R) he has sent away empty.54He has(S) helped(T) his servant Israel, (U) in remembrance of his mercy,55(V) as he spoke to our fathers, (W) to Abraham and to his offspring forever."
Cross references:
Luke 1:46 : For Luke 1:46-53, 1 Sam 2:1-10
Luke 1:46 : 1 Thess 5:23
Luke 1:46 : Psalm 34:2, 3; 69:30; Acts 10:46; 19:17
Luke 1:47 : Psalm 35:9; Isa 61:10; Hab 3:18; Acts 16:34
Luke 1:47 : Luke 1:46
Luke 1:47 : Psalm 106:21; 1 Tim 1:1; 2:3; Titus 1:3; 2:10; 3:4; Jude 25; 2 Tim 1:9
Luke 1:48 : 1 Sam 1:11; Psalm 138:6; Luke 9:38
Luke 1:48 : Luke 11:27; Psalm 72:17; Mal 3:12
Luke 1:49 : Psalm 89:8; Zeph 3:17
Luke 1:49 : Psalm 71:19; 126:2, 3
Luke 1:49 : Psalm 99:3; 111:9; Isa 57:15
Luke 1:50 : Deut 5:10; 7:9; Psalm 89:1, 2; 103:17
Luke 1:51 : Psalm 89:10; 98:1; 118:16; Isa 51:9
Luke 1:51 : Dan 4:37; James 4:6
Luke 1:52 : Luke 1:51
Luke 1:52 : Job 5:11; Psalm 75:7; 107:40, 41; 113:7, 8; 147:6; Ezek 21:26; James 4:10
Luke 1:53 : Psalm 34:10; 107:9; Luke 6:21, 24, 25
Luke 1:53 : Job 22:9
Luke 1:54 : Isa 41:8, 9; Heb 2:16
Luke 1:54 : Isa 44:21; 49:3
Luke 1:54 : Psalm 98:3; Mic 7:20; Luke 1:72, 73
Luke 1:55 : Gen 17:19; Psalm 132:11; Gal 3:16
Luke 1:55 : Luke 1:54
Reflection:
Do you know the mercy and favor of the Lord? Those who hunger for the Lord will not be disappointed. The Lord himself will fill them with the fruits of his peace, joy, and righteousness. We see God's boundless love manifested in the promise of a Redeemer. As the events leading to the birth of our Saviour unfold we see all the prophecies, promises and prayers of the Old Testament being fulfilled because "God so loved the world that he gave us his only Son". Mary accepted her mission with uncompromising faith and obedience. She acted with unwavering trust and faith because she believed that God would fulfill the word he had spoken. Her great hymn of praise echoes the song of Hannah (see 1 Samuel 2:1-10) and proclaims the favor of the Lord: God exalts the lowly and he fills the hungry. Christmas is a time for renewing our faith and hope in God and his promises and for deepening our love for God and neighbor. Do you seek the Lord Jesus to be renewed in faith, hope, and love?
Prayer For The Day:
Lord Jesus, help me to earnestly seek you with humility and confidence. Increase my faith in your promises, strengthen within me the hope of heaven and eternal life, and set my heart on fire with love for you and your kingdom. May I always praise and magnify your greatness and mercy.
Luke 1:46-55 (English Standard Version)
Mary’s Song of Praise:
The Magnificat 46And Mary said, (A) "My(B) soul(C) magnifies the Lord, 47(D) and my(E) spirit rejoices in(F) God my Savior,48for(G) he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations(H) will call me blessed;49for(I) he who is mighty(J) has done great things for me, and(K) holy is his name.50And(L) his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.51(M) He has shown strength with his arm; (N) he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;52(O) he has brought down the mighty from their thrones (P) and exalted those of humble estate;53he has filled(Q) the hungry with good things, and the rich(R) he has sent away empty.54He has(S) helped(T) his servant Israel, (U) in remembrance of his mercy,55(V) as he spoke to our fathers, (W) to Abraham and to his offspring forever."
