To hear, believe, and to rejoice beckons us to fearlessly serve God.
This week’s blog continues with two of Pastor Allen Jackson’s Advent devotionals. As we turn our eyes to Jesus with wonder and awe that the long-awaited King is born, how can we not rejoice in our hearts? Immanuel – God with us!
Hear, Believe, and Rejoice
A Devotional by Pastor Allen Jackson
Luke 1:42, 45
Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed…You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what He said.”
Mary had traveled to visit Elizabeth, who is experiencing her own miraculous pregnancy (Luke1:5-25). When Mary arrived and greeted her older cousin, Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and her child “leaped in her womb (v. 41). Scripture doesn’t say anything about how the news of Mary’s pregnancy was received among her immediate family or in her community. But it’s obvious from these verses that God needed Mary to spend time with someone who would understand that He was doing something amazing in her life and share her joy over it. Instead of expressing skepticism or standing in judgment, Elizabeth affirmed Mary’s faith in God and expressed her joy over the way He was working in Mary’s life.
When we choose to hear, believe, and rejoice over other people’s stories of God that work, we strengthen their faith… and our own.
Fearlessly Serving God
A Devotional by Pastor Allen Jackson
Luke 1:72-74
To remember His holy covenant, the oath He swore to our Father Abraham: to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve Him without fear.
Zacharia’s prophecy (Luke 1: 68-79) was given by the Holy Spirit upon the birth of his son, who would grow up to be the man we know as John the Baptist. Zachariah and his wife were beyond their childbearing years. Yet, God had promised them a son, and now they and everyone who knew them had witnessed His power to do the seemingly impossible! In His outpouring of praise, Zachariah reminded his friends and neighbors of God’s covenant with Abraham and His promises to His people for power and deliverance. In the Bible, Zachariah’s words coincide with the Christmas story, and we need His reminder around Christmas today, too. No matter what is happening in your world this whole holiday season, God’s promises are sure, and nothing is too difficult for Him. He will deliver us from our enemies, and provide for our needs, and give us power to serve Him without fear. He is Immanuel – God with us.
Pastor Jackson concludes with this prayer: “Heavenly Father, for give me for when I have seen fearfully silent regarding who You are and what You have done for me. I remember Your steadfast love, faithfulness, and mercies. Deliver me from fear, and free me to serve You with my life and voice, honoring Jesus every place You take me. In His name, amen.”
As the people of Jesus’ day rejoiced that their long-awaited King was born, we too can look back to that day and rejoice with the same joy the Jews had. Jesus truly is the King of kings, and we can praise His holy name this Christmas and always.