December 7, 2010 Talk Talk Talk

Talk, Talk, Talk

Day 22: Luke 1:62-65 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.

TALKING about “these things”, that’s what they were doing. The miracles in Zechariah’s and Elizabeth’s life were big news—headlines on the morning radio, emails circulating, the talk at the coffee shop, news on Facebook. Yes, this family was big news.
And how would they talk about these wonderful things? Would they say Zechariah and Elizabeth finally got themselves a baby? Would they say, “Did you hear about Zechariah’s and Elizabeth’s good luck? They got their baby boy! They called him Jehochanan—the grace and mercy of Yahweh—what luck!”
No, they would have talked of God—Yahweh—the “I am who I am” the infinite, personal God, who is the origin of everything. Yes, God has broken in to this family to say to Judea, “Here I am! I love you, and I have something grand for you. I have made the impossible happen in this family, and this is for all of you! And more is to come”
That “more” is his Savior, who has come to you. What to do?
Talk of God. Talk of his wonders in your life. Talk of the life he has given you. Talk of God’s grace to give you his Son. Talk of God’s love to send you the Holy Spirit to live in you. Talk praise, wonder and awe. Talk worship and thanksgiving for everything he has given you. Talk, talk, talk of God.
Tell your friends, tell your neighbors, tell your kids and parents. God has given his miracles to you.

Pause and Consider: good news is always fun to tell.


Good Things to Have
Read 2 Peter

2 Peter 1:3-7 By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. 4 And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world's corruption caused by human desires. 5 In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God's promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.

EVERYONE wants harmony, peace, love and joy in their lives, don’t we? To get to that kind of life, we go through a process. From when we are born to when we grow old (in God’s grace) our parents, our schools, certain people and other influences guide us to learn and mature. If we learn from life’s lessons, we can essentially live a mature life of good relationships and economic stability.
Peter has given to you a very specific formula to live well with God. Following this plan from the time you are “born again”, you will have a mature life of peace and joy in Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
One term that may not be clear to you is “godly” or “godliness”. This word actually points to living a life as close to God as possible. For example, you read Scripture, worship, tithe, and serve with your Spiritual gifts.
God the Father has given you a plan to mature in him. The plan leads to harmony, peace, love and joy in your life.


Pause and Consider: You want that, right?