Author: Margarita & Stace Crews

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DIVISION OF ABIJAH DESCENDANT OF AARON / LUKE 1:5

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Luke 1:5

There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.

The Hidden Glory of Ordinary Faithfulness: Lessons from Luke 1:5

Have you ever felt like you are just going through the motions of your daily routine, wondering if God still sees you or has a plan for your life? When we open the Gospel of Luke, we are immediately dropped into a detailed historical setting that reminds us how deeply God cares about order, legacy, and long-standing faithfulness, even in times of profound silence.

Rooted in a Sacred Legacy

Luke 1:5 introduces us to a couple living in the days of Herod, king of Judea: “There was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron.”

For an ancient Jewish reader, this single verse carried an incredible amount of weight. Both Zechariah and Elizabeth possessed a flawless spiritual pedigree. They didn’t just marry into the priesthood; they were both direct descendants of Aaron, Moses’ brother, through whom God originally established the eternal priesthood.

Furthermore, Zechariah belonged to the Division of Abijah. Centuries earlier, King David recognized that the priestly family had grown too large for everyone to serve in the temple at once. To ensure orderly worship, David organized the priests into 24 distinct divisions (1 Chronicles 24). The family of Abijah was designated as the eighth division (1 Chronicles 24:10), standing as a recognized head of the priestly families (Nehemiah 12:12).

Faithfulness in the Quiet Seasons

What makes this history so powerful is the contrast between their glorious heritage and their painful reality. For 400 years, Israel had experienced prophetic silence. No new scriptures were being written, and no prophets were speaking “Thus says the Lord.” On top of this national silence, Zechariah and Elizabeth carried a heavy personal sorrow: they were childless and well advanced in years (Luke 1:7).

Yet, despite the cultural stigma of barrenness and the centuries of divine silence, Zechariah still put on his priestly robes when the Division of Abijah was called to duty. He didn’t abandon his post. He kept showing up, keeping the lamps lit and incense burning, completely unaware that his ordinary day of routine service would become the moment God broke His centuries-long silence.

Your Position Matters to God

Your current season might feel like a repetitive routine, or you might be enduring a long, quiet waiting room of unanswered prayer. But Luke 1:5 stands as a monument to divine timing. God remembers his covenants. He numbers the divisions, He knows the lineages, and He values the quiet adherence to duty.

Like Zechariah and Elizabeth, your job is not to force the miracle, but to remain righteous and blameless in the position God has placed you. Your routine faithfulness is the precise staging ground for God’s sudden breakthroughs.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, Almighty God,

We thank You that You are a God of order, covenant, and perfect timing. Forgive us for the times we grow weary in the waiting or assume Your silence means Your absence. We thank You for the example of Zechariah and Elizabeth, who honored their heritage and remained steadfast in their duties even when their hearts were heavy.

Lord, anchor our hearts in the truth that You see our quiet faithfulness. Strengthen us to stand firm in the roles and divisions You have assigned to us in this life. May we keep our lamps burning and our prayers rising, trusting that You are always working behind the scenes to redeem our pain and fulfill Your glorious promises.

In Jesus’ mighty name we pray, Amen.

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Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. THEOPHILUS / LUKE 1:1-4
  2. Crews N Away: Anchored in Grace

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

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Living with Fibromyalgia: A Journey of Strength, Faith, and Perseverance

In 2003, my life changed with two words I had never expected to hear: fibromyalgia diagnosis. At the time, I didn’t fully understand what it meant. I only knew that my body hurt constantly, my exhaustion felt unbearable, and no amount of sleep ever seemed to help. For years before the diagnosis, I felt like I was fighting a battle no one else could see.

Fibromyalgia is often called an “invisible illness,” and that description could not be more accurate. From the outside, people may think you look fine. They cannot see the burning pain in your muscles, the stiffness in your joints, the migraines, the brain fog, or the overwhelming fatigue that can make even simple daily tasks feel impossible.

When I was diagnosed in 2003, there was far less awareness about fibromyalgia than there is today. Many people did not understand it. Some questioned whether it was even real. That made the journey even harder because, along with the physical pain, there was emotional pain too. It is difficult trying to explain an illness that others cannot see or fully understand.

Over the years, I have learned that living with fibromyalgia requires constant adjustment. Some days are manageable, while other days feel like climbing a mountain just to get out of bed. There are moments when the pain flares unexpectedly and steals the plans I had for the day. Fibromyalgia teaches you to slow down, listen to your body, and extend grace to yourself.

One of the hardest parts has been mourning the life I once had. Chronic illness changes things. It changes routines, relationships, energy levels, and sometimes even dreams. But through the struggle, I have also discovered strength I never knew I possessed.

I have learned the importance of celebrating small victories. On difficult days, success may simply mean making it through the day with courage. I have learned to appreciate moments of peace, rest, laughter, and support from those who truly care.

Faith has also carried me through some of my darkest moments. There were nights filled with tears, frustration, and exhaustion when I questioned why this journey had become part of my life. Yet even in the pain, I found comfort knowing I was never alone. God’s strength became my strength when I felt weak.

