A GREATER PASSION

Luke 1:26-38 Facts About Mary Her name, Mary is from the Hebrew “Miriam.” The name is derived from the Hebrew word for “bitter.” Mary’s young life may well have been filled with bitter hardships. It certainly was prophetic of her future.  She's female. Notice God didn't pick a man to do His work here – mainly, because it wasn't how He made men to be. Women were designed to bear children. Plus, little do many realize, the Lord chose a woman to do this glorious work because the curse of sin came through man. Jesus had to be sinless. Only possible way. Also to show that women are as important in serving Him as men are. They each just have different roles.  She's Jewish , a Hebrew, An Israelite, God's chosen people by which the promise of a Savior would come, through Abraham.  She's a young teenager , probably around 13-14 years old. We see that the Lord uses a teenage girl. Many famous teenagers in the Bible. Rebekah, Rachel, Leah, Isaac, Jos...

When the results come in from today’s election, how do I as a servant of Christ respond? If I prayed earnestly and voted biblically and my candidates and measures won: • I rejoice - that God has worked His righteousness in our land. Not just a little but a lot! This is better than my favorite team winning. Proverbs 28:12 • I consider – my ways, the ways of the church and the ways of the nation. What got us in this mess in the first place? Haggai 1:7-10 • I seek - God relentlessly. Isaiah 55:6 • I trust - in His Sovereignty. Revelations 11:15 • I preach - of His glory all the more. Psalms 96:3 If I prayed earnestly and voted biblically yet my candidates and measures lost: • I grieve - that God’s righteousness has been ignored. Not just for a few minutes. But allowing my heart to break because His is even more. Joel 2:17 • I listen and consider - to what is He is saying to us, His people and consider where we stand with Him. Revelations 2:2-7. • I hum...

God has always been on the lookout for those who He can use to bring about radical change in a society that has gone astray from Him. If ever there is a person or group of people needed, it is certainly today. What kind of person is He looking for? He shows us in His Word.    30 “I looked for a man from among them who would repair the wall and stand in the gap before me on behalf of the land, so that I would not destroy it. Ezekiel 22:30 He's not looking for talented people, skilled people, experienced people nor important people. He is looking for men and women of prayer, those who will cry out to Him on behalf of the land and humbly plead for His mercy.  2 The Lord looks down from heaven at the human race, to see if there is anyone who is wise and seeks God. Psalm 14:2   Throughout the scriptures we find those who intercede for their nation. The Lord remembers them on the pages of eternity and uses them as an example of His heart for us today. I...