Elizabeth In The Waiting

We often think about Zachariah when we read the first part of Luke. The angel Gabriel visiting Zachariah in the Temple, Zachariah gripped with fear, the Angel Gabriel proclaiming peace and promising a child. Zachariah questioning Him only to be scolded and punished with his voice taken away. I love this whole section but what I’ve grown to love most is how the section ends. It ends with his wife Elizabeth. Her words bring me peace, hope and a smile.

“How kind the Lord is!” Elizabeth exclaimed. “He has taken away my disgrace of having no children.” - Luke 1:25

We are told Elizabeth is very old from verse 7. How old, we do not know. But we can guess from the day she said I Do and took Zachariah’s hand in marriage as a teen she has been praying for a babe ever since. Years and years of praying. Months upon so many months of another cycle past. Years of seeing friends, family, cousins, nieces, likely even great-nieces bearing their children while her womb stayed empty.

But little did Elizabeth know that God was saving her for a miracle. A miracle that would be so special that it’s still told 2000 years later and will be for another infinite more. And here she starts to recognize the magnitude of this promised child. She sees the kindness in the Lord. She sees the redemption. The grace.

And she relishes in the waiting now with peace.

Oh “how kind the Lord is”

Awake - Christmas Playlist

I love Christmas music but sometimes I want a break from White Christmas, Feliz Navidad, and Little Drummer Boy. I want to sit with my coffee and cozy blanket, surrounded by the candlight of Christmas and just let my ears listen and truly hear the Truth, Hope, Joy and Peace that this Season brings. This Christmas playlist is absolutely perfect for that.

Legend Ozoro is the beauty who has been putting these pieces together. She is a singer/song writer and local worship leader. We pray you love them as much as we do.

Be sure to save it to your Spotify library for later by clicking the heart at this link

Then read this…

SILENT NIGHT, HOLY NIGHT

ALL IS CALM, ALL IS BRIGHT

“The city has no need for the sun or moon to shine, for the glory of God is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb.”

SILENT NIGHT, HOLY NIGHT

SHEPHERDS QUAKE AT THE SIGHT

“This is why you must stay alert: because no one knows the day your Lord will come. Keep a constant watch over your soul, and pray for the courage and grace to prevail over these things that are destined to occur and that you will stand before the presence of the Son of Man with a clear conscience. This is why I wait upon You, expecting Your breakthrough, for Your Word brings me hope.”

SILENT NIGHT, HOLY NIGHT

LOVE OF GOD, LOVE’S PURE LIGHT

“This is why the Scripture says, “Arise, you sleeper! Rise up from your coffin and the Anointed One will shine his light into you! Break open your Word within me until revelation-light shines out! Those with open hearts are given insight into your plans.”

SILENT NIGHT, HOLY NIGHT

HERE AT LAST, HEALING LIGHT

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and His glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Lift up your eyes and look about you: All assemble and come to you; your sons come from afar, and Your daughters are carried on the hip. Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy; the wealth on the seas will be brought to you, to you the riches of the nations will come. God, all at once you turned on a floodlight for me! You are the revelation-light in my darkness, and in your brightness I can see the path ahead. With you as my strength I can crush an enemy horde, advancing through every stronghold that stands in front of me. Yahweh, what a perfect God you are! All Yahweh’s promises have proven true. What a secure shelter for all those who turn to hide themselves in you, the wraparound God.”

and Dive Deeper by opening your Bible to these verses:

  • Revelation 21:23 TPT

  • Psalms 130:5 TPT

  • Matthew 24:42 TPT

  • Luke 21:36 TPT

  • Psalm 119:130 TPT

  • Ephesians 5:14 TPT

  • Isaiah 60:1-5 NIV

  • Psalms 18:28-30 TPT.

Whatever the revelation-light exposes, it will also correct, and everything that reveals the truth is light to the soul

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The Role of The Prophet John

The prophetic voice of God was silent for 400 years. The time between the Old and New Testament. Then God broke the silence and spoke through Gabriel to Elizabeth and then to Mary. Now he speaks through Zechariah. And when God spoke, it’s all through the central theme of Jesus.

This verse is part of Zechariah’s Song found at the end of Luke. Zechariah’s song is a prophecy. A prophecy which spoke first of the unborn Jesus and plan for salvation and then to his new son John and his place in God’s great plan of redemption.

The Prophet John was not just a quick figure to glanse over in the Bible. Not just a few verses to quickly read through to get to Jesus. He was an integral part of God’s redemptive work. He was the voice who called out to those who were lost. He was the sunrise that broke through the silence and would begin to shine in the darkness. He was the one who helped the lost find their footing again, he pointed them in the direciton of the Savior. He lifted their gaze in hope.

He was the one who prepared the way for the Waymaker.