A teaching by Rev. Barbara Williams, President of the Ministry of the Watchman International
Week of May 6-10, 2024
Since will soon celebrate Mother’s Day, I would like to share some things about Mary, the mother of our Lord. We should honor her on this day, as we would our own natural mothers, because she was instrumental in our salvation. I just want to share some of the qualities she possessed that make her worthy of honor.
MONDAY
Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.
Luke 1:26-27
She was a virgin espoused to one man. Mary kept the Hebrew laws and customs. She was obedient to the traditions and laws of God, by keeping herself sexually pure until marriage. This is a very important custom. I’d like to think that Mary would have obeyed God in this whether she became the mother of Jesus or not. She kept the law because she was sold out to God. The best mothers are sold out to God. They provide the best atmosphere in which to raise a family and are faithful people. Her price is far above rubies. Mary was a woman of virtue and valor.
If you are in need of healing, there is good news! Proverbs 4:20-22 SAYS:
My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
So there is life and health in God’s word. Since God’s word is medicine, we must take it like we would a prescription. I suggest three times a day, like you would your food. Remember, healing is the children’s bread. Consider this your “dose” for today. Remember, read, and meditate three times a day the following:
Rx: Matthew 9:22 ~ Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment.
“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
2 Timothy 2:15
If you’ve never studied the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, we invite you to join us as we read through the Bible in a year. Read and meditate on these chapters this week:
May 6: Numbers 14, Psalms 50, Isaiah 3-4, Hebrews 11
May 7: Numbers 15, Psalms 51, Isaiah 5, Hebrews 12
May 8: Numbers 16, Psalms 52-54, Isaiah 6, Hebrews 13
May 9: Numbers 17-18, Psalms 55, Isaiah 7, James 1
May 10: Numbers 19, Psalms 56-57, Isaiah 8-9 v,7, James 2
May 11: Numbers 20, Psalms 58-59, Isaiah 9 v,8 – 10 v, 4, James 3
May 12: Numbers 21, Psalms 60-61, Isaiah 10 v, 5-34, James 4
TUESDAY
And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”
Luke 1:28
Mary was blessed and highly favored of God. This was not a faith confession on her part, but this was told to her by the angel Gabriel. He stood before the throne of God, and received this message from the throne. He was instructed to inform Mary of this, so she and we can be sure that it is the truth. The favor of God is good, but to be highly favored of God, and to be told that, puts one in a different category. High favor means success in every endeavor. The favor of God will enable Mary to endure many trials that will follow this angelic visitation.
WEDNESDAY
Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
Luke 1:38
Mary knew who she was in relation to God. This was not the time for, “Aw, God…I really don’t think I’m called to this job.” Mary walked in a humility to God that caused her to be highly favored of God. She knew who she was at all times, and accepted her assignment and felt blessed to be chosen to do this job. In describing herself as the handmaiden of the Lord, she had not allowed the favor of God to cause her to rest in pride. She remained humble to the Lord even while being exalted. She had a foundation in God that was unshakable. That makes her a remarkable woman.
THURSDAY
And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.”
Luke 1:46-47
Mary’s soul magnified the Lord. I don’t think this was the first and only time she magnified the Lord. The prophecy that she released (The Magnificat) indicated that she was familiar with the things of the spirit and was a worshipper of God. She was perhaps accustomed to singing to herself in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. She was no stranger to the realm of the Spirit of God. She knew the character of God, and was rejoicing in the promise that God had given her. She sang as Hannah did when she knew she would conceive the prophet Samuel. She felt that God had come and vindicated those who humble themselves to Him.
FRIDAY
Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.
Luke 2:17-19
Mary kept certain things and pondered them in her heart. The sign of wisdom and maturity is the trust that one places in God and God alone. When Mary pondered things in her heart, she shared them with God alone. They were too sacred to profane them by telling them in an indiscreet manner. She would be able to understand in years to come the purpose of the things that were revealed to her. Mary understood the importance of keeping the holy things holy and sacred, so she was able to keep the secrets of God until it was time for their release. She understood discretion because of who her son was and would be in the future. A good mother knows how to protect her children this way. She is trustworthy with the deepest secrets of God.