The Gospels make it clear that our Savior was conceived by God’s Holy Spirit. When Jesus put on flesh and dwelt among us, he did so by the power of the Spirit. It’s beyond my feeble mind to understand how that works. I have no clue. I wouldn’t know how to even begin explaining it to somebody. However amazing and miraculous it is, I do know that this life conceived by the Spirit was not exempt from what happens to all of us living on this planet.
Jesus’ life didn’t skip any of the bad stuff. None of it. He was “tempted in every way, just as we are.” He felt pain. He grieved with friends and family. He bore the burdens of illness and death. He suffered physically and emotionally. He fought off temptation. He felt despair. Our Lord endured all the things we endure.
Life doesn’t give us any free passes. And Jesus didn’t get any either. But he endures — indeed he triumphs! — over sin and death and Satan by God’s provision and by the power of the Spirit who conceived him.
We, too, are conceived by the Spirit. We are a new creation, living in a Resurrection community, born by and empowered by and indwelled by God’s Holy Spirit. And not at all exempt from life’s cares and woes. Lost jobs. Illness. Family issues. Pain. Suffering. Emotional stress. Death. We see it all.
The grace comes in knowing that, as with our Savior, there is nothing in us that is inaccessible to or incapable of holiness. By God’s grace, Christ’s blood, and the Spirit’s presence, we too will endure. No, we will triumph!
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Congratulations, Cassie! 
We love you. May our God bless you richly and accomplish in you and through you more than you could ever possibly ask or imagine. And may you walk with him always, faithful to the end.
Peace,
Uncle Allan
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