Mail Archive of the old Santa Clara Valley Lutheran Parish

Subject: Judy Bangsund sends devotions

Date: Fri, 5 Dec 2008 11:11:34 -0800

From: "Bea Chun" <pastorchun@cgslc.org>

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From: "Bea Chun" <pastorchun@cgslc.org>
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Subject: Judy Bangsund sends devotions
Date: Fri, 5 Dec 2008 11:11:34 -0800
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Here is my devotional offering for this month.

Wishing you a blessed Advent,
Judy

--
Pastor Judy Bangsund
St. Timothy's Lutheran Church
5100 Camden Ave.
San Jose, CA 95136

http://www.stlcsj.org

Phone: (408) 264-3858 x105


The Lord's Servant

Luke 1:38  "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you
have said." Then the angel left her.

	Mary wasn't on anyone's list of "Who's who" in her town.  As a young
woman, she was probably a fairly insignificant member of her community.  And
so when God's angel visited her with the news that she had been chosen of
God - chosen for the high honor of bearing His Son - she understandably felt
confused and even troubled. Upon hearing that her elderly and (previously)
barren cousin, Elizabeth, was already pregnant with a son, that nothing is
impossible for God, she humbly believed the angel's word.  "I am the Lord's
servant," she said.
	The Lord's servant.  Someone once asked what that might mean for you
and me in our lives today.  The answer: "Being the Lord's servant is to sign
your name at the bottom of a blank sheet of paper, and let God fill it in as
He wills."  It takes courage and faith to be the Lord's servant.  

	Let us pray.	
	Lord God, Mary's humility, courage and faith are awesome. She was
being chosen for an unbelievable honor and responsibility of bearing and
raising your Son.  Her circumstances were anything but easy.  And yet she
simply saw her position as being your servant.
	Lord, in a world that honors powerful and important people, you
invariably choose the humble.  I pray that you will help me to shed any
desire to be important in someone else's eyes, to desire rather the
satisfaction of being chosen by you.  I want only to be your servant, Lord.
Give me the faith and courage it takes to give you a blank check to my life.
And may all I do honor you.  In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.