Luke 1:46-50
Mary said: With all my heart I praise the Lord, and I am glad because of God my Savior. He cares for me, his humble servant.
From
now on, all people will say God has blessed me. God All-Powerful has
done great things for me, and his name is holy. He always shows mercy to
everyone who worships him.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I
have quite the Christmas nativity collection, and I love to display it
each year in our piano room. A few years ago, I acquired several
porcelain “Madonnas,” and I now proudly display those alongside the full
nativity sets. At first, I thought it was a little strange to add the
Madonnas. But I have to say, as I have studied scripture over the years
and pondered the circumstances of Jesus’ “conception,” I have grown
quite fascinated with Mary, the mother of Jesus.
In the first
place, Mary was probably all of age 13 or 14 at best…and yet, she
exhibited tremendous maturity – especially for a young girl who was
“disgraced” with an unwed pregnancy. The fact that she quickly
recognized the importance of what God was placing on her – and humbly
accepted it – astounds me. Knowing that she might be ostracized by
Joseph AND her entire family because of this…yet praising God for His
“blessing”…is nothing short of incredible.
After studying other
Biblical accounts of Mary and how she “mothered” Jesus, I have gained a
newfound respect for her – and for her tremendous level of faith. I ask
myself sometimes, “Could you even come close to operating at this
level, if you were presented with Mary’s circumstances?” I simply don’t
know if I would really have her fortitude and confidence. I’d like to
think so…but what this young woman was asked to do was truly
extraordinary.
What God is asking us to do pales in comparison to
what He asked of Mary. Yet many of us are hesitant…full of excuses…and
fearful. We see the things that God asks us to do as burdens – not
blessings. We want to know “What’s in it for me?” We are anything but
ready to step up and out and say, “With all my heart, I praise the Lord”
– and eagerly accept His assignments.
But we can take a page
from Mary’s book. We can begin to trust God more - and change how we
look at the things He asks of us. We can take on a more positive,
worshipful, and grateful persona…and look for the blessings in the
things that we are called to do…rather than the challenges and
roadblocks. We can trust God and fear less…and we can begin today.
Are
you ready to emulate the Madonna? Are you prepared to risk everything
to gain even more? Will this be the Christmas season that you begin to
throw your fears to the wind and say, “It’s all in or nothing with
God…and I’m ready to go all in!”? Isn’t it time you made this level of
commitment? If a teenage girl can do it, why can’t we?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label Mother Mary faith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mother Mary faith. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for December 2, 2014
Luke 1:34-38
Mary asked the angel, “How can this happen? I am not married!”
The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come down to you, and God’s power will come over you. So your child will be called the holy Son of God. Your relative Elizabeth is also going to have a son, even though she is old. No one thought she could ever have a baby, but in three months she will have a son. Nothing is impossible for God!”
Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant! Let it happen as you have said.” And the angel left her.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
If you think Elizabeth and Zachariah were surprised to learn that “they were pregnant” in their advanced years…imagine how little Mary must have felt when the angel Gabriel visited her with news that SHE was going to deliver a baby! Historians believe Mary could have been as young as twelve or thirteen. She lived with her parents, who are not mentioned by name in the Bible. Mary was engaged to be married to Joseph, a carpenter in Nazareth.
I know we live in a very different time. But for the life of me, I cannot wrap my brain around an angel appearing to a teenage girl – even one who was engaged to be married – and telling her, “You are blessed…and even though you are a virgin, you are pregnant with a son.” I most certainly cannot fathom that same angel telling this girl that the baby would be the holy Son of God! I picture her initial reaction being one of fear…followed by total shock and disbelief…and then maybe even more fear and a hefty dose of embarrassment or shame! How would she ever explain this to her parents…much less Joseph? You can “do the math” and figure out pretty quickly what they would all assume.
Now picture this happening in a very small town…where reputation was EVERYTHING…especially to a young carpenter trying to establish himself in business. In a split second, Mary must have felt like her life was over – and just beginning at the same time. So her reaction as recorded in the Gospels moves me greatly. Some might say, “She was so young and naïve…her response was that of a gullible little girl.” But others will recognize the depth of faith and devotion to God that Mary’s reaction contained. In that instant, Mary recognized the hand of God upon her life. And when He spoke…she listened – and humbly obeyed.
Can we say the same about our own relationship with God? We have all entertained “angels unaware” at some point in our lives. The hand of God has touched us…maybe even rescued us from some trouble - or even a disaster. We have heard God call to us in some fashion – maybe not as boldly as the form of an angel named Gabriel who appeared in a bright light – but He has spoken to us. How have we responded? Are we so bold – and childlike – in our faith that we readily answer, “I am the Lord’s servant!” and accept what God asks of us?
Isn’t it time we took a second look at the courage and faithfulness of Mary and incorporated more of it into our own lives? If God can entrust a teenage girl with the delivery and motherhood of the Savior of the World…what might He be calling us to do? Will we be ready, willing and able to accept His assignment(s)? Don’t you think we should?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Mary asked the angel, “How can this happen? I am not married!”
The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come down to you, and God’s power will come over you. So your child will be called the holy Son of God. Your relative Elizabeth is also going to have a son, even though she is old. No one thought she could ever have a baby, but in three months she will have a son. Nothing is impossible for God!”
Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant! Let it happen as you have said.” And the angel left her.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
If you think Elizabeth and Zachariah were surprised to learn that “they were pregnant” in their advanced years…imagine how little Mary must have felt when the angel Gabriel visited her with news that SHE was going to deliver a baby! Historians believe Mary could have been as young as twelve or thirteen. She lived with her parents, who are not mentioned by name in the Bible. Mary was engaged to be married to Joseph, a carpenter in Nazareth.
