Ramesh C. Reddy
Editor in Chief
Hi everyone :)
May you know Jesus, who wants to be your Lord and Savior this Christmas season and forever!! Amen!
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.
Mary recalls 2 things the Lord has done for her personally:
Mary praises the Lord with these words:
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 now. I don't know how you have done but this I know that regardless of how we have done, the Lord loves us and if 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!
I want to share with you a poem sent to me by the Chaplain of the Athletes at Pitt. The author is unknown!
A BEAUTIFUL PRAYER
I asked God to take away my habit.
God said, No.
It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up.
I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
God said, No.
His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary
I asked God to grant me patience.
God said, No.
Patience is a byproduct of tribulations;
it isn't granted, it is learned.
I asked God to give me happiness.
God said, No.
I give you blessings; Happiness is up to you.
I asked God to spare me pain. God said, No.
Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.
I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said, No.
You must grow on your own! , but I will prune you to make you fruitful.
I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life.
God said, No.
I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things.
I ask God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me.
God said...Ahhhh, finally you have the idea.
Praise Redeemer Always In Society Everywhere! (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 do 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!
Love in Christ,
Ramesh