This is the beginning of a New Year—2025 and we know what a new year means. It means resolutions, new beginnings and fresh starts. However, for some people a new year can be a time to start over, while for others it’s a time to continue on with the same old cycles.
Nevertheless, no matter what your thought is in regard to this matter, we all need wisdom on how to live the years that we’ve been given. And Moses gives us a prayer to follow in psalms 90.
As I said, Psalm 90 is a prayer of Moses recorded by David and here are verses 10 and 12 of this passage and prayer:“We live about 70 years or, if we are strong, 80 years. But most of them are filled with hard work and pain. Then, suddenly, the years are gone, and we fly away. Therefore, teach us how short our lives are so that we may become wise.” -Psalms 90:10, 12
Here are 5 areas where we can become more wise: *(these are the areas of our lives that affect us the most and they also help determine our ability to make decisions and do life).
Your ears hear: Therefore be mindful about what you listen to and be mindful about who you listen to!
Your mind reasons and retains: Therefore, be intentional about what you think about and be intentional about what you remember.
Your heart feels and remembers: Therefore develop thick skin and a soft heart and allow what you have experienced to make you better, not bitter.
Your mouth releases what you sense, feel and have experienced: Therefore be careful what you say and be careful how you say it.
Your eyes see: Therefore be aware of what gets your attention because it could be a distraction be aware about what you focus on because your focus determines your direction.
When I began to think about this post, I wondered if it was a little “Debby Downer” to start the new year, however I don’t think it is. I actually think that it is a good reminder for us to understand that we have been given the days that are ahead of us and we need divine wisdom to live these days to their fullest!
Therefore, don’t waste another minute on the wrongs of yesterday. Today is a new day and a fresh start.
The poet Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Finish every day and be done with it. You have done what you could. This new day is too dear with its hopes and invitations to waste a moment on the yesterdays.”
So here’s a prayer we could pray:
“Lord, Teach me to number my days, so that I may become wise in how I live my life. Let my words, deeds and actions be beneficial and positive, and may they be acceptable in your sight. Teach me how short my life is so that I may become wise.” Amen
Even when God seems silent, He is still active and present. However, when God doesn’t seem to be speaking or moving it is difficult, especially for those of us that desire to have an active present relationship with Him. A relationship where you feel like He is active, present, communicating and leading. Nonetheless, I find myself looking back when it doesn’t seem like there is anything happening actively in the present. Most of it is not on my own doing, but through facebook memories that just come up. However, they remind me that God has been faithful! Therefore, if He has been faithful, He is always faithful—because he doesn’t change and He can’t be anything except who He is. So I want to encourage you today and remind you the He is with you and that He is working all things for your good—even when you can’t see it, He is. At some point our faith has to produce a confidence that is developed by remembering God’s faithfulness in past situations, while believing He will be faithful in the moment that you are being faced with right now! Selah
We are in the Advent Season and today is the second Sunday. Our word for today is—Love. Advent- means: coming or arrival. Most the theologians believe that it was around 400 years between the time that the prophets had declared that there would be a promised Messiah, and the time that an angel spoke to Mary and said that she would give birth to a child that would be of the Holy Spirit. They believed, but they waited—they waited but they believed—and He came! God in the flesh—Emanuel, God with us. And they called His name Jesus, for He would save His people from their sin. They waited, but He came.
Our reality, as God’s people, is that we are still in a season of waiting. We know the promise of Christ, who has already come, but we wait for God to come and make all things right—but waiting is hard. Today we are reminded, through words spoken by Zechariah in Luke 1, that even in the waiting we have the hope of God’s continued promise. They waited on the promised Messiah and we wait for God to move in our lives in His way and in His time.
This morning I want to talk to you about what we’ve entitled, “Changed In the Waiting.” This a story about Zachariah and Elizabeth becoming pregnant and giving birth to John. They had waited for years and God had not yet answered their prayer, but in this moment he had, and Elizabeth would now become pregnant and they would bring fourth John who would be the forerunner of Christ and would ultimately baptize Jesus in the river, Jordan. Zachariah in this passage goes from “How Can It Be So?” To this is what God did and this is what’s going to happen now. He prophesied about Jesus and prophesied over John. Zachariah went from doubting to proclaiming… He was changed in the waiting.
