LUKE 1:5-23
Tough times produce
tough people
I am told 2014 has been a very tough and difficult year.
People are wishing it just clear as quickly as possible. There as Kapedo, Lamu,
etc.
Both Zachariah and is wife were righteous people in the sight
of God but they had no child.
In fact the bible declares that Elizabeth was barren and two
they were both advanced in years. Vs. 6
When the angel of the lord appeared to him he changed the
equation.
Momentous miracles invaded the life of Zachariah, vs. 11-
1.
He
was startled because he never expected such
2.
Gripped
with fear. Wouldn’t you be? Fear for the unknown as well as for his life
3.
But
the angel said do not be afraid
4.
Your
prayer has been heard. What a reassurance at such a time as this?
5.
A
child, a son will be born, vs14. Source of joy and delight to you and many
6.
He
will be great in the sight of the lord, vs. 15
7.
Shall
be filled with the Holy Spirit from birth
8.
Many
people will be brought back to the lord through him, vs. 15
But Zachariah started asking questions looking at the
prevailing and current status vs. 19
And I know this is the same method that you have engaged full
throttle.
Doubts and feared came around and Zachariah was immersed and
submerged in them
Result, he could not speak until the fulfillment of the
promise
Beloved what is your status concerning the word of God.
What position does it occupy in your heart?
Is it no wonder you are sailing in the situation that
prevails in your life right now/
Things changed when the prophecy was fulfilled. Vs. 23
Things are about to take a paradigm shift in your life.’
Prepare for an encounter and invasion of the presence of God
in your life from now hence in Jesus name
Believe you me 2015 will not be just another year
You will sit down take stock and in amazement ask. Is it real
or drama
Only for the truth to hit you that this is the working of
Jehovah!
He is never late; time barred or held up in traffic
2. The second person we
look at is Mary, the mother of Jesus, Luke 1.26-38
Mary was virgin espoused to Joseph
In this culture this was equal to a wife only that the
marriage had not been officially declared and consummated in holy matrimony.
And from nowhere an angel appears. What did you expect Mary
to do?
By the way you and I have the privilege of reading this; Mary
was in a catch 22
Then the greetings were another sauce of concern
Greetings loaded with big words
1.
Highly
favored
2.
Do
not be afraid for you have found favor. Trust that is a word for someone here
today. Christmas has been with us and looking back at 2014 you are like why
can’t just fly out of my memory?
3.
You
will give birth and no marriage is mentioned
4.
Bear
a son and his name will be Jesus
5.
He
will be great and will be called the son of the Most High.
6.
His
kingdom will never end.
As usual the way you and I are reacting as 2014 draws to an
end
With the prevailing situation, in my current situation, the
way I am, what am I going to happen and after all what excitement will I draw
from it? You are like I am better off the way I am without this hullabaloo and
noise.
Vs. 38 there was need for reassurance and clearance of doubt
and confirmation of the favor
This is what God is doing today.
I may sound rather like the penultimate moment, the year is
ending yet I have not experienced what God promised from the beginning.
Listen to me, fear not for you have found favor
Act like someone who has found favor
Do not fake until you make, that is wrong cliché and not the
gospel Jesus gave to us.
With this assurance Mary’s heart softened and listen to her
answer in vs. 38, “I am the lord’s servant, may I be to me as you have said”
Do I hear someone saying? Oh yes! That is me!
3. And there was
Joseph, God dealt with him as he knows how Mathew 1.1-25
4. The shepherds Luke
2.8
They were out doing their business
Trust me the lord is making a visit to you soon at your place
you do your bidding.
My concern, what state is he going to find you in?
It was cold at night,
prone to the vagaries of darkness and the elements of the night.
In this dark hour, with no anticipation of anything, the lord
paid a visit
Child of God, I do not and may not understand what you have
been going through in this year but hear me good
1.
In
their darkest hour, the angel of the lord appeared, vs. 9
2.
The
glory of the lord shone around them and light struck them. But when they tried
to succumb to fear the lord quickly addressed it, vs9
This will be your portion in Jesus’
name. I prophecy the glory and light of God in your life from now on in the
name of Jesus the Christ!
3.
After
assurance, the Great news. Believe you me; the writing of your biography is
just beginning, vs. 10
And know what the author if Jesus
Christ himself.
You are special, special people are
handled in a special way with special hands
4.
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel,
praising God.
From today, loneliness is defeated in
your life. I decree it deleted from your records in Jesus’ name. From now on
you are free, free in Jesus name. Halleluiah to the son!
Confront your challenges head on
knowing you are more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus.
The shepherds encountered it at
night, what about you child of God, the anointed of the father?
You are no exception, camp on the
prevailing anointing and walk a free person full of the praise of the Most
High.
5.
They
hurried off to experience the promise of the Messiah, vs.16. it is time to
arise and hurry on to the promise the lord is offering us today in Jesus name.
6.
They
returned glorifying and praising God.
This will be your report. This is
your new title. This will be the way people will address you from today hence,
in the name of Jesus Christ.
5. Simeon, Luke 2.25
There was a man named Simeon, today there is a man named
Geoffrey, halleluiah in the highest.
1.
He
was a righteous man and devout (consecrated, gave up exclusively himself and
his abilities to God) pursued God the purpose and his promise
passionately)
2.
He
was waiting for the consolation of Israel, the revelation of the Messiah. What
have you been waiting for in this year whose curtains are ready to be drawn?
3.
He
was full of the Holy Spirit. Beloved my question, what fills you? As much as we
complain the lord has not come through for you, what is it that has taken over
the main stay of your family?
4.
Would
not die before seeing the Lord. Vs. 26. What is it you are ready and daring to
die for?
7. Prophetess Anna
1.
She
was old, 0nly 7 years in marriage and 77 as a widow.
Yet
what do I hear when I tell brethren to speak to their passions for they are
under their control and no the opposite. Decide to stand for the lord. Stop the
silly excuses; you know it was Christmas, so what
Anna
chose to remain holy yet widowed, tuache mchezo na wokovu
2.
Dwelt
in the temple and not just sat but worshipped the lord, fasted and prayed. I
wonder what preoccupied us most in this year. What was the impact of having
Jesus on your side?
Time and again you encountered Jesus what is the lasting
memory or reflection that you have on him in the year 2014?
You may complain, whine and even gossip of his luck of coming
though but the question is, how did I position myself to encounter the maker?
What is it that you were privileged to see, hear and
encounter that others did not? A good self assessment could prove your case
otherwise.
Jesus is available here and ready to take you to the next
level arise and let us get there in faith, in word and in action in Jesus’
name!
Cultivate, your garden, get the best out of it. Eden is the
presence of God.
Work, protect, and teach the word. Greatness is in me.
Amen
Isaiah 41.13, “For I
the lord thy God will hold thy right hand saying unto thee, Fear not, I will
help thee. Fear not, thou worm Jacob and ye men of Israel; I will help thee,
saith the Lord and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel”.
Take it, Believe it, Act it and Live it in Jesus name.
Pastor Geoffrey Douglas Otuko
27th December 2014, 19.36hrs.
