Word of God – Page 52 – Just Keith Harris

Advent Reading for December 22, 2023 | “From Slavery to Sonship: Embracing the Gift of Adoption” from Galatians 4:4-5

⁴But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of woman, born under the law, ⁵to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.
Galatians 4:4-5

“From Slavery to Sonship: Embracing the Gift of Adoption”
by Jamie Harrison

Wow! What a Story! Jesus gave up all the glory of heaven to come to earth for you and me!

He came at exactly the right time according to Galatians 4:4. The Roman Empire ruled most of the world, and people were ready for someone to save them from their oppression. Some estimate the number of slaves during this period was upwards of 70 million. Can you imagine living under an oppressive government who might enslave you at any moment? Can you imagine a life that devoid of hope?

Enter Jesus.

Jesus came to “redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons (Galatians 4:5). Take a minute and think about the hope found in this verse for so many during that period. Now, take a moment and think about how this provides hope for you and me. Jesus came to make us sons and daughters of God Almighty!

“And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba, Father!’ So, you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then God has made you an heir.” (Galatians 4:6-7)

This was good news then, and it is good news now!

The fact is, we are all slaves to sin: “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Because we are slaves to sin, we receive death: “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). What these verses tell us about sin is bad news, but there is a huge but coming in the next part of Romans 6:23 – the but of all buts: “…but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord”! That’s right, Jesus came to earth to give us a way to become a child of God! We are no longer a slave but adopted as a son! But if we are a son and an heir with Christ, what does that mean?

Being a son and heir means we will be able to spend all of eternity in the presence of our Creator, our Savior, our Lord! The best news for us today is that we do not have to wonder how this will come to be. Romans 10:9 tells us, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead you will be saved.” If you do not know Him as Lord, it is time. If you are certain He rose from the grave, confess Him as Lord of your life. Give yourself over to Him – right here and right now. It is time to be adopted into His family. It is time to receive the love only a perfect Father can give. Allow Him to give you the greatest gift of all today: JESUS!

Reflection Questions:

Consider the idea of being adopted as sons and daughters of God through Jesus. How does this promise of adoption offer hope both in the context of the Galatians passage and in your personal walk with Christ?
Today’s devotion touches on how we are all initially slaves to sin and the consequences of that bondage. How does the promise of eternal life through Jesus’s contrast with this reality and impact our understanding of salvation?

"Kept Through the Trial: Jesus's Letter to the Church at Philadelphia" (The KING is Coming) – Refresh & Restore | A JustKeithHarris.com Podcast

📖 Revelation 3:7–13We’re back!After a few months off, The King is Coming returns in 2026 with one of the most encouraging letters in Revelation — Jesus’s message to the faithful church in Philadelphia. In a world filled with opposition and weakness, Jesus opens a door no one can shut.In this episode, Keith Harris and Jamie Harrison explore:✔️ Jesus’s identity as the Holy One, the True One — God Himself✔️ What the “key of David” means and how Jesus alone opens and shuts✔️ The debated phrase “I will keep you from the hour of trial” — and how to read it biblically✔️ Why “little power” doesn’t disqualify faithfulness✔️ How being kept through the trial glorifies Christ’s strength in us✔️ What it means to be a pillar in God’s presence foreverThis church had no rebuke — only encouragement. And Jesus’s call still stands today: “Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.” (Revelation 3:11, ESV)🔗 Missed earlier episodes in the series? You can click here to catch up and listen from the beginning.✍️ If you’d like to see a written version of this podcast, complete with footnotes and cross-references, you can find it here.

Advent Reading for December 21, 2023 | “The Redemptive Exodus of Jesus” from Matthew 2:13-18

¹³Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy Him.” ¹⁴And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt ¹⁵and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my Son.”
Matthew 2:13-18

“The Redemptive Exodus of Jesus”

In our faith journey, moments often emerge that unveil divine orchestration in the seemingly ordinary. Joseph and Mary’s flight to Egypt, a seemingly minor part of the grand narrative, intricately fits into the prophetic design interwoven in the Old Testament. Matthew unveils these intricate threads of prophecy, drawing a striking parallel between Jesus and the exodus story. Hosea’s ancient words resound: “Out of Egypt, I called my son” (Hosea 11:1), affirming a redemptive pattern woven into history.

