“Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!”
(Luke 1:45closeLuke 1:45 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” (ESV) closeLuke 1:45closeLuke 1:45 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” (ESV) 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” (ESV) ; from the Gospel reading for 12.23.12)
“Faith Which Believes For the Here & Now”
Get To Know Your “Neighbor”
+ Who is the favorite woman in your life? __________
God’s Blueprint
+ Luther said, “The holy Virgin would never have conceived the Son of God if she had not believed the annunciation of the angel”[1]
Does God force His blessings on us? ___________
+ After Anna talked with Eli, the High Priest; she believed what he said and it says in 1 Samuel 1:18close1 Samuel 1:18 18 And she said, “Let your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad. (ESV) close1 Samuel 1:18close1 Samuel 1:18 18 And she said, “Let your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad. (ESV) 18 And she said, “Let your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad. (ESV) that she went away and was no longer downcast.
When your Pastor announces the forgiveness of your sins; do you believe him? __________
Does this change anything about your perspective? __________
+ Luther also said, “Whatever remarkable thing we read about in the Old and New Testaments, we read that it was accomplished by faith, not by works or general faith, but by faith directed to the accomplishment of an immediate end”2
Faith is trusting in God, in all things- eternal & everyday. And it takes humility, because we should always pray, “Not my will, but Your will be done.” At the same time, we should have full confidence that God has the very best plans for us (Jeremiah 29:11closeJeremiah 29:11 11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. (ESV) closeJeremiah 29:11closeJeremiah 29:11 11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. (ESV) 11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. (ESV) )
Is there anything in your life which you need to spend more time talking with God about? __________
God’s Best
+ In the Lord’s Supper, we are offered God’s forgiveness for our sins. Faith is necessary to receive this gift. If you were there the night Jesus gave this to His disciples, but did not believe, it would not matter if you took the bread and wine directly from His hands. You must have faith for God’s grace to be of any effect.
Here is the great thing- faith is also a gift; it comes through His grace; it is not something you create through emotions or experience. God offers you everything you need.
How do the physical aspects of God’s grace in communion bring depth to your faith? __________
God’s Baptized
+ What has God said to you? __________
Do you agree withElizabeth in Luke 1:45closeLuke 1:45 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” (ESV) closeLuke 1:45closeLuke 1:45 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” (ESV) 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” (ESV) that you will be blessed if you believe? __________
Jim Buckman
