Paul Email -3August2013- Luke 2

How you doin? Date night last night. The kiddos went to Grammy's & Pop Pop's. We went to the movies on, "King". That's my Harley's name. So much fun. The house seems incredibly different without Aud. & Paul, of course. Luke 2 this morning.

⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” (Luke 2:8-15)                                                                   I love visitation. When heaven invades earth. Most every time when God's glory is revealed, the people involved are terrified. I dig the standard statement of comfort given, "do not be afraid". I can picture these shepherds saying, "oh yeah, why didn't think of that". Verse 14 mentions peace and favor. Jesus offers us peace with God... reconciliation. Favor is such a luring word. I seek God's favor in a huge way. This morning the Holy Ghost revealed to me that since we are created in God's image and for His pleasure... favor comes with the deal. I believe favor is ours to loose. Luke 1:28-30,  ²⁸ The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” ²⁹ Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. ³⁰ But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. Stacey pointed out that this is a good example of God being present future. Mary was, "greatly troubled", at the angels greeting. She didn't know that she had favor yet. The angel was speaking from the future to the present.
³⁸ “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. (Luke 1:38) Mary excepts God's offer. She receives grace. She steps into her destiny. She believes. COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. (LUKE 2:19) This is where Mary doesn't loose favor. She treasured and pondered God in her heart. She paid attention to Him. She believes and receives. DIG IT!!!!!!!!!
²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. (Luke 2:20) The shepherds do a good job as well.
⁵² And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. (Luke 2:52) WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Jesus is so SUPER! Treasure and ponder God today. AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!