You have Found Favor with God

Then the angel said to her, 

“Do not be afraid, Mary, 

for you have found favor with God".

LUKE 1:30

God’s favor is a gift of love and grace that He shows to those who are humble, contrite, and tremble at His word. It is not based on our deserving or merit, but on His love and grace. If you want to have God’s favor upon your life, you need to think more of others than yourself, ask for forgiveness when you sin, and tremble at His word. You also need to trust in His promises and obey His commands. God is faithful and He will reward those who seek Him with all their heart.

In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end.” But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.” Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her. (Luke 1:26-38)

God is always present in our lives, even when we don’t feel Him or see Him. He is always watching over us, guiding us, and loving us. He is the source of our joy, peace, and hope. God is omnipresent, which means He is everywhere at all times. There is no place where He is not. He fills the heavens and the earth with His glory. He is not limited by space or time. He is closer to us than our own breath.

Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz: Ask for a sign from the Lord, your God; let it be deep as the nether world, or high as the sky!” But Ahaz answered, “I will not ask! I will not tempt the Lord!”  Then Isaiah said: Listen, O house of David! Is it not enough for you to weary men, must you also weary my God? Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel. (Isaiah 7:10-14)

Christian mindfulness is the awareness of God’s presence in every moment of our lives. It is a simple spiritual discipline that helps us to tune in to God’s voice, to appreciate His gifts, and to worship Him in all we do. Christian mindfulness is not a complicated or mystical technique. It is simply paying attention to God and His activity in our lives. It is being grateful for His blessings, being attentive to His guidance, and being responsive to His call. It is living each day with the awareness that God is with us and for us.

The Lord’s are the earth and its fullness; the world and those who dwell in it. For he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers. Who can ascend the mountain of the Lord? Or who may stand in his holy place? He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean, who desires not what is vain. He shall receive a blessing from the Lord, a reward from God his savior.  Such is the race that seeks for him, that seeks the face of the God of Jacob. (Psalm 24:1-2, 3-4, 5-6)

If you want to practice Christian mindfulness, you can start by setting aside some time each day to be still and quiet before God. You can read His Word, pray, meditate, or listen to worship music. You can also practice Christian mindfulness throughout the day by noticing God’s presence in the people you meet, the beauty of nature, the events of your day, and the feelings of your heart. You can thank Him, praise Him, ask Him, or tell Him anything. He is always listening and always speaking.

God is always present in our lives, and He wants us to be aware of Him. He wants us to enjoy His presence and to share His love with others. He wants us to live in His light and walk in His ways. He wants us to be joyful, because He is our joy.

Lord, grace and favor are gifts from You that fill our lives with joy and peace. They are the signs of Your love and care that never fail and never cease. Grace is the pardon that we receive

When we confess and repent our sin. It is the power that sets us free and makes us whole and new within. Favor is the blessing that we enjoy when we walk in obedience and faith. It is the favor that opens doors and makes us fruitful and prosperous. Thank You so much for all the graces and favor that comes from You alone, not earned or bought but freely given. Amen.

Pericope:

II: The Infancy Narrative

ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE BIRTH OF JESUS

Luke 1:26-38

II: Immanuel Prophecies

BIRTH OF IMMANUEL

Isaiah 7:1-25

First Book of Psalms 1-41

THE GLORY OF GOD IN PROCESSION TO ZION

Psalm 24:1-10

Reflection Source:

Copilot with Bing Chat

Blessed and Favored!

Blessed are you who fear the Lord, 

who walk in His ways! 

For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork; 

blessed shall you be, and favored. 

PSALM 128 : 1-2

Come! let us go to implore the favor of the Lord. Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord and to implore the favor of the Lord.  (Zec 8:21-22). Behold, thus is the man blessed who fears the Lord. The Lord bless you: may you see prosperity all the days of your life. May you see your children’s children. Peace! (Ps 128:4-6)

Jesus said, "All things have been handed over to Me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal Him. Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I say to you, many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.” (Lk 10:22-24)

He “for a little while” was made “lower than the angels,” that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting that He, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the leader to their salvation perfect through suffering. He who consecrates and those who are being consecrated all have one origin. Therefore, He is not ashamed to call them “brothers.” (Heb 2:9-11)

Great are the works of the Lord, exquisite in all their delights (Ps 111:2). The works of His hands are faithful and just; sure are all His precepts, reliable forever and ever, wrought in truth and equity. He has sent deliverance to His people; He has ratified His covenant forever; holy and awesome is His name. His praise endures forever. (Ps 111:7-10) 

If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ. The Gospel preached by me is not of human origin. For I did not receive it from a human being nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ. (Gal 1:10-12)

Lord, the revelation of Your words sheds light, giving understanding to the simple (Ps 119:130).  I am Your servant; give me discernment that I may know Your decrees (Ps 119:125). Teach me wisdom and knowledge, for in Your commands I trust (Ps 119:66). According to Your ordinances they still stand firm: all things serve You (Ps 119:91).

CHRIST IN OUR MIDST

Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, he answered them, "The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; nor will they say, `Lo, here it is!' or `There!' for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you."

And he said to the disciples, "The days are coming when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and you will not see it. And they will say to you, `Lo, there!' or `Lo, here!' Do not go, do not follow them.

For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of man be in his day.

But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.

-- Luke 17: 20 - 25

WATCH AND BE PREPARED

Then the kingdom of heaven shall be compared to ten maidens who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps.

As the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, `Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' Then all those maidens rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, `Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise replied, `Perhaps there will not be enough for us and for you; go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.' And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast; and the door was shut.

Afterward the other maidens came also, saying, `Lord, lord, open to us.' But he replied, `Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.' Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

-- Matthew 25: 1 - 13

WHEN WILL THE LORD COME?

In  John 14:1, Jesus said, "Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me".

There are those who say that judgment day is coming on May 21, 2011. This blowing of trumpet so to speak has troubled the hearts of those who have heard and believed.

While it is true that the bible is a book of prophecy, all such prophecies were already fulfilled in the Lord Jesus Christ. How about judgment day? When will it truly come?

Judgment day speaks of the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Who else will be believe except Him who is to come?

Jesus said, "But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone" (Mark 13:32).

Judgment day can come anytime. This is why the Lord tells us to always be alert and on the watch. If we are prepared for such a global event, we will rejoice when it comes because finally, we can dwell forever in the best place that the Lord had prepared for us!

Father in heaven, when the day of your glory comes, may you find me awake, prepared and ready to see and experience the fullness of life that you have promised through Christ your Son who lives and reigns with you together with the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.

Famines from Place to Place

There will be powerful earthquakes, famines and plagues from place to place; and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky. -- Luke 21:11

Famine in Israel
"Truly, I say to you, no prophet is acceptable in his own country. But in truth, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Eli'jah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when there came a great famine over all the land; and Eli'jah was sent to none of them but only to Zar'ephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow."  -- Luke 4:24-26

Not to deal with sin but to Save

And just as it is appointed for men to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him (Hebrews 9:27-28).