Send to Kindleby Robin McKinley,
Narrated by Artificial Intelligence, Eric,
Click Above to Read and/or Listen to the Devotional
God sent the angel Gabriel to deliver a very special message to a young woman named Mary that would change the world.
Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!” Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God!! Luke 1:28-31
Why was Mary confused and disturbed? Gabriel gave her two compliments. She was favored, and the Lord was with her. Some versions of the Bible say “highly favored.” This young virgin girl lived according to the law and kept herself pure.
God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. Luke 1:26-27
Details of Mary’s Calling
He told her she would give birth to a son and name Him Jesus. Continuing, the angel told Mary how she would conceive the child and explained the child’s life.
- You will conceive and give birth to a son, and
- you will name him Jesus.
- He will be very great and
- will be called the Son of the Most High.
- The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David.
- And he will reign over Israel forever;
- his Kingdom will never end!”
- the power of the Most High will overshadow you,
- the baby to be born will be holy, and
- he will be called the Son of God. Luke 1:31-33,35
Her encounter with the angel began the Christmas story. It’s a story most are familiar with. It is a story about the humanity of our Savior. But how can we apply what happened with Mary to our lives?
Even though Mary had questions, she never questioned or doubted God. That’s where the application has to come in for us. Mary lived and walked by faith. She believed God and trusted Him.
Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her. Luke 1:38
Are You Committed To Living a Lifetime of Faith
No matter where you are in life, old or young, is your goal to be used by God? This brings us to another question. Could God send an angel from heaven to give you a special assignment?
Mary’s life was exactly where it needed to be for what God wanted her to do. We should also maintain a Christian walk, making ourselves available to be used for whatever God calls us to do.
Maybe you aren’t young or haven’t lived a pure life. Since God isn’t concerned about your past, you can start brand new today. Mary’s call came at a young age, and she lived the rest of her life for Jesus.
Paul the apostle, on the other hand, tried to stop the spread of Christianity, but he had an encounter with Jesus. And in his later years, God used him for great things.
So, will God send an angel to speak to you? Maybe, maybe not. He will, however, give you special assignments as you walk by faith in obedience to Him.
Lord, thank you for sharing Mary’s obedience with us. Just as Mary did, we can also get confused and disturbed. Help us to also walk by faith.
About the Author:
Robin, with his wife Cindy, became children’s evangelists early in their ministry. They ministered to children full time for 8 years. During that time they developed several children’s stories which were told with visuals and puppets.
Robin recently turned two of those stories into children’s books. One is called “The Contest,” a book about the Fruit of the Spirit, and the other is called “Twas the Night of Christmas”. He has also authored 5 volumes of devotional books called, 3 Minutes Alone with God. Each entry is a product of his personal biblical Journaling.
These and his other writings are available on his website called Christian Perspectives at www.ramckinley.com. When you visit this site, you can sign-up for newly written devotions as they come out which will be emailed to you.
Presently Robin is the pastor of Calvary Christian Center in Pottstown, PA. He is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God. He and his wife make their home in Birdsboro, Pa. He also serves as the president of the local ministerium. He and Cindy have two married sons and four grandchildren.
