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A Devotional Journey Through the Gospels
Matthew 1:18-20 NLT
"Before the marriage took place, while [Mary] was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.
As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream.
'Joseph, son of David,' the angel said, 'do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit.'"
PRAISE: For God, Whose Holy Spirit-Driven activity in one's life, may produce collateral blessing and potential growth challenges in those nearby.
PRAYER: Lord, as I yield to the expanding influence of the Spirit in my life, increase Your Grace that I may walk in humility and sensitivity, to those nearby who may be affected by the outcomes. Help me to trust You to do Your work in them -- in Your own time and way.
Bless the "Josephs" in my life with grace, faith, and patience as I learn to walk out Your leadings.
THANKS: For the natural "Yeast" effect in the Kingdom of God... You have always preferred to activate hearts along the lines of relationship!
Breakthrough Growth: (Supplemental verses): Matthew 13:33. "Jesus also used this illustration: 'The Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast a woman used in making bread.
Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough.”
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A Devotional Journey Through the Gospels
Matthew 1:18 NLT
"This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit."
PRAISE: For God's "outside-the-lines" Template Activity.
What He did in Mary and Joseph invites us, too, to expect to be stretched in preparation for fruitbearing.
PRAYER: (Mary "...was engaged to be married...")
Lord, I will faithfully make my plans, but may it be Your infinite Holy Spirit -- and not my finite plans, that sets the conditions for what You will do through my life.
THANKS: For preparing the "womb" of my soul for unexpected expansion!
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Breakthrough Growth (Supplemental verses):
“Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.” Matthew 19:26 NLT
Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” Luke 1:38 NLT
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Today begins "MATTHEW: A Devotional Journey Through Matthew."
This is the new format for my Daily Praise and Prayer Journal. Enjoy!
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Predilection: "A preference or bias in favor of something or someone."
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Proverbs 30:5 New King James Version
"Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him."
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Proverbs 30:4 New King James Version
"Who has ascended into heaven, or descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has bound the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is His Son’s name, If you know?"
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Proverbs 30:2-3 New King James Version
"Surely I am more stupid than any man, and do not have the understanding of a man. I neither learned wisdom nor have knowledge of the Holy One."
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Proverbs 29:25 New King James Version
"The fear of man brings a snare,but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe."
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Proverbs 29:25 New King James Version
"The fear of man brings a snare,but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe."
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Proverbs 29:18 New King James Version
"Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint;
But happy is he who keeps the law."
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Proverbs 28:26 New King James Version"He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whoever walks wisely will be delivered."
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Proverbs 26:12 The New King James Version
"Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him."
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"If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; For so you will heap coals of fire on his head, And the Lord will reward you." Proverbs 25:21-22 New King James Version
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Proverbs 25:12 New King James Version
"Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold is a wise rebuker to an obedient ear."
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Proverbs 24:3-4 New King James Version. "Through wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; By knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches."
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