Welcome to our new project, the Daily Bible Devotional. The goal is to help you understand and

apply scripture as you go through a New Testament Bible read five days a week, Monday through

Friday as we move from Matthew straight through to Revelation. In under four minutes each morning, we will recap the chapter,

make some application, present thought questions for the day, and offer a prayer together.

I'm excited about exploring God's word with you. So welcome to our study from the Gospel of Luke.

Today we begin in chapter one. Luke opens his letter by noting that he has

investigated things carefully so he can report the exact truth. He details the events surrounding

the birth of John the Baptist and the conception of Jesus in the longest chapter in the New

Testament. Elizabeth is barren until an angel appears to her and Zecharias

and tells them that they will have a son named John. Six months later, the angel Gabriel appears to

Mary. He tells her she will conceive of one named Jesus, quote, the son of the most high,

who will reign forever. Mary visits Elizabeth and offers a beautiful prayer

of praise to God. After Mary's departure, John is born, and his father, Zacharias prophesies

concerning redemption, mercy, forgiveness, and peace. The age of the Savior begins. Here are a few things we can derive from this introduction.

Luke sets out on a specific mission with this gospel. This record of the life of Jesus

provides carefully researched facts intended to build the faith of a man named Theophilus,

and it can do so for all who read it today. It begins by showing

God's supernatural involvement in the birth of John, the for for Jesus. Angels from heaven

appear to Elizabeth and Mary. Elizabeth's womb is open, Zacharias is struck mute for a time. Later,

he again regains his speech and is, quote,

filled with the Holy Spirit and begins to prophesy. The story of Jesus begins with God's hand

directly involved in the affairs of mankind. God actively accomplishes redemption for those

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