Just as Israel, the son, was liberated from Egyptian slavery (Exodus 4:22), Jesus, the ultimate Son, is rescued from Herod’s grasp. Matthew’s keen insight captures not just a historical event but unravels a tapestry of divine intervention. The flight to Egypt and the subsequent return reveals a profound message—a message veiled in humility and saturated with redemptive purpose. This isn’t mere chance; this is God at work.

Consider Joseph’s obedience, his readiness to heed divine warnings in dreams (Matthew 2:13). It takes faith to uproot one’s life for obedience’s sake. Yet, in this obedience lies a profound lesson—a lesson of trust and reliance on God’s leading. It’s not just about escaping danger; it’s about fulfilling what was spoken ages before.

The significance of Jesus’ return from Egypt isn’t confined to a physical journey; it mirrors a deeper spiritual reality. It signifies deliverance, a new exodus—the rescue of humanity from the bondage of sin (Galatians 5:1). Jesus, the Son of God, embodies this deliverance, offering a path to liberation for all who believe (John 8:36).

The humility shown in these movements echoes the broader narrative of Christ’s life—a King born in a humble manger, raised in an obscure town (Micah 5:2; Luke 2:7). This humility isn’t just an aspect of His character; it’s foundational to His redemptive mission. He identifies with the lowly, embodies the marginalized, and offers hope to the outcast (Isaiah 53:3; Matthew 11:28-30).

As Matthew carefully presents these parallels, it’s an invitation—an invitation to recognize Jesus as more than a historical figure, but as the embodiment of God’s redemptive plan. It’s an invitation to follow in the footsteps of the humble King, to embrace humility, obedience, and trust in God’s guiding hand (Philippians 2:5-8). In this moment, the call echoes—not just out of Egypt but out of the depths of sin, out of bondage into the freedom found in Christ. It’s an invitation to embark on a journey of faith, to trust in the One who orchestrates history, and to find redemption in the arms of the Savior (Acts 4:12).

This journey, from Egypt to Israel, isn’t just a historical occurrence—it’s a call to a deeper understanding of God’s redemptive plan. It’s an invitation to journey out of the bondage of sin into the freedom found in Christ.

Reflection Questions:

Joseph’s obedience to God’s warning led to his family being kept safe. In what ways does Joseph’s obedience help us see the importance of trust and reliance on God’s guidance in our lives, especially in moments of uncertainty?
The way Matthew tells Jesus’s Story invites us to understand that Jesus is not just a historical figure but the embodiment of God’s redemptive plan. How does this perspective help us understand Jesus’s significance in our own lives and to the world?

"Kept Through the Trial: Jesus's Letter to the Church at Philadelphia" (The KING is Coming) – Refresh & Restore | A JustKeithHarris.com Podcast

Advent Reading for December 19, 2023 | “Anna: A Prophetess for Jesus” from Luke 2:36-40

³⁶And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, ³⁷and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. ³⁸And coming up at the very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of Him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
Luke 2:36-40

“Anna: A Prophetess for Jesus”
by Sarah Reeves

In Luke 2:36-40, we meet Anna who was a prophetess at a time when there were no prophets. Anna was Jewish, from the tribe of Asher. She was eighty-four years old and was widowed without any children. She had slowly watched as God stripped everything away from her, but she remained faithful. Anna believed the teachings from her childhood that one day the Messiah was coming, so she waited. She rarely left the temple as she prayed God would let her live to see the Messiah. Every day she worshiped at the temple and asked in her heart, “Will today be the day He comes?”

The long-awaited day finally came. Joseph and Mary brought their eight-day old son Jesus to the temple for His circumcision. Anna and her friend Simeon, who had also been waiting a long time for the Messiah, were overjoyed that God had let them recognize Him!

