THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS
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The class was "Marketing." It was a class in the Master's Degree Program at the university. We were given an assignment to "develop a product, and estimate the marketing potential" of that product.
Before class was over, the professor said he would like to make one suggestion. "There are three simple rules to marketing. First, a good marketable product is relatively inexpensive to develop. Second, that product is easily marketable. And third, that product fulfills a NEED or a DEMAND by the public."
"Soooo," the professor continued, "When you are considering the development of your product, try to think of one that costs ten cents, sells for a dollar, and is habit forming."
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Luke 1:68-75
68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
70 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:
71 That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;
72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;
73 The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,
74 That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,
75 In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.
KJV
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In "marketing," the advertisements are important; but the product is the most important thing! Now follow with me through a short but important thought process.
Zacharias was an aged priest. He and his wife, Elizabeth, never had any children. The angel Gabriel came and told Zacharias that he and Elizabeth would have a son. That son would be John the Baptist. He would be the "forerunner" of the Christ, the promised Messiah.
Zacharias was skeptical about such a miracle happening to a couple as old as they were. Therefore, Gabriel also told him he would be stricken dumb until the child was born.
Now Elizabeth and Mary were cousins. When John the Baptist was born of Elizabeth, Mary was still six months from delivery.
When their baby was born, Zacharias was "filled with the Holy Ghost," and began to speak. The fact that Zacharias SPOKE astonished those around him. Part of what he spoke is our Scripture above.
Notice that Zacharias doesn't speak of his own son, but he speaks of the "SAVIOR," Who is to be born of Mary!
John the Baptist became the advertisement for the Product! Jesus is a product of God's mercy and grace to mankind! All men are sinners and NEED a Savior!
Jesus is cheaper than ten cents, He's FREE! Free to all who will surrender to Him.
Jesus is easily "marketable." All one has to do is TELL about Him.
And when Jesus is received in a person's heart, He is HABIT FORMING!
Let us "...serve Him without fear, In holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days of our life."
Love ya,
Bruce