ELIZABETH / DESTINY

This is the second of 4 recitations by Rebecca

And 4 songs by Kent

that focus on the birth of Jesus.

We entitle this 4 part series

"The First Steps Of The Messiah"

This week we are featuring the second of this 4 part series

the story of Elizabeth

Click here to view Rebecca's recitation on youtube

ELIZABETH
by
Rebecca Cooley

(Adapted from Luke 1:39-45)

“For with God nothing is impossible!” The words of the angel resonated over and over in Mary’s mind as she readied herself to go to Elizabeth’s home in Judah.

Several times in Scripture, it refers to Mary as having “pondered in her heart.” I wonder what her heart was thinking when she was on her way to Judah?

“I must see Elizabeth! Elizabeth is pregnant! What a wonderful gift and miracle from God! This all fits together somehow. I feel such an urgency to get to her. . . .”

When Elizabeth opens the door and Mary salutes her, Elizabeth’s baby leaps inside of her womb! Elizabeth is overcome by the Holy Spirit and cries out! She exclaims,

“Mary, you are blessed above all women! And blessed is the fruit of your womb! 

What an honor that the mother of my Lord would come to see me! As soon as your salutation reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy! And Mary, you are so favored of God because you believe what has been spoken to you by the Lord!”

Mary’s visit lasted three months. Do you think God used this time to bond these two mothers and their babies? Do you think God revealed hidden secrets and mysteries to these two mothers? Do you think He gave them revelation of His purpose? The destinies of these two babies were divinely set in time and eternity even in the womb. Could God have given these two mothers insight into the magnitude of what had taken place? Many prophetic words were probably spoken. Dreams and visions must have been talked about and pondered over. Scripture must have been read and revelation revealed. Could their parting words have been something like this?

“I will pray for you Mary. God will watch over His seed. You hold God’s promise inside of you. Don’t be anxious for nothing. God will provide all that you need.”

“I will pray for you Elizabeth. Our babies are destined for greatness. God knows His plans for us all. God has a reason for your baby to be born first. God’s perfect will is his destiny. He will be a forerunner and a trailblaizer for God’s purposes.”

Father, I was born to worship You. Your perfect will and plan is my destiny and I will accomplish that destiny as I put you first in my life and worship You. You are my whole world! You are my life! You hold my future in Your hands! I want to be a trailblaizer for the Kingdom of God!

©LoveWalkPublishing

Recitation authored by RebeccaAnnCooley

All Right Reserved

Click here to view this week's music video on youtube

DESTINY

(Adapted from Luke 1:39-45)

Verse 1:

I know my plans for you

Plans to prosper you

Plans to give you hope

Plans to give you a future

I know my plans for you

Chorus:

My destiny

Your plans for me

The reason I was born

Your perfect will

Your plans they are my destiny

Your plans for me

The reason I was born

Your perfect will

Your plans they are my destiny

Verse 2:

I live each moment out

With one other moment in mind

When I stand before You

To hear you say

Well done my good and faithful servant

Enter into the joys of your Lord

Bridge:

Like Paul of old

At the end of the way

I too would like to say

I fought a good fight

I kept the faith

A crown of life awaits

©LoveWalkPublishing

WordsAndMusic by KentCliffordCooley

All Right Reserved

MARY / Mary

This is the first of 4 recitations by Rebecca

And 4 songs by Kent

that focus on the birth of Jesus.

We entitle this 4 part series

"The First Steps Of The Messiah"

This week we are featuring the first of this 4 part series

the story of Mary

Click here to view this week's video on youtube

(Adapted from Luke 1:26- 38; Excerpts from Solomon)

“Oh favored one endued with grace!

The Lord is with you!

You are blessed and favored of God

before all other women!”

Mary sat up in bed and looked right into the eyes of an angel! “Oh Lord help me! What must this mean? What is the meaning of this salutation?!”

“Do not be afraid, Mary!

You have found grace and absolute favor with God!

And listen, Mary, you will become pregnant and give birth to a Son.

You will call His name Jesus.

He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High!

The Lord God will give to Him the throne of His forefather David.

He will reign over the house of Jacob throughout the ages.

There will be no end to His reign!”

“How can this happen? I have no husband and I am a virgin.”

“O, Mary, the Holy Spirit will come upon you!

And the power of the Most High will overshadow you!

The baby which shall be born of you will be called the Son of God!

And listen Mary, Elizabeth, in her old age, has conceived a son!

Her womb was barren but she is now in her sixth month!

With God all things are possible!”

“Behold, I am the handmaiden of the Lord. Be it unto me according to your words.”

When the angel left, Mary sat overwhelmed. After gathering her thoughts, do you think she may have worshiped her Father?