This touching story is such a reminder for us to never give up. We all face sorrows, tragedies, and heartaches in this life. We all lose our beloved family and friends. We ourselves have illnesses and pain. We all get discouraged, heartbroken, and sometimes bitter and mad at God for allowing those things to happen. There are broken homes and broken hearts. But in the middle of all these things there is one thing that has never changed: God is still on His throne!

He still loves you so much He sent His only Son to die for you (John 3:16)! So, let’s be like Anna and trust Him and know He is coming back just as He promised!

Reflection Questions:

Anna’s life was marked by patience, faithfulness, and hope – devoted to God’s promise – despite experiencing immense loss personally. How does her perseverance challenge your understanding of faithfulness amid personal struggle and hardships?
Anna’s unwavering faith allowed her to recognize Jesus for who He truly is – the Messiah. How can her story serve as an example for us in the world today?
In today’s devotion, Ms. Sarah characterized Anna with the question: “Will today be the day Jesus comes?” How can living our lives with the expectant hope of Anna, asking ourselves, “Will today be the day Jesus comes back?”

"Kept Through the Trial: Jesus's Letter to the Church at Philadelphia" (The KING is Coming) – Refresh & Restore | A JustKeithHarris.com Podcast

Advent Reading for December 18, 2023 | “Christmas Unveiling Easter’s Promise” from Luke 2:25-35

²⁵Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the holy Spirit was upon Him. ²⁶And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. ²⁷And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, ²⁸he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

²⁹“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to Your Word;
³⁰for my eyes have seen your salvation
³¹that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
³²a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.”

³³And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. ³⁴And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed ³⁵(and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”
Luke 2:25-35

“Christmas Unveiling Easter’s Promise”

Cradling a newborn often leaves us grasping for words, yet, when Simeon embraced the infant Jesus in the temple, his words resounded with prophetic gravity. Simeon anticipated the fulfillment of God’s promise in this child, recognizing Jesus as the Savior not just for the Jewish nation but for the entire world (Luke 2:30-32).

Alongside this divine hope, Simeon foresaw a somber shadow of suffering. Amidst proclaiming salvation, he hinted at the division Jesus would bring, revealing the depths of people’s hearts. He tenderly forewarned Mary of the anguish she would endure because of her son’s destiny (Luke 2:34-35) – which reminds me of Good Friday and Easter

While Easter might not be the typical focus of Christmas, understanding the significance of Easter unlocks the very heart of Christmas itself. Simeon, with profound insight, pointed forward to the significance of Good Friday while welcoming the baby central to the Christmas narrative. His words connected the humble manger to the redemptive work accomplished on the rugged cross.

Christianity isn’t a moral code for self-improvement but the proclamation of Christ’s finished work. It isn’t about our merit but about God’s mighty ability to rescue, redeem, and restore. Much like the relief felt after settling a bill, God stamped “PAID” against our sins through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus. The events that pierced Mary’s soul culminated in God’s unmistakable declaration: Jesus conquered death and paid the debt for all sinners (Luke 24:1-7).

Luke’s Gospel serves as a masterful bridge, connecting the Christmas story with Easter’s triumphant climax. Jesus, in his life and death, fulfilled Simeon’s prophecies—reaching out to the marginalized, facing opposition, and ultimately redeeming sinners through the sacrifice of the cross, all fueled by an unparalleled love for humanity.

Jesus, the embodiment of divine love, sacrificed himself for sinners like Simeon, Mary, Zechariah, the shepherds, and each of us—extending redemption despite our flaws and showcasing an immeasurable depth of love. This truth is the resounding heartbeat of Christmas, leading to the profound grace and unfathomable hope found in the resurrection of Easter.

Reflection Questions:

Reflecting on Simeon’s anticipation of Jesus connecting Christmas to Easter, how does this deepen your appreciation for the entire Story of Christ?
In what ways does Jesus’s sacrificial death resonate the idea of a fully paid debt, and how does this understanding impact the way you view God’s grace and forgiveness?

"Kept Through the Trial: Jesus's Letter to the Church at Philadelphia" (The KING is Coming) – Refresh & Restore | A JustKeithHarris.com Podcast

Songs for Sunday, December 17, 2023 @ Christ Community Church

Tomorrow is Sunday, and I’m excited!

