Faith and Submission
Ian had a busy day of therapy and visitors today, and he was sleeping soundly when I visited him later at night. I read in his journal that he was smiling for Jen Grover and moving his arms. I’ve also noticed that he is moving more even while he is sleeping, which is pretty cool.
Our pastor, Mark Altrogge, gave a very encouraging message yesterday based on the first chapter of Luke when the angel Gabriel visited Mary and gave her the news that she would conceive a child- but not just a child, the son of God. Of the many encouraging and applicable truths conveyed, a few have really stuck with me.
These few verses tell us a lot about the trinity, and also give glimpses of who Mary was. Mary was born a sinner in need of grace but God poured out His favor on her. She wasn’t royalty, she was a young, average if not poor girl, but God chose her to give birth to Jesus. None of us were royalty before we were saved, but God still poured out His favor on us and continues to do so.
Also, God is all-powerful. Nothing is too hard for him. He allowed both Mary and Elizabeth to become pregnant. There is nothing in us that he can’t change. I think about how He changed my heart when He saved me- if He can do that, surely He can change other people’s hearts and He can definitely heal Ian’s brain. He can change us instantly.
Lastly, Mary didn’t question Gabriel when he gave her this “astonishing announcement.” She responded with faith and submission. How I long to be like that, to respond in faith and say “my life is yours, whatever you have for my life is best because you are my king.” We should all desire to respond to trials with faith and submission, trusting in God’s sovereignty.
I pray that as each of you walks through trials, you can respond in faith and submission. Thank you, Mark, for allowing God to use you to teach us such great lessons.
-Larissa
jen marie
December 5, 2006 at 6:18 pm
Morning and Evening – Dec 5 a.m.
Ask, and it shall be given you.
Matthew 7:7
We know of a place in England still existing, where a dole of bread is served to every passerby who chooses to ask for it. Whoever the traveller may be, he has but to knock at the door of St. Cross Hospital, and there is the dole of bread for him. Jesus Christ so loveth sinners that he has built a St. Cross Hospital, so that whenever a sinner is hungry, he has but to knock and have his wants supplied. Nay, he has done better; he has attached to this Hospital of the Cross a bath; and whenever a soul is black and filthy, it has but to go there and be washed. The fountain is always full, always efficacious. No sinner ever went into it and found that it could not wash away his stains. Sins which were scarlet and crimson have all disappeared, and the sinner has been whiter than snow. As if this were not enough, there is attached to this Hospital of the Cross a wardrobe, and a sinner making application simply as a sinner, may be clothed from head to foot; and if he wishes to be a soldier, he may not merely have a garment for ordinary wear, but armour which shall cover him from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. If he asks for a sword, he shall have that given to him, and a shield too. Nothing that is good for him shall be denied him. He shall have spending-money so long as he lives, and he shall have an eternal heritage of glorious treasure when he enters into the joy of his Lord.
If all these things are to be had by merely knocking at mercys door, O my soul, knock hard this morning, and ask large things of thy generous Lord. Leave not the throne of grace till all thy wants have been spread before the Lord, and until by faith thou hast a comfortable prospect that they shall be all supplied. No bashfulness need retard when Jesus invites. No unbelief should hinder when Jesus promises. No cold-heartedness should restrain when such blessings are to be obtained.