A Passage We Too Often Skip

I think all too often we skip a very important chapter in the Bible and jump right to the glory one.  Millions of people read the beloved Luke 2 passage.  The passage that announces our Saviors birth.  I love this passage and read it often with my kids, especially around Christmas.  Plus our four year old loves, I mean LOVES, babies so we read this and baby Moses almost daily.  She may even know them by heart. And well my son might just like the sheep...

Anyways...

This year as I prep myself for Christmas, keeping the true meaning embedded in my heart, I dug deep (as deep as I can getting up 2x a night with a newborn, functioning with half a brain) into Luke 1.  I think all too often we forget about the glorious miracle of John the Baptist.  The Angel Gabriel, coming to Zechariah, declaring he and His barren wife Elizabeth would have a son.  And not just any son, a son "who will be great in the eyes of the Lord and be filled with the Holy Spirit even before birth!"  (Luke 1:15)

You see the Holy Spirt before the day of Pentecost, only came on certain individuals, God's messengers, His prophets, for a certain amount of time.  This was an amazing miracle.  A barren woman, the Angel Gabriel (same angel who declared to Mary) and the Holy Spirit!  

But here is what I love most,  Zechariah's words in Luke 1:76-79 as he relishes in this amazing moment in time.  This miracle.  His son. His son who came to pave the way to something even greater.

"And you, my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most High, because you will prepare the way for the Lord. You will tell his people how to find salvation through forgiveness of sins. Because of God's tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace." 

Read those verses again, it's seriously powerful.

For almost two thousand years, since the promise God gave back to Abraham in Genesis 12, the Israelites have been waiting for God to deliver them.  And Zechariah's very own son gets to pave the way.  His son John has the amazing mission of preparing the people of the idea of salvation. The idea that there is forgiveness of sins. Not with a sacrifice but just by faith. And that the Light of the world will come down and live among us and cast out darkness and bring about peace.

Let this passage intrigue you to dive deeper into the greatest story ever lived and told.  A story that was anticipated for roughly 2,000 years. A story that begins our path to an eternal life with our Heavenly Father.  The type of Father who would humble himself as a baby, live among us, grow up in our sinful world, teach and disciple us, never sin, and die a gruesome death for us all to bring us into a forever life with him.

The 400 Years of Silence and This Election

I took a Bible Study, Village Schools of the Bible, which I've talked about before.   This Bible Study shed some seriously light to the 400 years of silence.  Learning and studying about these 400 years  brings about so much peace during this year's crazy election.

What does it teach me most?  That God is working and orchestrating.  He is not silent.  Rather He is showing us He has a master plan and He is forever working in our lives.  For He is always with us.  He has perfect timing and brings everything to forwishen in His perfect timing. 

For example,  these 400 years, the time between the Old Testament and the New Testament, God was bringing about the perfect moment for His Son to come into this world and save us.  

How So?  

There were four major empires that ruled during these 400 years.  Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome.  God used each one of these empires to prepare for the coming King.

Babylon - During Babylon's reign, there were two major developments that allowed for "easier" access to God.  Synagogues and Scribes.  The Synagogues allowed for local worship rather than having to travel to Jerusalem.  In fact, Jesus often taught at local synagogues.    The Scribes copied and taught scripture.  No longer did people only rely on oral traditions.  Many could study it for them selves.

Medo-Persia - It was during this reign that the exiled Jews were allowed to return back to Jerusalem.  Medo-Persia gave financial support for the rebuilding on the Temple and the Jerusalem Wall.  Thus establishing the center of worship once again.

Greece - There are many aspects that came out of the Greece Empire.  One being the Pharisees and Sadducees.  The other being one of the biggest aspects which is the "common" language.  Many of the Jews adopted to the Greek language and cultural way of living.  Thus the Old Testament being translated in to Greek and crossing cultural boarders.  

Rome - This powerhouse allowed for self-government with a governor. Rome brought about major trade routes with roads which allowed for the Gospel to spread like wildfire after the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Galatians 4:4  But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son.

It was God who used these pagan empires.  These empires that God's people distrusted and even despised.  These empires who ruled when they thought God was absent. These empires where the people wondered if God abandoned them.  It was these empires that developed local worship, access to scripture, a rebuilding of a people, a common language and a major road system that allowed for the Good News of Jesus Christ to reach the ends of the earth.   

God may seem absent in this prideful, chaotic and corrupt election,  but we know from history past that God is always working His master plan.  We may not understand it.  But we can have faith in it.  And someday when we look back, we will see Him in it.

Be Still and know that I am God.  I will be honored by every nation.  I will be honored throughout the world.  Psalm 46:10

"I am the Alpha and the Omega-the beginning and the end," says the Lord God. "I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come-the Almighty One" Revelations 1:8

So today and the rest of the the evening as the fate of our nation unfolds, put your faith and hope not in a mere mortal but in a perfect God who has and will forever reign.

Open House - Christmas Kick Off!

Halloween is over so it's officially time to start enjoying the Holiday season and Christmas shopping!

Come join us for our OPEN HOUSE! 
Saturday, November 5th from 9:00am until Noon

Enjoy a fun morning of coffee, apple cider, treats, friendship and shopping! We are excited to invite you to our little home full of love to kick off our Holiday season. Our season starts early this year as we are expecting baby #3 just a week and a half later. So bring your friends, shop for yourself or Christmas gifts, and enjoy some Fall treats! And take advantage of seeing our items up close and personal. We may even sneak some extra items into our SALE bin just for the Open House.

 Feel free to come and go as you please.

Address: 
8546 Greenway Ave S
Cottage Grove, MN 55016

Event is open to anyone so bring along your friends and enjoy the day.

Facebook Event Page.

The Shepherd

The LORD is my shepherd;

I have all that I need.

He lets me rest in green meadows;

he leads me beside peaceful streams.

He renews my strength.

He guides me along right paths,

bringing honor to his name.

Even when I walk through the darkest valley,

I will not be afraid,

for you are close beside me.

Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.

You prepare a feast for me

in the presence of my enemies.

You honor me by anointing my head with oil.

My cup overflows with blessings.

Surely your goodness and unfailing love

will pursue me all the days of my life,

and I will live in the house of the LORD forever.

- Psalm 23

Jesus is our Shepherd waiting to lead us through life.  The bolded words serve a purpose in this passage.  Take note... because Jesus Christ is and will provide just that.  

Psalm 18

I love you, Lord;
    you are my strength.
The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;
    my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.
He is my shield, the power that saves me,
    and my place of safety.
I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise,
    and he saved me from my enemies.

Psalm 18:1-3