This past Thursday I stepped out of my comfort zone. I put one foot in front of the other & jumped. See I do great in a group of a few people, or even on here. I feel more like I am talking to one person, or at least that's what I choose to believe! But today I stepped out & (gasp!) spoke in front of people! Thursday was our monthly Mom's meeting at church, momMEtime. (I wrote about some of the amazing friends I have made through this group here.) We meet once a month for playgroup & then once a month for a devotion meeting time. Our Pastors wife or our College Ministers wife (Lesley) have been doing our devotions for the last 18 months or so. This month I volunteered to do the devotion time to give Lesley a break...what was I thinking! LOL! Just kidding! Of course I am my hardest critic so I feel like I could have done better, but overall I think it went okay. I got lost in my notes & skipped a whole section but whatever! Anyway I thought I would share it with all of you. It's somewhat long but I hope you enjoy!
The first part is a modernized version of Mary being told she would conceive the Savior of the world. This was written by the one & only GD, & it's I think it's great! Then it goes on to my devotional, I hope it means something to all of you! Merry Christmas!
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The girl stepped off the school bus and pulled her boyfriends letter men’s jacket tighter around her small frame. The small brown drugstore bag in her left hand pocket was folded tightly around itself in hopes that no one would guess its contents.
She dropped her book bag full of textbooks, homework, and her small journal with all sorts of hopes, plans and dreams for the future and she rushed upstairs to the bathroom.
Setting the test on the counter top and looking at her watch to countdown the required three minutes, she gazed at herself in the mirror. She looked deep into her reflection, past her own eyes and into her own memory. What was it two? Three months ago, now?
She remembered she was alone – then NOT alone.
“Greetings” it had said.
The still warm laundry she had just pulled from the dryer fell softly to the floor
“God, has found favor with you”
Grabbing a broom as the only hope for protection, she had put her back to the corner.
“Do not be afraid” it continued. Softly. Kindly.
“Mary, you are going to have a baby – a Son. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. Call him Jesus – for He will save his people from their sins.”
Her attention snapping back into the present, Mary glanced at her wristwatch and noticed that it was time.
Picking up the small plastic stick, she shook her head in wonder remembering again the creature’s words. Mary mouthed them quietly as she remembered its voice...
“Nothing is impossible with God”
On the cold tile floor Mary kneeled and again spoke the words she had answered to what she now knew to be and angel, but this time the words were offered up as a prayer to the Lord God.
“I belong to the Lord. May it be with me just as you say.”
She looked again at the pregnancy test in her hand. She stared in amazement at the small
red cross that had appeared in the center, heralding the salvation of mankind.
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Mary the Mother of Jesus
When I started working on this devotion about Mary, I was at somewhat of a loss. For her to have such favor with God there is not as much about her in the Bible as I would have expected. But as we all know less is more! I just wanted to share with you a few things that struck me about Mary the Mother of Jesus
*Starting off in Luke 1:26-38 26 "In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 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, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."
"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"
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[a] the Son of God. 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. For nothing is impossible with God."
"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.
Can you imagine what Mary must have been feeling after this conversation with Gabriel? For me it would have been fear is the first thing that comes to mind. Fear over what she has just heard, fear over telling Joseph & her parents. Another thing would be the responsibility that she must have felt weighing on her shoulders. And awe, I am sure. I can only imagine if it would have been me saying "Um yeah you've got the wrong girl!" But according to what the Bible tells us she didn't bat an eye she immediately said "I am the Lord's servant...May it be to me as you have said!" Now maybe she was still fearful but the faith she had to say "May it be to me as you have said!" That is more proof of the kind of woman she was even at such young age, & why she was chosen.
*Another thing that jumped out at me has to do as much with Joseph as it does Mary. The Bible doesn't tell us how Joseph found out, it says in Matthew 1:18-24 "This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"which means, "God with us."
When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.
So it leaves me to wonder how Joseph found out. Can you imagine if Mary was the one who had to tell him? "Um Joseph, you know how much I love you & want to marry you. But I have to tell you something, I am with child. And oh by the way it's the Savior of the world!" I can only imagine the strength & faith it took for Mary to utter those words. And likewise for Joseph to hear them & eventually believe them!
*The 3rd thing that struck me was from after Jesus was born & the shepherds where visiting in Luke 2:19 "But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." As a Mom that really struck a cord with me, because yes He was the Savior of the world, but he was also her baby boy. So just like we remember things that happen in our children's lives or things they say, she was doing the same thing. I am sure it would be similar to us making a scrap book or writing it in our child's baby book. Can you imagine the things that would have gone in Jesus' baby book?!
*The final thing that really touched me as a Mom about Mary is from John 19:25-27 "Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son," and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home." I can't even imagine the agony that Mary must have felt being at the foot of the cross watching her son die. Yes she knew in her heart why this was happening because it was prophesied by Simeon in Luke 2:34-35 "Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too." That last line is for Mary, "And a sword will pierce your own soul too." Mary was told this when he was only 8 days old, so even though she knew why it was happening, I can't begin to imagine the torment she must have felt. Very much like a sword piercing her heart & soul. I think most of us as mom's carry the fear of something happening to our children. I have no doubt that living through the death of a child would be horrible & heartbreaking, but to be there & see it. I am sure even knowing why this was happening, He was still her son & her heart still broke to see Him in pain & then to see Him die. Again I think this speaks to her faith & the woman that she was. God knew she would have the faith to withstand this.
