Guardians Of Ancora Bible Plan: Messages From AngelsSample

IT’S ALL IN THE TIMING [Illustrations included in this devotional are not visible in this view. Illustrations are only supported in the Bible App for iOS, Android, and at Bible.com] [The video portion of this devotional is not available on your device. To view this video, visit your plan at www.youversion.com] It’s all in the timing. God’s timing. The birth of God’s Son had been promised hundreds of years earlier and those prophecies (in what is now the Old Testament) were going to come true. When? At just the right time! It was perfect timing when a census was declared by Caesar Augustus, meaning that a couple from Nazareth would have to travel to Bethlehem – the birthplace foretold by the prophet Micah. It was just as the promised Messiah was due to arrive – perfect timing! It was perfect timing when angels filled the skies over Bethlehem, bringing good news of great joy to all people. Their message was the fulfilment of God’s promise to send a Saviour. And the timing? It was just right! Isaiah’s prophecy finishes with the words, ‘The Lord All-Powerful will make certain that all of this is done.’ When would it happen? In God’s time – the right time! TALKABOUT Mary believed Gabriel’s amazing promises. What do you think makes a promise easy or hard to believe? What do you think Mary would have kept thinking about after Gabriel left? TALKING WITH GOD TOGETHER Choose a phrase related to today’s Bible reading, maybe ‘Son of God, Prince of Peace.’ Try the ancient method of ‘breath prayers’ quietly together. Close your eyes and be calm, as you start to feel the rhythm of your breathing. Repeat the phrase silently, over and over, for about a minute (or longer, if you’re all at ease with the stillness). PLAYING GUARDIANS OF ANCORA Switch on your device, go to the Spire and select the Bible Quest ‘Messages from Angels’ (tap the ‘game-controller’ icon). If you have several devices, play the game at the same time. Or watch each other play, in turn. Have you completed the first chapter of ‘Messages from Angels’? See how you get on with Chapter 2 today. The Saga has moved you forward in time and you can see Joseph having a dream. An angel tells him that he should still marry Mary and name the baby Jesus, which means ‘God saves’! There’s another time skip from the Saga, and here we are, on the day of Mary and Joseph’s wedding. Finally you’re there, watching, as they are married. As you play together and see what happens in the game, what surprises you about this story?