1 00:00:00,400 --> 00:00:04,280 Speaker 1: Being confident of this very thing, that he who began 2 00:00:04,360 --> 00:00:07,320 Speaker 1: a good work in you will complete it until the 3 00:00:07,400 --> 00:00:13,920 Speaker 1: day of Jesus Christ Philippians won six. Dear Lord, we 4 00:00:14,080 --> 00:00:17,120 Speaker 1: know that there is no circumstance that could ever thwart 5 00:00:17,160 --> 00:00:20,759 Speaker 1: the mighty work You've been doing in our lives. You 6 00:00:20,840 --> 00:00:25,040 Speaker 1: are determined to redeem us and restore the broken parts 7 00:00:25,079 --> 00:00:30,120 Speaker 1: of our lives. We recognize that the process of sanctification 8 00:00:30,400 --> 00:00:35,680 Speaker 1: and growth takes time. Give us patience when we are discouraged, 9 00:00:37,120 --> 00:00:40,400 Speaker 1: Give us endurance when the storms of life seek to 10 00:00:40,440 --> 00:00:45,680 Speaker 1: throw us off course. The story of Christmas, the arrival 11 00:00:45,680 --> 00:00:49,960 Speaker 1: of your son, reminds us that your plans take time 12 00:00:50,159 --> 00:00:54,240 Speaker 1: to come to fruition, but they are worth the weight. 13 00:00:56,080 --> 00:01:00,960 Speaker 1: So here we are, Lord, waiting on you and declaring 14 00:01:01,000 --> 00:01:05,360 Speaker 1: trust in your timing. We love you and praise you 15 00:01:06,040 --> 00:01:10,319 Speaker 1: in all seasons in Jesus' name. Amen. 16 00:01:11,160 --> 00:01:15,199 Speaker 2: Joseph tossed and turned in his sleep. The vivid dream 17 00:01:15,319 --> 00:01:18,720 Speaker 2: God gave him before he married Mary flooded back into 18 00:01:18,720 --> 00:01:22,240 Speaker 2: his mind, the dream he had when the angels spoke 19 00:01:22,280 --> 00:01:27,399 Speaker 2: to him about Jesus. The lightning flashed again with a piercing light, 20 00:01:27,880 --> 00:01:31,440 Speaker 2: and Joseph immediately found himself elsewhere. He was at the 21 00:01:31,440 --> 00:01:33,880 Speaker 2: base of a cave carved into the side of a mountain. 22 00:01:34,440 --> 00:01:37,200 Speaker 2: All was quiet, and the only light source was from 23 00:01:37,240 --> 00:01:40,840 Speaker 2: within the cave. Joseph followed the faint glimmer, keeping his 24 00:01:40,959 --> 00:01:44,319 Speaker 2: balance on the cave's jagged walls. As he inched closer, 25 00:01:44,560 --> 00:01:47,320 Speaker 2: the air became warmer, like a room filled with the 26 00:01:47,319 --> 00:01:51,160 Speaker 2: comfort of a fireplace. The entire cave became filled with 27 00:01:51,200 --> 00:01:54,840 Speaker 2: the scent of frankinsense, and myrrh. As Joseph navigated the cave, 28 00:01:55,160 --> 00:01:58,120 Speaker 2: he could hear the sound of a child's cry, then 29 00:01:58,480 --> 00:02:01,760 Speaker 2: a hushing lullaby. The voice singing was gentle and soft, 30 00:02:01,960 --> 00:02:05,480 Speaker 2: like the evening spring breeze. Joseph knew that voice. 31 00:02:05,840 --> 00:02:07,280 Speaker 1: Mary, is that you? 32 00:02:07,920 --> 00:02:10,480 Speaker 2: He gasped. Joseph picked up his pace and rounded the 33 00:02:10,480 --> 00:02:13,320 Speaker 2: corner towards the light. But before he could see anything, 34 00:02:13,520 --> 00:02:17,040 Speaker 2: the cave flooded with water, and Joseph found himself swimming 35 00:02:17,080 --> 00:02:19,640 Speaker 2: for his life amidst a violent storm in the middle 36 00:02:19,680 --> 00:02:24,000 Speaker 2: of the sea. Joseph awoke in a cold sweet He 37 00:02:24,000 --> 00:02:27,240 Speaker 2: held his chest and looked over at Mary, sound asleep. 