Bethlehem

Joseph’s Joy

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment

And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. Matthew 1:18-20 ESV

Have you noticed that are many times when God’s plan doesn’t seem at all to line up with our own? We come face to face with circumstances that seem completely unacceptable and yet: we are forced to desperately depend on God. That is exactly how we meet Joseph in his part of the Christmas story. Joseph was a good and kind man who wanted to shield Mary from what he was certain was a betrayal of their trust. But Joseph was also a just man and he knew (At least he thought he knew) that all his plans and hopes for a future life together with his bride to be were finished.

That is where God stepped in with Joseph and where he will step in with us. Whether he sends a message by an angel or if he offers the gentle counsel of His word God is always ready and willing to open the door between heaven and earth and sit down with us in our hard places. If you wait on Him you will feel a tap on your shoulder and hear a voice that says, “Do not be afraid…God still has everything in His control!”

Jesus in the Furnace

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment

Are you facing testing and trials and it feels like Jesus is nowhere to be seen? You are not alone. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were facing the threat of being thrown into a furnace so hot that it burned up their guards. When they boldly were telling the king they were willing to be thrown in rather than worship a statue they had no idea that a miracle was about to happen.

But as the furnace door opened some amazing things began to happen. First…they didn’t get burned up! Yay team! Secondly the ropes tying their hands and feet burned off and they started walking around inside the furnace…awesome! But God saved the biggest and best for last…they got to see Jesus!

Yes difficulties and trials loom on our horizon but God has wonderful news for us. When we fall down into our personal flaming furnace we get to meet Jesus there in the fire!

“Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.”
Daniel 3:25 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/dan.3.25.NKJV

Drawing Close to Bethlehem

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. Luke 2:4-6 KJV

We cannot know from this passage if it was on the night of their arrival that Mary gave birth, but we can imagine her weariness as they plodded through the outskirts of Bethlehem. How much longer would it be till the child’s birth? Where would they stay? Who might welcome them? Who would believe the miraculous story they carried in their hearts?

Remember me with signature

This Christmas God is also bringing you and me on a journey. His goal is for us to go where He has prepared for us to be. Like Mary you might have times when you might be wondering: Where do I really belong? But God who has prepared a place for every sparrow’s nest has also planned a place for you. When we wish to be welcomed, He reminds us in those moments that we are always welcome to come to Him. Just as Joseph and Mary could only trust God’s timing on the long road to Judea so also we must be patient as the seconds tick down on the changes that lie ahead for us. You might think that no one can know the story of your heart, but God will send angels stars or shepherds to help you as you draw closer to Bethlehem.