Next Post May 16

​Luke 1:57-58 When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. 58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.
 
JOY is a little word with large meaning. Joy is living in faith that Jesus is Over You. Such emotion is anticipating loved ones coming to share a meal. Joy is hugging them, talking with them, sharing concerns and happiness. Joy is praying with them to trust God’s care in all circumstances. You know Jesus is Over You while you are with them because you love them very, very much.
    And there is another aspect of joy we have toward our loved ones. That joy is expressed with thankfulness toward God. We understand he has given to us such people in our lives. Even though we are a bit sad when they go home, our joy remains because of our mutual love built on a true love for God.
    God is the center of this joy. He is the One who has offered his extraordinary kindness to bring these people into our lives.
    Elizabeth and her friends expressed great joy at John’s birth. They were in awe, and they delighted in God’s unexpected gift. This was God’s specially anointed miracle God formed to fulfill prophecy! True joy comes to our lives when we understand the Great Miracle God has given us in Jesus. Jesus’ promise, “I have come that you may have life and have it to the full.” (John 10:10) is his commitment to completely redeem you from sin’s joy-robbing limitations. He went to the cross to set a pathway into heaven’s eternal wonders. Indeed, our Good Shepherd’s tender mercy to suffer the cross for your sake is the means for true joy! When we understand the depth of Jesus’ humiliation and suffering in our hearts, life’s challenges seem smaller. Irritations diminish; aggravations depart; patience grows; and love prospers. An eternal smile forms on our hearts as we settle our minds into the wonder of God, who adopts us to be his children in Jesus.
    As you consider how God is merciful to you, I pray you know Jesus is Over Your heart each day.
 
Prayer: O what joy I feel, Father, to be your child. I lift up my heart, my hands, my mind to say, “Thank you!” Amen.

I will be gone the next 7 days. God bless you in the interim.
 

Luke 1:56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.
 
THIS signifies a major step for Mary. It doesn’t sound like much, but it is very much.
    At Zechariah’s and Elizabeth’s home Mary is in a very safe place. Elizabeth totally understands Mary’s sudden, miraculous pregnancy. The same thing has happened to Elizabeth! Zechariah, too, knows as Mary the wondrous experience of God’s Messenger speaking directly to them. Elizabeth and Zechariah understand! Mary’s growing pregnancy is not a threat to them. The faithful couple and the faithful virgin are walking the same road with their God. They are certainly finding comfort, strength and assurance in each other.
    But when Mary goes home, who will believer her? Who will support and protect her? The whispers will start and perhaps grow to shouts of judgment and condemnation. Questions will be asked. “Who is the father of your baby? Why have you disgraced your family in such a way?” Of course, she can only answer with the “impossible” truth. Why not just stay with Elizabeth?
    This seems to be a good plan, but it wouldn’t be good. That’s not what God wants her to do. Mary must go home to marry Joseph.  Here is one of the first steps of faith for the virgin mother of our Lord. She can stay with what she knows in general comfort. Or she can step forward into God’s plan – a plan that includes great challenges.
    How will she have the strength to go down that road of uncertainty to return to Nazareth? How will she trust God as she steps into her home and greets her family and friends? The LORD has commanded her to a mission, but he has not given Mary a clear picture of everything she would encounter and endure.
    In truth, Mary needs that humility she mentioned earlier to believe God is sovereign over her life. You need it, too. God loves you. And he wants you to grow deeper in love with him. To do so, you must let go of your “comfort” to journey down “uncomfortable” pathways Be in step with the Good Shepherd leading the way along the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake (Psalm 23:3b) – for his glory and honor.
    You may like where you are, safe and comfortable. But Jesus didn’t tell us to, “Get comfortable and follow me.” The Bible is very clear that God calls his followers to let go of themselves and to hold on to him.
    That’s where Mary is going. She’s walking down the pathway with God because he has called her. Yes, this moment when Mary returned home, indeed, is very much a crisis of faith. Will God grant his favor on her as he has promised?  
 