38 00:02:28,639 --> 00:02:32,639 Speaker 2: He looked at the horizon, foreboding storm clouds were galloping 39 00:02:32,639 --> 00:02:35,840 Speaker 2: in from the east. Joseph rose and began to prepare 40 00:02:35,840 --> 00:02:38,720 Speaker 2: the donkey for a quick escape. He wasn't sure why 41 00:02:38,760 --> 00:02:41,079 Speaker 2: God had returned the vision to him, but he knew 42 00:02:41,160 --> 00:02:43,000 Speaker 2: better than to ignore his dreams. 43 00:02:44,639 --> 00:02:47,680 Speaker 3: Hello, I'm Pastor Jack Graham with today's episode of the 44 00:02:47,720 --> 00:02:52,000 Speaker 3: Bible and a Year Podcast. In our previous episodes, Mary 45 00:02:52,000 --> 00:02:57,400 Speaker 3: and Joseph endured robbery, marital tension, and injuries. Ultimately, they 46 00:02:57,440 --> 00:03:00,480 Speaker 3: grew stronger because of it. This episode, it will take 47 00:03:00,560 --> 00:03:03,440 Speaker 3: us through the final few days of Mary and Joseph's 48 00:03:03,480 --> 00:03:08,880 Speaker 3: journey to Bethlehem. And although they've endured many trials already, 49 00:03:09,320 --> 00:03:13,079 Speaker 3: the worst is yet to come. A storm is brewing 50 00:03:13,080 --> 00:03:15,800 Speaker 3: in the distance. Will Mary be able to endure the 51 00:03:15,840 --> 00:03:19,440 Speaker 3: weather this late in her pregnancy. Joseph has faced robbers 52 00:03:19,440 --> 00:03:23,960 Speaker 3: to protect Mary, but can he face the monsoon. Let's 53 00:03:24,000 --> 00:03:27,760 Speaker 3: immerse ourselves in this story and put ourselves in their shoes. 54 00:03:28,600 --> 00:03:31,239 Speaker 3: Let's consider the storms in our lives that seek to 55 00:03:31,280 --> 00:03:35,720 Speaker 3: knock us off course. How do we respond to difficulty 56 00:03:35,840 --> 00:03:41,440 Speaker 3: in despair? We'll answer those questions and more afterward. Let's 57 00:03:41,520 --> 00:03:44,920 Speaker 3: dive into this dramatic story of Mary and Joseph's final 58 00:03:45,000 --> 00:03:48,160 Speaker 3: day on the road to Bethlehem. 59 00:03:49,120 --> 00:03:52,840 Speaker 2: Mary awoke to the sound of thunder. The winds picked up, 60 00:03:53,160 --> 00:03:57,720 Speaker 2: bringing a foreboding message a storm was coming. Joseph was 61 00:03:57,800 --> 00:04:01,080 Speaker 2: already awake and securing the straps on donkey. Do you 62 00:04:01,120 --> 00:04:04,480 Speaker 2: think the storm will travel south, Mary asked, gesturing to 63 00:04:04,520 --> 00:04:07,600 Speaker 2: the lightning in the distance. Joseph looked out and shook 64 00:04:07,640 --> 00:04:10,800 Speaker 2: his head. He felt his chest tighten. The winds are 65 00:04:10,840 --> 00:04:13,920 Speaker 2: blowing westward. I'm no sailor, but I think I can 66 00:04:13,960 --> 00:04:18,520 Speaker 2: confidently say this storm is headed our way. Joseph pointed 67 00:04:18,520 --> 00:04:21,080 Speaker 2: forward to the hills overlooking the valley. There should be 68 00:04:21,120 --> 00:04:24,159 Speaker 2: some wind caves tucked into those hills. We shall find 69 00:04:24,200 --> 00:04:28,440 Speaker 2: shelter before it's too late. Joseph's voice was broken and anxious. 