“For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother” (Matthew 12:50).
The last week of our December study is titled, “Blessed Through Obedience.” Christmas will soon be here. Obviously, “Jesus is the reason for the season.” But one more time, let’s focus on Mary, His earthly mother. Mary needed a Savior just as we do. She found favor with God because of her humility and willingness to do God’s will. This week’s study introduction states “What a privilege Mary experience as she carried the Son of God in her womb. What a privilege she possessed to nurture Him and then watch Him perform magnificient miracles among people in all walks of life.”
When we seek to do God’s will, we gain privileges, too. “We know those same privileges as we carry Him in our hearts and see His miracles unfold in our lives and the lives of those around us.” Many people live far below what God wants to do in their lives. Today’s verse makes it clear that if we do the will of God, we are indeed part of His family. Even though we are “adopted,” we have the same rights as blood family. One day soon, as “joint-heirs with Christ,” we’ll experience the family joys and riches of Heaven. That should excite us.
Just like Mary, we, too can become “highly favored and blessed.
Sue Winchester
Missouri
PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for members of the Good News Chapel Church in Japan as they host an evangelistic outreach, a Christmas charity concert to benefit the Tohoku area affected by the March 2011 earthquake/tsunami, as well as for Christmas outreaches this day at the Koinonia and Bihoro Churches in Hokkaido.
