Today’s Scrip-Bit 10 April 2008 2 John 9-11‏

10 Apr 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

2 John 9-11    Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed. For he that biddeth him God speed is a partaker of his evil deeds.
 
‘The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth…’ That’s how John begins his second epistle. But the learned ‘scriptologists’ can’t decide if he was really writing to a personal acquaintance, or to a church and its followers. It works both ways, but there’s no hard evidence to verify any. However, he’s talking to them about people who skew the gospel for their own benefit and purpose. In Vs.7 he claims, ‘For many deceivers are entered into the world who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.’ Here, he’s referring to what you might call the early pseudo Christians, who denied that the Son of God actually took human form. But to deny that, according to John, denies the whole basis of Christianity. So he’s admonishing them not to listen to anyone who doesn’t teach Christ actually born, crucified and resurrected. This was possible because the early church was scattered all over, with no resident pastors, so they depended on itinerant preachers visiting to share and teach the Word, and they survived on the hospitality of the local believers. That’s why John’s warning them about whom they listened to. For, ‘Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.’ Thus they should not welcome anyone into their homes, as a preacher or teacher, unless they taught the full doctrine of Christ, which entails actual human form, crucifixion, resurrection, ascension, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. John went even further and told them not to even wish that person God speed, since that would be encouraging them in their evil deeds. Ah Friends, we can also apply that same basic lesson today, for there are lots of the antichrist kind prowling around this crazy, evil world of ours. We’ve got to be very careful whom we listen to and follow. John’s admonition is a good place to start, but with two thousand years of experience, the antichrist teachers have also become very sophisticated, and know just which buttons to push to ignite doubts in our minds, doubts they then jump on with their own brand of Christianity. It’s certainly amazing how the one faith has morphed into so many different sects and religions over its two thousand years, causing so much dissension, and making it difficult to know whom to believe. But Friends, the best place to start is with the Word; read it yourself, listen to those who preach its fullness, then finish with the Word again. Much LOVE!…when in doubt…follow the Good Book…it’ll never lead you astray…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 9 April 2008 1 Timothy 2:5-6‏

09 Apr 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

1 Timothy 2:5-6    For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
 
Bruh Paul learned his facts well. (smile) Yes Friends, for us Christians there is only One God, by whatever name we choose to call Him. He created the world and all therein, and rules it with LOVE, mercy and forgiveness. He’s Omnipotent, Omniscient, and Omnipresent: All powerful, knows everything, and is everywhere all at once. Wow! That’s the God we worship Friends. The most powerful Being in the universe. The only One there is. But too often we tend to forget that, and when the enemy unleashes his evil forces on us, we become scared, defensive, sag and want to give up too easily. However Friends, as Bruh Paul reminds his protégé Timothy, although we are fallen people, we do have the best mediator, the best lawyer, in fact the only one that can approach the throne of grace and speak on our behalf, that’s ‘the man Christ Jesus. Who gave himself a ransom for all.’ Yes, Jesus earned that right by paying a hefty price with His sinless life, to wash away our sins, and when He returned to His father, He left us a helper in the form of His Spirit. That means people, we don’t have to be afraid of the enemy. With the Holy spirit of Jesus living within us, and Jesus himself before the Almighty Father, arguing and pleading our case… Chuh! There’s no way the enemy can win. But we’ve got to be very careful, be strong, build up our defences through studying the Word and associating with other believers, because the enemy is a wily foe. He’s not as powerful as our Triune, but he’s cunning and can plant all sorts of wrong, evil ideas in our heads and makes us believe things that aren’t true. The enemy’s a mind games specialist, using material and lustful pleasures of this world to entice us into going against God’s Word, disobeying Him. This obviously makes the enemy happy, but it saddens our God, because then He has to punish us. Disobedience does not sit well with Him. Just as we LOVE our children, forgive them lots of stuff, but can’t allow them to be continually disobedient and walk all over us, because it’s unhealthy for all parties, it’s the same with Our Heavenly Father. There’s no one as LOVING as Him, but when we take advantage of His good nature, He’s quite capable of practising tough LOVE. So Friends, let’s try and avoid incurring the Father’s displeasure nuh. It’s three to one against the enemy, don’t let him bamboozle us into thinking that he can win the war. He might win a battle here and there, if the Lord allows, but never, never the war. Let’s strengthen and fortify our defences through prayer, studying the Word and fellowship. In that way, when the enemy comes to beguile us with his empty promises, we’ll be strong enough to laugh in his face and drive him away. Much LOVE!…the only words we should ever speak to the enemy are…get thee behind me Satan…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 8 April 2008 Nehemiah 6:9‏