Prayer: Grant me peace and faith, Lord, to walk steadfastly with you,. 

Luke 1:51-55 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful 55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers.
 
GOD has a big arm, doesn’t he? Many deeds he has performed with his arm. Indeed, review the Old Testament, and you will discover he created the world, and he delivered Israel into freedom with his outstretched arm. God’s arm also defines Jesus: Isaiah 53:1 Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?   
    This outstretched arm views God as a loving parent who reaches out to protect a child from a car or motorbike coming down the street, from danger by a fire or from the pain of someone’s hurtful words. God’s outstretched arm protected his people and delivered them into the Promised Land of safety and abundance.
    If you are feeling weak or not very important, please know that God’s outstretched arm is a saving, redeeming arm. He is ready to embrace you, protect you and surround you with his goodness. God’s mighty power is prepared to care for you when you humbly go to him to seek his strength. For example, “Forgive my pride, LORD God. I am weak in my ways, and I know you are my strength. Embrace me with your outstretched arm, Father. Fill me with your strength that I may rest in you and rejoice in your tender mercies.”
    As we leave Mary’s praise to the Father, be encouraged to spend time to speak or write your own praise to God. Speak to him of your needs. Proclaim to him your love for him. Celebrate the ways he has cared for you in your life. Praise him for the ways he will stretch his arm around you now and forever.
   
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I lift my arms to receive yours around me. Hold me close. Thank you for ever keeping me with you. Amen.
 

Luke 1:50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.
 
“MERCY” and “fear” don’t seem right together, do they? Wouldn’t it make more sense if Mary had said, “His mercy extends to those who love him.” How does mercy extend to those who fear God?
    Here’s one example: Did you ever refuse to do something your dad wanted you to do with him? Did he walk away thinking, “My child does not honor me.” Did you walk away satisfied you decided what you would do? Perhaps you said to yourself, “I won that one.”
    But you didn’t. Oh, you got your way, but your self-focus melted away a part of your relationship with your father. You showed no respect and honor, no “fear” for his authority and position as head of your family. You lived opposing your dad; yet, you remained living in his house. You still believed he would help you in the future regardless of your disrespect.
    This type of relationship with your father continued for years. You obeyed him on your terms. You might have even told your dad, “I love you. I honor you.” But you didn’t act that way. Even so, your dad was merciful to house you, to clothe you, to feed you, to instruct you and even still to love you. Then one day a crisis came, and you needed your dad’s help. “Dad, can I have some money to pay the doctor?” But his response surprised you. “No, my child. You have rejected me too many times. You have no fear of my authority over you, no respect when I ask for your obedience. You will have to solve your problem on your own.”
    Dad is out of mercy for you, his wayward child. He asked repeatedly for you to obey him. But you said, “When I decide, I will obey.”
    This is what happened repeatedly with the Jews as God called them to obey. Mercifully, he gave them countless ways to worship, respect and obey him. He taught them of his justice, but they always thought, “We’ll do as we please. God will take care of us when we really need him.” Ultimately though, as the Jews continued to dismiss God’s authority, he removed himself from their presence. Without God’s mercy, they suffered horribly.
    In his justice God will condemn our sin. Fear his justice and remember that in his mercy, God has sent a Savior. Yes, fear God. He is absolute over your life. If you prefer your own way, he will send you away from his presence. Fear – honor, worship – Jesus, the Way, and the Lord God will be merciful to draw you near to him forever.
 
Prayer: Father in heaven, you are just and true. As I call Jesus, “Lord and Savior”, I rejoice that your “mercy extends to those who fear you, from generation to generation.” Amen.

Luke 1:46-49 And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me – holy is his name.”
 