I love Christmas, but over recent years, I have grown to especially love Advent at Christ Community. It’s not about lighting the candles or tradition or, well, anything I can really put into words. It’s just been special – and is special.

Tomorrow, our Advent focus will be on Joy and Love.

In thinking of joy, it seems that this season – festivities and the hustle-and-bustle nature of our calendars – really shows how much people seek after joy amid life’s challenges. This is a season for some where joy seems to be out of place, or at least out of reach. It never will be in reach if we only seek joy here on earth.

Jesus’s birth was heralded by an angel army choir as “good news of great joy for all people” (Luke 2:10) to a group who understood difficult circumstances. I mean, not many of us will be camped out on a hillside working with a bunch of dumb sheep this Christmas. But this is exactly who Jesus came for – people like those shepherds, in fact those specific shepherds: people who need Him, sinners in need of a Savior. Amid our flaws and sins, the good news of great joy stands – a Savior born to rescue sinners from sin and death was born that day in Bethlehem, and even though He died on the cross to save us from our sins (Romans 5:8), He is alive and on His throne today (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)! That’s good news – of great joy!

In our world that seems to be plunging more and more quickly into the darkness, we sometimes let that joy be eclipsed. But just as the moon (that looks big to us but is infinitesimally smaller than our sun) cannot completely block out the light of our sun, darkness cannot block out the Light – Jesus. One thing that helps that Light shine so brightly is the power of His love. Just as darkness cannot withstand the flame of a single candle, the hatred and darkness of sin cannot stand in the light of His love (1 John 1:5).

The love of God in Christ offers hope amid chaos! And that love is truly a gift, epitomized by John 3:16, showing that God loved the world in such a way that He gave His only Son. The good news that brings great joy is that there is a Savior for sinners. God became flesh to live the life we cannot live (sinless) and die the death due our sin in our place (Romans 6:23, 2 Corinthians 5:21). And anyone – all people – who confess Him as Lord and believe in Him shall be saved (Romans 10:9, 13) – those shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).

If you seek joy and love from the glitz and glamour of the lights and presents around a Christmas tree, you will come up empty. No amount of gifts and trappings found on earth can satisfy – none can save. But Jesus can. He wants to save. So, amid the hustle and the bustle and the gifts and the goings, remember the gift of Christ – the Son of God offered for our salvation. May our hearts rejoice in His presence more than in presents. For Emmanuel – God with us – dispels the darkness, saves souls, produces joy, and freely gives of His love!

And if you need someone to talk to or to just listen to you or pray with you, we at Christ Community would love to point you to the One who can meet your needs. We would love to point you to Jesus (Matthew 11:28-30).

Won’t you gather with us and make much of Him?

Here are our Scriptures & songs:

Advent Reading | JOY

Scripture | Luke 2:8-12 —

⁸And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. ¹⁰And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. ¹¹For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ¹²And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

Song | O Come Let Us Adore Him —
Scripture Inspiration: Luke 1:26-38, Luke 2:13-14, Psalm 8:5, Hebrews 2:7-9, Matthew 26:53, Matthew 2:11, Luke 2:17, 1 Timothy 6:15, Revelation 19:16, Job 38:7, John 1:1, John 1:14

Song | God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen w/We Three Kings —
Scripture Inspiration: Matthew 1:18-25, Matthew 2:1-12, Luke 2:1-20, John 3:16-17, Romans 5:8, Galatians 1:4, John 8:12, Micah 5:2, Revelation 19:16, Psalm 78:35

Advent Reading | LOVE

Scripture | Romans 5:1-8 —

¹Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. ²Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. ³Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, ⁴and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, ⁵and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. ⁶For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. ⁷For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— ⁸but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Song | Joy to the World —
Scripture Inspiration: Psalm 98, Malachi 3:1-2, Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah 11:10, John 12:15, 1 Timothy 6:13-16, Revelation 17:14, Revelation 19:11-16, Matthew 25:1-13, Genesis 3:14-24, Galatians 3:13, Revelation 21:1-7, John 14:6, Exodus 33:19, Psalm 103:8, Isaiah 60:1-22

