“And the whole multitude of the people were in prayer outside at the hour of the incense offering.  And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense” (Luke 1:10-11).

Do angels still appear?  Beware, there are angels who come, and you do not know it.  Angels are messengers from God.  Yes, there are the angelic beings, but the Lord sends messengers every day.  Do not focus upon the messenger, but upon the message.  Take in the word of the Lord and know that the word of the Lord never comes back void.  Believe that the Lord sends you messages every day. His Holy Spirit is with you wherever you are.

Lord, I am often of the mind that unless the heavens open and a choir is singing, it cannot be a message from You.  Help me to realize that Your word can come from any place You choose.  Lead me such that I anticipate each day that You will send Your word.  Open my spirit to receive You and to discern that it is You, for I understand that the wicked one will seek to deceive me.

Lord Jesus, teach me to pray.  Help me to be discerning so that I know Your word when it is spoken.  Guide me to better understand the way things are according to the Father.  Aid me to be the moral and decent person You have created me to be.  Lead me in all of Your ways, listening each day as You give me guidance through the Holy Spirit and with any angels You may send my way.  Amen.

“Now it happened that while he was performing his priestly service before God in the appointed order of his division, according to the custom of the priestly office, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense” (Luke 1:8-9).

Zacharias was a priest.  As was probably true of many, members of the tribes mixed through marriage over the years.  John was of the priestly class, and Jesus would be in the lineage of David.  The Lord assigns each of us to where we are.  There are many gifts, but one body.  We each have the duties He has assigned.  Will we be faithful or use the gifts for our own ends?  To be faithful is the highest calling.

Lord, You have created me to be who I am in the circumstances in which You have placed me.  Guide me so that I humbly live the life You have given me.  Let me not covet what is not mine, but seek to be content in every circumstance, doing what You give me to do.  Through all things You will make of me what You intend.  Help me to be faithful to You through all that I experience in this age.

Lord Jesus, You have come so that I may live into the life for which I was created.  Guide me in the right way of living such that I seek to do the best I can.  Help me to develop as Your disciple, learning to love You and my neighbor according to the Father’s will.  Teach me what it means to be a servant and then aid me to serve as You enable me.  Through all things, lead me into faithfulness.  Amen.

“They were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord.  But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in years” (Luke 1:6-7).

In those days, it was considered a curse to be without a child.  What a contrast to these days.  The Lord is the Lord and He has His reasons for all things in every age.  The blessings we receive are neither from our good acts nor the result of our bad acts.  The Lord blesses whom He will.  History is His story.  Look for what the Lord is doing amidst all that happens around you.  He has and will bless you.

Lord, this world is very conditional.  So often I think in terms of, “If I do good, You will bless me.”  Help me to think instead that You have and are blessing me.  I am in Your hands and because I am in Your hands You will lead me in the way I need to go.  What will happen will occur and all things will work together for my good because of Your love.  Help me to better understand the way things really are.

Lord Jesus, You walked this world and demonstrated a consistent attitude which lacked anxiety.  You said that You were in constant communion with the Father.  Help me to walk with You and do the same.  This world will go where it goes.  Help me to live a life that is learning the lessons You will teach me.  Whether or not I have what others have, You will give or withhold for Your own reasons.  Lead me to trust You above all circumstances.  Amen.

“In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah; and he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth” (Luke:1:5).

The Gospel gives us the time and place.  Unlike mythology, we can trace the time and place when and where these things happened.  The world tries to deny it, but every attempt at discrediting these things has been shattered.  Although we no longer have the scrolls of the lineage (they were destroyed by the Romans), in that day, it was there and available for the first witnesses.  Luke is reporting on actual indisputable events that took place.

Lord, the arrogance of our era sees many who want to deny these things, but there were no contemporary witnesses who refuted them; but only a claim that Christ was not raised from the dead, despite the hundreds of witnesses who saw the risen Christ.  Help me to not fall for the traps of this unbelieving generation but receive the truth which You have revealed for all people.

Lord, just as it was reported through these words as well as other accounts, this world has been filled with so many who are skeptical and unbelieving.  Bring me through the foolish doubts of this age to understand the truth You have revealed.  Because You live, I too shall live.  In You I have hope and an eternal future.  Come to me in the fulness of the Gospel and reveal what You would have me see and understand.  Amen.

“Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught” (Luke 1:1-4).

Theophilus is questioning things.  Luke puts together a Gospel account for those who question.  It is filled with details.  This is done so that you may know the things you have been taught are true.  Ultimately, whether you receive the report or reject it, the report is given so that you may believe.  The world criticizes, but God offers you the truth about these things.  Which will you believe?

Lord, You have given us four Gospel accounts, each with their own purpose, but all saying the same thing.  By grace through faith, You have redeemed us from the rebellion and condemnation that comes from sin.  Help me to understand and believe.  Let me not fall into the trap of constant criticism but believe that You have redeemed me and are making me one who is more like Christ, my Savior.

Lord Jesus, God in the flesh, You have come to rescue as many as will turn to You and have a life as You have created it to be lived.  Guide me in the right way of living which You have demonstrated in Your ministry as reported in this book.  Help me to open my eyes to the large and small things, take them in and watch them as they become a part of who I am in You.  Be the One who opens my eyes to see and understand.  Amen.

