After Jesus was born, Mary and Joseph were careful to follow the required Jewish Ceremonies. They demonstrated how obedience can be worship. Matthew 2: 21 Eight days later, when the baby was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel even before he was conceived. 22 Then it was time for their purification …
God’s method of communication with Joseph is dreams. Here we see how dreams guide a journey back home. Scripture records Joseph’s third and fourth dreams in this passage. Matthew 2: 19 When Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt. 20 “Get up!” the angel said. “Take the child and …
The prophets had foretold the gift of a Savior, and the faithful were awaiting this miracle. Isaiah the prophet spoke of what this Savior would do 700 years before He was born. Isaiah 53:5 But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped …
God provided a divine warning in a dream to Joseph. This was the second dream of Joseph that Scripture tells us about. In Joseph’s first dream, an angel explained how Mary was pregnant and instructed Joseph to marry her immediately. Joseph quickly obeyed. Now Jesus has been born, and the wise men from the east …
Joseph moved forward in obedience despite the shame it would bring. If Joseph married the pregnant Mary, the community would assume the baby was his. But God had instructed him to do so, and he did. When Mary came back from visiting her cousin Elizabeth for three months, it was evident to Joseph that she …
Insight into the truth is a gift from God to guide us on our journey. Psalm 25:5Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you. [1] Have you ever gone through a time in your life when you were …
Choosing the path of grace is about someone who wants the best for the person they are involved with. In our sinful nature, it’s common to treat people harshly when we’re dissatisfied with their behavior or other issues. Often, when couples face marital problems, they tend to be critical of their spouse’s actions. They criticize …
Receiving spiritual insight from the Lord is a gift He bestows on His children. This was the type of insight Elizabeth received when her younger relative, Mary, came to visit her. Luke 1:42 Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed.[1] Only God …
Mary and Elizabeth had a shared journey. Culture would say that one woman was pregnant too late, while the other was pregnant too soon. But both pregnancies were God-given. As Gabriel told Mary she would be the mother of Jesus, he also gave her a sign. Elizabeth was pregnant. Luke 1: 36 What’s more, your relative …
When God answers our questions, it can surprise us and be life-changing. Perhaps you are asking God today for direction in life, or another question along your journey of faith. Don’t be surprised if God answers, but in an unexpected way. As Mary was going about her life, she suddenly encountered an angel. Luke 1:28 Gabriel …