Used by God to Accomplish Extraordinary Things

This week, we complete our online study on The Women of Christmas by Liz Curtis Higgs, with Chapter 8 “Joy of Every Longing Heart.” I hope it has been an opportunity for you to grow closer to our Lord, and that you have enjoyed the study as much as I have.

Elizabeth, Mary, and Anna were ordinary women blessed by God because of his goodness and used by God to accomplish extraordinary things. –Liz Curtis Higgs, The Women of Christmas pg. 192 (emphasis mine)

If that sentence didn’t stop you in your tracks, please read it again.

What do you feel when you read it? I feel hope. I feel freedom. I feel joy.

Elizabeth, Mary, and Anna were ordinary women…

Ordinary women—like you and me. God chose them not because of their experience, but because of their faith.

By our standards, they weren’t the perfect ages, but in God’s plan and for His purpose, they were just the right ages. Age doesn’t matter. Faith does.

… blessed by God because of his goodness…

Because of HIS goodness—not mine.

God isn’t waiting to see if I can be good enough to be useful in His plan because He already knows (and so do I) that I can never be good enough. I can never be perfect. And that’s okay. Because God IS perfection. And He chooses us because of His goodness—not ours.

That, my friends, is freeing! And it moves me to tears. Anyone else?

…and used by God to accomplish extraordinary things.

Elizabeth…Mary…Anna…

Ordinary women who were used by God to accomplish extraordinary things.

You (insert your name here)…and me…                       

Ordinary women who will be used by God to accomplish extraordinary things.

Don’t believe it? Take another look at Elizabeth, Mary, and Anna.

Or read about the woman at the well who took the Good News of Jesus back to her town. (John 4:1-42)

Or Mary Magdalene, to whom Jesus first appeared at the empty tomb. (John 20:1-18)

God can and will use you…if you let Him.

God’s choice…God’s purpose…God’s goodness…God’s plans.

The question is…

When God calls, how will you answer?

In Christ,

Laura  

Linking up with Thought Provoking Thursday, WholeHearted Wednesdays, and The Weekend Brew

Women of Christmas - Week 8

Thank you for joining me here for the last week of our study on The Women of Christmas by Liz Curtis Higgs. I hope you've enjoyed the study and have a safe, healthy, and happy New Year!

In Christ,
Laura 

Week 8 – Dec. 29-Jan. 3

Monday/Tuesday – Read Chapter 8 “Joy of Every Longing Heart.”

Tuesday – Visit Liz Curtis Higgs’ blog for Bible study.

Wednesday/Thursday – Answer the Chapter 8 study questions on pgs. 191-193.

Thursday – Visit Laura Rath ~ Journey in Faith for thoughts on Chapter 8.

Friday – Catch up on the reading and study questions, if necessary. What from the reading do you want to live out in the New Year?

God Confidence

This week – Chapter 7 “And Our Eyes at Last Shall See Him,” in The Women of Christmas by Liz Curtis Higgs.

Luke reminds us that the name Jesus was chosen before his birth, which means it was chosen before Mary said yes. Not only did she have faith in God, but God had faith in her.

– Liz Curtis Higgs, The Women of Christmas

Have you ever felt like you couldn’t do what God was asking you to do?

Many times, I’ve told God, “I don’t think I can do this, but if You think I can, then I can.” And you know what? Knowing God thinks I can do something makes all the difference in the world. It’s that boost of confidence I need—not confidence in myself, but in Him.

I wonder if Mary ever felt that way…maybe when she had to tell her family she was pregnant before she was married…or when she found herself ready to give birth in a stable.

She may have had moments of thinking she wasn’t strong enough, but God knew. He had a plan, and He chose her to be a part of it. That had to have given her courage when hers was waning. 

God will do that with us. He will guide us outside of our comfort zones and lead us through situations we would never choose for ourselves.

He will give us courage when ours is gone. And confidence when we have none in ourselves.

Not all of our attempts will turn out favorably. There will be things we try and fail. And God will be there to say, “But look, you didn’t let fear stop you from trying.”

He knew we could take that step, as long our trust was in Him.

Other times there will be success, despite a long and rocky path in getting there. And He’s there…encouraging us to keep going, providing comfort in our frustration and grief, and guiding us when we get distracted from the path.

