1 00:00:00,360 --> 00:00:03,560 Speaker 1: He has said to me, my grace is sufficient for you, 2 00:00:04,440 --> 00:00:10,000 Speaker 1: for my power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, 3 00:00:10,039 --> 00:00:13,600 Speaker 1: I will rather glory in my weakness, that the power 4 00:00:13,600 --> 00:00:19,160 Speaker 1: of Christ may rest on me. Second Corinthians twelve nine. 5 00:00:19,600 --> 00:00:24,759 Speaker 1: Dear Heavenly Father, when we feel weak, inadequate, or overwhelmed, 6 00:00:25,600 --> 00:00:29,840 Speaker 1: we reminded that it is precisely in these moments that 7 00:00:29,920 --> 00:00:36,080 Speaker 1: your strength, power, and grace shine brightest. We ask for 8 00:00:36,120 --> 00:00:40,000 Speaker 1: the humility to accept our weaknesses, and the faith to 9 00:00:40,080 --> 00:00:44,280 Speaker 1: see them not as failures, but as opportunities for your 10 00:00:44,360 --> 00:00:48,760 Speaker 1: power to be displayed. Help us, Lord, to rely not 11 00:00:48,920 --> 00:00:52,839 Speaker 1: on our own strength, but on the abundant grace you 12 00:00:52,920 --> 00:00:58,400 Speaker 1: freely give us in our struggles and trials. Let us 13 00:00:58,440 --> 00:01:03,240 Speaker 1: feel your presence and power resting upon us, giving us 14 00:01:03,280 --> 00:01:08,760 Speaker 1: the courage and resilience to endure through our weaknesses. May 15 00:01:08,800 --> 00:01:12,759 Speaker 1: we be a testament to your infinite strength and love. 16 00:01:13,600 --> 00:01:17,040 Speaker 1: We pray in the name of Jesus, our source of 17 00:01:17,160 --> 00:01:19,600 Speaker 1: power and grace. Amen. 18 00:01:27,280 --> 00:01:31,400 Speaker 2: Nazareth was far from a vibrant, bustling town. Its character 19 00:01:31,520 --> 00:01:35,600 Speaker 2: was more defined by its ordinary, even dull nature, far 20 00:01:35,640 --> 00:01:39,120 Speaker 2: removed from the trade routes, absent any shoreline, and devoid 21 00:01:39,160 --> 00:01:42,640 Speaker 2: of the rich cultural tapestry found in other cities. Nazareth 22 00:01:42,760 --> 00:01:46,480 Speaker 2: was perhaps most notable for its unremarkableness, a town with 23 00:01:46,600 --> 00:01:50,800 Speaker 2: no glorious past, her old tales, or exciting happenings. Yet, 24 00:01:50,840 --> 00:01:53,400 Speaker 2: the dusty and forgotten town, far from the holy City 25 00:01:53,400 --> 00:01:56,800 Speaker 2: of Jerusalem was about to be visited by God himself. 26 00:01:57,400 --> 00:01:59,360 Speaker 2: The God who had been silent and hidden in the 27 00:01:59,400 --> 00:02:02,800 Speaker 2: margins of history for four hundred years was about to 28 00:02:02,840 --> 00:02:08,560 Speaker 2: descend upon humanity. In this forsaken city Nazareth, God's hero 29 00:02:08,960 --> 00:02:09,959 Speaker 2: would be revealed. 30 00:02:13,520 --> 00:02:15,639 Speaker 3: We're so glad you joined us on the Bible and 31 00:02:15,720 --> 00:02:18,919 Speaker 3: of your podcast today. The Bible into your Podcast is 32 00:02:18,960 --> 00:02:22,560 Speaker 3: an outreach of PowerPoint Ministries and can only come to 33 00:02:22,600 --> 00:02:26,080 Speaker 3: you each week through the support of listeners just like you. 34 00:02:26,080 --> 00:02:28,960 Speaker 3: Your support today is so important that we want to 35 00:02:29,000 --> 00:02:30,919 Speaker 3: thank you for your gift by giving you a copy 36 00:02:30,960 --> 00:02:34,080 Speaker 3: of my book called The Jesus Book. It is a 37 00:02:34,080 --> 00:02:36,760 Speaker 3: powerful guide that shows how every book of the Bible 38 00:02:36,800 --> 00:02:40,480 Speaker 3: points to Jesus and how his living word, the truth 39 00:02:40,520 --> 00:02:44,079 Speaker 3: of God's Word, will transform your life. So to get 40 00:02:44,080 --> 00:02:47,000 Speaker 3: a copy of The Jesus Book, simply go to Jack 41 00:02:47,040 --> 00:02:51,560 Speaker 3: Graham dot org. Slash Jesus. That's Jack Graham dot Org 42 00:02:51,919 --> 00:02:56,920 Speaker 3: slash Jesus and thank you for your support. The Christmas 43 00:02:56,919 --> 00:03:00,680 Speaker 3: season is upon us. This is the perfect time to 44 00:03:00,760 --> 00:03:05,760 Speaker 3: explore the beautiful and epic journey of the Nativity. Christ's 45 00:03:05,760 --> 00:03:10,800 Speaker 3: birth is a tale of drama, danger, loyalty, and divine intervention. 46 00:03:12,120 --> 00:03:14,560 Speaker 3: It's my joy to guide you today as we are 47 00:03:14,560 --> 00:03:18,359 Speaker 3: introduced to Mary, a young woman from the small city 48 00:03:18,440 --> 00:03:24,280 Speaker 3: of Nazareth. Mary's story is that of humility, strength and devotion. 49 00:03:25,600 --> 00:03:28,640 Speaker 3: Mary was a mere vessel in the grand plan of salvation, 50 00:03:29,360 --> 00:03:32,680 Speaker 3: but she stands as an example for all believers today. 51 00:03:34,000 --> 00:03:37,320 Speaker 3: Her humble submission to God's will and her strength and 52 00:03:37,400 --> 00:03:41,640 Speaker 3: the face of adversity reminds us of the remarkable ways 53 00:03:41,840 --> 00:03:47,200 Speaker 3: God uses ordinary people for his extraordinary purposes. We're about 54 00:03:47,240 --> 00:03:51,120 Speaker 3: to immerse ourselves in a cinematic retelling of Matthew and 55 00:03:51,240 --> 00:03:55,760 Speaker 3: Luke's account of Mary. As we listen and reflect on 56 00:03:55,840 --> 00:03:59,680 Speaker 3: her life, may we be inspired to approach our walk 57 00:03:59,720 --> 00:04:03,640 Speaker 3: with God God with the same humility and strength, trusting 58 00:04:03,720 --> 00:04:09,240 Speaker 3: in his plan regardless of our challenges and uncertainty. The 59 00:04:09,320 --> 00:04:12,160 Speaker 3: life of Mary teaches us that when we submit to 60 00:04:12,200 --> 00:04:15,920 Speaker 3: God's will, he provides the strength we need to fulfill 61 00:04:16,000 --> 00:04:21,000 Speaker 3: his purpose. This is only the beginning of Mary's harrowing story. 62 00:04:21,920 --> 00:04:25,200 Speaker 3: Let's listen now and then unpack more of the deeper 63 00:04:25,240 --> 00:04:26,080 Speaker 3: themes of her life. 64 00:04:26,120 --> 00:04:33,120 Speaker 2: Afterwards, sunrise broke over the dusty hills surrounding Nazareth. The 65 00:04:33,200 --> 00:04:36,920 Speaker 2: mild morning rays gently broke the chill of dawn. Its 66 00:04:37,000 --> 00:04:40,720 Speaker 2: light methodically sifted through the window in Mary's room. She 67 00:04:40,800 --> 00:04:44,720 Speaker 2: slowly awoke, her lungs filled with the dry and crisp air. 68 00:04:45,120 --> 00:04:48,039 Speaker 2: She carefully wrapped herself up, with deliberate caution not to 69 00:04:48,040 --> 00:04:49,080 Speaker 2: stir her siblings. 