[And they promptly reported all these instructions to Peter and his companions. And after that, Jesus Himself sent out through them from east to west the sacred and imperishable proclamation of eternal salvation] (Mark 16: RSV footnote – this verse is questioned by some as to whether or not it was in the original Gospel, but still useful).

The Lord has allowed this reflection of the book of Acts to be included.  The world looks for reasons not to believe, but the Lord grants witness after witness for those who believe.  The proclamation of eternal salvation has gone to the ends of the earth, but there are always more who have not heard of the saving grace won by Christ from the cross.  Receive the witness and believe.

Lord, I hear so many things and I am often confused.  You have sent the Gospel out for those who believe.  In the simplicity of the salvation which You have given me in Christ, help me to live the Gospel through all that I do.  Guide me to be a messenger wherever I go, living the truth of the salvation which You have made possible through the death and resurrection of Christ my Savior.

Risen Lord of salvation, lead me ever deeper into all that this means.  Help me to live according to the plan the Father has for me so that I too may be a part of spreading the truth of Your purpose for all whom You have redeemed.  Guide me in Your grace in order that I may now, and always, humbly follow where You lead.  Help me to not so much question as to learn how to listen and obey all that You have commanded.  Amen.

“So then, when the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.  And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word by the signs that followed” (Mark 16:19-20).

The truth changes all our wrong thinking.  Those who fear what this life may bring and live without grace are subject to the winds of the day.  Those who know that the Lord is watching over us all trust that, live or die, we belong to Him and that in Him, though we die, yet shall we live.  Faith brings us into right relationship with our God.  Live the life You have been given and in living, you will be His witness.

Lord, help my unbelief.  You have given me the gift of faith, and in that faith, You have told me that You have a purpose for my life.  I am often circumstantial and want what I want in the moment, and the truth is, I do not really know what I want.  Take me out of the crazy circles of uncertainty in this life in order to live into the life You have set before me.  You have given us the words of eternal life.

Lord Jesus, where I doubt, remind me that You are leading the way.  Where I become conditional, remove the obstacles so that I will trust You above all things, especially my circumstances.  When I fear, grant me knowledge of Your love, knowing that perfect love casts out all fear.  Be the One who is leading me through all of the circumstances that will come before me.  Amen.

“These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover” (Mark 16:17-18).

Trusting in the Lord is a matter of looking to Him for all things.  He will guide and protect you when you walk in His ways.  Those who believe will do amazing things, but that does not mean that all will.  Some faithful have never cast out demons or have been bitten by serpents and been poisoned.  The point is, in the Lord He will cause all things to work together.  Trust Him and the gifts He gives you.

Lord, the sinner in me says, “Give me the magic.”  Rebuke that, gracious Lord, so that I may trust that as I live and then die in this age, it fulfills Your purpose.  Lead me to know that if You do want a special gift in me, I will know it and it shall be used for the Father’s glory.  Guide me out of worldly thinking in its terms of greed and jealousy to have a new mind that seeks what is right and fitting for every situation.

Lord Jesus, You were crucified. and rose from the dead, preparing the way for all who follow You.  Let me not test You but believe that the Father is always watching over me.  No matter the circumstances, help me to hold fast to the faith You have given me.  Guide me in the way You set before me knowing that all things will work together for good for Your bride, the church.  Amen.

“And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.  He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned” (Mark 16:15-16).

The good news of the Gospel is not something we just sit on and think about.  We are to live it.  Wherever we go, we are an ambassador for our Risen Lord.  We are to grow in the faith we have been given and be a living witness at all times and in all places.  No matter our circumstance, we are to affirm the truth that Christ has risen from the dead and that all who believe will be united with Him eternally.  Walk as one who has been redeemed.

Lord, this is of Your doing and not mine.  All I can do is reflect the light which You have caused to illumine my heart and mind.  Help me to learn that this gift of faith You have given me is not something private, but it is now who I am.  I am Yours.  You have redeemed me at the cost of Your body given for me and Your own shed blood.  You have redeemed me for purpose in Your kingdom.  Help me to learn what it means to be Your witness.

Lord Jesus, You are my teacher.  Coming to faith and knowing that You have been raised from the dead is the narrow gate to the journey of faith.  Help me to embark on this journey following You as You lead me.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to understand that only in You is there a true life.  Help me to be a consistent witness of Your grace and mercy so that others may come to You in faith.  Amen.

“Afterward He appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at the table; and He reproached them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who had seen Him after He had risen” (Mark 16:14).

Does the Lord need to reproach you for your unbelieving hardness of heart?  Do not test the Lord.  He has spoken the words of eternal life, and You have received them.  Be not unbelieving, but believing, and live in the faith which You have been given.  Trust the Holy Spirit to awaken your heart if another gives you a witness of the Risen Lord, knowing that you have received the truth when the Risen Lord is proclaimed.

Lord, living in a skeptical and unbelieving generation I am hammered all day long by those who are hostile to the faith.  Sadly, it too often influences me and doubts arise.  To go to unbelief, I have to deny what I already believe is true.  Help me to learn how to hold fast to the truth that I first received.  Let the truth of Your resurrection dwell richly in my heart, soul, and mind.

Lord Jesus, You have come to save us; and we all need saving.  You have come so that we may have true life and not live in the doubts of this foolish world.  Lead me to live in the faith You have given me.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to humbly walk with You no matter what those around me say or do.  Teach me how to be a faithful witness of Your resurrection as You conform me to Your image.  Amen.