Today's reading

…The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” –Luke 1:27-28 NIV

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219

Highly Favored

…The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” –Luke 1:27-28 NIV

It’s easy to assess the value of your existence based on the jobs you have. But, with this narrow focus, you could fail to recognize the many blessings that are yours in Christ. The good news of Christmas is that, like Mary, you are blessed and highly favored.Mary is obviously unique, but all Christians have God’s favor because they have been chosen by Him (1 Peter 2:9) and His grace is theirs through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9).Breathe in this marvelous truth: Christ has been birthed in you and His full blessing rests on you through the power of His Spirit! First John 3:1 (NIV) says, “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” The word “lavished” doesn’t create a picture of stingy, miserly gifts, but ones overflowing to abundant excess.Once you grasp even a small measure of how blessed and highly favored you are as a recipient of God’s love, then you can, with your lips and your life, joyfully respond to anything He says in humble surrender. Just as Mary did, you can say, “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled” (Luke 1:38 NIV).

prayer focuses

God, thank You for all that is mine through Your abundant grace.

Help me to respond with swift obedience. Jesus, how grateful I am that You are mine and I am Yours. Help me rest in this truth with calm assurance.

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about the

Author

Karen Woodall

Karen is primarily a writer/editor for InTouch Ministries, but also pens for other ministries, and crafts discipleship posts for switchbacks.org. She lives near Atlanta, homeschools her kids, loves sports, and desires to help believers know Scripture and live for Jesus.