The Word for Today

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Joseph
Joseph [Mary's] husband, being a just man…
Matthew 1:19 NKJV
Joseph's role in the Christmas story teaches us two things: 1) your character matters to God and 2) doing God's will is not easy.

Jesus' earthly father was a small town carpenter living in Nazareth, a single-camel dot on the map. Why Joseph? Doesn't God have better options? A major part of the answer lies in his reputation, which he's willing to give up for Jesus. 'Then Joseph [Mary's] husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.' The phrase 'a just man,' recognises Joseph's character. He'd earned respect through a lifetime of honesty and hard work. We'd probably view him as we would an Elder, Deacon or Lay Preacher. But Mary's announcement, 'I'm pregnant', put it all at risk. Now what? On one hand he has the law; on the other hand he has his love. The law says, 'stone her'; his love says, 'save her'. Joseph is caught in the middle. Doing the will of God is rewarding, but seldom easy! Even after the angel explains to him the miracle of virgin birth, he still faces a dilemma. Make up a lie and preserve his place in the community, or tell the truth and kiss his reputation goodbye. He makes his decision, 'Joseph… took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son… ' (Matthew 1:24-25 NKJV). Joseph swapped his teaching and his preconceived ideas for a pregnant fianc�e and an unplanned son. In so doing, he made the big decision of discipleship. What's that? Placing God's plan ahead of your own!

Daily Bible Reading:
Zechariah 5-8, Matthew 1:12-17, Psalm 117, Proverbs 31:18-21

  

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BETWEENUS 12/24/2009 1:00AM

Not an easy lesson, no matter what time of year it is. I hope you have a very Merry Christmas!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

Daily Manna

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Luke 2:25-32 NIV
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 'Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.'

  

Word for Today

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Serving God Or Money
You cannot serve both God and Money.
Matthew 6:24 NIV
Let's be honest. For most of us, materialism is God's main rival. But it's possible to get increasingly free of it. Author John Ortberg writes: 'Sometimes when I'm speaking, I try a little exercise in dethroning the idol. I ask people to take out their wallet… It looks like a piece of leather. But it's really the temple of the 21st century. Most people in our day believe that their ability to experience happiness is directly associated with the contents of this little container. This is where the god Mammon lives. We give this little piece of leather the power to make us feel secure, successful, and valuable. It's very hard for us to surrender control of this little piece of leather. The real issue: Who's in charge? Are you holding it, or is it holding you? So as a little baby step of surrender, I ask people to hand it to the person next to them. At this point the attention level in the room goes way up. Then I announce that we're going to take an offering. I encourage people to give with the extravagant generosity they have always wanted to exhibit. Wallets fly back to their original owners fast at this point. Then I invite them to declare today, 'Enough day.' What I have now - my home, my job, my possessions, my family, my lifestyle - is enough. I will seek another and better kind of wealth than terminal acquisition.' Then he tells the audience, 'Circle today on your calendar. From this day on, your race with the Joneses is over. The Joneses win, but so do you!'

Daily Bible Reading:
Zechariah 1-4, Matthew 1:6-11, Psalm 113, Proverbs 31:14-17

  

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BETWEENUS 12/23/2009 12:59PM

It's funny to read this at this time of year, since all I've heard from the Grandkids is what the want for Christmas. They were actually uptight working the food drive this year. It's so odd. Report Inappropriate Comment

Daily Manna

Monday, December 21, 2009

Matthew 1:18-21 NIV
This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 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.'

  

Word for Today

Monday, December 21, 2009

The Word for Today, Tuesday, 22nd December 2009
Pay Attention!
This is the way; walk in it.
Isaiah 30:21 NIV
James Michener said he had a neighbour whose tree stopped producing apples, so he hammered rusty nails around the trunk. That year he got his greatest crop of apples. He said, 'Hammering those nails in was a shock to remind the tree that its job is to grow apples.' Unscientific, maybe; but it worked! Michener explained how heart bypass surgery, hip surgery and a bout with vertigo were nails God hammered into the trunk of his life. It got his attention! Realising he wasn't going to live forever he got busy and in five years wrote eleven books; including best sellers.

'No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but… Later… it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace… ' (Hebrews 12:11 NIV). Verdell Davis says, 'There are things we could and should do something about. For example, the loss of material comforts can move us to simplify our lives. A clinical depression can lead us to seek help, and to healthier ways of living and relating. Losing a job we performed well can allow us to uncover gifts and talents we didn't know we had. The loss of some physical capacity can push us to develop other ways of performing that enrich all who come our way.' Harold Sala adds, 'Let's face it, when those rusty nails get hammered in we take notice and our lives become productive. [They're] delivered with the exhortation to get on with the business before us. The Father's love allows the hammer blows to goad us into accomplishing the full measure of His will.' So when you get a wake-up call from God saying, '"This is the way; walk in it."' (Isaiah 30:21 NIV) pay attention!

Daily Bible Reading:
2 Timothy 1-4, Matthew 1:1-6, Psalm 128, Proverbs 31:10-13