Mary’s Song

Reading Mary’s song, I was struck with how she was amazed at God’s choice and way of doing things. I’m always amazed at God’s way of doing things. His ways are not our ways, but they are perfect. The whole story of the first advent of Jesus turned out to be completely different than everyone expected. His whole earthly life, death and resurrection were completely different than everyone expected. The best part about it all is that it seems to me this unexpected aspect is part of what makes it so believable, and therefore strengthens my faith. It’s just not what man would make up.

Yes, there were amazing miracles, but God’s choice of each person used for every aspect is not what man would have chosen. We know this because of the many myths and legends in ancient cultures that include so many stories of a half god, half man being. These are man’s ideas and they are full of grandeur. God’s choice, however, was humble and lowly. That’s exactly what Mary was singing about as her cousin prophesied of the life conceived inside of her.

In Luke 1, we read of an old man and woman who were anything but glorious in their own eyes and a young teenage nobody engaged to a laborer practically living in poverty…not a god who came down and disguised himself as a handsome prince only to seduce the beautiful maiden to conceive a half man half god who would grow up to slay some beast…as you would read in some mythology.

You see, man would not make up what’s written in scripture because it doesn’t give man glory. All the glory goes to God, for even when miraculous things occur, the chosen ones remain lowly, even though their names are remembered and blessed for generation after generation. Even Mary was amazed at how God used her, a “nobody“ in her own eyes, and she didn’t expect anything glorious in return.

Too many people say that they want to serve God, but really they’re out to make a name for themselves, and when it comes time for a sacrifice, they’re out of there. Yet, this is how God works…He chooses the “nobodies”, the ones who are not out to seek their own glory, yet are willing to sacrifice for the privilege of serving God and others. He lifts them up, and honors them in the presence of those who honor and glorify themselves.

I’m thankful for the many heroes we read of in scripture who were willing to make sacrifices and receive no gain all for the sake of others. Mary risked her own life in agreeing to be the virgin mother of Christ. Then she witnessed her Son’s suffering…every parent’s nightmare. Even though her name’s been lifted up in ways that would embarrass her, she never asked for anything, and I’m sure she would prefer to remain the humble bond slave of the Lord.

Mary’s Song

And Mary said:

“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

for he has been mindful

of the humble state of his servant.

From now on all generations

will call me blessed,

for the Mighty One

has done great things for me

— holy is his name.

His mercy extends to those

who fear him,

 from generation to generation.

He has performed mighty deeds

with his arm;

he has scattered those

 who are proud

in their inmost thoughts.

He has brought down rulers

from their thrones

but has lifted up the humble.

He has filled the hungry with good things

 but has sent the rich away empty.

He has helped his servant Israel,

 remembering to be merciful

to Abraham and his descendants forever,

 just as he promised our ancestors.”

Luke 1:46-55

Amie Spruiell
12/15/2011

GEODES

Have you ever seen a geode? It is usually an ugly round rock, rough and dull on the outside, but when broken open, it can reveal sparkling crystals, beautiful minerals, layers of gorgeous colors.

How many of us feel like a geode? Sometimes we feel so ugly and rough on the outside or around the edges, but when we open up our souls to faith and our hearts to sharing God's love, we get a whole new view. We have great beauty within, and layers of amazing colors that reflect God and his love for us and all mankind.

The life of Christ is much like a geode. He was born in a cave-like structure where the animals were kept, and laid in a manger. Lowly beginnings, rough and colorless:

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. Luke 2:6-7 NIV

However, as his story unfolds, it becomes apparent that there is much more to him than meets the eye at first glance. This baby, born in a dirty stable and laid in a feed trough, growing up as a carpenter's son, becomes the greatest man to ever walk the face of this earth. This perfect man and perfect God turns out to be the most beautiful gift of love anyone could ever imagine.

May we all remember the humble beginnings of Jesus as we celebrate at Christmas his birth on earth, knowing that by his life, death and resurrection we are forgiven and redeemed children of God who will live in the beauty of heaven with him forever. Rough rock to gorgeous gem. Even if we feel our lives lack luster on the outside, we can take comfort in knowing our awesome God lives within our hearts and is forming a beautiful soul inside each and every one of us!

written by Jan Andersen

Saturday Devotional...12/17/11

Captive at Christmas?

He Came to Set You Free!