08 Apr 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Nehemiah 6:9    For they all made us afraid saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.
 
And He did people, He did! Oh Friends, it’s been a year since we began this Scrip-Bit thing, and still going strong! Who’d have thought it eh? The naysayers were proven wrong. Praise the Lord! Praise His Holy Name! And I never even realized we’d hit that mark until a few days ago. The first recorded Bit says 30 March 2007, but with lingering doubts and not been properly set up, it could have been a Bit before. (smile).Today, we see Nehemiah trying to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls, finding lots of resistance, and crying out, ‘Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands!’ I didn’t cry out as such, but had my doubts re the scriptural knowledge. However, after some prodding, that increased in intensity when I didn’t respond favourably, hn,hn, I finally plunged in, took the leap of faith, and kept asking for guidance, which He obviously provided, as our year’s anniversary attests. Many times I had no idea, or could not decide what to write about, even figured that I’d exhausted the source. But in different ways, the Most High always led me to something, and also taught me, that I could never, never exhaust His Word. Yes Friends, even today that happened. But when I was ready to write, I asked for guidance, opened the Good Book, began perusing it, and shortly thereafter my eyes fell on Nehemiah’s words underlined in yellow, ‘Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands,’ and knew that was it. I wasn’t even thinking about it being a year since we started either, but it all fell into place. As Nehemiah says in Vs.16, after the wall’s completion, ‘And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us saw these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes; for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God.’ Yes Friends, it’s definitely being wrought by the Most High, for several times over the past year, I’ve had serious doubts, whether people were really interested, or if I was doing a satisfactory job. But in His great wisdom and perfect timing, someone would always call or write and offer words of encouragement, causing me to persevere. Thank you all my Friends! I could not have done it without your faithful encouragement. If nothing else, writing the Bit has strengthened my faith and showed me that God really does stand beside us when we are doing His work. So if you’re doing something you think He’s genuinely called you to do, don’t give up, have faith, persevere, keep asking Him for guidance, for strength, like Nehemiah, to do His work. He’s promised to help us if we ask with a right heart. So keep on keeping on. It won’t be easy, I guarantee that, but it will be quite fulfilling and very interesting. Much LOVE!…and please believe…if He’s called us to it…He’ll see us through it…that’s His promise…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit April 7 2008 Revelation 3:20‏

07 Apr 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Revelation 3:20    Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hears my voice, and opens the door, I will come into him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
 