70 00:04:49,640 --> 00:04:50,560 Speaker 4: She stepped into. 71 00:04:50,360 --> 00:04:54,320 Speaker 2: The awakening day. The cool, dry breeze gently caressed her cheeks. 72 00:04:54,800 --> 00:04:58,400 Speaker 2: Animals responded to the rooster's call, and life began to hum. 73 00:04:58,480 --> 00:05:01,839 Speaker 2: As families awoke from their rest most grasping a pale, 74 00:05:02,000 --> 00:05:05,120 Speaker 2: Mary started her daily trek towards the town's lone well. 75 00:05:05,680 --> 00:05:09,200 Speaker 2: Nazareth was far from a vibrant, bustling town. Its character 76 00:05:09,360 --> 00:05:12,839 Speaker 2: was more defined by its ordinary, even dull nature. Far 77 00:05:12,880 --> 00:05:15,880 Speaker 2: removed from the trade routes, absent any shoreline, and devoid 78 00:05:15,880 --> 00:05:19,280 Speaker 2: of the rich cultural tapestry found in other cities, Nazareth 79 00:05:19,360 --> 00:05:23,160 Speaker 2: was perhaps most notable for its unremarkableness, a town with 80 00:05:23,279 --> 00:05:27,680 Speaker 2: no glorious past, no heroic tales, and no exciting happenings. Yet, 81 00:05:27,720 --> 00:05:32,279 Speaker 2: for Mary, a flicker of anticipation made Nazareth seem less monotonous. 82 00:05:32,640 --> 00:05:34,400 Speaker 2: She was engaged to be married to one of the 83 00:05:34,440 --> 00:05:38,080 Speaker 2: local Stonemasons, Joseph. He was hardly the most handsome man 84 00:05:38,080 --> 00:05:41,760 Speaker 2: in Nazareth, nor the most skilled craftsman, but he was kind. 85 00:05:42,560 --> 00:05:45,320 Speaker 2: His gentle and quiet strength made him a kindred spirit 86 00:05:45,360 --> 00:05:49,240 Speaker 2: to Mary. To her, being betrothed to Joseph was exciting 87 00:05:49,520 --> 00:05:53,839 Speaker 2: a break in Nazareth's otherwise dull life. Mary drew water 88 00:05:53,880 --> 00:05:55,839 Speaker 2: from the well with the other young women in the town. 89 00:05:56,400 --> 00:05:59,360 Speaker 2: They playfully questioned Mary about her marriage and dreamed about 90 00:05:59,400 --> 00:06:03,160 Speaker 2: their own future wives, mothers, friends, and elders in the community. 91 00:06:03,680 --> 00:06:06,320 Speaker 2: It was a simple and joyful life, Mary led. She 92 00:06:06,320 --> 00:06:09,359 Speaker 2: wouldn't trade it for anything. Mary lugged her filled pale 93 00:06:09,440 --> 00:06:12,159 Speaker 2: back home. Her siblings had left for their chores and 94 00:06:12,240 --> 00:06:14,920 Speaker 2: her parents had started their day's work in the market place. 95 00:06:15,360 --> 00:06:18,119 Speaker 2: She climbed the incline leading to her home, her arms 96 00:06:18,200 --> 00:06:21,039 Speaker 2: aching under the weight of the water. She pushed the 97 00:06:21,080 --> 00:06:24,200 Speaker 2: door open with her foot entered and turned around, only 98 00:06:24,240 --> 00:06:28,800 Speaker 2: to find a divine creature resting on her room's lattice. Greeting, Oh, 99 00:06:29,120 --> 00:06:33,000 Speaker 2: favorite one, the angel announced, making Mary startle and loose 100 00:06:33,080 --> 00:06:36,440 Speaker 2: grip on her pail. Waters splashed across the room, and 101 00:06:36,520 --> 00:06:39,680 Speaker 2: Mary stumbled backwards on to the hard floor. Trying to 102 00:06:39,800 --> 00:06:42,680 Speaker 2: escape the surprise visitor. She attempted to rush out, but 103 00:06:42,800 --> 00:06:46,320 Speaker 2: the angel appeared before her, his face wearing a reassuring smile. 