In Need of Restoration

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

"At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!" Luke 1:39-45

This is such an amazing passage to me! It's describing what happens when Mary, the Mother of Jesus, goes to visit her cousin Elizabeth. Elizabeth knew that Mary was carrying in her womb, the Savior of the world. Elizabeth's baby knew it, too! And Elizabeth was immediately filled with the Holy Spirit and was able to be excited with that knowledge. Can you imagine? I can't help but wonder if I had been Elizabeth, would I have dropped to my knees in worship? It's an amazing scenario, for sure. And one we would do well to learn from in today's society. Anymore, the very name of God is dragged through the mud. His Holy Name is used and abused, yet we, as a society, fail to be offended.

The picture that the Bible shows us in this meeting between Mary and Elizabeth is profound. God's Word is very much alive! His Name is holy. His presence is undeniable. So much so, that the baby within Elizabeth leaps for joy!!! Physically leaps for joy!!! Our bodies can't help themselves in the presence of our Creator!!!

And that's why the Bible says

"Every knee shall bow...every tongue will confess...
that Jesus Christ is Lord".

The very Jesus that Mary carried in her womb when she visited Elizabeth is our Lord and Savior, the One to whom we'll bow and confess.

Isn't it exciting to know that we carry Him in our hearts? That His NAME is so magnificent that all of creation groans for Him?

Have a Christ-centered Christmas this year. Go back and study Mary, Joesph, and the birth of Jesus...
don't just read it because it's Christmas...study it.

And feel your own heart leap with joy!!!

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His Grace, My Story

Sin makes you feel free to do whatever you choose. You feel free to break away from the boundaries put around you by well meaning and loving people. But feelings lie. And when the season passes, as God has promised in His Word, the destruction of sin becomes visible. You start to desperately search for those boundaries that you fought so hard to remove. The well meaning and loving people are still there, but the boundaries have forever changed. A situation so aptly described in Genesis, and one in which God actually grieves when we find ourselves there. In fact, He grieves when we come to the point of decision. He knows the exact faulty step, and precisely when we will take it. He knows that our decision to step out into what is perceived as the "greener pasture", will reap a harvest we can't handle. A harvest that will bring heartbreak, destruction, regret, and eventually-for those who love Him...restoration. That is my story. And Joel 2:25 describes Gods faithfulness to me, for one day, I will truly be RESTORED.
My story continues through heartaches & losses...joys & blessings. And through all life's disappointments and successes, I know this: God works even when I'm broken. God keeps moving when I don't care. He never fails me, even though I fail myself so much of the time.