Oh Friends, to sup with the Lord; what a wonderful, wonderful offer! Don’t think we can ever receive a better dinner invitation! This is John’s vision to the church of the Laodiceans, whom the Lord claimed were neither hot nor cold; just lukewarm, like so many of us. Remember yesterday we talked about our lack of passion, and because lukewarm in most things is unsatisfactory, the Lord promised to spit them out. They figured they had earthly wealth and needed nothing else, but God considered them naked and blind since they did not possess the splendour and glory of His spiritual riches. He warns them; ‘As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.’ (Vs.19) He ‘s talking to us too Friends. Then He offers that exceptional invitation. ‘If any many hears my voice, and opens the door, I will come into him, and will sup with him, and he with me.’ It’s ever so simple Friends. Jesus is standing outside the door of our hearts, knocking, eagerly wanting to come in and share the treasure of His Spirit with us. All we have to do is open the door and gracefully welcome Him in. Can you think of anyone else you’d rather break bread with? I can’t. One author describes it this way. ‘The awareness of God’s presence with us is encouraging and heart-warming. It is as if we were two friends seated beside a rippling brook, enjoying a gentle breeze on a warm spring afternoon.’ How poetic and inviting! We’ve all had occasions like that with  human friends. How much more pleasant and insightful it would be, if we truly invited Jesus into our hearts and lives eh people? Then we’d be able to sit and chat with Him by that rippling brook, all the time my Friends, with no interruptions whatsoever. (smile) Now isn’t that something we should all seriously consider? I think so. Why? Because our lives are much better organized and run much smoother when we constantly walk with Jesus. On our own, we find so many pitfalls, and make so many mistakes, because we lack the sagely advice and wisdom of our Saviour. Remember, He’s supposed to be our guide now.  And why have a guide, if we don’t listen to and follow them eh? So Friends, I’m asking us today to accept this splendid invitation of Jesus. Welcome Him into our hearts! He’s good, and He’s true! Much LOVE!…ah…dining with Jesus…what a treat…like…like sharing tasty West Indian food for the soul…Wow!

Today’s Scrip-Bit 6 April 2008 Titus 2:11-13‏

06 Apr 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Titus 2 :11-13.    For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men. Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world. Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.
 
Yes Friends, the Lord does have an affinity for using the most unlikely people to do his work. Who’d ever think  that Saul, the great scourge of early Christians would become Paul, the great apostle and advocate of Christianity eh? But God likes to take what seems useless and put it to good use. That’s why Paul could write such positive, uplifting words to his associate, Titus. He’s talking from first hand experience when he says, ‘For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.’ But not as forcefully as it did to him, because the Lord knew it needed a powerful, miraculous circumstance to get his attention, so that instead of suppressing the Word, he’d go out and spread it just as diligently. And note, good or bad, Bruh Paul did all things with passion. Sadly Friends, much of our witness today lacks passion. Too many Christians go around looking sad and sour, like droopy, wet fowls, restricting their activities so severely, that nobody in their right mind would want to be like them. And though Paul talks about the grace of God teaching us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, encouraging us to live soberly, righteously and godly, it doesn’t  mean, as so many believe, that we are to severely curtail our enjoyment of this life, especially our passion for the Lord. Jesus said he came for us to have an abundant life, which certainly doesn’t mean walking around with drawn, sour faces, tiptoeing around life. Jesus was always pleasant and friendly, and never, never tiptoed, always stepped out smartly and passionately. And as His true followers, we need to be like that my Friends. We all know right from wrong. So if something’s wrong, then don’t do it. But if it’s right, then please step out smartly like a good soldier in the Lord’s army, and give it your best. We all know of  people been born again whose demeanour and attitude went from bad to worse. And they weren’t doing any good deeds either. Granted, there are things we shouldn’t do, but there are even more things that we should do. Things Bruh Paul would consider living soberly, righteously and godly. So Friends, let’s get out there and do them passionately nuh. Paul says that Jesus died, ‘that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak and exhort, and rebuke with authority.’ (Vs.14-15) So if we’re happy to be Christians, living for Jesus, then let’s show it nuh, because Christianity entails enthusiastic, passionate action. Only when we live that way, and  look forward to Christ’s coming again, will unbelievers eagerly want, desire the glorious spirit we possess. Much LOVE!…being a Christian means… showing the world…leaving no doubt whatsoever…that you’re happy in Jesus…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 5 April 2008 1 Kings 2:2-3‏

05 Apr 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

1 Kings 2:2-3    I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man. And keep the charge of the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgements, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself.
 
