But what will everyone think? We ask this question when we fear our actions will cause others to think less of us. Peer pressure acts like an invisible hand guiding us toward socially acceptable behavior and away from those deemed negative. It can even shape our identity as we think about who we are. Will …
As the angel told Joseph in a dream, Jesus would save us from our sin. We need to look at the context of this revelation to understand how important these words are. Joseph was engaged to Mary, but he discovered she was pregnant. With a heavy heart, Joseph decided to break his engagement quietly to …
An angel quoted prophecy to Joseph in a dream from Isaiah 7:14 as he struggled with what was going on in his life. Matthew 1:23 “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’ ” [1] Joseph was engaged to …
God gave another option to Joseph. In the day, engagement was as binding as marriage today. The engagement lasted about a year, and the couple would live separately with their parents as no sexual relations were allowed. The engagement could only be broken by death or divorce. When Mary returned from the visit with Elizabeth, …
The angel told Zechariah that God had a purpose for his son. We know God used John to prepare His people for the coming Messiah. Luke 1: 14 You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He must never …
God answers prayers in His timing, calling us to trust that He knows best. Have you ever prayed for something only to have Him say no or wait? Did you question God at the time? Sometimes, we think we know more than God. As we reflect on that thought, we see how ridiculous it is. …
God spoke through the drawing of lots in the story of Zechariah. Luke 1: 9 As was the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. [1] At the time, there was an abundance of priests, and they were divided into twenty-four groups (1 Chronicles …
Angels are God’s messengers working in His Kingdom at His direction. Hebrews 1:14 Therefore, angels are only servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation. [1] The world we live in consists of the visible and the invisible realms. Although angels can appear in the visible realm, most of their ministry is in the …
How you respond to God’s communication gives insight into your heart and spiritual path. When the Lord gives us guidance, wisdom, insight, and direction, we must trust Him. Sometimes, communication does not make sense to our human mind and requires faith. Zechariah was a priest who was righteous before God and faithful. One day, as …
John’s coming was prophesied four hundred years before he was born. Malachi 4:5 Look, I am sending you the prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the Lord arrives. 6 His preaching will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers.[1] In this prophecy, God supernaturally spoke …