How did Mary understand the meaning of the name Immanuel? (Matt. 1:23, Luke 1:26-38) The coming of Christ means God is not only the Most High, but now also the Most Nigh.

Did Joseph and Mary at First Feel that God Ruined Their Plans? God often appears at what seems like the most inconvenient moment, but His timing is perfect and His purpose glorious (Matt. 1:18-25, 2:1-23).

God took over from Samuel's parents, and directly trained him in the prophetic office (1 Sam. 3:11-21).

Samuel received a visionary word and the call of God, facilitated through the limited coaching of Eli (1 Samuel 3:1-11).

Hannah continued to enable Samuel's service to the Lord (1 Sam. 2:11, 18-19), however, Eli failed to restrain his sons' failures (1 Sam. 2:22-36).

God began the recovery of His kingdom in Israel, by gaining Samuel through his parents' consecration (1 Sam. 1:10-11, 20, 22, 23-28).

Real discipleship comes from prioritizing Christ as #1 in our life, and as parents, we are called to model a Christ-first life for our children (1 Samuel 1-2).

Self-focused approach to money bankrupts your spiritual life. (Matthew 16:24-27; Luke 17:28-33)

Self refuses to lose an argument or to sacrifice an opinion, but the cross brings true peace into the body (Phil. 4:2-3; Matt. 16:24-25).

Living for your “Self” destroys marital affections as it centers on what is most convenient for “me” over being committed to the health of “we”. A marriage grows in health as husband and wife deny the self through the power of the cross as they follow Christ Jesus (Matthew 16:24-27; Phil. 2:3-11).