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And while they were there (in Bethlehem), the time came for her to give birth.
--Luke 2:6
I am the proud grandfather of eight grandchildren. They are all precious, and so much of what is good in them is attributable to the love and hard work of their mothers.
This care didn't start when their children were born, but from the moment they discovered they were pregnant. From that day forward, the process of preparing for the birth began. From regular doctor visits to vitamin supplements to purchasing clothing and “nesting,” they prepared for the baby.
In contrast, think of Mary. She became pregnant out of wedlock, and her fiancée nearly cast her aside. She had no financial security or proper medical care. An order from far-off Rome compelled her to travel 70 miles to a strange town in the final days of her pregnancy. Once there, the only shelter the young family could find was in a stable. That’s where she gave birth.
It wasn’t the best timing, and certainly not the best of circumstances. But it happened that way so God’s master plan could be fulfilled. And because Mary was faithful, humble, and longsuffering, everything worked out perfectly.
From where you sit today, the future may look a little scary. Maybe your life isn’t going as planned. Are you worried about your health, your finances, or your family?
If so, I want to give you a word of encouragement today: God knows where you’re going and He knows how to get you there! He is just waiting on the right timing. God has an eternal plan for your life that is complete and perfect. He knows the future and has orchestrated every step along the way.
That’s why you don’t need to fear the future. Every circumstance is part of God’s great eternal plan for your life. Trust Him and be confident that He is preparing and positioning you for His purposes.
Overcoming Love
Saturday, December 07, 2019
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“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. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. 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.”
Matthew 1:18–20
Everything we know about Joseph is drawn from the Bible accounts of his actions. Not a single word of his is recorded in Scripture. But we do know for certain that he was a man of great love and great faith. He knew that he was not the father of Mary’s baby, but undoubtedly some people would assume that he was. Others would think that she had found someone else behind his back. Yet even in that difficult situation, Joseph loved Mary and did not want to publicly humiliate her.
Even more importantly, Joseph loved God. And when he received a message from an angel, he believed it and acted on it. Despite the fact that what he was told was unprecedented in all of history—and in fact impossible. Joseph believed that it was true and obeyed. Fear can easily keep us from obedience, and the solution to that is to love God more fully and deeply. “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18). Most of us will not be challenged with something as staggering as Joseph faced, but all of us are tempted and tested in different ways. Our response is determined in large measure by our love for God.
Today's Growth Principle:
When we love God as we should, we do not let fear keep us from doing what He says.
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