Author: admin

Joseph had the most daunting fatherhood task ever given: raising God’s only Son! But he did not have to do it alone. God guided Joseph, going so far as to tell him what to name the child. The name “Jesus” was significant. It meant, “salvation.” Jesus would fulfill the meaning of His name like no one had before! His name in Hebrew was “Joshua.” The famous Joshua of the Old Testament had delivered his people too, but only for a time. Jesus’ salvation would be far more thorough.

But, like Joshua, Jesus’ salvation was for His people. That is, those people who placed their faith in Him and became His follower. If you had been an enemy of Joshua, there was a good chance you would end up dead! Those who were on Joshua’s side could expect victory, and booty. But again, with Jesus, there was so much more.

Those who belong to Jesus can expect salvation from their sins, as well as unimaginable rewards to be enjoyed throughout eternity. But for those who oppose and reject Christ, their punishment shall be far more severe than anything Joshua meted out.

Jesus came to save His people from their sin. There is no sin or bondage or addiction too severe for Jesus’ salvation. He can save us from them all. Has He?

Joseph faced the most perplexing dilemma of his life. The woman whose purity and chastity had appeared above reproach, was now pregnant. How could this be? Mary would have been the last woman on earth Joseph would have ever suspected of infidelity. But the evidence was irrefutable. There could be no other explanation. Yet Joseph did not act rashly. Could anyone have blamed him had he lashed out at his unfaithful wife and sought to retaliate against her? Could he be blamed for hurling painful barbs at his treacherous partner? But he didn’t.

Instead, Joseph thought about what to do. That is always a good approach when we face a difficult situation! As he pondered what he should do, God sent a message. An angel enlightened Joseph to the truth of his situation. The heavenly messenger also encouraged the humble carpenter to not be afraid to take Mary to be his wife. Why would Joseph have been fearful? It would have been because it would have been scandalous to keep a wife who was adulterous. Joseph would have been subjected to constant ridicule and second-guessing. It would have tormented his righteous soul. But as Joseph sought direction in that critical moment, God answered.

There are certain moments in every person’s life where what they do next is critical. If they are rash, or careless, or hurtful, they will miss the amazing work God is preparing to do through them. Take time to consider what it is your life is currently facing. And be sure to take time to hear what God has to say about it

Joseph clearly was a righteous man. God would certainly not have entrusted His holy Son into his care if he were not. But Joseph was also compassionate. He acted righteously, but also lovingly.

The Law stated that if a woman committed adultery, she should be publicly stoned in order to warn other woman of the dire consequences of such sin. The righteous indignation of a cheated husband might have clamored for such a course. But not Joseph. Instead, he commenced to put her away privately. Even while thinking she had cheated on him, Joseph was being thoughtful of her. He did not want to harm the woman who had seemingly committed the most hurtful crime imaginable against him.

Perhaps that is why God commissioned Joseph to raise His Son. Just as Jesus came to earth, full of grace and truth (Jn. 1:14), so Jesus’ father acted in the same manner. He sought to respond to the truth of the situation, but he also did so with grace. Such a balance of truth and grace in Joseph would characterize his most famous Son as well.

Do you respond to hurtful circumstances with equal measures of grace and truth?

God’s timing is always perfect. At the time, it can appear to us that He is late, or perhaps early, but in retrospect, we realize His timing was masterful.

Mary was found to be with child after she was betrothed to Joseph. If she had not yet been betrothed, Joseph might have immediately discarded her, feeling no binding obligation to her. But since she was betrothed to him, he felt a greater obligation to her, even if it first appeared she had betrayed him.

Yet Jesus was also born before Joseph and Mary had been intimate. The evidence would clearly exclude Joseph from being the father. God’s timing assured that.

The journey to Bethlehem by Joseph and the very pregnant Mary, once again was in God’s perfect schedule. If Mary had been less pregnant at the time, perhaps Joseph would have made the quick trip without her. But, with a baby coming soon, he wanted her near, so he could care for her. Joseph may not have intended to move to Bethlehem after he registered in the census. But after Jesus’ miraculous birth, the couple decided to remain. So many seemingly “coincidences” guided Joseph and his wife to be right where God wanted them to be, at just the right time.

Have you been trusting God’s perfect timing in your life?

It would appear as if only a masochist would seek a rebuke. Chastisement is never pleasant. It reveals where we have fallen short or done inferior work. We want to focus on the positive, not the negative. We covet peoples’ praise, not their critique. We are naturally drawn to peoples’ praise and affirmation of what we are doing and saying.

Yet the wise person knows that the praise of fools has no intrinsic worth. Their high estimation of us is worthless. Their opinion contributes nothing to us. It is like eating ice cream. It is momentarily pleasant but it adds nothing of value to us.

