"God
Reveals Eternal Emancipation Truly Imparting Nurturing, Gracious Salvation!” (G.R.E.E.T.I.N.G.S)
By Ramesh
C.Reddy
Pittsburgh Standard
Sunday, Dec 23, 2007
“Mary was greatly
troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.
But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor
with God.” (Luke 1:29-30, NIV)
Observation:
I asked myself what can
I learn about Mary?
-
Mary was not just troubled but greatly troubled at his words.
-
Mary wondered what kind of greeting this might be.
-
Mary found favor with God
Observations/Interpretations:
I asked myself why Mary
was greatly troubled.
We do not know what Mary was doing at
the time the angel went to her. Angels do not always give a warning
before they appear but just appear. Angel Gabriel had appeared to the
Virgin Mary, greeted her and told her the Lord is with her. To be met by
an angel who spoke certain greetings to her, she now wondered what kind
of greeting this might be. Angels were sent with different greetings to
different people. Not knowing the meaning of the greeting alone troubled
her. The angel knew she was troubled and acted to alleviate the trouble.
I asked myself what the
angel did?
-
The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid,
Mary.”
-
The angel said to her, “You have found
favor with God.”
I asked myself what is
the significance of the angel’s statements.
It is very significant that when Mary
was afraid, the angel told her not to be afraid but goes a step further.
This is the first time we hear the angel call Mary by name. Before that
the angel had just appeared and given a message. Now the angel calls her
by name and imparts the blessings upon her with the greetings. One of
the blessings is to call her by name to let her know she has found favor
with God.
Implications:
The angel greeted Mary and then called
her by name. There is something special about calling people by their
name, greeting them, and blessing them.
When I was in full-time campus ministry I made it a habit to know
everyone’s name so when I greeted them it won’t just be ‘Hi,” but ‘Hi
Sara, Hi Jonathan, Hi Becky, Hi Brad, Hi Loretta, Hi Leonard, etc. I
made it personal and that is what the angel decided to do. Our Lord has
given our parents/guardians the responsibility of naming us.
There is something special about calling
people by their name. I still do that when I greet people. Now I work
full-time in food services on their management team but see my job as a
ministry itself and try to greet all the students by name if I know
their name.
In the summer time, I have taken it as a blessing to serve 100+
Pennsylvania Governor's School of International Studies students and
call them by their name.
We do not know what people are going
through always but the Lord does. Greeting someone by their name adds
that personal touch in their life and makes a person know they are
recognized, special, and not forgotten. Even when we forget someone,
they are always remembered by the Lord and He gives them His special
name.
Even though I do not do full-time
ministry as a profession, I try to know as many students names as
possible when they come to eat in our dining facilities and call them by
name. Calling people by name is not just for the angels and God.
Anything God does, He usually sets an
example for us. Today, my pastor, Pastor Hugo Cheng of Pittsburgh
Chinese Church-Oakland/Oakland International Fellowship surprisingly
spoke about 4 different names of Jesus that are applicable not only this
Christmas season 2007 but forever! The sermon was based on Isaiah 9:6.
I ask you now dear
friend, what does your greeting do?
Dear friend, when Mary was greeted she
was frightened at first but the angel did not leave her at her
frightened stage. Instead, the angel Gabriel called her by name giving
the message.
You have an opportunity when you greet
people to make them feel loved, special, and cared for. Every greeting
you give someone, it can be to acknowledge they are special and
remembered. You can do that this Christmas season and always.
Remember we may not always know what a
person is going through but we can be there to bring a smile to them by
being a person who is willing to pray, care, and share with them what
they are going through. It usually starts with a greeting.
Try to remember people’s name and greet
them by name. Let your greeting bring a smile to the one you greet. If
they are troubled, ask them why they are troubled and if they care to
share, listen to them, and take the opportunity to tell them about the
Lord Jesus and what He has done for them and what He wants to do.
Today at church, most people came to me
and asked how I was doing after my dad passed away this past week. I
told many that it is the prayers to the Lord Jesus Christ prayed by
loving family, loving friends many of them students, and church members
that has strengthened our family through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Remember, the angel Gabriel did not just
greet Mary but spoke to the Virgin Mary about the Lord and assured her
everything will be ok in the Lord. So can you! You can be a blessing in
someone’s life.
No matter what someone is going through
this Christmas season whether it is the death of a loved one, a broken
relationship, a lost job, etc, you can assure them that Jesus will be
there for them to strengthen them. His love can be seen through each one
of you as you live your life exemplifying Christ to those around you.
Remember for unto us a Savior has been
born and His names are Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting
Father, and Prince of Peace!
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is
given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be
called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of
Peace." (Isaiah 9:6, NIV)
BIBLE ACADEMY IV: NAMES OF JESUS
By Ramesh C. Reddy
Bible Academy's Instructor is so awesome and our
Wonderful Counselor.
Who takes all our burdens and cares upon Himself.
Who is there for us always to counsel us and fill us with love.
When we surrender our lives to Him, we can see His miracles.
When we turn to Him, He will soothe all our worries.
Wherever there is sorrow, He can fill it with such Joy
Wherever there is trouble in you life, He will be there for You.
Why? Because even in our sorrow, He has a plan for our life.
Why? His personality's counseling and guiding troubled Souls.
Whatever your pain, sorrow is, His Joy lies ahead.
Whatever your problems are, spiritual, etc He will counsel You.
PSALM 37:5, PSALM 73:23-25, JEREMIAH 29:11, MT
11:27:30
PSALM 23, MARK 10:21, JOHN 14:1, PSALM 37:7
Bible Academy's Instructor is our Mighty God
Who's mightier than our problems, filling us with spiritual might.
