OUR DAILY BREAD : THE FACTS OF LIFE

[cimi]

December 14
Friday


THE FACTS
OF LIFE

READ:
Luke 1:24-38
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Mary said, "Behold
the maidservant of
the Lord! Let it be to
me according to your
word." __ Luke 1:38
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It seems that most of our struggles revolve around wanting something we don't have or having something we don't want. Our deepest longings and our greatest challenges are deeply rooted in trying to see the hand of God in these two facts of life. This is where Luke's account of the birth of Jesus begins.

The aging Elizabeth longed for a baby. For the young and engaged Mary, however, pregnancy should have been a disgrace. But when both learned they would have a child, they accepted the news with faith in the God whose timing is perfect and for whom nothing is impossible (Luke 1:24-25,37-38).

As we read the Christmas story, we may be struck by the real-life context of the people whose names have become so familiar. Even while Zechariah and Elizabeth suffered their culture's stigma of childlessness, they were described as "righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord" (v.6). And the angel told Mary she had found favor with God (v.30).

Their example shows us the value of a trusting heart that accepts the mysterious ways of God and the presence of his mighty hand, no matter how perplexing our circumstances may be. __ David McCasland
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~~~~~~~~~~~~Though you cannot see the outcome,~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~Trust the Lord--He knows what's best;~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Be assured he sees your trial,~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~And He's with you in your test. __ Hess~~~~~~~~~~~
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For the Christian, testing cannot be separated
from trusting.

**************Today's Bible Reading __ Luke 1:24-38***************

24 Now after those days his
wife Elizabeth conceived;
and she hid herself five
months, saying, 25 Thus the
Lord has dealt with me, in
the days when He looked
on me, to take away my
reproach among people."

26 Now in the sixth month
the angel Gabriel was sent
by God to a city of Galilee
named Nazareth, 27 to a
virgin betrothed to a man
whose name was Joseph,
of the house of David. The
virgin's name was Mary.

28 And having come in, the
angel said to her. "Rejoice,
highly favored one, the Lord
is with you; blessed are you
among women!"

29 But when she saw him,
she was troubled at his
saying, and considered what
manner of greeting this was,

30 Then the angel said to her,
"Do not be afraid, Mary, for
you have found favor with
God. 31 and behold, you
will conceive in your womb
and bring forth a Son, and
shall call His name JESUS.

32 He will be great, and will
be called the son of the
Highest; and the Lord God
will give Him the throne of
His father David. 33 And He
will reign over the house of
Jacob forever, and of His
kingdom there will be no
end."

34 Then Mary said to the
angel, "How can this be,
since I do not know a man?"

35 And the angel answered
and said to her, "The Holy
Spirit will come upon
you, and the power of the
Highest will overshadow
you; therefore, also, that
Holy One who is to be
born will be called the Son
of God. 36 Now indeed,
Elizabeth your relative has
also conceived a son in her
old age; and this is now the
sixth month for her who
was called barren. 37 For
with God nothing will be
impossible."

38 Then Mary said, "Behold
the maidservant of the Lord!
Let it be to me according to
your word." And the angel
departed from her.