Day 56 - Titus

66-DAY JOURNEY OF THE BIBLE

Day 56 - Titus (How a Christian should Live)

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“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,  teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,  looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,  who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.”  (Titus 2:11-14)

The Lord Jesus is the grace of God that brought salvation to all men.  He taught us through His Word and His example how to live a godly life.  As children of God, we are to say no to ungodliness and worldly lust.  We are to keep all things in moderation even though those things are not evil in itself such as food or drink.  We are to live godly in this present world and keep our eyes fixed unto Jesus and His coming again.

Thankfully, we are not left on our own to live the impossible life that Christ showed us.  Jesus Himself provided everything that we need in order to live a godly life.  He first gave Himself to die for us to redeem or rescue us from every sin and to make us holy and zealous for good works.

Then after Jesus ascended to heaven, He left us the Holy Spirit, God Himself, to dwell inside every person who surrenders his life completely to Christ.  The Holy Spirit seals the believer unto the Day when Christ returns to bring us with Him.  The Holy Spirit also enables every believer to understand God’s Word as we read and listen to it and He empowers us to live the impossible life of a Christian.

As you start this new year, I pray that you will also start, if you have not yet done so, to live the life that God intended you to live - the impossible life of a godly believer.  If you don’t know where to start, ask the heavenly Father to give you the Holy Spirit, and He will.  Then, just let the Holy Spirit lead and guide you in everything, and He will.  

Day 55 - 2 Timothy

66-DAY JOURNEY OF THE BIBLE

Day 55 - 2 Timothy (The Value of Scripture)

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“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,  that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

(2 Timothy 3:16-17)

The apostle Paul validated all of the Old Testament as the divinely inspired Word of God and said that the person who reads and obeys it will reap rewards that are eternally valuable for the man and woman of God.

God wills that His children know ALL of Scripture as our text above states.  That means we are to read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation.  Not everyone, not even every Christian, will want to read the entire Bible; only those who seriously want to know God and His Word and want to gain the spiritual rewards that come with the promise of studying Scruptures will want and will actually read the whole Bible.

If you are one of the rare few who want to be able to read the whole Bible, I invite you to join me in a one-year journey through the entire Bible starting January 1, 2015.  I will be posting a daily reading schedule and corresponding devotional on FB and also on my personal blogspot.  Ideally, you will read the assigned passage which should take about 15 to 20 minutes and also my devo but, if you are really pressed for time, you should at least read the devo.

I would love to hear from you should you decide to join me in this exciting journey.  It will give me great joy to know that others are being blessed by my devotionals.  Happy journey!

Day 54 - 1 Timothy

66-DAY JOURNEY OF THE BIBLE

Day 54 - 1 Timothy (The Love of Money)

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“Now godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.  And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.  But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.  For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”  (1 Timothy 6:6-10)  

The Bible never said that money is the root of all evil.  Rather, as our text above state, “the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.”  Money in and of itself is no different than any other material thing; it can be used for good or for evil.

The temptation to be rich is may be strongest temptation that every person faces.  Many individuals who are normally good law-abiding citizens will do anything for the right amount of money.  The counsel from God in today’s Scripture passage to pursue godliness with contentment could be one of the most important that anyone could adhere to in order to avoid “many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.”

If you desire to be truly rich in this world as well as in the kingdom of God, try this as your new year’s resolution:

I will be content with having food and clothing and a roof over my head and I will live as simply as I can in 2015.  I will also pursue godliness instead of riches as my goal in life.

I can assure you that if you adopt the resolution above, you will know what it means to be truly rich not just in this world but especially in the eyes of God.

Day 53 - 2 Thessalonians

66-DAY JOURNEY OF THE BIBLE

Day 53 - 2 Thessalonians (God’s Vengeance)

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“In flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.  These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,  when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed.”  (2 Thessalonians 1:8-10)

The above passage is one of the most frightening in all of Spcripture.  God, speaking through he apostle Paul, is saying that He will take vengeance on those who do not know Him and those who do not obey the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

God says that these people shall be punished with everlasting destruction away from His presence (which place could none other be than hell).  This terrible event will take place at the second coming of Jesus Christ WITH His saints (see previous post on the rapture and second coming) to judge the whole earth.

