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2015-12-24 15:31
 (Photo Credit: Victori∀ (Flicker.com) Used under the Creative Commons License.) |
FEELING LONELY AND LOST THIS CHRISTMAS...
There are seasons in our life, when our world seems to be falling apart, and we become lonely and afraid.
She presented the news to Joseph and he was probably very shocked and angry. He was a just man and did not want to make a public example of her, for then she could have been stoned...so he decided to divorce her secretly.
While he was deep in thought about how to handle the situation without a scandal, he fell asleep and had a dream.
The angel of the LORD appeared to him and said...
Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS; for he shall save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:20-21
These things were done so the scriptures in the Old Testament prophesies could be fulfilled.
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14
The name Immanuel means "God with us."
When Joseph awoke, he obediently did as the angel commanded and took Mary as his wife. He did not know her intimately until after the child had been born.
I'm sure this was not Joseph's idea of an ideal marriage... Yet he loved God so much, and trusted Him to lead and direct his life.
He humbly allowed himself to be subjected to gossip and ridicule from the community. He submitted, without argument, to be the adopted father to the Son of God, and to care for Mary as his wife.
At the same time, a decree came from Caesar Augustus that all the world must be taxed. This census first took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone was required to the city of their birth to register.
Joseph and Mary left Nazareth and traveled to Bethlehem, because they were from the house and lineage of King David.
It's interesting to note that both Mary and Joseph came from the house and lineage of David. Joseph, Jesus' earthly adopted father, was an ancestor of David's son Solomon. Mary, Jesus' blood mother, was an ancestor of David's son Nathan. Both Solomon and Nathan were the children of Bathsheba, the woman David committed adultery with.
Yet, God in his love forgave David, and honored his promise with this wonderful blessing.
It was probably very difficult for Mary to travel about 100 miles, being pregnant.
They had to leave their family and friends and go to a strange city to register and pay an unexpected tax bill... trusting God to direct their path and provide for them, accepting any inconvenience, as a privilege to serve the LORD.
When they arrived in Bethlehem, all of the inns were full and there was no room for them.
Joseph must have felt terrible about not being able to provide Mary with a comfortable place to sleep and give birth to her child.
Fortunately... someone took pity and allowed them to use their stable as a shelter from the cold.
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn... Luke 2:7
In the same country, there were shepherds watching their flocks that night.
An angel of the LORD appeared before them and they were greatly afraid.
The angel said to them...
Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11
Being a shepherds was considered one of the lowliest occupations... Yet God choose them, to be the first people to hear the good news.
God is not a respecter of persons or prejudice. He used humble people, to be instruments in his plan of salvation for mankind.
The shepherds hurried to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph with the baby Jesus... lying in a manger.
The smell must have been horrible and such an unsanitary place for the Son of God to be born. Yet he humbled himself for us... so that we could be made righteous through him.
When the shepherds found him, they joyfully told everyone they could about the birth of Jesus.
Mary meditated quietly about all of the things that had taken place.
The shepherds returned, to give glory and praise to God for all of the things which they had heard and seen.
Later, wise men came from the east to Jerusalem saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? We have seen his star in the east and are come to worship him.
When Herod the king heard about the birth, he feared someone might try to take his throne. He and the people were deeply troubled about the news. He called the chief priests and scribes to find out where the child was.
The priest consulted the scriptures and said, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for it is written by the prophet...
But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. Micah 5:2
Herod, called the wise men and asked when the star appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go quickly and search for this child.
When you have found him, come back and tell me where he is, so I too may go and worship him."
They did as the king commanded.
The star which they saw in the east went before them, until it came and stood over where the young child was.
When they saw Jesus, they were filled with great joy. They fell down and worshipped Him, bringing offerings of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
They were divinely warned, by God in a dream, not to go back to Herod to tell him about the child. They returned to their own country by an alternate route.
After they left, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, instructing him to take Mary and the child and flee to Egypt to spare his life.
Herod wanted to kill Jesus and they had to remain in Egypt as refugees on the run... until God told them it was safe to return.
When Joseph woke up, he took Mary and Jesus, and they fled into the night... so the Old Testament scriptures could be fulfilled...
When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt. Hosea 11:1
Mary was probably weary from giving birth and the long journey... but God said move and they did.
Without question, or complaining... they trusted God would work out his plan, for their good and protect them.
God's sending of the shepherds and the wise men, were signs of reassurance for them, that they were blessed with the Son of God as their child.
God miraculously provided for them with gifts from the wise men to help them on their journey.
How wonderful the story of Jesus' birth. How amazing God's plan.
Things we might see as inconveniences, were just God's divine way.
We learn, as we face our own struggles in life, God is in the process of conforming us to the likeness of his son.
We, like Mary, Joseph, and Jesus, may have to humble ourselves and change our plans to fit HIS.
Times of loneliness and isolation from friends and family may be a part of the plan.... but we find that when God is all we have, he is all we need.
Just as God had a plan for their lives, he has one for ours as well.
It may not always make sense... but it doesn't have to... because our Creator and Father knows the end of the story.
Today, you may feel like an outcast, lonely and afraid... You may have been rejected by your parents, husband, or lover and have been trying to fill the empty hole in your heart with drugs, alcohol, sex, or pornography.
You may feel like no one loves you and are contemplating suicide...
God sent me to tell you how much he loves you.
He sent his son Jesus down at Christmas as a tiny helpless child.
He was rejected and hated by many, so he would know what it feels like to be abandoned and afraid.
Jesus is the love you've been searching for your whole life, and promises to never leave or forsake you.
Beloved, lay your pain and sorrow in the manger, and ask Jesus to become your Saviour. He is the Prince of Peace and an ever present help in times of trouble.
He sees your tears and knows your name. His loving arms of mercy are open to welcome you into his family.
Make room in your heart for Jesus and find hope and joy this Christmas.
Watch him miraculously turn your mess into a miracle.
He's only a prayer away...
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor
The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
O most merciful Father,
Thank you for sending us the gift of your Son Jesus Christ to save us from our sins. Help me reflect the light of your love to all people.
May I not get so busy that I forget to be joyful and thankful. I give you control of my life and acknowledge Jesus my Lord and Savior. Guard my heart against pride, selfishness, greed, and unforgiveness. Help me to love and forgive others, because you love and have forgiven me.
As I remember the magnitude of your gift, may I be moved to give myself to you as a gift, a living and holy sacrifice.
Thank you for all our partners in the ministry. We thank you for providing many open doors for us to share the gospel, and pray each day you will lead and direct our path and reveal to us your perfect plan for the ministry. Bring the lost, so we may bring them to Jesus. With you, all things are possible.
Teach us creative ways, to unite our gifts and talents, so we may guide souls to Christ and give glory to your name, through the power of the Holy Spirit. May all who cross our path, know that we are your disciples. Transform our minds and hearts to be obedient to You in all we do and say. We trust you to open the doors and fill us with the wisdom, words, and resources to accomplish this task. We thank you for abundantly providing for all our needs. You are our Great Provider. Rule and reign LORD Jesus! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!
God's richest blessings to you all this Christmas and in the New Year!
