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Since many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, it seemed fitting to me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in an orderly sequence, most excellent Theophilus; so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught. – ‭‭Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

Luke is a physician, an early Christian as a follower of the Way, and a companion of Paul, who records an account of the life of Jesus by collecting historical accounts and eyewitnesses stories. Luke’s attention to detail and abundant eyewitness accounts serve him as a credible historian for the life, death, and resurrection of Christ.

Today I want to bring attention to the historical account of Luke’s choosing, by the Holy Ghost, the spirit of truth, to compile the things God accomplished among them. He first says that many have undertaken to account of these wondrous events. He has been chosen to begin at the beginning, to vet eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Those who had seen and heard, to gather these accounts, to set them in an orderly sequence.

It is amazing that Luke, a physician, is chosen to do so. In light of that He begins with Mary and the angel’s visitation, establishing her as a virgin to bring forth the son of God. For a physician to, who has seen many births, write of this impossible yet supernatural event, of conception, being a virgin is incredible.

He tells Theophilus, that he has taken the time to investigate fully and carefully—not leaving one stone unturned from the beginning. He has done this so he and we can know the exact truth from the beginning. Not just the facts, but what we have been taught concerning the things God had done. The insight into the coming of the Messiah, the Son of God, and what it means to them and those who shall believe in generations to come. 

He begins in Luke 2, “In those days, a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a census be taken of all the inhabitants of the earth.” He documents the rulers of this time and the people were to register in their own city. Joseph’s city was Bethlehem as the prophet foretold of the city where the Messiah would be born.

“But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will come forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His times of coming forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity.” – Micah 5:2 NASB2020

Luke establishes the time by those who were ruling and the place where everyone was required to register for the census, where their origin took place. Joseph and his betrothed Mary, great with child, came to Bethlehem because Joseph was of the house and family of David. Even though he was not the father, the prophetic lineage of Jesus was, as prophesied, In the city of David. He would come forth to be ruler in Israel. What was prophesied long ago has now been confirmed historically. As Luke wrote: That we may know the exact truth.

Glory to God in the Highest. 

-Keith Curlee

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“He has done mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones, And has exalted those who were humble. He has filled the hungry with good things, And sent the rich away empty-handed. He has given help to His servant Israel, In remembrance of His mercy, Just as He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and his descendants forever.” – ‭‭Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭51‬-‭55‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

Mary’s supernatural encounter with the Holy Ghost who overshadowed her now has come upon her. The Lord begins to magnify Himself in her soul and her spirit is filled with rejoicing. When the Holy Ghost moves on anyone there is a manifestation and expression that cannot be contained. The revelation of God’s holiness and mercy—who He is—transitions to His great and mighty deeds, which His strong arm has done and will continue to do.

Once again, the song points to the juxtaposition of humility and pride. In the midst of God doing great things, she continues to see the need for humility. He scatters the proud in their thoughts and plans and negative unity cannot be upheld. We have a saying: they are “scattered brain,” unable to think straight.

He brings down rulers and their thrones, their place to govern. The lack of ruling from a place of humility which becomes void of mercy cannot remain. To the hungry and the poor, He provides good things, and those who are rich, who oppress or ignore them, are sent away empty-handed. They did not give, but withheld goodness from those in need.

Concerning Israel, He has and continues to keep His covenant word to Abraham and his descendants, and like Mary, He has not forgotten, for it endures forever.

In this time, may He be magnified and exalted in our hearts with great rejoicing in our spirits. Elizabeth and Mary are wonderful examples to us in receiving the Holy Ghost in place, as God, in our lives.

Glory to God in the Highest!

-Keith Curlee

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“For the Mighty One has done great things for me; And holy is His name. And His mercy is to generation after generation toward those who fear Him.” – ‭‭Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭49‬-‭50‬ ‭NASB2020

For He has and is doing great things. God is great; it is who He is. His greatness is how He gives Himself and does not hold back in any way. He is great, of vast power and excellence; supreme, none greater.

She breaks forth and sings of the greatness of God, her God, the Mighty One has done great things for her.

He is Holy, and his Name is Holy. She has been taught all her life not to take the Lord’s Name in vain. His name was Holy. Although this command concerning His Name is classically interpreted as referring to a senseless oath using God’s name, the avoidance of saying God’s name extends to all expressions, except prayer and Torah study.

His name is Holy! There is no one like Him, yet for someone that seems so far above, He bridges this gap and yet He extends His mercy to all generations, to everyone.