MARY has heard the message. She has time to consider her assignment. Elizabeth assures Mary in her glorious task. Hearing God’s will for her life, understanding Elizabeth’s assurance, Mary then responds in the way we all must respond when we recognize God’s gracious love to call us to serve him.
    Mary praises God with her heart and soul. With heartfelt worship Mary declares, “For he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.” Mary fully understood that she does not deserve this great blessing to be the mother of the Savior. What has happened to her is not because she was good or special, but it is because God had chosen her. Mary understood the Sovereign Lord is at work in her life to extend his eternal, universal work.
    As we hear Mary’s praise ring down through the Holy Word today, we must consider our own approach to God. Do we go to him to seek what we don’t have? Or do we go to him thankful, for he has granted to us?
    A few years ago, I was at home one afternoon when our daughter unexpectedly came to see me. When I greeted her at the door, she said came to me, hugged me and said, “I am thankful you are here. I love you, daddy.” This is a moment I will take with me to the day I meet Jesus face-to-face. You see, our daughter had just been with a good friend who had suddenly lost her father. Her friend can no longer tell her father, “I’m thankful you are here. I love you, daddy.”
    Oh, how your view of God would expand if you see him through eyes that said, “I just want to be with you. I want to let you know I love you. I want to hold you and feel you hold me.” Isn’t that what prayer should be?
    Isn’t that what Mary was doing here? What worshipful love she expressed to her Father in heaven, “For the Mighty one has done great things for me – holy is his name.” How wonderful it is to know you can approach God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit because he has chosen to be your Mighty One forever. He has rescued you from your sin, from your selfish desires, from your despair and spiritual hunger.
    The Spirit of the Father has turned your eyes to his great, sweet grace. We call his grace, “Jesus”. He is your Savior for right now, this very instant. He is your Savior throughout eternity. Stop and knock on God’s door. Tell him, “For the Mighty One has done great things for me –  holy is his name.”
 
Prayer: Father, Spirit and Son, I love you for who you are. Turn my heart to rejoice in my relationship with you. In Jesus’ name, the Father’s grace and the Spirit’s power, amen.
 

Luke 1:39-45 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!”
 
AS Gabriel steps away to  heaven, Mary steps into life in Nazareth. What might happen next? Would her faithful submission melt away as reality set in? Now that the angel had left her, where would Mary find God’s strengthening encouragement?
    God sent her to Elizabeth. One of God’s impossible signs to Mary is that Mary’s barren cousin Elizabeth was pregnant in her old age.
    Mary goes to Elizabth. Mary finds in Elizabeth a joyous expression of the Lord’s impossible work. Elizabeth overflows with excitement and praise for God’s great work in her and Mary. She personifies God’s grace and love. Through this supernatural – Spirit-anointed – encounter with Elizabeth, Mary is encouraged and strengthened.
    With the voice of a prophet, filled with the Spirit, Elizabeth declares, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!” In that moment God had spoken to Elizabeth just as clearly as he had spoken to Mary. The two women have received the revelation of the Savior to come. Elizabeth’s son, John the Baptist, even in the womb, heralds the way of Mary’s son. Elizabeth’s benediction for Mary expresses God’s sovereign protection over his chosen servant: “Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!”
    We need one another to help us know God will accomplish his purpose when we obey his call. Encouragement is a powerful spiritual gift. It unwraps one’s potential often hidden under uncertainty. “Is this what God wants from me?”
    Elizabeth’s blessed affirmations convinced Mary she could confidently expect the Lord to complete his promise to her and through her. She could confidently confront the upcoming challenges because she was certain God’s hand was on her.
   
Prayer: I seek you, Lord, with anticipation and joy. Thank you for the magnificent life you have purposed for me. Amen.
 

Luke 1:38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.
 