Comments This has always been my favorite time of the year. Regardless of whatever it is I’m going through, I love the feeling of this season. I love the visual beauty, the sounds, the aromas, the fashions and the memories. It’s true that I have many wonderful memories of Christmas…not only the day of, but the days leading up to it, and the days afterward still enjoying family and friends.

I know that often throughout the Christmas season, however, I will become emotional. Sometimes it’s just a matter of sweet nostalgia, and at other times, I will feel some sadness. There have been years when I’ve had to work at getting along with others around me which made me rather frustrated, and so there’s some hesitation inside of me due to those past experiences. I remember growing up, I sometimes would feel nervous about being around certain people who just did not like the Christmas season. It’s taken years for me to understand how and why people get like that, but it’s never stopped me from loving this time of the year.

There’s been Christmas’ when I was sick with pregnancy and others when we enjoyed watching our little ones with their first Christmas experiences. There’s been Christmas’when we barely had more than a “Charlie Brown” Christmas tree, and others when the whole house was decorated. There’s been years when we’ve lost loved ones right at this time of year or experienced broken families. Then there have been others when a new life was born into ours.

I know there are a lot of reasons for people to become depressed at this time of year…finances, past hurts, loneliness. I’m so very thankful that I’ve never experienced the demons of depression regardless of what I’m forced to go through. I could say that it’s due to my relationship with Jesus, and I would never minimize that, but I know that many fellow Christians experience such emotional oppression even though they know exactly who they are in Christ. There’s definitely no easy answer to these things. It’s not simply one end of the spectrum or the other. It’s not always clinical requiring medication and it’s not always spiritual. Sometimes it is one or the other, but most often it’s a combination of both. Though regardless, God can deliver anyone no matter where on the spectrum they are.

I heard yesterday that there was a sudden traffic jam on a nearby freeway no doubt holding up countless people from making it to their destination in due time. The cause was a man who decided to end his life by stepping out into traffic. In the midst of my joyous time of watching my children decorate the house while busying myself in the kitchen making a winter stew, someone’s holiday depression completely overcame him. I don’t know if he knew of the hope of Jesus, the real reason for the constant festivities at this time. I’m not going assume one thing or another. I’m still at a loss of how to feel, and I just wish it hadn’t happened.

No, I don’t understand it and I’m not sure if I’m supposed to. When faced with the opportunities, I know there are a lot of things I can do to help others like offering acts of service or donations. But when the situation is beyond anything that I could actually do, then what? I know that if I were given the opportunity to talk to that man before he took his life that I’m not sure if anything I could’ve said would’ve helped him. There’s only one thing I know for sure that I can do…and it not only can help but will help anyone in any situation regardless of who they are and what they’re going through. I can pray, for praying is not just offering up good and warm thoughts, but it’s activating the power of God into the situation.

As I said, I am so very thankful that I am not someone who suffers with depression at this time of year. I’ve felt financial difficulties, mourned death and experienced loneliness, but I’ve never let it stop me in rejoicing in the birth of my Lord. That doesn’t mean there’s something great about me because of it. The only thing great about me is my God, and He is the one who can deliver all those who do suffer. He came! Yes, He came to be born, to live and to die. Yes, He came to die so our sins can be forgiven, but that’s not all His death did. His salvation is not just for the afterlife. His salvation is to bring joy in this life! He came! He came to bind up the brokenhearted, and proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners. And that applies to us while we are still in this life.

I love this time of year, but I don’t love how others suffer. Yes, there are some things I can do, but when it requires something beyond my capacity, I can pray these words over them. Anyone who is bound like a prisoner in their hopeless life can be set free by the power of Jesus, and our prayers for them release that power. If you find yourself as a prisoner, He can and it is His will to set you free. If you find yourself knowing someone who is a prisoner, don’t give up laboring in prayer for them. You’d be amazed how much your prayers can do for them.

Amie Spruiell

12/02/2011

Devotional for Friday...12/16/11

Merry Christmas! Please click on the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vnt7euRF5Pg&sns=fb

Think on the words of these songs and bless God for becoming flesh and dwelling amongst us!




