Wed, 30 Apr 2025 18:14:54 -0500WeeblyWed, 30 Apr 2025 20:56:04 GMThttp://onewithgod.website/teachings/the-name-jesusLuke 1:31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.
 
MARY is processing a good deal of information. She began the day a typical teen-aged girl in Nazareth, looking forward to her marriage to Jospeh. Amid her everyday life she receives a message directly from heaven’s throne. She’s been addressed, “Highly favored.” Mary is likely wondering, “Who am I to hear such things?” We can visualize her mind is twirling, seeking to stop on a spot of reality. How will she grasp the meaning of this very unexpected visitor from the LORD God Almighty?
    Then Mary learned the focus of Gabriel’s message. She heard the answer to a question perhaps every Jewish woman born in David’s lineage had asked, “Will I be the one to give birth to the Savior?” That’s what “Jesus” means. “Jesus” in Hebrew is pronounced “Ye shu a” or Joshua. Jesus is the Greek form of Joshua. Gabriel, the angel, had told Mary she is the one who was prophesied in Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.  
    What would you do? We consider what it’s like when we receive really good news, especially if it’s the answer to a long-held question. Suddenly we are free of worry and wondering, “When will it happen?” Your body releases tension, almost a cleansing of doubt from your soul. “Thank you, Father.” rises from your tongue. How great is your joy to know in your heart God’s love is truly guiding your life. Do you adore and worship your Lord for surpassing goodness?
Mary’s worship is about to become deeply personal as she enters a very, very close relationship with the LORD God. There will be a cost to this relationship. Mary will need God’s comforting hands many times. She will encounter doubts, questions and accusations from Joseph and family. There will be the very difficult journey to Bethlehem. Later will come the sudden flight to Egypt, a country long an enemy to the Jews. Mary will watch and hear the threats against Jesus when he debates, accuses and judges the Pharisees. Mary will fear the cross and despair at the tomb. Yes, God’s plan will bring great trial to this Jewish girl, privileged to be the Son of God’s mother.
Still, she will rejoice! Mary will trust and believes in her purpose. Mary understood her life belonged to God as the means to release his Son into Israel for the salvation of the world.
 
Prayer: Lord God, you have created me. You have chosen me to be your child. Use me to release your gospel into the world. I am yours. In Jesus’ name, amen]]>Mon, 28 Apr 2025 21:11:20 GMThttp://onewithgod.website/teachings/you-are-as-mary4183047Luke 1:26-28 In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
 
WHEN Gabriel went to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David, God kept three ancient promises.
    Mary is the virgin first promised in Scripture’s earliest prophecy. Immediately after Eve and Adam disobeyed God, he promised to them and Satan that a woman – not a man and a woman – would bring forth a Redeemer to destroy Satan’s authority: Genesis 3:15 “I will put hatred between you (Satan) and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”  
    Centuries later God reminded the Jews of the virgin-born Redeemer: Isaiah 7:14 “The Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”
    The third promise of Gabriel’s announcement is God’s word to David: 2 Samuel 7:16 “Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.” The Messiah will come from David’s lineage.
    The Sovereign Lord chose Mary, this teen-aged virgin descendant of David, pledged to Jospeh, also of David’s line, to bear the Savior of the world. Mary is the focal point of God’s salvation promise. That’s why Gabriel could say to her, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”  
    Here’s something you can know: You are as Mary. How is that? God, indeed, had a special purpose for highly favored Mary. And God has a special purpose for highly favored you.
    You see this, don’t you, in God’s eternal plan coming true in the virgin birth. We know of God’s favor even more deeply when we know the cross. Each thing God has done since the Garden of Eden has been to declare the time of God’s favor through the forgiveness of sins into life eternal for you and all he has favored to be his own.
    Yes, you are so highly favored, Immanuel came through David’s house to the virgin, so he could be your Savior. Immanuel came into creation to make you a new creation. Jesus entered into the earth to gloriously lift you into heaven.
    Oh yes, you are as Mary. When you confess Jesus is Lord of your life, God’s high favor lifts you up into the heaven’s height.
 
Prayer: Lord God, I am so very grateful and humbled to be saved in your choosing, to be so eternally favored. In Jesus’ name I give thanks. Amen.