Bruh David knew his end was near, ‘I go the way of all the earth:’ when he spoke those words to his son and heir, Solomon. ‘Be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man.’ Tough words for a youngster without much experience to hear, especially when they come with the awesome responsibility of ruling a large, unruly nation like Israel, plus hostile rivalry from older, jealous siblings who figured they should be king instead of Solomon. But that’s the way God wants us to be Friends; strong and courageous in the face of adversity. It’s not always easy when the back breaking pressures of the world all seem to rain down on us simultaneously, but with God’s help it’s certainly possible. We have to do as Bruh David instructed Solomon. ‘And keep the charge of the Lord thy God.’ Yes my people, if we’re going to live successfully, it’s of the utmost importance that we walk in God’s ways; using Christ’s earthly life as an example, following in His footsteps, obeying the rules He set out, and being informed of His judgements and testimonies by studying His Word and fellowshipping with other believers. It’s the only way to achieve sure and proper guidance on the rough and rocky road that’s life. There are many examples of the Lord’s adverse reaction to sin and disobedience, from fire and brimstone in Sodom and Gomorrah to sickness, disease, famine, enslavement for the Israelites. Remember when He gave Moses the Ten Commandments, He specified that we worship no other God, for He is a jealous Being that repays iniquity down to the third and fourth generation of those that disobey. But on the other hand, to those who LOVE Him and obey His rules, ah Friends, He’s the most generous and magnanimous Being there is. That’s why Bruh David reinforced those guidelines in Solomon before he died. He knew from personal experience what he said was true. We should also adhere to those principles people, and even more importantly, teach them to our young, because they are drifting away quite quickly to the enemy’s camp, overcome by its seemingly exciting promise of a glitzy, glamourous life, that’s in reality, empty and fleeting.  For their sakes, as well as ours Friends, let’s try and win them back to the Lord nuh, since it’s the only way any of us, will ever find true and lasting prosperity, in whatever we chose to do, wherever our footsteps might lead us. As always, Much LOVE!…remember…the blessings of obedience…outweigh those of disobedience…by far…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 4 April 2008 Acts 8:20-23‏

04 Apr 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Acts 8:20-23    But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.
 
Ah Friends, even today, people still wrongfully think that the Lord’s grace and favour can be bought with money. But it’s just not so. This Bit is about Simon, a sorcerer in Samaria, in the early days of the church, when Paul was still Saul, and wreaking havoc in Jerusalem, just after he had them stone Stephen to death, and the believers were scattered all over, fearful of Paul, but still preaching the Word. At this time, Phillip went down to Samaria and preached the Word successfully. Acts 8:8 says; ‘And there was great joy in that city.’ However, Simon, who had made lots of money before this, bewitching them with his evil doings, saw his following converted and baptized, and figuring that he might as well get in on a good thing, he followed suit, then began hanging around with Phillip and his crew, marvelling at the miracles they performed. Now when the Apostles in Jerusalem heard about the good things happening in Samaria, they sent Peter and John down to witness also. When they came, they prayed for the Holy Spirit to come into the hearts of the believers, as they’d not received it yet, only been baptized. That’s when Simon, with his greedy self, popped up and offered Peter money for the power to lay hands on others and invoke the Holy Spirit. He obviously saw it as a money making machine. And Peter appropriately put him in his place: ‘thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.’ Yes Friends, there’s nothing truly of the Lord that can be bought with money. His grace, LOVE, salvation, forgiveness and mercy are all free, depending on the rightness of our heart. It’s all about out belief and trust in Him. Even being baptized and having the Holy Spirit in you, is not sufficient. You’ve got to use it, and use it right too. It’s like having money in the bank for a rainy day, but the rainy day comes and you don’t use it. As the cliché goes, ‘if you don’t use it, you’ll lose it.’ That’s the same with our God. He wants us to be actively involved in spreading His Word, using the tools He’s given us, in the right manner, with a heart to match. So my people, if today we find ourselves in a situation like Simon, where our intentions are not in sync with God’s Word, ‘in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity,’ and only we can know that, then let’s take Peter’s advice, turn to God, repent of our misdoing and ask for forgiveness. He will grant it, once He sees that our heart is right and we’re sincere. Much LOVE!…that’s why Bruh David pleaded…create in me…a clean heart…O God…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 3 April 2008 Deuteronomy 8:2-3‏

03 Apr 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Deuteronomy 8:2-3    And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live.
 