His greatness and Holiness are extended to us through His mercy available to everyone, yet to partake of it fully is given to those who fear (in awe of) Him.

The secret of the Lord is for those who fear Him, And He will make them know His covenant. – Psalm‬ ‭25‬:‭14‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

In these days, as we sing the wonderful songs of Jesus’ birth, may His secrets and His revelation fill our spirits and hearts.

Glory to God in the Highest!

-Keith Curlee

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For He has had regard for the humble state of His bond-servant; For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed. “For the Mighty One has done great things for me; And holy is His name.” – Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭48‬-‭49‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

Mary has broken out in song under the unction of the Holy Ghost. As she sings she, by the Holy Ghost, reveals truth that has come to her.

God regards humility and her state is His bond servant. She sings of God’s regard for humility, in which she views her present state. This word means to stand, to be fixed. It is a constant place before God. Humility being the proper response to a Mighty and Holy God To Whom she proclaims.

I have heard people pray for the Lord to humble or make them humble. This is not what He does. That kind of humility is humiliation. Some 72 times in scripture it says to us, “humble yourselves.” It is our place and state to maintain. This is what God saw in Mary. Think of being overshadowed by the Holy Ghost, having an angelic visitation, and being chosen to birth the Son of God, the Messiah prophesied and long waited for. Yet she remained in her humble state.

The Satanic source, pride’s work in us, is to make us think more highly of ourselves rather than lowly, as in the state of humility. Satan’s justification and lies are his only objective.

So much of Jesus’ birth is set in the state of humility. Why is this? God resists the proud.

The Holy Ghost spoke this to my heart years ago: “Spiritual Pride did not start with man but in heaven, and there was a war fought with Satan and a third of heaven. God cast him out and it will never get back there again.” His only response to it is to resist, resist, and resist. Pride cannot be covered by grace. It is a blocker and a resister to God’s amazing grace.

God gives grace to the humble, He favors humility.

Mary’s song is a testimony to God’s regard, how He perceives, favors, or is partial to. Not gifts, callings, personalities, or talent. He holds humility in the highest regard. It is the righteous response to God’s holiness and is the center of the fear of the Lord. She knows without question that it is God who has done great things and Holy is His name.

Glory to God in the Highest!

-Keith Curlee

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And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. For He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him From generation to generation. He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has put down the mighty from their thrones, And exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty. He has helped His servant Israel, In remembrance of His mercy, As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and to his seed forever.” And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her house. – ‭‭Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭46‬-‭56‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Luke, in his recording of these events, writes that he has taken pen in hand to set in order the narrative of things which had been fulfilled. This wonderful account of Mary and Elizabeth’s celebration in the Holy Ghost gives us such great detail and clarity of the events that took place in this glorious coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

As discussed previously, Elizabeth and Mary found themselves in the first experience of a Holy Ghost encounter, where two or three are gathered. They are both moved into a heavenly place of blessing, revelation, and worship. As soon as Elizabeth speaks blessing over Mary she breaks out into worship. She says, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!” A revelation of the distinction between soul and spirit. To magnify, to make great, her mind being brought into a greater knowing of how great is her God. An illumination and renewal of how she perceived God. Her spirit breaking forth into rejoicing in God her Savior.

In this season, the wonderful carols written by those who the Holy Ghost moved on to compose. Helping us to break forth in songs of rejoicing and to declare the certainty of His birth. Joy to the World, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, O Come All Ye Faithful, not to mention Handel’s Messiah and its crescendo, The Hallelujah Chorus.

If you’ve ever wondered when Christmas carols first came about, the answer lies in the 14th century. Christianity spread across Europe from the fourth to the 14th centuries, and the first carols were produced by Franciscan friars who were followers of Saint Francis of Assisi. You might say that the soul of the church began to magnify the Lord and a spirit of rejoicing was renewed.

Paul, when writing about being filled with the Holy Ghost, emphasizes singing Psalms, Hymns, and spiritual songs to one another. I remember when I pastored years ago in Houston our house groups would go and carol from house to house. What an opportunity for the people of God to declare the word of God with little resistance.

For Mary, she broke forth in song a new song in her heart. How important is singing to our spiritual life! To magnify the Lord and to rejoice in Him. Revelation 5:9: “And they sang to Him a new song.” This response by the Holy Ghost and the bride is an eternal act of worship, never-ending, magnifying the Lord forever.

Glory to God in the highest. May our gatherings center around magnifying and glorifying our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ the Lord!

-Keith Curlee