Thought for June 15

History: 

• 1215: King John signs the Magna Carta
• 1667: First documented blood transfusion—used sheep’s blood
• 1775: George Washington named commander of the Continental Army
• 1844: Goodyear patents the vulcanization of rubber process
• 1851: First ice cream factory
• 1876: First woman addresses Presidential Convention—Sara Spencer
• 1877: Henry Flipper is first West Point graduate
• 1907: Mary Mallon identified as typhoid Mary
• 1911: IBM incorporated
• 1916: Boy Scouts of America formed
• 1934: Great Smokey Mountains National Park dedicated
• 1965: Bob Dylan records “Like a Rolling Stone”
• 1967: "Dirty Dozen" released
• 1974: “All the President’s Men” published
• 1983: Supreme Court strikes down state restrictions on abortion
• 2020: Supreme Court rules gay and transgender workers may not be discriminated against in the workplace
• Born: John Marrant [African American missionary to Native Americans], Rachel Jackson, Eroll Garner [jazz pianist], Waylon Jennings, Mike Holmgren, Wade Boggs, Helen Hunt
• Died: James K Polk, John Connally [Texas Governor], Ella Fitzgerald, Matt “Guitar” Murphy

Thought:

Luke begins his gospel by telling us how he approached his research and why he is writing [Luke 1:1-4]. Recall that John told us he wrote his gospel  so that “we may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.” [John 20:31] Now Luke writes so that God lovers will have certainty about the things we have been told. [Luke 1:4] After reporting the announcement of the birth of John the Baptist, Luke provides the annunciation to Mary that she will give birth to Jesus—He will be great, He will be called Son of the Highest, and He will sit on the throne of David forever. [Luke 1:31-33]. Read with me Luke’s account in 1:26-38 and notice:

• God’s choice. God sends Gabriel to Nazareth in Galilee. There were many who were of the house of David, many descendants of the royal line. In fact we recall that when Mary and Joseph go to pay taxes, they have to travel to Bethlehem, the city of David. Why would God pick a girl from Galilee, not Judea, not Jerusalem—Nazareth? Later Nathanael will say, what good thing comes out of Nazareth. Nazareth was in the Northern Kingdom, the kingdom that failed in 722 BC and really failed to exist thereafter. This tells me that God can choose whoever He wants to fulfill His plans. And He takes special delight in choosing the unlikely—because then He alone gets the glory. Now that also tells me that when God calls me, I cannot say, I am the least, I am weak, I am unprepared, I am an unknown, I am uneducated—God chooses the weak of this world to demonstrate His amazing grace and power. His heroes are an unlikely bunch. 
• God’s affirmation. Gabriel had first gone to Zechariah and Elizabeth—Levites from the order of Aaron. People in the line of the great high priests. The angel told the barren that she would bear a child. Now this would fulfill Isaiah’s words that one would come crying in the wilderness, prepare the way of the Lord, but also provided Mary a confirmation that this angel of the Lord spoke truth—Elizabeth the barren one was with child and now Elizabeth the virgin one was with child by the Holy Spirit. God is so good. He sends us evidence and proof of His promises and love so that we can believe. This is why we must tell each other about the amazing miraculous work of Jesus in our lives so that others gain strength and faith—the scripture often says “take courage”, well when I hear your testimony of God’s miracles in your life, I take courage for the miracles in mine. 
• Don’t fear. I love that Jesus so often says, don’t fear. Don’t fear, just trust My promises. Don’t fear, just trust My grace, My goodness, My mercy. Don’t fear, God is on your side and will not leave or forsake you. Faith destroys fear. Faith calms anxiety. An angel appears and Mary’s first thought is “what have I done.” So Gabriel says, you have not done anything, but you have gained favor with God. BOY! how would you like to hear that this morning—You have found favor with God. Here is the good news—if you are in Christ—you have found favor with God. All of God’s promises are for you; all of God’s grace is extended toward you; all of God’s mercy is poured on you. You have been placed in God's will as a joint-heir with Christ. 
• Nothing is impossible with God—Do we really believe that? There is nothing impossible with God. So if God tells us to love those that hate us and I say I can’t—I am denying the power of God. When the word says forgive those that hurt and mistreat you and I say I can’t—I deny the power of God. When I doubt the promises of God, I am saying well it may be possible for somebody but not for me. Nothing is impossible with God. 
• Our response. If we understand that God in Christ has chosen us to be part of His family; and if we believe His promises and by faith refuse to fear—we say “I am the Lord’s servant, may it happen to me as you have said.” And we believe nothing is impossible with God. So Jesus said—you will be my witnesses. We have been chosen, don't fear, let it be as He says for nothing is impossible with God. Respond like Mary this morning—I am the Lord’s servant.
• Blessings
• Larry