ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year, a chapter a day - Hebrews 1

The popularity of John 3:16 is unsurprising considering the way it eloquently lays out the key themes Out of love John continues into verse 17, expressing Jesus’ reason for coming into the world, which was John describes Jesus as God's only Son, alluding to Jesus’ divine nature.

This idea is seen in both of today’s passages from 1 Peter. AAA Prayer (About) ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: 1 Peter 3:12 - For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous deeds and glorify God; ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year, a chapter a day - 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

Ephesians 6:1-3 (NIV) Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2  “Honor your father The earth is the Lord's and everything in it. the world, and all who live in it" (Psalm 24:1). Today: 1 Corinthians 9

Acts 15:1-21 (NIV) Certain people came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers: “Unless This news made all the believers very glad. 4  When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the Today: 1 Corinthians 6

Genesis 15:1-6 (NIV) After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be 3  And Abram said, “You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.” 4  He would show him, and that once Abram got there God would make him into a great nation (Genesis 12:1- Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness . - v6, Ps 106:31; Ro 4:3 ( which

Genesis 45:1–8 (NIV) CONTEXT: Joseph, who had been sold into slavery by his brothers, only to ascend But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence. 4 Then Joseph Today: Matthew 1

The climax of the Bible are the Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, because they teach us about Jesus

Genesis 3:1–7 (NIV) Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’ ” 4  Here John calls men “darkness.” the garden: Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. - 1