HIGHLY FAVORED

HIGHLY FAVORED

 

Dearest brethren,

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

 

        

We’ve been talking about valuing your place in the body of Christ and the grace the Lord has given you to serve. Last week we found out that not only should find your place but separate yourself unto it and develop in it.

 Talking of the Christmas story, I believe that Mary, the mother of Jesus lived a separated life before she was given the amazing assignment to be the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ. Before she became part of God’s eternal plan for mankind, she was service minded. How do I know? By her response to the Word, that was given to her by the angel of the Lord.

 

Luke 1:38 KJV: And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.

Luke 1:38 THE MESSAGE: And Mary said, Yes, I see it all now: I’m the Lord’s maid, ready to serve. Let it be with me just as you say.

Luke 1:38 38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” said Mary; “may it happen to me as you have said TEV

Luke 1:38 38 Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant, and I am willing to accept whatever he wants. May everything you have said come true.” NLT

 

Mary was already consecrated to the will of God. She was already service oriented. She lived with a readiness to serve the Lord as His handmaid. I believe she was faithful in little things. For one, she was faithful with her body. She was a virgin. As soon as she was given the assignment to conceive and bring forth a Son – Jesus – all she asked is how to get it done. As soon as she heard how it will be done, she said – I am available to do it according to your Word. Wow! What a readiness to do the will of God!

  The Bible declares that Mary was “highly favored.” The word favor is interpreted from the same Greek word as Grace. We also know that one of the meanings of the word grace is ability. That’s what Mary needed. Ability. She could not conceive the Messiah without the ability of God. The angel declared that she was highly favored or highly graced. Although God is no respecter of persons, and He’s completely fair to all, there are ways that one can attract not just favor but great favor or great grace. One can move from little grace to more grace to great grace. The Bible says in Acts 4:33: And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. NKJV

Great grace was enabling them to give witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Great grace or high favor gave Mary the ability she needed to fulfill her assignment. Brethren, God can add layers of grace on you. If you were operating in 30% grace, He can enable you to operate in 60% more grace than you did. How can you grow in grace?

         For one, you can constantly come to the throne of grace to find help. Grace is our help. What if you have more help next year than you did this year? What if you received 10 times more grace? Would you be interested? For one, things that were a struggle would now be easier. Things you were not able to do, you’d now be able to do. Things you could not accomplish, you can now accomplish. Brethren, desire and ask for more grace.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU AND YOURS!