God knows His plans for us and He chooses us for His purpose. We may or may not know what that purpose is, but He knows us. He knows what He created us to do.

And He knows that when our faith and trust are in Him…we can do it.

How do you feel when God calls you to do something you don’t think you can handle? Does it encourage you to know God called you for a purpose?

In Christ,

Laura   

Linking up with Thought Provoking Thursday and Faith Filled Friday

Women of Christmas - Week 7

Merry Christmas!

In Christ,
Laura  

Week 7 – Dec. 22-28

Monday/Tuesday – Read Chapter 7 “And Our Eyes at Last Shall See Him.”

Tuesday – Visit Liz Curtis Higgs’ blog for Bible study.

Wednesday/Thursday – Answer the Chapter 7 study questions on pgs. 190-191.

Thursday – Visit Laura Rath ~ Journey in Faith for thoughts on Chapter 7.

Friday – Spend time in prayer this week reflecting on God’s gift to us of His Son.

Immanuel, God With Us

This week - Chapter 6 “The Wondrous Gift is Given,” in The Women of Christmas by Liz Curtis Higgs

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. Luke 2:6-7 NIV

When I really think about it, I am in awe over the great extent to which God wants to be with us.

From the beginning, God intended to be with us. 

Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. Genesis 3:8 NIV

God walked in the garden…with Adam and Eve. Isn’t it hard to imagine being able to walk around with God, talking and hanging out with Him?

But then sin entered the world and everything changed.

And while God still loved us, cared for us, and wanted to be with us, we were sinful and could not live with God. For anyone who saw Him face to face would die.

But God makes a way where there is no way.

Moses asked to see God’s glorious presence, and because God looked favorably on Moses, He made a way.

The Lord replied, “I will make all my goodness pass before you, and I will call out my name, Yahweh, before you. For I will show mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose. But you may not look directly at my face, for no one may see me and live.” The Lord continued, “Look, stand near me on this rock. As my glorious presence passes by, I will hide you in the crevice of the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will remove my hand and let you see me from behind. But my face will not be seen.” Exodus 33:19-23 NLT

God made a way for Moses to see Him, protecting Moses as He passed by. Think of the comfort and reassurance God’s presence must have brought to Moses.

God made a way for us too…a way to see Him, to walk with Him, to learn from Him.

God’s way was Jesus.

Born as a human, but still God, He made a way for us to see Him. A way He could walk with us. And a way we could live eternally with Him.

How incredible that our Almighty God wants to be with us so much that He came to us as a man—a person we could see and touch.

Think about it…He left heaven—for us.

He came to live in a sinful world—for us.

He went through hell and conquered sin and death—for us.

No words can fully explain the depth of His love for us.

For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. John 1:17 NLT

My prayer for you this Christmas…

May you feel and experience God’s great love for you through Jesus, even when it is more than our human minds can understand.

In Christ,

Laura   

Linking up with WholeHearted Wednesdays, Winsome Wednesday, Thought Provoking Thursday, Faith Filled Friday, The Weekend Brew, Hear It on Sunday, Use It on Monday, Sharing His Beauty

Women of Christmas - Week 6

Have a good week!

In Christ,
Laura  

Week 6 – Dec. 15-21

Monday/Tuesday – Read Chapter 6 “The Wondrous Gift Is Given.”

Wednesday – Visit Liz Curtis Higgs’ blog for Bible study.

Wednesday/Thursday – Answer the Chapter 6 study questions on pgs. 188-189.

Thursday – Visit Laura Rath ~ Journey in Faith for thoughts on Chapter 6.

Friday – How are you doing with the busyness of this season? Can you take a few minutes each day to reflect on Jesus’ birth?

Praise and Worship

By this time last year, I knew Praise would be my One Word for 2013. I didn’t exactly choose it for myself, but God seemed insistent that my One Word should be Praise. Obviously, God was trying to show me something.

Over the year, I’ve thought about what it means to praise God—in the good times and in the difficult times. And as I’ve read through Scripture, I’ve noticed and pondered how often praise and worship are written about.

From my Tyndale NLT Study Bible dictionary…

Praise—to worship, commend, or give honor to

Worship—to regard with great respect, honor, or devotion

To praise God is to honor Him and to give Him the glory, no matter what I may have done or not done. 

In worshipping God, we stay devoted to Him even in the midst of circumstances we don’t understand or that are unwelcome and unpleasant.

