Mary Did You Know? (2/2)

Often times, the Sunday School lesson stops when the angel leaves Mary. However, the miraculous story continues even after angelic visitation. The Bible records that Mary hurried over to her relative and kin Elizabeth who was also with child. The often overlooked miracle here is that Elizabeth according to the Bible was past the age of child birth. Of course, God also helped Sarah, Abraham's wife, in her old age to also bear child so this miracle has happened before in the Bible. Mary's miracle on the other hand has never happened before! When Mary meets Elizabeth, her cousin filled with the Holy Spirit begins praising the Lord and blessing Mary. Again, here is another often unnoticed miracle, Mary just had an angelic visitation that no one else knew about, and yet Elizabeth filled with the Holy Spirit already knew that Mary would give birth to a child. Even the visitation, tells a story of God's mission namely that God works in mysterious ways! God also has the power to transform lives and often does so with those who have faithful and obedient hearts. Not only did the Story of Mary inspire a beautiful Christmas song, but God's mission also inspired Mary with a song! In fact, Mary's song is one of the most beautiful words of praise to God in Scripture. Mary's Magnificat begins with, "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." The penned words of Mary's praise song affirms God's constant search for faithful obedient hearts. Mary is truly an example of a humble servant who listen to her Lord. She offers up praise to God despite the uncertainty of being with a child as a virgin without being married to Joseph. Mary is a testimony of a missional youth, one filled with faith and obedience to carry out God's calling despite the obstacles.

Mary Did You Know? (1/2)

Luke 1:26-56 - God grants favor to Mary to become the mother of Jesus, because He finds in Mary, a faithful obedient heart. If I had only one opportunity to share a story about faith and obedience, I would be inclined to share the Story of Mary and start off with the words, "Mary, did you know?" Not only is this passage of scripture penned into one of my favorite Christmas songs, the Story of Mary is simply put miraculous on all accounts. Is there any other example in history of a young virgin with God's only child? Mary is given the honor and title as the mother of Jesus not because of her social status, good looks, or even heritage. Although, the Bible prophecies that the birth of Jesus would come from King David's line and would be born in Bethlehem, I am quite certain there were other young virgins who could have been eligible. What makes Mary different from all other youths was her missional heart filled with faith and obedience. In the first chapter of Luke, a story of the birth of Jesus unfolds with the central character who is Mary, a young virgin pledged to be married to Joseph. She was most likely only a teen in our modern age definition, but in Bible times she was a young woman ready to be married. When the angel of the Lord, Gabriel, appears to Mary, the first words that the angel says are, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son..." Mary asks a straightforward question about how could it be possible to give birth knowing she is a virgin. However, the key point, I focus on in this passage is when Mary give her final reply to Gabriel, "I am the Lord's servant... (Part 1 of 2)

Whom Shall I Fear [God of Angel Armies]

There comes a time in every believer's walk with God that fear must be confronted, trials must be overcome, and hope must be tested. I hope that this song reminds us that when that day and hour comes, we can find our strength in our God. The God of Angel Armies!