Believing the Promise of Immanuel by Becky Harling
http://www.identitynetwork.net/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&view=post&articleid=Believing-the-Promise-of-Immanuel-by-Becky-Harling-&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
By Becky Harling
My house is decorated. The tree is up, and the lights are hung. Oh, how I love this season! However, it's easy to forget that the season of Advent is about waiting well for Immanuel. Seasons of waiting can feel lonely. They raise questions in our hearts about whether or not God is really listening to our prayers. As I've been thinking about waiting, I've been studying Luke 1. I'm intrigued by the relationship between Elizabeth and Mary in their season of waiting. Each could have felt lonely for many reasons, but in their waiting, God led them to one another.
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My house is decorated. The tree is up, and the lights are hung. Oh, how I love this season! However, it’s easy to forget that the season of Advent is about waiting well for Immanuel. Seasons of waiting can feel lonely. They raise questions in our hearts about whether or not God is really listening to our prayers.
As I’ve been thinking about waiting, I’ve been studying Luke 1. I’m intrigued by the relationship between Elizabeth and Mary in their season of waiting. Each could have felt lonely for many reasons, but in their waiting, God led them to one another.
Elizabeth had wrestled with infertility for years. She was older and beyond childbearing years. One day, when her husband—who was a priest—was making a sacrifice in the temple, the Lord sent the angel Gabriel to tell him that his prayers had been heard and his wife would conceive. Zachariah was filled with doubts and challenged Gabriel, asking for a sign. As a result, Gabriel told him he would not be able to speak until the child, John the Baptist, was born. But as the angel promised, Elizabeth did conceive (Luke 1:1–25). She remained in seclusion for five months but demonstrated her faith by declaring, “The Lord has done this for me” (Luke 1:25).
Six months later, Gabriel visited a young teen virgin, Mary, stating, “The Lord is with you.” (I love those words! Why not circle them in your Bible?) Startled by his presence, Mary wondered about his greeting. Gabriel went on to tell her that she was going to conceive and give birth to the Son of the Most High. Mary asked how this would happen since she was still a virgin. Gabriel explained that the Holy Spirit would come upon her and His power would cause her to conceive. Then he encouraged her further by telling her that her relative Elizabeth was already pregnant in her old age, because “No word from God will ever fail” (Luke 1:26–37).
Both of these women would have heard many times about the promise of Immanuel—prophesied by Isaiah nearly 800 years earlier (Isaiah 7:14). They just didn’t know the integral part they would play in God’s story.
When Mary arrived at Elizabeth’s house, Elizabeth blessed her in a loud voice, saying, “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” (Luke 1:45). I love those words! I’ve been meditating on them all morning.
What does it look like in your life to believe the promise of Immanuel?
It means trusting that God is with you—whatever season you are in. He is with you, for you, and constantly pursuing you. He promises His presence, His peace, and His provision for your life. This Advent season, remind yourself daily of His presence, His peace, and His provision. Too often, we get caught up in a million details, and we forget that Immanuel’s promise is for us today.
Becky Harling
http://www.identitynetwork.net/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&url=10&view=post&articleid=3-Questions-to-Ask-When-You-Feel-Lost-by-Becky-Harling-&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
Have you ever felt completely paralyzed, wondering which way to go? I have. I remember a time, a couple of years ago, when Steve and I were hiking. A storm was brewing in the sky, and somehow, we kept choosing the wrong path back to our car. We ended up wandering in the forest for a couple of hours. We definitely got our steps in—that's for sure! Getting lost in the woods is one thing, but it can feel far more challenging when we feel lost in life. Perhaps we feel paralyzed, wondering which way is the right way to move forward.
http://www.identitynetwork.net/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&url=10&view=post&articleid=3-Women-Who-Dared-to-Listen-to-Jesus-by-Becky-Harling-&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
I've often heard jokes about women talking too much and not listening enough. However, as I read through the gospels, I see women who dared to lean in and listen to Jesus. As a result, they were greatly used by Him, and their stories continue to be told through generations. I want to be a woman whose life is marked by listening. I've had to grow quite a bit in this area and still, honestly, have a lot farther to go. However, as I stay intentional, listening becomes a little easier. As I practice listening to God, I slowly become more attuned to His voice.
http://www.identitynetwork.net/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&url=10&view=post&articleid=3-Steps-to-Experience-Real-Peace-by-Becky-Harling-&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
Have you ever thought, "I just need a little peace and quiet!" Maybe you don't need absolute silence, but rather quiet in your soul. May I ask you—what most often steals your peace? A full schedule. Pressure at work. Finances. Health issues. Worries about kids. All of those are valid when it comes to creating anxiety and stress in our souls. Yet Paul wrote that we are to "let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts" (Colossians 3:15). This peace results in calmness of soul. It's the assurance that all will be well.
