Based upon Luke 1: 26-38
Long ago, Mary was greeted by the angel Gabriel, who shared
some very interesting news with her. Gabriel began by telling
Mary that she was highly favored, The Lord was with her, and
that she was blessed among women. Mary, troubled by Gabriel’s
greeting, tried to understand what was happening.
The angel told Mary not to be afraid. He went on to state that
Mary would conceive and give birth to a son who would be great,
and that He would be the Son of the Highest. Gabriel also told
Mary that the Lord would give her Son Jesus, the throne of his
Father David, that He would reign over the house of Jacob forever,
and that her Son’s kingdom would never end. Mary did not appear
to be stunned by the fact that she was chosen to give birth to the
King of Kings, and the Lord of Lord’s. Instead, her great concern
was how, as a virgin, she could conceive and give birth to a baby.
Gabriel explained that The Holy Ghost would come upon Mary,
and the power of the Highest would over-shadow her, therefore
that Holy thing which would be born shall be called the Son of God.
When Mary spoke again, she simply said, “Behold, the handmaid
of the Lord, be it unto me according to your word”.
In order to start our New Year with lessons from Mary’s response
to a virgin birth, let’s begin with Gabriel’s greeting. He told Mary
that she was highly favored, the Lord was with her, and that she
was blessed. As a born again Christian, you now have favor with
God (Proverbs 8:35, Psalm 5:12) just as Mary did Luke 8:30).
The Lord is always with you (Hebrews 13:5), and you are blessed
(Jeremiah 17:7).
Just as He did with Mary, The Lord has deposited holy gifts inside
of you, whether you are male or female I Corinthians 12,13,). The
Lord decided that you should have these gifts long before you were
aware that these gifts existed (Ephesians 2:10). Like Mary, the
purpose of your gifts are not only to bless You, but to also
bless your world. You also had a super-natural encounter with
the Holy Ghost, who empowered you to be and do just what the
word of God says. This experience took place during the moment
that you received Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior
(Acts 2:38, II Peter 1:3).
If you have no idea what your gifts are, pray and ask The Lord to
reveal those hidden gifts that He’s deposited inside of you so that
you can give birth to them. If you do know what those gifts are,
pray about how to use them and confidently move forward into
action. Like Mary, don’t be surprised by the magnitude of what
the Lord will do through you. Instead, believe that with God all
things are possible and surrender your life and your gifts
completely to Him. “Be it unto you according to His word”. In
this New Year, expect to give birth to the greatness that the
Lord has deposited inside of You! The world is waiting.
liveinonpurpose 