LIVING THE LEGACY
And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. -Luke 1:38
A Woman’s Life Well Lived
Our featured lady is a world-renown figure to say the least. As of 2025, there are between 1.27 and 1.41 billion baptized Catholics worldwide, making the Catholic Church the largest Christian church, according to Wikipedia. This represents approximately 17.7% of the global population. She is a revered woman among this group of people of faith and many others.
Her humility brought her before the angel sent with a holy message from God. Her response to the angel caused her to receive a 400-year-old prophecy fulfilled. Mary, a virgin gave birth to a child and called his name, Jesus. God’s glorious plan of salvation for mankind was consummated through Jesus.
What did Mary know that brought her from giving birth to Jesus in a stable to being numbered in the Upper Room on the Day of Pentecost? She used the secret power of a ‘yielded vessel’ to multiply her future and the destiny of countless.
Mary became the epitome of a faithful mother. A virgin, she yielded to the Spirit of God and became pregnant with the Son of God, thereby fulfilling Scripture. She responded in faith to the angel Gabriel. She lived her life in faith as the mother of Jesus. She watched in faith as he died a humiliating death on the cross, paying the ultimate price for our sins. She was in the Upper Room waiting on the Comforter to come, sent by Jesus, as he promised. She lived a legacy that moved the world.
REVIEW
A short review of the ‘WOW! Women of Legacy Book Club: We’ve been talking about Leaving a Legacy of a Life Well Lived For The Next Generation. We covered all six chapters of the book,
1. A Woman’s Pattern of Power (Esther, A Shining Star, Affirmations Fit For A Queen,
2. A Woman’s Call To Rule Queen Sheba commended by Christ for pursuing an Education,
3. A Woman’s War With Words -Queen Jezebel, Her issues with Control,
4. A Woman’s Will To Win – Ruth & Orpah Different Destinies,
5. A Woman’s Torch of Life – Lois & Eunice Grandmother and Mother of Pastor Timothy, and this afternoon,
6. A Woman’s Life Well Lived – Mary, Mother of Jesus whose choices still move the world.
END OF REVIEW
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MAKING IT INTENTIONAL
He commanded our ancestors to teach them to their children, so the next generation might know them–even the children not yet born–and they in turn will teach their own children. Psalm 78:5
Mary from the moment she appears in Scripture, we see her yielding to the Spirit of God. In contrast her cousin’s husband Zacharias displayed unbelief, who became dumb for nine months, after he questioned the angel messenger Gabriel. When Mary received her news, she respectfully asked a question. But went on to say, “May it be unto me Lord as you have said.” Here are eight scriptures that will support your intention to live a life of blessing and legacy.
- We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the LORD, about his power and his mighty wonders. Psalm 78:4
- Tell your children about it in the years to come, and let your children tell their children. Pass the story down from generation to generation. Joel 1:3
- Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power. Psalm 145:4
- Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God.
- Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me. Psalm 71:18
- I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. 2 Timothy 1:5
- I am writing to Timothy, my true son in the faith. May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord give you grace, mercy, and peace. 1 Timothy 1:2
- He commanded our ancestors to teach them to their children, so the next generation might know them–even the children not yet born–and they in turn will teach their own children. So each generation should
- Set its hope anew on God, not forgetting his glorious miracles and obeying his commands. Then they will not be like their ancestors–stubborn, rebellious, and unfaithful, refusing to give their hearts to God. Psalm 78:5-8 So, the command continues. We should do the same. Like our featured mother Mary, we can choose intentionally to live legacy all the time, that is with the next generation in mind with all we do.
5 Simple Steps To Write A Word Inspired Manifesto
Tell your children about it in the years to come, and let your children tell their children. Pass the story down from generation to generation. -Joel 1:3
Simply put, a manifesto is a statement of ideas and intentions. The difference between a plain manifesto and a Word inspired manifesto is the power of God’s word. So, make sure you put plenty of personalized scripture in your document.
The actual word manifesto comes from Latin manifestus; to clearly reveal, to make known. It is rooted from the word manifest; something clear or obvious to the eye; readily perceived by the eye; evident, obvious, apparent — such as a manifest error.