Anytime that there is a coming or an arrival there is a waiting period. And waiting is never easy and it is often frustrating . However, the waiting period is what allows us time to prepare or to make ready, it is also the time that allows us to change, grow and deepen our faith.
Waiting is usually connected in some way to feeling forgotten.
*(dr. appointment | procedure)
But here’s what I want you to know: even if God is delayed in moving towards us in a tangible way—He still never forgets us and He always hears our prayers. Luke 1:13– “But the angel said to him, “Zechariah, don’t be afraid. Your prayer has been heard by God. Your wife Elizabeth will give birth to a baby boy, and you will name him John.” *he didn’t say your prayer has been answered, he said it has been heard.
Some Things About Waiting:
Waiting doesn’t change God, but it usually changes us.
Waiting brings out the best and the worst in us.
Waiting changes our perspective.
Waiting deepens our faith.
Waiting will causes us to prioritize.
Don’t Waste Your Wait! *(how do you waste it)
⁃ If you wait and don’t learn.
⁃ If wait and don’t grow from it.
⁃ If wait and don’t change.
⁃ If you wait and don’t deepen in your faith.
⁃ If you wait and don’t broaden your understanding and perspective.
3 Reasons Why God May Allow Us to Wait:
1. To deepen our trust.
2. To wait for people to change.
3. To give time for situations to align.
What About Elizabeth and Zachariah?
As we unfold Zechariah’s words, we are reminded that pregnancy itself is also about a season of waiting. There is a wait to announce the pregnancy. There is a wait to know the gender. There is a wait to hear the heartbeat for the first time or feel the first kick from inside the womb. Finally, there is a wait for the baby to make their grand arrival during labor and delivery. The words spoken by Zechariah are found in silent waiting.
What About Elizabeth and Zachariah?
Zechariah and Elizabeth waited so long that they had forgotten, but God hadn’t forgotten!
They waited on the promise of their prayer to be answered and now in their old age they were going to be waiting on the arrival of a new baby.
What About Elizabeth and Zachariah?
They Were Old
– When we wait time passes and we feel like the years are wasted.
– When wait we feel like it’s too late now.
– When we wait we feel like if it hasn’t happened yet—it won’t happen now.
– When we wait we get discouraged and quit believing.
– When wait we get disappointed and give up.
*I want to tell you today—with God all things are possible and it’s never too late and you are never too old.
They Were Good People vs. 5-7
– They were from a good line and good family
– Zechariah—from Abijah’s group *(king of Judah, judge, priest and Jeroboam’s son)
– Elizabeth—comes from Aaron’s family.
– They were good people who loved God.
– They did everything the Lord commanded them.
– They always followed His instructions completely.
*Why is this important?
*Because there’s a formula to how we feel: when have to wait we forgotten, and we feel forsaken, but we also feel like we did something wrong—like God is mad at us. God is not mad at you. God loves you and His timing is perfect! Zechariah and Elizabeth had to wait and God’s timing was perfect concerning them and the birth of John.
God’s timing is perfect concerning you because He knows what you don’t know and He can see what you can’t see. You see I believe is this: Zechariah and Elizabeth gave birth to John right at the time it was supposed to happen. None of the prophecies could have been fulfilled the way they were if not. John would have not been filled with the Holy Spirit in his mother’s womb. He wouldn’t have been the forerunner of Christ and ultimately baptize Jesus in the Jordan. The wait was worth it! *Gods timing was perfect concerning Zechariah and Elizabeth and it is perfect concerning you and me.
What About Elizabeth and Zachariah?
They Faithfully Served God
– They didn’t waiver in their faith—they kept believing and serving, even when disappointment came and what they prayed for didn’t come when they expected it to come—they still waited on God and served faithfully.
