Devotion: Men of Joseph

Merry Christmas, again! To you again I say, REJOICE!! during this special season of celebrating the birth of Jesus- the "reason for the season".  

Surrounding Jesus during this time were very important people. In the previous post, the Lord revealed that Mary, Jesus's mother, was not someone to skim over in the Christmas story but an example of undoubted faith that we can all learn from. However, the Lord began to put the other side of the nativity on my mind, a persistence I could not ignore. Joseph. 

What about Joseph? Jesus's earthly father. Maybe you're like me and just like I had with Mary, I had never given Joseph much thought. But, the more the Lord revealed, the more I saw just how essential Joseph's story is to the Christmas story as well. 

Side note: Isn't it amazing just how intricately the Christmas story is? How God's fingerprint is uniquely placed on each and every person involved? A personal, intentional God that leaves no detail up to question but continuously works in the lives of His children.

Just thought a little praise and awe should be stuck into the message. After all, He is so, so worthy of praise. 

Apart from looking at Mary, let's take a closer look at Joseph specifically. Here is where I need the manly readers of mine to pay close attention. It is undeniable that Joseph is in fact the perfect example for Christian men and displays how to pursue relationships. My ladies, don't think that you can stop reading here. I encourage you to continue reading so that a man like Joseph will be the desire of you heart and that your "dream guy" will portray these qualities...they're VITAL to a Christ centered relationship. Yes, VITAL. 

Okay, guys, first off don't ignore that Joseph was immediately faced a trial in his relationship with Mary. Mary came to him, soon to be his wife, with the announcement that she was pregnant with Jesus. Talk about a shocker. Joseph knew that he and Mary had never been intimate with each other and was, naturally not very happy with the news. In Matthew 1:20, is states that Joseph made plans to send Mary away quietly because he did not believe her. Joseph was not perfect because just like all Christians and nonChristians alike, he was sinful and doubted. Don't we all? Joseph was no different. 

Soon after while Joseph was sleeping, God sent an angel to Joseph. The angel explains everything to Joseph and he believed. Joseph fixes his eyes on the Lord and his faith is strengthened. Then Joseph and Mary begin their journey together. Joseph dealt with his trials with Mary through faith. Because Joseph saw the angel and listened to the Lord, Joseph and Mary's problems were solved. It is Joseph and Mary's faith that keeps them together despite their trials. This is essential, guys, for you to strive for. To continuously look at the Lord for answers and through trials with whoever you are in a relationship with. 

Mary and Joseph begin to travel towards Bethlehem. Traveling on the donkey, Mary is lead by Joseph. Their journey couldn't have been easy, surely they faced bumps and endured bruises along the way. But, they made it. Don't skip over this part, it's very important. Joseph lead Mary to the place where they would both be with Jesus. All physical aspects aside this is directly an example for all you guys in a relationship, about to be in a relationship, wanting to be in a relationship, where ever you may be in your stance surrounding dating. Just like Joseph lead Mary to the place where Jesus was to be born and they would finally meet him, so also are you called as men of God to lead your future, or present significant other towards Jesus. This was Joseph's role. It is the man leads, it is a man of God who leads with the intention like Joseph. Don't get me wrong, I am not anti feminist. I am a lady that loves her independence, but you best believe, if Joseph strayed, it was Mary who was after Joseph and striving to bring them both back on track.

This should be your foundation and your relationship should mirror this journey. Sure, it won't always be easy and yes, you won't always do it right but by grace, it'll be alright. Constantly point you and your significant other to Jesus in every decision  you make individually and as a couple. Fight your smallest to your toughest battles with and for Jesus and point one another towards Him instead of towards each other. Such a relationship is what God has designed and is in every fashion "Jesus-centered". This kind of dating and pursuit puts love where love should be, a love for Jesus and a pursuit of Him as your focus. Allowing each of you to love Jesus first and let all other things fall into place where He has planned them to go. 

