Tag: Acts 4:11-12
God’s amazing plan for a Savior!
Scripture reading for June 29th: Matthew 1
Key Scriptures: Matthew 1:18-23 “Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a Son, and you shall call His Name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call His Name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).”
Matthew’s Gospel account of the life of Jesus was written primarily to a Jewish audience and contains many references to Old Testament Scriptures. This first chapter includes a genealogy of Joseph all the way back to Abraham, the father of the Jewish nation. (Mary’s genealogy is in Luke, and goes all the way back to Adam and the first prophesy of a coming ‘Seed of woman’ Who would crush the serpent’s head.) Matthew’s account stresses that Mary was found with child before having any relations with Joseph, but conceived by the Holy Spirit. Joseph, not wanting to shame Mary, was ready to divorce her quietly, but an angel gave him clear instructions regarding the child Mary was carrying. The angel confirmed the Holy Spirit as the One bringing conception. Before ultrasounds, the angel declared Mary would bear a Son, Who would be named “Jesus”, for He would be Savior of His people! This is the One announced by Isaiah the Prophet as “a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name “Immanuel”. God’s amazing preparation and planning is evident from the Holy Scriptures!
Matthew 1:24-25 “When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a Son. And she called His Name Jesus.”
Faith confession and prayer: Father God, Thank You for this amazing record of Your plans to bring Your Son Jesus Christ into this world through a virgin birth. Thank You for recording the prophetic words given proclaiming Your plans beforehand and for allowing me to hear and understand and proclaim this Good News of a Savior!
Acts 4:11-12 “This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the Cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Blessing the One who Came!
Scripture reading for July 3rd: Psalm 117-120
Key Scriptures: Psalm 118:22-26 “The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. O Lord, save us; O Lord, grant us success. Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord we bless you.”
The psalmist wrote this prophetic psalm to be used during Passover. As the Jews would leave the Passover meal, they would sing this last psalm in the “Great Hallel”. Jesus and His disciples very likely sang this psalm before they left the upper room or as they went to the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus Himself, was the Stone that became the cornerstone of the New Temple of living believers. The new day was a day of salvation and grace ushered in by Christ’s sacrifice! As they sang prophetically, Jesus Christ prepared His heart and body to be offered for all sinners who would believe!
Blessed is our Lord Jesus: “He is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which as become the capstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:11-12)