Key Thoughts and Scriptures:
Luke 2:14 NKJV “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!
Luke 2:14 NIV “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
- God is love personified and He came to set everything right.
- Favor : something done or granted out of goodwill, rather than from justice or for remuneration; a kind act
- Someone cannot truly owe you a favor.
- God’s favor was sending Jesus, the Prince of Peace, to take away our sin, our guilt, our shame, and to invite us into His family as His heirs.
John 3:17 NIV For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Luke 1 NIV …“The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”…
- Now the word favor in that verse means to take note of and to regard.
God knows those things that affect us as well. So He sends His favor to us to give us peace.
1 Peter 2:9 NIV But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
- Looking at Mary’s situation from a human perspective, she did not have much to offer the world. So when Gabriel arrived, it was more than just historic.
Luke 1:28-30 NIV The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 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.
- Now in these verses, favor means, endued with special honor, God extending Himself to bestow grace, love, and acceptance.
If you feel like your life is inconsequential, that you’re overlooked or undervalued, know that you too are favored of the Lord.
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
- Receive His favor, walk in His favor, and He will reveal His special plan for you as you set your heart to follow Him.
- Elizabeth was twice favored. By the Lord first, when He took away her disgrace by giving her a son, and again when He revealed His plan of Emmanuel to her through Mary’s visit.
- God’s favor on Elizabeth and Mary was not just a brief visit from an angel. His favor and goodwill carried them the rest of their lives, and that favor was extended to the whole world when Jesus was actually born.
Colossians 1:17 NIV He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV …“My grace is sufficient for you…
Psalm 23:3 NKJV …He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
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