Sunday, December 28, 2008

Joseph

As another Christmas season fades from most people's memories, I am reminded of all the usual things for which we thank God; families, friends, health and homes. Christians also add their thanks for the incredible gift that is Jesus, and our salvation, which He made possible. We understand the honor with which Mary was gifted. To be the mother of the Savior is a blessing which has gone forth from Mary and touches all women everywhere.

But I stand in absolute awe of Joseph! Imagine being accepted by God to be a suitable substitute father for His Son! You see, I love kids. I wish I'd been blessed with dozens. It was not to be, but God substituted something just as wonderful. Many children have opened their hearts to me, several have even "adopted" me to be a substitute grandfather. Knowing how I feel about all of them helps me to better identify with Joseph, the foster-father of the Son of God!

Lord, I thank You for all of Your gifts!

Friday, December 5, 2008

Is He only your "SPARE TIRE?"

Every day I see a lot of folks driving who have no concerns about everyone and everything else. They speed, refuse to use signals, tailgate and cut you off with reckless abandon. All too often they are driving an SUV or other large vehicle, so that in the event of an "accident," they will be safe, even if you aren't.

A lot of us treat God with similar contempt. We careen through life, often narrowly avoiding one spiritual disaster after another, confident that He will save us in the nick of time. After all, Jesus is our "spare tire," and we've got Him in the trunk! When the "blowout" occurs, we just pull over, and it is "Jesus to the rescue!"

Is this what God wants from us? We are told, "Cling tightly to your faith in Christ and always keep your conscience clear, doing what you know is right. For some people have disobeyed their consciences and have deliberately done what they knew was wrong. It isn't surprising that soon they lost their faith in Christ after defying God like that." 1TIM 1:19

...and, "You must love the Lord your God and obey every one of His commands. Listen! I am not talking now to your children who have never experienced the Lord's punishments or seen His greatness and His awesome power." DEUT 11:1-2

...also, "Must God tailor His justice to your demands? Must He change the order of the universe to suit your whims? The answer must be obvious even to you!" JOB 34:33

...finally, "For I have told you often before, and I say it again now with tears in my eyes, there are many who walk along the Christian road who are really enemies of the cross of Christ. Their future is eternal loss, for they are proud of what they should be ashamed of; and all they think about is this life here on earth." PHLP 3:18-19 (all quotes TLB)

Get Jesus out of your trunk! He is not the "band-aid" to fix our "ouchies," nor the "spare tire" to fix our "judgment errors!"

Put Him in charge of your life!

Until we meet again, in Paradise!

Mr Mike