Cross references:
Luke 1:46 : For Luke 1:46-53, 1 Sam 2:1-10
Luke 1:46 : 1 Thess 5:23
Luke 1:46 : Psalm 34:2, 3; 69:30; Acts 10:46; 19:17
Luke 1:47 : Psalm 35:9; Isa 61:10; Hab 3:18; Acts 16:34
Luke 1:47 : Luke 1:46
Luke 1:47 : Psalm 106:21; 1 Tim 1:1; 2:3; Titus 1:3; 2:10; 3:4; Jude 25; 2 Tim 1:9
Luke 1:48 : 1 Sam 1:11; Psalm 138:6; Luke 9:38
Luke 1:48 : Luke 11:27; Psalm 72:17; Mal 3:12
Luke 1:49 : Psalm 89:8; Zeph 3:17
Luke 1:49 : Psalm 71:19; 126:2, 3
Luke 1:49 : Psalm 99:3; 111:9; Isa 57:15
Luke 1:50 : Deut 5:10; 7:9; Psalm 89:1, 2; 103:17
Luke 1:51 : Psalm 89:10; 98:1; 118:16; Isa 51:9
Luke 1:51 : Dan 4:37; James 4:6
Luke 1:52 : Luke 1:51
Luke 1:52 : Job 5:11; Psalm 75:7; 107:40, 41; 113:7, 8; 147:6; Ezek 21:26; James 4:10
Luke 1:53 : Psalm 34:10; 107:9; Luke 6:21, 24, 25
Luke 1:53 : Job 22:9
Luke 1:54 : Isa 41:8, 9; Heb 2:16
Luke 1:54 : Isa 44:21; 49:3
Luke 1:54 : Psalm 98:3; Mic 7:20; Luke 1:72, 73
Luke 1:55 : Gen 17:19; Psalm 132:11; Gal 3:16
Luke 1:55 : Luke 1:54
Reflection:
Do you know the mercy and favor of the Lord? Those who hunger for the Lord will not be disappointed. The Lord himself will fill them with the fruits of his peace, joy, and righteousness. We see God's boundless love manifested in the promise of a Redeemer. As the events leading to the birth of our Saviour unfold we see all the prophecies, promises and prayers of the Old Testament being fulfilled because "God so loved the world that he gave us his only Son". Mary accepted her mission with uncompromising faith and obedience. She acted with unwavering trust and faith because she believed that God would fulfill the word he had spoken. Her great hymn of praise echoes the song of Hannah (see 1 Samuel 2:1-10) and proclaims the favor of the Lord: God exalts the lowly and he fills the hungry. Christmas is a time for renewing our faith and hope in God and his promises and for deepening our love for God and neighbor. Do you seek the Lord Jesus to be renewed in faith, hope, and love?
Prayer For The Day:
Lord Jesus, help me to earnestly seek you with humility and confidence. Increase my faith in your promises, strengthen within me the hope of heaven and eternal life, and set my heart on fire with love for you and your kingdom. May I always praise and magnify your greatness and mercy.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Daily Word - Untouchable Joy - Luke 1:39-45
Scripture:
Luke 1:39-45 (English Standard Version)
Mary Visits Elizabeth
39In those days Mary arose and went with haste into(A) the hill country, to a town in Judah, 40and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth(B) was filled with the Holy Spirit, 42and she exclaimed with a loud cry,(C) "Blessed are you among women, and(D) blessed is(E) the fruit of your womb! 43And why is this granted to me that the mother of(F) my Lord should come to me? 44For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45And(G) blessed is she who believed that there would be[a] a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord."
Footnotes:
Luke 1:45 Or believed, for there will be
Cross references:
Luke 1:39 : Luke 1:65; Josh 20:7; 21:11
Luke 1:41 : Luke 1:15, 67
Luke 1:42 : Judg 5:24
Luke 1:42 : Deut 28:4
Luke 1:42 : Psalm 127:3
Luke 1:43 : Luke 20:42; John 20:28; Luke 2:11
Luke 1:45 : John 20:29; Luke 1:20
Reflection:
Do you recognize the indwelling presence of the Lord Jesus in your life? Blessed are you if you see and recognize the Lord with the "eyes of faith". The word "blessed" [makarios in Greek] literally means "happiness" or "beatitude". It describes a kind of joy which is serene and untouchable, self-contained, and independent from chance and the changing circumstances of life. There is a certain paradox for those "blessed" by the Lord. Mary was given the "blessedness" of being the mother of the Son of God. That blessedness also would become a sword which pierced her heart as her Son died upon the cross. Anselm, a great teacher and Archbishop of Canterberry (1033-1109), spoke these words in a homily: "Without God's Son nothing could exist; without Mary's son, nothing could be redeemed." To be chosen by God is an awesome privilege and responsibility. Mary received both a crown of joy and a cross of sorrow. Her joy was not diminished by her sorrow because it was fueled by her faith, hope, and trust in God and his promises. Jesus promised his disciples that "no one will take your joy from you" (John 16:22). The Lord gives us a supernatural joy which enables us to bear any sorrow or pain and which neither life nor death can take away. Do you know the joy of a life given over to God in faith and trust?