Seth Godin http://sethgodin.typepad.com/ published his manifesto entitled, “Brainwashed: Seven Ways to Reinvent Yourself,” which exposes myths many people have lived by for years. A Jesus Manifesto: Restoring the Supremacy and Sovereignty of Jesus Christ by Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola is a Christian manifesto on the Amazon’s top 10 bestseller list. Their website is http://www.thejesusmanifesto.com/
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How To Write Your Own Manifesto
Your story is important. It’s worth being heard. How can I say that and mean it? In Christ, everyone has a story to tell. And not just everybody and anybody, YOU have a story that will make the world a better place.
Usually, a manifesto is personal. Even, an organization’s manifesto written by whomever is at the helm comes out personal.
It is a powerful way of expressing what’s important to you at your core. It usually has your goals, strategies, wish list, dreams and beliefs—your statement of faith. Writing a manifesto will help you focus on what’s really important to you. So, let’s hop to it.
- Look for inspiration.
Read some other manifestos. I linked to Seth Godin and the Jesus Manifesto. Corbett Barr wrote this brilliant “Expert Enough” http://expertenough.com manifesto to remind every one of us of our own brilliance. There are plenty to choose from. Also, see the WOW! Women Manifesto in the study guide section of this book or visit the WOW! Women website for a free printable copy of the WOW! Women of Legacy Study Guide and lots of other resources designed to inspire you to become the WOW! Women, God has called us to become. - Make Notes.
Your manifesto should have three basic components: beliefs, goals, and wisdom. Get a notepad and write “I believe…” at the top of a blank page, then think of five or ten ways to finish the statement. On the next page, write “I want to…” and fill in the blanks with ways that you would change the world. Finally, write “I know this to be true…” and record words of wisdom. These can be things you’ve learned from your own experience, wisdom passed down from your parents and family, inspirational quotes or scripture verses. - Figure out what’s important to you.
What are your most beloved core beliefs?
What are your goals and dreams?
What are you willing to do, even sacrifice, to achieve them?
What is your main motivation to do what you do?
What makes you tick?
What do you want your legacy to be? - Get what’s inside your heart out.
Write down all the answers you can think of to the questions. No one counting how many. Just empty your heart. Be specific with what you write. No worries about who’s going to see it and what they might think. Remember, it’s YOUR manifesto. - Tweak it until it’s the way you want it.
Seek to use words everyone will understand, about seventh grade level. Be brief. Brevity creates clarity. If you rambled while you dumped, it all out. Cut the rambling. Be more concise. Make it readable. Remove all duplicates and redundancy.
Okay, it’s your turn! Are you ready to write your manifesto?
IN SUMMARY
I was encouraged to know we can and should live a life of legacy, intentionally. Passing the torch of life can be tricky. But not if we depend on God for our posterity. It is his aim and good pleasure for us to pass our prepared legacy of blessing to the next generation.
It took me the longest to realize the importance and power in meditating God’s word. I grew faster with leaps and bounds, after I implemented it in my life. Even so, one of my biggest blocks was learning how to meditate. I, finally got the hang of it. So, I was happy when the Holy Spirit gave me the little analogy MEDITATE to help you. So, you don’t have to delay with putting meditation in place in your life.
The Prayer Of Release is a huge booster for releasing your life from the generational curses that bind and seek to hinder us in our blessed life. As we discussed earlier in the book, many times, they are passed down without us even knowing. Now through the word of God and the Holy Spirit’s guidance, you can break any cycles of sin and the bondage it brings to oppressi your family.
CHALLENGE 6
Now, it’s our turn. Who are we mentoring and pouring into? If not already, get started praying about someone today. Start living your life as a legacy. Prepare a journal of your life’s lessons five to ten. You know the things your mother and grandmother told you that you want to pass to your children. Consider what you learned or was reminded of in this book. Pass those principles along, as well. Get another copy of this book or all three books. Find someone at least one generation removed from yours and give it to them. It can be your daughter, a niece, or a younger cousin. Put a note inside one of the books explaining the reason you did this. Ask them to do the same, when they grow up.
End of Blog
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Pastor Earma, 24 Book Christian Author & Co-Founder of Grace Covenant House. What did you think of today’s blog? Pastor Earma loves to hear from you. Do you have a comment? Please post your thoughts, comments or questions below in the comment box. For more of her teaching, click here to sign up for the Graced Life blog.