70 00:04:29,240 --> 00:04:32,719 Speaker 2: Mary stood up and held her back. Lately, her body 71 00:04:32,760 --> 00:04:35,880 Speaker 2: had been feeling tense and uneasy. She had a feeling 72 00:04:35,960 --> 00:04:40,120 Speaker 2: Jesus would soon be on his way. She squeezed Joseph's hand. 73 00:04:40,720 --> 00:04:44,200 Speaker 2: Storms may come, she said, her voice gentle but with 74 00:04:44,400 --> 00:04:47,160 Speaker 2: underlying steel, But they will also pass. 75 00:04:48,080 --> 00:04:49,599 Speaker 1: We will weather this together. 76 00:04:50,279 --> 00:04:54,480 Speaker 2: Joseph nodded and looked up. The sunrise was covered by darkness. 77 00:04:55,200 --> 00:04:59,919 Speaker 2: The winds churned them up like sand, under waves, thunder rumble, 78 00:05:00,279 --> 00:05:03,640 Speaker 2: echoing the restless heartbeats of every creature on the land. 79 00:05:04,520 --> 00:05:07,880 Speaker 2: Birds retreated to their nests, and animals scurried back to 80 00:05:07,920 --> 00:05:12,440 Speaker 2: their burrows. Yet Joseph and Mary were exposed. The rains 81 00:05:12,440 --> 00:05:15,720 Speaker 2: descended with violent force, and the winds howled with anger. 82 00:05:16,520 --> 00:05:19,479 Speaker 2: Joseph drove his feet into the mud and guided Mary 83 00:05:19,480 --> 00:05:21,880 Speaker 2: and the donkey through the winding hills leading up to 84 00:05:21,960 --> 00:05:25,200 Speaker 2: some caves. The pass up to the caves was steep. 85 00:05:25,760 --> 00:05:28,880 Speaker 2: Joseph marched up with all his might, but the ground 86 00:05:28,960 --> 00:05:32,320 Speaker 2: beneath him gave way with every step. Before they could 87 00:05:32,360 --> 00:05:36,080 Speaker 2: reach the top, Joseph slipped onto a moving stone. Joseph. 88 00:05:36,240 --> 00:05:39,200 Speaker 2: Mary gasped as she watched him slide down the jagged 89 00:05:39,279 --> 00:05:42,440 Speaker 2: edge of the hill. Mary quickly dismounted the donkey and 90 00:05:42,560 --> 00:05:45,560 Speaker 2: reached for him, but Joseph slipped right through her fingers. 91 00:05:45,839 --> 00:05:48,520 Speaker 2: He slid down the rocky slope, but caught himself on 92 00:05:48,560 --> 00:05:52,359 Speaker 2: a route buried in the ground. Ah Joseph gasped in pain. 93 00:05:52,760 --> 00:05:56,039 Speaker 2: The rain beat mercilessly as he tried to pull himself up, 94 00:05:56,360 --> 00:05:59,240 Speaker 2: but the mud and falling rocks weighed heavy on his body. 95 00:05:59,440 --> 00:06:02,599 Speaker 2: Marry he shouted, but the thunder and rain drowned out 96 00:06:02,600 --> 00:06:06,000 Speaker 2: his voice. Joseph feared he couldn't hold on much longer. 97 00:06:06,320 --> 00:06:09,880 Speaker 2: Hold on, Mary shouted, she had to act before Joseph 98 00:06:09,960 --> 00:06:13,039 Speaker 2: fell over the edge. She tore her shawl in blankets 99 00:06:13,080 --> 00:06:15,920 Speaker 2: and fastened them to a rope. She tied one end 100 00:06:15,960 --> 00:06:18,680 Speaker 2: to the donkey and another to a heavy branch. Joseph, 101 00:06:18,960 --> 00:06:22,680 Speaker 2: she cried, her voice barely discernible through the storm. Grab 102 00:06:22,720 --> 00:06:25,240 Speaker 2: onto this. She tossed the branch down to Joseph, and 103 00:06:25,279 --> 00:06:27,880 Speaker 2: he grabbed hold. Mary took the reins of the donkey 104 00:06:27,960 --> 00:06:30,800 Speaker 2: and led it up the hill. The donkey slowly pulled 105 00:06:30,800 --> 00:06:33,640 Speaker 2: through the rain and muck. Joseph was pulled back over 106 00:06:33,680 --> 00:06:36,560 Speaker 2: the ledge as Mary marched with the donkey. Mary ran 107 00:06:36,600 --> 00:06:40,000 Speaker 2: to him and grabbed his face. Are you okay, she panted. 