104 00:06:47,120 --> 00:06:50,320 Speaker 4: Please do not be afraid. The Lord is with you. 105 00:06:50,880 --> 00:06:54,360 Speaker 2: His words left Mary puzzled, yet her fear was slightly alleviated. 106 00:06:54,800 --> 00:06:57,800 Speaker 2: She slowly retreated and sat on her bed's edge. 107 00:06:57,880 --> 00:07:01,560 Speaker 4: The angel spread his arms wide. I am Gabriel, and 108 00:07:01,600 --> 00:07:05,320 Speaker 4: I have come bearing good news. You, oh favorite one, 109 00:07:05,640 --> 00:07:07,840 Speaker 4: have been chosen. What does that mean? 110 00:07:08,080 --> 00:07:11,920 Speaker 2: Mary asked, her hands absently fidgeting in her lap. The 111 00:07:12,000 --> 00:07:15,240 Speaker 2: angel's smile grew wider as he spoke. His words were 112 00:07:15,280 --> 00:07:18,920 Speaker 2: an intermingling of news and worship. Unto the Lord, Mary, 113 00:07:19,600 --> 00:07:23,560 Speaker 2: you have found favor with God, Gabriel explained. You are 114 00:07:23,640 --> 00:07:27,160 Speaker 2: to pare a burden and blessing unlike any other in 115 00:07:27,240 --> 00:07:31,960 Speaker 2: the world. His voice was melodic. You, Mary will conceive 116 00:07:32,120 --> 00:07:35,840 Speaker 2: a son. The child in your womb will be God's 117 00:07:35,960 --> 00:07:39,560 Speaker 2: chosen one, the mighty, son of the Most High, who 118 00:07:39,600 --> 00:07:44,040 Speaker 2: will bear the weight of mankind. The Lord will establish 119 00:07:44,080 --> 00:07:48,080 Speaker 2: his kingdom through him. He will inherit David's throne, and 120 00:07:48,200 --> 00:07:54,000 Speaker 2: his kingdom will be eternal, his glory everlasting. The impact 121 00:07:54,080 --> 00:07:57,600 Speaker 2: of Gabriel's words left Mary perplexed. She shook her head 122 00:07:57,640 --> 00:07:59,400 Speaker 2: in disbelief. How can this be? 123 00:08:00,520 --> 00:08:03,480 Speaker 4: I am a virgin, I am young and have not 124 00:08:03,600 --> 00:08:04,280 Speaker 4: known a man. 125 00:08:05,200 --> 00:08:10,480 Speaker 2: Her eyes welled up, the enormity of the revelation overwhelming her. Gabriel, 126 00:08:10,680 --> 00:08:14,760 Speaker 2: noticing her distress, descended to eye level. The angel wasn't human, 127 00:08:14,840 --> 00:08:17,640 Speaker 2: but he wore an emphathetic grin as he reassured Mary 128 00:08:17,640 --> 00:08:18,560 Speaker 2: of her Calling. 129 00:08:19,320 --> 00:08:23,840 Speaker 4: Mary, all things are possible with God. The Holy Spirit 130 00:08:23,880 --> 00:08:26,840 Speaker 4: will come upon you. The power of the Highest God 131 00:08:27,000 --> 00:08:30,280 Speaker 4: will overshadow you. The child you carry will be the 132 00:08:30,400 --> 00:08:32,120 Speaker 4: son of God himself. 133 00:08:33,040 --> 00:08:36,480 Speaker 2: Seeing her eyes widen in shock, he continued, your. 134 00:08:36,400 --> 00:08:41,920 Speaker 4: Cousin, Elizabeth, well past her Childberry ages already six months pregnant. 