The question is: Do you know God and do you obey the gospel of Jesus Christ?  God is very clear that if you don’t, you will be counted among those who will be judged at the coming of Christ.

Jesus left no room for uncertainty regarding those who know God and obey His gospel:

And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever-- the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. (John 14:16-17)

Jesus said that those who have the Holy Spirit dwellling inside of them are those who know God for no one can know Him apart from the Holy Spirit.

Do you have the Holy Spirit in you?  If you are not sure, then in most likelihood, you don’t.  The Bible teaches that those who have the Spirit of God know for sure that they do.  The good news is that you can be sure that you have the Holy Spirit right now.  All you have to do is to ask God.  Read the promise of Jesus below:

If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!  (Luke 11:13)

Will you ask God right now to fill you with the Holy Spirit.  You have no one to blame but yourself if you are counted among those who will be judged when God takes vengeance on those who do not know Him.

Day 52 - 1 Thessalonians

66-DAY JOURNEY OF THE BIBLE

Day 52 - 1 Thessalonians (Rapture and Resurrection)

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But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.  For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.  For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.  Therefore comfort one another with these words.  (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

The Bible always refers to dead Christians as either dead in Christ or asleep.  Our text above details the order of the rapture and the resurrection of the dead in Christ.  Those who are alive when Jesus comes FOR the saints (the rapture) will not precede the dead in Christ.  In other words, those who are asleep will rise and meet Jesus in the clouds first then those who are alive will follow immediately after.

The question naturally arises:  What happens to the old testament believers as well as those who will believe after the rapture?  The Bible teaches that they will rise at the second coming of Christ WITH the saints (those raptured and resurrected at the rapture).

What does this all mean to you and me?  For Christians, as Paul wrote in the beginning of our text, we do not sorrow concerning those who have fallen asleep.  One day, we will be reunited with our loved ones who have placed their faith and hope in Christ.  

For those of you who have yet to repent of their sins and place their faith in Christ, may this truth about the rapture and resurrection move you not to delay the most important decision you can ever make.  Not making a decision to trust Christ is a decision not to trust him.  I pray you will begin the coming new year with a new life in Christ and the assurance of eternal life that comes with it.

Day 51 - Colossians

66-DAY JOURNEY OF THE BIBLE

Day 51 - Colossians (Jesus is God)

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He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.  For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.  And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.  (Colossians 1:15-17)

I was just reading an article the other day about how to prove that Jesus is God using the passage above by simply drawing two boxes.  On one box is written inside: “All things that were ever created” and on the other box is written inside: “Creator”.  Where would you place Jesus who is being described in the text above as being the One who created all things?

Obviously, if Jesus created all things that ever existed, it would be impossible that He also created Himself.  It follows, therefore, that Jesus could only be placed in the box labeled “Creator” and He must by the definition of Creator be God Himself.

Have you been regarding Jesus as your Creator or have you been regarding Him as if He was just another created being?  You might want to pray the prayer below for yourself:

Lord Jesus, please forgive me for not giving you the reverence and obedience you deserve as God.  Please help me from this day on to worship and obey you as the God of the universe and as my Creator.  Reveal yourself to me and mold me into the kind of person you want me to be.  Amen.

Day 50 - Philippians

66-DAY JOURNEY OF THE BIBLE

Day 50 - Philippians (The Meaning of Christmas)

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Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.  And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.  (Philippians 2:5-8)

I read the Christmas story in the text above which typically is not referred to when teaching about Christmas.  It is saying that Jesus Christ, who is God, humbled Himself and came into this world as an infant born of lowly parents in a manger among domestic animals and shepherds with the sole purpose of going to Calvary to die on the cross in order to save us from our sins.  That in a nutshell is the whole story of Christmas.

