Good morning, I am sorry I have been missing in action. Winters are hard on me. Perhaps you can relate!

As many of you know I have some chronic ailments–migraines and low back pain. Often, daily, I am affected by pain. In October, my left shoulder started bothering me. Fast forward to this week, now there seems to be concern with my neck.

However, I’ve stayed active–family, working, and bible study.  I am studying the book of Revelation with Bible Study Fellowship. For fun, I am doing Luke in the Land by Kristi McLelland with At the Well Online Community. I am a leader for Bible Study Fellowship.

So, what has been happening on the dusty road with Jesus. And what has been happening with you? How are you doing on your goals for 2025?

Family

At home–my youngest son was able to go to Arizona for work. While he is there, his son is with us. I’ve been giving him cooking lessons. So today, we made pancakes. My husband is doing okay. He drives me to work. Our oldest son and his family are well and doing good things.  How is God working in your family?

Work

At work, it has been a year since I changed my schedule to working three, 12-hour shifts in a row per week. Last week a man had a heart attack. His wife said he woke her up at 3 a.m. and said to call 911. He was in the hospital in 20 minutes. The results of exams showing major need–surgery to save his life. He needed to go to another hospital. We prayed.

Beloved, I must say that God is using me. Henry Blackaby said, “God is at work all around you and invites you to join Him.”

God uses me to pray with families and with the patients. Additionally, I encourage the nurses and social workers with whom I work.

How about you are you being utilized in your workplace, your home?

Personally

Personally- I’ve been reading Revelation and Luke. God’s word is active and alive.

For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12

I love to study God’s word and to be an encouragement to other women, so today I want to share with you what the Holy Spirit shared with me while reading Luke 1.

Bible Study

Luke 1. I am awed by the passage on Zechariah.

He is a priest, married to Elizabeth. She is unable to have children–yet so faithful, her story is in the scriptures. We do not see her complaining like Sarah or trying to manipulate her situation. Having children was very important. However, this story is about Zechariah.

Beloved, while Zechariah was in the inner sanctuary, the inner room, where no one was allowed, an angel appeared out of nowhere, and Zechariah was troubled. He was afraid. He was full of fear. Most likely the angel was beautiful, and very bright.

The angel speaks to Zechariah, and he tells him that Elizabeth will have a baby, they will become parents to a child that will go ahead of Jesus. Zechariah says to the angel, ” How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.”

The doubt of them ever having a child must have been there a long time–just my thought.

Why did Zechariah have difficulty believing Gabriel message? Vs 13.

Which of God’s promises have been hard for you to believe? Why?

What have you been praying for that God has yet to answer?

Sweet friends, as I read this, I began to think of my own prayer life. How many times do I pray with unbelief? Oh, at the hospital, I pray with authority and belief. When I was in my prayer ministry at Freedom in Christ, I prayed believing. However, how many of my personal prayers am I praying believing that God will answer?

Well, we know the consequence of his unbelief, he went nine months not being able to speak audibly. He had to write everything down. But on the day John the Baptist was born and Zechariah said wrote what his name was, his tongue was set free.

Application

Beloved, the verse from John 8:28, ” You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free,” and this is a life changing verse.

As we read the Bible and apply the truth, the truth of God’s word will set you free.

The prayer I said for the man in the hospital was answered the next day. He was transferred from Mercy to Kansas City for the open-heart surgery he needed.

My personal prayers for my health are being answered in a different way–I know what is wrong and can pursue some different options to manage the pain.

The dusty road with Jesus continues daily as I seek to serve Him.

Will you make it your goal to serve Him?

How does this story of Zechariah strengthen your faith?