Joseph Heeds What The Angel Says

Matthew 1:18-25 KJV; Conceived by the Holy Ghost; born of the virgin Mary, Jesus comes into the world and is with us even now even as he will come again in full glory to take us to the place he has prepared for us.

Everyone Is Tempted

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

Do not err, my beloved brethren.

                                                                                  (James 1:12-16 KJV)

We all fall prey to temptations from time to times. Call upon the Lord to give you the strength to resist temptations that will in the end harm you or others.

During the season of Lent many people at least attempt to fast. Most of this fasting is pretty minor. We  give up a favorite drink or food and we think that we have done well if we have been able to resist the temptation to partake of whatever it is that we're fasting from. In fact, maybe we have done well because we are so used to caving into every desire that even a little rejecting of a temptation may be a major feat.

We are all tempted to sin every single day of our lives. Every single day of our lives we do yield to some sort of temptation whether it is what we call a white lie or maybe a slanderous word against a neighbor. We sin when we do not trust the Lord to help us resist temptation.

Without trusting the Lord it is really tough to resist temptation. We need his strength to battle the temptations of our own desires. St. Paul wrote to the Ephesians to do battle with all attacks against us (temptations are truly attacks against our own welfare) we must be strong in the Lord. 

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;"

                                                                                     (Eph 6:10-18)

Put on the armor of God and stand firm against all attacks of temptation by the power of God's might through the Holy Spirit.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

What Marvelous Things

But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him”

1 Corinth 2:9

There are times when I think that God is not answering my prayers fast enough. It is in those times that I have to rethink what I am asking for. Am I being specific and asking for things that is not according to God's will? Maybe, I am asking for less than God desires for those whom I pray for.

When my prayers seem to go unanswered, maybe it's time to recognize that my heart cannot even begin to conceive of the blessings that God has prepared for those whom I care for and pray for. There are times that maybe I should just be praying for God to protect and bless them with the knowledge of how much He loves them instead of trying to steer their lives in the way that I think that they should go. Maybe, I should let go and let God work in their lives more often. That's not to say I shouldn't pray for and help them when they are in need. But, that I should let God do the marvelous works that He does and not interfere quite so much!

May God help us to better understand that our will does not always agree with the will of God for His children.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Discernment By The Holy Spirit

We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. However, as it is written:

“What no eye has seen,
    what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”—
    the things God has prepared for those who love him—

these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.

                                                                                                                1 Cor 2:6-10 NIV

Others may not have a clue to the mysteries that the followers of Jesus comprehend and sometimes we may forget that they don't. We expect them to understand what we might even call "common sense." But, it is not common sense that leads us to follow Jesus and to discern God's will for us. It is the Spirit of God who does this.

By the Spirit of God we are united in Christ. We are one. We who are of the Body of Christ have the mind of Christ. He is our head. Is it any wonder that we should be able to discern the things that come from God?

My constant prayer is that God would open eyes, ears, hearts, and minds of all whom we love so that all people might discern God's gracious and loving will for them and for the world around them.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Do Not Be Afraid To Do His Will

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”  Matt 1:20-21 NIV

Joseph was quite concerned about what he should do about Mary. Should he put her away quietly? Should he expose the infidelity that surely must have occurred in order for her to be with child? He was concerned. He was worried. He was fearful. What to do? Joseph did what the angel of the Lord directed him to do. He took Mary home as his wife, believing that what was conceived in her was God's will. He was not afraid to do the will of God.

Are we afraid to do His will? Are we afraid that we might become publically humiliated if we confess the name of Jesus to those who do not profess the same faith? Are we afraid that we might fail? Do not be afraid. God has a plan for the good of all who love Him. He is with us always and He will see that His will is done.

Do not be afraid to do His will. Do not be afraid to share the Good News of the Kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord, for God is with you.

God's Peace - Pr. J