Mary: A Model of Faith and Obedience

Devotional

Day 1: God Sees Beyond Our Limitations

Mary's story is a powerful reminder that God often chooses those whom the world overlooks. Despite societal limitations, such as being a woman, being poor, and being from Nazareth, Mary was chosen for a pivotal role in God's divine plan. Her heart and willingness to serve made her the perfect vessel for God's purposes. This teaches us that our perceived inadequacies do not limit God's ability to use us. God looks at the heart, not at external qualifications. We are encouraged to embrace our identity as God's servants, regardless of our background or circumstances. [19:25]

1 Samuel 16:7 (ESV): "But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.'"

Reflection: What are some limitations you believe disqualify you from being used by God? How can you begin to see yourself through God's eyes today?

Day 2: Surrendering to God's Call

Mary's availability with her time, body, and heart demonstrates a complete surrender to God's will. She prioritized God's calling over her personal plans, showing us the importance of being open and ready to serve God in any capacity. Her willingness to embrace God's plan, despite the potential for societal judgment and personal hardship, highlights her deep trust in God's promises. This challenges us to consider how we can be more available to God in our daily lives, setting aside our own agendas to follow His lead. [22:14]

Isaiah 6:8 (ESV): "And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?' Then I said, 'Here I am! Send me.'"

Reflection: In what ways can you make yourself more available to God this week? What personal plans might you need to set aside to prioritize His calling?

Day 3: Trusting in God's Promises

Despite the challenges and societal judgment she faced, Mary trusted in God's promises. Her faith was not shaken by circumstances, reminding us to trust God even when His plans seem difficult or unclear. Mary's unwavering trust in God's plan encourages us to hold onto His promises, even when we cannot see the full picture. This trust is a testament to her deep faith and serves as a model for us to follow in our own faith journeys. [26:28]

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust God's plan? How can you actively choose to trust Him in that area today?

Day 4: Embracing the Cost of Obedience

Mary was aware that following God's call would not be easy. Her willingness to endure hardship for the sake of obedience challenges us to consider the cost of our faith and to be prepared to give everything for God's purposes. This awareness of sacrifice is a crucial aspect of true discipleship, reminding us that following God often requires us to step out of our comfort zones and face challenges head-on. [32:47]

Luke 14:27-28 (ESV): "Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?"

Reflection: What sacrifices might God be calling you to make in your life right now? How can you prepare your heart to embrace these challenges for His glory?

Day 5: Faith That Transcends Judgment

Mary's faith removes our excuses for not serving God and challenges our tendency to judge others based on worldly standards. Her story encourages us to see beyond external qualifications and to trust in God's ability to use anyone for His glory. This faith challenges us to eliminate judgmental attitudes and to embrace a spirit of humility and openness, recognizing that God can work through anyone who is willing to say, "I am the Lord's servant." [35:16]

James 2:1-4 (ESV): "My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, 'You sit here in a good place,' while you say to the poor man, 'You stand over there,' or, 'Sit down at my feet,' have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?"

Reflection: How can you challenge your own judgmental attitudes and embrace a more inclusive and humble perspective in your interactions with others this week?

Sermon Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound story of Mary, the mother of Jesus, as depicted in Luke chapter 1. We began by revisiting the stories of Hannah and Zechariah, both of whom experienced miraculous births that set the stage for the ultimate miracle: the birth of Jesus. Hannah's faith and Zechariah's initial doubt contrasted with Mary's unwavering trust and obedience. Despite having three strikes against her in the world's eyes—being a woman, being poor, and being from the backwoods of Nazareth—Mary was chosen by God for a pivotal role in His divine plan.

Mary's story is a testament to God's ability to use those whom the world deems unqualified. Her availability, belief, trust, and awareness of the challenges ahead exemplify a faith that transcends societal norms and expectations. Mary was available with her time, body, and heart, fully committing herself to God's will. Her acceptance of God's plan, despite the potential for societal judgment and personal hardship, highlights her deep trust in God's promises.

Mary's faith journey teaches us that God does not see as the world sees; He looks at the heart. Her story challenges us to examine our own lives and consider how we might be disqualifying ourselves based on worldly standards. It encourages us to embrace our identity as God's servants, regardless of our background or circumstances. Mary's faith eliminates our excuses, erases our judgmentalism, and exemplifies obedience, reminding us that God can use anyone who is willing to say, "I am the Lord's servant."

