Sunday Scripture

 

I've been posting Sunday Scriptures on both of my blogs this December, taken from an Advent study I did in 2013 with Good Morning Girls.  The study, Keeping Our Hearts Focused on Jesus, is still available as a free download; it's not too late to get it, though it might not be of a lot more use to you this year.  You could save it for next year!  Scroll down and click on the book-like image, and the pdf should open right up.  More than just a Bible study, this is an ebook that includes recipes, Advent activities, and more.  I think it will be a blessing to you.

I've mentioned before that I like to use the SOAP method of Bible study, and the studies from GMG use a very similar one.  I find this method a real blessing whether I am studying shorter passages or longer ones, so I hope you'll give it a try if you haven't ever done so. Just a reminder that the S is for Scripture -- just write it out -- and the O is for Observation, the A is for Application and the P is for prayer -- concerning how you'll apply this verse or passage,  or praise for what it means to you.

This fourth week's verses are focused on Peace.  If you downloaded the study and are following along with it, this is the one from December 26.

Today's Scripture is Matthew 1:20-21.

S= "But while he thought on these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary, thy wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.
"And she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins."  (Matthew 1:20-21)

O=  Joseph was a just man who obviously loved Mary, his espoused wife.  Upon learning of her pregnancy, he had it in mind to break off their espousal privately and not make her a public example.  But while he thought on these things, an angel appeared to him in a dream and explained the situation to him.

There could be no mistake as to whom the message was for; the angel addressed him directly as "Joseph, thou son of David."  The angel instructed him, "Fear not to take unto thee Mary, thy wife."  He then gave him some very important information:

🌟 That which is conceived in Mary is of the Holy Spirit;

🌟 She shall bring forth a Son;

🌟 Thou shalt call His name Jesus;

🌟 He shall save His people from their sins.

A= It occurred to me that, like Joseph, I often might try to figure out how to handle a situation.  It seems to me that Joseph was probably doing this prayerfully, and I should be as well.  But God gave Joseph clear, unmistakable leading as to what course of action to take, and He will do the same for me as I look to Him.  He promises to give wisdom when we ask.  

He also tells me (as the angel told Joseph) to "fear not".  This reminds me once again that God has a purpose and a plan for all that He allows to enter our lives.  It may look very confusing and upsetting to us (as Mary's condition surely did to Joseph) but it is not out of God's control and He has a sovereign purpose and plan in it all.  God gives peace as we "fear not", and look to Him, not our circumstances.

P= "Lord, I praise You that even when events and situations in our lives look difficult and nearly impossible, we need not fear.  I praise You that You have a plan and that your purposes are always good.  Just as Your angel told Joseph to "fear not", Your Word tells me repeatedly that I'm not to be afraid.

"I praise and thank You also that You are faithful to give us the wisdom we need.  Thank You for all that You will do in our current perplexing situations, which You are in full control of.  In Jesus' name, Amen."

And there is the very simple Sunday Scripture -- the final one in this Christmas series.  I hope it was a blessing to someone!