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Storehouses Are Opening
This is a prophetic word by Doug Addison. I am extremely particular about the people to whom I will listen. Doug is one I trust.
Does this witness to you?
Zechariah
Luke 1:5In 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. 6Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. 7But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.
8Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.
11Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. 14He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. 16He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
18Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”
19The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”
21Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. 22When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.
23When his time of service was completed, he returned home. 24After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. 25“The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”
I learned recently that the phrase , “your prayer has been heard” (v 13) carries the sense of a prayer that has been let go for a very long time. This could probably read, That prayer you used to pray before you gave up on it…
I relate to that: There are things I have sought the Lord for; then given up on because they haven’t happened. I’m betting you have some of those as well.
In the light of this understanding, Zechariah’s reaction makes perfect sense. It is far too easy to allow doubt, discouragement and unbelief to move in.
The question is, what shall we do with prayers that don’t seem to get answered?
I only have a whisper of insight: Keep on keeping on. One thing Elizabeth and Zechariah did right was to continue in their lives and work. They “were righteous in the sight of God.” (v6) When the Lord’s timing came, he gave them their desire.
I understand with all heartache, quandary and “hope against hope” about fighting that sense that “It’s too late.” Zechariah and Elizabeth certainly struggled with that one. God’s answer: He gave them what they had asked for.
Is it ever too late for God?
Advent
Looking back;
Remembering the story
Of God’s life among us;
His wonderful glory:
A day long ago,
When a baby was born
To bring a new covenant
To the world so forlorn.
Watch for the day
When Jesus comes again
To gather His people;
All promises attend.
A day filled with awe
And ecstatic delight,
Together with the Bridegroom,
A celebration bright.
When it’s time,
Neither early nor late;
Lord Jesus will return
In His glorious state
Until then, we live,
Depending on His grace
And look forward to that day
When we meet face to face.
That’s Good News
The Gospel of Christ is greater than any tradition or bent we could possibly come up with.
It reaches higher, deepr and farther than conservitivism, progressivism, liberalism, communism, socialism, libertarianism, greenism and all other isms.
The Good News is this:
God loves each of us. It doesn’t matter who, where or what you are; Time in history is of no consequence.
He wants every single person to be saved; He is not willing that any should perish. Yes, that even means progressives, communists, socialists and all of the other ists!
God’s love reaches to every income bracket, from the welthiest, most powerful people in the world to those who have absolutely nothing.
Jesus doesn’t fit in any box; yet he is present in every last one of them, even yours!
He has every resource you willever need.
Now, that’s Good News!!
****
2 Peter 3:9
John 3:16-17
Psalm 139
Matthew 18:14
SEEDS SOWN TODAY
May the seeds I sow today
Bring blessings tomorrow:
Love, hope, peace;
Kindness and generosity;
Faith, goodness and joy:
May the harvest be so abundant
There is plenty to share
With everyone around me.
YOU ALONE
Jesus, my hope is in you alone.
I put my trust fully in you.
I have confidence in your unfailing love
That governs all you do.
Jesus, no matter what others say;
Their predictions of gloom and doom,
I choose to believe what you alone have said;
Leaving despair no room.
Jesus, my faith is anchored in you;
Your reality what I know.
Though worries and fears do their best to get me,
I love and trust you so!
RIGHTEOUSNESS AND PRAISE
“As the soil makes the sprout come up
and a garden causes seeds to grow,
so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness and
praise spring up before all nations.
(Isaiah 61:11 NIV)
GIVER OF DREAMS
God is the Giver of dreams:
Things we would like to do;
Wishes and ideas;
Thoughts and concepts new.
Treasure and act on these dreams:
Part of God’s plan for you;
Meant for direction;
They are blessings true.
Know if a dream is shattered:
Taken away from view;
God has another,
Fresh as morning dew.
Trust in the Giver of Dreams:
Who gives more than a few
Opportunities;
Richest life to you.
PAPA GOD
Papa God
Takes care of me.
He knows my desires;
Understands every need.
He never gets caught
By surprises and lies;
He knows every thought;
Papa God is all wise.
Papa God
Loves perfectly.
With kindness and patience;
True sincerity.
His power and might
Can defeat any foe;
To walk in his light
Brings blessing to each soul.
Papa God,
Eternal One
Redeemed his beloved world
Through Jesus, his dear Son.
Papa made the way
To live abundantly;
Put your trust in Him;
Be restored and set free!
GOD IS MORE POWERFUL
The news is troubling;
The forecast so bleak;
It’s all overwhelming;
We seem so weak.
God is more powerful,
Greater by far;
His hands hold the universe,
Beyond the farthest star.
Darkness surrounds us
In a chilling hold
Of hatred and violence,
Evil untold.
God is more powerful,
Greater by far;
His hands hold the universe,
Beyond the farthest star.
God’s Kingdom is real;
His love true and strong;
Our trust is fully in Him,
Our living song.
For He’s more powerful,
Greater by far;
His hands hold the universe,
Beyond the farthest star.
His Deep Love 