Finding the Treasure in a Social Media World

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

Luke 2:19

I tend to be an over-sharer. I tell people things they don't really want to know - or need to know for that matter. In a world filled with facebook and twitter, we find that our lives are now public all of the time. A simple thought can become a viral social message. A drive in the car can become a YouTube phenomena. Accomplishing a truly private moment is nearly impossible in our modern age, but it is something we are called by God to do.

Quiet times, times where it is just you and God, are vitally important to your life and your growth as a person in Christ. In these precious moments we are able to discern God's mission and message for us. Without the distraction of the outside world and the constant barrage of updates and live feeds, we are able to hear God and to ponder what He is telling us. These moments will become treasures unlike any amount of gold, francencense or myrrh.

When the shepherds came to visit Jesus, they told she and Joseph the amazing story of the angels visiting them - proclaiming the birth of her son. I imagine she smiled and nodded at their dramatic retelling of the story, commenting little on the details. Even though she had experienced countless supernatural miracles in her short life, she likely remained quiet in the midst of the strangers coming to worship her little baby, rather she listened and mentally recorded each of the precious stories surrounding her son's birth so that one day she would be able to share the gems with others. In the midst of all of the struggles she was facing, Mary did not share all of her worries or feel the need to "talk out her plans", rather, she went heart-ward and pondered all that had happened in the past nine months in her heart. She went to her faithful Holy Father and allowed Him to show her the way.

Sometimes we need to "talk it out". We need to vent our frustrations or share exciting news, but we can learn from Mary's quiet discoveries during the time of Jesus' birth and early childhood. We can learn how to simply be with God and how to allow His plan to unfold like a treasure map leading us to the precious gifts He has for each of us in this life.

Scripture

Luke 2:16-20

Quote of the Day

Watches, cars and Christians can all look chromed and shiny. But watches don't tick, cars don't go and Christians don't make a difference without insides. For a Christian, that's the Holy Spirit.

Tim Downs

Question of the Day

When can you find quiet time today with Jesus?

Christmas Eve Service - TONIGHT- ONE NIGHT ONLY- 7:30PM - Candlelight service

Groveport UMC - 512 Main Street

Invite a friend...we would love to celebrate with you!

Joy in Obedience - Being Mary

How would you feel if a rumor was started about you and everyone you know - friends, family, teachers, church members - heard the rumor and believed the worst about you?

Would you be angry? Would you be sad?

Or would you find the positive - the joy - in a painful and stressful situation?

 The angel went to her (Mary) and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 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. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He 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, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel...The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called^[b] the Son of God...For no word from God will ever fail.” Luke 1:28-37

Mary wasn't much older than a JR. High student when God came to her through the Holy Spirit and she became pregnant with Jesus. She would have been naturally afraid and likely doubts about the days ahead of her loomed large, but her response upon finding out she would be an unwed mother was:

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

Luke 1:38

Mary took her fears and her doubts about the future and made them into faithful steps of obedience. She was likely still fearful of how the world would treat her, but she knew that she was faithfully acting upon God's behalf.

Sometimes in life we are faced with extremely difficult choices - and often the hardest choice is to be obedient to God. Obedience to God can be difficult, but ultimately we must be willing to make the sacrifices in life which will please God.

God calls for our obedience - our cheerful obedience - in all things. We have to trust that God, as our Heavenly Father, will provide the comfort when we are left out in the cold because of our obedience, just as He did with Mary through His providential care in providing her cousin Elizabeth's home during her pregnancy, Joseph's acceptance of Jesus and even the stable where she gave birth to Jesus.

Mary knew that she would one day be called blessed because of God's promises to her, but she also knew that she might never experience the worldly praise for her obedience in her lifetime. She wasn't concerned with the praise she would get from people; Mary's only concern was the joy she would bring her Father in Heaven by being joyful in her obedience to His call on her life.

And Mary said:

   “My soul glorifies the Lord
 ⁴⁷ and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
⁴⁸ for he has been mindful
   of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
 ⁴⁹ for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
   holy is his name.
⁵⁰ His mercy extends to those who fear him,
   from generation to generation.
⁵¹ He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
   he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
⁵² He has brought down rulers from their thrones
   but has lifted up the humble.
⁵³ He has filled the hungry with good things
   but has sent the rich away empty.
⁵⁴ He has helped his servant Israel,
   remembering to be merciful
⁵⁵ to Abraham and his descendants forever,
   just as he promised our ancestors.”

Luke 1:46-55

Scripture of the Day

(I think you get the story...but if you want to read more...)

Luke 1:28-65

Quote of the Day

“True obedience is true freedom.”

Henry Ward Beecher

Question of the Day

How can you be joyfully obedient today?

Don't forget the JR. Choir program - this Sunday (December 11th) @ 6PM

Also - be on the look out for messages from your CPW (Confidential Prayer Warrior)...

For more info on the SEALed program see the below link:

http://gumyblog.blogspot.com/p/sealed.html