“All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ (which means ‘God with us’).” — Matthew 1:22-23
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Bo Nix is doing better than expected as a rookie starting quarterback for the Denver Broncos. He encountered testing times as he struggled at points in college as the starter for the Auburn Tigers. The Lord led him to transfer to play for the Oregon Ducks, where he improved and played at an even higher level.
Throughout the ups and downs, the cheers and boos, he stayed strong in his Christian faith. Though he’s recently been receiving more cheering than criticism now in the NFL, he continues to stay grounded in his commitment to put Jesus first in his life. Some may not understand, or support, why he lives the way he does.
In a wicked world, strong believers can inspire us and challenge us to live for God even though it’s not always easy.
Dusty roads and cobblestones filled the community where Mary and Joseph lived. They didn’t have electricity or internet, but they had food, good families and a solid foundation of faith. Mary and Joseph were outstanding young people who respected God and their ancestors enough to be pure and follow God’s commandments. They were engaged and making wedding plans, and had no idea their lives would change so drastically. An angel visited each of them individually, and rocked their world.
“In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, ‘Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you'” (Luke 1:26-28). Mary didn’t know what to say. “But the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end’” (Luke 1:30-33).
She knew she was a virgin so it seemed impossible, and she was also worried about whether or not Joseph (or anyone else) would believe the miracle. However, Mary surrendered to God’s plan even though she was afraid and didn’t understand. In response, Mary questioned the logistics of the idea, but she accepted the angel’s explanation that God could do something impossible. “‘I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May your word to me be fulfilled.’ Then the angel left her” (Luke 1:38).
In a similar way, an angel appeared to Joseph to get him ready for this important assignment to help bring salvation to the world. When the angel came to Joseph, he was already upset and questioned whether Mary could be pregnant without doing something outside of their covenant of betrothal, but the angel dissolved all of Joseph’s doubts and fears.
“Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit'” (Matthew 1:19-20). This miracle child came to cleanse every believer of our sins. Though we are unworthy and undeserving, God reached all the way from Heaven to earth to redeem us! After the angel finished speaking, Joseph understood his assignment and made up his mind to ignore all of the stares and whispers from people in the community and stood by Mary all the way.
What about us? Are we open to living sold out for God like Mary and Joseph, even if people don’t understand? Even if it isn’t easy?
— Bill Kent, Pastor of Memorial Baptist Church, Sylvania, Georgia
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