Matthew 1:5-20

The more most of us examine our past, the more we realize that our family tree is full of interesting stories that have shaped our identity. James Nored shares about God's story through Abraham and David to Jesus and Phil Ware helps us understand the meaning of the story through the genealogy of Jesus.

We want our lives to be part of Jesus' story of redemption, and then we want to share that redemption with others! Phil Ware and James Nored continue to share God's story of redemption and focus this week on Jesus as the fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham and David and the genealogy of Jesus that displays God's grace.

Would people really want to take Christ our the nativity? A preacher gets in trouble talking about Christmas on Sunday, but warns that the world will take Christ out of Christmas.

Despite all the mess and the complications, God came to live among us being born in a place where animals fed. Max Lucado reminds that Jesus, the Son of God, the Christ and Messiah, came to us in a manger in Bethlehem.

Mary's simple life was about to come to a dramatic end! Phil Ware finishes the year 2012 with two powerful posts or articles about Jesus' birth and the people gathered around him, and emphasizes that God's greatest beginnings are found in hard endings.

I've bet you have had a bunch of these moments at Christmas! Phil Ware writes about Christmas, Joseph and Mary, and the "You've got to be kidding me!" moments in the life of Jesus.

When God chose to come into our world through a child, he chose a family line that was every bit as messed up as our world. Phil Ware is using December to remind us how to welcome Jesus during this special time and what Jesus' coming means for each of us.

Our prayer is that the Lord Jesus and his abiding presence can be real to you during this special season of grace and joy. Phil Ware shares a Merry Christmas greeting from all of the Heartlight.org and VerseoftheDay.com family.

Joseph was a strong man of faith with qualities much like God: a man of righteous character, gracious compassion, and faithful loving-kindness Phil Ware uses this Father's Day to remind us of the man God chose to be daddy to Jesus -- Joseph the Carpenter -- and his greatness despite being overlooked by many who love Jesus!

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This is the Biblical account of Jesus' birth from Matthew 1 and Luke 2 from the NIV 11 version of the Holy Scriptures.

Like Mary, we don't know fully what we are committing to do, but we know that our ultimate destination is Jesus. Phil Ware reminds us of the gritty reality of Jesus' birth and Mary choosing to accept the challenge of being Jesus' mother and reminds us of our need to commit to have Jesus born in our lives.

Would I have the courage to act in a situation so dangerous where eternity hangs in the balance? Phil Ware reminds us of the importance to act courageously for God, for good, and for grace even when it is dangerous because eternity hangs on our decision.

How do you fit into God's story? Phil Ware begins the journey through The Story of God and talks about how our story and God's story intersects and involves us in his great unfolding saga of grace and redemption.

The cycle of violence is heartbreaking — will it ever end? Phil Ware reminds us of the simple, yet powerful words found in the hard story of Jesus' birth and Herod's attempt to murder him at Bethlehem -- But Herod came to an end.

Are you walking down the hard road alone? Phil Ware continues to share his insights on experiencing Jesus as Immanuel.

What do you do with your shattered dreams? Phil Ware talks about the recurring phrase in Matthew 1 and 2, in a dream, and how God fills the empty spaces left behind by our broken dreams.

What in the world are you talking about wiggling and squirming? Russ finds out about a grandbaby because of a sonogram and the baby is wiggling around all over the place and reminds us that life begins in the mind of God.

Does God really have a bigger dream for you than He gave Joseph and Mary? Rick Brown shares an insight from the Westjet Santa Claus video and says we need to ask God for more and greater vision.

Three different ways to tell the story of our Savior's birth — short form, Bible verses, video! Phil Ware wishes everyone Merry Christmas for the Heartlight team and shares 3 different ways to share the story of Jesus at Christmas: a short form, the Bible text from "The Voice" Compass Bible and from a Worship House Media video about a child coming.

The Holy Spirit gives birth to Lord in the heart of each new Christian and longs to bring that new follower of Christ to full maturity in Jesus. Phil Ware challenges us to enter the mystery of the conception and birth of Jesus the Messiah with Mary and find ourselves caught up in the story of Jesus with her.

Jesus longs to be born again into our world in me? Jesus wasn't just born into our world in the womb of Mary, but he longs to be born into our world again in each individual Christian the Holy Spirit gives birth to in the world.

The Holy Spirit gives birth to Lord in the heart of each new Christian and longs to bring that new follower of Christ to full maturity in Jesus. Phil Ware challenges us to enter the mystery of the conception and birth of Jesus the Messiah with Mary and find ourselves caught up in the story of Jesus with her.

How can God know experientially how hard life can sometimes be for us? James Nored and Phil Ware remind us to push past the glittering lights and see that God came to be one of us in the birth of Jesus of Nazareth.

What else can you say, but thank you? Phil Ware shares a collection of Scriptures that talk about the significance of Jesus' birth.

Can one person really make a difference Phil Ware looks at Ruth and Naomi and the difference one faithful person can make in everything!

Sometimes we just need to hear the familiar story told simply with fresh words. Jesus' birth stories from Matthew and Luke are shared in straight Scripture from The Voice Bible.

Moses brought down God's Law from his mountain. Jesus demonstrated God's love on a hill outside Jerusalem! James Nored and Phil Ware move from Abraham and Moses to Jesus in God's great story of redemption and show how Jesus becomes the fulfillment

Moses brought down God's Law from his mountain. Jesus demonstrated God's love on his mountain. James Nored and Phil Ware move from Abraham and Moses to Jesus in God's great story of redemption.