108 00:06:40,520 --> 00:06:43,560 Speaker 2: I think so, Joseph said, with a weary smile. The 109 00:06:43,640 --> 00:06:46,680 Speaker 2: rain hadn't let up, and the ground underneath them was flooding. 110 00:06:47,240 --> 00:06:50,279 Speaker 2: Joseph pointed towards an opening in the mountain. Get to 111 00:06:50,360 --> 00:06:53,680 Speaker 2: the caves, he yelled. Mary helped Joseph to his feet 112 00:06:53,760 --> 00:06:56,560 Speaker 2: and put his arm around her shoulders. The two of 113 00:06:56,600 --> 00:06:59,120 Speaker 2: them took the donkey and limped to a nearby cave. 114 00:06:59,480 --> 00:07:02,360 Speaker 2: It wasn't warm or comfortable, but it was safe from 115 00:07:02,400 --> 00:07:05,840 Speaker 2: the onslaught of wind and rain. As the rain intensified, 116 00:07:06,040 --> 00:07:10,960 Speaker 2: the cave became a sanctuary, its walls muting the storm's roar. Inside, 117 00:07:11,160 --> 00:07:14,640 Speaker 2: the dim light painted shadows that danced to the storm's song. 118 00:07:15,280 --> 00:07:18,200 Speaker 2: Mary wrapped herself in the tattered remains of the blankets 119 00:07:18,280 --> 00:07:22,679 Speaker 2: and settled down. Exhaustion was evident in her every movement. 120 00:07:23,520 --> 00:07:27,240 Speaker 2: Joseph wrapped his arms around her, worried the worst wasn't over. 121 00:07:27,920 --> 00:07:31,640 Speaker 2: An hour passed, and each moment seemed to last a lifetime. 122 00:07:32,240 --> 00:07:36,000 Speaker 2: Amidst the storm's cacophony, Mary's voice began to sing a 123 00:07:36,040 --> 00:07:40,760 Speaker 2: soft lullaby. She sang of hope, journeys, and love that endures. 124 00:07:41,520 --> 00:07:45,960 Speaker 2: The cave amplified its healing notes. Joseph listened to her singing, 125 00:07:46,360 --> 00:07:50,120 Speaker 2: lost in thought and affection for his wife. Then his 126 00:07:50,280 --> 00:07:53,560 Speaker 2: memory flooded with images of the dream God had given him. 127 00:07:54,160 --> 00:07:57,280 Speaker 2: He remembered hearing Mary's voice singing softly in a cave 128 00:07:57,680 --> 00:08:01,800 Speaker 2: before he was swept up in water. Joseph's eyes widened 129 00:08:02,040 --> 00:08:04,360 Speaker 2: and his ears perked up to the sound of rushing 130 00:08:04,400 --> 00:08:08,240 Speaker 2: water behind them, Mary, he interrupted, We need to leave now. 131 00:08:08,560 --> 00:08:12,320 Speaker 2: What's wrong, Mary asked, but before Joseph could respond, a 132 00:08:12,360 --> 00:08:15,480 Speaker 2: flash flood of monsoon water began to burst through the 133 00:08:15,520 --> 00:08:18,800 Speaker 2: opposite end of the cave. Joseph scooped Mary up in 134 00:08:18,840 --> 00:08:21,960 Speaker 2: his arms and ran outside. The floodwaters burst through the 135 00:08:22,000 --> 00:08:25,120 Speaker 2: cave behind them, nearly knocking them on to the jagged rocks. 