How Joseph's life was turned around!

 Matt.1:18-25

          Did you every think about how Joseph must have felt before his dream-encounter with the angel?

Joseph was doing what the Old Testament men and women of God did who obeyed God even when it went against all human common sense. 

God knew what He was doing because he was a righteous man of God. When he found out about Mary being with a child, Joseph had a huge decision to make. He could expose Mary publicly as unfaithful because they were "engaged" to be married and the law was very strict for both of them. This would mean she would maybe even be stoned for this!! He could have a private separation or divorce which would be a written certificate in the presence of two witnesses. And the third choice would have been to go ahead and marry her but that would be going against the Mosaic law.(Lev,20:10)

Remember, he was a righteous and honorable man. So he choose to quietly end the engagement so that she would not face public humiliation and that he would be free to continue in his life. 

He had reasoned it out. He had decided what was right for the both of them.

Here they and their families had planned for a wedding and then she got pregnant and everything probably seemed crazy to him! What an emotional time for both of them it must have been. But all that changed one night in a dream!!!

Read what the angel said to him. It was more than just a dream.....it was an angelic encounter that changed his complete line of thinking!!! How could just a dream change his outlook on what he should do? It went against the way he was brought up! I tend to think that during the dream, he felt the commission of something so important. He was to go against all human common sense and make a decision that would change the course of all humanity!

And here is the thing that really stands out to me.....he awoke and did what the angel had said! BIG TURN AROUND!!!! There was a huge transformation!!! A dream did that!!! That happened to have an angel involved!!!  

There is a lot more that I have found going on here that would be hard to share in just one blog but I believe the Lord is saying: Wake up and do what I have told you to do!!!

Joseph's decision was a huge turning point here. Some may say that God would have found a different way. But if that was the case, why would He have sent an angel to him??? 

The "stage" was being set for the greatest gift to all humanity--- the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!!! And the obedience to God from one young man help turn the future of all mankind!!!

Has God been telling you something?? Has He been tugging on your heart in areas that don't make much "sense" to you?? 

This coming year I believe is going to be so important to all of us! It is about time for the believers in the Lord (that means me too) to press into His Word, wear out those knees in prayer, worship Him and Him alone, to help those in need, to take care of each other, etc.

It would be a lot better place around here. And it starts with us as individuals. Joseph had a life changing turn around. I am so glad he did!!!

Merry Christmas and God Bless!!!

Paul

Caught up in the moment!

ATTENTION!!!

I was reading Acts 1 when I came across verses 9-11 about the Ascension. I know this is the Christmas season and how could this relate to it but this is interesting to look at. Jesus had already told them that they would receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon them (v8) and after this, a cloud surrounded Him and carried Him up into the heavens. WOW!!!  What a sight that must have been!!! All eyes were on Jesus as He went up into the sky!!! Think about it. These guys had been through so much with Jesus. All the ups and downs, the cross, being raised from the dead, His appearance behind locked and closed doors, etc. Now He was leaving them and they had their eyes fixed on the moment!! How long did they stare?? Who knows!! Some versions list it as: gazing intently, straining their eyes, concentrating, etc. All their attention was on what had just happened and they were still looking for anything to keep them in the moment. 

But suddenly two angles appear and got them back into the "present". 

How many times do I find myself caught up in something that is "All God" and I want to stay in that moment even when things are going by me?? How about the times that aren't "Godly" and I find myself still in it? 

Just like those followers that day, Jesus told them that they had a lot to do ahead of them. It's nice to "re-live" those great moments that we all have but we still have to "snap out of it" and live in what is going on NOW!!! 

So is this time of the year. We all get caught up in the "natural" that we forget or loose sight of the opportunities that are all around us to share God's Love! 

As much as it would be neat to have a visit from and "angel", I would rather pay attention to what the Holy Spirit is saying to me and act upon it!

God Bless!

Paul