Showing posts with label favored. Show all posts
Showing posts with label favored. Show all posts

Saturday, December 14, 2019

Highly Favored

"And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women."     Luke 1:26-28 KJV

During the Advent season our thoughts turn to the upcoming celebration of Christ's birth. There is wonder in the fact that God chose a young virgin to give birth to His only begotten Son. Mary was truly highly favored. But, let us not forget that we are all favored as well. For this child of God grew to be a man who would give his life so that we, who are sinners, might receive forgiveness of sins and be reconciled to God now and forever. Because of this we are so favored that all who would believe in him have received eternal life.

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."  Romans 5:8

How favored is that!

"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy." 1 Peter 2:8-10

God's Peace - Pr. J

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Mary Listened!


In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, 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.” Luke 1:26-28

Mary was a bit astounded; but, she believed the angel. When an angel went to Joseph with the news; he was more than a bit astonished; but, he listened and he believed the good news. A virgin shall bear shall bear the son of God. Hmmm....

Can you imagine an angel showing up and delivering such a message of good news! Would we recognize the messenger as an angel? Would we believe the good news? The reality is that God sends us messages of good news all the time. We can read it in the Holy Scriptures. We can hear it during worship. Oh, yes, your pastor and many of your friends, even strangers, probably deliver the message of good news to you all the time. Do you take the time to listen or do you shut the door on the good news for you? And, if you listen do you believe?

Open our ears Lord that we might hear the Good News of the Kingdom. Open our hearts, Lord, that we might joyfully receive the Good News that we have heard.

God's Peace - Pr. J