Sunday Scripture

 I'm planning to post Sunday Scriptures on both of my blogs this December, taken from an Advent study I did in 2013 with Good Morning Girls.  The study, Keeping Our Hearts Focused on Jesus, is still available as a free download.  Scroll down and click on the book-like image, and the pdf should open right up.  More than just a Bible study, this is an ebook that includes recipes, Advent activities, and more.  I think it will be a blessing to you.

I've mentioned before that I like to use the SOAP method of Bible study, and the studies from GMG use a very similar one.  I find this method a real blessing whether I am studying shorter passages or longer ones, so I hope you'll give it a try if you haven't ever done so. Just a reminder that the S is for Scripture -- just write it out -- and the O is for Observation, the A is for Application and the P is for prayer -- concerning how you'll apply this verse or passage,  or praise for what it means to you.

This first week's verses are focused on Hope.  If you downloaded the study and are following along with it, this is the one from December 1.

S= "And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.  And the angel departed from her."  (Luke 1:38)

O= This is Mary's response to the angel Gabriel as he came to her and explained that she would become the mother of the Messiah.  Though she didn't (and couldn't possibly) comprehend all that was to entail, she responded with "behold, the handmaid of the Lord" -- basically saying "I am God's servant."  

And then she added, "Be it unto me according to thy word" -- or, "let it happen as you have said."  What an amazing statement for an unwed teenage girl to make!

David Jeremiah comments, "This is the glory and wonder of Christmas, that God could plant not only into the womb of this woman the Son of God, but He could plant in her heart the faith to believe the message that she received from the angel. Her response has always overwhelmed me with a sense of absolute submission that ought to be in the heart of every child of God. Mary said, 'Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word'..” 

A= I have the entire Bible.  I may not understand all of God's plan for my life, but I know it's a plan for good and not for evil.  Therefore, how much more do I need to obey God unquestioningly.  I need to see myself consistently as God's servant, and to accept His plan for my life -- without question or complaint.

David Roper wrote, "What is God asking you to do? It may be something magnificent, or something ordinary. It may be to respond actively to a command of Scripture, or to submit patiently to present suffering."

“What God arranges for us to experience at each moment is the holiest thing that could happen to us,” commented the 18th-century writer Jean-Pierre de Caussade.

"Are you able to accept each moment with grace and submission? Can you respond to the Lord as Mary said to the angel, 'Let it be to me according to your word'?" -- David Roper

P= Lord, I thank You so much that you have provided the example of Mary for us to observe.  We see her trusting response to the angel's news and are so rebuked by it.  So many times we want to question what You are doing.  Mary had questions too, yet once the angel provided reassurance she had this response of unhesitating acceptance.

"I pray that You will help me to be Your trusting, obedient servant, as Mary was.

I pray in the name of Jesus, Amen."

And there is the very simple (yet profound) Sunday Scripture for this first Sunday in December!