Shared  by
Corinne Mustafa

Thursday Devotional...12/15/11

How to Seek First to Understand

“No, I don’t want him listening to that music,” I said determinedly to my husband. “What do you mean by ‘that music’?” he asked ever so patiently. It makes me nervous when he’s ultra patient like that, I can tell he is not going to gloss over the topic, and I will need to hold my own. In our parenting when we are not on the same page, we discuss the issue until we come to an agreement. Sometimes discussions sound like arguments, but we don’t mind; we are building a platform from which we will both function.

My husband enjoys and appreciates almost every type of music: from classic country, to rock, to jazz, to ballads, to classical, thus I have spent the last few decades listening to an unending assortment. When our very teenage-like 12 year old son brought home a CD of music that I didn’t recognize and couldn’t understand (much less enjoy)I quickly decided it wasn’t appropriate material.

Back to our discussion, it did end peacefully; I totally agreed that the lyrics were the most important thing. After reading through the words on that particular album, I mean CD, I conceded that the style of voice, drums, and guitars should not matter to me when the messages are Christ- centered.

Our son excitedly accepted my apology and the news that he could listen to his new CD. Truth be told, I came to not be annoyed by this music genre (unless I was tired or had a headache). Ten years later I actually enjoy it and when our youngest son walks into the room rapping about Jesus filling his soul with purpose and strength, I smile and thank God for teaching me the lesson.

Unfortunately, that was not the last time I judged what I did not understand. Experience has taught me that I tend to miss the real issue at first, so it is better for me to be slow to voice my opinion. This has not been an easy job for me. Perhaps you’ve heard that women speak 20,000 words a day on average, well, I believe that some of us tend towards 30,000. So to say that I am naturally chatty or talkative is, at best, an understatement. To seek first to understand requires a lot of patience AND listening that I don’t have naturally.

James 1:19 (AMP)

Understand [this], my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear [a ready listener], slow to speak, slow to take offense and to get angry.

Proverbs 14:29 (CEV)

 Patience leads to abundant understanding,

but impatience leads to stupid mistakes.

Dear Lord,

Thank You for not leaving me to myself. Thank You for Your promise to complete the good work You have begun in my life, so that I will be strong and able to do Your will (Hebrews 13:21). In Jesus name, amen.

Written by

Mary M. Wilkins



Wednesday Devotional...12/14/11

Grow In Grace

In 2 Peter 3:18 it says,

"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord
and Savior Jesus Christ.

To Him be the glory both now and forever."

Daily the Lord desires for His people to grow in His grace and knowlege. The only way we can grow in those areas are by reading His word and spending time with the Father and other believers. Particularly today I wanted to share on the importance of walking in grace.

Recently I heard a teaching on grace. The person brought up the Gary Ridgeway case. Gary is referred to as the Green River serial killer. He shared particularly on the day that the victim's loved ones had a chance to talk to Gary in the courtroom. They each had an opportunity to share their feelings with him and how it had affected them and their families.

One by one the the victim's loved ones came forth and spewed out poisonous, hateful words to Gary. Over and over they told him how they hated him and how he had brought so much pain in their lifes. The majority of the people had tremendous bitterness, resentment and unforgiveness towards Gary.

Then one man came forward named Bob. He proceeded to tell Gary that he had forgiven him for what he had done to his loved one. He continued to pour abundant words of grace to Gary. At that time something profound took place. When all the other people had shared with him, he was without remorse and stonefaced. But when Bob begin to share, Gary's lip began to quiver and tears began to roll down his face.

I was taken back by that story. A revelation came to me like no other. It made me think that if each of us would extend that same grace that Bob had given to Gary, lifes would be forever changed. You may be thinking that Gary doesn't deserve that grace. That may be true, but the bottom line is that none of us deserve grace. The Lord so lovingly pours out that grace to us that we are undeserving of.

My prayer is for each of you to allow God's grace to freely flow through you onto others on a daily basis. God's grace will give you great freedom as you grant that grace to others. Unforgiveness, bitterness and resentment will melt and freedom and healing will takes its place. Grow in abundant grace daily!

Blessings,

Sandy Billingham

Tuesday Devotional...12/13/11

In the beginning was the Word,

and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1-1

******************************************

"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."

When he was born as Jesus Christ, he was flesh and blood, materialistic, and could be seen, touched, and felt. But what was he? As God.. That is answered in

 "God is a Spirit,"

 and spirit is invisible.

We know what was his form and shape

as the human Jesus ,

our Lord and Savior

John 4:24

 
Written by
Annie Allen