Nothings Impossible 10.20.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today we begin our studies on the book of Luke, please read Chapter 1 in your Bible or Click Here to read it online. If the link does not work you can copy and paste this link to your browser: biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=49&chapt
er=1&version=9

Today we will read about the virgin birth of Jesus foretold; Mary's visit to her cousin Elisabeth; Mary praising God for Elisabeth's pregnancy; and the birth of John the Baptist. Today's message focuses on the importance of not giving up, no matter how impossible things look as with God all things are possible.

The book of Luke is the 3rd book of the New Testament (also the 3rd of the Gospels) and contains 24 chapters. The author of the book is Luke and it was written to all believers, although the first intended audience was the Greeks to whom he presented Jesus as the perfect man. He also addresses one specific believer, Theophilus. "It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed." (Luke 1:3-4).

The purpose of the book was to write an orderly account of the ministry of Jesus. What we are to learn from the book is that our mission is identical to that of Jesus: To reach the lost with the good news of the Gospel. The Holy Spirit lead Luke, who was a physician, to write this Gospel, the amazing thing was that he never met Jesus while He was on the earth. His devotion to Christ caused him to treasure the words that He spoke as well as everything that concerned the Savior's life.

Zacharias and Elisabeth never had a child and now were well stricken in there years. After much prayer an angel, name Gabriel visited Zacharias to tell him that Elisabeth would bare a child and they were to name him John. "THERE was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.........But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John...... And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying, Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men." (1:5-6,13,24-25).

Soon after, Gabriel was sent to visit a young woman named Mary, he explained to her that she had been chosen by God to conceive His child and that she was to name Him Jesus. "And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary..........And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. " (1:26-27, 30-31). Had Mary been conceived by Joseph Jesus would have been born with the same sinful nature that was passed down from Adam. This would have made Jesus a sinner like all mankind, keeping Him from being the sinless sacrifice that would free us from our sins.

At first, Mary was troubled, but once she learned of Elisabeth's miracle she knew that Gabriel was telling the truth. "Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible." (1:34-37). Elisabeth and Mary are examples of the All Mighty Power of God, even today He maked miracles happen. Earlier this year I witnessed a 9 month old baby that was diagnosed with a rare kidney disease defeat the odds from doctors who said there was no hope for her. With much prayer from our church family that baby survived and every Sunday I hold in my hands a chubby little miracle from God.

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
We recognize that our endurance and persistence are attitudes derived from a faith-filled life with You. Our endurance is realized by continuing this race though others may drop out making us feel like we run alone. Our persistence is marked by our determination to finish the race though struggles weigh us down and doubts cloud our vision of the finish line. Thank You for marking the race out for us by showing us the great examples of those who cheer us on as we participate in this Christian race. They finished their race on earth through their enduring faith, though they experienced opposition from sinful men. We endure hardships and struggles as discipline from You, our loving Father, that we may share in Your holiness. We look forward to the harvest of righteousness and peace that comes as a result of our persistence in this spiritual marathon. Strengthen our feeble arms and weak knees as we repent of the sin that entangles us. We lay aside everything that drags us down or tempts us to give up. In Jesus' name.....Amen.

Enjoy your day and be blessed!
God bless,
Christina

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