GABRIEL returned to heaven. He had served the LORD God, delivering the message to the virgin. He had heard Mary commit to God’s call. Gabriel’s mighty work was done.
    Now Mary’s work began. Mary resolutely affirmed she would serve Yahweh. There is no greater vow than to say, “I am the Lord’s servant,” You place your life completely in God’s hands. Are you ready for this?
    Such vows are very difficult to speak in truth. Faithful, unwavering commitment does not come easily to the human heart. To say, “I am the Lord’s servant,” is to declare a readiness to respond without question or reservation to the Master’s bidding. Such commitment is spoken when you join a church. With such questions as, “Do you commit to regular attendance? Will you give freely of your tithes and offerings? Are you committed to use your spiritual gifts to edify the church?” we are called to respond, “I am the Lord’s servant,”  God has called you to his church, and he wants you to be his servant there.
    A servant’s life requires humility that is very different than the pride that so naturally affects us. Jesus’ great servant demonstration to wash the disciples’ feet in John 13 reveals the depth of telling God, “I am the Lord’s servant,”
    Serving God puts us in the least position. It makes us vulnerable to criticism and disappointment. In much of the world, God’s faithful servants are abused and neglected. They are often at the mercy of a brutal godless society.
    But the servant Mary committed to her God. Thoughts of extreme uncertainty and difficulties crowded her mind. There could be a trial and a decree of death by stoning because of her perceived sin of sexual impurity. This was God’s own law as stated in Deuteronomy 22:20-22.
    Mary is ready to serve. She has heard from the Lawgiver. He has promised the impossible will happen. Prepared in the Lord’s sovereign grace and power, Mary is ready emotionally and physically for this enormous task. She is prepared to live completely committed as God’s designated Kingdom servant.
    You can see in Mary an expression of a humble, faithful and loving heart. Mary is a good model for us when we hear the Spirit call us to serve the LORD God in his “impossible” purposes for our lives. To grow a faithful, servant’s heart, we must often pray with a commitment that says, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.”
 
Prayer: I am your servant, Lord. May your task be to me as you have said, Lord. I open my heart to serve you. In the Spirit’s power and his anointing faith, amen. 

Luke 1:34-37 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. 37 For nothing is impossible with God.”
 
“HOW will this be?” Mary wondered. Do you ever think, “How did she say this?” Would she have spoken this compelling question with an attitude of disbelief: “That’s impossible! There is no way can that happen.” Or would she have had a tone of expectation, “Thank you, Lord! That sounds impossible, but I’m sure you have a way to make it happen. Tell me more.”
    Based on Gabriel’s response to her, Mary’s attitude was one of expectation. Certainly she did not understand how she, a virgin, would give birth to any baby, especially to the Son of God! But she was willing to hear how this miracle from heaven would become real.
    Mary’s ears and heart were open to God’s guidance onto an unknown path. The tone of the entire account here is that she was ready to enter a new place with God. “How will this be?” was likely Mary’s eagerness to learn how the impossible words would become real.
    Mary must have had a great faith in God and a great love for God. She would have called him Adonai, submitting in worship to his sovereign provision for her life.
    The Jews also spoke the name Yahweh, which defines the I AM, who spoke to Moses in the desert (Exodus 3). The name encompasses God’s character. He is God the Provider, God the Creator, God the Law Giver and God the Freedom Giver. God is eternal.
    Mary must have known in her heart that God could and would act beyond the natural laws he had established. Yahweh had done this with Sarah’s empty womb. He had brought life to the barren Hannah (1 Samuel 1-2); he had given Samson to his childless parents. God had now ordained even Mary’s barren cousin Elizabeth to be with child. Yahweh is ever-present, ever-working. We must be aware, and we must believe the answer to, “How?” is God’s option.
    That’s faith. Mary trusted, “Nothing is impossible with God.” She took those words to heart. May this is true for you, too.
 
Prayer: When I look around and wonder, “How will this ever change, Lord?” I pray for faith to believe, “With God, nothing is impossible.” In the Spirit’s power I pray, amen.
 