“My Lord and my God!

You are the God of my fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob!

You are the God of all creation!

My soul magnifies You!

My eyes are set upon You!

Your name is like perfume poured out!

How beautiful is Your love!

My fingers drip with myrrh as You leave my presence!

A seal has been set upon my heart, a very flame from Your Presence!

Many waters cannot quench this flame!

There is not a flood that can put out this fire!

I am Your handmaiden!

I celebrate Your Presence on me!”

Mary was the most favored woman on the face of the earth. She was chosen above all women to be the mother of the Savior of the world. Was Mary chosen because she kept a list of rules to the letter? Was she chosen because she was kind and gentle? Was she chosen because she was a virgin? These qualities alone would not have brought Mary the preference of such a highly favored position with God. She was all of these things. But Mary was set apart because she had a deep and passionate love for her God. She walked in close and secure companion with her Heavenly Father daily. This love walk and passion for her God under girded her righteousness and brought the highest of favor from heaven.

Father, I want to be celebrated in heaven like Mary was. I want to be highly favored because of my love for You and my love for others. I choose to walk in love. Righteousness alone is not enough to secure Your favor. I will seek Your Presence as I walk it out in love today.

© LoveWalkPublishing

Devotion And Recitation by RebeccaAnnCooley

All Right Reserved

Click here to view this week's video on youtube

MARY

(Adapted from Luke 1:26- 38; Excerpts from Solomon)

Verse 1:

Hail favored one, endued with grace

The Lord is with you; The Lord is with you

Hail O favored one, endued with grace

The Lord is with you; The Lord is with you

Chorus:

Blessed, favored of God are you Repeat 3 times

Verse 2:

Do not be afraid Mary for you have found grace

Absolute favor with God

Verse 3:

Listen Mary, you will be with child

Of the Holy Ghost; Of the Holy Ghost

And you shall call His name Jesus Repeat 2 times

For He will save His people from their sins

© LoveWalkPublishing WordsAndMusic by KentCliffordCooley

All Right Reserved

I WONDER IF MARY KNEW / Mary Did You Know

Today we are featuring a recording of our daughter, Hannah
when she was 10 years old

on the song "Mary Did You Know"

Click below the second image

to view this weeks video

which features a duet by

Daddy And Daughter

Kent And Hannah Cooley

Enjoy!

I WONDER IF MARY KNEW 

(Adapted from Luke 2:7)

“She wrapped him in swaddling clothes 

• and laid him in a manger.”

I wonder if Mary realized those tiny hands that were curled around her fingers were the same hands that had formed mankind? Those little feet were the same feet that had walked on streets of gold and been worshiped by angels. That tiny infant voice had once spoken worlds into existence. *

I wonder if Mary knew that her baby would be delivered in a barn. I wonder if Mary knew that her baby’s Father had prepared this place long before this age and dispensation. I wonder if she knew that she would give birth to the Savior of the world in the most unassuming place on the face of the earth. I wonder if she knew that she would deliver the Prince of Peace who would walk in perfect unity with His Father to a destiny that had already been prepared for Him. I wonder if she realized that she held the Great I AM, the God of her fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the One for whom the prophets foretold hundreds of years before.

On that history-changing night more than 2,000 years ago, Mary delivered her infant son in the presence of Joseph and a few barn animals. The wonder of that moment must have been gloriously set in her heart forever. When Mary kissed her newborn child, she wasn’t just kissing a baby. She was kissing the face of God.

*Excerpt from the book entitled “Mary Did You Know” by MarkLowry

©LoveWalkPublishing/ Devotion by Rebecca Cooley

Click here to view this week's video on youtube

MARY DID YOU KNOW? By Kent And Hannah Cooley

Devotion: I Wonder if Mary Knew

(Adapted from Luke 2:7)

Mary, did you know that your baby boy 
would one day walk on water?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy 
Would save our sons and daughters?

Did you know that your baby boy 
Had come to make you new?

This child that you delivered will soon deliver you.

Mary, did you know that your baby boy 
Would give sight to a blind man?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy 
Would calm a storm with His hand?

Did you know that your baby boy 
Has walked where angels trod?

When you kiss your little baby, you’ve kissed the face of God.

BRIDGE:
The blind will see, the deaf will hear, 
The dead will live again.

The lame will leap; the dumb will speak 
The praises of the Lamb!

ENDING:
Mary, did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy 
Will one day rule the nations?

Did you know that your baby boy is heaven’s perfect Lamb?

This sleeping child you’re holding is the great I AM?

©Words by MarkLowry / Music by BuddyGreen

© LoveWalkPublishing Arrangement by Kent Cooley