Redeemer and Savior

November 23

(Luke 1:67-70 NIV) ““His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: {68} "Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people. {69} He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, {70} (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago)””

(Titus 2:11-14 NIV) “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. {12} It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, {13} while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, {14} who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.”

Zechariah’s loosed tongue lifts a song of acknowledgement and praise toward heaven. He sings of the Christ who is coming to save his people -- not from the political oppression of Rome, but from the spiritual oppression of their sin. Salvation brings freedom. This Christ will also redeem the lives of His people. Like a paper coupon, redeemed in a store for something of value, He will take what was once worthless, and transform it into something usable in God’s Kingdom. When we are saved by God’s grace, our life is redeemed so that it brings glory to God. Even a shameful past can be redeemed and used for God’s glory. Have you allowed God to do this in your life? Have you given your past, present, and future to the Lord? He can take the rubble of your past and build something beautiful for today. Christ is our Redeemer and Savior. Be thankful! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day      

Filled With Awe

November 22

(Luke 1:64-66 NIV) ““Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue was loosed, and he began to speak, praising God. {65} The neighbors were all filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things. {66} Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, "What then is this child going to be?" For the Lord's hand was with him.””

(Matthew 9:5-8 NIV) ““Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? {6} But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins. . . ." Then he said to the paralytic, "Get up, take your mat and go home." {7} And the man got up and went home. {8} When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to men.””

(Acts 2:41-43 NIV) “Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. {42} They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. {43} Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.”

John’s birth was unusual because his parents were aged, and had been unable to have children. John’s name drew attention because it did not come from any relative of Zechariah or Elizabeth. This, and the fact that Zechariah praised God after nine months of silence, caused the people of the region to be filled with awe and wonder: awe at the miracle of John’s birth, and wonder about who this child might be. John was already special. God’s hand was upon him. We see the phrase, “filled with awe” used to describe Christ’s ministry of deliverance and healing. It is also used as people witnessed the miraculous work of the early church. Although many have become cynical of miracles in this scientific age, people are still filled with awe by genuine conversion. When God visibly changes a life, there is an awe that rises up in the hearts of people. Be an “awe producing” disciple today. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day  

Freed by Obedience

November 21

(Luke 1:57-64 NIV) ““When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. {58} Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy. {59} On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, {60} but his mother spoke up and said, "No! He is to be called John." {61} They said to her, "There is no one among your relatives who has that name." {62} Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. {63} He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone's astonishment he wrote, "His name is John." {64} Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue was loosed, and he began to speak, praising God.””

Zechariah received a message from an angel of the Lord -- after decades of being unable to have children, his wife would deliver a son, and they were to name him John. Zechariah doubted God’s word, and so the angel declared that he would not be able to speak until after his son was born -- nine months of silence to contemplate the ramifications of doubting God. When the baby was born, Elizabeth declared that his name would be John. People were puzzled, as there was no history of that name in the family. But Zechariah confirmed it in writing, and to their astonishment, his tongue was freed, and he began to praise God. We can learn from Zechariah. When we doubt God, our witness is muted. But when we believe God, and our faith steps out in obedience, our tongues are freed to praise Him. It’s a simple principle to consider as we walk through the holiday season with Jesus. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Mighty and Merciful

November 20

(Luke 1:50-55 NIV) "His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. {51} He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. {52} He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. {53} He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. {54} He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful {55} to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers."

(Psalms 25:6-9 NIV) "Remember, O Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. {7} Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O Lord. {8} Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. {9} He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way."

(Lamentations 3:22 NIV) "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail."

Our God is mighty and merciful. If He weren’t, we would be reduced to soot and ashes, for we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. But we are forgiven freely because of what Christ did for us on the cross. God is merciful. It is by grace we are saved. This is the good news of the Gospel. Mary saw it and sang praises to God for what would come to us because of her Son. Have you given up your sins to Jesus and asked God for His forgiveness? Have you acknowledged what the Lord has done for you? Have you changed your life to reflect his love and mercy? Don’t be too proud to ask for His help. Pride is a killer, but Christ lifts up the humble, and fills the hungry with good things. What this world offers will never satisfy. Only Jesus can take away the hunger that gnaws in our hearts. Humble yourself. Appeal to His mercy. Be filled, and be thankful. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day