* When Gabriel showed up Mary referred to herself as a bondslave.
* This was the slave that got paid nothing, and typically was by the door to wash peoples’ feet.
* She saw herself properly, so she was able to forfeit her reputation in order to carry the Lord.
* Now, nine months later, she’s faced with the reality of having her baby in a barn.
* I can see her bowing her head, taking a deep breath, knowing she was about to be in hard labor, and reminding herself, “I am a bondslave of the Lord.”
* Her attitude was one of gratitude for the assignment God had given her.
* How we see ourselves determines how we behave ourselves.
* God is in the business of orchestrating circumstances so we remember who we are.
* We are His bondslaves.
Luke 2:7 (3/23/17)
Bondslave
March 23, 2017 • Benham Brothers
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Lessons From Luke
Luke 1:18 (3/23/17)
March 23, 2017 • Benham Brothers
* Faith is a matter of focus. * If we keep our focus on God we gravitate toward faith. * If we keep our focus on man we gravitate toward fear & doubt. * Zechariah fell for the same thing Moses fell for - when God’s word came he focused on himself and not the God Who was giving the message. * His punishment? * He lost the ability to do what he was created to do. * He was a priest and had to communicate as a part of his job - but now that was gone. * Other people could no longer be nourished by Zech, the priest. * God wants to be a nourishment for others through us, but it requires our faith in God for that to happen. * We have to keep our eyes on Him and not on ourselves.
Luke 1:24-25 (3/22/18)
March 22, 2018 • Benham Brothers
Luke 1:24-25 - Motive * How do you know if you’ve done something with the right motive? * By how you respond when the thing either comes to pass or doesn’t. * If it doesn’t, do you say, “not my will but Yours be done?” * This means you had the right motive. * If it does come to pass, do you have a meek and humble response (like Peter & Elizabeth)? * Notice Elizabeth got alone and simply wanted to thank God for blessing her. * She didn’t go out and announce to everyone. * A pure motive is always humble before the Lord and grateful for His role in your life.