We are in the same position as Zechariah and Elizabeth. We wait and don’t know the outcome. When we read their story, we see God’s faithfulness, but when it was happening in real time they didn’t know what we know now. We have hindsight, but they didn’t and we don’t either for current our situations. They trusted God and waited and we have to do the same.
This is the love of God—that He came to us and Zechariah declares the divine plan and providential timing of God in these verses about Jesus and John.
“Then Zechariah, John’s father, was filled with the Holy Spirit and told the people a message from God: “Praise to the Lord God of Israel. He has come to help his people and has given them freedom. He has given us a powerful Savior from the family of his servant David. This is what he promised through his holy prophets long ago. He will save us from our enemies and from the power of all those who hate us. God said he would show mercy to our fathers, and he remembered his holy agreement. This was the promise he made to our father Abraham, a promise to free us from the power of our enemies, so that we could serve him without fear in a way that is holy and right for as long as we live. “Now you, little boy, will be called a prophet of the Most High God. You will go first before the Lord to prepare the way for him. You will make his people understand that they will be saved by having their sins forgiven. “With the loving mercy of our God, a new day from heaven will shine on us. It will bring light to those who live in darkness, in the fear of death. It will guide us into the way that brings peace.” And so the little boy John grew up and became stronger in spirit. Then he lived in areas away from other people until the time when he came out to tell God’s message to the people of Israel.” —Luke 1:67-80 ERV
*God’s love | While we were yet sinners | John 3:16
Most of us, if we were going to cut down a tree, probably wouldn’t use an ax nowadays. Maybe a chainsaw, but probably not an ax—except for splitting the wood from the tree. However, the analogy in Ecclesiastes 10 is not just about an ax, I believe it’s actually a metaphor about us and it’s about being dull instead of being sharp. It’s about how it takes more effort when we lose our edge.
The word dull simple means, “lacking.” Have you ever felt like that you have lacked wisdom, lacked vision, lacked creativity, lacked imagination, lacked good judgement, lacked confidence, or lacked compassion. Me too. This realization should demand a change. It should initiate a reset. It should cause us to reset, reevaluate, and restore ourselves by refreshing and recharging.
Nonetheless, there is another word that stuck out to me in this verse as well. That word is wisdom. Wisdom means: good sense, skill and prudence. Prudence means: the ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of reason. Another words, wisdom makes me aware that I’m dull. It allows me to realize that I’ve lost my edge. It lets me know that I need to take time to refresh. It also gives me the ability to govern myself in order to do something about it! And, ultimately, over time, this will bring with it desired success.
Now for comparison, here’s the problem with the ax being dull, you don’t know it is dull until you begin to use it. And, you don’t realize that you’ve lost your edge until you begin to engage in something that demands intentional effort. Nonetheless, when you do realize it, you need to stop chopping and start sharpening. Step away and refresh, recharge, reflect, refocus, reset, and realign.
So what happens when you don’t resharpen? What happens when you become dull? What happens when you lose your focus? What happens when you lose your edge?
Work gets harder and tasks take more energy.
You don’t have the strength to put forth the effort that is needed.
Things become a bigger deal and you feel overwhelmed.
Your mind consistently drifts and you lose focus easily.
Frustration becomes inevitable because goals appear unattainable.
So, what do you do?
You have to step away from the routine of the process in order to sharpen the edge.
Sharpening an ax and chopping with an ax are two different postures—you stand up to chop, but you sit down to sharpen.
Take time for yourself and sharpen your edge. It will make everything easier, and in time you will achieve greater success.
What matters most to you? Does it get the best from you? Does it get the best you? Does it get your attention and time? Do you just value it, or do you prioritize it? Do you prioritize what you value? Because if you don’t prioritize what you value it won’t be a priority.
Most of the time we prioritize what we prefer, but then we get deterred.
There are also times when things can take our time and get our attention that are not necessarily that important. Those things are usually a distraction or a dramatic moment.
Don’t allow distractions to distract you from your priorities.
