Mary, Did You Know?

Can you imagine what it would have been like to be Mary? To be told that you were chosen to bear God’s only Son?

It’s not like Mary knew it was coming. She was just an average girl leading an ordinary teenage life. No, she didn't attend a public high school every day. She didn't have a Facebook account—or even WiFi, for that matter. Now that’s hard to imagine!

However, I’m sure she had many of the same emotions that every teen experiences: Feelings of rejection, failure, depression, perhaps even loneliness. She could have even been struggling to find a purpose for her life.

I can imagine God watching her and thinking, “Mary, you have no idea. You can’t even comprehend all that I have in store for you.”

I wonder if—when God sees us crying out to Him—he thinks the same thing: “If only you knew what I have in store for you. If only you knew, then you would face every day with a smile rather than a frown.”

"With God’s power working in us, God can do much, much more than anything we can ask or imagine." ~Ephesians 3:20 (NCV)

Jesus came into this world to bring hope. 

He came to bring light in midst of the darkness. So don’t lose hope that God has something incredible in store for you. You weren't created by accident—and as long as you follow God wholeheartedly, the events of your life will not occur just by random.

Because you have been made with a purpose.

“All the days planned for me were written in your book before I was one day old.” ~Psalm 139:16 (NCV)

“Before I made you in your mother’s womb, I chose you. Before you were born, I set you apart for a special work. I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” ~Jeremiah 1:5 (NCV)

Sure, you probably won’t become conceived by the Holy Spirit—but the anointing that God has given you is just as important. Even if it seems small to the world’s eyes, it means everything to God.

“But you are a chosen people, royal priests, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession. You were chosen to tell about the wonderful acts of God, who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” ~1 Peter 2:9 (NCV)

Ultimately, the plans God has for you aren't about you. They’re about Him. They’re about bringing light into this dark world. God didn't choose Mary to bear His Son so she could receive glory and feel important, but so that she could be a vessel in which God uses to spread His Good News.

You may not feel qualified to do anything “significant” by the world’s terms. But God, the Creator of the Universe, has qualified you and placed a special anointing on your life—a purpose that only you can fulfill! And through that, you will have the opportunity to spread His Good News. What an amazing privilege!

"He used a virgin who was a nobody to give birth to a Somebody who could bring the Gospel to everybody." ~Unknown

So the next time you feel unimportant or hopeless about your future, just imagine God looking down on you and saying, “If only you knew…”

“No one has ever seen this, and no one has ever heard about it. No one has ever imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” ~1 Corin. 2:9 (NCV)

About the Author :

Tessa E. Hall is a 19-year-old author of Purple Moon, her YA Christian fiction novel, published September 2013 by Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. She has a passion for youth ministry, especially in the area of the written word. She also loves acting, music, Starbucks, and her imperial Shih Tzu—who is named Brewer after a character in her book, as well as her love for coffee.

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Fools for Christ

Our team were on crusade. I had just preached a red hot Gospel message, with many surrendering their lives to Jesus. It was glorious! With the altar workers having collected the personal information of each new convert, the time had come to pray for the sick. A long line of people gathered in front of the stage, all eager to be set free from an array of torments. Beginning at one end, I began to make my way quickly down the line. Coming to an elderly woman with a walking stick, I instinctively bent down and laid my hands on her legs. “In the name of Jesus, legs be healed!” I prayed, before hastening on. Shortly thereafter, an usher tugged at my elbow. “Evangelist,” she said, her voice heavy with excitement. “That old lady, she can see!” “What do you mean she can see?” I asked, looking at whom she was gesturing towards. It was none other than the woman with the walking stick. “I thought there was something wrong with her legs?” “No,” I was told. “She was blind, that is why she had the stick.” Boy, did I laugh at myself! That precious woman stood wide-eyed, looking around her with an expression of amazement. Her wrinkled face creased further still, a smile spreading from ear to ear. That night, I marvelled at the power of God. He was so keen to heal that dear old lady, that he took my heartfelt prayer – however misdirected – and sent it on from her legs to her eyes, making the miracle happen!

Dear friend, God is hungry to touch the lost and hurting. Be the vessel, let Him use you. Speak to others about Jesus, pray for people in His mighty, matchless name. Even if, at times, you feel rather silly, be assured that the soul-winning, captive-freeing power of our Lord is not restricted by the simplicity of your words or a little human error. In fact, “God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise,” we read in 1 Cor 1 v 27. In the midst of our incapacity, Jesus works wonders. He only needs a few heartfelt words, or a simple prayer, in order to drive back the darkness with His glorious light. When we open our mouths and speak with love and sincerity, He wraps Himself around those down-to-earth sentences and turns them into mighty arrows of deliverance, piercing the hardest of hearts. When we lay our hands on the sick and oppressed, He shoots through our fingers, breaking every hold of the evil one. Today, be a fool for Christ. Risk all. Step beyond your comfort zone. What miracles will result from your foolery? That is for God to know. . .And you to find out.



