Hey! Listen up!

I never get tired of hearing the Christmas story. One of the exciting elements of the story is the involvement of angels. The appearances and messages of these heavenly envoys remind me of God’s great love for us.

GOD HEARS YOUR PRAYERS!
That was the first word of the angel’s message to Zacharias. “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard,” is what the angel said. *
What is your prayer today? God hears it. Reject your doubt. Endure your delays. Keep believing. Keep expecting. And keep praising. The answer is on its way.

GOD KNOWS WHERE YOU LIVE!
That was the first word of the angel’s message to Mary. “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you,” is what the angel said. **
You do not face your opposition or losses alone. Nor do you deal with your frustrations or failures alone. The Lord has promised to never leave you nor forsake you.

GOD IS WORKING HIS PLAN!
That was the first word of the angel’s message to Joseph. “What is conceived in her [Mary] is of the Holy Spirit,” is what the angel said. ***
In plain English, the angel was saying, “What is going on in Mary is part of God’s plan”.
God has an exciting destiny for me and for you. Sometimes it seems impossible to figure out how He is going to get there from here. But God has highways in places we cannot even see pathways!

Thank you, Holy Spirit for keeping a record of the angels’ messages. I am strengthened and encouraged by them.

* Luke 1:13
** Luke 1:28
*** Matthew 1:20

Praising Out Loud!

“Let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips …” (Heb 13:15)

True praise begins as an attitude of the heart and blossoms into an activity of the lips. It is not enough to have thoughts of praise. We, who are called to be a “royal priesthood”, are expected to offer words and songs of praise.

When we speak or sing our praise it –

• places the tongue under submission to Christ. Remember that the tongue is called the unruly member of our body.
• releases the Holy Spirit to flow out of our spirit. The Holy Spirit in us is a spirit of praise and awaits the opportunity we give Him to flow out of us.
• gives clear witness to the power of God. We are called to give a comprehensible and bold witness of God’s might and faithfulness.
• inspires others to participate. We are called to be examples to other believers.
• provides a focus for unity. Our verbal praise helps to bring fellow believers to a common point of agreement and purpose.
• changes the spiritual climate. Our words promote and strengthen an awareness of the presence of God wherever we are.
• causes demonic spirits to be confused, scattered, and defeated. Like rats and cockroaches fleeing from light, so Satan and his forces must depart when God’s people lift their voices to the Lord in true praise.