The commandment to believers in our text is for us to have the same mind which was also in

Christ Jesus.  Just as Christ did not consider His diety as something to be insisted upon but rather humbled Himself by becoming the lowliest of man, Christians also ought to have the same mindset of humility.  

The apostle Paul understood and practiced this true humility as he described it in the following chapter of the same letter to the Philippians:

 

“though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.  But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.” (Philippians 3:4-7)

If both Christ and the apostle Paul did not think anything of themselves but humbled themselves to the point of death, I choose to do nothing else except to follow after their examples.  I will practice what the Scripture teaches and will consider others better than myself and will strive to become the servant of all and to have the same mind as Christ.  So help me God.

Day 49 - Ephesians

66-DAY JOURNEY OF THE BIBLE

Day 49 - Ephesians (

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For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,  not of works, lest anyone should boast.  (Ephesians 2:8-9)

In the my post on the book of Galatians, the apostle Paul taught that a person who tried to earn salvation through the law is cursed.  In our text above, Paul, speaking through the Holy Spirit, further teaches that salvation is by grace through faith apart from works.  

By definition, grace means unmerited favor; therefore, the fact that salvation is by the grace of God means that no one deserves to be saved.  The whole Bible teaches this very truth, that is, that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)  If even the most perfect person save Christ could be deserving of heaven, then for that “perfect” person, salvation is no more by grace but rather is earned.

Paul goes on to say in our text above that salvation as well as faith that saves us is the gift of God not of works.  A gift that is paid by any token is no longer a gift but rather it becomes a purchase.  Is it possible that salvation could be purchased?  By no means!  If it was possible, then Christ’s sacrifice on the cross would have been to no avail!

Paul gives what could be the most compelling reason why salvation could only come by the grace of God: “lest anyone should boast.” (verse 9b)  If I could earn salvation by works, then I would have reason to boast that I am deserving of it more than others because of my goodness.

Do you see why God’s plan for salvation is for it to be by grace through faith apart from works?  If you still cannot, I urge you to read this short article again and again with the prayer that God would open the eyes of your understanding that you might truly be saved.

Day 48 - Galatians

66-DAY JOURNEY OF THE BIBLE

Day 48 - Galatians (Faith or Works?  Your Choice)

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For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them."11 But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for "the just shall live by faith." 12 Yet the law is not of faith, but "the man who does them shall live by them."  (Galatians 3:10-12)

The debate over whether a person is saved by good works or by faith alone (sola fide) has gone on from the beginning of history when Cain and Abel presented their offerings to God.  

The person who believes he is saved by doing good says this: “I will try my best to do as much good as I can while I live in this world and hope that the good I do will overcome the bad I do.  If I am good enough, perhaps I can skip Pugatory and go straight to heaven.”

The person who believes what the Bible teaches about faith as in the text above says this: “I believe that I am saved only by faith in Christ and His atoning sacrifice on the cross apart from any good work I can do.”  His belief is based on many other Scriptural passages such as the ones below:

Galatians 3:13-14; Ephesians 2:8-9;  John 3:16, 36; Romans 3:6:23, 10:1-13; Hebrews 4:1-10;

The great debate will continue until the end of history and each person that has heard the truth of about salvation will continue to make the choice between faith and works that will seal their eternal destiny.

Day 47 - 2 Corinthians

66-DAY JOURNEY OF THE BIBLE

Day 47 - 2 Corinthians (Living for Eternity)

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“... we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”  (2 Corinthians 4:18)

The believer is different from all other people in that he does not live for this present world but rather he lives for his hope of eternal life.  He has the blessed assurance of heaven because of the fact of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  He knows without a doubt that because Jesus lives, he too will live forever with Christ as He promised.

