- araratchurch
- Dec 6, 2025
- 3 min read
“And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.””
Luke 1:41-45 NKJV
After saying yes to being the Mother of our Lord, Mary goes to visit her relative, Elizabeth, in the hill country of Judah.
The greeting of Mary to Elizabeth causes Elizabeth to be filled with the Holy Spirit. As well, the child Elizabeth was carrying (John the Baptizer), leapt with joy inside her womb. Interestingly, this was actually fulfilling the prophecy given to John’s father by the angel, before John was conceived:
“But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.”
Luke 1:13-15 NKJV
After Elizabeth, and the child within her, are filled with the Holy Spirit, she makes a statement of simple, powerful, truth: “Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.”
The catalyst for this part of the plan of God to redeem the world and to reinstate our sonship, was the simple act of Mary believing what had been said to her by Gabriel. Thinking of that, I can’t help but wonder how many blessings may have been forfeited because of an unwillingness to believe the word of the Lord. How many people have missed God’s plan for their lives because of incessant doubt?
Now, statements referencing missing God’s plan for our lives, may seem confusing. After all, if it is God‘s will for something to happen, will it not happen, regardless of what anyone believes? Simply put, God‘s will, in terms of His overall plan, will be done. However, through whom it is performed, depends on the willingness of His people and/or the agendas of those who are not His.
Let me explain. That our will must co-operate with God’s will for us, is clear. However, another aspect of the irresistible nature of God‘s will is that He also uses the agendas of evil people to perform His plan. Consider what Joseph said to his brothers who had sold him into slavery:
“Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.”
Genesis 50:19-20 NKJV
You see, the Lord doesn’t override anyone’s will, but He will work His will through those who are doing things out of their own agendas.
However, with those who belong to the Lord, He will present His will, giving an opportunity for acceptance or rejection. Then, as discussed concerning Mary, it is also our part to trust God to work out the details.
For today let’s meditate on whether or not we may be missing out on God’s best for us by failing to believe His word.
Additionally, in terms of the Lord’s Second Coming, do you also have expectancy or excitement about that happening? Do your actions reveal that expectancy?
Yesterday, we discussed saying yes to the word of the Lord. Today, we are reminded that to then see the plan/promise fulfilled, we must also believe.
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!
- araratchurch
- Dec 5, 2025
- 2 min read
“Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.” Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.”
Luke 1:34-38 NKJV
Mary gets the startling revelation that she has been chosen to bear the Son of God, the Savior of the world. Yet, her question to the angel Gabriel was not one coming from unbelief, but one of practicality.
You see, Mary knew the facts of life; she knew how babies get here. It was therefore legitimate for her to ask by what means this would take place. For all she knew, the reference could be to the child who would be born from her future union with Joseph, her betrothed.
The angel tells Mary that rather than the Messiah being a child born from a natural union, this Child would come from the Holy Spirit of God! Imagine how startling that revelation must have been to her human understanding!
Next, Mary learns that Elizabeth, her older relative, is in the 6th month of pregnancy with a son (John the Baptist). Then Gabriel says something we often hear quoted, with few knowing the context: “For with God nothing will be impossible.”
Amazingly, Mary accepts the word from Gabriel without any further questions. She doesn’t even ask what she should say to Joseph, her betrothed. She trusted the Lord to work out the details, and He did.
For today, meditate on what your reaction might be if an angel spoke something unbelievable to you, recruiting your active participation. Is your heart ready?
Bear in mind, we already have many great and precious promises available to those who will believe and completely surrender to the plan of the Lord. Have you fallen short of any of these promises by failing to believe?
The Lord will soon come again. Perhaps you are being asked to be a megaphone for the message of the Last Days Ministry, declaring with Ararat Church, “Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!”
Will you say yes to the Lord’s call to allow your flesh, your life, to be used to bring the last harvest of souls into the Ark of Salvation?
Indeed, all of God’s children are called to be living “billboards” for the goodness of God, reflectors of His glory, lights showing the Way to safety for those who are stumbling in darkness.
Whatever the Lord may specifically ask of you, remember, all you have to do is accept the call. God will work out the details.
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!
- araratchurch
- Dec 4, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Dec 6, 2025
“Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.””
Luke 1:26-33 NKJV
After so many centuries, after so much hopeful anticipation, the time for the Word to become flesh had come!
Appearing out of obscurity, a little virgin is informed that she has been chosen to be the conduit for the Savior of the world. Indeed, a page out of prophecy would spring forth into the “NOW” of time, through this very young woman, not much more than a girl. Indeed, she would miraculously be Mother to Emmanuel, God with us!
Consider this: The one chosen to give birth to the Lord would necessarily be a virgin. As such, a married woman was out of the question. However, an unbetrothed virgin, would also be out of the question, as she would be an object of scorn, having no husband to “cover” her.
Bear in mind, in those days, a betrothal was as binding as our marriage contracts; but the relationship was not yet consummated. So, the Lord chose the perfect virgin, in the perfect situation, and sent the word to her that the time was NOW for her to bring forth the Son of God.
Think of it, as she was growing up, Mary would’ve had no way of knowing that she would be the one chosen to be “blessed above all women.” And yet, when the time was NOW, she was “suddenly” chosen; the Savior’s appearance would no longer be delayed.
In the spring of 2019 the NOW came for Ararat Church to be established. The mission was clear: We were to alert and prepare people for the Lord’s soon return. And, make no mistake, whether it is days, months, or several years, the time of His coming is no longer delayed. The endtime clock is ticking.
For today, meditate on the fact that the Lord is working—even when you don’t see Him working—to fulfill His promise, His EVERY promise.
As well, meditate on whether or not you personally sense the NOW, concerning the time, the generation, of our Lord’s return.
Additionally, think of the NOW you are awaiting concerning your personal life. I can’t imagine that the fulfillment of your promise is any more improbable than a humble little virgin girl being chosen to be the Mother of our Lord.
Remember, a promise from God, is as good as done. You have only to stay obedient to the Lord while you wait for your, “When?” to be answered with His, “NOW!”
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!