"Through the prophet" is a phrase found over and over in the Bible. Allthroughout God‘s Word, we see that His warnings and promises spokenby the prophets come to pass. - P126
Dear Father, thank you for sending Jesus to destroy the devil‘s work so that Imight become your child. - P123
Help me to imitate His life by pursuing holiness andloving my brothers and sisters in Christ. In His name, amen. - P123
18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah cabout: His mother Mary was pledged to be married toJoseph, but before they came together, she was found tobe pregnant through the Holy Spirit. [NLT] 18 This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged tobe married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. - P124
19 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. 19 Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want todisgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly. - P124
20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lordappeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son ofDavid, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 20 As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. "Joseph, son of David," the angel said, "do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the childwithin her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. - P124
21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give himthe name Jesus, because he will save his people fromtheir sins." 21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his peoplefrom their sins." - P124
22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had saidthrough the prophet:22 All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord‘s message through his prophet: - P125
23 "The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" (which means "Godwith us"). 23 "Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they willcall him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us." - P125
Mary is pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they come together, she is found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Joseph has in mind todivorce Mary quietly, but an angel of the Lord appears to him and tells himthat what is conceived in Mary is from the Holy Spirit. Joseph does as the angelcommanded him. He names the child Jesus. - P125
Matthew‘s Gospel begins with a scandal. We can only imagine thehostility Mary endured as her pregnancy became apparent to otherseven Joseph initially planned to divorce her. - P126
But God‘s grace triumphs. Through an angelic appearance, Joseph is assured that Mary has notbetrayed him. Her conception is nothing less than the creative powerof God through the Holy Spirit. - P126
Joseph is to name the child Jesus, meaning "The Lord saves." - P126
God‘s grace, which will overcome the crossand the grave, begins to reveal itself as the promised Messiah comesinto the world through a virgin‘s womb. - P126
When we are misunderstood, ridiculed, and even slandered for our faith in Christ, let us rememberthat God‘s grace is greater than any reproach we endure for Jesus‘ sake. - P126
Here, Matthew points us to the words ofthe Old Testament prophet, Isaiah, who spoke of a virgin giving birthto God‘s promised Messiah. - P126
These words were fulfilled in the Christmasstory, so we can be assured that God‘s Word will continue to be fulfilledjust as the Bible promises. - P126
Our faith in God‘s promises, in turn, gives usan enduring and unshakable hope that strengthens us to face the futureeven in the darkest and most difficult seasons of our lives. - P126
"Through the prophet" is a phrase found over and over in the Bible. Allthroughout God‘s Word, we see that His warnings and promises spokenby the prophets come to pass. - P126
Father, I acknowledge You as the God of the impossible. I know that You areable to create something out of nothing, so You are surely able to use my lifeand my gifts to bring glory to Your Son, Jesus. Nothing is impossible for You! InJesus‘ name, amen. - P126
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