135 00:08:42,640 --> 00:08:45,800 Speaker 4: Now tell me is there anything the Lord cannot do? 136 00:08:46,760 --> 00:08:50,120 Speaker 2: For a moment, Mary sat in silence. She could feel 137 00:08:50,160 --> 00:08:53,800 Speaker 2: God's spirit strengthening her, Her racing thoughts begin to settle 138 00:08:53,800 --> 00:08:57,480 Speaker 2: into a calm stream. Closing her eyes tightly, she laid 139 00:08:57,480 --> 00:08:59,840 Speaker 2: a hand on her belly. It was then she felt 140 00:08:59,840 --> 00:09:00,480 Speaker 2: the favor of a. 141 00:09:00,520 --> 00:09:01,439 Speaker 4: God wash of her. 142 00:09:02,080 --> 00:09:08,800 Speaker 2: Joy. Indescribable and incomprehensible joy filled her. She stood, wiping 143 00:09:08,800 --> 00:09:11,840 Speaker 2: her tears and dusting off her dress, a smile gracing 144 00:09:11,880 --> 00:09:15,160 Speaker 2: her face as she met Gabriel's gaze. After a deep breath, 145 00:09:15,280 --> 00:09:20,120 Speaker 2: she proclaimed, I am God's servant. 146 00:09:21,040 --> 00:09:24,120 Speaker 4: I will gladly receive his will according to what you've said. 147 00:09:25,080 --> 00:09:29,199 Speaker 2: With a nod, Gabriel vanished. Mary stepped outside. The sun 148 00:09:29,280 --> 00:09:32,000 Speaker 2: was high of her head. She bathed in its warm 149 00:09:32,080 --> 00:09:35,400 Speaker 2: rays and watched the village resume its regular rhythm. She 150 00:09:35,520 --> 00:09:39,440 Speaker 2: heard birds chirping and harmony with the gentle breeze. Suddenly, 151 00:09:39,720 --> 00:09:43,560 Speaker 2: the mundane day radiated with a divine glow. Her heart 152 00:09:43,640 --> 00:09:47,240 Speaker 2: pounded with anticipation and fear would lay ahead. Yet she 153 00:09:47,280 --> 00:09:51,600 Speaker 2: knew Gabriel's words held true. What would Joseph think? What 154 00:09:51,640 --> 00:09:55,040 Speaker 2: would her family do? So many questions race through her mind. 155 00:09:55,720 --> 00:09:58,080 Speaker 2: Mary decided the best thing to do was visit her 156 00:09:58,080 --> 00:10:01,280 Speaker 2: cousin Elizabeth to witness what God was doing. 157 00:10:03,160 --> 00:10:07,400 Speaker 3: This was not the life Mary expected for herself. Let's 158 00:10:07,400 --> 00:10:10,760 Speaker 3: put ourselves in Mary's shoes for a moment. She's young, 159 00:10:11,040 --> 00:10:13,800 Speaker 3: betrothed to be married, and has her whole life ahead 160 00:10:13,800 --> 00:10:17,240 Speaker 3: of her. She was undoubtedly dreaming about her wedding day, 161 00:10:17,520 --> 00:10:21,280 Speaker 3: having children with Joseph, and living a simple life in Nazareth. 162 00:10:22,400 --> 00:10:26,560 Speaker 3: But God had different plans for Mary. It can be 163 00:10:26,600 --> 00:10:29,880 Speaker 3: hard when God interrupts our plans, can't it. There are 164 00:10:30,000 --> 00:10:33,040 Speaker 3: key moments in our lives when we expect one thing 165 00:10:33,080 --> 00:10:37,200 Speaker 3: to happen, but it turns out God has different plans. 166 00:10:37,800 --> 00:10:41,880 Speaker 3: Luke Chapter one says that Mary graciously accepted God's plans 167 00:10:41,880 --> 00:10:45,360 Speaker 3: for her. It couldn't have been easy. Think about all 168 00:10:45,400 --> 00:10:48,280 Speaker 3: the hardship Mary would endure because of God's calling on 169 00:10:48,320 --> 00:10:52,400 Speaker 3: her life. What would her parents think? Would Joseph leave 170 00:10:52,440 --> 00:10:55,400 Speaker 3: her when he found out? When God calls us to 171 00:10:55,480 --> 00:10:59,760 Speaker 3: something new, sometimes we can become consumed with the risks 172 00:10:59,800 --> 00:11:06,240 Speaker 3: and thoughts of persecution, discomfort, and rejection can dominate our headspace. 