God's Holy Fire: 'Conception'

Thursday, April 23, 2026

This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit.
— Matthew 1:18 NLT

Key Thought

While we try to understand how the Spirit of God works in our lives, a deep sense of mystery, wonder, and awe remains. How could God love us so much as to be present in us through his Holy Spirit? This inexplicable miracle is a miracle of God's promise and grace. The holy and eternal God comes to life in us through the Holy Spirit. The Spirit produces great changes in us because of his presence.
Let's think about this a little differently than we normally do. The conception of Jesus the Messiah in the womb of the Virgin Mary seems incomprehensible to many. However, those of us who are followers of Jesus have experienced a small taste of what happened in Mary in our own spiritual lives. Just as Jesus came to life in her through the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit, he has also come to life in us through the same Spirit. While we didn't experience a miraculous conception, we are part of a miraculous transformation.
At the core of Jesus' gospel is this truth: The Spirit of God brings life where there was none. This new life that happened in the womb of Mary still happens through the Spirit in the expectant hearts of those who believe that Mary's first child was also God's Son!

Today's Prayer

Father, our hearts resonate with a truth that our minds can't grasp: The virgin Mary carried your Son in her womb! And the miracle in Mary is a reminder that you have given us new birth into a living hope through the power of the blessed Holy Spirit who not only provided the miracle of Jesus' birth but also raised him from the dead. All praise to you, O God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I praise you in Jesus' name. Amen.

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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!
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See All 19 Related Resources about Matthew 1:18

Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 1:18 NLT — But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit.

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About This Devotional

God's Holy Fire is a daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

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