- araratchurch
- Dec 8, 2023
- 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. Elizabeth then makes a statement of simple, but 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 what any of us may have missed out on in our own lives because we would not believe the word of the Lord.
Now, some people get confused with statements referencing missing God’s plan for our lives. Indeed, one may question: “If it is God‘s will for something, will it not happen, regardless?” I will answer that legitimate question this way: God‘s will, will be done, but 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 (we will see this happen in our further examination of the events surrounding Jesus birth).
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 agenda. For example, think of how many times the children of Israel were disciplined—even punished—through their adversaries when the Lord would lift His protection, allowing the enemy to do what they wanted to do anyway.
With those who belong to the Lord, He will present His will and give us an opportunity to accept or reject. Then, it is also our part to believe that God will perform whatever He needs to perform to make what He has said come to pass.
Now, some may wonder why someone would agree to the plan of God, then fail to believe. To explain that dynamic, I have need only to direct you to Peter who—after answering the call of Jesus to come out on the water—allowed the storm to cause him to doubt his safety (Matthew 14:22-33).
For today meditate on whether or not you may have missed out on God’s best for you by failing to believe what He has promised.
Given, life happens, but we must make sure that whatever happens in our life is not allowed to keep us from believing what God has said.
Additionally, in terms of the Lord’s Second Coming, even if you believe that the Lord will return for us and then rule and reign on the Earth forever, do you also have expectancy or excitement about that happening? If you do not have expectancy and excitement concerning His Second Coming, your level of believing is not where it ought to be.
Yesterday we discussed saying yes to the word of the Lord. Today we are reminded that to see the plan/promise fulfilled, we must also believe.
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!
- araratchurch
- Dec 6, 2023
- 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 starling revelation that she has been chosen to bear the Son of God, the Savior of the world. Her question to the angel Gabriel was not one of 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.”
Extraordinarily, 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 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 those promises by failing to believe?
The Lord will soon come again. Perhaps you are being asked to give flesh to the message of the Last Days ministry: “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?
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!
Advent at Ararat - Day 5: As with all of God’s promises, the “NOW” time came for the promised Savior
- araratchurch
- Dec 5, 2023
- 2 min read
“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 expectation, 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. She would miraculously be mother to Emmanuel, God with us!
Think about it, the One chosen to give birth to the Lord would have to be a virgin. As such, a married woman was out of the question. As well, an unbetrothed virgin would also be out of the question as there would be no one 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 a Son.
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, whether it is days, months, or several years, the time of His coming is no longer delayed.
For today meditate on the fact that the Lord is working—even when you don’t see Him working—to fulfill His promise.
As well, meditate on whether or not you personally sense the NOW concerning the time of our Lord’s return.
Additionally, think of the NOW concerning your own life you are awaiting. And remember, a promise from God, is as good as done. You have only to fight the good fight of faith while you wait for your NOW.
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!