Song | What a Beautiful Name —
Scripture Inspiration: John 1:1, John 10:30, John 1:14, John 1:3, John 1:10, Matthew 6:13, 1 Timothy 6:15, Isaiah 40:18-20, 1 Timothy 2:3-4, John 14:6, Philippians 2:5-11, Romans 6:23, Romans 8:36-39, Isaiah 9:6, Revelation 1:18, Matthew 27:51, Romans 6:9, Revelation 19:1-6, 1 Corinthians 15:1-8, 1 Corinthians 8:6, Colossians 1:16, Deuteronomy 11:25

Invitation | Adore —
Scripture Inspiration: John 1:14, Philippians 2:6-8, Colossians 1:15-17, Matthew 1:23, John 8:12, John 3:16-17, Psalm 95:6, Psalm 96:9, Philippians 2:9-11, Psalm 103:1, Matthew 2:11, Luke 2:10-16, Romans 12:1, Mark 12:30

Offertory | O Holy Night —
Scripture Inspiration: Luke 2:9-11, Romans 3:23, John 3:16, Isaiah 9:2, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Malachi 4:2, Philippians 2:10-11, John 13:34-35, Matthew 22:37-40, Galatians 5:1, Psalm 95:1-2, Psalm 103:1

"Kept Through the Trial: Jesus's Letter to the Church at Philadelphia" (The KING is Coming) – Refresh & Restore | A JustKeithHarris.com Podcast

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Advent Reading for December 17, 2023 | “The Significance of Names” from Luke 2:21-24

²²And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord ²³(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) ²⁴and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”
Luke 2:21-24

“The Significance of Names”
by Burt Schmitz

Luke brings us from the rejoicing of the angels and shepherds to what seems to be a mundane event. A couple of things happen on the eighth day after His birth that are significant. First, He is circumcised. He receives the sign of the covenant as a descendent of Abraham (Genesis 17:7-12). The baby is now identified as a member of the household of faith. Second, the baby is given His name, Jesus. This is the name that the angel Gabriel told Mary to give her child (Luke 1:31). Jesus, “the Lord is salvation”, is His name. Matthew 1:21 tells us “For He will save His people from their sins.”

Names are significant. When we lived in Togo, we learned that the names that were given to children at their birth could be used to give the child identity as well as to indicate a significant event. My friend Lamoutidja’s name signified that he was born on a Thursday. His name literally means “Thursday’s man”. Lamoutidja had a lot of brothers. Another friend was the first born of his mother and was given the name Nanlieb, “Everyone envies me”. Having a son was very important and especially as a first born.

The name Jesus, “the Lord is salvation”, has great significance for us. It is Jesus, that even from His birth, is identified as the Savior of the world. Luke 2:11, the angels declare, “there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Christ, Messiah, Anointed One, all indicating that Jesus was the Son of God, born to accomplish the task of providing salvation.

Luke 2:29-32 identifies Jesus not only as the Savior of the Jews, but also of the Gentiles, the whole wide world. We see in the names and titles given to Jesus around His birth, circumcision, and purification in the temple that Jesus is the baby born to die. “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12).

What will you do with Jesus?

Reflection Questions:

Reflect on Acts 4:12. Since Jesus is the only way of salvation, how does that impact our desire to share the gospel – good news of great joy – with others?
Today’s devotion closed with a question: what will you do with Jesus? Belief in Him is supposed to impact one’s whole life. How does this question challenge the way our daily lives reflect (or do not reflect) Him?

"Kept Through the Trial: Jesus's Letter to the Church at Philadelphia" (The KING is Coming) – Refresh & Restore | A JustKeithHarris.com Podcast

Advent Reading for December 13, 2023 | “Zechariah’s Hymn of Redemption” from Luke 1:67-80

⁶⁷And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying,

⁶⁸“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
for he has visited and redeemed his people
⁶⁹and has raised up a horn of salvation for us
in the house of his servant David,
⁷⁰as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,
⁷¹that we should be saved from our enemies
and from the hand of all who hate us;
⁷²to show the mercy promised to our fathers
and to remember his holy covenant,
⁷³the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us
⁷⁴that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
might serve him without fear,
⁷⁵in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
⁷⁶And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
⁷⁷to give knowledge of salvation to his people
in the forgiveness of their sins,
⁷⁸because of the tender mercy of our God,
whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high
⁷⁹to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

