Sometimes life can feel like an obtacle course. Our paths are filled with different challenges at each turn that require learning new skills and developing new talents to overcome. But some obstacles are far beyond our ability to move on our own and our only option is to fully trust in the Lord. When Zechariah was told by the angel that Elizabeth would have a son, he doubted and because of that doubt he was unable to speak until the day the child was dedicated to the Lord. He saw a son being born in their old age as an obstacle too big to even comprehend, but no obstacle is…

“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.  He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth,  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 before he is born. He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God.  And 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…

What a gift it is to have a friend who knows. One who really and truly understands what we are going through and just spending some time with them can make the troubles of the world seem smaller. Elizabeth was that type of friend. After years of being barren she understood what it felt like to have people gossip about her situation and judge her based on their limited knowledge. So who better than Elizabeth could God arrange for Mary, the mother of Jesus, to spend time with when she found herself pregnant and unmarried. From the moment of their first meeting Elizabeth knew what an incredible blessing Mary was…

Patience is a virtue that is hard earned. In our fast paced world the presence of patience seems to be an undesired attribute that fewer and fewer people seem to achieve. But over and over again in the Bible we read of the most incredible acts of God that took place in the lives of those who waited patiently. Elizabeth and her husband Zacharias were clearly patient in the waiting. He was a priest and in that position he would have been chosen to serve in the holy of holies only once in his lifetime. Being advanced in years would have added to his anticipation as well as patience with…

The stories of Sarah and Elizabeth are beautiful reminders that we serve the God of the impossible. Over and over in the bible we see what seems impossible become reality. The blind see, the lame walk, the dead are raised and the barren woman holds a child in her arms. Her child. A miracle from God. There are many other miraculous possiblities that we tend to overlook. How about when God gives us the courage to face the giants in our lives or when He gives us peace in the storm. How about His mercies that are new everyday and provide us with the grace to continue to live for…

Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. But she had an Egyptian slave named Hagar; so she said to Abram, “The Lord has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my slave; perhaps I can build a family through her. (Genesis 16:1-2) “The Lord has kept me…..” As Sarah grew impatient with God’s timing and began to doubt His promises she made the choice to act from a heart of accusation rather than one of faith. She added the word “from” and could only see what she didn’t have rather than the promises that she did. What a difference a word, in this case a mindset, can make. Is there something that you have…

In the story of Sarah and her husband Abraham we read about the many times that they took matters into their own hands rather than relying on God’s protection and promise. God had directed Abraham to leave his homeland to a place that He would show him and gave him the following promise: “I will make you into a great nation,    and I will bless you;I will make your name great,    and you will be a blessing.I will bless those who bless you,    and whoever curses you I will curse;and all peoples on earth    will be blessed through you.” Genesis 12: 2-3 To Abraham’s credit he went, but when a famine came he took…

Today as I was looking out my window taking in the scenery I was reminded that’s it time for change. The leaves on the trees are the most incredible colors, the air is crisp and cool as the fog on the mountain tops hints of the rain and snow to come. The changes that are taking place in nature are completely out of my control and will happen no matter how badly I long to keep warmer weather present. But I also sense that seasons in my life are changing. I feel the call of God to not just hunker down for the winter, but in this season of the…

In the last few months I have noticed changes in my appearance every time I look in the mirror. More fine lines are finding their way around my eyes and lips. My mind is telling me that I’m getting older while my heart wants to look as youthful as possible. Our aging appearance has a way of making us feel that we have out grown our usefulness or that we are no longer capable of making a difference and being of service to God. Sarah was past the years of child bearing and did not believe that God’s promise of a son could be fulfilled with her. When the angels…