Word for Today, Wed. 05 Jan 2004: Joseph's Prayer
Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>
Dear friends,
Today's devotional message comes from Max Lucado, courtesy of the
Crosswalk.com mailing list. This message concerns Joseph, the
earthly father of the Lord Jesus Christ. We know from scripture
that Joseph is not the father of Christ by blood, but that the
Holy Spirit of God is the real Father - namely God Himself!
How did Joseph deal with this? How do we deal with things in our
lives that we just cannot explain, especially really difficult
issues? Do we seek God for the answers, and do we accept the
answers that we receive?
This message ought to provoke some of these questions, and
hopefully many others of your own. I encourage you to read it,
examine the scriptures for yourself, and spend some quiet time
discussing with God the things in your life that concern you. Be
sure to make time to get quiet and listen for His answers, and be
open to an ongoing dialog with Him. Are you prepared to listen, and
are you prepared to obediently respond?
Yours in Christ,
Brian
________________________________________________________________
http://www.Crosswalk.com
January 5, 2005
UpWords
A Weekly Devotional from Max Lucado
Joseph's Prayer
by Max Lucado
Nothing stirs so many questions as does the birth of Christ. The
innkeeper too busy to welcome God-did he ever learn who he turned
away? The shepherds-did they ever hum the song the angels sang?
The wise men who followed the star-what was it like to worship a
toddler? And Joseph, especially Joseph. I've got questions for
Joseph.
What was he thinking while Jesus was being born? He'd done all
he could do-he'd made Mary as comfortable as she could be in a
barn and then he stepped out. She'd asked to be alone, and Joseph
has never felt more so.
In that eternity between his wife's dismissal and Jesus' arrival,
what was he thinking? He walked into the night and looked into
the stars. Did he pray?
I wonder what he said ...
This isn't the way I planned it, God. This doesn't seem right. What
kind of husband am I? I provide no midwife to aid my wife. No bed to
rest her back. Her pillow is a blanket from my donkey. My house for her
is a shed of hay and straw.
Did I miss something? Did I, God?
You've stood where Joseph stood. Caught between what God says and
what makes sense. You've done what he told you to do only to
wonder if it was him speaking in the first place. You've stared
into a sky blackened with doubt.
If you are asking what Joseph asked, let me urge you to do what
Joseph did. Obey. That's what he did. He obeyed when the angel
called. He obeyed when Mary explained. He obeyed when God sent.
Just like Joseph, you can't see the whole picture. Just like
Joseph your task is to see that Jesus is brought into your part
of your world. And just like Joseph you have a choice: to obey or
disobey. Because Joseph obeyed, God used him to change the world.
Can he do the same with you?
For more great resources to help you grow in your relationship
with God, please visit Crosswalk Faith:
link.salemwebnetwork.com/UM/T.asp?A1.207.30300.2.293748
View the full selection of devotionals available from
Crosswalk.com here:
link.salemwebnetwork.com/UM/T.asp?A1.207.30300.3.293748
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Brian Masinick, mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: http://www.geocities.com/masinick/
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Brian Masinick, mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: http://www.geocities.com/masinick/
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