⁸⁰And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.
Luke 1:67-80

“Zechariah’s Hymn of Redemption”

Zechariah’s song, the Benedictus, bursts forth like a symphony of redemption, echoing through the corridors of history. It begins with the profound proclamation, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people” (Luke 1:68). These words, penned by a man once silenced by disbelief, now resound with the power of prophecy fulfilled and salvation’s promise proclaimed.

Zechariah’s hymn encompasses a tapestry of themes—each thread woven intricately with the divine promises, from David to Abraham, connecting the grand narrative of God’s faithfulness to the imminent arrival of the Messiah. At its core lies the concept of redemption—freedom from captivity and deliverance from sin’s bondage. It echoes the call of Isaiah, foretelling the release of captives and the opening of prison doors. Through Christ, God was inaugurating a new era of liberty, breaking the chains of sin and offering spiritual emancipation to all who believe (Luke 4:18). The imagery of the “horn of salvation” harks back to the Davidic tradition, symbolizing power and victory—assurance that in Christ, the enemy is defeated, and complete triumph prevails for God’s people (Psalm 18:2).

Jesus, the long-awaited Messiah, arrives, tracing His lineage to the royal lineage of David—bringing health, soundness, and spiritual wholeness to a broken world (Micah 5:2). His redemption doesn’t merely liberate; it transforms. The victory achieved by Christ doesn’t end in personal emancipation. Those redeemed are called to live in alignment with God’s will—to embrace freedom not for selfish desires but for a life of obedience and fulfillment in service to the Most High (Colossians 1:12–14).

Central to this anthem is the remission of sin debts. Humanity, indebted by sin, finds its burden lifted by the gracious act of Christ. His sacrifice becomes the means through which debts are canceled—a divine act of mercy that sets the repentant heart free from the chains of guilt and condemnation (Psalm 103:12).

Moreover, Zechariah’s hymn provides a profound metaphor—the dawning of a new day, the rising sun breaking through the darkness of humanity’s plight. Jesus, the Dayspring, brings light, life, and peace to a world shrouded in despair, heralding the tender mercies of God, and initiating a new era of divine grace and restoration (Isaiah 9:2). Zechariah, once mute, now becomes a mouthpiece of divine revelation. His joy is palpable as he rejoices not only in the birth of his son John but in the advent of the Messiah whom John will herald. Through the ages, prophets had foretold this moment, and now, it was finally dawning.

Today, the resonance of Zechariah’s song beckons—a call to believe in the Good News, to embrace the joy of salvation, and to join the chorus of praise for the Redeemer who came from the lineage of David to set the captives free. Just as Zechariah’s voice was restored to praise, may our lives echo with gratitude for the redemption found in Jesus Christ, our Savior and King.

Reflection Questions:

Considering Zechariah’s transformation from silence to praise, how can his experience encourage us to embrace gratitude and praise for the redemption found in Jesus? How might this echo our thankfulness for the salvation He brings?
Look at the imagery of the sun rising and chasing away darkness in vv. 78-79. How does the image of Jesus being like the bright sun rising and the darkness being unable to stand before Him help you understand His first coming? How about His second coming?

"Kept Through the Trial: Jesus's Letter to the Church at Philadelphia" (The KING is Coming) – Refresh & Restore | A JustKeithHarris.com Podcast

Advent Reading for December 10, 2023 | “Leaping for Joy Because Jesus is Coming” from Luke 1:39-45

³⁹In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, ⁴⁰and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. ⁴¹And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, ⁴²and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! ⁴³And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? ⁴⁴For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. ⁴⁵And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”
Luke 1:39-45

“Leaping for Joy Because Jesus is Coming”

Today’s passage is short, but it paints a beautifully vivid picture of life and worship.