136 00:08:25,880 --> 00:08:28,360 Speaker 2: Joseph rounded the corner of the rocks and sprang up 137 00:08:28,360 --> 00:08:31,240 Speaker 2: with Mary still in his arms. He got at a 138 00:08:31,280 --> 00:08:34,040 Speaker 2: safety on the hill's summit and slid down to retrieve 139 00:08:34,080 --> 00:08:37,440 Speaker 2: the donkey. He pulled at its reins, forcing it forward 140 00:08:37,480 --> 00:08:40,640 Speaker 2: and on to the stones with them. Joseph wrapped himself 141 00:08:40,640 --> 00:08:43,320 Speaker 2: over Mary, the only covering between her and the raging 142 00:08:43,320 --> 00:08:48,480 Speaker 2: winds hell purslrd. Mary whimpered. The two prayed silently and 143 00:08:48,559 --> 00:08:51,520 Speaker 2: held each other close, the sound of rushing water below 144 00:08:51,600 --> 00:08:55,320 Speaker 2: them and howling winds above. The two prayed silently and 145 00:08:55,400 --> 00:08:58,240 Speaker 2: held each other close, the sound of rushing water below 146 00:08:58,280 --> 00:09:02,719 Speaker 2: them and howling winds above. The storm roared louder as 147 00:09:02,720 --> 00:09:05,480 Speaker 2: if sensing the challenge, but Marry and Joseph. 148 00:09:05,240 --> 00:09:06,160 Speaker 1: Didn't lose hope. 149 00:09:06,360 --> 00:09:08,959 Speaker 2: They continued in prayer and lifted up a shout of 150 00:09:09,040 --> 00:09:12,680 Speaker 2: praise to God. Slowly, but surely, the worst of the 151 00:09:12,760 --> 00:09:17,400 Speaker 2: storm left. As dawn approached, the wind waned. The first 152 00:09:17,480 --> 00:09:21,480 Speaker 2: rays of sunlight pierced the dark clouds outside the cave. 153 00:09:21,679 --> 00:09:26,400 Speaker 2: The wilderness was transformed. Puddles shimmered like mirrors reflecting the sky, 154 00:09:26,679 --> 00:09:30,400 Speaker 2: and the fresh and invigorating air seemed to promise new beginnings. 155 00:09:31,520 --> 00:09:34,680 Speaker 2: Joseph and Mary looked up taking in the world, reborn. 156 00:09:35,320 --> 00:09:39,520 Speaker 2: The trials of their journey, though harsh, had also been transformative. 157 00:09:40,400 --> 00:09:43,760 Speaker 2: Like the desert after the storm, they too were renewed. 158 00:09:44,679 --> 00:09:47,679 Speaker 2: Their bond was stronger than ever. The storm had been 159 00:09:47,679 --> 00:09:52,600 Speaker 2: a reminder of life's unpredictability and the enduring power of faith, love, 160 00:09:52,800 --> 00:09:56,680 Speaker 2: and hope. Now high in the sky, the sun cast 161 00:09:56,720 --> 00:09:59,920 Speaker 2: its golden glow over the land, guiding Mary and Joseph 162 00:10:00,080 --> 00:10:04,360 Speaker 2: on their journey. Bethlehem was in sight. Their footsteps, those 163 00:10:04,400 --> 00:10:07,360 Speaker 2: small in the vastness of the valley, were steps towards 164 00:10:07,360 --> 00:10:10,840 Speaker 2: a future that would change the course of human history. 