From the Editor, Angel Chavez
It is easy to recognize the love of the mother as the closest to God’s kind of love: “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13
In this issue, I want to express my love, admiration and gratitude to the earthly mother of my Lord Jesus of Nazareth, The Savior of the world. Her name is Mary.
Every Christian needs to understand how is that faith works through love, we must watch and learn from the life of Mary. “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love. Galatians 5:6” Her submission to God was unconditional, no matter the cost. She inspires to serve God, with all our heart, with all our soul, and all our strength. This is how she did it: MARY CALLS HERSELF “SERVANT OF THE LORD”
Mary calls herself the servant of the Lord. She can teach us how to respond in faith and be obedient to God’s word. I love Mary’s willingness to be used by the Lord, even at her young age. When angel Gabriel visited her, she answered: “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her. Luke 1:38
BELIEVING AND OBEDIENCE IS KEY TO BE BLESS, FOR WITHOUT FAITH IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE GOD.
“You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.” Luke 1:45 “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6” MARY’S ATTITUDE OF WORSHIP, WILLINGNESS, SUBMISSION AND OBEDIENCE TO GOD INSPIRES US TO LEARN AND IMITATE HER IN THE GOOD TIMES AND THE BAD TIMES:
“Mary responded, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed. For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me. He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him…” Luke 1:46-50
You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel [Israel is the spiritual Israel-ALL BELIEVERS, his church, his body] forever; his Kingdom will never end!” Luke 1:30-33
“The young woman, who has never had a man, will give birth to a Son. They will give Him the name Immanuel. This means God with us.” Mathew 1:23
IN FULLFILLING HER CALL, SHE ENDURED BIG TRIALS ALL HER LIFE. FROM THE TIME OF RECEIVING SUCH A GREAT RESPONSIBILITY TO THE AGONY OF SEEING HER SON BEING CRUCIFIED...
during the last days of her pregnancy. At the time of her labor, there was no room available in the Inn for her, so she was forced to give birth in a stable. SHE ENDURED PERSECUTION AND DEATH SENTENCE TO HER CHILD, ORDERED BY THE KING. Her child, Jesus, was ordered to be killed by king Herod. His soldiers killed all the boys, two years and under. Joseph and Mary escaped to Egypt saving Jesus. (Mathew 2:1-16)
ENDURING THE TORMENT AND CRUCIFICTION OF HER SON IS UNIMAGINABLE. (GOD?... DIDN’T YOU SAY MY SON WAS TO BE A KING AND REIGN FOREVER?) - That is the bit in my heart in parenthesis.
“Love suffers long… bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13
MARY KEPT HER HEART TUNNED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT. MARY SAID: “DO WATHEVER JESUS TELLS YOU TO DO”. A RECIPY FOR SUCCES FOR ALL GENERATIONS:
We can see this at the time Jesus launched His Ministry of Miracles. Jesus first miracle started with Mary’s reminding him that perhaps this is the right time to start doing it and she also taught the whole Christian community, IN FOUR WORDS, the right way to success in life: “Do whatever he [JESUS] says”. John 2:5 FOR MARY, FAMILY WAS ALSO A PRIORITY IN GOD. DURING ALL THESE TIMES, MARY KNEW HOW TO KEEP ALL HER SIBLINGS TOGHETHER. (Mark 6:33) TAKING VACATION TOGETHER (John 2:12)
AND THEN ALL THE FAMILY TOGHETHER WAITING TO BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT IN OBEDIENCE TO JESUS’ COMMAND TO ALL FOLLOWERS.
“Do not leave Jerusalem. Wait for what the Father has promised. You heard Me speak of this. For John the Baptist baptized with water but in a few days, you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:4, 5 Jesus
“These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers”. Acts 1:14 ACCEPTING OUR FREE REDEMPTION BY GRACE AND BEING FILL WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT IS A NATURAL SECQUENCE FOR ALL CHRIST FOLLOWERS IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO FULLFIL OUR OWN PERSONAL CALL. WHICH CALL? NO ONE LEFT BEHIND! THAT IS GOD’S HEART BIT AND CALL TO EVERY CHRISTIAN
“It pleases God Who is the One Who saves. He wants all people to be saved from the punishment of sin. He wants them to come to know the truth. There is one God. There is one Man standing between God and men. That Man is Christ Jesus. He gave His life for all men so they could go free and not be held by the power of sin.” 1 Timothy 2:3-6
BY PRAYING THE FOLLOWING PRAYER, YOU ARE SAYING YES TO MARY’S EXAMPLE AND DOING WHAT JESUS TELLS YOU TO DO! LET”S PRAY:
Lord, I do believe that Jesus of Nazareth took my place in the Cross. Lord, I am sorry for all my sins against you and against my own life, please forgive me. I believe Jesus was raised on the third day for my justification. Jesus, I receive you as my Lord and Savior. Your Holy blood cleanses me right now and God gives me a new heart and eternal life. Now my name is written in the book of life, guaranteed by the following written law: “That if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
For with the heart, one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Romans 10:9-10 .
If you made this prayer, email me at: icarepublications@gmail.com. I would love to share your joy and send you material for balanced growth in the grace of the Lord. Also, send this letter to anyone you know as a testimony of your faith. iCareTown.com for your free subscription.