Luke 1:32-33 “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”
 
“WHO is Jesus?” The question has been asked repeatedly since our Lord became Immanuel, God with us. In truth, though, God gives the one sure answer. “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High…He will reign over the house of Jacob (Israel) forever.”  Plain, pointed and powerful Jesus is God’s Son, eternal King of Israel.
    Jesus also is descended from a man. “The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David.” It is essential for our salvation that Jesus is fully man. He is descended from his father – his ancestor – David. Both Mary and Joseph descended from different branches of David’s legacy. Jesus, Son of God, son of David, is Ruler over Israel, Jacob’s house.
    Why is Israel called Jacob’s house? All Jews descend from Jacob, who is Abraham’s grandson. Jacob is the father of 12 sons from four women (Genesis 29-32). Eleven sons became the father of 11 tribes of Israel. The 12th tribe was descended from Manasseh and Ephraim, Joseph’s sons born to him in Egypt.
    “Israel” is the name God gave to Jacob in Genesis 32:28 Then the man (perhaps the pre-incarnate Christ) said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome.” The name Jacob means “deceiver”. Jacob had struggled against his sins of deceit for nearly 60 years. When God gave Jacob a new name, God changed Jacob’s life. “Israel” reminds the Jews that God renews people and nations from their struggles for his purpose.  In God’s grace Jacob overcame his past.  Israel must always know God’s grace is the source of their redemption from centuries of deceit against his sovereign rule.
    You can understand Gabriel’s short message summarizes the Old Testament. God’s persistent promises are fulfilled in Jesus. The Father’s assurance to care for his people and to save the nations is bearing fruit. Gabriel affirms God has ordained the events soon to occur. Israel, Jacob’s house, will meet Jesus.
    Perhaps the LORD God has great plans for your house, too. Maybe your family will be a witness to the world to answer the question, “Who is Jesus?”
 
Prayer: I pray my house is a house of worship, praise and witness of the Savior. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.  

Luke 1:31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.
 
MARY is processing a good deal of information. She began the day a typical teen-aged girl in Nazareth, looking forward to her marriage to Jospeh. Amid her everyday life she receives a message directly from heaven’s throne. She’s been addressed, “Highly favored.” Mary is likely wondering, “Who am I to hear such things?” We can visualize her mind is twirling, seeking to stop on a spot of reality. How will she grasp the meaning of this very unexpected visitor from the LORD God Almighty?
    Then Mary learned the focus of Gabriel’s message. She heard the answer to a question perhaps every Jewish woman born in David’s lineage had asked, “Will I be the one to give birth to the Savior?” That’s what “Jesus” means. “Jesus” in Hebrew is pronounced “Ye shu a” or Joshua. Jesus is the Greek form of Joshua. Gabriel, the angel, had told Mary she is the one who was prophesied in Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.  
    What would you do? We consider what it’s like when we receive really good news, especially if it’s the answer to a long-held question. Suddenly we are free of worry and wondering, “When will it happen?” Your body releases tension, almost a cleansing of doubt from your soul. “Thank you, Father.” rises from your tongue. How great is your joy to know in your heart God’s love is truly guiding your life. Do you adore and worship your Lord for surpassing goodness?
Mary’s worship is about to become deeply personal as she enters a very, very close relationship with the LORD God. There will be a cost to this relationship. Mary will need God’s comforting hands many times. She will encounter doubts, questions and accusations from Joseph and family. There will be the very difficult journey to Bethlehem. Later will come the sudden flight to Egypt, a country long an enemy to the Jews. Mary will watch and hear the threats against Jesus when he debates, accuses and judges the Pharisees. Mary will fear the cross and despair at the tomb. Yes, God’s plan will bring great trial to this Jewish girl, privileged to be the Son of God’s mother.
Still, she will rejoice! Mary will trust and believes in her purpose. Mary understood her life belonged to God as the means to release his Son into Israel for the salvation of the world.
 
Prayer: Lord God, you have created me. You have chosen me to be your child. Use me to release your gospel into the world. I am yours. In Jesus’ name, amen