What Unique Things Strengthens Your Faith?

Luke 1:31 - "And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus."        
 
Luke 2:7 - And she gave birth to her firstborn son;   
 
Luke 2:21 - And when eight days had passed, before His circumcision, His name was then called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.  

• Prophecy And Its Fulfillment 

When your faith is strong you're able to endure the trials of this life.
 
The best way I know to strengthen one's faith is by reading God's Word.  Romans10:17 says - "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ."   NASU
 
This is why during my 32 years in the ministry I always emphasized reading God's Word. This is the best way I know to grow in one's faith and help others grow in theirs.
 
I believe when you read prophecy and read it has been fulfilled this is another way we can be strengthened in our faith that God is in control.
 
As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, I want to inform my readers that before Jesus was born it was prophesied that this event would happen. Mary would not only give birth to a Son, but He was to be named Jesus.
 
All of this took place exactly like the angel Gabriel told Mary it would happen. 

• Place Of Birth 

I am not sure how many people are really amazed by Jesus place of birth, but you should be. Let me share with you a little background information.
 
Joseph and Mary are living in Nazareth, but the prophecy says, the child will be from Bethlehem. The distance between Nazareth and Bethlehem is 70-80 miles.
 
Micah 5:2 - But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. NASU
 
Now I don't want you thinking about this with your 2015 brain. I want you to go back in time in your mind to approximately 4 B.C. Where there were no fast moving vehicles, paved highways, trains or planes. Can you visualize this place?
 
Your wife is pregnant and you both have to make this 70-80 mile trip to register because Caesar Augustus says you must do this.  
 
This tells us something about Joseph and Mary.

They didn't protest about the unfairness of this edict. They did what they were told. They were obedient servants of God. They endured the hard trip, Mary didn't kill Joseph, and she gave birth to Jesus the Savior of the world.
 
WOW!
 
Guys, can you imagine making your wife walk and ride a donkey for 70-80 miles, while she was pregnant? And you think you have had some trials in your marriage. 

• The Manger 

Luke 2:7 - And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. NASU
 
You not only walk and ride a donkey for 70-80 miles, but when you arrive there is no place for you to stay. There is no room in the inn.

Therefore, you get to sleep in the barn with the other animals.
 
Why are Joseph and Mary doing this? The answer is because they were chosen by GOD.
 
The next time you find life not exactly the way you would like it to be compare yourself to Mary and Joseph and remember they were the couple chosen to nurture and care for God's Son, Jesus Christ. 

• Strengthen Your Faith 

One way to strengthen your faith is by remembering, being chosen by God doesn't always mean life is going to be easy. It certainly was not easy for Joseph, Mary and Jesus.
 
Think On These:
 
God shocked the world with a baby, not a bomb.
 
God cares for people through people.

Stay Pumped and Have a Merry Christmas,

Gary A. Serago
 
Minister of God's Word

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