We certainly see this with Elizabeth and Zechariah. For so long, their prayers for a child went unanswered. I have to think this led to disappointment and discouragement. And yet, they never turned away from God.

Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes… Luke 1:6a

Righteous not because of what they had done, but because of their faith in God.

Praise and worship may have been easier after their son was born, but obviously, praise and worship were not absent in their lives during all the years of unanswered prayers. 

Praising and worshipping God strengthens our faith…and they were righteous because of their faith.

Is our reaction to unanswered prayers the same as when our prayers are answered—to praise and worship God?

I like Psalm 71:14-15 NLT…

But I will keep on hoping for your help; I will praise you more and more. I will tell everyone about your righteousness. All day long I will proclaim your saving power, though I am not skilled with words.

The Psalmist praised God and proclaimed his saving power—even while going through difficult times and waiting for God’s help. He praised God first, before receiving God’s help.

Maybe Elizabeth and Zechariah believed like King David did…

My heart is confident in you, O God; no wonder I can sing your praises with all my heart! Psalm 108:1

They didn’t need proof that God was with them. They knew and they praised Him.

I want that confidence—to know without a doubt that God walks with me through every day in my life—the good, the bad, and the days that seem boring. I want my eyes open so I can see Him there.

And I want to praise God first—even before I see my prayers answered.

When do you find yourself praising God? Do you need to start praising Him before you see your prayers answered?

If you are reading The Women of Christmas by Liz Curtis Higgs, we are in Chapter 5 this week, “With Heart and Soul and Voice.”

In Christ,

Laura  

Photo credit: Stock photo: worship the living god 

Linking up with Sharing His Beauty, #TellHisStory, Soli Deo Gloria, Winsome Wednesday, WholeHearted Wednesday

Women of Christmas - Week 5

Have a great week!

In Christ,
Laura  

Week 5 – Dec. 8-14

Monday/Tuesday – Read Chapter 5 “With Heart and Soul and Voice.”

Wednesday – Visit Liz Curtis Higgs’ blog for Bible study.

Wednesday/Thursday – Answer the Chapter 5 study questions on pgs. 187-188.

Thursday – Visit Laura Rath ~ Journey in Faith for thoughts on Chapter 5.

Friday – Take time to catch up on the reading and study questions, if necessary.

Someone to Share With

Thank you for visiting. If you are reading The Women of Christmas by Liz Curtis Higgs, we are looking at Mary and Elizabeth in Chapter 4 this week, “O Tidings of Comfort and Joy.”

Have you ever had a God-moment—something you know was from God—but didn’t know who to share it with? You want to tell someone who will be excited, but not just excited for you. You want someone who will be excited with you…someone whose faith is strong like yours, and will feel God in the moment.

That doesn’t describe everyone. Some will not believe. Some will listen with skepticism. Others will explain it away, giving reasons for your news that have nothing to do with God. If you’ve ever shared a God-filled moment with someone like this, you know how disappointing it can be. It feels like something has been taken from you.

But when you have another believer to share with—someone who walks in faith like you do—it makes your experience even more special.

For Mary, her person to share with was her relative, Elizabeth. With anyone else, Mary would have had a lot of explaining to do, criticism to listen to, and harsh words spoken about her. But when Gabriel told Mary about Elizabeth and the miracle of her pregnancy, Mary knew—she needed to share her news with Elizabeth.

A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town  where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth.  At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.” Luke 1:39-45 NLT

There was no need for Mary to explain anything. Elizabeth knew. She felt God there with them and she lived Mary’s excitement with her.

How incredible that God thought of even that detail—someone for Mary to share with about the miracle of carrying God’s own Son! At the very time Mary could’ve felt alone with no one to talk to, God provided fellowship.

It’s no surprise that God thinks of everything, but often, when I realize the depth to which God cares for His children, I’m in awe all over again!

In Christ,

Laura  

Photo credit: Stock photo: Friendship

Linking up with #TellHisStory, Winsome Wednesday, WholeHearted Wednesdays, Thought Provoking Thursday, Faith Filled Friday, The Weekend Brew

Women of Christmas - Week 4

Have a blessed week!

In Christ,
Laura

Week 4 – Dec. 1-7

Monday/Tuesday – Read Chapter 4 “O Tidings of Comfort and Joy.”