-----------------------------------------
Again these are just a few things that struck me about Mary & the kind of woman she was! I hope you enjoyed! Merry Christmas!
The first part is a modernized version of Mary being told she would conceive the Savior of the world. This was written by the one & only GD, & it's I think it's great! Then it goes on to my devotional, I hope it means something to all of you! Merry Christmas!
-----------------------------------------
The girl stepped off the school bus and pulled her boyfriends letter men’s jacket tighter around her small frame. The small brown drugstore bag in her left hand pocket was folded tightly around itself in hopes that no one would guess its contents.
She dropped her book bag full of textbooks, homework, and her small journal with all sorts of hopes, plans and dreams for the future and she rushed upstairs to the bathroom.
Setting the test on the counter top and looking at her watch to countdown the required three minutes, she gazed at herself in the mirror. She looked deep into her reflection, past her own eyes and into her own memory. What was it two? Three months ago, now?
She remembered she was alone – then NOT alone.
“Greetings” it had said.
The still warm laundry she had just pulled from the dryer fell softly to the floor
“God, has found favor with you”
Grabbing a broom as the only hope for protection, she had put her back to the corner.
“Do not be afraid” it continued. Softly. Kindly.
“Mary, you are going to have a baby – a Son. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. Call him Jesus – for He will save his people from their sins.”
Her attention snapping back into the present, Mary glanced at her wristwatch and noticed that it was time.
Picking up the small plastic stick, she shook her head in wonder remembering again the creature’s words. Mary mouthed them quietly as she remembered its voice...
“Nothing is impossible with God”
On the cold tile floor Mary kneeled and again spoke the words she had answered to what she now knew to be and angel, but this time the words were offered up as a prayer to the Lord God.
“I belong to the Lord. May it be with me just as you say.”
She looked again at the pregnancy test in her hand. She stared in amazement at the small
red cross that had appeared in the center, heralding the salvation of mankind.
------------------------------------------------------------
Mary the Mother of Jesus
When I started working on this devotion about Mary, I was at somewhat of a loss. For her to have such favor with God there is not as much about her in the Bible as I would have expected. But as we all know less is more! I just wanted to share with you a few things that struck me about Mary the Mother of Jesus
*Starting off in Luke 1:26-38 26 "In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 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, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."
"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"
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[a] the Son of God. 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. For nothing is impossible with God."
"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.
Can you imagine what Mary must have been feeling after this conversation with Gabriel? For me it would have been fear is the first thing that comes to mind. Fear over what she has just heard, fear over telling Joseph & her parents. Another thing would be the responsibility that she must have felt weighing on her shoulders. And awe, I am sure. I can only imagine if it would have been me saying "Um yeah you've got the wrong girl!" But according to what the Bible tells us she didn't bat an eye she immediately said "I am the Lord's servant...May it be to me as you have said!" Now maybe she was still fearful but the faith she had to say "May it be to me as you have said!" That is more proof of the kind of woman she was even at such young age, & why she was chosen.
*Another thing that jumped out at me has to do as much with Joseph as it does Mary. The Bible doesn't tell us how Joseph found out, it says in Matthew 1:18-24 "This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"which means, "God with us."
When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.
So it leaves me to wonder how Joseph found out. Can you imagine if Mary was the one who had to tell him? "Um Joseph, you know how much I love you & want to marry you. But I have to tell you something, I am with child. And oh by the way it's the Savior of the world!" I can only imagine the strength & faith it took for Mary to utter those words. And likewise for Joseph to hear them & eventually believe them!
*The 3rd thing that struck me was from after Jesus was born & the shepherds where visiting in Luke 2:19 "But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." As a Mom that really struck a cord with me, because yes He was the Savior of the world, but he was also her baby boy. So just like we remember things that happen in our children's lives or things they say, she was doing the same thing. I am sure it would be similar to us making a scrap book or writing it in our child's baby book. Can you imagine the things that would have gone in Jesus' baby book?!
*The final thing that really touched me as a Mom about Mary is from John 19:25-27 "Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son," and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home." I can't even imagine the agony that Mary must have felt being at the foot of the cross watching her son die. Yes she knew in her heart why this was happening because it was prophesied by Simeon in Luke 2:34-35 "Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too." That last line is for Mary, "And a sword will pierce your own soul too." Mary was told this when he was only 8 days old, so even though she knew why it was happening, I can't begin to imagine the torment she must have felt. Very much like a sword piercing her heart & soul. I think most of us as mom's carry the fear of something happening to our children. I have no doubt that living through the death of a child would be horrible & heartbreaking, but to be there & see it. I am sure even knowing why this was happening, He was still her son & her heart still broke to see Him in pain & then to see Him die. Again I think this speaks to her faith & the woman that she was. God knew she would have the faith to withstand this.
-----------------------------------------
Again these are just a few things that struck me about Mary & the kind of woman she was! I hope you enjoyed! Merry Christmas!
You did a great job and I really appreciated the break. I enjoyed reading it again...lots to think about.
ReplyDeleteLove ya, Lesley