How Can This Be?
How can this be?
Something Bigger than You
I love Christmas. The impossibilities happen especially if you are a child or childlike. My kids love Christmas. The impossible happen for them. For example, one day they are here in the States; the next day they are thousands of miles away in another continent Africa. Last year, I told them we were going to Nigeria for Christmas. They asked some questions but overall they got excited and expected it.
When I informed my children, I was just telling them what mom and dad have already decided to do. They were not being told so as to decide. They went along with us and had the greatest Christmas (80 degrees weather, lots of cousins and friends to play with and share some goodies and etc.).
The almighty God was just giving information about His arrival through an angel to Mary. Yes Mary asked question but God had already made up His mind – God was coming down to earth through Mary. It was at the fullness of time. It is okay to ask God questions.
26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”[c]
29 But when she saw him,[d] she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”
35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.”
We should not isolate Jesus’ birth from his death. It is all the perfect predetermined will of God. Just as Mary was chosen and it was not her decision, those who killed Jesus were also doing what was beyond them - carrying out the determined will of the Father. Jesus said, “Forgive them for they do not know what they are doing”.
We are bound to glorify God to the Highest like Mary – for He has chosen the lowly. We are to be overwhelmed and over joyed. This is the only way to receive Jesus this Christmas and at any time.
Christmas was the beginning of the fullness of God - he became flesh and dwelled among us, Immanuel- God with us. God is here. He made you and me with a definite purpose to bring Him the highest glory and praise. Are you looking for your part in God's Christmas Play? Stop looking. We are all playing the same part as Mary. Receive the Holy One (and the Holy Spirit) and give birth to the Holy One thru your faith and works of praise.
Make Him known. Mary did not waste time. Upon receiving she went straight to her cousin Elizabeth. This Christmas start with your family. Let the Christ in you lead them to experience early "contraction" and “leap for joy” not because of "toy gifts" but for the greatest gift inside - Jesus. Strategically share Christ this season. Many people are open (pregnant like Elizabeth) and willing to hear. Pray for it as your wish list for Christmas.
Ask God for something that is bigger than you - God Himself. Let God overwhelm you with His impossibilities. Dream big and envision big. Go to a neighborhood (or country) you have never been to and see what God is doing and join Him. You will find many physical and spiritual orphans and widows and help change their lives.
You may already have something(s) that is over your head and beyond you. Great! That is where God wants you to be so give it to Him and let God be God in your life. Let’s go for God’s perfect will and nothing less – “21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins”. If transformation of people from darkness into His light does not overwhelm you, nothing else will. You cannot change any one including yourself so give God all the people you want changed to be more Christ-like. Now that is something beyond you.
Proclaim like Mary, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word….For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name”. Amen.
Something Bigger than You
I love Christmas. The impossibilities happen especially if you are a child or childlike. My kids love Christmas. The impossible happen for them. For example, one day they are here in the States; the next day they are thousands of miles away in another continent Africa. Last year, I told them we were going to Nigeria for Christmas. They asked some questions but overall they got excited and expected it.
When I informed my children, I was just telling them what mom and dad have already decided to do. They were not being told so as to decide. They went along with us and had the greatest Christmas (80 degrees weather, lots of cousins and friends to play with and share some goodies and etc.).
The almighty God was just giving information about His arrival through an angel to Mary. Yes Mary asked question but God had already made up His mind – God was coming down to earth through Mary. It was at the fullness of time. It is okay to ask God questions.
26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”[c]
29 But when she saw him,[d] she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”
35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.”
We should not isolate Jesus’ birth from his death. It is all the perfect predetermined will of God. Just as Mary was chosen and it was not her decision, those who killed Jesus were also doing what was beyond them - carrying out the determined will of the Father. Jesus said, “Forgive them for they do not know what they are doing”.
We are bound to glorify God to the Highest like Mary – for He has chosen the lowly. We are to be overwhelmed and over joyed. This is the only way to receive Jesus this Christmas and at any time.
Christmas was the beginning of the fullness of God - he became flesh and dwelled among us, Immanuel- God with us. God is here. He made you and me with a definite purpose to bring Him the highest glory and praise. Are you looking for your part in God's Christmas Play? Stop looking. We are all playing the same part as Mary. Receive the Holy One (and the Holy Spirit) and give birth to the Holy One thru your faith and works of praise.
Make Him known. Mary did not waste time. Upon receiving she went straight to her cousin Elizabeth. This Christmas start with your family. Let the Christ in you lead them to experience early "contraction" and “leap for joy” not because of "toy gifts" but for the greatest gift inside - Jesus. Strategically share Christ this season. Many people are open (pregnant like Elizabeth) and willing to hear. Pray for it as your wish list for Christmas.
Ask God for something that is bigger than you - God Himself. Let God overwhelm you with His impossibilities. Dream big and envision big. Go to a neighborhood (or country) you have never been to and see what God is doing and join Him. You will find many physical and spiritual orphans and widows and help change their lives.
You may already have something(s) that is over your head and beyond you. Great! That is where God wants you to be so give it to Him and let God be God in your life. Let’s go for God’s perfect will and nothing less – “21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins”. If transformation of people from darkness into His light does not overwhelm you, nothing else will. You cannot change any one including yourself so give God all the people you want changed to be more Christ-like. Now that is something beyond you.
Proclaim like Mary, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word….For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name”. Amen.
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