We Believe that Jerusalem must not ever be divided.
If it is and America is a part of it,
then America will hear from GOD!
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Jan 21: The Americas, Hot Spots of the Americas | Operation World
Jan 21: The Americas, Hot Spots of the Americas | Operation World
Click on the link above to get more information.
Click on the link above to get more information.
Chronological New Testament Study Day 4
Matthew
3:1-17; Mark 1:1-45; Luke 3:1-38 (New International Version)
Matthew 3:1-17
1 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching
in the Desert of Judea 2 and saying, "Repent, for the
kingdom of heaven is near." 3 This is he who was spoken
of through the prophet Isaiah: "A voice of one calling in the desert,
'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.' " 4 John's
clothes were made of camel's hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist.
His food was locusts and wild honey. 5 People went out to him
from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. 6 Confessing
their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 7 But
when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was
baptizing, he said to them: "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee
from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with
repentance. 9 And do not think you can say to yourselves, 'We
have Abraham as our father.' I tell you that out of these stones God can raise
up children for Abraham. 10 The ax is already at the root of
the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and
thrown into the fire.11 "I baptize you with water for
repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose
sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and
with fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will
clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the
chaff with unquenchable fire."
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to
be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying,
"I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" 15 Jesus
replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill
all righteousness." Then John consented. 16 As soon
as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was
opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on
him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son,
whom I love; with him I am well pleased."
1 The beginning of the gospel about Jesus
Christ, the Son of God. 2 It is written in Isaiah the prophet:
"I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way"-- 3 "a
voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make
straight paths for him.' " 4 And so John came, baptizing
in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness
of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of
Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in
the Jordan River. 6 John wore clothing made of camel's hair,
with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And
this was his message: "After me will come one more powerful than I, the
thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I
baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in
Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 As Jesus
was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit
descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from
heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." 12 At
once the Spirit sent him out into the desert, 13 and he was in
the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals,
and angels attended him.
14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into
Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 "The time
has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and
believe the good news!" 16 As Jesus walked beside the Sea
of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake,
for they were fishermen. 17 "Come, follow me," Jesus
said, "and I will make you fishers of men." 18 At
once they left their nets and followed him. 19 When he had
gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a
boat, preparing their nets. 20 Without delay he called them,
and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed
him.
21 They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath
came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. 22 The
people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had
authority, not as the teachers of the law. 23 Just then a man
in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, 24 "What
do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who
you are--the Holy One of God!" 25 "Be quiet!" said
Jesus sternly."Come out of him!" 26 The evil spirit
shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek. 27The
people were all so amazed that they asked each other, "What is this? A new
teaching--and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they
obey him." 28 News about him spread quickly over the
whole region of Galilee.
29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they went
with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. 30 Simon's
mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her. 31 So
he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she
began to wait on them. 32That evening after sunset the people
brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. 33 The
whole town gathered at the door, 34 and Jesus healed many who
had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the
demons speak because they knew who he was.
35 Very early in the morning, while it was still
dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he
prayed. 36 Simon and his companions went to look for him, 37 and
when they found him, they exclaimed: "Everyone is looking for you!" 38 Jesus
replied, "Let us go somewhere else--to the nearby villages--so I can
preach there also. That is why I have come." 39 So he traveled
throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.
40 A man with leprosy came to him and begged him
on his knees, "If you are willing, you can make me clean." 41 Filled
with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I
am willing," he said. "Be clean!" 42 Immediately
the leprosy left him and he was cured. 43 Jesus sent him away
at once with a strong warning: 44 "See that you don't
tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the
sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to
them." 45 Instead he went out and began to talk freely,
spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but
stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from
everywhere.
Psalm 66
Psalm 66 (New International Version)
Psalm 66
For the director of music. A song. A psalm.
1 Shout with joy to God, all the earth!
2 Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious!
3 Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you.
4 All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you, they sing praise to your name." Selah
5 Come and see what God has done, how awesome his works in man's behalf!
6 He turned the sea into dry land, they passed through the waters on foot— come, let us rejoice in him.
7 He rules forever by his power, his eyes watch the nations— let not the rebellious rise up against him. Selah
8 Praise our God, O peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard;
9 he has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping.
10 For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver.
11 You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs.
12 You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance.
13 I will come to your temple with burnt offerings and fulfill my vows to you-
14 vows my lips promised and my mouth spoke when I was in trouble.
15 I will sacrifice fat animals to you and an offering of rams; I will offer bulls and goats. Selah
16 Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me.
17 I cried out to him with my mouth; his praise was on my tongue.
18 If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened;
19 but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer.
20 Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!
Psalm 66
For the director of music. A song. A psalm.
1 Shout with joy to God, all the earth!
2 Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious!
3 Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you.