How does this hope of eternal life translate in my everyday living?  Speaking for myself,I as well as for the multitudes of believers whom I have the privilege of knowing, here are a few of the ways that my faith in the life after has affected my actions, really my whole life:

- I live to please Christ who died for me and who has prepared a home for me in heaven.

- I avoid sin like a plague and pray daily that I would have a hatred for sin.

- I live my life as a witness for Christ so that other might know Him through me.

- I serve others so that I might be a blessing and in blessing others be blessed myself.

- I think in terms of the legacy of faith that I will leave behind because I want my children to share in the eternal inheritance of the saints.

- I depend moment by moment on the Holy Spirit to lead and guide me in everything because I know that I am weak in my own strength but with Christ I can do all things.

Day 46 -1 Corinthians

66-DAY JOURNEY OF THE BIBLE

Day 46 - 1 Corinthians (What the Bible says about the Resurrection)

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But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.  For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead.  For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.  But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming.  Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power.  (1 Corinthians 15:20-24)

Christ’s resurrection was the game-changer.  Paul is saying that because Christ is risen, He has become the firstfruits (or first to rise) from the dead guaranteeing resurrection for all who believe in Him.

No words I can write could do justice to describe the glorious truth and wonder of the believer’s resurrection.  I leave that to those who are truly gifted with the pen.  I can, however, describe a few of the practical ramifications of the resurrection to the believer:

1. He lives for heaven instead of for this world. ‘“If the dead do not rise, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!"’ (1 Co. 15:32)
2. He is not afraid of death.  "O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?" (1 Co. 15:55)
3. He does not tire in doing good.  “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”  (1 Co. 15:58)

Day 45 - Romans

66-DAY JOURNEY OF THE BIBLE

Day 45 - Romans (God’s Plan of Salvation)

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“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God...For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  (Romans 3:23, 6:23)

There is not a single person in the world that can legitimately claim that he has not sinned except Jesus.  God has issued the penalty for the crime of sin and it is death.  But God “is not willing that any should perish (in hell) but that all should come to repentance.  So, by the only way possible for man to be redeemed from sin’s wages, God provided His only begotten Son Jesus to die on the cross in our place as our substitute.  Now, God freely offers the gift of eternal life to all who would repent and receive the gift.

It is so much like God to make something as important as salvation to be obtained as easily as receiving a gift.  Make no mistake about it, the gift is easy for us to receive but it was very costly for God to give.  God had to become a human being in order to die in our place so that we do not have to die for our own sins.

As you give and receive gifts this Christmas, I hope that you will seriously contemplate on the gift of eternal life that God has provided for you and for me and what it cost our Savior.  And if you have never received the gift of God, why not do it this Christmas as the greatest gift you will ever accept?

 

Day 44 - Acts

66-DAY JOURNEY OF THE BIBLE

Day 44 - Acts (Joy in the Midst of Suffering)

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And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely.  Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.  But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.  ...And he brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"  So they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household."  Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.  And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized.  (Acts 16:23-33)

Paul and Silas were dragged in prison and beaten severely for casting out a demon that possessed a slave girl who enriched her master by fortune-telling.  Instead of complaining to God for the persecution they suffered for doing His work, Paul and Silas praised and sang hymns to God!  As a result of their witness, the jailer and his family got saved!

Oftentimes, we complain and get depressed whenever things don’t go the way we want it to such as when we are afflicted with sickness, job loss, relationship problems, etc.  I know I am guilty of it many times.  When I compare even the worst problem I ever had, it does not even come close to the suffering that Paul experienced.

Lord, forgive me for all the times when I complained instead of giving praise to you.  Please help me to be thankful always even in times of trials and suffering.  Please use me as a witness to others who may be watching me and how I react to life’s pressures.  I want my testimony to be like sweet grapes when pressed instead of lemon.  In Jesus name, amen.     