173 00:11:07,360 --> 00:11:11,160 Speaker 3: Mary is a wonderful example of quietly and humbly accepting 174 00:11:11,200 --> 00:11:15,480 Speaker 3: God's will for her life. She asked Gabriel how it 175 00:11:15,520 --> 00:11:19,000 Speaker 3: would be possible since she was a virgin, indicating her 176 00:11:19,080 --> 00:11:24,200 Speaker 3: innocence and purity. But after the Angel explained, she didn't 177 00:11:24,240 --> 00:11:28,600 Speaker 3: hesitate or resist, but simply said, behold, I am the 178 00:11:28,640 --> 00:11:31,560 Speaker 3: servant of the Lord. Let it be to me according 179 00:11:31,600 --> 00:11:35,760 Speaker 3: to your word. Her willingness to step into the unknown 180 00:11:35,960 --> 00:11:38,400 Speaker 3: and accept a mission that would lead to hardship and 181 00:11:38,440 --> 00:11:43,559 Speaker 3: misunderstanding shows an unparalleled humility and a commitment to the Lord. 182 00:11:44,720 --> 00:11:47,760 Speaker 3: This humility was not the result of low self esteem 183 00:11:47,840 --> 00:11:51,760 Speaker 3: or lack of ambition. Instead, it was rooted in an 184 00:11:51,800 --> 00:11:55,400 Speaker 3: accurate understanding of who God is and who she was 185 00:11:55,480 --> 00:11:59,880 Speaker 3: in relationship to him. Mary recognized her role in god 186 00:12:00,040 --> 00:12:04,280 Speaker 3: Its plan, accepting it graciously, even with its potential for 187 00:12:04,440 --> 00:12:11,559 Speaker 3: personal cost and societal shame. Mary's strength, often overlooked, is 188 00:12:11,600 --> 00:12:14,720 Speaker 3: an essential part of her character. It would have taken 189 00:12:14,760 --> 00:12:17,920 Speaker 3: great fortitude to accept such a call, knowing that it 190 00:12:17,960 --> 00:12:21,880 Speaker 3: could result in her being ostracized or even worse, stone 191 00:12:21,880 --> 00:12:25,560 Speaker 3: to death. According to the laws of the time, stoning 192 00:12:25,800 --> 00:12:29,640 Speaker 3: was on the table. In addition, the physical and emotional 193 00:12:29,679 --> 00:12:33,160 Speaker 3: toll of bearing and raising a child under such circumstances 194 00:12:33,640 --> 00:12:38,240 Speaker 3: is unimaginable. You know the saying God never gives you 195 00:12:38,320 --> 00:12:41,240 Speaker 3: more than you can handle. You hear that saying thrown 196 00:12:41,240 --> 00:12:44,800 Speaker 3: around quite a lot, but I'd like to humbly challenge 197 00:12:44,800 --> 00:12:49,080 Speaker 3: that idea. The Bible shows us story after story of 198 00:12:49,160 --> 00:12:53,400 Speaker 3: people who are given more than they can handle. Moses 199 00:12:53,440 --> 00:12:56,040 Speaker 3: certainly couldn't have freed the people of Israel on his own. 200 00:12:56,840 --> 00:13:02,080 Speaker 3: Daniel couldn't have survived the Lion's den. The Bible continually 201 00:13:02,160 --> 00:13:05,520 Speaker 3: shows us that God does give us more than we 202 00:13:05,720 --> 00:13:10,680 Speaker 3: can handle. We're sometimes faced with challenges too significant to 203 00:13:10,880 --> 00:13:14,840 Speaker 3: endure on our own, but that is when the strength 204 00:13:14,880 --> 00:13:18,680 Speaker 3: of God's spirit is shown. Remember what God