Joseph, Her Husband – Part 2
But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS (Matthew 1:20-25).
While he thought on these things. The first step in aligning ourselves with God is thinking. It’s always that way. The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts. (Psalm 10:4)
WE CAN EXPECT A BETTER OUTCOME FOR JOSEPH because he was a thinking man. If a man (or woman) would sit down and think seriously for ten minutes about where he is going to spend eternity, he is closer to Heaven than he’s ever been. In the verse above (Psalm 10:4) it says that God is not in all his thoughts. Go through all of his thoughts and God is not there. A lot of junk is there; a lot of self is there, but God is not there.
While Joseph was thinking about his engagement to Mary and the plans he had for raising a family with her, she turns up pregnant and he knew he had nothing to do with it. But, he can’t let it go. It has consumed him. And while he is in that state of mind, he goes off to sleep and dreams about an angel coming to him with a special message.
THAT IT MIGHT BE FULFILLED. God made us so we can judge the truthfulness of things around us. Therefore, God also endows His word with certain characteristics by which we can know its reliability. Fulfilled prophecy is one of the strongest reasons we can believe the Bible is the Word of God. He is the God of truth and cannot lie. He also says: Come now, and let us reason together:… (Isaiah.1:18). The birth and life of Jesus the Christ was not a concocted tale pawned off on a gullible people unable to research its truthfulness.
Hundreds of years before the birth of Christ, one of the most revered prophets in the history of Israel wrote: Therefore, the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14). Isaiah, the prince of the prophets, stirred the wrath of men against himself until at last he was sawed in half.
It is important that we understand the roots of the birth of Christ. It is so much more than the gifts under the tree and Jingle Bells.
THE APOSTLE PAUL WROTE: For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures: (1Corinthians 15:3-4). Twice he says according to the Scriptures.
THE APOSTLE PETER WROTE: For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ but were eyewitnesses of his majesty (2Peter. 1:16).
Much of the New Testament refers back to the Old Testament roots to explain things unfolding in the New Testament. It has been said: The New Testament is in the Old concealed and the Old Testament is in the New revealed.
The virgin birth of Christ is a big problem to people who do not believe in a living God who made everything. But if you believe in that God, you have no problem in believing that God would move upon the womb of a virgin girl and produce His Son in her so that He is then the Only Begotten Son of God! He is the one who died on the cross for our sins. He is the one who rose from the dead.
HE IS THE ONE WHO IS COMING BACK TO THIS EARTH to take away those who have put their faith in Him. He is the one who is coming with those saints to rule the whole earth and reign from the throne of David in Jerusalem. The birth of Christ is a VERY BIG THING!
Let us rejoice and eat and make merry and give appropriate gifts because we are joyful in His coming. And let’s give something to those who have nothing and tell them of the Savior who loves them and came to die for them, so their sins can be forgiven! Because He lives, we have hope! We can face tomorrow! That is my hope and it is not for sale. Ω
Read Through the Bible in a Year
DECEMBER 12, 2017 - TUESDAY
A.M. Hosea 12-14 P.M. Revelation 3
(Bible Gateway will read this to you if you like. Look for the speaker icon.)
A Good Verse to Memorize:
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. (Matthew 1:18)
Song for Today:
O Little Town of Bethlehem (2:07) (Squire Parsons &– Gaither Group)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiMW5ctvtBM&index=4&list=PLFnkxTsXGTjUasNkVw1lNWSxrSy9aRTWb
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