SEEING GOD AND HIS WILL IN THE MOST DIFFICULT OF TIMES

The Christmas Season truly allows us to put our Focus on the Birth Of Christ ! For Christians, it is the Beginning of the Absolute LOVE AND GRACE that God has for us as His Children. Christianity is Exclusive in terms of recognizing that no matter how hard We Try, it took GOD to reach out to us. There is no formula for perfection and relationship that We can invent or enact upon our own. IT IS ONLY THROUGH GOD’S SON, JESUS CHRIST THAT WE MAY BE SAVED AND COME INTO RELATIONSHIP WITH THE ONE TRUE GOD ! This Season shows us that, and even in the very Birth Of Christ comes the subtle message of “Surrender” of Self to truly see God’s impact in our lives. The Culture of the world is, and was, and always Will Be a challenge to those who would Seek To Follow God. It is so hard at times to pull ourselves “Out of the World”, and into the Presence Of God and His WILL. The Story of Jesus is full of so many amazing moments, lessons, and Miracles. An Immaculate Conception; a humble Birth; a life of growth and learning, to an eventual place as a Rabbi asking people to Follow Him. Follow Him on a journey of Transformation that would see Him Revealed as the MESSIAH ! The ULTIMATE SON OF GOD ! And Jesus would give His Very Life on a Cross for OUR SINS,,,that We Might Live. Our belief and abiding in Him will give each of us ETERNAL LIFE. The story is truly incredible….but shall we look deeper into one of the more important pieces of the story ? What if we look directly at the Miracle and Faith it took for the Earthly Parents of Jesus to actually EMBRACE HIS BIRTH ! Two parents suddenly thrown into the most confusing and unsettling period of time in their entire lives. A time when nothing made sense; their values and morality would be shaken; and their choices would be ETERNALLY LASTING ! Shall we set the scene ? A young girl, finding herself pregnant…by the Power of God’s Spirit. A young man, betrothed to a woman who is suddenly pregnant…with a wild story about it being orchestrated by God Himself. Encountering Angels…telling them to Fear Not ! And all around them, People Judging them and questioning their very honesty and integrity. Quiet and vocal accusations and shaming thoughts and comments. How could two young people actually Deal With That Kind Of Pressure and Judgement ? The only answer that makes any sense is that THEIR FAITH AND LOVE AND TRUST IN GOD MUST HAVE BEEN MIRACULOUS !

TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND DO NOT LEAN ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING. IN ALL YOUR WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM, AND HE WILL MAKE STRAIGHT YOUR PATHS Proverbs 3: 5-6

YOU KEEP HIM IN PERFECT PEACE WHOSE MIND IS STAYED ON YOU, BECAUSE HE TRUSTS IN YOU. Isaiah 26:3

WHEN I AM AFRAID, I PUT MY TRUST IN YOU. Psalm 56:3

BEHOLD, GOD IS MY SALVATION; I WILL TRUST, AND WILL NOT BE AFRAID; FOR THE LORD GOD IS MY STRENGTH AND MY SONG, AND HE HAS BECOME MY SALVATION. Isaiah 12:2

In scripture, we see a lot of examples of Jesus’s mother, Mary, but not so much regarding his earthly father, Joseph. In fact, we hear about Joseph in terms of Jesus’s birth; taking Jesus away to Egypt as Herod sought to destroy Him; and finding Jesus teaching in the Temple at twelve years of age. Joseph was most likely a carpenter or perhaps a stone mason. He appears to be a good and noble father, but there is not a plethora of detailed information. Today we find many believers seeking a “Joseph Calling”, generally described as a God Given assignment being prepared through adversity to provide and steward resources in order to save and provide for others…often in times of crisis. I personally see it in this light : SEEING AND TRUSTING THE WILL OF GOD IN THE MOST DIFFICULT OF TIMES EVEN WHEN IT MAKES NO SENSE TO MY HUMAN MIND AND FLESH ! It is born of a trust that only comes from a DEEP RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST. It is truly a challenge, because our logic and culture often battles with our Heart’s Desire to be Faithful and Believe GOD’S LOVE AND WILL ARE NOT ONLY RIGHT…THEY ARE ENOUGH ! Culture and the norms of society often seem to be at odds with God’s Will. We are taught and pushed to be our own King, always taking care of ourselves first, and making decisions that enrich us and keep our reputations and egos intact. CAN YOU IMAGINE HOW JOSEPH COULD HAVE FOUGHT HIS WAY PAST HIS CULTURE AND OWN REPUTATION ? It must have been extremely difficult. Do you find yourself facing some Similar Choices ? Sometimes do you wish God could just see things from your perspective when things come undone ? I know I do ! It seems to me that learning to see and accept God’s Will is indeed a journey of maturing, abiding, and TRUSTING IN JESUS AND HIS WILL FOR OUR LIVES. Will you let HIM define and map your Life, Purpose, and Path….even when you don’t understand it ? JOSEPH AND MARY DID !

DO NOT BE CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD, BUT BE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWAL OF YOUR MIND, THAT BY TESTING YOU MAY DISCERN WHAT IS THE WILL OF GOD, WHAT IS GOOD AND ACCEPTABLE AND PERFECT. Romans 12:2

GIVE THANKS IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES, FOR THIS IS THE WILL OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS FOR YOU. 1 1 Thessalonians 5:18

THE LORD IS NOT SLOW TO FULFILL HIS PROMISE AS SOME COUNT SLOWNESS, BUT IS PATIENT TOWARD YOU, NOT WISHING THAT ANY SHOULD PERISH, BUT THAT ALL SHOULD REACH REPENTANCE. 2 Peter 3:9

Only in Relationship With Jesus have I been able to Rest in God’s Will. It is hard sometimes to be patient. It is hard sometimes to understand struggles and challenges. Many Times I Cry Out….WHY LORD ? In those times through the quiet, I hear HIS VOICE. “Trust Me Jim.” “You are MINE for all time. What seems hard or unfair is only because you aren’t seeing my Ultimate Will….but YOU SHALL :)” As you Celebrate the BIRTH OF CHRIST, give a moment to recognize the Strength and Faith of Mary and Joseph….and MAKE IT YOUR OWN ! Thanks Be To God for His Son and Our Savior, Lord, and KING….JESUS CHRIST :)

MAKE GOD’S WILL YOUR OWN/JAA. AMEN

FOR UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN, UNTO US A SON IS GIVEN; AND THE GOVERNMENT SHALL BE UPON HIS SHOULDERS, AND HE WILL BE CALLED WONDERFUL COUNSELOR, THE MIGHTY GOD, THE EVERLASTING FATHER, THE PRINCE OF PEACE. Isaiah 9:6