MARCH 4 - JESUS AND JOHN THE BAPTIST
READ Luke 1
The births of John and Jesus are foretold.
INSIGHT
How do you think you would feel if you were suddenly in the presence of an angel? If you’re like the Biblical characters, you would feel . . . afraid. Scripture recounts several instances of human beings coming face-to-face with supernatural beings. Most of those occasions were frightening - even terrifying - to the persons involved. But God’s messengers understand our fear. And they do their best to assuage it. When Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary, he saw her troubled look and said, “Do not be afraid.” That’s what God says to us throughout our lives. Drawing us into His holy presence, He reassures us that we need not fear. God loves us, Christ died for us, and God has a plan for our lives. So we can approach Him with complete confidence!
PRAYER
Express your praise to the Lord in the words of Scripture:
The Lord is my light and my salvation —
whom should I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life —
whom should I dread?
When evildoers came against me to devour my flesh,
my foes and my enemies stumbled and fell.
Though an army deploys against me,
my heart will not be afraid;
Though a war breaks out against me,
I will still be confident (Psalm 27:1-3).
As you seek to keep your life free from sin, offer this prayer of confession to the Lord:
Then I said:
Woe is me for I am ruined
because I am a man of unclean lips
and live among a people of unclean lips,
and because my eyes have seen the King,
the Lord of Armies (Isaiah 6:5).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Pause to pray this passage of affirmation to the Lord:
Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ (Ephesians 1:3).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
Finally, close with this prayer:
But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ (Ephesians 2:13).
The births of John and Jesus are foretold.
INSIGHT
How do you think you would feel if you were suddenly in the presence of an angel? If you’re like the Biblical characters, you would feel . . . afraid. Scripture recounts several instances of human beings coming face-to-face with supernatural beings. Most of those occasions were frightening - even terrifying - to the persons involved. But God’s messengers understand our fear. And they do their best to assuage it. When Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary, he saw her troubled look and said, “Do not be afraid.” That’s what God says to us throughout our lives. Drawing us into His holy presence, He reassures us that we need not fear. God loves us, Christ died for us, and God has a plan for our lives. So we can approach Him with complete confidence!
PRAYER
Express your praise to the Lord in the words of Scripture:
The Lord is my light and my salvation —
whom should I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life —
whom should I dread?
When evildoers came against me to devour my flesh,
my foes and my enemies stumbled and fell.
Though an army deploys against me,
my heart will not be afraid;
Though a war breaks out against me,
I will still be confident (Psalm 27:1-3).
As you seek to keep your life free from sin, offer this prayer of confession to the Lord:
Then I said:
Woe is me for I am ruined
because I am a man of unclean lips
and live among a people of unclean lips,
and because my eyes have seen the King,
the Lord of Armies (Isaiah 6:5).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Pause to pray this passage of affirmation to the Lord:
Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ (Ephesians 1:3).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
- Greater confidence in God’s love
- Evangelism in your community
- Your activities for the day
- Whatever else is on your heart
Finally, close with this prayer:
But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ (Ephesians 2:13).
A Dogwood Church Discipleship Ministry Resource. © Walk Thru the Bible 2026.