A few days later after the angel met

by Sharon O | Dec 6, 2019 | Uncategorized

A few days later after the angel met with Mary, she hurried to the hill country of Judea to see Elizabeth.
I am not sure how far that was to walk but it says she hurried, so it was a fast exit out of Galilee to Judea.
The story unfolds like this in Luke 1
When Elizabeth saw Mary and greeted her, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
Elizabeth gave a good cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed.
Why am I so honored, that the Mother of my Lord should visit me? When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy.
You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.”
Now let us stop for a second.
This is Elizabeth, a relative of Mary’s who has known her all her life. Can you imagine the moment between them?
Mary’s response to her was amazing.
It is called the Magnificat: Mary’s song of praise
Found in Luke 1:46-56
When she was finished with her praise and honor she stayed with Elizabeth; about three months and then went back to her own home.
I am not sure about her own family, or her responses from Joseph or even if HE knew or not.
What I do know is the angel met with Joseph. In the book of Matthew chapter 1 vs 19
Joseph, her fiancé was a good man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.
As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream.
“Joseph, Son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit.
And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
(fulfilling prophecy from the Old Testament)
A few days later after the angel met with Mary she saw Elizabeth.
Perhaps even stayed there long enough to see John born, the time frame would certainly be about right for the delivery.

When Elizabeth was six months along

by Sharon O | Dec 4, 2019 | Uncategorized

When Elizabeth was six months along with John, an angel met with Mary who was engaged to be married Joseph.
Gabriel appeared to her in Luke 1:28 and he said, “greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you.!”
Now we must stop for a second and remember she was only 16, not quite a woman; but God knew.
It said she was, Confused and disturbed as she thought about what the angel had said to her.
Wouldn’t that be the normal response when hearing a greeting like that?
The other thing to remember women who were pregnant and not married were often stoned to death.
It was a serious issue not only for her, Joseph and the families involved.
She must have had many questions and concerns.
Then the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Mary, 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.”
Mary asked the angel, “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 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 now she is in her sixth month.
For nothing is impossible with God.”
Mary’s response to the angel was, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true,”
Then the angel left her.
{I truly think the angel brought the news about Elizabeth to Mary so she would believe more intensely and with more reality. She knew Elizabeth was old and barren. She also knew she must go see her and see for herself what the angel had said.}
When Elizabeth was six months along with John, Mary went to visit her.

When I think of the Christmas story

by Sharon O | Dec 3, 2019 | Uncategorized

When I think of the Christmas story; I am in awe and in amazement of the amount of players that were used to create the scenes.
It is orchestrated like a screen play with every one doing every little part to make the whole, story complete.
God was so wise to use a simple teenager, and a humble man.
It was perhaps a love story that would be tested from the moment the angel met with Mary.
She was a teen, so young and being told. “You are to be the chosen one.”
She had a tender heart full of acceptance and honor.
Can you even imagine how it started? Being startled by an angel in the room?
Don’t be afraid. (Of course he would have to say that!) I would be terrified.
I have always been amazed over the fact that the angel spoke in a language Mary could understand.
I wonder if sometimes WE get an angel among us telling us things that we hear, but not realizing Who was telling us?
Mary was the chosen one to be the Mother of Jesus.
In Luke 1: The story is written and played out and it unravels with each and every character.
The beginning of it began with Zechariah and Elizabeth who were relatives of Mary.
It was the miracle before the miracle.
Their son, John would be born before Jesus.
Elizabeth was barren for many years and then Zechariah was told they would have a son.
He didn’t believe the angel and so the angel told him to be quiet until the birth took place.
I don’t blame him for doubting, that would be the reaction of many in the same situation.
But God… can do miracles.
A miracle before the miracle.
When I think of the Christmas story I am always in awe of the details and the obedience.
It was all taking place so the day of delivery could happen.

I will praise the name of God with a song

by Sharon O | Nov 27, 2019 | Uncategorized

I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving. Psalm 69:30 RSVEnter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, bless his name.
For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.
Psalm 100:4-5 NRSV
When I read these words it is a great reminder that Thanksgiving is not just a day for good food, and being with family or friends.
It is a day for perspective of giving thanks.
I will SING the NAME of God with a song. I will MAGNIFY HIM with Thanksgiving.
(Those are action words…it requires our participation)
Enter his gates with Thanksgiving and his courts with praise.
(Go into the sanctuary whatever that may be, an old church or a gym) it doesn’t matter just go with the intention of praise.
Give THANKS to him. BLESS his name
(for we have so much to be thankful for and we are so blessed)
It is a perspective of Thanks.
When someone does something really special for you, it is a common courtesy to write a thank you note to express to that person; what it meant for you to receive.
How can we not do that for God?
Give THANKS with a grateful heart, Give Thanks to the HOLY ONE.
(Who by the way made a way for you and I to receive GRACE)
I love to sing worship and praise songs; it is one thing that will touch my spirit deeply.
To add to that good old Southern Gospel does that too.
I think every church no matter what kind; has books of hymnals or songs of praise on the white pull down boards.
Songs bring us to the place of listening. A place of worship. A thankful place. A place of receiving.
Without God’s intervention we would not have a place of forgiveness.
That in itself is a big one to be thankful for.
Soon we will be sitting around our table with those we care for and love and we will remember to give thanks.
For the blessings we have received, I will praise the name of God with a song.
Maybe for once we can sing the doxology together.

click onto the above link.

When I think of what we can be thankful for

by Sharon O | Nov 20, 2019 | Uncategorized

When I think of what we can be thankful for it is easy to make a list and then be done with it.
Not so easy my friend, we must really take in and consider all the many blessings we have surrounding us.
First of all, we live in houses that have heat. We can go to a thermostat and turn it up or down.
Some people do not have that choice.
Second of all, we have fresh running water to make coffee or brush our teeth or shower.
Some people do not have that choice.
We have facilities within our home that keep us clean, such as bathrooms, dishwashers or laundry.
Some people do not have that choice.
We woke up in a warm comfortable bed with clean sheets and warm blankets and soft pillows.
Some people do not have that choice.
We made our breakfast from food that was kept safe in a refrigerator that is cold with an oven that is warm.
Some people do not have that choice.
We walk on clean soft carpeting, as we look out a window that is open to the outside; yet it keeps us safe inside.
Some people do not have that choice.
At any point in time we can get into our car and drive down the road to a grocery store for fresh goods.
Some people do not have that choice.
Are you beginning to get the picture of how blessed we are? How fortunate we are? How thankful we should be?
Not to put a should upon you or me, but so often we complain and get frumpy for no real reason.
We have nothing to complain about when we think of others in different situations that is not our reality.
Inconveniences for us would be a major blessing to some of them.
Not to use the ‘them and us’ concept but you understand what I mean?
When I think of what we can be thankful for it is easy to make a list and be done with it.
May I challenge us all to think more clearly and with more intentions?