I know we live in a very different time. But for the life of me, I cannot wrap my brain around an angel appearing to a teenage girl – even one who was engaged to be married – and telling her, “You are blessed…and even though you are a virgin, you are pregnant with a son.” I most certainly cannot fathom that same angel telling this girl that the baby would be the holy Son of God! I picture her initial reaction being one of fear…followed by total shock and disbelief…and then maybe even more fear and a hefty dose of embarrassment or shame! How would she ever explain this to her parents…much less Joseph? You can “do the math” and figure out pretty quickly what they would all assume.
Now picture this happening in a very small town…where reputation was EVERYTHING…especially to a young carpenter trying to establish himself in business. In a split second, Mary must have felt like her life was over – and just beginning at the same time. So her reaction as recorded in the Gospels moves me greatly. Some might say, “She was so young and naïve…her response was that of a gullible little girl.” But others will recognize the depth of faith and devotion to God that Mary’s reaction contained. In that instant, Mary recognized the hand of God upon her life. And when He spoke…she listened – and humbly obeyed.
Can we say the same about our own relationship with God? We have all entertained “angels unaware” at some point in our lives. The hand of God has touched us…maybe even rescued us from some trouble - or even a disaster. We have heard God call to us in some fashion – maybe not as boldly as the form of an angel named Gabriel who appeared in a bright light – but He has spoken to us. How have we responded? Are we so bold – and childlike – in our faith that we readily answer, “I am the Lord’s servant!” and accept what God asks of us?
Isn’t it time we took a second look at the courage and faithfulness of Mary and incorporated more of it into our own lives? If God can entrust a teenage girl with the delivery and motherhood of the Savior of the World…what might He be calling us to do? Will we be ready, willing and able to accept His assignment(s)? Don’t you think we should?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for December 11, 2011
John 19: 25-27
Jesus' mother stood beside his cross with her sister and Mary the wife of Clopas. Mary Magdalene was standing there too. When Jesus saw his mother and his favorite disciple with her, he said to his mother, "This man is now your son." Then he said to the disciple, "She is now your mother." From then on, that disciple took her into his own home.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I have a collection of nativity scenes that I display on my piano and other areas of my piano room each Christmas. This collection includes probably a dozen “nativity” Christmas ornaments that hang on our big tree, as well. Numbering well over 50 sets, my collection would be considered out of control by some. But for me, setting out my nativities is one of the highlights of the Christmas season.
In recent years, I began to acquire the occasional Madonna figurine at auctions and sales, and these began to find a home in my display. I am not one who prays to the Virgin Mary. I do not believe she has the Divine Power of Jesus or our Heavenly Father. But I do respect her as a very important person in Christian history. And as I have “mothered” little Timothy often in the last two years, I have come to better understand her position – her sacrifices – and her deep, abiding faith.
I am not sure I could have accepted Mary’s mission. When the angel appeared and said, “You are going to bear a baby, even though you are a virgin and it could very well cost you your reputation and your fiancé,” I might have said, “Whoa… hang on there! I think I’ll pass!” But scripture says that Mary accepted the angel’s declaration – in fact, she welcomed it! She trusted God to work out the details… and He did.
I am pretty sure I could not have followed my son - who was beaten almost beyond recognition - up the hill to Calvary and watch as soldiers drove spikes through his hands and feet and hung him on a cross to die. Yet Mary endured this and stayed with Jesus until the very end of His earthly life.
Yes, I have a newfound respect for Mary in recent years. When I look at my figurines that are supposed to remind me of her, I am indeed reminded of the incredible faith that she exhibited. Each Christmas season, as I display my nativity scenes and remember the birth of Jesus, I will look at my Madonna figurines and remind myself that God can do incredible things, if only we will trust Him. I may never have true Mother Mary faith… but I can keep trying. Will you?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Jesus' mother stood beside his cross with her sister and Mary the wife of Clopas. Mary Magdalene was standing there too. When Jesus saw his mother and his favorite disciple with her, he said to his mother, "This man is now your son." Then he said to the disciple, "She is now your mother." From then on, that disciple took her into his own home.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I have a collection of nativity scenes that I display on my piano and other areas of my piano room each Christmas. This collection includes probably a dozen “nativity” Christmas ornaments that hang on our big tree, as well. Numbering well over 50 sets, my collection would be considered out of control by some. But for me, setting out my nativities is one of the highlights of the Christmas season.
In recent years, I began to acquire the occasional Madonna figurine at auctions and sales, and these began to find a home in my display. I am not one who prays to the Virgin Mary. I do not believe she has the Divine Power of Jesus or our Heavenly Father. But I do respect her as a very important person in Christian history. And as I have “mothered” little Timothy often in the last two years, I have come to better understand her position – her sacrifices – and her deep, abiding faith.
I am not sure I could have accepted Mary’s mission. When the angel appeared and said, “You are going to bear a baby, even though you are a virgin and it could very well cost you your reputation and your fiancé,” I might have said, “Whoa… hang on there! I think I’ll pass!” But scripture says that Mary accepted the angel’s declaration – in fact, she welcomed it! She trusted God to work out the details… and He did.
I am pretty sure I could not have followed my son - who was beaten almost beyond recognition - up the hill to Calvary and watch as soldiers drove spikes through his hands and feet and hung him on a cross to die. Yet Mary endured this and stayed with Jesus until the very end of His earthly life.
Yes, I have a newfound respect for Mary in recent years. When I look at my figurines that are supposed to remind me of her, I am indeed reminded of the incredible faith that she exhibited. Each Christmas season, as I display my nativity scenes and remember the birth of Jesus, I will look at my Madonna figurines and remind myself that God can do incredible things, if only we will trust Him. I may never have true Mother Mary faith… but I can keep trying. Will you?
©2011 Debbie Robus
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