At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.” Luke 1:41-45 NLT
This is the Christmas season… tis the season to be jolly! This year, I did something different. I decided to read a devotional on Advent. I didn't really understand what Advent was, had heard the word but hadn't really looked into it until now. To Advent is to expect or anticipate the arrival of a notable person or event. When I tell you that this devotional has been a blessing to me…. Wow! Whatever you do, next year be sure to read an Advent devotional… or start one now.
Today's devotional was about Mary and the power of belief. When the angel of the Lord appeared to her she had the choice to either discount it or accept it. And she chose to accept and submit to the plan of God for her life. But not only did she submit to it but she immediately found someone who was walking in the same kind of miraculous blessing as she was who would be able to encourage her in her faith. Her cousin, who was once said to be barren, was 6 months pregnant. The Bible says that when Mary entered the room and greeted Elizabeth, the baby in Elizabeth's womb begin to leap and Elizabeth spoke blessings over Mary's gift. That just encouraged me so much. I began to wonder who is in my life, that when they walk into the room, my baby, my vision, the desires and dreams that God has placed in my heart, begins to leap? And beyond that, what is it that I'm carrying that, when others encounter me, makes their baby leap?
So as I prepare for this 2020 New Year, I only want to have people in my circle that, when I receive a phone call or text from them, when I see an email come through, when I see their names pop up on my WhatsApp, I am encouraged and my belief and faith in what God promised me is strengthened. I am praying for God to send me people that make my baby jump! And I'm praying that for you, also, as I share what God has for me, it will cause your vision, your dreams, your desires, to come alive and leap on the inside of you and that you are encouraged and your faith is strengthened and renewed regarding all the Lord has promised you!