“Joseph was the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus…” Luke 1:16
Joseph’s t-shirt would have said “Life Is Good.” Things were fine today and tomorrow looked fabulous. He had a good job. He wouldn’t make it rich being a carpenter, but he could make it. He’d been able to build a home for him…actually for them. He was getting married! Married to Mary. She was a good girl, a Godly girl –- just a great girl! And she was going to be his.
She kind of was his already. The best way to describe it would be that they were legal but not lovers. But one day, hopefully soon, he could go get his bride and bring her home.
Then she turned up pregnant. How could she?? Why would she?? She was God’s. She was his. She wasn’t supposed to be anybody elses!! The emotions tumbled over each other in his heart. Anger. Betrayal. Shame.
“Stone her!!” some said. “Pile pain on the one who hurt you.” But Joseph couldn’t. His heart was broken but not bent on revenge. His dream would die, but Mary wouldn’t die with it.
He fell asleep. “It’s ok, Joseph, and it’s all good. You’re right. She’s mine, she’s yours, she’s not anybody elses, and she hasn’t been. The baby is mine – the promised Messiah – and you will name him Jesus for he will save his people from their sins. Wake up, Joseph, and step in. Step into a situation that looks worse than it really is. Step into a marriage that will always be marked by suspicion. Step into fatherhood and be a dad to the One who gave you life.”
And Joseph did. He stepped into the mess and married Mary. He stepped up his self-discipline and didn’t sleep with her until after Jesus was born. And he stepped out – out from his comfortable Nazareth to busy Bethlehem to exotic Egypt as he obeyed his Heavenly Father and protected the Father’s Son.
How appropriate that Joseph was Jesus' step-dad.
Time For A Little R&R
RECOGNIZE
What is God asking you to step into or step up to today?
RESPOND
Thank Him for being willing to step down from heaven for you and obediently step out for Him.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
What?!? or Whatever.
“Zechariah asked the angel, ‘How can I be sure of this?’” Luke 1:18
“‘I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered.” Luke 1:38
Gabriel, God’s number one messenger angel, had been busy.
“Go to earth and tell Zechariah I’m giving him a son.”
“Zechariah the priest? The old guy with the not-so-young wife?”
“The very one. He’s been praying for many years, and it’s finally time.”
So Gabriel zipped or flew or whatever angels do, down from God’s presence to Zechariah.
“God has heard your prayers, Zechariah. Your wife Elizabeth will have a son.”
“What?!? No way! How can I be sure?”
Gabriel was soon sent to earth again.
“Go to Nazareth and tell Mary I’m giving her a son, my Son.”
“Mary? The young girl engaged to the carpenter guy Joseph?”
“The very one. The people have been waiting for many years, and it’s finally time.”
So Gabriel zipped or flew or whatever angels do, down from God’s presence to Mary.
“Greetings, God’s special one. You’re going to have a son – God’s Son.”
“I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.”
Two similar messages. Two different responses.
Zechariah’s reaction was a skeptical “What?!?” Mary’s was a surrendered “Whatever.”
Our doubt doesn’t alter God’s design. Elizabeth still gave birth to John the Baptist, but Zechariah had to listen to her tell everyone everything without being able to say anything!
And God planted the Eternal One into the womb of an ordinary teenager. “Nothing is impossible with God,” Gabriel told the marveling Mary, and nothing has changed. God works His ways to accomplish His will, and amazingly, He invites us to join in. He usually doesn’t send celestial angels to tell us our part in His plan, but He speaks just as loudly through Scripture, our circumstances, and His Spirit.
The response is up to us. Will we answer with Zechariah’s halting “What?!?” or with Mary’s humble “Whatever.” This Christmas don’t miss out on what God is doing because of your doubting.
Trust His Word. Trust His ways. Trust His heart.
He will do more than you can ask or imagine.
Time for a little R&R
RECOGNIZE
Are you doubting anything God has shown you or said to you?
