Pastors Monthly Devotional - December 2020 Expecting Great Things! By Pastor Terrence J. Melvin As we enter into this season of thankfulness and gift giving please remember that the greatest gift is the love that we receive from God his son Jesus Christ and to share the expression of His love to all people! In the midst of this pandemic we have a lot to be thankful for and as a child of God we still live in earnest expectation of the good things, the good gifts that we will receive from our heavenly father. James 1:17 says - Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Please remember that your worth, our value isn’t defined by what is or is not under the tree but it is defined by the expression of God’s Love toward you! In this season, expect great things from God! Week 1 – Luke 1:26-28 - 26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. 28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. Thought – Chosen to be blessed – In this annunciation of the coming of the messiah Mary was favored by God to be the one that would carry, birth, nurture and protect the son of God. The angel’s statement of Mary being “highly favored” gives us a glimpse into the care and the power of God’s watchful eye. Mary didn’t go looking for this but God chose her. She wasn’t expecting this but God chose her. This week, know that God has chosen specific blessings for your life. You may not feel worthy, but God has not only chosen you for who you are now but what you shall become! So live this week knowing that I am blessed and highly favored by God!! There will be some changes in your life for the good! Week 2 – St. Luke 1:29-30 - 29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. 30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. Thought – Fear Not! – Often times we are intimidated by the size or complexity that can encompass the expression of God’s favor in our lives. You see whatever God does, he always goes big! It may start out small but when His favor is released upon our life, you can expect great things! Don’t be afraid to try something new, to do things differently as this is the only way you can achieve the desire results! If what you are facing this week is too big for you then it is just right for our God! Don’t fear, don’t back down but be meet it head on knowing that the Lord is with you! The love of God is with you! First John 4:18 says: There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. You have been called for such a time as this! Live this week in faith and not in fear!! Week 3 – St. Luke 1:31-33 - 31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Thought – Know the Vision – In these scriptures we see where the Angel is mapping out in brief detail the vision that God has for her life. It is quite intense and notice what is involved, her physical body, her faith, her child, the legacy of David and a Kingdom! Wow! God doesn’t play around! God gives vision! The vision is for an appointed time! Don’t however be intimidated by the scope of the vision but give God Praise! He already knows your limitations, he already knows the limitations of your resources but understand this is a vision from God and he has favored you to become an active participant! This particular vision was for Mary but what is it on this week that God has given you vision? Is it for family, is it for your professional career, and is it in ministry? Glory to God! Know the vision for our life and walk therein! On this week, ask God for the vision and for clarity that you may be fully equipped to move forward into destiny!! Week 4 – St. Luke 1:34-36 34 then said Mary unto the angel, how shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. 36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. Thought – Understand the Process – In these scriptures we see where the angel provides the details of how this miracle will occur. Also notice, how he provides a witness or a testimony that Mary can consult in her cousin Elisabeth. If you ask God in faith about the process, he will grant you the details according to the measure of faith that you have to handle it! This week is a faith walk, this journey is a faith walk! We operate in the natural but our God is the God of the Supernatural!!! Mary was worrying about the natural process to conceive and the angel let her know this is spiritual, this is supernatural! I believe on this week and the weeks to come, God will grant you supernatural blessings and favor! The angel wanted Mary to know that if he could take an elderly lady that was called barren and she conceived, how much more can he manifest or birth great things in your life!!! Come on this week, walk it out! You have been seeded with the greatness and the blessings of God!!!!!! Understand the process and patiently wait on the Lord!! Week 5 – Bonus Week - In closing this special devotional, notice St. Luke 1:37-38 - 37 for with God nothing shall be impossible. 38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. Thought – With God nothing shall be impossible! – I like what Mary said – “for with God” once she understood the process, she also understood that she would not be in this thing all by herself!! And when she grasped that reality she could tell the Lord Yes – She said “be it unto me according to thy word” – Know my brothers and my sisters that you are not in this thing along and that all things are possible to them that believe in God! Make this your New Year’s Confession – “With God Nothing Shall Be Impossible”!!!!! – Expect Great Things! .