I have been considering Joseph, Mary and the baby Jesus because of celebrating Christmas and I realized something of a miracle that I havent heard anyone discuss before, the fact that Joseph got involved in it all, the coming of God to earth, because of a dream, or a vision, or an angel who spoke to him. (Matthew 1:18-21 and 2:12-23) Imagine he married a woman who was with child that was not his, brought her and that child out of Egypt to protect them from the wrath of the king, and again brought them to Israel where he was afraid to go there. And being warned by God in a dream, he turned aside into the region of Galilee, and he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth where no good thing was known to come out of that city. All of this he did because he was listening to hear the instructions of God to press toward a mark for a prize of a high calling of God on his life to be the care giver of Jesus Christ, the savior of the world. What kind of man has this kind of faith and trust in his God to be lead by dreams and visions and know his God so intimately? It is truly a miracle that by those encounters Joseph, even in his sinful state as a mere man, was able to be completely obedient to Gods will for his life. I also considered the submissive spirit Mary must have had to let Joseph lead her on these difficult days of traveling and re-acclimating to new environments, leaving her hometown and their families behind, on the run from the local government. Like Joseph and Mary, when God calls on us to do his will we have to forget what is behind us and reach for the things that are before us completely trusting God. Lets head for the New Year with this attitude like Joseph, total abandonment to Gods plan for our life, as He reveals it to us everyday. Let us desire to be a family that resembles theirs, a father that is led by God, a wife that trusts her husband completely because of his commitment to Gods will for their lives and parents that care for their young according to Gods perfect will. This may not give you the way to do Gods will but certainly may give you a reason why. Matthew 1:18-21 and 2:12-23 - 18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, ... ... was minded to put her away secretly. 20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” 12 Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way. 13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.” 14 When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, 15 and was there until the death of Herod, ... ... 16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men. ... ... ... 19 Now when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the young Child’s life are dead.” 21 Then he arose, took the young Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea instead of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned by God in a dream, he turned aside into the region of Galilee. 23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, “He shall be called a Nazarene.” This scripture that Paul wrote to the church seems to capture the abandonment and faithfulness we need to carry on in our walk with Christ Jesus: Philippians 3:13-15 New King James Version (NKJV) 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. Todays Prayer (copied from TGIF - Prime Time With God) Dear Father in Heaven, You know how hard it is to see your children and families hurting when they do not communicate with you and one another, when they are self-centered, out of your will, and following the wrong paths. Maybe they get too busy to nourish the really important relationships in their lives. I pray right now for my own family, for all of the families around the world, for husbands and wives who have grown apart or are on the verge of divorce, for children who are rebellious and angry, for parents who are too busy and irritated, for those who are bitter or hurt. God please reach down and tug on their hearts, speak to their minds, and show them the way. I pray that the root of their problems will be exposed and that through the Holy Spirit, through Your Word, through a caring friend or a concerned Christian, or whatever way you know is best, that you will turn around those lives that are headed the wrong direction and put them back together. I pray that these families will become healthy, happy, God-honoring, communicating and loving families. And God, for the families that are doing well, I pray that you would protect them from the evil one; surround them with guardian angels; and keep that family under your wings of love and guidance. Thank you, in Jesus name, amen. Found some awesome acapella singing of ole time gospel songs that mommy would have loved listening to: https://youtube/watch?v=F2emsPPCH4c&list=PL6C126D0B38545222
Posted on: Sat, 27 Dec 2014 11:51:49 +0000
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