RESPOND
Confess your “What?!?” and commit yourself to Him for whatever He desires.
“‘I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered.” Luke 1:38
Gabriel, God’s number one messenger angel, had been busy.
“Go to earth and tell Zechariah I’m giving him a son.”
“Zechariah the priest? The old guy with the not-so-young wife?”
“The very one. He’s been praying for many years, and it’s finally time.”
So Gabriel zipped or flew or whatever angels do, down from God’s presence to Zechariah.
“God has heard your prayers, Zechariah. Your wife Elizabeth will have a son.”
“What?!? No way! How can I be sure?”
Gabriel was soon sent to earth again.
“Go to Nazareth and tell Mary I’m giving her a son, my Son.”
“Mary? The young girl engaged to the carpenter guy Joseph?”
“The very one. The people have been waiting for many years, and it’s finally time.”
So Gabriel zipped or flew or whatever angels do, down from God’s presence to Mary.
“Greetings, God’s special one. You’re going to have a son – God’s Son.”
“I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.”
Two similar messages. Two different responses.
Zechariah’s reaction was a skeptical “What?!?” Mary’s was a surrendered “Whatever.”
Our doubt doesn’t alter God’s design. Elizabeth still gave birth to John the Baptist, but Zechariah had to listen to her tell everyone everything without being able to say anything!
And God planted the Eternal One into the womb of an ordinary teenager. “Nothing is impossible with God,” Gabriel told the marveling Mary, and nothing has changed. God works His ways to accomplish His will, and amazingly, He invites us to join in. He usually doesn’t send celestial angels to tell us our part in His plan, but He speaks just as loudly through Scripture, our circumstances, and His Spirit.
The response is up to us. Will we answer with Zechariah’s halting “What?!?” or with Mary’s humble “Whatever.” This Christmas don’t miss out on what God is doing because of your doubting.
Trust His Word. Trust His ways. Trust His heart.
He will do more than you can ask or imagine.
Time for a little R&R
RECOGNIZE
Are you doubting anything God has shown you or said to you?
RESPOND
Confess your “What?!?” and commit yourself to Him for whatever He desires.
Unto Us
“Joseph was the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called the Christ.” Matt. 1:16
“Unto us a child is born; unto us a son is given...He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6
He came for you.
From eternity past, God planned for His coming. All of history was sovereignly orchestrated so that “when the time was right (Gal. 4:4),” Jesus burst onto the scene. Not to get glory. He left what was glorious. Not for fame. Here He would face shame. He wasn’t looking for praise. A myriad of angels had endlessly declared His holiness. He didn’t come for Himself. He came for you.
He came for the Tamars, the Rahabs, the Ruths, and the Bathsheebas. For those of us crippled by fear and haunted by failure. For those whose hearts have faced devastation and felt desperation.
He was given the name Jesus – “the Lord saves” – to declare His purpose and display His power. He is our only Savior. We call Him the Wonderful Counselor who brings purpose to our pain. He is our Mighty God - a fortress when we are afraid. We know Him as our Everlasting Father who provides when we are poor and as the Prince of Peace who stills our past and secures our future.
He came to us. He came for us.
He was purpose, protection, provision, and peace all wrapped up in swaddling clothes.
The best things really do come in small packages.
“Unto us a child is born; unto us a son is given...He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6
He came for you.
From eternity past, God planned for His coming. All of history was sovereignly orchestrated so that “when the time was right (Gal. 4:4),” Jesus burst onto the scene. Not to get glory. He left what was glorious. Not for fame. Here He would face shame. He wasn’t looking for praise. A myriad of angels had endlessly declared His holiness. He didn’t come for Himself. He came for you.
He came for the Tamars, the Rahabs, the Ruths, and the Bathsheebas. For those of us crippled by fear and haunted by failure. For those whose hearts have faced devastation and felt desperation.