Distractions and drama will zap your energy, and they will unknowingly realign your preferred priorities.
Whatever is a priority in your life should have your time, attention and effort.Your highest priorities should be what you fight for and invest your time and energy in.
However, if we were honest we would probably have to confess to the fact that we actually spend a lot of time, energy, and effort on things that don’t really truly matter. We exhaust our energy on things that take our time, but they don’t produce lasting and fulfilling results.
Here’s the problem, when we focus on what doesn’t matter—we don’t have the energy for what does. Prioritizing takes effort, energy, and intentionality. So when we prioritize what doesn’t matter—we don’t have energy left over to invest in the things that do truly matter.
Therefore, if you don’t make time for what matters, what you say is a priority, in all actuality, it won’t be a priority after all.
It takes awareness, effort and intentionality to prioritize. Those things that you put first and make time for by being intentional will become the priority in your life. Nevertheless, nothing becomes a priority by accident—it becomes a priority only on purpose.
You must be intentional and truly prioritize what matters! What is a priority in your life? Your relationship with God? Your career? Your marriage? Your spouse? Your children? Your family? Your health? Have your priorities gotten out of order? Only you can answer that—only you know, but here’s what I know: “What you don’t make a priority-won’t be!”
I want to encourage you today to be intentional and prioritize those things that matter the most to you. You will be more effective, you will have more order, and you will have peace in your life when you are intentional about prioritizing—because what you don’t make a priority—won’t be.
We all have potential in some area that needs to be developed no matter what our level of expertise may be. Obscurity is where potential is often developed. David, Jesus, and John the Baptist all had significant moments in the mundane routines of obscurity. However, in life, in sports, and in our spiritual journey no one usually sees the processes that lead to success.
Nonetheless, David practiced in private what gave him skills in public. When David faced the giant Goliath for the first time—it wasn’t the first time that he had picked up a sling shot and threw a stone. He had been on the back side of a mountain with his father’s sheep while his other brothers were on the battle lines. However, when David arrived to the battle he was ready because he didn’t waste those moments of obscurity when no one was watching.
This time of obscurity built his faith and developed his confidence. David had faith in God, but he had confidence in his skills. He also had to have courage to act upon what he believed in, and desired to see happen. You see, you can have all of the faith in the world, but if you don’t have confidence and courage, you will never act on what you believe in or desire to see take place.
I want to encourage you today to develop your potential in times of obscurity, because that’s where you will develop the confidence and courage to act on what you desire to see take place. Have faith in God, have confidence in yourself and have the courage to take action and you will begin to see what you desire. Don’t waste those mundane moments in the routines of obscurity.
Day 25- Glory to God In The Highest and On Earth Peace, Goodwill Toward Mankind
Luke chapter two verse seven finalizes the reality of this miraculous conception and the divine birth of Jesus. It says, “And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for Him in the Inn.”
I will conclude in just a minute by looking at the shepherds living out in the field keeping watch over their flock and the angel appearing to them and the angelic host singing, “Glory to God in the Highest.” But for now I want to focus on the ending words of verse seven of Luke chapter two. Here they are: “There was no room for Him.”
We have been on quite a journey leading up this twenty fifth day, nonetheless, my question to you is how can you make room for Him now? We prepare for the holiday season of Christmas. We buy food, host parties, send cards, we decorate our homes and we buy presents and wrap them, but do we make room for Jesus in our homes, our hearts, and in our busy lives?
Jesus came so that we would know Him and so that He could live in our hearts. His desire is to have a relationship with you. I don’t know where you are in your journey, but I want you to know that He came for you. He is Emmanuel—God with us! I don’t know what this means for you, or what this looks like for you, but I encourage you to make room for Him in your life—He is a gift that has been given—to be received.
Now back to the story. The Angel of the Lord appeared to Mary, Joseph, Zacharias and now the shepherds. God was getting His message of this divine birth out to those who would receive it, and to those who would have probably been the most least likely candidates. You see, He has a way of using the most ordinary people and the most common things in order to accomplish the most extraordinary and divine manifestations.
