December 26, 2023

Luke 1:39-56  (HCSB)
Mary’s Visit to Elizabeth
39 In those days Mary set out and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah 40 where she entered Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped inside her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 Then she exclaimed with a loud cry: “You are the most blessed of women, and your child will be blessed! 43 How could this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For you see, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped for joy inside me! 45 She who has believed is blessed because what was spoken to her by the Lord will be fulfilled!” Mary’s Praise 46 And Mary said: My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, 47 and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior, 48 because He has looked with favor on the humble condition of His slave. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 because the Mighty One has done great things for me, and His name is holy. 50 His mercy is from generation to generation on those who fear Him. 51 He has done a mighty deed with His arm; He has scattered the proud because of the thoughts of their hearts; 52 He has toppled the mighty from their thrones and exalted the lowly. 53 He has satisfied the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped His servant Israel, mindful of His mercy, 55 just as He spoke to our ancestors, to Abraham and his descendants forever. 56 And Mary stayed with her about three months; then she returned to her home.

Pastor HD Jones
We have three great kids, and each time Susan was pregnant it was always cool to touch her belly and feel them moving around. I know every mom has felt the baby “flip -flop”. Sometimes it is painful, but it is a great reminder there is life inside. I’m pretty sure none of you moms thought “this little one is full of the Holy Spirit ", but Elizabeth did because the angel Gabriel told her husband that baby John would be full of the Spirit in the womb. Throughout Scripture God uses women that are infertile. Remember Sarah, Hannah, and even Sampson’s mom? Living in this sin sick world will beat us down and many times cause us to think we are useless, BUT God can use anyone that offers themself to Him. Now, it may not always be in the way that we think, but it is a great reminder that God has a plan for your life. Psalm 37:4 (HCSB) says “Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart’s desires.”