He was given the name Jesus – “the Lord saves” – to declare His purpose and display His power. He is our only Savior. We call Him the Wonderful Counselor who brings purpose to our pain. He is our Mighty God - a fortress when we are afraid. We know Him as our Everlasting Father who provides when we are poor and as the Prince of Peace who stills our past and secures our future.
He came to us. He came for us.
He was purpose, protection, provision, and peace all wrapped up in swaddling clothes.
The best things really do come in small packages.
The Peace Child
“A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ: …David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife…” Matthew 1:1&6
Go ahead and pin on the scarlet letter. Known best for her fling with the king, Bathsheeba’s name is almost always associated with adultery. Her infamous rooftop bath inspired a royal summons and an immoral rendezvous. Whether she was an eager participant or simply too timid to refuse, we’re not sure. But we are certain Bathsheeba turned up pregnant, and King David turned on the cover-up. When the “Come home from war and visit your wife!” didn’t work on her soldier husband Uriah, David resorted to a battlefield murder, then quickly married the grieving widow.
Soon after their son was born, David was confronted with his sin. He openly confessed and was graciously forgiven, but the consequences were severe. The baby died, and Bathsheeba was devastated. The sin of adultery, the shame of the pregnancy, sadness for her husband, sorrow for her son. Her past was not pretty. It was horrible and hard. Filled with regret and remorse, she desperately wanted to turn back time…but she could not.
Bathsheeba couldn’t relive her past. Only God could redeem it for the future. And He did. He blessed her with another baby and sent him a special name, Jedidiah -- “loved by the Lord.” Although David had several other wives and many other sons, God purposely chose this little one to become the next king and be part of His holy heritage.
We know the baby as Solomon – David and Bathsheeba’s “peace” child. His birth was a comforting confirmation that God’s current grace does not depend on our previous performance. What used to be doesn’t determine what has to be. Our former follies and earlier errors come crashing into love at the manger and grace at the cross. And we are given peace.
Bathsheeba “had been Uriah’s wife.” David had been God’s special sovereign. Together they made a royal mess. But God took their history and made it His story. He gave them a baby who brought peace to their past and hope for their future.
He’s given us one too.
Time for a Little R&R
RECOGNIZE
We all have time times we want to turn back time. What “if onlys” and “I wish I hadn’ts” are heavy on your heart today?
RESPOND
Let God get you past your past. Openly confess your sin – Ask for His grace – Receive His peace.
Go ahead and pin on the scarlet letter. Known best for her fling with the king, Bathsheeba’s name is almost always associated with adultery. Her infamous rooftop bath inspired a royal summons and an immoral rendezvous. Whether she was an eager participant or simply too timid to refuse, we’re not sure. But we are certain Bathsheeba turned up pregnant, and King David turned on the cover-up. When the “Come home from war and visit your wife!” didn’t work on her soldier husband Uriah, David resorted to a battlefield murder, then quickly married the grieving widow.
Soon after their son was born, David was confronted with his sin. He openly confessed and was graciously forgiven, but the consequences were severe. The baby died, and Bathsheeba was devastated. The sin of adultery, the shame of the pregnancy, sadness for her husband, sorrow for her son. Her past was not pretty. It was horrible and hard. Filled with regret and remorse, she desperately wanted to turn back time…but she could not.
Bathsheeba couldn’t relive her past. Only God could redeem it for the future. And He did. He blessed her with another baby and sent him a special name, Jedidiah -- “loved by the Lord.” Although David had several other wives and many other sons, God purposely chose this little one to become the next king and be part of His holy heritage.
We know the baby as Solomon – David and Bathsheeba’s “peace” child. His birth was a comforting confirmation that God’s current grace does not depend on our previous performance. What used to be doesn’t determine what has to be. Our former follies and earlier errors come crashing into love at the manger and grace at the cross. And we are given peace.
Bathsheeba “had been Uriah’s wife.” David had been God’s special sovereign. Together they made a royal mess. But God took their history and made it His story. He gave them a baby who brought peace to their past and hope for their future.
