Read Luke 1:57-66
Don’t Cut Yourself Short.
The day came when Elizabeth gave birth to a son, just as God promised. The people rejoiced with her because they knew God showed Mercy on her because of her age. They assumed the baby would be named after Zechariah but the mother spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John.” … Just as the Lord had said.
The people were bewildered because there was no relative with that name. So they asked Zechariah, the boy’s father, what the name should be. Remember, Zachariah is unable to speak because he doubted God when he said they would have a baby at an old age. But when he wrote down the name “John” immediately he was able to speak again and he praised God.
When the people saw this, they were in awe! They wondered what the Lord had in store for this child. They said, “What then is this child going to be?” For the Lord’s hand was with him.
Everything God said would happen, happened!
1. Zechariah and Elizabeth had their first child at a very old age.
2. Zechariah was unable to speak during the time of pregnancy.
3. Zachariah was able to speak after the child was given his name.
4. The child was given the name John just as God promised.
5. And very soon he would be preparing the way for the Messiah, Jesus, just as God promised.
How did the people respond to God’s work?
1. They had great joy.
2. They were filled with awe.
3. They couldn’t stop talking about it throughout Judea.
4. They wondered what the child was going to be for the Lord.
Does your life reflect Christ? Yes or No? If yes, I can guarantee you this, there will be those who will persecute you, and those who will be in awe of who you are in Christ.
I recently spoke at a camp for teenagers and my topic of discussion for the week was being a missionary wherever we are: in our everyday walk, in our homes, in our neighborhoods, in our state, in our country, and around the world. I challenged the teens on being willing to be missionaries wherever he calls them.
One parent sent me a text saying how thrilled her two daughters were with the messages and with their time at camp. The one felt called to be a missionary in another country while the other one felt called to be a missionary leading worship.
PLEASE!!!!!!! I’m not saying this with any arrogance whatsoever because I know that apart from Christ I’m nothing. But I do know this: when Christ is evident in our lives people will be in awe! Lives will be impacted. Lives will be changed. Don’t cut yourself short! God wants to do a new thing in your life to impact other lives. Keep pursuing him with all your heart!
