He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth. 16 Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the … Read More
Good News for Lost Hopes
In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. 6 Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commandments and regulations blamelessly. 7 But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; and they were both … Read More
Walking Home
The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, 2 as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way”—3 “a voice of one calling in the wilderness,‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’” –Mark 1:1-3 As I mentioned in a post about 10 days ago, … Read More
Grace and Truth
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because … Read More
Light of God
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9 The true light that gives light to everyone … Read More
A Prophet is Coming
The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him. 16 For this is what you asked of the LORD your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly when you said, “Let us not hear the voice of the LORD our God nor see this … Read More
Beautiful Feet
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news,who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation,who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”8 Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices; together they shout for joy.When the LORD returns to Zion, they will see it with their own eyes.9 Burst into songs of joy together, you ruins of Jerusalem,for the LORD has comforted his … Read More
God’s Highway
Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. 2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD’s hand double for all her sins. 3 A voice of one calling:“In the wilderness prepare the way for the LORD[a];make straight in the desert a highway for our God.[b]4 Every valley shall be raised up, every … Read More
Feeling God’s Presence
Q: How can I, as a teenager, begin to feel God’s presence? How does he become more real and personal? This excellent question, submitted on our Q Sunday event on February 6, 2011 asks a question that many people pose at all stages of life. Becoming more aware of God’s presence and finding God to be more intimate in one’s … Read More
The Adjustment Bureau and Angelic Speculation
1 Peter 1:10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, 11 trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. 12 … Read More