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 141, Proverbs 21, and Luke 1:39-55)

"At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!"  (Luke 1:39-45)

And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name. His mercy expands to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever even as he said to our fathers.” (Luke 1:46-55)

 I decided to focus on verses 46-48 this morning.

And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name.

I saw Mary taking time to remember what the Lord has done in her life and turning those memories into praise.

OBSERVATIONS:

Mary recalls 2 things the Lord has done for her personally:

1. For He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant!

2. For the Mighty One has done great things for me so now all generations will call me blessed!

 Mary praises the Lord with these words:

1. My soul glorifies the Lord!

2. My spirit rejoices in God my Savior!

3. For He has been mindful of His servant/

4. For He is the Mighty One

5. For Holy is His Name

IMPLICATIONS:

I saw important implications for my own life. I can learn a valuable lesson from Mary. Mary took time to recall what the Lord has done in her life and turn it into praise. Her mind focused back on the Lord for what He has done personally in her life.

I need to do the same thing and recall what the Lord has done for me and turn those memories into praise this Christmas season for the Lord has done wonderful things in my life.

Yes, there has been pain, sorrow, and doubt in my life. Yet, through it all my Lord and Personal Savior has come through for me. When I was down and in despair, the Lord Jesus picked me up and helped me to move. He has blessed me more than I can imagine. I should focus on how the Lord wants to work in my life than worrying about what I have lost or what things I could have done differently in the past. The only way that can happen is through praise. I need to focus on what He has already blessed me with.

Mary could have focused on all the negativity that would have surrounded her if people found out that she was going to be pregnant especially if Joseph who she was engaged to found out. Rather she focuses on how the Lord has done wonderful things in her life and then moves on to praise the Lord for things He has done in other people’s lives.

I ask you now dear friend, where is your praise?

Dear friend, it is so awesome to know no matter what pain we are in and what we have lost, there is always something or other the Lord has done in our life that we can have a glimpse of happiness about. The key is focusing on all the good things that have happened to us because of the Lord in our lives and turning that into praise.

 I need to do that too so I do not trap myself into feeling miserable about things that have not gone my way that I wanted to. The Lord is bigger than our problems and disappointments. He loves us so much and cares for us. Even in our trials and sorrows, when we cannot understand why things happen, the Lord is looking after us. The greatest thing we can praise the Lord is for our Salvation for He is our Savior!

Friend, all of your grades would be posted online by Dec 22, 05. I don't know how you have done but this I know that regardless of how we have done, the Lord loves us and when we are in His plan as we are being His children, He will make things work out. Don't worry for He knows what is best for us! Praise Him for the good grades and praise Him even when things did not go your way!

"Praise Redeemer Always In Society Everywhere! (P.R.A.I.S.E)/"Where is your P.R.A.I.S.E?

Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for the wonderful things you have done in our lives. More than anything I thank you for being our Lord and Personal Savior. As human beings we would love to be happy and not have to deal with sorrow. Unfortunately, that is not possible here on earth. But this I know Lord, there will come a day when you will wipe all our tears from our eyes. Until then, help us to be focused on you and the wonderful things you have done for us even in our pain and sorrow. Mary, your mother was so ecstatic about what you have done for her that she did not even focus on the negativity of a pregnancy without being married even though she knew she was a virgin. She just focused on you God. I want to be able to focus on you in the things that have happened in my life but need your help. I thank you for loving us so much and being born to save us. I pray that our hearts will also turn to you. Thank you Lord you do not give us always what we want but you do give us what we need as we depend on you. Thank you for being our Savior and our Holy One who does Mighty things in our lives too! We surrender our life to you and ask you to be in control of it. Whatever your will give us the willingness and strength to bear it. Thank you so much Jesus. Thank you that you have heard our prayers and answered us. 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

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