Wednesday – Visit Liz Curtis Higgs’ blog for Bible study.

Wednesday/Thursday – Answer the Chapter 4 study questions on pgs. 185-186.

Thursday – Visit Laura Rath ~ Journey in Faith for thoughts on Chapter 4.

Friday – Reflect back on the first four chapters. What has made an impact on you?

Mary’s Faith

Happy Thanksgiving! If you are reading The Women of Christmas by Liz Curtis Higgs with us, we are in Chapter 3 “The Virgin Mother Kind.”

This week, we move from Elizabeth and Zechariah to Mary’s visit from the angel Gabriel.

In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee,  to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.  The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.”

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. Luke 1:26-38 (NIV)

I find it beautiful and amazing how seemingly easy Mary laid down her plans for God’s will for her life.

No doubt, Mary had plans. She was engaged to Joseph, a good man in the line of King David. Perhaps they were looking forward to a quiet life together. He made a living as a carpenter, and they would raise their family, without calling attention to themselves. No drama. No questions or gossip from family and neighbors.

But God had different plans. Wonderful plans. Plans that would be for all people.

Mary would be the mother of Jesus.

According to Scripture, she asked one question, not because she doubted what she was being told, but because her human mind only knew one way to conceive a child, and that one way had not yet occurred.

Did she wonder what she was going to tell Joseph? Or did she just know that God was going to work it all out His way?

It’s hard for me to not think of next steps and consequences. But if Mary thought about this, she didn’t voice it.

Her faith shines here.

One question. Gabriel’s answer. And without hesitation, Mary willingly embraces God’s will for her life.

What a moment that must have been for her—chosen and blessed to be the mother of God’s Son.

God will never choose another for that role, but He calls us for work in His Kingdom all the time.

Mary walked in faith. She let it guide her.

Will you?

In Christ,

Laura 

[Photo credit: Stock photo: Sparkles in the eyes]

Linking up with Soli Deo Gloria, Winsome Wednesday, WholeHearted Wednesdays, Faith Filled Friday, The Weekend Brew, Hear It on Sunday, Use It on Monday

Women of Christmas - Week 3

Happy Thanksgiving week!

In Christ,
Laura

Week 3 – Nov. 24-30

Monday/Tuesday – Read Chapter 3 “The Virgin Mother Kind.”

Wednesday – Visit Liz Curtis Higgs’ blog for Bible study.

Wednesday/Thursday – Answer the Chapter 3 study questions on pgs. 184-185.

Thursday – Visit Laura Rath ~Journey in Faith for thoughts on Chapter 3.

Friday – Review this week’s reading and spend time in prayer.

Letting Go

Welcome! If you are reading The Women of Christmas by Liz Curtis Higgs with us, we are in Chapter 2 “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence.”

I’ve still been thinking about something I wrote last week, while looking at Elizabeth and Zechariah…“At some point, they must have decided that a child was not in God’s plans for them.” And I’ve been wondering…

When is it time to lay down a dream, and does laying it down mean I’m putting a time limit on God?

Maybe the difference is whether or not we take it into our own hands and try to make it happen any way we can.

For Elizabeth and Zechariah, they could have decided that since they were getting older, and Elizabeth was unable to conceive, Zechariah should have a child with another woman. But they didn’t.

Scripture tells us they were faithful and God saw them as righteous, so they must have laid down the dream for a child, and depended on God to get them through the disappointment.

I don’t think laying a dream down means giving up on God, but instead, forgoing our plans and desires for what God has planned. Even when we don’t know what that is.

There will be disappointment and sadness with accepting that we may not ever have something we desire so badly (a child, a spouse, healing, the perfect career, etc.), but letting it go allows for time to grieve and the ability to move on.

It releases us from the worry, obsessing, and trying to figure out how to make it happen. We let go and let God be in control.

Elizabeth and Zechariah didn’t know when they let their dream go what God had planned. Maybe for Zechariah to be the chosen priest from his order to enter the sanctuary and burn incense was another dream of theirs. And that day, they saw their dream come true. 

They never turned away from God, but in faith, they kept hoping in expectation of what He would do.

And there was no way they could have imagined that on that same day, God would resurrect a dream they had given back to Him—their dream for a child.

God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. 

Ephesians 3:20 The Message

How about you? Is there a dream you’ve let go, in hope and anticipation of what God has planned—even when you have no idea of what that might be?