]]>Sun, 27 Apr 2025 19:02:24 GMThttp://onewithgod.website/teachings/top-of-the-listLuke 1:23-25 When Zechariah’s time of service was completed, he returned home. 24 After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. 25 “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”
 
ZECHARIAH’S a good man. Yes, he’s had his moments of doubts. But still God has placed his great blessing on Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth. A very special son, John, is coming. Zechariah is among the most favored priests in Israel’s history.
    How did he respond to God’s favor? He remained faithful. A mark of Zechariah’s faithfulness is his continued commitment to his priestly duties. He completed his appointed time to be in Jerusalem to work at the Temple. No, he isn’t suddenly too important to forego his service to God and to the Jews. Zechariah steadfastly fulfills his priestly duties in Jerusalem just as he always has done in his home village.
    Remember, Zechariah cannot speak because God had judged his unbelieving question, “How can this be?” Zechariah has accepted the Lord’s judgment because he knows the Lord is just.
    Then observe Elizabeth’s response. She was humbled and amazed, honored and grateful to consider God has opened her barren womb. Zechariah would have written Gabriel’s words, so she knows of God’s great gift. Luke records her response to God’s blessing: “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”
    We can see Elizabeth’s praise illustrate the gospel. Our salvation through Jesus’ atoning death is a great thing God has done for us! In these days of our salvation, the Holy Spirit leads us into an upright life, a life Zechariah and Elizabeth  have modeled for us.
    Remember how this couple was upright in God’s sight: Luke 1:6 Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commandments and regulations blamelessly. Upright before God means you trust him. You obey his commands. You look his way when you make decisions. Upright before God is knowing he is your strength and your help. You understand his grace is sufficient to save you to eternal life. Upright is putting God on top of your life’s priorities list. The LORD God says it like this: Exodus 20:3 “You shall have no other gods before me.” Keep the eyes of your heart up, always right on God.  
   
Prayer: Lord God in heaven, I put you at the top of my worship list. You are the most important truth of my life. I love you more than anything or anyone. In Jesus’ name, I praise you, amen.]]>Sat, 26 Apr 2025 18:50:03 GMThttp://onewithgod.website/teachings/testify-of-gods-goodnessLuke 1:21-22 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. 22 When he came out, Zechariah could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.
 
ZECHARIAH had seen and heard from God’s messenger Gabriel. But God has silenced the witness of his glory! The Lord wanted Zechariah and the Jews to know beyond all doubt that he had come to do the work he had longed promised to do.
    Have you ever considered God’s remarkable acts in your life to revel what he wants you to do with him? Perhaps he has come to you in a vision or dream. Did he send someone to speak his message to you? The Word has certainly come to you through his Scripture. If we are attentive to God’s presence, your experiences with God in your daily life can be very holy, transforming moments.
    How do you respond to God’s revelations to you? Have you told anyone, for example, “The Spirit revealed this to me as I read the Bible today.”  What extraordinary experience(s) have helped you more personally know God?
    Let’s think for a minute. Would it be remarkable to have a Bible to read? Some reading this will certainly tell you how rare it is for people in their church – and even for themselves – to have a Bible. Surely it is an extraordinary thing to have God’s Word so available to you.
    Or have you thought of this: You have experienced someone praying for you. This is also quite remarkable, isn’t it? Have you heard someone pray love, mercy and compassion for you? Did their intercession to the throne of grace bless you with an extraordinary moment with God?
    Surely we can consider many, many remarkable events in our lives, can’t we? Yes, if you are a Christian, you have received life-changing messages from God. They may sound like these words from God’s Holy Word: “By God’s grace you have been saved into eternal life.” “Confess Jesus and be saved.” “I will make all things new.”
    Certainly, you’ve also heard such teachings as, “I forgive you when you repent.” “I love you.” “Be at peace.” “Rejoice and be glad.” “Come to me, so you can rest.”
    It is good to search the Scriptures, to be attentive to your circumstances and to listen to others’ love for you. In this way you can see and know the many remarkable ways God has spoken to you. Then do something Zechariah couldn’t do that day. Speak about God’s personal messages to you. Help people know the ways God’s remarkable messages have come to them, too.
    As Jesus’ church, let’s put our voices together to tell of his works with songs of joy. (Psalms 107:22)
 
Prayer: Father in Heaven, I rejoice in your remarkable plan to save me to eternal life. In Jesus’ name I celebrate you! Amen.
]]>Sat, 26 Apr 2025 00:07:26 GMThttp://onewithgod.website/teachings/can-i-be-sureLuke 1:18-20 Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” 19 The angel answered, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time.”
 
