It’s been said if you can believe the first verse of the Bible you should have no problem with the rest of it…

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1

The Prophet Jeremiah put it this way…

‘Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You.” Jeremiah 32:17

So today, as we read the story of the virgin birth, we should embrace it in faith. Over the years I have had many doubts and questioned the Bible’s trustworthiness. But each time with each doubt the Lord showed me a solid answer that would restore my trust in the reliability and accuracy of the scriptures. As I have said repeatedly, “I am done with doubt”. I have chosen to walk in faith, believe God and believe the Word of God. I have found that this posture of faith has given me much strength in the storms of life. Unbelief is the thief. But faith builds us up and makes us strong. 

Excerpts from today’s text …

…God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!” Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!” Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. … For the word of God will never fail.” Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.” (Luke 1:26b–38, NLT)

Later, when Mary went to visit Elizabeth…

… Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God hasblessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.” Mary responded, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! … (Luke 1:39–47, NLT)

May we all learn from Mary’s response. May we all learn to say, “Behold the maidservant/manservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” Pastor Mike