Believe it People! Our God is a serious Being yes. He doesn’t make joke when coming to His business nuh. Yuh see how He had them Israelites wandering in the wilderness for forty, long, hard years of ‘sufferation’; to find out what they were made of, to humble them because He knew they were a stubborn, hard hearted people, and see if they would keep His commandments, since it’s hardest to keep them when you’re under serious strain. Friends, are any of us out there running around aimlessly, like we’re lost? Can it be that it’s God’s hand on us, trying to humble, or prove us, or just teach us a lesson we refuse to learn. But then again, when we’re under serious pressure, that’s the time we desperately need to call out to God for help. The Israelites didn’t understand that early on, they just complained. Here, Moses is giving behavioural guidelines to the young generation, for the promised land, and showing them why the Lord humbled them and made them go hungry, only giving them tasteless, unknown manna. He wanted to drive home to them the fact ‘that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live.’ What a rough way to learn that eh Friends! But I suspect that’s happening to some of us today. We are either taking the Lord for granted, or making a mockery of His rules, and we’re paying the price, struggling through one or more aspects of life. Yes Friends, our God is nice and friendly and merciful and all that, but He’s a stickler for obedience, especially if we claim or pretend to be what we’re not. He has no qualms about bringing us to our knees and keeping us there until we learn whatever lesson He wants to teach us. So I’d suggest people, that we look closely at ourselves, because we all have areas in which we struggle, and try to find out why? Let’s talk to the Most High, go right to the top, humble ourselves before Him and ask Him to show us the error of our ways. It might be that He’s just testing us for promotion, trying to see if we have the mettle it takes to move up higher, or trying to say something significant and we’re not paying attention, who knows? But the best way to find out Friends, is to go directly to Him. He won’t beat about the bush. He’ll tell you exactly what is what, like He told the Israelites back then. We too may need to learn that it’s by the word of God, we live. Much LOVE!…when in doubt…go right to the top…for the true answer…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 2 April 2008 Psalm 18:1-2,49.‏

02 Apr 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Psalm 18:1-2,49.    I will love thee, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.
 
Ah Friends, like an angel of peace and calm danced through my soul today, for I’ve been so peaceful, it scares me. Several annoying problems cropped up that I could not fix, but I didn’t rant and rave. I couldn’t decide on a Bit, but I wasn’t perturbed. I’ve been a bit under the weather recently, but today I’m feeling much better, and it’s certainly been a restful, non stressed day. For all of that, thanks and praise seemed most appropriate today. Having said that, it’s obvious I went straight to Bruh David’s words, because nobody does thanks and praise like him. Had to do a bit of searching and checking though, since I’ve used so many of them already. But like he never runs out. And if he ever does, so what? Then we just use them twice, or even thrice.(smile) Listen to these words people, that he spoke unto the Lord, the day He delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, especially his nemesis, Saul. I can just imagine Bruh Dave, early in the morning, having found a quiet place, alone with God, releasing a heavy sigh, throwing up his opened arms and raising his tear filled eyes to Heaven, before waxing poetical, in a barely audible voice, filled with heartfelt gratitude. ‘I will love thee, O Lord, my strength.’ Then with increasing power, ‘The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;’ as the revelation of God’s goodness really dawns on him. ‘My God, my strength, in whom will I trust;’ And as the power of the Holy Spirit moved in him, he waxed stronger and stronger. ‘My buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.’ And he unashamedly poured out his heart, remembering the times the Most High had been good to him. And there were plenty, because it’s one of his longest writings; 50 verses. The tears of gratitude must have flowed copiously down his cheeks as he recounted them. And nowhere does he take credit for any of his victories, it’s always God. ‘He delivered me from my strong enemy…but the Lord was my stay…It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect…Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation, and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great…It is God that avengeth me…He delivered me from mine enemies…Therefore I will give thanks unto thee O Lord, among the heathen, and sing praises to thy name.’ Oh Friends, there’s no more to say. Bruh David said it all. And if a strong, enlightened ruler like him can acknowledge the Lord as his rock and strength, and pour out his heart so eloquently, what can a lesser mortal like me say eh? Just that we should all go and do likewise Friends. The Lord has been good to all of us, and for many things we’ve never thanked him. So let’s just take some time, find a quiet place, enumerate some of His blessings, and pour out our hearts; shower Him with thanks and praise for His goodness to the undeserving children of men. He deserves it. Much LOVE!…Read Psalm 18…and weep…with joy…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 1 April 2008 Luke 1:38‏