When we depend on Him, no situation will be impossible.
Wherever you're headed, no need to fear, God's might shall sustain you!.
Why? Because He wants to instruct you on the best pathway of life.
Whatever you are faced with, put your faith in the Lord.
JOHN 6:18-19, MARK 9:23, PSALM 32:8, MARK 4:30-32
Bible Academy's Instructor is our Everlasting
Father.
Who will always care for us, who we can pray to anytime.
When we seek Him with our whole heart, void in us will be filled.
Wherever we have been, new life comes with God, our Loving Father.
Why? Because He loves us so much, He wants what is best for us.
Whatever asked in prayer, will get according to His loving will.
MT 6:31-34, MT 7:7,8, ROM 6:3-11, GAL 2:11
Bible Academy's Instructor is the Prince of Peace
Who teaches his students, the value of peace
When we learn from Him, our lives will be full of peace
Wherever we are, whatever trials we face
Why? His Peace He gives you surpasses all understanding
What are the trials you face? Turn to the Prince of Peace!
JN 14:27, ROM 5:1, 1 COR 1:3, PHIL 4:7
KEY VERSE FOR THIS ACADEMY: ISAIAH 9:6
May you always bless someone as you come
their path way. More than anything may the Lord Jesus bless you with His
abundant grace and blessings this Christmas season 2007! Amen!
“God Reveals
Eternal Emancipation Truly Imparting Nurturing, Gracious Salvation!” (G.R.E.E.T.I.N.G.S)/"What
do your G.R.E.E.T.I.N.G.S do?"
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for loving us so much and dying for our sin.
Thank you for coming back to life to save us. Father God, thank you for
sending Jesus to save us. Thank you for sending the angel Gabriel to the
Virgin Mary and blessing her to have Jesus. We love you Father God.
Thank you for your love. Thank you for calling us by name and we are
special and precious in your sight. Help us to be your voice, hands, and
feet as we walk this earth and be a blessing to those around us. Help us
Lord Jesus to make others feel loved, special, and precious. Thank you
for the names you let us have. Thank you Jesus for Your Names and the
power behind those Names of yours we can experience. May we bring you
joy this season Oh Lord by the way we live our lives and bring others
joy Oh Lord. Thank you so much Jesus. Hear us and answer us Oh Lord
please. Thank you so much for hearing us and answering us Oh Lord. In
Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!
Won't you greet Jesus
this Christmas season 2007 by becoming His child and calling Him
Everlasting Father and Mighty God for He is Immanuel-God with us?
If so now is the time of Salvation!
Don't wait, let this be the time you give your life to Jesus Christ!
Prayer:
Jesus, I heard that you want to be part of my life. I want you in my
life. I do have a lot of baggage with me. Most of the baggage is damaged
goods and only you can set me free. I want to have your presence in my
life, for you say when you come in, you will never leave us nor forsake
us. I am so sorry for my sins Jesus. You know all my sins what I have
done, you know where I have been in my life! You alone can give me new
life. I don’t expect everything to be peachy when I come to you but I do
know you will be with me and help me through whatever I have to face in
life. Thank you Jesus! Please forgive me of my sins and cleanse me with
your cleansing blood. I believe you died on the cross to save me from my
sins and came back to life to give me new life. I accept all that you
have done for me through your grace! I thank you for being my Mighty
God, Everlasting Father, Wonderful Counselor, and Prince of Peace! Thank
you for your grace, you want to impart in my life. Please come into my
heart now and make my heart your home forever! Live in me Jesus and I
will live for you and serve you the rest of the days of my life as you
help me through the Holy Spirit. Fill me Jesus with the Holy Spirit.
Thank you Jesus for coming into my heart and making my heart your home!
Thank you for being part of my life as I acknowledge you as my Lord and
personal Savior! I am not alone but you are with me guiding my path!
Thank you Jesus I am born-again into your family and when I have
backslid you have brought this prodigal son or daughter back to you.
Thank you Jesus for being my Lord and Personal Savior! Thank you, you
have heard my prayer and answered me! In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!
No matter what you feel in your heart,
know that Jesus has come in and resides with you! You are not alone! To
make your walk strong with the Lord, spend time in prayer talking to Him
as you would to a friend. You don’t need special words to talk to the
Lord. Spend time in His Word reading Psalms and turning them into
prayer. Next allow God to heal you and speak to you through the Gospel
of John or Gospel of Mark!
It is also important to be part of a body of believers to help
you grow in the faith. Find a Bible believing church that preaches
Christ crucified and risen to bring us hope, healing, and help! As a
student, it is not too late to join a fellowship on campus too this
coming new year!
Feel free to email me at
reddy4hisglory2004@yahoo.com if you want to meet to study the Bible,
pray with, talk about Spiritual issues or whatever is on your mind! My
number is 412-720-4579
"This is my work and
I can do it only because Christ's mighty energy is at work within me."
(Colossians 1:29, TLB)
Love in Christ,
Ramesh
|
Christmas Archive:
Luke 1:26-31:
What does God do with your G.E.N.E.A.L.O.G.Y? (Dec 01,
07, 11:12 a.m.)
Luke 1:26-28:
Can you say the P.R.E.S.E.N.C.E of the Lord is with you? (Dec
23, 07, 4:22 p.m.)
' I AM ' Series
Archives:
"What kind of B.R.E.A.D do you eat?" (Dec 08,
07, 10:10 a.m.)
What kind of L.I.G.H.T do you follow? (Dec 13,
07, 10:09 a.m.) |
