August 2, 2018 Text to Pam and my In-loves. But Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. Luke 2:13 NLT. We can thank Mary for all of the details about the birth of Jesus. Luke most likely had the privilege of interviewing her personally as she recited how God had moved upon, in and through her life. I think women have a gift to remember details. The key is to keep connecting all the moments of interaction as expressions of His love for you. Even perceived distractions provide an opportunity to hear God’s voice for your moment. Be blessed. Love y’all. Aug 2
The Berean Study Bible captures this verse this way, “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” What things did she treasure? We don’t know for sure, but the details surrounding His birth are ours today, because of Mary’s recounting.
May I suggest, the pondering in her thoughts was more than the experiences, they included the words God gave surrounding the events. God’s words are life. God’s word carries us through the hard times. God’s word focuses our attention again on what is the most important in life.
Some of the words spoken to Mary
From Gabriel to Mary – “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31Behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus. 32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, 33and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end!” “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the Holy One to be bornd will be called the Son of God. 36 Look, even Elizabeth your relative has conceived a son in her old age, and she who was called barren is in her sixth month. 37For no word from God will ever fail.” Luke 1:30-37 NOTICE the last sentence about the word of God
From Elizabeth to Mary – “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43And why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44For as soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord’s word to her will be fulfilled.” Luke 1:42-45 NOTICE the phrase she who believed the Lord’s word.
Angel to the Shepherd’s then to Mary -“Do not be afraid! For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: 11Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord! 12And this will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”
13And suddenly there appeared with the angel a great multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying: 14“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests!”
15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the Baby, who was lying in the manger. 17After they had seen the Child, they spread the message they had received about Him. 18And all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2: 10-19 Notice the words “good news”, “spread the message”, and “all who heard”.
These words and good news are ours today because Mary treasured and remembered them.
What words has God spoken to you? God will bring to pass what He has started. He will fulfill His word. He has done great things for us and we have the privilege to share with others. Praise God He speaks to us and we have the ears to hear His voice. Do not take it lightly that God speaks today to His children. This includes you.
Blessings Love y’all