GABRIEL, God’s messenger, has just spoken a very impossible promise to the priest Zechariah. “Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John…in the spirit and power of Elijah.” Zechariah would know that this is Malachi’s prophecy come true! (Malachi 4:5 “See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes.)
    God had taken Elijah to heaven in the chariots and horsemen of Israel! (2 Kings 2:12) For 400 years since Malachi’s prophecy the Jews had waited for Elijah to return from heaven to announce the coming of the Messiah.
    But now Zechariah has heard that a son he did not believe would ever be born to him is the prophetic fulfillment! Centuries of waiting is about to bear fruit. Is this possible? Zechariah didn’t think so. His response, “How can this be?” was denying God’s Word and purpose. The priest who knew the law and the prophets did not recognize God’s grace to answer Zechariah’s and all Israel’s prayers.
    This happens to us, doesn’t it? For example, do we wonder if we can believe Jesus’ words as recorded in Matthew 6:33: “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.”  Worry comes easy, doesn’t it? “Now what do I do?” is an immediate response to distressful and challenging circumstances. Jesus’ assurance seems too simple. “How can this be?” our Lord would teach us to so deeply trust him? How difficult it is to release our questions, so we can hold tightly to the sovereign King.
    God loves you, and he wants you to be close to his grace. He doesn’t strike us speechless in our, “How can this be?” lack of faith as he did Zechariah. Instead he teaches us to learn of his love. He wants us to use our words to confess our love and our faithfulness to him.
    God’s promise to the priest is of a new day to come to the earth. Because he remained faithful, Zechariah moved past his unbelief to know a true, life-giving faith. True, they will easily confess, “The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” (Psalm 46:10-11) Zechariah’s and Elizabeth’s lives will have new meaning. When John is born, Zechariah will speak of God’s love, goodness and power with a full trust in God’s “impossible” work.
      
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for your promise to be with us each moment of each day. Grow my faith to exalt you in all my speech. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.  
]]>Thu, 24 Apr 2025 21:59:28 GMThttp://onewithgod.website/teachings/be-an-announcerLuke 1:16-17 “Many of the people of Israel will John bring back to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous – to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
 
GOD has set the stage. Everything has been arranged in eternity past, and now God’s great love gift is about to come into the world! But there is one final thing to do. One final prophet must come on stage to prepare the way for the Savior.
    God wants to excite his people to cheer and to celebrate his Savior of the world. The Savior’s prophecies, his presence and his power await the announcer to introduce the Messiah to the Jews.
    Gabriel tells Zechariah that his son John is to be the impassioned announcer with a spirit and power as the prophet Elijah. In 1 Kings 17-19 you will read of Elijah’s passion to serve God and the miraculous signs the LORD used through him to awaken Israel to the True God. Elijah condemned Israel’s sins. He exhibited God’s salvation through life-giving miracles.
    God was about to use John in an “Elijah-like” way to awaken the Jews to his judgment and to his salvation. John’s preaching will prepare his people for the Savior. Many fathers will become men of God to lead their children to God. The chosen Jews and then the Gentiles will listen to what is right. Many from this time on will be ready to wholeheartedly receive their Savior!
    How about you? Have you met the Savior? If you haven’t, keep reading through Luke. Jesus, the Savior, has come. He is coming soon. If you have met the Savior, remember you have something wonderful to announce to the world, don’t you? You, too, can be as Elijah and John. You can tell of God’s power to forgive sins. You can proclaim to the world how you know Jesus has offered his eternal life to those who believe in him.
    Go ahead. Be a Jesus Announcer. Get people excited. Pray their hearts are prepared to meet Jesus. Tell your friends God’s Savior has come for them.
 