Imagine what it would have been like. Mary had just received the news from the angel (Luke 1:26-38) and had headed out to visit with her cousin Elizabeth. She had no idea that God had similarly blessed Elizabeth until the moment they came into each other’s presence. John, still within Elizabeth’s womb, leapt for joy because the One – the Messiah, Jesus the Christ – he was born to proclaim and be the forerunner for had come near – even though Jesus was still in Mary’s womb, too! Some would say that this was just babies kicking or coincidence, but the Word of God says it was more. The Word says it was the Holy Spirit moving in baby John. The Word says it was joy. And so it was.

Around this time of year, the song “Mary Did You Know?” is very popular, and if you have not heard it yet, you will surely hear it soon. We spend a lot of time speculating what Mary did or did not know. One thing for sure, that young woman must have been scared wondering who in their right mind would ever believe a virgin had conceived a child. What would people say? But the reaction of Elizabeth and her unborn son must have been such a relief! All Mary had to do was give a simple, “Hello”, to prompt Elizabeth to be filled with God’s Spirit and worship.

Sometimes, I think it is easy to miss things in brief sections like this – couched between Mary getting the news about Jesus and Mary’s song of worship regarding the whole situation. But one thing for sure, the Spirit wanted to make sure that Elizabeth and John did not miss the significance – that they did not miss Jesus.

What about you? It is only December 10, but I am sure the hustle and bustle of the season are already upon you. There are plays and parties and presents galore. Schedules fill quicker that a Griswold’s eggnog glass. We casually talk about the reason for the season and how easy it is to lose focus. What if we asked God’s Spirit to move in us and ignite worship at the recognition of who Jesus is? What if we spent more time in the Word this Christmas than the Wal-Mart? What if we recognized that Jesus’s coming was imminent?

May God move in our hearts this Christmas and help us fix our eyes on Jesus!

Reflection Questions:

The passage shows Elizabeth and John’s joy that Jesus would be coming soon. In what ways can you cultivate a sense of anticipation of Jesus’s return during this Christmas season?
Today’s devotion ends with a prayer for God to move in our hearts and help us fix our eyes on Jesus. How does this prayer resonate with your own desires?

"Kept Through the Trial: Jesus's Letter to the Church at Philadelphia" (The KING is Coming) – Refresh & Restore | A JustKeithHarris.com Podcast

Advent Reading for December 9, 2023 | “Trusting Our Miraculous God: A Lesson in Faith” from Luke 1:26-38

²⁶In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, ²⁷to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. ²⁸And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” ²⁹But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. ³⁰And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. ³¹And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus. ³²He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His father David, ³³and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His Kingdom there will be no end.”
³⁴And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”
³⁵And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy – the Son of God. ³⁶And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. ³⁷For nothing will be impossible with God.” ³⁸And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
Luke 1:26-38

“Trusting Our Miraculous God: A Lesson in Faith”
by Portia Weeks Collins

In these treasured verses of Luke, we encounter the angel Gabriel’s visit to Mary in Nazareth. Gabriel brings a message of great joy. Specifically, Gabriel shares with Mary, a young, humble, virgin woman, that she will conceive and give birth to Jesus, who will be called the Son of the Most High. Mary’s reaction combines astonishment and faith, illustrating both an understandable human response to a divine revelation, but also a profound trust in God’s plan.

Gabriel’s announcement to Mary is not merely news for her, but it’s good news for all who will rest the full measure of their faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Gabriel’s message to Mary is, in essence, a revelation of God’s redemptive plan and marks the inauguration of God’s Kingdom. God’s intent to intersect the extraordinary with the ordinary is displayed through his choosing Mary to bear His only begotten Son. God chose an ordinary woman, to navigate an ordinary pregnancy, and ultimately give birth to an extraordinary Savior who would redeem the world. Mary’s response shows her readiness to accept God’s will, even without full comprehension.

As we enter the advent season, let’s reflect on Mary’s example. She embraced God’s plan with faith and humility even when she didn’t quite understand. This is a call we should heed, too. Let us be fully available and submissive to God’s workings, even when they are beyond our understanding. From studying and meditating on this passage, may we be encouraged to trust in the Lord’s greater plan, find joy in the ordinary, and willingly respond to the Lord (in all things), “May it happen to me as you have said” (Luke 1:38).

