Wednesday, December 8, 2010

NOT For Women Only!

Okay today's text will seem like it just for women when you begin reading, but hang in there guys because it will make sense later.

I'm going to ask the ladies to ask themselves this question:  If I could marry the man of my dreams, what  qualities would he possess?

If you are like most of the women I know I'm guessing that some of your answers would be:  kind, compassionate, strong, loving, gentle, God-fearing, a man of integrity, etc., etc.  Did I guess right?  Handsome is always near the top of the list too, but we all know that takes a back seat to the above qualities. 

Now read the following verses from the first chapter of Matthew:

18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.   20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,because he will save his people from their sins.”  22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (which means “God with us”.)  24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

WOW, didn't Mary have a hunk of a man?!  Doesn't say he was handsome, but with the qualities he possessed he could have looked like a dog and would have been handsome in his wife's eyes!  He was all those qualities I mentioned above and more. 

Sometimes, in the Christmas story Joseph gets passed over, but this man who was hand-picked by God to raise His son must have been a very, very special person. 

I guess we can all take a lesson from Joseph to live a Godly life so that when we are chosen by God for a special task, we can live up to it!

Prayer:  Father in Heaven, may men everywhere strive for the qualities Joseph possessed, but more importantly may they look to You everyday in order to become all that you will have them to be.

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