He’s given us one too.
Time for a Little R&R
RECOGNIZE
We all have time times we want to turn back time. What “if onlys” and “I wish I hadn’ts” are heavy on your heart today?
RESPOND
Let God get you past your past. Openly confess your sin – Ask for His grace – Receive His peace.
Our Daily Bread
“A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ: …Boaz was the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth…” Matthew 1:1&5
The situation was really rather pitiful. Ruth arrived in Bethlehem as a poor immigrant - a young widow with nothing but a bitter, broken mother-in-law. Their hope had been buried along with their husbands, and their future was sadly bleak. Naomi had urged her to return home and rebuild her life, but instead Ruth had clung to her mother-in-law and committed to her God.
They didn’t need much – just enough to survive. So Ruth headed to the fields to find some leftover grain for food. By heavenly happenstance, she ended up in a field belonging to Boaz – a close relative of the family. It didn’t take long for Boaz to notice the new girl! “Stay in my fields and come share my lunch,” he told Ruth. “Leave her alone and let her have extra grain,” he told his workers.
During the remaining harvest season, Boaz saw Ruth’s hard work and she saw his soft heart. In a daring move of womanly wisdom, she made a midnight marriage proposal, asking for his protection and provision. As Boaz heard her request, no doubt he recalled the words he had spoken only a few months before, “May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, under whose wings you have come to take refuge."
“Take refuge. Come find what you need.” The poor come pleading. The needy come knocking. Ruth was both. She brought nothing to the table but needed everything on it, and Boaz was the one who could provide. He was a “kinsman redeemer,” a family member who could care for the broken and the begging.
Boaz proclaimed his desire for her hand in marriage and cleverly conducted business to take her home as his bride. God added to their blessings a bouncy baby boy named Obed, who grew up and had a son named Jesse, who grew up and had a son named David. Yes, that David – King David. Ruth - the grandmother of King David and an ancestor of the King of Kings.
Is it any wonder that her story took place in Bethlehem - “the house of bread”? For in that same place, on the first Christmas night, the only One who could redeem us, graciously came to us as the Bread of Life.
Come to Him and find what you need.
Time for a Little R&R
RECOGNIZE
What do you need? Really, what do you need today?
RESPOND
Come as Ruth did, acknowledging what you don’t have and asking for what He does. He will provide.
The situation was really rather pitiful. Ruth arrived in Bethlehem as a poor immigrant - a young widow with nothing but a bitter, broken mother-in-law. Their hope had been buried along with their husbands, and their future was sadly bleak. Naomi had urged her to return home and rebuild her life, but instead Ruth had clung to her mother-in-law and committed to her God.
They didn’t need much – just enough to survive. So Ruth headed to the fields to find some leftover grain for food. By heavenly happenstance, she ended up in a field belonging to Boaz – a close relative of the family. It didn’t take long for Boaz to notice the new girl! “Stay in my fields and come share my lunch,” he told Ruth. “Leave her alone and let her have extra grain,” he told his workers.
During the remaining harvest season, Boaz saw Ruth’s hard work and she saw his soft heart. In a daring move of womanly wisdom, she made a midnight marriage proposal, asking for his protection and provision. As Boaz heard her request, no doubt he recalled the words he had spoken only a few months before, “May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, under whose wings you have come to take refuge."
“Take refuge. Come find what you need.” The poor come pleading. The needy come knocking. Ruth was both. She brought nothing to the table but needed everything on it, and Boaz was the one who could provide. He was a “kinsman redeemer,” a family member who could care for the broken and the begging.
Boaz proclaimed his desire for her hand in marriage and cleverly conducted business to take her home as his bride. God added to their blessings a bouncy baby boy named Obed, who grew up and had a son named Jesse, who grew up and had a son named David. Yes, that David – King David. Ruth - the grandmother of King David and an ancestor of the King of Kings.
