Luke 1:46 - My Soul Magnifies The Lord.
Luke 1:46 (ESV) And Mary said, "My soul
magnifies the Lord."
Luke 1:46 (NLT) Mary responded, Oh, how
my soul praises the Lord.
Luke 1:46 (MSG) And Mary said, I'm bursting
with God-news;
INTRODUCTION
Spontaneous Praise
Praise is the spontaneous response of a
grateful child of God in His presence. The person who
knows God and experiences Him intimately sings to
the Lord with deepest praise! Mary was
overwhelmed by the Lords goodness to her. In response
she sang one of the most beautiful and profound
songs of praise found in Scripture. Trying to stop
the praise of a thankful heart would be like
trying to arrest the flow of a mighty waterfall!
God created us to praise Him; praise will be our
activity when we are gathered around His throne in
heaven.
You should never have difficulty thinking
of reasons why God deserves your praise. You
should enjoy the times you have to praise your
Lord, both privately and publicly in worship. If
your life is not filled with praise, it may be
that you have lost your appreciation for Gods
merciful activity in your life. Never forget what God
has saved you from. Never take for granted what
it means to have the assurance of eternity with
God. Do not disregard the spiritual kinship you
enjoy with other believers. Take time often to
recount the blessings He has poured out upon you and
your family. As you contemplate the boundless
love and mercy God has shown you, you will want
to sing His praises as Mary did. Spontaneous
praise is authentic praise. It does not have to be
manipulated or orchestrated. It is a real and personal
expression of a grateful heart and wonder-filled life
that has encountered holy God! [Experiencing God
Day by Day by Henry and Richard Blackaby]
COMMENTARY PEARL
Someone said something years ago that
stuck with me. They explained that Christmas is a
magnifier. If things are good in your life, Christmas
tends to magnify that goodness. That which is good
seems better. A good family seems great. A good
party seems fantastic. A good memory becomes an
even better one. Christmas magnifies the good.
But unfortunately, it also can magnify
what's difficult. If you are struggling, Christmas
season can almost make the struggle seem more
intense. Financial stress is tough any time of the
year. In December, it can feel unbearable. A
challenged relationship with extended family is never
fun. It seems to be accentuated during the
holidays. If you normally battle with loneliness,
Christmastime may be the loneliest time of all.
Rather than just focusing on yourself
this Christmas Day, what you got and what you
gave, how much you ate, who you saw, how the kids
looked, I'd encourage you to focus on Christ. Today
we celebrate the greatest gift in history, our
Savior's birth.
As you focus on Jesus, worship God for
his goodness, his love, his sacrifice. We are
told to magnify him, to glorify him together.
What does that mean? Among other things, magnify
simply means to make bigger. What if you made God a
bigger part of your life? Not just on Christmas
Day, but every day. What if you allowed his
goodness, his will, his plans to consume your
thinking? What if you made his presence the biggest
priority in your life?
If you are going to magnify anything this
Christmas, magnify the Lord.
I want to focus on you, Lord - not just
the presents, parties, and decorations. Today
let my soul magnify your presence as I reflect
on the miracle of the virgin birth, the gift of
your Son, Jesus. [Daily Power by Craig
Groeschel]
LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE
Luke 1:46-55 - Mary's Song - The Magnificat.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2007/20071213-0146.html
LINKS TO SPECIAL CHRISTMAS VIDEOS
The Chosen Special Christmas Episode
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paOjgZZDads
The Joy of Christmas with Bill & Gloria
Gaither and Friends [YouTube Premiere]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rU_f_xNKZkY
[watch Glorias testimony near the end at
about 1:00:10 into the program]
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo
Seeking God Made Real:
http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David
DeRose, MD, MPH:
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies:
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Hope Awakens Bible Study Guides:
https://www.hopeawakens.study/lesson-header;id=2
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies:
http://www.bibleresearch.info/
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
Revelation Now by Pastor Doug Batchelor
(recent): https://www.revelationnow.com/
Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of
Adventist World Radio (recent):
https://bible.awr.org/en/the-signs/
Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW:
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