One scripture that has encouraged me throughout this journey is:

“My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9

That verse reminds me that even when my body feels fragile, I can still walk forward with hope.

Living with fibromyalgia since 2003 has not been easy, but it has taught me resilience, compassion, patience, and faith. To anyone else living with chronic pain or invisible illness: you are not alone. Your pain is real. Your struggle matters. And even on the hardest days, your life still holds purpose, value, and beauty.

Fibromyalgia may be part of my story, but it does not define who I am. I am stronger than the pain, and I will continue moving forward one day at a time.

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. CREWS N AWAY: ANCHORED IN GRACE

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessing, Margarita & Stace

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THEOPHILUS / LUKE 1:1-4

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Luke 1:1-4

Certainty in what you have been taught: A Reflection on Luke 1:1-4

Have you ever found yourself questioning the foundations of your faith? In an age saturated with information, opinions, and competing truth claims, it is easy to feel adrift. If you have ever craved absolute certainty about the things you believe, you are not alone. In fact, the very beginning of the Gospel of Luke addresses this exact human need.

Let’s look at the opening words of this Gospel:

“Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.” — Luke 1:1-4 (NIV)

Who is Theophilus?

Luke addresses his writing to a man named Theophilus, a title meaning “lover of God” or “friend of God.” By addressing him as “most excellent,” Luke suggests that Theophilus was likely a high-ranking Roman official.

Imagine this prominent figure sitting in a position of worldly power, yet wrestling with internal questions about this new, radical faith called Christianity. He had received instruction, but he lacked grounding. Luke writes specifically to anchor this man’s faith in historical reality.

The Foundations of Certainty

Luke reminds us that Christian faith is not built on blind sentimentality, clever myths, or vague philosophy. It is built on three solid pillars:

  • Eyewitness Testimony: The gospel message relies on the accounts of those who walked, talked, and ate with Jesus. They saw His miracles, witnessed His death, and encountered Him alive after the resurrection.
  • Careful Investigation: Luke did not just repeat rumors. As a physician and historian, he meticulously investigated the facts, interviewed witnesses, and tracked the evidence from the very beginning.
  • Orderly Truth: Faith benefits from structure and clarity. Luke compiles an orderly narrative so that our intellect and our spirit can rest secure in the truth of who Jesus is.

Resting in the Truth

You may not be a first-century Roman official, but if you love God, you are a “Theophilus” too. Luke wrote these verses for you.

When doubts whisper that your faith is a fairy tale, or when the chaos of the world shakes your peace, look back to the evidence. The Gospel is an account of real events, real history, and a real Savior. You can know the certainty of the things you have been taught. Step out into your week with confidence, knowing your faith stands on an unshakable foundation.

A Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the beautiful clarity and truth of Your Word. We praise You that our faith does not rest on human cleverness, but on the solid foundation of historical reality and eyewitness truth. Forgive us for the moments when our hearts waver or when doubt clouds our vision.

Just as You strengthened Theophilus, we ask that You would anchor our minds and hearts in absolute certainty today. Grant us a deeper hunger to study Your scriptures and a steadfast confidence in the gospel message. May the truth of Jesus Christ rule our hearts, guide our steps, and give us peace that passes all understanding.

In the holy name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend resources that genuinely encourage your faith walk.

Bible Study Tools I Use

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. Crews N Away: Anchored in Grace

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

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A New Season

Hi, welcome to Crews N Away: Anchored in Grace! If you have been following our journey for a while over at Tailspin Farms & Guided By Grace, you might notice things look a little different around here. We are so incredibly glad you are here to join us on this new adventure.

For 28 years, Stace and I built a beautiful life together rooted on our small Texas farm, raising our three children and watching our family grow to include three precious grandchildren who call us Mimi and Opa. The farm has been our sanctuary, our workplace, and the backdrop to decades of hard work, big laughs, and deep lessons. But as the seasons of life change—bringing retirement, new physical rhythms, and a deep desire to explore—God has placed a brand new vision on our hearts.

We are downsizing our beloved farm to prepare for a brand-new chapter: living full-time in a 5th wheel travel trailer and taking our ministry on the road!

Same Mission, Wider Horizons

While our setting is changing from stationary farm fields to open highways, our primary focus remains completely untouched. Our heart’s greatest passion is to share God’s Word with people. This blog will continue to be a home for daily devotionals, scripture studies, and prayerful reflections.

The only difference? Now, we are expanding our circle to share real-life stories, hard-earned lessons, family updates, and visual vlogs directly from our travel adventures. We want to show you the victories, the struggles, and the beautiful chaos of hitting the road, proving that no matter where you roam, you can remain anchored in faith.

A Closing Prayer for the Journey

As we take these steps of faith, we wanted to leave you with a prayer for whatever transition you might be facing in your own life today:

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for being our constant anchor when the seasons of life begin to shift. As we downsize, pack up, and step into the unfamiliar territory of the road ahead, we pray that Your grace guides every single mile. Give us the courage to embrace change with joy and humor. Keep our hearts firmly rooted in Your Word, and use our stories to bring hope, light, and encouragement to everyone we cross paths with. Amen.

Thank you,
Margarita & Stace

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