Prayer: Open my mouth, Lord, to announce your salvation. In Jesus’ saving power I pray, amen. ]]>Wed, 23 Apr 2025 21:22:20 GMThttp://onewithgod.website/teachings/your-prayer-has-been-heardLuke 1:11-15 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for 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.”
 
ZECHARIAH was completing his sacred priestly duties, obedient to God’s law. Suddenly God’s messenger, Gabriel, stood next to the altar. In God’s story, the Holy Bible, each person a messenger from God so suddenly confronts is as Zechariah, gripped with fear. Fear is concern for physical safety. Fear is also appropriate honor and worship. This worshipful fear forms one’s heart to submit to God’s authority.  
    Gabriel has come directly from heaven’s throne. He brings heaven’s glory with him, and Zechariah’s sin-weakened soul is terrified. James, Peter and John experienced this same terror at Jesus’ Transfiguration: Matthew 17:6 When the disciples heard this God’s voice, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. How then does Zechariah remain on his feet amid his fear?
    Amid God’s holiness is God’s grace. Another truth of people’s experience with God’s holy manifestations is to quickly realize they are face-to-face with God’s grace. Gabriel assures Zechariah that God is sending a wonderful gift to Zechariah and Elizabeth. They will soon welcome into their lives a son they had long prayed for but at this point no longer hoped God would grant their desire. When Gabriel said, “Your prayer has been heard.” do you wonder if Zechariah though, “What prayer? Which one?” How long had it been since the couple over 60 years old had had prayed for a son?
    Have you ever experienced such a prayer answer? You prayed passionately and consistently, but God was silent. You believed he said, “No.” So you stopped praying. Then one day years later you heard God say, “Yes, your prayer has been heard.” His answers to your prayers are, “Yes.” “No.” “Later.” “Different than you expected.” “More than you prayed to receive.” That is why Jesus taught us to pray, “Your will be done in my life, LORD God.” We must be ready to receive his answers.
    God’s answer to Zechariah and Elizabeth is, “More than you prayed to receive.” The answer is John, one who will bring great joy, awe and wonder to his parents.
    Even more magnificently, John will “be great in the sight of the Lord…and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth.”
    We’ll learn more of John as we continue in Luke. For now, let’s celebrate with Zechariah God’s promised gift will come soon. God is about to inaugurate his Kingdom on earth, so we, too, can come face-to-face with God’s grace. 
 
Prayer: Oh Lord God, you are holy, but in my sin, I am not. Create in me a clean heart as I receive Jesus’ sacrificial blood over my soul. In his name, I pray, amen.
 
]]>Tue, 22 Apr 2025 20:58:30 GMThttp://onewithgod.website/teachings/be-a-priestLuke 1:8-10 Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the LORD and burn incense. 10 And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.
 
ZECHARIAH is a priest in Israel. Zechariah and his division are on duty at the temple in Jerusalem for one week a year. The priests used the lot, a Spirit-guided process of discerning whom God is choosing for his work. God had commanded Israel to distribute the land by lot (Numbers 26 and 34). Our LORD’s purpose was to guarantee an equitable distribution of the land. God had long before chosen Zechariah to go into God’s presence. There he would burn incense and offer prayers for his people. To be so close to God should cause one to quickly bow down in fear and reverence. God had ordained Zechariah to this position on that day, and he obeyed.
    Do you know God has ordained you to be a priest? The apostle John writes to the early church this stunning description of Jesus’ transforming power: Revelation 1:4-8 John,To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne,  5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father – to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.
    What does it mean to be a priest to serve God in Jesus’ church? Here are some thoughts: The Old Testament priests offered animal and crop sacrifices. We do not offer these, but we are to offer our lives as living sacrifices to Christ. We must sacrifice our desires, to instead, put him first in our lives. We sacrifice and offer our time and gifts to strengthen Jesus’ church. We sacrifice money to give to God for his purposes. We may be called to give space in our home to welcome strangers, give food to feed the unknown, offer clothes to cover the naked, and speak words to comfort the afflicted.
    Perhaps most of all, our priestly duty as a Christian is to intercede in prayer for all. We pray for our pastors, our church, our neighbors, our family, our nation, our leaders and our world. A priest in Christ models Jesus, who is our great High Priest (See Hebrews 7.)
    Zechariah dutifully honored God with his body, faithful to his “lot in life”, the privilege of serving God. He met with God and prayed for the nation. Will you submit to God and be dutiful to be a priest of the New Covenant?  
 