The rebuke of the wise, however, is a different story. It is like receiving an immunization. While it may sting at the moment, it can also protect us for many years to come from potential suffering. The wise understand what benefits them most and they embrace it.

Don’t be too quick to cherish the praise of fools or to avoid the rebuke of the wise. Crave personal growth more than meaningless affirmation. Listen to anyone who can help you to grow, even if what they are currently saying is painful to hear.

Our problem is often not a lack of possessions, but a lack of satisfaction. Without satisfaction, no amount of material wealth or comfort is adequate. Most people want something. Some want more money. Others desire a position in a company. Others crave a nicer house or an appliance, or recognition. If God were to peal back the layers of our heart, it would expose all manner of desires that have yet to be fulfilled.

The problem can be that our desires can drive our lives more than our satisfaction. We can spend more time wishing for more than we spend enjoying what we have. To the one who is never satisfied, no amount of possessions is adequate. Some of the most miserable people on earth are those who own the most!

Your desires reveal your heart. If you are constantly talking about all you still desire, it may indicate that you are dissatisfied with what you currently possess. Be careful! God has already blessed you. He has granted you much. Take time to fully enjoy what is already in your hand. You might even discover that, as you enjoy what God has already given you, that it is actually more than enough.

Sometimes life’s simple pleasures are more pleasurable than the exotic ones. The humble working person may live in a modest house and have limited possessions, yet he might sleep soundly every night. The wealthy executive might reside in a much more spacious house and take exotic vacations each summer, yet he might be plagued with so many cares and concerns that he is unable to sleep peacefully at night.

We do not always value the simple pleasures of our life until we do not have them. With much wealth, possessions, and influence comes much responsibility and concern. Those who obtain the highest office are subject to the greatest scrutiny. Those with the most money are also saddled with the most decisions about how to preserve and spend it.

This is not to say that we should avoid having more. But we ought not to miss the simple pleasures that come from a simple life. Most of our lives are too complex. We have too much to think, and worry, about. Never minimize the sheer delight that comes from being able to obtain a good night’s rest!

Our desires clearly reveal our heart. What we want reveals what we value. People who desire wealth are legion. But their testimony is that accumulating many possessions is always ultimately dissatisfying. Wealth certainly can make life easier in some ways! Being able to buy what you need, or want, can alleviate certain pressures from your life. Being able to pay your bills on time is a great blessing. But when we begin to love wealth rather than use it, we set ourselves up for disappointment.

There are some things you can never have too much of. Love, laughter, and joy do not diminish in value when you have them in abundance. Experiencing God’s power in your life or watching God advance His kingdom through your life is not something that becomes mundane or boring after you have experienced it many times. In fact, it is just the opposite. The more you have of some things, the more you desire them.

But though material possessions and wealth clamor for our loyalty to them, they continually prove to be disappointing. How much wealth must you accumulate before it fills your life and home with joy? Always just a little more! Too many people are on the never ending treadmill of the pursuit of that which does not satisfy. Instead of piling up additional reserves of dissatisfying possessions, pursue that which will uplift your soul.

Dreams and words can be noble and good—if they lead to action. Often it is an exalted dream or inspired words that mobilize people to accomplish significant tasks. People who have been passionate about sharing their dreams or eloquent in speaking to others have mobilized people to accomplish enormous undertakings.

Yet at times, people are better at dreaming or talking, than acting. They can hold court all day telling people what they would do, but they never actually accomplish anything. Such people love to talk. They often enjoy surpassing the dreams and aspirations of others. But they have an aversion to paying the price required to act. Such people live their lives in vain.

That is why the fear of God can save us from our dreams and words. Living our lives knowing we will be held accountable for our actions compels us to not merely talk about obeying God, but to obey! When our fear of God is greater than our dread of action, we will act! Are you known for your dreams or your actions?

Talk is cheap. We can speak words all day that cost nothing and mean even less. Some people have developed the unfortunate habit of saying things they don’t really mean. Shallow compliments, false promises, and meaningless piety all flow from their lips. Yet people who know these talkers have come to recognize that the words being spoken mean nothing.

While we might get away with empty words spoken to others, God refuses to be treated so flippantly. He hears our every word. He listens carefully to each promise we make to Him. He refuses to be treated for a fool. He of course knows if we are sincere. He also knows whether we’ll follow through on our promise. God is never pacified by an empty promise. We would be better off never having promised God anything, than to make a vow and then fail to follow through.

Consider the commitments you have made to God. Have you kept them? Are you presently working on them? What do your unfulfilled promises reflect about what you think about God? Beware! He will hold you fully accountable for what comes out of your mouth!