165 00:10:19,360 --> 00:10:23,079 Speaker 3: The storms of life often come with little warning, leaving 166 00:10:23,160 --> 00:10:28,240 Speaker 3: us to scramble for shelter, security, and sanity. As the 167 00:10:28,280 --> 00:10:31,760 Speaker 3: winds whip and the rains pour. We may feel battered, 168 00:10:32,040 --> 00:10:36,680 Speaker 3: broken and defeated, but the storms we face in life 169 00:10:36,920 --> 00:10:41,559 Speaker 3: are meant to strengthen us. Just as in the moving 170 00:10:41,640 --> 00:10:45,000 Speaker 3: depiction of Mary and Joseph facing a literal storm on 171 00:10:45,040 --> 00:10:49,040 Speaker 3: their way to Bethlehem, we're reminded that it is not 172 00:10:49,080 --> 00:10:52,640 Speaker 3: the trials themselves, but how we respond to them that 173 00:10:52,760 --> 00:10:58,680 Speaker 3: shapes our faith. In this biblical fiction, Joseph's wisdom and 174 00:10:58,880 --> 00:11:04,520 Speaker 3: Mary's steadfast face are anchors during their ordeal. The unexpected 175 00:11:04,559 --> 00:11:08,680 Speaker 3: trials they endure magnified their trust in God and their 176 00:11:08,760 --> 00:11:14,120 Speaker 3: love for one another. As we face our storms, let 177 00:11:14,240 --> 00:11:17,880 Speaker 3: us also recognize the hand of God working in our lives, 178 00:11:18,240 --> 00:11:22,840 Speaker 3: guiding us, strengthening us, and even using these challenges to 179 00:11:22,880 --> 00:11:28,200 Speaker 3: transform us. In the story, Mary and Joseph's faith is tested, 180 00:11:28,800 --> 00:11:32,480 Speaker 3: yet instead of succumbing to fear, they embrace the storm. 181 00:11:34,120 --> 00:11:37,880 Speaker 3: The storms of life aren't inevitable. There is no avoiding 182 00:11:38,040 --> 00:11:42,480 Speaker 3: hard times. The choice we have is how we endure them. 183 00:11:43,840 --> 00:11:48,000 Speaker 3: Mary's words, storms may come, but they also pass. Will 184 00:11:48,040 --> 00:11:53,120 Speaker 3: weather this together speak of hope, resilience, and confidence in 185 00:11:53,200 --> 00:11:59,400 Speaker 3: God's faithfulness. Paul echoes this in Philippians chapter one, verse six, saying, 186 00:11:59,800 --> 00:12:02,920 Speaker 3: be confident of this that He who began a good 187 00:12:03,000 --> 00:12:06,240 Speaker 3: work in you will carry it on to completion until 188 00:12:06,240 --> 00:12:11,800 Speaker 3: the day of Christ Jesus. This promise encourages us to 189 00:12:11,840 --> 00:12:15,240 Speaker 3: recognize that even the strongest storms will not thwart the 190 00:12:15,280 --> 00:12:20,960 Speaker 3: work God wants to do in our lives. Throughout the 191 00:12:21,040 --> 00:12:25,240 Speaker 3: harrowing experience, Joseph and Mary's bond is their greatest strength. 192 00:12:26,440 --> 00:12:30,040 Speaker 3: They support and encourage each other, reflecting the importance of 193 00:12:30,120 --> 00:12:34,080 Speaker 3: community in our own lives. In our walk with Christ, 194 00:12:34,400 --> 00:12:37,120 Speaker 3: we need to surround ourselves with those who will lift 195 00:12:37,160 --> 00:12:41,040 Speaker 3: us up, pray for us, and remind us of God's promises. 196 00:12:41,640 --> 00:12:46,200 Speaker 3: Think for a moment about your fondest Christmas memories. I 197 00:12:46,200 --> 00:12:50,320 Speaker 3: would guess that those memories rarely involve specific gifts you received, 198 00:12:50,800 --> 00:12:54,120 Speaker 3: but rather the people you were surrounded by and the 199 00:12:54,160 --> 00:12:57,800 Speaker 3: bond you shared. The Christmas season often reminds us that 200 00:12:58,040 --> 00:13:01,280 Speaker 3: loving community is greater than the gifts we can receive. 