4 All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you, they sing praise to your name." Selah
5 Come and see what God has done, how awesome his works in man's behalf!
6 He turned the sea into dry land, they passed through the waters on foot— come, let us rejoice in him.
7 He rules forever by his power, his eyes watch the nations— let not the rebellious rise up against him. Selah
8 Praise our God, O peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard;
9 he has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping.
10 For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver.
11 You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs.
12 You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance.
13 I will come to your temple with burnt offerings and fulfill my vows to you-
14 vows my lips promised and my mouth spoke when I was in trouble.
15 I will sacrifice fat animals to you and an offering of rams; I will offer bulls and goats. Selah
16 Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me.
17 I cried out to him with my mouth; his praise was on my tongue.
18 If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened;
19 but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer.
20 Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Jan 20: The Americas, North America, Caribbean, Latin America | Operation World
Jan 20: The Americas, North America, Caribbean, Latin America | Operation World
Click on the link above to get more information.
Click on the link above to get more information.
Chronological New Testament Study Day 3
Matthew 2:1-23; Luke 2:39-52 (NIV)
Matthew 2:1-23
1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea,
during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and
asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his
star in the east and have come to worship him." 3 When
King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When
he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law,
he asked them where the Christ was to be born. 5 "In
Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has
written: 6 " 'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a
ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.' " 7 Then
Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star
had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go
and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me,
so that I too may go and worship him." 9 After they had
heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east
went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When
they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the
house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and
worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of
gold and of incense and of myrrh. 12 And having been warned in
a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another
route.
13 When they had gone, an angel of the Lord
appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up," he said, "take the
child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for
Herod is going to search for the child to kill him." 14 So
he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, 15 where
he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said
through the prophet: "Out of Egypt I called my son." 16 When
Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he
gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two
years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi.17 Then
what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: 18 "A
voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her
children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more."
19 After Herod died, an angel of the Lord
appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt 20 and said, "Get
up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who
were trying to take the child's life are dead." 21 So he
got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel.22 But
when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father
Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to
the district of Galilee, 23 and he went and lived in a town
called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets: "He
will be called a Nazarene."
39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything
required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of
Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong; he was
filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.
41 Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for
the Feast of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old,
they went up to the Feast, according to the custom. 43 After
the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed
behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it.44 Thinking he was
in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him
among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find
him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After
three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers,
listening to them and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who
heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When
his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, "Son,
why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously
searching for you." 49 "Why were you searching for
me?" he asked. "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's
house?" 50 But they did not understand what he was saying
to them. 51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was
obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.52 And
Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
Psalm 65
Psalm 65 (New International Version)
Psalm 65
For the director of music. A psalm of David. A song.
1 Praise awaits [a] you, O God, in Zion; to you our vows will be fulfilled.
2 O you who hear prayer, to you all men will come.
3 When we were overwhelmed by sins, you forgave [b] our transgressions.
4 Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts! We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple.
5 You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness, O God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas,
6 who formed the mountains by your power, having armed yourself with strength,
7 who stilled the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil of the nations.
8 Those living far away fear your wonders; where morning dawns and evening fades you call forth songs of joy.
9 You care for the land and water it; you enrich it abundantly. The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain, for so you have ordained it. [c]
10 You drench its furrows and level its ridges; you soften it with showers and bless its crops.
11 You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance.
12 The grasslands of the desert overflow; the hills are clothed with gladness.
13 The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain; they shout for joy and sing.
Psalm 65
For the director of music. A psalm of David. A song.
1 Praise awaits [a] you, O God, in Zion; to you our vows will be fulfilled.
2 O you who hear prayer, to you all men will come.
3 When we were overwhelmed by sins, you forgave [b] our transgressions.
4 Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts! We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple.
5 You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness, O God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas,
6 who formed the mountains by your power, having armed yourself with strength,
7 who stilled the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil of the nations.
8 Those living far away fear your wonders; where morning dawns and evening fades you call forth songs of joy.
9 You care for the land and water it; you enrich it abundantly. The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain, for so you have ordained it. [c]
10 You drench its furrows and level its ridges; you soften it with showers and bless its crops.
11 You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance.
12 The grasslands of the desert overflow; the hills are clothed with gladness.
13 The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain; they shout for joy and sing.
Monday, January 19, 2015
Jan 19: The Americas, North America, Caribbean, Latin America | Operation World
Jan 19: The Americas, North America, Caribbean, Latin America | Operation World
Click on the link above to get more details.
Click on the link above to get more details.