Reflection Questions:

In what areas of your life do you need to exercise more faith and trust in God’s plan?
How can you cultivate a heart that responds to God’s will with the same openness and humility as Mary?

"Kept Through the Trial: Jesus's Letter to the Church at Philadelphia" (The KING is Coming) – Refresh & Restore | A JustKeithHarris.com Podcast

Advent Reading for December 8, 2023 | “Divine Surprises and Unforeseen Grace” from Luke 1:5-25

          ⁵In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. ⁶And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. ⁷But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.

          ⁸Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, ⁹according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. ¹⁰And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. ¹¹And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. ¹²And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. ¹³But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. ¹⁴And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, ¹⁵for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. ¹⁶And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, ¹⁷and he will go before him in the spirit of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”

          ¹⁸And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” ¹⁹And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. ²⁰And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.” ²¹And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering at his delay in the temple. ²²And when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he kept making signs to them and remained mute. ²³And when his time of service ended, he went to his home.

          ²⁴After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, ²⁵“Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”
Luke 1:5-25

“Divine Surprises and Unforeseen Grace”
by Will Goff

Imagine with me for a minute here: you work at a restaurant and at the end of each shift, you draw straws to see who is going to have to stay late and cleanup. Your name gets drawn and so everybody else leaves. You’re alone and you know that nobody else should be in the building, but when you’re cleaning the counter, out of your peripheral vision, you see somebody standing there. Talking about jumping out of your skin! I would probably throw the rag at the person and kick the bucket as I’m scrambling to get away. That’s what it was like for Zechariah when the angel appeared to him.

The angel says, “Do not be afraid,” but it was too late for that. He was already shaking and overwhelmed with fear – like the shock you feel when something really startles you. But then the angel gives Zechariah good news. The angel tells him that they will have a son. This is special for multiple reasons, but the biggest is the fact that Zechariah and his wife, Elizabeth, well past childbearing age with no children – so at least in their 50s or 60s. Can you imagine having your first child in your 60s? They thought they couldn’t have kids (v. 7). Talk about shock on top of shock!

And Zechariah did what most of us would do. He had questions and doubt instead of faith, but he gets answers for his questions and then some. Because of his doubt, the angel told him he wouldn’t be able to speak until the child was born. One of the most common verses we use at our house is James 1:19, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to get angry.” We use this at our house because we all are too quick to speak instead of being quick to listen. What is God trying to tell you right now? Maybe you can’t hear him because you won’t stop talking. Silence may feel awkward for us, but many times God speaks in a still, small voice.

Picture this: despite Zechariah’s wavering faith in that divine encounter, God had monumental plans for both him and Elizabeth. The answer to his questioning wasn’t just a clarification; it was a revelation about their son—John the Baptist. Zechariah, entrusted with tending the temple’s incense and interceding for Israel in prayer, seemingly also pleaded with God for a child. Remarkably, both requests were met with overflowing abundance. The child born to them would be “filled with the Holy Spirit” (v. 15), leading many of Israel’s children back to their God (v. 16), and paving the way for a prepared people for the Lord (v. 17). It wasn’t just good news for Zechariah, Elizabeth, and Israel; it resonates with us today.

Zechariah’s response to this revelation resulted in a temporary silence imposed upon him. And Elizabeth? Her words are few, but their impact profound: “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people” (v. 25). Swift to listen, slow to utter. Yet, God removed her shame. He granted her a son destined to ready His people for His imminent arrival. It’s the narrative of God stepping in to remove the reproach of all who turn to Him. Zechariah and Elizabeth’s son’s name would be John – literally translated, “Yahweh has shown grace”. He showed grace to Zechariah and Elizabeth by sending John, and to the whole world by sending Jesus. That, my friends, is indeed good news!

Reflection Questions:

Zechariah was overwhelmed with big news that made his fears and faith clash. What happens (or has happened specifically) when such clashes happen in our lives?
Reflect on Elizabeth’s statement in v. 25: “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.” How does God’s grace in removing shame or reproach resonate with your own experience of God’s power to save?