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25 Days with Mary Podcast, Day 17

Thursday, December 17, 2020

Mary’s Savior

Transcript

PODCAST

25 Days with Mary Day 17

Thursday, December 17, 2020

PODCAST
Listen HERE

Mary’s Savior

It’s known as Mary’s Magnificat. Luke chapter one, verses 46-56 as follows:

46And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,47And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.48For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.49For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.50And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.51He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.52He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.53He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.54He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;55As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.
Luke 1:46-55

Mary’s Home

Now, grown up and a young virgin bride sitting in the house of her cousin, all ordained by her God. But before children spread their wings, even divinely as we see here in scripture, they’re raised up by the parents and in the home God gives them. Mary’s home was one of biblical admonishment and adoration. It’s one we can all subscribe to repeating in our own, as we love the Lord and teach our children to do the same. Parents, I urge you with an zeal as never before; we need to keep our children’s hearts, minds and spirits away from the world and enveloped in the teaching of God’s Word. This is how Mary was taught and brought up and we see her knowledge and devotion overflowing her heart into her words. Young Mary knew and rightfully esteemed God’s Word in her life and in her heart.

46And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,47And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.
Luke 1:46 & Psalm 34:3

For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.
Luke 1:48 & Psalm 138:6

For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.
Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee!
Luke 1:49 & Psalm 71:19

And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.
Luke 1:50 & Genesis 17:7

He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.
The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.
Luke 1:51 & Psalm 98:1 & Psalm 33:10

He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
He sets on high those who are lowly, And those who mourn are lifted to safety.
Luke 1:52 & Job 5:11

He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
Those who are full hire themselves out for food, but those who are starving hunger no more.
Young lions lack food and go hungry, but those who seek the LORD will not lack any good thing.
Luke 1:53 & I Samuel 2:5a & Psalm 34:10

He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;
He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
Luke 1:54 & Psalm 98:3

As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.
The LORD hath sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.
And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.
Luke 1:55 & Psalm 132:1 & Genesis 17:19

The Blessing of knowing God’s Word

When we find ourselves in these situations of life where there is no-one and nothing that can help us save the Lord Himself, it is a blessing to know God’s Word. Of course, there’s no value to our own lives if we only know and not live & Believe His Word, and here Mary is showing her faith in action. She’s declaring for us to see, the blessing of knowing God’s Word.

You may be familiar with this passage out of 2 Timothy. I want to look at the words the Barean Study Bible uses.

You, however, have observed my teaching, my conduct, my purpose, my faith, my patience, my love, my perseverance,11my persecutions, and the sufferings that came upon me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. What persecutions I endured! Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. 12Indeed, all who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,13while evil men and imposters go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

But as for you, continue in the things you have learned and firmly believed, since you know from whom you have learned them. From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:10-17

Fully Equipped

I’m in the middle of making about 400 cookies to give away. It is a big assignment, to say the least, but one I’m happy to use a blessing to others. However, I can tell you this, my kitchen -and the staff thereof, me, is ill-equipped to handle this job well. I’m thankful that is not where God has us.

You and I who know the Lord have a big assignment too. Continue in the things we have learned and firmly believe. God’s Word is a blessing for us to have, but we need to take responsibility to actually have it.

Wrapped Gifts

Under our tree lay some wrapped gifts. No matter the intention of the giver, nor the potential good for the one named on its gift tag, they’re useless unless both given and received.

God’s Word is good for us as we receive it. He’s already given us His gift, His Son, Jesus, His Word, His Spirit…every good gift comes from the Father. The gift of His Word is good for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness.

Our Salvation is the greatest gift. His Word is necessary so we who are called by His Name may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.

Complete

Mary’s job was just getting started, but her heart was fully equipped for this, and every, good work. She was complete in the Lord. How about you?

The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”
Isaiah 40:8

25 Days with Mary, Day 16

Wednesday, December 16, 2020

PODCAST

Listen HERE

Sacred Echo

Sacred Echo. Remember my Oh My Stars friend I told you about before? She’s the same one who, through another dear friend, shared with us the term Sacred Echo (she, getting it from yet another godly woman). When God brings something from His Word, the voice of His truth, to you in repeat, we affectionately refer to it as a Sacred Echo.

I think we can hear a sacred Echo in Mary’s words from these verses here in Luke 1:41-45

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42In a loud voice she exclaimed, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43And why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44For as soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord’s word to her will be fulfilled.”
Luke 1:41-45

Remember what God has said

Mary finally got to Elizabeth’s home. Do you imagine she was a bit tired from the days long journey? Was morning sickness, or the new pregnancy fatigue kicking it yet? Either way, for the fact she made haste to get there she had to be thrilled to arrive, we would be foolish to think otherwise. She walks in and right away, though it’s Elizabeth’s voice this time, God starts talking to her again: sacred echo.

Wombs Full

Oh my goodness, one of my favorite parts of being pregnant was feeling my babies as they moved in utero. Just as Mary’s feet hit the floor of her home, Elizabeth realizes God’s faithfulness.

