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

Becoming like your Father



When you were very little, you relied on your parents for everything. You needed them to feed you, to change you, to help you walk and to help you talk. Your parents were your lifeline to the world.

As you grew, you discovered you were able to do things on your own. You know what you like to eat and when you like to go to bed. You know how to speak so you can ask for what you need. And occasionally you can even pick out your own outfit.

As you discovered your ability to be independent from your parents, you likely began to test your limits - to see how much room your parents would give you to go out on your own. With each test against your boundaries you either found success or you discovered failure. And with each test you discovered more of your parents' wisdom in their guidance. As you continue to explore your boundaries in life you will probably discover that obedience to your parents' rules and instruction will give you the greatest chance for success. They have your very best interests at heart and always want you to succeed.

Similarly, as we go through life, our best interests are served when we obey the guidance and boundaries set for us by God. Through our obedience we conform to be more in God's image. We take on His characteristics of love, joy, peace, patience, self-control...holiness. In this transformation process, we find that our lives, although not necessarily easier, will be filled with a true sense of hope and peace, because God has each of our best interests at heart.

How often have you heard, 'You are just like your mother (father)'?

Wouldn't it be amazing to hear, 'You are just like your Heavenly Father.'?

Scripture
1 Peter 1:13-25

Quote of the Day
"Personal transformation can and does have global effects. As we go, so goes the world for the world is us. The revolution that will save the world is ultimately a personal one." Marianne Williamson

Imagine - if the each individual in the world transformed to be like Christ...how different would the world be?

Question of the Day
What is the one rule your parents have which you know is the very best thing for you to follow?

DON'T FORGET GUMY JR/SR 5TH SUNDAY FUN....RSVP'S ARE DUE TODAY!
RULE 3 IS CALLING....

When Rules Aren't Meant to be Broken....

I am a rule follower. Rules keep life orderly. They spell out what one can and can't do. They also tell you what you have to do - what is part of your duty.  Rules make life simple. But following the rules is not always a guarantee for success.

Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? (Galatians 3:2)

Prior to Jesus coming, the Israelites lived under elaborate rules. They felt if they followed all of their rules to the letter they would surely enter heaven - they would be righteous in the sight of God. But their insistence on keeping the law made the law more important than God. They held the law up as something to achieve rather than living with a heart of faith.

We can allow this to happen to us, even today. We get caught up with the works - the duties - of the Christian life and we forget about the faith which should be motivating the actions. Our lives should be focused on God and from that devotion we will have a desire to live life by the rules God has given us.

Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard? (Galatians 3:5)

God's spirit resides in each of us. He has given us the great tool to love Him. Obedience to His rules  - fulfilling our service to Him - is an outgrowth of that love. Rule following for Jesus isn't a burden but it is a joy.

People may say, "rules are meant to be broken" but as Christians breaking God's rules tells God that our love for Him isn't as important to us as our own desires. With love as our inspiration, following the rules God has for us gives us freedom to be who we are called to be.

Scripture

Galatians 3: 1-13

Fun Fact

There are some interesting laws on the books today...here are a couple for you to ponder...

In Michigan, it is illegal to chain an alligator to a fire hydrant.

It is against the law to whale hunt in Oklahoma.

In Fairbanks, Alaska it is illegal for a moose to walk on the side walk.

Question of the Day

If you could make one law, what would it be?

Don't forget to check out the "Digging Deeper" page with updates on this past week's GUMY Session and the "GUMY Photo Album" with updated pictures and videos from Session #2.

Digging Deeper

GUMY Photo Album