201 00:13:02,320 --> 00:13:06,360 Speaker 3: While the world relies on comfort and material possessions, we 202 00:13:06,440 --> 00:13:09,760 Speaker 3: rely on the loving embrace of God and the community 203 00:13:09,840 --> 00:13:16,240 Speaker 3: he surrounds us with. This episode also highlights prayer and 204 00:13:16,400 --> 00:13:22,160 Speaker 3: praise as a weapon against despair. Mary and Joseph's response 205 00:13:22,200 --> 00:13:26,480 Speaker 3: to the crisis is marked by prayer and praise. They 206 00:13:26,520 --> 00:13:29,559 Speaker 3: call upon the Lord and even shout praises amidst the 207 00:13:29,679 --> 00:13:35,959 Speaker 3: raging storm. This illustrates a profound truth. Prayer and praise 208 00:13:36,000 --> 00:13:41,400 Speaker 3: are powerful weapons in our spiritual arsenal. They shift our 209 00:13:41,440 --> 00:13:45,480 Speaker 3: focus from the problem to the provider, from the storm 210 00:13:45,600 --> 00:13:50,520 Speaker 3: to the Savior. After the storm, the wilderness is transformed, 211 00:13:51,040 --> 00:13:55,320 Speaker 3: and so are Mary and Joseph. They emerge renewed, their 212 00:13:55,360 --> 00:14:01,280 Speaker 3: bond stronger, their faith deepened. Similarly, the storms in our 213 00:14:01,360 --> 00:14:06,680 Speaker 3: lives can lead to transformation. As we trust God through 214 00:14:06,720 --> 00:14:09,880 Speaker 3: the trials, we are shaped into the likeness of Christ. 215 00:14:10,440 --> 00:14:15,600 Speaker 3: Our faith matures, and our character is refined. The storms 216 00:14:15,640 --> 00:14:18,440 Speaker 3: we face are not meant to break us, but to 217 00:14:18,520 --> 00:14:21,960 Speaker 3: build us. The story of Mary and Joseph on their 218 00:14:22,040 --> 00:14:26,040 Speaker 3: journey to Bethlehem is a beautiful reminder that God's faithfulness 219 00:14:26,120 --> 00:14:32,480 Speaker 3: is unchanging, his love is unending, and his purpose for 220 00:14:32,600 --> 00:14:38,280 Speaker 3: our lives is unshakable. As we face the storms of life, 221 00:14:38,520 --> 00:14:41,440 Speaker 3: may we take hold of the assurance found in Philippians 222 00:14:41,520 --> 00:14:46,240 Speaker 3: Chapter one, verse six, knowing that God, who began a 223 00:14:46,280 --> 00:14:49,520 Speaker 3: good work in us, will be faithful to complete it. 224 00:14:51,080 --> 00:14:54,520 Speaker 3: May we embrace the challenges with faith, navigate them with 225 00:14:54,680 --> 00:14:58,400 Speaker 3: the support of the community, respond with prayer and praise, 226 00:14:58,720 --> 00:15:03,120 Speaker 3: and emerge renew and transformed, ready to walk the path 227 00:15:03,160 --> 00:15:07,480 Speaker 3: that God has sent before us. Thanks for listening to 228 00:15:07,480 --> 00:15:11,440 Speaker 3: today's Bible in a Year podcast. I'm Pastor Jack Graham 229 00:15:11,480 --> 00:15:15,080 Speaker 3: from Dallas, Texas. Download thepray dot com app and make 230 00:15:15,160 --> 00:15:18,800 Speaker 3: prayer a priority in your life. If you enjoy this podcast, 231 00:15:18,840 --> 00:15:21,840 Speaker 3: share it with someone you love. By sharing this podcast, 232 00:15:22,040 --> 00:15:25,040 Speaker 3: you can make a difference in someone's life. And if 233 00:15:25,040 --> 00:15:27,680 Speaker 3: you want more resources on how to tap into God's 234 00:15:27,720 --> 00:15:32,440 Speaker 3: power for successful Christian living, be sure to visit Jagraham 235 00:15:32,520 --> 00:15:35,760 Speaker 3: dot org. God bless you.