“With God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26 NIV). Those were the words our Savior shared with his disciples. The stories of Advent that we have studied during the past few weeks reveal the truth that “with God all things are possible.” During this Advent season we have been studying the stories of Zechariah, Elizabeth, Joseph, and Mary. Within their stories we find an older couple who had been unable to conceive, yet by the grace of God they were finally expecting a baby after an angel spoke to Zechariah. Not only were they going to have a child, but Zechariah and Elizabeth’s child had the unique role within history of being a prophetic voice preparing people for the arrival of the long awaited Messiah. Their son John was “filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth” (Luke 1:15 NIV).

 

The story of Joseph and Mary revealed an engaged couple who were told that they were going to be the parents of God’s Son. Mary was a virgin, so her pregnancy seemed impossible from a human standpoint, but “with God all things are possible.” During her pregnancy, Mary chose to visit her relative Elizabeth who was also pregnant. The gospel writer shares this detail of their stories coming together, “When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit” (Luke 1:41 NIV).

 

The child in Mary’s womb was the Christ child, the Son of God who was sent to “save the world” (John 3:17). He was the greatest gift ever given! So, whatever situation, circumstances, challenges, or hardships you are facing and experiencing, know that “with God all things are possible.” You too can be filled with the Holy Spirit. You too can experience the joy of the Lord in your life and leap on the inside, even if you are unable to leap physically. Your can be comforted in the midst of mourning. Your mourning can even turn into rejoicing. You too can receive the greatest gift and be part of the multitude of believers who are saved by God’s grace through faith in Christ. On your own it may be impossible, but not with God. With God…all things are possible.

 

*If you don’t have a Bible, consider downloading the YouVersion Bible App for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play for your smartphone or tablet. You can also use www.BibleGateway.com to look up and read various translations of Bible verses online.

 

For a full version of this Your Faith Journey devotional download the Worship Guide from the Avon UMC website:

 

The Your Faith Journey Bible verses for this week are listed below:

 

Today I am going to offer God ___________________________________________________.

 

During the worship service God revealed __________________________________________________________________________________________.

 

I am going to respond by __________________________________________________________________________________________________________.

 

Read Luke 1:39-45 and pray for the joy of the Lord to be with you through the presence of the Holy Spirit. Ask God to reveal it to others today and throughout this week. Pray for the women and children who are part of your family, as well as pregnant mothers and the babies in their wombs throughout the world.

 

Read Luke 1:46-56, listen to a worship song, Christmas song, or hymn that helps you to praise God, then offer a prayer of praise to the Lord just as Mary did.

 

Read the prophetic words of the prophet Micah spoken about 700 years before Christ was born from Micah 5:2 and offer a prayer of submission, inviting Jesus to be the ruler and king of your life.

 

Read the traditional Christmas story from Luke 2:1-16 and thank God for his gift to you and the whole world, the Savior born in Bethlehem so long ago. Pray that those who have not understood and believed in what God has done through Christ will be able to see it clearly this Christmas.

 

Read Luke 2:15-20, listen to a Christmas song, hymn, or worship song that will help you to celebrate the birth of our Savior, then praise God for what he has done, and for what he has revealed to the world. In prayer, invite the Lord to use you and believers around the world to continue spreading the Good News today and throughout the New Year.

 

Luke 2:19 reveals that Mary “treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” Spend some time pondering about what God has done

through Christ, what that means for you, what it means for others, and ask God how He wants you to respond.

 

*To download the entire Worship Guide, which includes the extended version of the Your Faith Journey Guide, go to www.AvonUMC.com.