Mary's Visitation with Elizabeth Encourages Us To Be Open To the Holy Spirit, Even When It Defies Expectations

Mary's Visitation with Elizabeth Encourages Us To Be Open To the Holy Spirit, Even When It Defies Expectations

MESSAGE SUMMARY:

In this powerful meditation on the Visitation, we're invited to witness the profound joy and spiritual significance of Mary's encounter with Elizabeth. This beautiful moment, recounted in Luke's Gospel, reminds us of the extraordinary ways God works in our lives. As we reflect on these two women's unanticipated pregnancies, we're challenged to recognize God's favor in unexpected places. Their shared excitement speaks to the transformative power of faith and the joy that comes from embracing God's plan. How might we, like Mary and Elizabeth, respond with joy and wonder to God's surprising interventions in our lives? This reflection encourages us to be open to the Holy Spirit's movement, even when it defies our expectations.

TODAY’S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that, because I am in Jesus Christ, God is working His will in my life. (Philippians 2:13). “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”. (Philippians 4:14).

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV1) Luke 1:39-45 - This passage describes Mary's visit to Elizabeth and their joyful interaction, which is the main focus of the sermon; 2) Luke 1:41-42 - "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!'" This relates to the sermon's mention of Elizabeth feeling the baby turn and recognizing Mary's blessedness; 3) Luke 1:43 - "But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?" This verse aligns with the sermon's reference to Elizabeth recognizing Mary as "the mother of my Lord."; 4) Luke 1:15 - This verse, while not directly mentioned, relates to John the Baptist (Elizabeth's son) being filled with the Holy Spirit even before birth, which is alluded to in the sermon; 5) Matthew 1:18 or Luke 1:35 - These verses describe Jesus' conception by the Holy Spirit, which is hinted at in the sermon's mention of "the holy spirit that I've never known."; and 6) Luke 1:46-55 (The Magnificat) - While not directly quoted, Mary's song of praise aligns with the joyful tone and themes of blessing in the sermon.

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AWFTL Advent Devotional Schedule

A Word From The Lord ministry, with Dr. Foley Beach, has partnered with Poor Bishop Hooper to walk us through the season of Advent using their original music and animated art.

1. 12/01/24 & 12/2/24: In this first episode "Foreword", we begin with God's Creation of the World. However, sin comes into the world necessitating the need for "A Means of Grace and the Hope for Glory", the Christ.
2. 12/4/24 & 12/7/24: In this episode “Hope”, the Holy Spirit’s notifies the aging but unbelieving Priest, Zechariah, that his barren wife Elizebeth will give birth to John the Baptizer, who will prepare the way for God’s Grace for undeserved Salvation, through birth of His Son.
3. 12/7/24 & 12/8/24: In this episode “Peace”, the Virgin Mary is notified by an Angel that God, through the Holy Spirit, will bless her with the birth of The Christ, the promised Mesiah; and He will be named Jesus.
4. 12/11/24 & 12/14/24: In this episode “Joy”, Elizabeth is visited by her cousin, Mary as they share both the joy of their unanticipated pregnancies and the assume blessing of God’s favor for them and the World, the Incarnate Jesus
5. 12/15/24 & 12/18/24: The episode, “Love”, depicts the struggles that Joseph is facing from both his love and duty to an, as yet, unmarried but pregnant Mary. Also, Joseph is coming to grips with burden and responsibility of his early-life fatherhood for Jesus, who is Father God, in a human presence, as God’s Son.
6. 12/19/24 & 12/21/24 & 12/22/24: The final episode brings it all together in Jesus’ genealogy from Adam to The Christ – proving that Advent and Christmas are a great deal more than what the commercialization of Christmas often implies. We end our Advent journey with “The First Born”  - The Christ!