Prayer: Oh, thank you, Father for choosing me to be yours. Grant to me a holy reverence for my role as a priest for you. In Jesus’ name, amen.  ]]>Mon, 21 Apr 2025 22:57:47 GMThttp://onewithgod.website/teachings/awe-wonder2948159Luke 1:5-7 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 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 well along in years.

LUKE makes several references in his gospel – and in Acts – to secular rulers to help authenticate the history of God’s work among us. There were many Herod’s ruling different parts of Israel at different times. This one is Herod the Great, who ruled in Jerusalem 37-4 BC. This indicates Jesus was born in 7-6 BC. The birth of Jesus is typically dated in BC (Before Christ). This is because of a complex adjustment in the 500’s to the calendar used then.
    From the earliest years of the church, some false teachers tried to teach that Jesus was only a spirit, or Jesus was simply a man surrounded by myth. It was essential then for Theophilus – and all friends of God – to know the evidence of the incarnate God come to earth in full physical form. Our salvation is only possible because Jesus was fully man and fully God.
    Then Luke introduces a husband and wife very similar to the description of Abraham and Sarah in Genesis 12. God had formed them to live in faith with him. Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commandments and regulations blamelessly.
    To be blameless before God, does not mean they were sinless. It does mean they diligently sought to learn, love and live God’s law. To be blameless before God is to strive to obey the great command of Moses’ law: Deuteronomy 6:5 Love the LORD (Adonai) your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. This couple devoted their lives to the truth.
    But something was wrong. In Israel, a marriage without a son was incomplete, seen by some as a curse. A son was vital to carry forward the father’s name, his land, and his work.
    Does God work all things, good and difficult, to his purpose? Often we can find it a challenge to believe Paul’s Spirit-inspired words in Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. We will often find it difficult to see the good God is doing in our everyday lives and especially in troubled times. But the LORD had a good plan for Zechariah’s and Elizabeth’s marriage.
    God will use this couple to be among the many revelations of the gospel’s transforming power. From Elizabeth’s barren womb will come a voice of one calling: “In the desert prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God.” (Isaiah 40:3)
 
]]>Sun, 20 Apr 2025 21:48:59 GMThttp://onewithgod.website/teachings/whats-the-storya-biography-of-jesus-christ-of-nazarethLuke 1:1-4 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the Word. 3 Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
 
 LUKE was a physician and a historian. His profession was based on true evidence and order. In Acts he addressed the early history of the church to Theophilus, and we have learned much from his evidence of the Holy Spirit’s work among the apostles and evangelists.
    Before he wrote Acts, Luke wrote this account of Jesus’ life to Theophilus. “Theophilus” means “friend of God”. This could have been a particular Jewish man given that name for his faith in the God of Abraham. Or Luke may have addressed this to a group of Jews and Gentiles who wanted to know more of Jesus. Dear reader, you can even understand this biography of Jesus is addressed to you. You are a friend of God, aren’t you?
    Please remember as you read through these lessons that Luke is writing as an informed historian. As is true with Matthew, Mark and John, Luke had personally experienced and witnessed Jesus’ transforming power. He also learned from “eyewitnesses and servants of the Lord faithfully administering Jesus’ gospel in Jerusalem, Judea, Macedonia and Rome.
    Yes, all Scripture is inspired to teach you of God, (1 Timothy 3:16). It is correct to know Luke’s words come from the Word and are about the Word. And the Spirit wants the Word to come to you so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
    The Bible is God’s very personal history – “his story” – for your education to point your heart to God’s salvation.
    Luke is an orderly story to help us know the entire life span of the incarnate Son of God. Read the gospel and be a witness of God’s grace through the Son. This will help you reflect Jesus to the world. When you know Luke’s words, you will become a more purposeful eyewitness of Jesus’ power that reveals a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:11)
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