In Christ,

Laura 

Photo credit: Stock photo: Daydreaming

Linking up with WholeHearted Wednesdays, Faith Filled Friday, Spiritual Sundays, The Weekend Brew, Hear It on Sunday, Use It on Monday

Women of Christmas - Week 2

Have a great week!

In Christ,

Laura

Week 2 – Nov. 17-23

Monday/Tuesday – Read Chapter 2 “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence.”

Wednesday – Visit Liz Curtis Higgs’ blog for Bible study.

Wednesday/Thursday – Answer the Chapter 2 study questions on pgs. 183-184.

Thursday – Visit Laura Rath ~ Journey in Faith for thoughts on Chapter 2.

Friday - Reflect back on this week's reading and study questions. Catch up on Chapters 1-2, if necessary.

Choosing God’s Way

Welcome! If you are reading The Women of Christmas by Liz Curtis Higgs with us, we are looking at Elizabeth and Zechariah in Chapter 1, “Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room.”

There is a verse in Philippians that holds power for me. I’ve memorized it, I personalize it, and I rely on it.

For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Philippians 2:13 NLT

Although, Elizabeth and Zechariah wouldn’t have had Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi to read, God’s power was very much a part of their lives.

Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations. Luke 1:6 NLT

Glancing at the verse, I could think obedience wouldn’t even be a question. Zechariah was a priest; they would have had to obey the Lord’s commandments and regulations.

But God saw them as righteous.

For Zechariah and Elizabeth, it was more than just following the rules. They weren’t obedient to earn God’s favor. They were obedient because they loved God.

Like Abraham, so many years before, it was because of their faith that God counted them as righteous, not because of what they did.

So, for me, the question isn’t whether or not they were obedient, it’s how were they able to stay faithful and obedient?

Like our lives today, theirs weren’t perfect. Despite years of praying for a child, they were childless. And aging. At some point, they must have decided that a child was not in God’s plans for them.

And yet, they continued to live their lives for God.

Together they lived honorably before God, careful in keeping to the ways of the commandments and enjoying a clear conscience before God. Luke 1:6 The Message

How did they not let their disappointment, discouragement, and sadness get between them and God?

How do we?

They made a decision to rely on God, and through that decision, God’s power and strength were at work within them giving them the ability to stay faithful and obedient.

God’s power and strength is for us too.

God is working in you to make you willing and able to obey him. Philippians 2:13 CEV

It is God who gives us the desire and strength to stay faithful to Him.

How often do we find ourselves at a cross-road with a decision to make?

We see God’s way and know staying faithful is the right thing to do. But we know what we want, and maybe we could make it happen by going the other way.

Temptation is powerful, and the enemy uses it to encourage us to go the other way.

So, how do we choose God’s way when we’re weak, tired, and discouraged?

By relying on the strength and power God gives. He won’t force it on us, but it’s there—freely given for anyone who chooses to accept it.

And not to accept it just once, but every day, every hour, even every minute, relying on God, instead of ourselves.

In the face of temptation, we often don’t want to choose what’s right, or don’t have the strength to choose. But when we keep calling out to God—trusting Him to provide what we need to make the right choices—He is there.

He is the One who gives us the desire and power to do what pleases Him—to act in obedience and stay faithful—in all circumstances.

In Christ,

Laura  

[Photo credit: Stock photo: the way]

Linking up with WholeHearted Wednesdays, Winsome Wednesday, Thought Provoking Thursday, Faith Filled Friday, and The Weekend Brew.

Women of Christmas Study - Week 1

Welcome! This week we begin our study of The Women of Christmas by Liz Curtis Higgs. If you're reading along, the suggested reading schedule for this week is below. Each Wednesday, the author is doing a Bible study to go with the book on her blog. The link will be included in each week's schedule. Stop back later this week when I'll post my thoughts on Chapter 1. 

In Christ,

Laura

Week 1 – Nov. 10-16

Monday/Tuesday – Read Chapter 1 “Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room.”

Wednesday – Visit Liz Curtis Higgs’ blog for Bible study.

Wednesday/Thursday – Answer the Chapter 1 study questions on pgs. 181-183.

Thursday – Visit Laura Rath ~ Journey in Faith for thoughts on Chapter 1.

Friday – Reflect back and journal on this week’s reading and study questions.