Now the angel is appearing to the shepherds and says, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:10-12 NKJV)
Then Luke tells us that there was a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.” And when the angel had gone they said, “Let us go see what the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger.
Take Away: The shepherds made known what they had seen, but Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. However, God had done what He had promised—He became flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld His glory full of grace and truth. The silence that had lasted for around five-hundred years was now broken with the sound of the angels and heavenly host singing, “Glory to God in the Highest”—as they sang praise to almighty God for what He had done. He came to save us! His name shall be called Jesus for He will save His people from their sin. He is Emanuel God with us—Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace and goodwill toward mankind—Merry Christmas!!!
Luke chapter two is the announcement of Christ’s birth and verses one through seven are probably the most popular text that is used when reading the story of Christ’s miraculous and divine birth.
Nevertheless, Luke starts out his story of Jesus birth by meticulously establishing and explaining the historical context that surrounds the birth of Christ, relating it to the events in the Roman Empire.
Caesar Augustus was emperor of Rome from 30 B.C. Until A.D. 14 and Quirinius was the governor of Syria 10–7 B.C. and later served a second term during A.D. 6–9. This was the political backdrop and the picture that Luke was trying to capture in these verses.
Caesar was emperor and Quirinius was governor and there was a census taking place that was for the purpose of taxation. However, there was also a prophetic undertone that was being played out as well in these verses.
Luke tells us that Joseph went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem. Notice that Luke mentions again the fact that David and the city of David are indeed prophetically and divinely connected with the birth of Jesus.
This was prophesied some four-hundred years ago and now it’s about to take place. And to start it off, Joseph was going back to his hometown to be registered with Mary his betrothed wife, who was with child.
And so it was, that while they were there the days were completed for her to be delivered. Nevertheless, before we go on, I want you to see the timing of God in all of this. I also want you to see the circumstances of uncertainty and the events of inconvenience that took place in these stories that surrounds the birth of Jesus. However, I also want you to understand that the hand of God was in it all.
As I mentioned, inconvenience and uncertainty is seen throughout these stories. For example, with Zacharias and Elizabeth, their prayers were unanswered for years and Zacharias couldn’t speak for nine months. And what about Mary and Joseph? They had experienced first hand, the frustration and tension of trusting one another in regard to this miraculous conception.
And, there’s no doubt that they encountered some humiliation and embarrassment that came from the speculation and disbelief surrounding her pregnancy. There would have also been assumptions and doubts for everyone involved—including themselves.
And now to top is all off, Mary was pregnant and had to travel by donkey back to Bethlehem. The trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem was approximately seventy miles. Therefore, it could have taken them around four days to make this journey. Remember, Mary is nine months pregnant and was inevitably now riding on the back of a donkey.
And, in spite of all these less than desirable circumstances that surrounded them—they were obedient and faithful and God’s plan was fulfilled through them. Zacharias and Elizabeth and Mary and Joseph were obedient, steadfast, and faithful. And through them, God fulfilled His divine plan of bringing humankind a way back to Himself through Jesus—by grace through faith. For unto us a Child was born.
Take Away: God’s timing was seen through it all and the sequence of events that follow are not an accident or coincidence: The timing of John being born at the same time as Jesus was born. Mary being betrothed to Joseph and Joseph being from Bethlehem where it prophesied that Jesus would be born. The decree for a census at the same time that Mary would deliver the promised child—who would be, the Savior of the world.
God’s timing was impeccable! It was divinely guiding every twist, turn and sequence of these stories. And, if He did it for them—He will do it for you! He sees every detail of your life and he cares about you. I want to know today, that like the great Charles Spurgeon once said, “When you can’t trace the hand of God, you can trust His heart.”
When it comes to the timing of God—you can trust His heart! He sees you, He knows you, and He is working all things for your good. And talk about the timing of God! Mary and Joseph were safely in Bethlehem for the census and the time had now come for her to deliver and Mary wrapped Jesus in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for Him in the Inn.
