Editors note: The devotionals that appear from this month on will be taken from the archives because I want to present devotionals relating to the reason for the season. It is possible they will have updates and will be highlighted in pink.

Quiet Times: (Psalm 130,  Proverbs 10, and  Luke 1:29-30)

For the reverence and fear of the Lord are basic to all wisdom. Knowing God results in every other kind of understanding. (Proverbs 9:10, TLB)

“Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.” (Luke 1:29-30, NIV)

Yesterday, I had learned that the angel Gabriel had gone to Mary to greet her and tell her she was highly favored. Today, I decided to look at Mary’s reaction and the angel’s response.

Observation:

I asked myself what I can learn about Mary.

1. Mary was not just troubled but greatly troubled at his words.

2. Mary wondered what kind of greeting this might be.

3. Mary found favor with God

Observations/Interpretations:

I asked myself why Mary was greatly troubled.

We do not know what Mary was doing at the time the angel went to her. Angels do not always give a warning before they appear but just appear. Angel Gabriel had appeared to the Virgin Mary, greeted her and told her the Lord is with her. To be met by an angel who spoke certain greetings to her, she now wondered what kind of greeting this might be. Angels were sent with different greetings to different people. Not knowing the meaning of the greeting alone troubled her. The angel knew she was troubled and acted to alleviate the trouble.

I asked myself what the angel did.

1. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary.”

2. The angel said to her, “You have found favor with God.”

I asked myself what is the significance of the angel’s statements.

It is very significant that when Mary was afraid, the angel told her not to be afraid but goes a step further. This is the first time we hear the angel call Mary by name. Before that the angel had just appeared and given a message. Now the angel calls her by name and imparts the blessings upon her with the greetings. One of the blessings is to call her by name to let her know she has found favor with God.

Implications:

The angel greeted Mary and then called her by name. There is something special about calling people by their name, greeting them, and blessing them. When I was in full-time campus ministry I made it a habit to know everyone’s name so when I greeted them it won’t just be ‘Hi,” but ‘Hi Sara, Hi Jonathan, Hi Becky, Hi Brad, Hi Loretta, Hi Leonard, etc. I made it personal and that is what the angel decided to do. Our Lord has given our parents/guardians the responsibility of naming us. There is something special about calling people by their name. I still do that when I greet people. Now I work full-time in food services on their management team but see my job as a ministry itself and try to greet all the students by name if I know their name.

We do not know what people are going through always but the Lord does. Greeting someone by their name adds that personal touch in their life and makes a person know they are recognized, special, and not forgotten. Even when we forget someone, they are always remembered by the Lord and He gives them His special name.

I ask you now dear friend, what does your greeting do.

Dear friend, when Mary was greeted she was frightened at first but the angel did not leave her at her frightened stage. Instead, the angel Gabriel called her by name giving the message. You have an opportunity when you greet people to make them feel loved, special, and cared for. Every greeting you give someone, it can be to acknowledge they are special and remembered. You can do that this Christmas season and always. Try to remember people’s name and greet them by name. Let your greeting bring a smile to the one you greet. If they are troubled, ask them why they are troubled and if they care to share, listen to them, and take the opportunity to tell them about the Lord Jesus and what He has done for them and what He wants to do. Remember, the angel Gabriel did not just greet Mary but spoke to the Virgin Mary about the Lord. So can you! You can be a blessing in someone’s life. May someone always bless you as you come their path way. More than anything may the Lord Jesus bless you with His abundant grace and blessings! Amen!

“God Reveals Eternal Emancipation Truly Imparting Nurturing, Gracious Salvation!” (G.R.E.E.T.I.N.G.S)/"What do your G.R.E.E.T.I.N.G.S do?"

Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for loving us so much and dying for our sin. Thank you for coming back to life to save us. Father God, thank you for sending Jesus to save us. Thank you for sending the angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary and blessing her to have Jesus. We love you Father God. Thank you for your love. Thank you for calling us by name and we are special and precious in your sight. Help us to be your voice, hands, and feet as we walk this earth and be a blessing to those around us. Help us Lord Jesus to make others feel loved, special, and precious. Thank you for the names you have let us have. May we bring you joy this season Oh Lord by the way we live our lives and bring others joy Oh Lord. Thank you so much Jesus. Hear us and answer us Oh Lord please. Thank you so much for hearing us and answering us Oh Lord. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!

Won’t you allow Jesus to be a presence in your life this season! You can do it right away and don’t even have to wait! Why not pray these words in your heart and mean it!

Prayer:
Jesus, I heard that you want to be part of my life. I want you in my life. I do have a lot of baggage with me. Most of the baggage is damaged goods and only you can set me free. I want to have your presence in my life, for you say when you come in, you will never leave us nor forsake us. I am so sorry for my sins Jesus. You know all my sins what I have done, you know where I have been in my life! You alone can give me new life. I don’t expect everything to be peachy when I come to you but I do know you will be with me and help me through whatever I have to face in life. Thank you Jesus! Please forgive me of my sins and cleanse me with your cleansing blood. I believe you died on the cross to save me from my sins and came back to life to give me new life. I accept all that you have done for me through your grace! Thank you for your grace, you want to impart in my life. Please come into my heart now and make my heart your home forever! Live in me Jesus and I will live for you and serve you the rest of the days of my life as you help me through the Holy Spirit. Fill me Jesus with the Holy Spirit. Thank you Jesus for coming into my heart and making my heart your home! Thank you for being part of my life as I acknowledge you as my Lord and personal Savior! I am not alone but you are with me guiding my path! Thank you Jesus I am born-again into your family and when I have backslid you have brought this prodigal son or daughter back to you. Thank you Jesus for being my Lord and Personal Savior! Thank you, you have heard my prayer and answered me! In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!

No matter what you feel in your heart, know that Jesus has come in and resides with you! You are not alone! To make your walk strong with the Lord, spend time in prayer talking to Him as you would to a friend. You don’t need special words to talk to the Lord. Spend time in His Word reading Psalms and turning them into prayer. Next allow God to heal you and speak to you through the Gospel of John or Gospel of Mark! It is also important to be part of a body of believers to help you grow in the faith. Find a Bible believing church that preaches Christ crucified and risen to bring us hope, healing, and help! As a student, it is not too late to join a fellowship on campus too this coming new year!

Feel free to email me at reddy4hisglory2004@yahoo.com if you want to meet to study the Bible, pray with, talk about Spiritual issues or whatever is on your mind! My number is 412-720-4579

"This is my work and I can do it only because Christ's mighty energy is at work within me." (Colossians 1:29, TLB)

Love in Christ,
Ramesh

Next Devotional:
"What K.I.N.G.D.O.M will you be part of?"

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