Who's Discipline?

Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years." The angel answered, "I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time."
luke 1:18-20

so i was reading this verse last night, and thot to myself, 'i wonder if Gabriel chose (on his own accord) to discipline Zechariah for his disbelief, or was it God?' we know what happened when satan chose for himself to be like God. (How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! Isaiah 14:14) and if Gabriel chose for himself that Zechariah should be disciplined, than what other types of 'punishment' can these angels inflict?

i can't help but think about satan's conversation with God regarding Job. God and satan go back and forth about what satan was allowed to do to Job. satan had a choice to mess with Job, and God allowed him that 'pleasure'. satan was an angel -then converted to the dark side.

i can nearly hear denise's comments on this one...

Jesus,
You are Lord of all Lord. You knew satan before his fall. You know the answer to my question, about angels chosing to discipline on their own. so i ask You, do angels discipline on their own, or do they carry out your instructions only? i suppose if i knew the answer that my life would not be changed, but just knowing would rock my world.

in either case, i pray to You, knowing You are able to give and take away. You the Holy One of Israel - in the midst of this gaza evacuation. You are in the midst of the hurricane, as well as the heart beat of ministries who counsel illegal sexually trafficked young women. i trust You, and i place my trust in You - the omniscience One. and You know my desire to go on a mission trip.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen

*Burke & Deena *Karen & Paul *Laura & Paul

To Know Jesus...

So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
Luke 11:9-10

many of us have heard this verse a thousand times. we know it - our heads know this verse. but do our hearts? do we get that the Savoir of the world, the Lover of our souls, the One who redeems us, is asking us to ask Him for whatever is laid upon our hearts?

i've been reminded lately of how i am to be in love with the man, Jesus Christ. when i read God's Word, i tend to read all the books except the gospels. why is that? i love the history books, the minor prophets, the epistles and revelation! what is it that draws me away from the gospels? i'm yet to find the answer to that question, but i'm forcing myself to delve into the life of Jesus, to rediscover the way he treated his disciples and the people of the culture. He was a man of power, yet gentle enough to look upon children as his own. that is an amazing man!

Lord Jesus,
how good is it to know You. You're drawing me in, teaching me of Yourself in ways that i could have never imagined. i love the way You allow me to see You thru Your Word. thanks for coming to earth and making Your dwelling among us. Fuel this desire to know You - my heart's desire is to know You and to do what You desire of me. surprise me, Jesus - i love surprises!
in Your powerful Name - Jesus ~ Amen

*Derrick *my Dad *Jerry