Written by Tamryn Klintworth

Christmas with Natalie Villa

By Carmen Miller

"The best present we've ever had. Your gift will always last. No wrapping paper, came in a manger. . . You're the perfect gift." -Natalie Villa "The Perfect Gift"

It's that time of year again. The crunching of the snow, the hustle and bustle of all the Christmas shoppers as they rush through the shopping malls to snag, yet, another gift to mark off their list.

But let us not forget that the pretty icicle lights, and frosty the snowman are only, but a decorative piece to this festive holiday season.

The reason. . . JESUS CHRIST!

As we tear away at our gifts on Christmas morning, let us not do so before thanking God for His Son. The perfect Gift.

I am so excited to feature Natalie Villa here on WHOLE, again. She is not only a great artist, but a dear friend of mine and her gift of song is incredible.

This past fall we featured her in our WHOLE Spotlight section as our first interview of our launch month. In case you missed it, you can check it out here.

This month Natalie comes back to visit and share with us her new Christmas single, "The Perfect Gift."  We asked Natalie, "What message of Christmas did she want to share with her fans and our readers, as they rush through the aisles this holiday season searching for "the perfect gift" for their loved ones?"

Natalie: "Merry Christmas, guys! Well, as we are all in search for the "Perfect Gift" this season, I hope everyone will pause to remember that Christmas is a time for miracles. I think we so easily forget, and I have been guilty of this too; that the Christmas story we celebrate every year is full of life-changing, God-encountering miracles! Starting with John the Baptist being born to a barren woman, Angels being messengers, a virgin birth, our Savior coming to Earth, and so much more. That is the kind of God we serve! There are so many ways I believe God wants to speak to our hearts this season if we will slow down and let him. I think He wants to give us the "present" of His "presence" because He truly is the one and only "Perfect Gift". Have fun celebrating the miracle of Jesus, our Savior and cherish your loved ones. Love you all and hope you enjoy my music video and song "The Perfect Gift."

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Enjoy Natalie's new video. Just a warning: I tear up every time I watch it! Between The message and her beautiful, angelic voice I can't help, but cry as I think of Jesus Christ and what His birth means for us. 

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights. -James 1:17

Download FULL song here.

To hear more songs visit www.natalievilla.com

Follow Natalie Villa on her social sites:
http://twitter.com/MsNatalieVilla
http://facebook.com/MsNatalieVilla

You Get a New Name

Have you ever read something that resonates so loudly within your heart that it just stops you in your tracks? This morning I’m having one of those moments where I feel compelled to sit down and pour my heart out. Though the pace and schedule for today is hectic, I absolutely cannot continue through the motions of the day without capturing a snapshot of the vital truth that has so pierced my heart.

This morning I was reading in John 1 where Jesus called His first disciples to follow Him. I was absolutely floored when I discovered that in the very first interaction Jesus had with Simon, He changed His name to Peter. There was no getting to know each other casual conversation, no parables, no teachings or commands to come and follow Him. What a prime example of, first things first. Jesus simply identified Simon by His man given name, and then said, “…You will be called Cephas.” (Which translates to Peter). (John 1:42)

When I read this I promptly read the study notes on the bottom portion of my Bible and saw that it is noted that Peter means “rock.” It’s also mentioned that Peter was anything but a rock. He was impulsive. Careless. Unstable. Unpredictable. Inconsistent. In other words, Jesus named Him not for what He was, but for what by God’s grace He would become.

Seriously, reading this, made my heart leap for joy!

If you’ve made a commitment to follow Him, He has renamed you! Not for who you are, but for who you will become.

You may have once been named wounded, He calls you healed!

You may have once been named prisoner, He calls you free!

You may have once been named trashed, He calls you treasured!

You may have once been named neglected, He calls you child!

When you meet Jesus— you get a new name. Immediately. One cannot meet such a Savior and remain unchanged! I’m thankful that the Maker of the Universe, knows me intimately enough, to change my name...not because of who I am….but because of who I will become by His grace!

A book I once read, translated our names in Christ in a way I will never forget… may my new name always be, “I am NOT…but I know I AM.”



by Christina Stolaas