Good Morning Girls
Read Luke 1:26-38 Soap Luke 1:37-38
Even God's angels, like Gabriel, can tell the difference between doubt (Zacharias) and curiosity (Mary). Hebrews 4:12 says, "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." Since God knows what we're thinking anyway, we might as well surrender to His plans. Mary immediately calls herself God's servant, showing a complete willingness to participate in His plan.
God is already doing amazing things. Isaiah tells us that He planned Christ's birth from a virgin long before Mary was even born. We can choose to happily participate, or we can choose to sit on the sidelines and criticize the details. Mary teaches us an important lesson. God's plans should always drive us to our knees, in an attitude of willing humility. His work is not about my ego or pride in the opportunity He has given me. His work IS about a soft-hearted faith in what He can accomplish through me. Father, help me keep my heart pliable enough to accept your great plans. Help me have the courage to participate, even if it means I risk criticism from others. Help me to be your servant, like Mary was.
Feel free to comment below.
Day 2 and I am already amazed at what God is showing me with this study. I couldn't imagine what Mary was thinking but to surrender to God's will without a doubt is truly amazing and a wonderful example for us. He is all knowing and knows the plans he has for us, so why let our fleshly doubt get in the way, but let the Holy Spirit lead us!!! His will be done, not ours. Hope everyone has a blessed day :)
ReplyDeleteenjoyed your thoughts Amanda and I agreed we have let His will be done in our lives.
DeleteGood Morning Girls :`)
ReplyDeleteDay 2
Well, let’s all get excited about today scriptures!! Don’t we just love it when we see something for our good like we do in verse 37? But, following in verse 38 is the kicker, where Mary says “behold I am the servant of the Lord”. In others words to receive the blessings we have to first become submissive to God. I think as women submission is naturally a hard thing to do, we can thank Eve for that rebellious part in us that always seek to dominate. Now getting back to Mary, she was willing to submit to God’s authority even when she knew it could cost her very life. For, if she was found with child and unwed she would be accused and condemned. She was trusting God to take care of all the persecution in her life that would surely come from this declaration. Let’s also take a moment and look at the differences between Zachariah response and Mary’s. One rebelled and received chastisement for a time, the other submitted and was blessed. Mary submitted to God even when she knew the probable outcome, she was willing to pay the price for obedience. She believed God promise that with Him all things would be possible. Isn’t that always when God works the greatest? In time that seem so impossible. I pray we can all do the same thing, that we can trust God with everything in our lives, not only in good times but in the times when things seemed to be at their worst state. It should be then that we say as Mary did “let it be according to your word”.
Have a great day everyone; enjoy God’s word and promises. We are all Sisters in Christ and I am thankful for each one of you and may we support each other and give each other confirmation of Christ love as we journey together.
Be Blessed!!
It's not that I want to dominate/control, it's the knowledge that I can see in my mind how the situation will play out. Especially with our children-the need to shelter, protect and then God bumps you to the back of the line and you are left there going .... Uh, what just happened. The key is trust-trust that God saved you for a part in his great plan. I must decrease so that Christ can increase-daily!!
DeleteOh that I would have a servants heart like Mary. When I worry and fret I'm not truly believing that nothing is IMPOSSIBLE with God. I pray that as I continue to grow in my Christian walk with him that I would let the Holy spirit lead and get rid of my doubt. As I am writing this I am waiting to hear from my Mom about my Dad. He could possibly have bladder cancer as his CT scan showed a leison on Saturday. . I am praying earnestly and I really have a peace in knowing that even if it is cancer that my Lord will be right there with us every step of the way. Please remember him in your prayers also. Have a blessed day. Love you ladies.
ReplyDeleteLisa, praying for him now. It is a blessed reassurance that God is in control no matter (( HUGS)) love ya, Jen
DeleteShe listened, she trusted, and she was willing. These things are hard for me and I'm nearing 40. And Mary was what, all of 13 years old?
ReplyDeleteGod is sooooooo good. No sign of malignancy in my Dad. Praise the LORD!!!!!!
ReplyDeletePraise the Lord!! Nothing is impossibe for Him!!
DeleteWhat great news, Lisa. Did the news not remind you of today's verse? "For nothing will be impossible with God."
DeleteI'm so thankful Lisa that your dad is ok!!
ReplyDeleteMy quest this year is to have the faith of Mary. Instead of trying to figure out my own outcomes, I need to lean on God and have faith that he will do what is best for me!
Mary was a woman of faith. She wasn't a prominate woman in her time. She was just a simple girl. I think that's why God chose her. So that she could be an example and inspiration to women from every walk of life.
ReplyDeleteVs. 37 is a promise that we can trust God even in the middle of our darkest circumstances because no problem is too tough for Him to handle. There is no challenge He can't overcome. He WILL do what He says He will do. I really want to use Vs 37 as my 2012 verse to remind me that God can and will help me overcome my diabetes issues. I claim this promise!!
there are two things that popped out to me. The first one was the angel coming and telling Mary that she found favor with God. She was not a 'somebody' in that day. Not a kings daughter or some one others would consider important. Yet, God met her right where was. And she was important to God.
ReplyDeleteThe other would be the reminder that nothing is impossible with God. Many times we try to limit God by the things here. What a good example of a woman's faith is Mary and a reminder that nothing is truly impossible as long as we include God.
I have observed something both yesterday and today. God can use you for great things regardless of age, social stature, anything. It's nice to be reminded of that.
ReplyDeleteI observe the words " with God" where the word impossible does not exist. Also, Mary's acceptance of what the angel Gabriel spoke to her about God's future plan. The application I take from this is God's word is meant to stay within us always. Impossible does not stop me from hanging onto the hem of the robe. I need to be whole heartedly sold-out and accept what God's word instructs us to do and say "let it be to me according to your word God"!! God is still God on top of the mountain and God is still God at the bottom of the mountain, he is so good to us!!
ReplyDeleteWow...verse 37 will be one of my 2013 verses! I am so guilty of praying for something fervently and within the same moment allowing doubt and disbelief to creep in my head. My God is mighty and can do all things, and yet, I don't always live life like this is a fact. I truly felt conviction this evening as I did my study. I must strive to have the faith of this young girl and then to accept God's plans with Mary's willingness to obey. My prayer is that God will continue to remind me of His presence and to provide me with peace that passes all of my understanding.
ReplyDelete"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28 (ESV)
I can relate to the flip flopping between Zacharias and Mary. I really despise when that worm of doubt creeps in my mind-I fight back with songs of praise singing in my head or thinking on a verse of scripture.
ReplyDeleteI kept thinking today of the servanthood and willingness of Mary. "Let it be to me according to your word". That says alot!! Let it be to me according to your word...what a prayer and what a challenge that is to take self out of the way and be completely, whole heartedly open AND willing to God's plan for me. Do we pray let it be to me....as long as it still fits in my plans and as long as it is within my comfort zone? It's kind of scary to pray let it be to me according to your word, but I believe God has great things in store when we whole heartedly submit to whatever the 'according to you word' might bring our way.
ReplyDeleteThe thing that has really stuck with me the past two days is Luke wanted to help people have assurance that Jesus was who He said He was, and for that reason we can trust Him to do everything He said He would. Next, God can and will do what He wills even if it contradicts the laws of nature. (A virgin giving birth) He is just that powerful. Unlike Mary, sometimes I have a problem worrying about certain situations and possible outcomes. Her acceptance of God's will for her life could have cost her the man she loved or even her life. Lord, help us all to grow to the point that we are all a Mary.
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