He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.
Luke 1:15

And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
Luke 1:41

God’s spirit was continuing on with the messages Gabriel had brought to these two women in the recent past. And it wasn’t coming to an end here and now, or in any foreseeable time ahead.

Echo, Echo, Echo

Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
Luke 1:42

Sounds familiar.

And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”
Luke 1:28

Elizabeth’s words were echoing God’s message through Gabriel.

And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
Luke 1:31-33

Was Mary astonished as she was when she heard Gabriel’s words saying the same? Maybe she was settled in her heart realizing that God is doing a great work in her life, and confirming it again and again. That friend she needed, like no other could be-in the flesh because of circumstances, divine circumstances, but even more so in God’s Spirit as no one else had the words from the Lord that Elizabeth did. Elizabeth was a faithful servant of the Lord, and Mary needed her to be.

I am telling you this as sure as sure can be, God still does this. Our Father who is the same yesterday, today and forever, still uses His faithful people to do His work. Do you have a friend who needs you?

Somewhat silly here, but I write a Christmas letter each year to go with my cards. Our oldest son got married this year, and his bride’s wedding was beautiful, and big. We endured great expense in the process, so, I decided last week I wouldn’t send cards. What a relief, financially speaking: cards, stamps etc. And what a relief of time that seems to be running more quickly than ever through my days. Except the Holy Spirit interrupted my halt and I’ve got cards coming to me, late as they will be going out: God knows why and I’m just trying to be faithful. It’s been such a hard year for so many. Who am I to hide God’s light under a bush when I have opportunity to share His goodness? And I encourage you to listen for God’s still small voice in your heart, too. God still uses faithful servants, and people around us still need to hear from God through us, as He wills.

And Big Encouragement

Not only did her cousin continue to echo God’s very truth to Mary’s heart, but she also closes with a big encouragement to Mary. We’ve all had hard things to do in life. Today, as I told you, a friend will be sitting in the middle of a cemetery next to her young husband’s body as she and her sons say their final earthly good-bye to her husband and their dad. Why is this something the Lord is allowing in their lives, I have no idea. At all. But what I do know for a fact is that she needs an Elizabeth in her life. Someone who is faithfully walking with the Lord and who can share God’s truths with her over her life, as He leads. Add to those sweet sacred echos this:

Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.
Luke 1:45

There WILL BE fulfillment of those things the Lord told her. If Mary was feeling overwhelmed with all the details that flooded her mind after her big life changing news hit her heart, if she was feeling like this was an impossible feat, if she was afraid she’d be able to do all that was put in front of her to do, Elizabeth just sang sweet, sweet music to her ears: God is faithful, BELIEVE HIM, and He will see these things to completion.

Believe

‘Tis the season to Believe. We know this world, our personal lives, will have trials and tribulations. By their very definitions, they’re impossibly difficult to muster. We can’t do it alone. We need God. Faithful friends are so important, too-to be and to have, but in their absence we still can get through the most difficult and heart wrenching life stuff because GOD will see us through to completion of the things He’s promised.

Promises Promises

I don’t have time to go verse by verse through the promises God gives to us who Believe- who love Him, who have a relationship with Him: our real, personal, perfect, loving Heavenly Father. But you should. Open your Bible, go to biblehub or blueletterbible on the web and sink into His word. But today, let’s look at this very promise hanging in the balance at Mary’s surrender more than 2000 years ago.

Jesus.

The promise of eternal life through this baby born in a manger is where we need to go. It’s what we need to believe. It’s who is the answer to each of our heart breaks, our impossibles and our I just can nots. Jesus. HE has overcome the world.

Mary, Martha and their Brother

You know Lazarus, right? Mary and Martha loved Jesus, born of Mary. They found themselves in a cemetery of sorts, too. Their brother lay dead and the blame was placed on Jesus not showing up on time.

Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already. 18Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off: 19And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. 20Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house. 21Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. 22But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. 23Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. 24Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
John 11:17-24

Martha distracted again. Some of us take a few tries to learn the most valuable lessons. Here again, Martha doesn’t sit still and remember who her Lord Jesus is, she gets overtaken by the trouble thereof. BUT, look at verse 24 for a glimpse of her knowledge of the Savior.

Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
John 17:24

Even though this is not the point Christ is trying to make to her, and He makes it clear in the next sentence, we get a peek into the mind of Martha regarding scripture and Jesus’ ministry. She KNEW that Belivers would rise again with Jesus’ return. He hadn’t even died, and she knew what we read about and wait for today. Jesus will return and we will rise to meet Him. Glory hallelujah! Jesus continues.

Do You Believe?

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies. 26And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?”

27“Yes, Lord,” she answered, “I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.”
John 11: 25-27

May He overwhelm your heart as you Believe in Him. Born King of Kings that man no more shall die. This Jesus we Believe in is going to take care of us. Believe that today.