01 Apr 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Luke 1:38    And Mary said, behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
 
Yuh know Friends, the other day I was watching Cousin Joel talking about some of the things, Mary, the mother of Jesus, went through, and it suddenly struck me that when names are called of people with great faith, hers is never mentioned. In Hebrews 11 Paul talks about Abel, Enoch, Noah Abraham, Sara, Isaac, Joseph, Moses, etc. but no mention of Mary. But Friends, using Paul’s own definition, that ‘faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen,’ what would you term Mary’s response to the Angel Gabriel eh? Remember, Mary was just a young, uneducated girl from a poor family in a poor neighbourhood of a poor town; in today’s parlance, from the ghetto of Nazareth, who’d recently gotten engaged. Now imagine her reaction when Gabriel suddenly shows up and declares, ‘Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.’ Vs.28. Obviously she was surprised and scared. But Gabe calmed her. ‘Fear not, Mary; for thou hast found favour with God.’ Vs.30. Then he went on to tell her about the son she would have, to call his name Jesus etc.Vs.31-33. And when Mary asked the obvious question, how can I have a child, if I’ve never been with a man? Gabe simply said that the Holy Ghost would come upon her, that’s why the child would be called the Son of God. He also said that her cousin, Elizabeth, previously barren, was now, in her old age, six months pregnant. ‘For with God, nothing shall be impossible.’ Vs.37. And what was Mary’s reaction to this unbelievable news? Without much time to consider it, she said without hesitation, ‘Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.’ Now isn’t that the ultimate in faith and trust? Try telling that to any teenaged girl today. They’d laugh you to scorn. But in Mary’s time, they were a more God fearing people, though she had much bigger problems then, than girls in our more liberal society today. Getting pregnant outside of marriage is not as terrible as it was back then. How would Joseph, her fiancee react? No doubt he’d think she’d been unfaithful. Would he still marry her? And if he refused, what would happen to her and her illegitimate child? And we all know about the viciousness of small town gossip. But Mary did not wilt under the pressure, she stood strong. Then on visiting her cousin Elizabeth, when she called out to her, John the Baptist jumped for joy in Liz’s womb. Now there’s another woman who should be numbered amongst those of great faith. And after the two women communed, it dawned fully on Mary, that she was destined for a rather remarkable future, and she burst forth in praise. ‘My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour…For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.’ Now if that isn’t faith that should be acknowledged and shouted from the rooftops, I don’t know what is. Roman Catholics revere her for being blessed, but I don’t think we give her her rightful due in the faith category. Who else in history has ever been spiritually told they would have a child without knowing a man, and didn’t bat an eyelash, especially in those dark ages? Then, when we add all the problems she encountered with Jesus growing up and His eccentric, confusing manhood, death and resurrection, but never faltered, what else can you call her resilience eh? Nothing but FAITH!  Read it all in Luke Chap.1. Much LOVE!…this thing called faith eh…it can really move mountains yes…

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