Day 43 - John

66-DAY JOURNEY OF THE BIBLE

Day 43 - John (God’s Love)

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For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  (John 3:16)

John 3:16 is undoubtedly the most quoted verse in Scripture and rightly so for it is, in my opinion, one of the most important, if not the most important.  This verse describes the extent of God’s love for mankind which He created.  

God, speaking through the apostle Paul, said that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 2:23)  Paul goes on to say in Romans 6:23 that the “wages (penalty) of sin is death (in hell).  But God loves us so much that He “is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9b)

But God is a gentleman and will not force anyone against his or her own will.  He gives us a choice whether to receive the forgiveness of sins which He provided by giving His only begotten Son to die in our place.  

You see, salvation or heaven is not automatic for everyone or even for the privileged few who are lucky enough to be brought up in the “right” religion or family.  If that were the case, then Jesus would be a liar in saying that “whoever (meaning whoever) believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

God has provided all of mankind the greatest gift of all, that is, the gift of eternal life by faith in His Son Jesus.  This Christmas, the best gift you can give to God is to receive His gift that He offers you.    

Day 42 - Luke

66-DAY JOURNEY OF THE BIBLE

Day 42 - Luke (Mary’s Song)

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And Mary said: "My soul magnifies the Lord,  And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.  For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.  For He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy is His name.  (Luke 1:46-49)

The above passage from the gospel of St. Luke is part of a longer song of praise of Mary that she uttered after Elizabeth prophetically confirmed the Messiah she was carrying in her womb upon seeing her young cousin (verse 42-45).

Indeed, Mary was blessed among women and she made it known to all generations in her Magnificat.  She acknowledged her lowly estate and gave all glory and honor to God for her blessed lot in life among all women.  She knew that had it not been for God’s sovereign act in choosing her, she would have been no different from all the other women.

How so much similar is Mary’s calling to the believer’s election in which the Bible teaches that the believer has no part whatsoever in his election by God unto salvation.  Scripture says that even the faith that saved him was first given to him by God.

How can God invite anyone and all people to come to Him for salvation and yet choose only some to be saved?  The answer is, no one knows.  Just like God chose Mary and not any other woman.  We need only be content to know that God has His reasons and they are perfect and beautiful.

Day 41 - Mark

66-DAY JOURNEY OF THE BIBLE

Day 41 - Mark (The Unpardonable Sin)

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"Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter;  but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation"  (Mark 3:28-29)

How can one blaspheme the Holy Spirit and commit the unpardonable sin?  The Bible is very clear that there is only one sin that will send people to eternity in hell, that is, the sin of unbelief.  Jesus said,

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.  He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John3:16-18)

To deny that Jesus is the only way to the Father as He claimed in John 14:6, and as He has proven by His countless miracles and fulfilled prophecies, is to attribute the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of Jesus to demons which was the context of our text in Mark 3:28-29.

No man can claim that a person has committed the unpardonable sin - only God knows; but only a fool will ignore the warning of Christ and continue in his or her unbelief in Christ because doing so may have already irreversibly sealed his destiny to eternal condemnation.

Day 40 - Matthew

66-DAY JOURNEY OF THE BIBLE

Day 40 - Matthew (Joseph's Example of Obedience)

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But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.  And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins."  So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying:  "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us."  Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son.And he called His name Jesus.  (Matthew 1:20-25)

There is so much in this passage to learn from but I would like to focus on how Joseph, being a typical man, struggled about what to do with his apparently unfaithful wife Mary.  That was when an angel appeared to him and assured him not to be afraid to consummate his marriage with Mary.   

Joseph’s response to the angel’s announcement was one that we all need to emulate.  We read that Joseph did exactly as the angel instructed him and did not divorce Mary as he intended to do.  So we see Joseph rise from being a typical man to being a faithful man because of his obedience to the Word of God.  And the apostle Matthew records that Joseph did not have sexual relations with Mary until she gave birth to her firstborn son (verse 25).

I pray that you and I will follow the example of Joseph and become obedient to the Word of God, most importantly, His Word that invites all people to submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.