Reflecting God – Friday, 29 November 2013 – “Can I Get A testimony?” - Scripture Reading: Luke 1

Reflecting God – Friday, 29 November 2013 – “Can I Get A testimony?” - Scripture Reading: Luke 1: 18 Zechariah said to the angel, “How will I know that this is so? For I am an old man, and my wife is getting on in years.” 19 The angel replied, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20 But now, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will become mute, unable to speak, until the day these things occur.”

21 Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah, and wondered at his delay in the sanctuary. 22 When he did come out, he could not speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept motioning to them and remained unable to speak. 23 When his time of service was ended, he went to his home.

24 After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she remained in seclusion. She said, 25 “This is what the Lord has done for me when he looked favorably on me and took away the disgrace I have endured among my people.”(NRSV)

“Can I Get A Testimony?” by Duane C. Brush

“Let me tell you what the Lord has done for me!” Her voice was clear and her aged face was radiant. She couldn’t wait until the usual time for testimonies. For five months, according to the custom, she had remained in seclusion. What had been kept hidden could now be given glad expression. God had met her need, prayer had been answered, and she just wanted to give God all the glory. Joy seemed to pour out of her and over the whole community. The whole mood of the village was lifted.

Zechariah, her husband, was silent. He had expressed doubt. “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well on in years.” Zechariah, who was a priest after all, had focused on their human insufficiency rather than God’s unlimited sufficiency. He would not speak again until he affirmed the will of God.

How often are our voices silenced because we fail to give God the glory He is due? “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name” (Hebrews 13:15).

Hymn for Today:

“Redeemed” by Fanny J. Crosby

1. Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it!

Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;

Redeemed through His infinite mercy,

His child, and forever, I am.

Chorus:

Redeemed, (redeemed,) redeemed, (redeemed,)

Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;

Redeemed, (redeemed,) redeemed, (redeemed,)

His child, and forever, I am.

2. Redeemed, and so happy in Jesus,

No language my rapture can tell;

I know that the light of His presence

With me doth continually dwell.[Chorus]

Chorus:

Redeemed, (redeemed,) redeemed, (redeemed,)

Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;

Redeemed, (redeemed,) redeemed, (redeemed,)

His child, and forever, I am.

3. I think of my blessed Redeemer,

I think of Him all the day long;

I sing, for I cannot be silent;

His love is the theme of my song.

Chorus:

Redeemed, (redeemed,) redeemed, (redeemed,)

Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;

Redeemed, (redeemed,) redeemed, (redeemed,)

His child, and forever, I am.

4. I know I shall see in His beauty

The King in whose law I delight;

Who lovingly guardeth my footsteps

And giveth me songs in the night.

Chorus:

Redeemed, (redeemed,) redeemed, (redeemed,)

Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;

Redeemed, (redeemed,) redeemed, (redeemed,)

His child, and forever, I am.

Thought for Today:

“for we cannot keep from speaking about what we have seen and heard.”(Acts 4:20)

Prayer Needs:

For Christians coordinating cross-cultural ministries and evangelistic outreach in the United States and Canada.

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Global Church of the Nazarene

Global Ministry Center

17001 Prairie Star Parkway

Lenexa, KS 66220 United States

Phone: (913)577-0500

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