God used Joseph to show men how a man after His own heart and strong faith in Him should strive to lead in a relationship. Ladies, say hello to your new standard. I pray that all of you will prayerfully consider all the lessons God shows us through Joseph. From facing trials to leading a relationship, it was all done with Jesus, for Jesus and by Jesus. And, that my friends, is a Christmas lesson you can't ignore. 

Devotion: Faith like Mary

Read: Matthew 1:18-25

Merry Christmas, dear reader. Tis' the season for Christmas cheer and reminders that Jesus came to save us all from our own sinful hearts. A time to REJOICE!!

Baby Jesus, perhaps less the "celebrity" of Christmas than He was in the previous years. But, there's much more to His story than just, well, Him. Let's not forget the very woman who brought Him into the world, Jesus's mother, Mary. 

This Christmas season, so far, has left me continuously thinking about Mary. Of course I'm not trying to take the focus of Christmas off of Jesus in anyway, I'm merely inviting you to journey with me in your minds. Think about Mary. 

Many scholars believe that Mary was in her early teenage years when God conceived Jesus into Mary through the Holy Spirit. Can you imagine? Mary was largely a child herself, and the Lord chose her to carry His only Son...The Savior, the one that paid so preciously for our sins, each and every one of them, on the cross around thirty years later. It was Mary! The average, teenage girl. 

Through Mary, God showing you and I something that is so valuable. The Lord chose Mary not because of her age, looks, or fitting qualities she had. He chose Mary because of her FAITH. He knew that Mary alone wasn't fit for the task. Who would be fit for such a task? No one. But God knew that Mary would take on the armor of God. God knew that Mary would allow Faith alone to equip her and that God would be faithful to her in taking on this task. 

What faith Mary had to risk shame, trials, comfort and so much more because she was willing to do whatever God had asked her to do. 

It wasn't just emotionally that Mary was devoted to God and His plan for her. Let's not forget that Mary was pregnant with Jesus just like any other woman. The nine months was just as uncomfortable, if not worse, back then than it is today. Jesus grew inside of Mary. To think practically, she probably gained weight, grew out of her robes and had to buy new ones, she may have experienced morning sickness and she had baby Jesus through natural child birth...no pain killers! Mary's faith was so strong and she was so willing to do the will of God that she gave up her body to God's service, too. 

Mary was amazing, am I right? But, it's more than just respect, readers. Mary is more than a good story and a pretty face in the nativity scenes. She is an example for us all. Mary gave all she had to the service of God, even her body. Her doubt was overcome by faith. God chose Mary, just like He chooses you to overcome trials, discomfort, whatever it may be for doing what God has called you to do. 

We have all been there. We get persisting thoughts about plans or actions to take, we prayerfully consider which way to go, we talk to friends who know just what to say and we are sure that God is speaking right through them guiding you. Readers, He is. But, then there is that reservation, the excuse. "Well, I'm afraid of..." or "I'm not good at..." or "I'll do it later..." or "God can't use someone like me..." 

Fight back on the false thoughts with faith. Look at Mary, friends! She was an average teenager and she carried the Messiah in her womb! God quipped Mary through her faith and the Holy Spirit living inside of you. God will not call you for His service and leave you to fend for yourself. He is working, strengthening, and seeing you through to the next call. 

Sure, it may be outside of your comfort zone, sure it may seem impossible or scary, but so is sending your son to Earth. More than that, sending your son to Earth and knowing the suffering he will undergo, all for the sake that you may live- live your life for Christ. Free from the bondage of slavery and  made a servant to Christ so that others may know life. If God has done this for you...how can you stay sedentary. 

You have nothing to give but your plans. God blessed Mary with a son whom she loved and nurtured; He will surely bless you also if you would endure by faith and take on the faith of Mary. Live out your faith in fearless reverence and service to your Savior.

Just imagine what a body of believers were capable of doing with the fearless faith like Mary's. It's you, it's me, reader, it's time we believe like Mary did.