Romans 8:1–17 (NASB95) 1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 1 Q. What is your only comfort in life and in death? A.

Matthew 1:18-25 (NIV) 18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20 encounter with the archangel in which he informed her that she who was 'highly favored' by God (Luke 1: 28) would be having a child out of wedlock in 8-1/2 months. both needed to be told the same exact thing by their angelic messenger: "Do not be afraid (v20, Luke 1:

Jesus Christ has been controversial since the moment He was conceived. Read / Listen Listen to passage & devotional: Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 35 Q. What does it mean that he “was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary”? A. That the eternal Son of God, who is and remains true and eternal God, took to himself, through the working of the Holy Spirit, from the flesh and blood of the virgin Mary, a truly human nature so that he might become David’s true descendant, like his brothers in every way except for sin. Summary Imagine how terrified Mary, probably 11 or 12 years old here, felt when Gabriel, one of God's chief angels, appeared before her. Luke, who is somewhat known for his dry sense of humor in how he reported the facts in his gospel and the book of Acts, writes that Mary was 'greatly troubled' and that she 'wondered what kind of greeting this might be.' I'll bet she wondered! My guess is that Gabriel's announcement that she was 'highly favored' and that the 'Lord is with you' didn't immediately take root in her mind. She was probably too flabbergasted for it to register. But as if those opening announcements weren't shocking enough, the next thing Gabriel said would have pushed most people completely over the edge. Mary would bear a child - but not just an ordinary child - one who would be called 'the Son of the Most High.' Somehow Mary is able to gather her wits at this point and push back on Gabriel a bit. Everything she'd been taught about the birds and the bees argued against what she was being told. She was a virgin, and this sort of thing doesn't happen to girls like her! Gabriel's reply probably made sense to him, but imagine what it would be like for Mary to hear that she would become pregnant when the power of the Holy Spirit of the Most High would overshadowed her. I wonder, did those words comfort her or terrify her more? But Gabriel still has one more shock for Mary. It turns out that barren old Aunt Elizabeth had been pregnant for six months now. Dig Deeper The doctrine of the virgin birth is one of the most doubted and disbelieved in all of Christian history. Some people have denied it because they deny all of the supernatural and miraculous claims the Bible makes, but others seem to be willing to accept many of the Bible's miracles, but draw the line at a virgin conceiving a child. No doubt young Mary struggled with these doubts as well. Think of how she must of tossed and turned at night wondering who in the world would believe her story. It was even too much for Joseph, until Gabriel showed up to set him straight at least. As we're going to see this week, the doctrine of the virgin birth is not just some Biblical oddity that you can take or leave. In fact, your entire salvation depends on this bizarre sounding account being true. Mary's resolve seems to strengthen upon hearing the last thing Gabriel said to her: For no word from God will ever fail (v37) Look at how Mary aligns her life with God's will after hearing this. "I am the Lord's servant," she said. Make sure your life models Mary's faithfulness, even when God's will seems shocking or contrary to everything you thought you knew. AAA Prayer (About) ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Our Father, whose will often looks so different than what we expect. ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray the words Mary prays upon hearing this shocking news: "May your word to me be fulfilled." ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year, a chapter a day - James 3

Revelation 21:1–5 (ESV) 20:14  Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2   Listen to passage & devotional: Belgic Confession of Faith, Article   37: The Last Judgment (Part 2) You're likely reading this on or around the 2,024th celebration Christmas day. Today: Revelation 20

John 1:29 (NIV) The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes Listen to passage & devotional: Belgic Confession of Faith, Article 21: The Atonement We believe that

John 14:1-6 (NASB95) 14 “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In called ‘God’ (1:1, 18; 20:28). Jesus is the life (1:4), the one who has ‘life in himself’ (5:26), ‘the resurrection and the life’ (11 :25), ‘the true God and eternal life’ (1 Jn. 5:20). come to God, the way for his disciples to attain the many dwelling-places in the Father’s house (vv. 2–

BibleHub.com Romans 4:1-8 (NIV) CONTEXT: We're going to spend three days this week working through Romans 2  If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election 1 - God's right to condemn all people 2 - God

Biblia.com Ephesians 1:3-6 (NIV) 3  Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election 1 - God's right to condemn all people 2 - God

Biblia.com John 17:1-5 (NIV) CONTEXT: Jesus has been teaching His disciples after the Last Supper and Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 2  For you granted him authority over all people that Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election 1 - God's right to condemn all people 2 - God

Learn to think about politics from a Biblical perspective. 1 Samuel 8:7-20 (NIV) CONTEXT: Samuel had “We want a king over us. 20  Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to