“A few days ago,” Stan commented, “I was reading in Luke’s gospel and I saw that Mary, the mother of Jesus, is recorded as saying something that struck me as being real important for me and my faith walk. It’s something I’m supposed to focus on, but too often I don’t.”
“What were you looking at?” I asked.
“A conversation between Mary and Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist.”
“What were they talking about?” I asked.
“Quick summary,” Stan replied. “Mary, who was pregnant with Jesus by the Holy Spirit, went to visit Elizabeth who was pregnant with John the Baptist. When Elizabeth saw Mary and heard her voice, it says that her baby ‘leaped in her womb’.”
“The baby who would become John the Baptist leaped in his mother’s womb when his mother heard Mary’s voice? That must have been something!”
“It was,” Stan replied, “And what came next struck me as the important part for me and my faith walk.”
“What’s that?” I asked.
“It’s in what is called ‘The Magnificat’,” Stan replied, “where Mary was telling Elizabeth about her feelings for God and she said, ‘For the Mighty One has done great things for me’. I think I’m to do the same thing.”
“What same thing?”
“Regularly review in my mind all of the great things the Mighty One has done for me,” Stan replied. “Review them in my mind and tell others about such things so they, too, may come to accept the great things God has done and what He wants to do for, in, and through them.”
“Like a personal testimony,” I commented. “What kind of great things?”
“The list is without end,” Stan replied, “but it starts with the same thing God gave Mary. He gave her Jesus, and He has done the same thing for everyone.”
“So that all who believe can have life eternally with Him when it’s time,” I said. ”Is that it?”
“That’s the beginning,” Stan replied, “and then there are all the great things God has done, is doing, and wants to do in and through each one of us as we work out the salvation that has been worked in by the finished work of Jesus’ cross.”
“A lot to be thankful for,” I commented.
“Indeed, my friend,” Stan replied. “A lot to think about, a lot to thank God for, and a lot to tell others so their vision of God will be expanded and they will know the great things of the Mighty One!”
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Bible verses to consider:
For the Mighty One has done great things for me. Luke 1:49.
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16.
And this is eternal life, that they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent. John 17:3.
When Jesus therefore had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit. John 19:30.
Work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:12-13.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for all you have done for me. You gave your only begotten Son so I could believe in Him and know I will spend eternity in your presence when it’s time. You have given me the opportunity to know you and Jesus in an ever-deepening relationship while you keep me on this side of eternity. You provide all I need to live this life as you intend. Thank you. I confess that too often I do not focus on all you have provided and I do not focus on all you want to provide as we draw ever closer to one another. Please forgive that and help me follow every step of your lead so I do, in fact, focus on all you have provided, all you want to provide, and all you will provide as I am yours. Thank you that I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: Have you accepted God’s provision of life eternally in His presence when it’s time? If no, why have you not accepted His free and gracious provision? If you are a Christian with the assurance of salvation and redemption, how are you doing with focusing on and thanking God for all He has provided, along with all He has for you as you draw ever closer to Him? How are you doing with telling others? If you sense the need for change in any of these things, how is that going to happen? Is that what you want? Why or why not?
Waiting for the Train 