Is it any wonder that her story took place in Bethlehem - “the house of bread”? For in that same place, on the first Christmas night, the only One who could redeem us, graciously came to us as the Bread of Life.
Come to Him and find what you need.
Time for a Little R&R
RECOGNIZE
What do you need? Really, what do you need today?
RESPOND
Come as Ruth did, acknowledging what you don’t have and asking for what He does. He will provide.
Monday, December 8, 2008
God's Call Girl
“A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ: …Salmon was the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab…” Matthew 1:1&5
Rahab knew Jericho’s walls were no match for a God who had parted the Red Sea and defeated powerful armies. She wasn’t just concerned; she was terrified. Rahab realized her idols weren’t real gods at all and that the God of Israel was the Lord of it all. In a jumbled mixture of fear and faith, she courageously lied to the soldiers, hid the spies on her roof, and saved the lives of her family when Jericho was destroyed. She moved in with the Israelites, married Salmon – a leader of the tribe of Judah, and became a mommy!
Had Salmon been one of the spies? Was it love at first sight? We won’t know all the juicy, joyful details until heaven, but what we do know is that God picked up a scared streetwalker, held her close as Jericho’s walls and her world tumbled around her, and gently set her down in the center of His special family.
In the middle of her fear, Rahab found God to be a mighty fortress. She was scared. He was strong. She was timid. He could be trusted. Rahab was a harlot. God was holy. Her life had been full of lust. He filled it up with love. She was nothing to write home about. He recorded her story for all eternity.
No wonder Rahab gracefully glistens on Jesus’ family tree. She deserved nothing and God gave her everything.
Isn’t that what Christmas is really all about?
Time for a Little R&R
RECOGNIZE
What scares you right now – your past, present, or future?
RESPOND
God wants to be your mighty fortress. Bring Him your fear and your faith. You will find Him sweetly strong.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Trimming the Tree
“A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ: Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac was the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah, Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar…” Matthew 1:1-3
Ah, the family tree. Often found on walls in offices and living rooms, it hangs as a noble tribute to the lives and legacies of relatives near and far. Let’s be honest – in most families some branches might be better sawn off or at least not climbed! But when Matthew framed the genealogy of Jesus at the beginning of his gospel, he didn’t cover up anything or anyone! Instead of cutting limbs away, he highlight the lowlights (or low lives) of our Savior’s kinfolk! Amazingly, the facts and feelings of those forefathers - and foremothers – reflect the deepest cries of our own hearts and echo our greatest needs. Their stories trim the family tree of Jesus as ornaments of grace hanging on a garland of Divine design.
“…whose mother was Tamar.” Tamar – the first “by the way” on the family tree. Abraham fathered Isaac. Isaac fathered Jacob. Jacob fathered Judah. Judah fathered Perez and Zerah, whose mother, by the way, was Tamar. Who was she? Why is she here? Call Geraldo! Her story seems better fitted for shock TV than a royal ancestry. Tamar was the mother of Judah’s children but she wasn’t his wife. She was actually his daughter-in-law. No, her husband wasn’t mad. He was dead. In fact, both of her husbands were dead. And the man who should have been her husband, wasn’t. That’s why she had her father-in-law’s babies. True story.
Tamar, filled with the hopes and desires of every young bride, had married Judah’s oldest son Er, but he was so wicked that “the Lord put him to death.” (Gen. 38:7) Judah instructed his next oldest son Onan to marry Tamar so Er’s family line would continue. (Yes, this was the lawful and legal.) Onan didn’t want any kid of his counting for his brother, so before he took care of things with Tamar, he took care of things on his own. God killed him too. Judah told Tamar to go back to Daddy, live as a lonely widow, and wait for his youngest son to grow up, but when little Shelah was big enough to marry, Tamar wasn’t the bride.