What is the significance of Mary's visit to her cousin Elizabeth before the birth of Jesus? When Elizabeth greeted Mary and recognized the Messiah in Mary's womb they were filled with the Holy Spirit and with a joyful anticipation of the fulfilment of God's promise to give a Savior. What a marvelous wonder for God to fill not only Elizabeth's heart with his Holy Spirit but the child in her womb as well. John the Baptist, even before the birth of the Messiah, pointed to his coming and leapt for joy in the womb of his mother as the Holy Spirit revealed to him the presence of the King to be born. The Holy Spirit is God's gift to us to enable us to know and experience the indwelling presence of God and the power of his kingdom. The Holy Spirit is the way in which God reigns within each of us. Do you live in the joy and knowledge of God's indwelling presence with you through his Holy Spirit?
Prayer For The Day:
Lord, fill me with your Holy Spirit and give me joy in seeking you more closely. Increase my faith in all your promises, my hope in the joys of heaven, and my love for You as my All.
Luke 1:39-45 (English Standard Version)
Mary Visits Elizabeth
39In those days Mary arose and went with haste into(A) the hill country, to a town in Judah, 40and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth(B) was filled with the Holy Spirit, 42and she exclaimed with a loud cry,(C) "Blessed are you among women, and(D) blessed is(E) the fruit of your womb! 43And why is this granted to me that the mother of(F) my Lord should come to me? 44For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45And(G) blessed is she who believed that there would be[a] a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord."
Footnotes:
Luke 1:45 Or believed, for there will be
Cross references:
Luke 1:39 : Luke 1:65; Josh 20:7; 21:11
Luke 1:41 : Luke 1:15, 67
Luke 1:42 : Judg 5:24
Luke 1:42 : Deut 28:4
Luke 1:42 : Psalm 127:3
Luke 1:43 : Luke 20:42; John 20:28; Luke 2:11
Luke 1:45 : John 20:29; Luke 1:20
Reflection:
Do you recognize the indwelling presence of the Lord Jesus in your life? Blessed are you if you see and recognize the Lord with the "eyes of faith". The word "blessed" [makarios in Greek] literally means "happiness" or "beatitude". It describes a kind of joy which is serene and untouchable, self-contained, and independent from chance and the changing circumstances of life. There is a certain paradox for those "blessed" by the Lord. Mary was given the "blessedness" of being the mother of the Son of God. That blessedness also would become a sword which pierced her heart as her Son died upon the cross. Anselm, a great teacher and Archbishop of Canterberry (1033-1109), spoke these words in a homily: "Without God's Son nothing could exist; without Mary's son, nothing could be redeemed." To be chosen by God is an awesome privilege and responsibility. Mary received both a crown of joy and a cross of sorrow. Her joy was not diminished by her sorrow because it was fueled by her faith, hope, and trust in God and his promises. Jesus promised his disciples that "no one will take your joy from you" (John 16:22). The Lord gives us a supernatural joy which enables us to bear any sorrow or pain and which neither life nor death can take away. Do you know the joy of a life given over to God in faith and trust?
What is the significance of Mary's visit to her cousin Elizabeth before the birth of Jesus? When Elizabeth greeted Mary and recognized the Messiah in Mary's womb they were filled with the Holy Spirit and with a joyful anticipation of the fulfilment of God's promise to give a Savior. What a marvelous wonder for God to fill not only Elizabeth's heart with his Holy Spirit but the child in her womb as well. John the Baptist, even before the birth of the Messiah, pointed to his coming and leapt for joy in the womb of his mother as the Holy Spirit revealed to him the presence of the King to be born. The Holy Spirit is God's gift to us to enable us to know and experience the indwelling presence of God and the power of his kingdom. The Holy Spirit is the way in which God reigns within each of us. Do you live in the joy and knowledge of God's indwelling presence with you through his Holy Spirit?
Prayer For The Day:
Lord, fill me with your Holy Spirit and give me joy in seeking you more closely. Increase my faith in all your promises, my hope in the joys of heaven, and my love for You as my All.
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