said to 205 00:13:18,720 --> 00:13:23,280 Speaker 3: Paul in Two Corinthians twelve, chapter nine. He encouraged Paul, saying, 206 00:13:23,760 --> 00:13:27,240 Speaker 3: my grace is sufficient for you, for my power will 207 00:13:27,240 --> 00:13:31,520 Speaker 3: be made perfect in weakness. That is why Paul said 208 00:13:31,520 --> 00:13:34,000 Speaker 3: that he would boast all the more in his weakness, 209 00:13:34,240 --> 00:13:36,880 Speaker 3: because that is when the strength of God was most 210 00:13:37,000 --> 00:13:41,960 Speaker 3: evident in his life. And future episodes will be immersed 211 00:13:41,960 --> 00:13:45,920 Speaker 3: in the heart wrenching struggle of Mary and Joseph. Together, 212 00:13:46,200 --> 00:13:50,600 Speaker 3: they'll face near death experiences and close calls, but God's 213 00:13:50,679 --> 00:13:57,280 Speaker 3: providential strength will carry them through. People often associate the 214 00:13:57,320 --> 00:14:00,200 Speaker 3: God of the Old Testament with strength and God the 215 00:14:00,200 --> 00:14:04,600 Speaker 3: New Testament with gentleness, but Christ's power is no different 216 00:14:04,600 --> 00:14:07,320 Speaker 3: from the God who formed the cosmos and parted sees. 217 00:14:08,440 --> 00:14:11,720 Speaker 3: They're the same. We can take comfort in knowing that 218 00:14:12,040 --> 00:14:15,400 Speaker 3: with Him by our side, we can endure anything that 219 00:14:15,480 --> 00:14:19,760 Speaker 3: comes our way this Christmas season. Let us remember the 220 00:14:19,840 --> 00:14:23,720 Speaker 3: great calling Christ has given each of us. Like Mary, 221 00:14:24,200 --> 00:14:27,360 Speaker 3: you and I have been given a great mission. May 222 00:14:27,400 --> 00:14:31,840 Speaker 3: we shoulder that mission with grace, humility, and reliance on God. 223 00:14:32,840 --> 00:14:36,240 Speaker 3: Mary's journey has just begun, and we are just getting 224 00:14:36,240 --> 00:14:40,760 Speaker 3: started with the epic story of the Nativity. Thank you 225 00:14:40,800 --> 00:14:43,920 Speaker 3: for listening to today's Bible in a Year podcast, And 226 00:14:44,040 --> 00:14:46,360 Speaker 3: before we go, I wanted to let you know that 227 00:14:46,400 --> 00:14:49,600 Speaker 3: the Bible into your podcast is an outreach of PowerPoint 228 00:14:49,640 --> 00:14:53,080 Speaker 3: Ministries and can only come to you each week through 229 00:14:53,080 --> 00:14:57,720 Speaker 3: the support of listeners like you. Your support today is 230 00:14:57,760 --> 00:15:00,080 Speaker 3: so important that we want to thank you for you 231 00:15:00,200 --> 00:15:02,680 Speaker 3: gift by giving you a copy of my book called 232 00:15:03,040 --> 00:15:06,440 Speaker 3: The Jesus Book. This book is a powerful guide that 233 00:15:06,560 --> 00:15:09,280 Speaker 3: shows how every book in the Bible points to Christ 234 00:15:09,280 --> 00:15:12,040 Speaker 3: and how you can better read and understand the Bible 235 00:15:12,320 --> 00:15:16,160 Speaker 3: and how God's Word transforms our lives. So to get 236 00:15:16,200 --> 00:15:19,600 Speaker 3: your copy of The Jesus Book, simply go to jaggraham 237 00:15:19,680 --> 00:15:24,720 Speaker 3: dot org slash Jesus. That's jaggraham dot org slash Jesus. 238 00:15:25,080 --> 00:15:26,600 Speaker 3: And thank you for your support.