03.26.09
Posted in Women in Ministry at 12:27 pm by Administrator
An excellent point was added to our discussion of Mary by KR Wordgazer on the Egalitarian Christian Alliance Forum.
Quote (KR Wordgazer) “the angel did not think it necessary to go to Joseph, or to Mary’s father, first. God dealt directly with Mary as an independently moral being.”
While I was dwelling on KR’s words I realized that Mary also did not find it necessary to first get her father’s are Joseph’s permission to accept the call of God. Mary accepted the call of God as an independent moral being – one who was well able to make a life decision for herself by herself.
What liberty we are finding as we consider Mary.
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03.25.09
Posted in Women in Ministry at 12:27 pm by Administrator
As I prayed this morning I thanked God for revealing Mary as an example of heeding the call of God to service/ministry. As I prayed I saw again the shining example Mary is to all Christians – both male and female. Mary upon hearing God’s call (call = God’s revealed plan for how He desired to use her for His purposes) readily received and accepted God’s plan of use. May we do likewise. May we respond, “Yes, Lord!”
God’s call — His revealed plan for our use according to His purposes — to Mary is no different than His call to each of us today. God is still revealing to us as individuals His plan of how He desires to use us for His purposes. May we respond, “Yes, Lord!” as He speaks and reveals His will for each of us.
Last night as I considered Mary I realized God’s call on her life included so much more. God’s call on Mary’s life was so much more than the only task we’ve ascribed to her of carrying Jesus in her womb and giving birth to Him.
She was with Him through it all. She loved, nurtured, and trained Him as a child. She was not only with Him from the beginning of His ministry at the wedding in Cana (according to the gospel of John) but she was the instigator of its start through her faith in Him as she pushed for Him to publicly do something about the need for wine. (I see so much analogy here of our need for the new wine of the Holy Spirit which is only available through Jesus.) She was with Him all the way to the very end at the cross. Her call does not end there but continues on as His disciple in the upper room.
I am learning so much as the Lord has taken me to this place of considering Mary.
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03.23.09
Posted in Women in Ministry at 1:13 pm by Administrator
Mary, the mother of Jesus, is the first woman of the New Testament who responded to the call of God upon her life to service and ministry.
(Matthew 1:16) Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, by whom Jesus was born, who is called the Messiah.
The words “by whom” are feminine singular. These words clearly indicate that Jesus was born of Mary (singular) and not born of a union between Joseph and Mary.
God births His greatest work – the salvation of mankind – the reconciliation of mankind to Himself – through a woman.
God chose to birth His plan for salvation and reconciliation through a woman’s service (ministry) to Him.
God’s greatest work – the salvation of mankind – the reconciliation of mankind to Himself – began with a woman CALLED by God and who RECEIVED and ACCEPTED the call of God on her life.
In Luke 1:26-37 we read of the angel Gabriel sent from God to the virgin Mary, who was in the city of Nazareth. The angel Gabriel speaks to Mary and tells her of God’s plan (call) to use her to birth the promised Messiah. Mary questioned the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel Gabriel explained to Mary the conception would take place through the Holy Spirit coming upon her and the power of God overshadowing her.
In verse 38 we read of Mary receiving and accepting the call of God on her life.
(Luke 1:38) And Mary said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
Mary, the mother of Jesus, is the first of many women in the New Testament who responded to the call of God upon their lives to service and ministry.
Mary, the mother of Jesus, is the first of many women in the New Testament who upon hearing the call of God received and accepted His call and gave their life in service (ministry) to Him.
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