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What gets you excited to get out of bed in the morning? What are your “all in” passions?
For my nephew, it is Legos. He woke up in the middle of the night after his birthday and stayed up for two hours building more of his Lego sets.
For another friend, it is books. She can stay up all night, unable to put the book down until she finishes it, then she laments the fact that she is no longer sharing life with those characters.
Coffee gets many of us out of bed. And even though my mom jokes that I poisoned my sisters when I taught them to drink the good stuff after my first visit to Venezuela, it does not stop any of us from truly enjoying a good cup of coffee, especially when shared with family or friends.
We all have talents, interests, passions... things we love that bring a smile to our face and joy to our hearts. Yet, many times, we have lost the passion of our first love.
We neglect to remain “all in” as we declared when we were baptized.
We get distracted, confused, disillusioned, and discouraged.
We fall into the trap of Satan’s lies.
We lose sight of what is unseen, and our eyes are no longer set on things above.
Epaphras, after helping start the church in Colossae, noticed that this was happening among the Colossians. He shared his burden for the people with Paul, who wrote them a letter reminding them of the fullness we find in the All In, Sold Out, Thankful Life in Christ.
Check out these verses in chapter 2:
6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. 8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. 9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.
(Col. 2:6-10)
Did you notice the blessing we are promised when we live the “All In” life with Christ? Nothing else in all creation measures up to the Creator. He became flesh and dwelt among us so that we might be with Him. Let that soak in for a second... Jesus went “All In” so that we, too can be “All In” with Him.
One key toward the “All In” life? Thankfulness.
Start by being thankful for your salvation in Christ.
When we remember the truth of the gospel, the good news of the death, burial, resurrection, we begin to set our minds on things above (Col. 3:2) and can truly do it all for His glory.
17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Col. 3:17)
#IronRoseSister #MichelleJGoff #IRSM #allin #thankful
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How do you picture Jesus? A baby in the manger? Crucified on the cross? Absent from the tomb? Dwelling in your heart?
How do you think Mary pictured Jesus?
We know that Mary treasured all these things in her heart as Jesus grew in wisdom, in stature, and in favor with God and men.
When Mary saw Jesus turn the water to wine in Cana, did she see Him as the Christ, or as the little boy who ate and drank from her table?
When Jesus healed the sick, did she think back to the times when His brothers and sisters were sick at home?
We see Mary appear at various times during Jesus’ ministry. She seems to be a dedicated follower, but I wonder how much she knew about the child she had carried in her womb.
A recent reflection on the account in Luke 1 and her song of praise provided me with a new perspective—one that affirms why she was chosen to carry the Christ child.
When the angel first appeared to Zechariah, he responds with doubt, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years” (Luke 1:18).
However, Mary’s response, while one of surprise, questions the angel with a different spirit, “How can this be?” She doesn’t ask whether or not it is possible. She does not respond with doubt, but with belief and a request for clarification. She was ALL IN.
Then, her response immediately transitions to one of submission—humble acceptance of what God has called her to. ALL IN.
If I were Mary, I would’ve had a million questions: What if Joseph won’t marry me? What if others don’t believe me and I am stoned? Why me? How can I be sure? You’ve been silent for 400 years...
Yet she did not respond in any of those ways. How did she respond? In praise. ALL IN.
Luke 1:46-55 is the text of her song and prayer in praise (below)
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Do you know what Magnificat means? “My soul glorifies or magnifies the Lord.” Magnifies: makes bigger (like a magnifying glass). Mary recognizes immediately that it is not about her. It’s all about God. She is only a vessel. ALL IN.
In her prayerful song, Mary thanks God and praises His name, recognizing His character and His actions. That’s it. ALL IN.
If that had been my song, I would’ve included some requests—that is most often the focus of my prayers.
I am inspired by Mary’s example of humble submission, and of praise. No doubts. No requests. No self-glorification. My soul magnifies the Lord, ALL IN.
How can your life be a magnificat today, an expression of “ALL IN”?
Luke 1:46-55
46 And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
50 And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
55 as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”
How can your life be a magnificat today, an expression of “ALL IN”?
#IronRoseSister #IRSM #allin #magnificat #praise #idontknowwhatsgoingtohappenbutYOUdo