Chronological New Testament Study Day 2
Matthew 1:1-25; Luke 2:1-38 NIV
1 A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the
son of David, the son of Abraham: 2 Abraham was the father of
Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, 3 Judah
the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar, Perez the father of
Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, 4 Ram the father of
Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, 5 Salmon
the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose
mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, 6 and Jesse the
father of King David. David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been
Uriah's wife, 7 Solomon the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the
father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asa, 8 Asa the father
of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Jehoram, Jehoram the father of
Uzziah, 9 Uzziah the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of
Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, 10 Hezekiah the father of
Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amon, Amon the father of Josiah, 11 and
Josiah the father of Jeconiah and his brothers at the time of the exile to
Babylon. 12 After the exile to Babylon: Jeconiah was the
father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, 13 Zerubbabel
the father of Abiud, Abiud the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor, 14 Azor
the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Akim, Akim the father of Eliud, 15 Eliud
the father of Eleazar, Eleazar the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of
Jacob, 16 and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary,
of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. 17 Thus there
were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to
the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Christ.
18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came
about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they
came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19Because
Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public
disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20 But after
he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and
said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your
wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She
will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he
will save his people from their sins." 22 All this took
place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 "The
virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him
Immanuel"--which means, "God with us." 24 When
Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took
Mary home as his wife. 25 But he had no union with her until
she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree
that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This
was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And
everyone went to his own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went
up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of
David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He
went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was
expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for
the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a
son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no
room for them in the inn.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the
fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel
of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and
they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, "Do
not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the
people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born
to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you:
You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." 13Suddenly
a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and
saying,14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to
men on whom his favor rests." 15 When the angels had left
them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to
Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us
about." 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph,
and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had
seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this
child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the
shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these
things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds
returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and
seen, which were just as they had been told.
21 On the eighth day, when it was time to
circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he
had been conceived. 22 When the time of their purification according
to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem
to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of
the Lord, "Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord" ), 24 and
to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord:
"a pair of doves or two young pigeons." 25 Now there
was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was
waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 It
had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had
seen the Lord's Christ. 27Moved by the Spirit, he went into the
temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what
the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms
and praised God, saying: 29 "Sovereign Lord, as you have
promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my
eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in
the sight of all people, 32 a light for revelation to the
Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." 33 The
child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 Then
Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined
to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will
be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will
be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too." 36 There
was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.
She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her
marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four.
She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming
up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the
child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
Psalm 64 NIV
Psalm 64 (New International Version)
Psalm 64
For the director of music. A psalm of David.
1 Hear me, O God, as I voice my complaint; protect my life from the threat of the enemy.
2 Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked, from that noisy crowd of evildoers.
3 They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their words like deadly arrows.
4 They shoot from ambush at the innocent man; they shoot at him suddenly, without fear.
5 They encourage each other in evil plans, they talk about hiding their snares; they say, "Who will see them [a] ?"
6 They plot injustice and say, "We have devised a perfect plan!" Surely the mind and heart of man are cunning.
7 But God will shoot them with arrows; suddenly they will be struck down.
8 He will turn their own tongues against them and bring them to ruin; all who see them will shake their heads in scorn.
9 All mankind will fear; they will proclaim the works of God and ponder what he has done.
10 Let the righteous rejoice in the LORD and take refuge in him; let all the upright in heart praise him!
Sunday, January 18, 2015
Chronological New Testament Study Day 1
Luke 1:1-80; John 1:1-14 (New International Version)
Introduction
1:1-4Ref -- Ac 1:1
1 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3 Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold
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. 7But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well along in years. 8Once when Zechariah's division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside. 11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13 But 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 give him the name John. 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for 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 from birth. 16 Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous--to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." 18 Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years." 19 The angel answered, "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. 20 And 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 proper time." 21Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. 22 When 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. 23 When his time of service was completed, he returned home. 24 After 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."The Birth of Jesus Foretold
26 In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary.28 The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." 29Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." 34 "How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?" 35 The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. 37 For nothing is impossible with God." 38 "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.Mary Visits Elizabeth
39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!"Mary's Song
1:46-53pp -- 1Sa 2:1-10
46 And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed,49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me-- holy is his name. 50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. 51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful 55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers." 56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.The Birth of John the Baptist
57 When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. 58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy. 59 On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah,60 but his mother spoke up and said, "No! He is to be called John." 61 They said to her, "There is no one among your relatives who has that name." 62 Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. 63 He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone's astonishment he wrote, "His name is John." 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue was loosed, and he began to speak, praising God. 65 The neighbors were all filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things. 66 Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, "What then is this child going to be?" For the Lord's hand was with him.Zechariah's Song
67 His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: 68 "Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people. 69 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David 70 (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), 71 salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us-- 72 to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, 73 the oath he swore to our father Abraham: 74 to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear 75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. 76 And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, 77 to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, 78 because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven 79 to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace." 80 And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the desert until he appeared publicly to Israel.The Word Became Flesh
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. 6 There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9 The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
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