Key Takeaways

1. God Qualifies the Unqualified: Mary's story shows that God chooses those whom the world often overlooks. Despite societal limitations, her heart and willingness to serve made her the perfect vessel for God's plan. This reminds us that our perceived inadequacies do not limit God's ability to use us. [19:25]
2. Availability to God: Mary's availability with her time, body, and heart demonstrates a complete surrender to God's will. She prioritized God's calling over her personal plans, teaching us the importance of being open and ready to serve God in any capacity. [22:14]
3. Trust in God's Plan: Despite the challenges and societal judgment she faced, Mary trusted in God's promises. Her faith was not shaken by circumstances, reminding us to trust God even when His plans seem difficult or unclear. [26:28]
4. Awareness of Sacrifice: Mary was aware that following God's call would not be easy. Her willingness to endure hardship for the sake of obedience challenges us to consider the cost of our faith and to be prepared to give everything for God's purposes. [32:47]
5. Faith Eliminates Excuses and Judgment: Mary's faith removes our excuses for not serving God and challenges our tendency to judge others based on worldly standards. Her story encourages us to see beyond external qualifications and to trust in God's ability to use anyone for His glory. [35:16]
** [35:16]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:35] - Zechariah's Doubt
[04:16] - Elizabeth's Seclusion
[06:36] - Gabriel's Message to Mary
[10:21] - Mary's Three Strikes
[11:18] - Educational and Legal Restrictions
[14:33] - Nazareth's Reputation
[15:24] - The Significance of Nazareth
[19:25] - God's Perspective on Qualification
[20:34] - Gabriel's Greeting to Mary
[22:14] - Mary's Availability
[22:59] - Mary's Commitment
[24:23] - Mary's Heart and Joy
[25:43] - Mary's Acceptance
[26:28] - Trust Amidst Rumors
[29:56] - Mary's Trust Through Trials
[31:44] - Mary's Faith in Acts
[32:47] - Awareness of Sacrifice
[35:16] - Faith Eliminates Excuses
[36:03] - Erasing Judgmentalism
[37:47] - Exemplifying Obedience
[38:24] - The Cost of Obedience

Sermon Clips

Mary was accepting. She was accepting. See, she heard and she believed. She heard. Gabriel. Gabriel said, how's this going to happen? He says, the most high God will come over top of you. And she believed. And how do you know she believed? She went to Elizabeth's house. [00:25:43] (19 seconds)

What do you think the rumor mill was like when everybody found out she was pregnant? Yet not married. God, are you sure? It's going to be hard. What do you think it was like whenever Mary is pregnant, riding a donkey, heading to Bethlehem? [00:26:28] (17 seconds)

Mary, trusting God that the moment that she said, yes, I am the Lord's servant, he believed, he amazing story. And all of a sudden, everything comes flooding through Mary's mind and she hears and she understands and she knows that even though Simon said a sword will also pierce your heart, she trusts. [00:31:44] (37 seconds)

She was aware that things were not going to be easy. From the start, Mary knew that the path, this journey, I am the Lord's servant. She knew that it would be tough. They're going to circumcise baby Jesus, the prophet, old man, Simeon. He prophesied these words and he says to Mary, and a sword will pierce your soul as well. [00:32:47] (26 seconds)

Mary's faith eliminates our excuses. woman from the sticks, and she said yes. What about you? What's your excuse for not sharing your faith with that person? What's your excuse for not living in obedience? Is it greater than Mary's excuse? No. Mary was engaged. [00:35:16] (33 seconds)

Mary's faith eliminates or erases our judgmentalism. Who are you judging? They can't be used by God. They can't. They're not equipped right. They're not smart enough. They're not educated enough. They're not the right color. They're not the right gender. They're not whatever. [00:36:03] (20 seconds)

Mary exemplifies obedience. She exemplifies obedience. I am the Lord's servant. Today I give you my body. Today I give you my calendar. Today I give you my heart. Today I give you my emotions, my thoughts, my words, my actions. [00:37:47] (24 seconds)

What is the cost of obedience maybe for some of you you have to separate yourself from your family because your family is dragging you down your family is preventing you from doing what God has asked you to do church trust God his word first and follow his word and then from there watch him work [00:38:24] (23 seconds)

Mary was available. Mary believed, Mary trusted, and Mary saw. She was very available and she was very accepting. But one more, one more thing about Mary. She was aware. [00:32:47] (15 seconds)

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