Luke assures us that we can trust his account of Jesus and sets the scene for the arrival of Jesus who is to take centre stage in the unfolding drama of God’s salvation story. God is moving to keep his promises and fulfil his purposes. Angels are active. An elderly couple long for a child and a young girl shows great faith. In God’s salvation story the needs, hopes and fears of ordinary people are never forgotten.
• Do you have deep unfulfilled longings?
• In what ways does the notion of a promise keeping God strengthen you today?
• How does the story of Mary – God using a very ordinary person – make you feel?
• Can you pray, along with Mary, ‘Here I am, the Lord’s servant; may it be to me as you have said’?
Good stuff.
ReplyDeleteI've always found the fact that God uses the most ordinary and unlikely people encouraging. If He only ever used "super" people then I'd feel rather less confident of Him ever using me!
Will there be a link to this on the St Stephens website at some point? I know there's supposed to be one but I can't see it at present (fortunately I had the actual link to hand!)
So encouraging! Also really exciting that we are all praying together today 'Here I am, the Lord’s servant; may it be to me as you have said’?
ReplyDeleteFunny how its the women who believe, and the man doubts. This is a very challenging story in these days. Is the zygote genetically all Mary, or a blend of dna from Mary and from God? Or is it entirely from God? At the time it was written, the common understanding was that the zygote was the issue of the male partner alone. But the child promised by the angel could not have been conceived unless the womb was ready for it to be implanted, ie, at the approriate time after ovulation, with all that implies. In short, it seems to me a much bigger miracle than the resurrection. And I think Mary, when she believed, was aware of that.
ReplyDeleteThe older I get the more God's promises mean to me and the more i rely on them happening
ReplyDeleteThank you for concentrating my min during lent.
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ReplyDeleteI can't imagine what Mary must have thought when she was told she was carrying the 'Son of man'. I think she showed amazing faith to respond in the way she did.
ReplyDeleteIf any of you prefer an audio version of the bible for this - Bible Society have just released a free download of the New Testament available on iTunes...
I asked Justine if she had any deep unfulfilled longings - she said 'chocolate'. Probably fortunate we're not fasting this lent!
Loved reading the passage and following the posts today. The verse that jumped out at me this morning as I read it was v 14 - 'you will have joy and gladness and many will rejoice at his birth..' I've known something of that same joy and gladness in recent times as God has brought blessing into our lives. It stirs me to pray for others I know who are longing for God's blessing in the midst of their circumstances.
ReplyDeleteLoved reading this passage today. The phrase that jumped out when I read it was 'my words, which will come true at their proper time'. It's very encouraging to know that we have a God who will fulfil his promises at the right time.
DeleteStirred by this blog project I wanted to try and contribute. Rejoiced in the reading and inspiration struck...
ReplyDeletehttp://deonscheppelphotography.tumblr.com
Can't wait to see what the Lord reveals tomorrow...
I re-read this tonight after an incredibly challenging and emotional session of Alpha. I saw God working tonight in a real tangible way and believe he used my own experiences to bring me to a place where I could listen, pray and support. I was reminded of the many powerful ways God has rescued and restored my life and that we should never put a ceiling on hope or God's awesome grace - 'for nothing is impossible with God.'
ReplyDeletethis was from Jennifer, no idea where the life with a teenager title came from!
DeleteI'm struck by verse 25; Elizabeth's response to her role is on a very personal level, even though there's a much bigger kingdom purpose to her finally having her baby. God prepares works in advance for us that further his kingdom but also fit our deepest desires. I've been noticing that good fit recently with my work. Praise God.
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