The pain of shattered dreams, unfulfilled expectations, and broken promises drove Tamar to a wild plan. She posed as a prostitute, accepted Judah’s proposition, and ended up pregnant. When her baby bump became too big to hide, Judah wanted her burned to death until she publicly proved his paternity by the items given for payment. He relented and repented and provided for her and the boys. Yes, the boys. God gave her twins, taking away her disgrace and filling up her arms and heart.
A wicked husband, a wimpy brother-in-law, a wily father-in-law. Disappointment. Anger. Hurt. The rugged realities of life displayed for all to see. Why? Why mention Tamar? Why include her story? Because it reminds us that God is the one who can bring purpose to our pain. He loves us no matter what. He understands more than we know. He can take it all – the happy and the hurtful – and shape it by His grace. And then hang it beautifully on His family tree.
Time for a Little R&R
RECOGNIZE
How have shattered dreams, unfulfilled expectations, and broken promises caused disappointment, anger, and hurt in your life?
RESPOND
Honestly bring all your pain to God. Ask Him to shape it by His grace for His purpose. Ask Him to replace the junk with joy and to make you beautiful for Him.
Ah, the family tree. Often found on walls in offices and living rooms, it hangs as a noble tribute to the lives and legacies of relatives near and far. Let’s be honest – in most families some branches might be better sawn off or at least not climbed! But when Matthew framed the genealogy of Jesus at the beginning of his gospel, he didn’t cover up anything or anyone! Instead of cutting limbs away, he highlight the lowlights (or low lives) of our Savior’s kinfolk! Amazingly, the facts and feelings of those forefathers - and foremothers – reflect the deepest cries of our own hearts and echo our greatest needs. Their stories trim the family tree of Jesus as ornaments of grace hanging on a garland of Divine design.
“…whose mother was Tamar.” Tamar – the first “by the way” on the family tree. Abraham fathered Isaac. Isaac fathered Jacob. Jacob fathered Judah. Judah fathered Perez and Zerah, whose mother, by the way, was Tamar. Who was she? Why is she here? Call Geraldo! Her story seems better fitted for shock TV than a royal ancestry. Tamar was the mother of Judah’s children but she wasn’t his wife. She was actually his daughter-in-law. No, her husband wasn’t mad. He was dead. In fact, both of her husbands were dead. And the man who should have been her husband, wasn’t. That’s why she had her father-in-law’s babies. True story.
Tamar, filled with the hopes and desires of every young bride, had married Judah’s oldest son Er, but he was so wicked that “the Lord put him to death.” (Gen. 38:7) Judah instructed his next oldest son Onan to marry Tamar so Er’s family line would continue. (Yes, this was the lawful and legal.) Onan didn’t want any kid of his counting for his brother, so before he took care of things with Tamar, he took care of things on his own. God killed him too. Judah told Tamar to go back to Daddy, live as a lonely widow, and wait for his youngest son to grow up, but when little Shelah was big enough to marry, Tamar wasn’t the bride.
The pain of shattered dreams, unfulfilled expectations, and broken promises drove Tamar to a wild plan. She posed as a prostitute, accepted Judah’s proposition, and ended up pregnant. When her baby bump became too big to hide, Judah wanted her burned to death until she publicly proved his paternity by the items given for payment. He relented and repented and provided for her and the boys. Yes, the boys. God gave her twins, taking away her disgrace and filling up her arms and heart.
A wicked husband, a wimpy brother-in-law, a wily father-in-law. Disappointment. Anger. Hurt. The rugged realities of life displayed for all to see. Why? Why mention Tamar? Why include her story? Because it reminds us that God is the one who can bring purpose to our pain. He loves us no matter what. He understands more than we know. He can take it all – the happy and the hurtful – and shape it by His grace. And then hang it beautifully on His family tree.
Time for a Little R&R
RECOGNIZE
How have shattered dreams, unfulfilled expectations, and broken promises caused disappointment, anger, and hurt in your life?
RESPOND
Honestly bring all your pain to God. Ask Him to shape it by His grace for His purpose. Ask Him to replace the junk with joy and to make you beautiful for Him.
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