‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. ‘ Hebrews 13:8(NLT)
‘In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you! ” Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!” Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. For the word of God will never fail. ”’ Luke 1:26-37(NLT)
30,000 foot view of our priorities: GOD, SPOUSE, FAMILY, JOB, MINISTRY
ASK God to show up in your time today as we wrap our arms around living out the GSFJM list.
READ: HEB 13.8, LUK 1.26-37
DEVOTIONAL: “No word from God will ever fail.” While this one verse is tucked into what might be considered just an “Intro to Christmas” story, it’s the foundation for how God’s word and will play out for us in our everyday lives. The Angel Gabriel shows up to tell Mary she is highly favored. Her response? She is troubled by his words. Huh? An angel just told you “You are special” and you’re troubled? That’s our natural broken state though, to not immediately accept or trust God working in our lives. Many times God will speak to us through prayers, reading His Word, circumstances and people to inform us. And if that big left turn comes taking us down a different path from what we expected or planned for our own lives, we get confused, angry even. It’s not easy to accept when something like this happens (even though it may very well be the best thing for us!). While I may not readily agree with what God is doing, I always take it from the “Let’s assume that God is still in control and knows what He is doing in my life.” Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever!
The world may try hard to preoccupy us, pull us into different, less fulfilling lives if we let it. There are a million voices vying for our attention today and it can be easy to get distracted, off track, or give up. God made you, God loves you and God made you special. So choose every day, every hour, every minute to have the courage to stand strong and live up to these priorities of honoring God, honoring our spouses, leading our families, being present in our jobs and helping others through ministry. GOD, SPOUSE, FAMILY, JOB, MINISTRY – Believe it, seek it, live it.
WRITE down some thoughts about finishing up this reading plan. What do you think about living out these priorities? What needs to change in your life to help you put these in order? How can you engage your spouse, your family, people at work to help you be better at living these out? What do you need to give back to God that will allow Him to be first in everything in your life?
MEDITATE: Ask God to be with you, to lead you and prompt you in everything you do in your life. Ask God to be present with you, to guide you and give you wisdom for following Him and living out these priorities. Thank Him for creating and loving YOU – no matter what! And like Mary did, tell God from your heart, “I am Your servant. May your word in me be fulfilled!”
from George Smiles From Jane’s Marmalade