gifts

Joseph. A good man, in fact, a righteous man. “Righteous”, a $12 dollar word which means, in right standing with God. A smart man, reasonable in his dealing with people. How do I know this? Simple. By reading the scriptures.

You see, when Mary told him she was pregnant, he of course was shocked and bewildered. How could she do this to him? And before they were to get married. Did she truly love him, or was she marrying him for some other reason? Men seem to have a hard time trusting women ever since the fall of Adam and Eve. Due to the curse of sin men and women have had issues relating.

Back to him being a good man, he decided to end the engagement privately hoping it would save Mary and her family public embarrassment, but people talk and would have found out anyway. Especially when Mary would start showing from her pregnancy. But then:

^20-23While he was trying to figure a way out, he had a dream. God’s angel spoke in the dream: “Joseph, son of David, don’t hesitate to get married. Mary’s pregnancy is Spirit-conceived. God’s Holy Spirit has made her pregnant. She will bring a son to birth, and when she does, you, Joseph, will name him Jesus—‘God saves’—because he will save his people from their sins.” This would bring the prophet’s embryonic sermon to full term:

Watch for this—a virgin will get pregnant and bear a son;
They will name him Immanuel (Hebrew for “God is with us”).

^24-25Then Joseph woke up. He did exactly what God’s angel commanded in the dream: He married Mary. But he did not consummate the marriage until she had the baby. He named the baby Jesus. Mat. 1:20-25 (MSG)

Because Joseph was a God fearing man, he obeyed, and he too begin looking for Jesus. Can you imagine what he was going through? A new husband to a woman who has found favor with the God of the universe and is now carrying His son. I’m sure Joseph had more questions than answers. What do I do with him? Do I teach him how to be a carpenter, like me? Teach him about wood and nails? Many people have questions when they accept Jesus, and that’s okay, but Joseph accepted Jesus, and he accepted God’s plan.

Look for Jesus. You will find him, because He has already found you. Don’t get hung up on the details. Don’t try to figure out God’s plan with your mind, because you never will fully understand it, but trust me, it’s all about love. Love for the people of the world. Love for you.

red-cross I have always said, “I would rather be one mile behind God than one inch in front of him!” But recently, I feel as though I am trying to catch my breath doing my best to keep up with him. It’s as if I am running late to the party, God has been inviting me to all year. I just didn’t see it. He was orchestrating a new season in my life, and I didn’t even notice him hanging the decorations.

God wants to bless his children. He desires to give them good gifts. Our responsibility is to be in a place in life to receive them. In step with God, desiring God, and no matter what happens around us continuing to focus on God. Not getting caught up in the everyday sludge that tries to pull us down and overcome us.

“Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven.” (Jam 1:17 MSG)

Watch your door step. It’s the season of gift giving. God could be trying to give you a gift. Don’t allow it to be taken by the devil’s porch piracy program!