September 18, 2018: SOAP #3211:  Ezekiel 45-46; Luke 1

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 1:5 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 of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commandments and regulations blamelessly.

Observation:  Important things are identified in ways that can be connected to history.  It helps us remember then and place them in the history of our lives.  Looking back, we remember them in the context of other events.  It helps us keep the reality of that happening clear in our mind.  We cannot be later convinced that it did not happen.  We know it did!  We have the history!  We remember important things within the context of the other things that were happening.

Luke here gives the historical setting for the birth of Jesus.  Jesus was not born in a vacuum; He entered the stream of humanity at the time Rome ruled the world, Herod was the king of Judea, and Zechariah was the priest.

Application: Jesus still interacts within the events of life—of my life.  I remember God speaking to me at Wheatstate Camp.  I remember God speaking to me in Bible College.  God spoke to me during my time in the US Navy.  God spoke to me… on a street corner in Wichita, Kansas, USA.

The circumstances often help me remember what God has said.

Prayer:   Thank you, Heavenly Father, for speaking to me.  I know if You speak to me, You will speak to anyone!  I know if I can learn to hear your voice, anyone can learn to hear your voice.  May my life be an encouragement for others to listen as You speak to them. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!