Tag: annunciation

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HT Video Shorts

Passiontide and the Gift(?) of the Quarantine (Fun Word Friday)

 

 

Find the gifts today. Find the gifts in what’s going on. Discover the good in all that’s going around you. Look for what God is turning into good for you. And take a break from dwelling on the craziness to fix your eyes on Jesus. That’s what the Passiontide is about. And that’s what He’s teaching you. You can trust Him. He will save you and bring you through this.

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HT Video Shorts

The Realness of the Sacred Scriptures – Gal 6:11 (Bible Study Thursday)

 

 

This verse shows the realness of God breathing words through His apostles — even a frail, old Paul can’t see and has to write in giant letters. The Scriptures are the inspired word of God, written by men, as a gift. When you read the Scriptures, you’re reading God’s own Words, delivered by His servants. They were actual human beings, real people in a real time.

If you have questions or topics that you’d like discussed on Higher Things® Video Shorts, email them to support@higherthings.org or send a text to 936-647-3235.

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Screenshot from: https://www.esv.org/Galatians+6/

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HT Video Shorts

A Christmas Break from the Quarantine (What’s UP? Wednesday)

 

 

In a world where everything is falling apart, we have comfort and hope, because “…no words are impossible with God”. God announced to a virgin a reality that changed the universe, an impossible Word that she was with child, a Child born to save. And into our suffering, fear, dread, and loneliness, He says, “I’m going to save you. I’ve sent my Son to save you.”

If you have questions or topics that you’d like discussed on Higher Things® Video Shorts, email them to support@higherthings.org or send a text to 936-647-3235.

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Screenshot from: https://www.esv.org/Luke+1/

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Lectionary Meditations

Advent 4 Lectionary Meditation

“My soul magnifies the Lord….”

Just think how weird and strange Mary’s life would have been. She had her plans – marriage to a nice man, a normal, simple life…. Then Gabriel shows up. She is told that she’s going to give birth to the Messiah as a virgin (and who knows what that’s going to do to her engagement, her plans for a family). Then, when she goes to visit Elizabeth, steady and wise Elizabeth, a woman who has a miraculous pregnancy of her own so she could understand – Elizabeth starts gushing and praising Mary. So much praise thrown at Mary!

Then Mary speaks. No, Elizabeth, don’t praise me! “My soul magnifies the Lord”. No, Elizabeth – let us praise the Lord, let us make Him the one we praise! I don’t need your praise. Let’s focus not on me; let’s magnify the Lord! Let’s make what He does bigger and bigger, ever more our focus! The Savior uses me so that He can grow, so that He can become my Savior and your Savior. We’re lowly and humble – we don’t need to be great or praised; we need salvation.

In spite of all the wild and heady things that happen to her, Mary keeps her bearings. She doesn’t buy into the hype, she doesn’t start thinking she’s all that and a bag of chips (although to be honest, if for some foolish reason we Christians were to get into a bragging contest about our works and what we’ve done for Jesus, she’d have us all beat hands down). Instead, she remains humble and looking to her Lord and Savior Jesus.

Part of the wonder of the Christian faith is seeing more and more how God is at work doing great things for us and through us. And that says nothing at all about us – it is not I who live but Christ who lives in me! And even though we are lowly, and even when there are times we see our own sin and realize just how truly lowly we are, Christ Jesus remains our Savior who wins us salvation. It’s all about Jesus and what He does for you – God grant that we ever more magnify, focus upon, and marvel at His love for us, even until He comes again!