Good Morning!
Let’s focus our day by spending some time with Jesus before it begins.
WORSHIP. Pick a song from one of our Spotify Playlists and let it play in the background.
THANK. Write down 3-5 things you’re thankful for in the last 24 hours.
READ. Our Scripture Focus is Revelation 1:8. Try memorizing it during this study!
Today’s reading is from Psalm 107:1-6 & Luke 1:26-56
THINK. A Thought from Holly MacDonald…
The Christmas story goes against all logic, even Mary felt this (Luke 1:34). “How can this be?”, Mary logically asks after the angel Gabriel explains her conception. For the first time reading this story, I noticed Mary’s question rooted in wonder-filled faith. I wonder if Mary had a moment where her mind went into a tailspin trying to figure out how the impossible was actually happening. Maybe it sounded a little like this… Did she just have a real encounter with an actual angel? How could she could give birth to a child…as a virgin? How is Elizabeth six months pregnant when it was said she could not conceive? I’ve got to imagine that Mary’s visit with Elizabeth strengthened her faith and confidence in what God was doing! Remember, there was no quick social update from Mary, “You won’t believe what just happened to me. #Blessed”, no cell phones to send a quick text, no phone call to let Elizabeth know she was on her way and what was happening. The Holy Spirit filled Elizabeth and in a loud voice she began affirming what the angel had told Mary (Luke 1:41-42)! How encouraging to Mary’s faith! When God moves, it often defies all logic. We may find ourselves trying to rationally explain or reason the ‘why’ or ‘how’ of what God is doing. This Christmas season, I pray that we would have a posture like Mary. Instead of trying to rationally explain the budget balancing itself after you decided to be generous, or coming up with a logical explanation why you were able to conceive after doctors confirmed you couldn’t, or why an illness or injury just healed itself. May our whole being just simply respond with praise to the God of the impossible. With God, science does not have the final say. With God, logic may not be the answer. Nothing is out of God’s reach and nothing is impossible to Him. May you find wonder-filled faith like Mary this Christmas season to believe and trust God to do the impossible.
LIVE. One practical way to understand and apply the Bible is the SOS method. Ask…
S: What does this passage say about God, and what does it say about me?
O: What am I being invited to obey?
S: What can I share with those around me?
PRAY. Pray for yourself, a family member, a lifegroup/church friend, someone who doesn’t know Jesus, and the nations. Pick one each day or pray through them all every day.
TALK. That was our take on today’s reading - what’s yours? Share thoughts and ask questions in the forum.
SHARE. Stay focused with a friend! Invite them to text “FOCUS” to (586) 200-6277.

Stay focused on Jesus today, and make it a great one!