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| PATIO - BIRD CAGE December 08, 2023 |
"And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,
has also conceived a son in her old age,
and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
for nothing will be impossible for God.”
LUKE 1:36-37
When you believe that nothing is impossible with God, you are opening yourself up to a world of possibilities. You are saying that you believe in God’s power and that you trust Him to work in your life. You are also saying that you are willing to take risks and step outside of your comfort zones. While it’s important to have faith and trust in God, it’s also important to take action and work towards your goals. When you take action, you are showing God that you are committed to making a change in your life and that you are willing to put in the effort required to achieve your dreams.
The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end.” But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.” Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her. (Luke 1:26-38)
Obedience to God’s commands is of utmost importance in conducting our daily way of life. God gave us a choice between obedience and disobedience, allowing us to exercise free will and to choose whether to follow His commands or not. A way to exercise free will in a way that pleases God is to practice self-discipline. Self-discipline means to exercise power over one’s self and to keep one’s self under control. It is the ability to master one’s inner desires, thoughts, actions, and words. By practicing self-discipline, you can resist temptation and make choices that align with God’s will.
After the man, Adam, had eaten of the tree, the Lord God called to the man and asked him, “Where are you?” He answered, “I heard you in the garden; but I was afraid, because I was naked, so I hid myself.” Then he asked, “Who told you that you were naked? You have eaten, then, from the tree of which I had forbidden you to eat!” The man replied, “The woman whom you put here with me—she gave me fruit from the tree, and so I ate it.” The Lord God then asked the woman, “Why did you do such a thing?” The woman answered, “The serpent tricked me into it, so I ate it.” Then the Lord God said to the serpent: “Because you have done this, you shall be banned from all the animals and from all the wild creatures; on your belly shall you crawl, and dirt shall you eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will strike at your head, while you strike at his heel.” The man called his wife Eve, because she became the mother of all the living. (Genesis 3:9-15, 20)
God is sovereign and that He is able to accomplish great things through His power and might. Praise God, thank Him for His blessings, ask for His guidance, and express your love and gratitude. Cultivating gratitude is a great way to improve your overall well-being and happiness. Try to focus on the positive aspects of your life, even when things are difficult. This can help you maintain a positive outlook and increase your feelings of gratitude.
Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; His right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm. The Lord has made his salvation known: in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice. He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God. Sing joyfully to the Lord, all you lands; break into song; sing praise. (Psalm 98:1, 2-3, 3-4)
Living a holy life is an important part of the Christian faith. To live a holy life, you can start by understanding what holiness means and how it relates to God. According to the Bible, God is holy and set apart from us. To be holy means to be set apart for God’s purposes and to live in a way that is pleasing to Him. To live a holy life, you need to focus on Christ and follow His example. Jesus lived a perfect, sinless life and is the ultimate example of holiness.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him. In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved. In him we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the One who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will, so that we might exist for the praise of his glory, we who first hoped in Christ. (Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12)
Hope in Christ is not a wishful thinking or a vague feeling, but a solid conviction that God will do what He has said for nothing will be impossible for Him. It gives us joy, peace, and strength in the midst of trials and tribulations. It us to live a holy and obedient life that pleases God and glorifies Him. Hope in Christ is an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.
When you face challenges, it’s easy to become discouraged and lose hope. But when you remember that nothing is impossible with God, you can face the waters of your circumstances with a strong confidence, knowing that God is able and willing to do great things in and through you. Prayer is a powerful tool that can help you connect with God and seek His guidance and wisdom. When you pray, you can ask God to help you overcome obstacles, give you strength, and provide you with the courage to face your fears.
Pericope:
II: The Infancy Narrative
ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE BIRTH OF JESUS
Luke 1:26-38
I: The Primeval History
THE FALL OF MAN
Genesis 3:1-24
Fourth Book of Psalms 90-106
THE COMING OF GOD
Psalm 98:1-9
I: Address
THE FATHER'S PLAN OF SALVATION/INHERITANCE THROUGH THE SPIRIT
Ephesians 1:3-6/11-14
Reflection Source:
Copilot with Bing Chat