LEARNING DAILY

Luke 1:38, Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be according to Your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Pastor Jonathon Moore, Lead Pastor at NorthRock Church, spoke about “The Trouble of Christmas” this weekend. He began his message by saying that “the best presents can come with peculiar packaging”. Pastor mentioned that he does pretty well buying gifts but has an awful time wrapping them to look nice. I don’t do so good with wrapping gifts either.

What does that have to do with Mary being with child? Joseph had decided to send Mary away quietly when he found out she was pregnant. He was brokenhearted to think she had not been faithful to him; he did not believe she told him the truth about her conception. Pastor Moore stated, “We don’t often see the gifts given to us from God because we judge the packaging” (from granddaughter Audrey’s note – she will be helping write this page of the blog while home over break!). Pastor Moore continued, “The best presents can come with peculiar packaging. Joseph was about to receive the greatest gift he could receive – a gift he did not want. Joseph almost passed on the gift of raising God’s Son because he was unsure of the packaging” (also from Audrey’s notes).

Even though Joseph had decided to end this relationship with Mary, God had other plans. “Christmas teaches us not to judge, not to make conclusions about what we see or are going through” (Pastor Moore). That statement fits right into the message given at Community Bible Church by Pastor Ed Newton regarding trials/temptation helping us grow closer to the image of Christ. Joseph was going to end the relationship; he did not do so. God had His plan. “Miracles come from seasons of misery; stick to God’s plan (Audrey’s notes). Joseph listened to what the angel of the Lord told him, accepting what God was doing. It must also be noted that Mary accepted the plan of God as well, “Let it be according to Your word.”

Believer, look at your situation. What do you do or say when you do not understand the situation you are facing? Do you say, “I don’t want this!” Be careful you don’t miss the miracle God has for you because you just do not see God’s blessing in your situation, your circumstance! I want to interject a thought in Pastor Moore’s message. Please find and read Psalm 37:3-7.  I have been so encouraged by these verses over the past few days and seem to fit here. In reading them you will be encouraged to “Trust in the Lord, and do good”. “Delight yourself in the Lord. Commit your way to the Lord”. Then rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him”. Trust, delight, commit, and rest! Look again at your situation – don’t miss the miracle God has for you!

Pastor Moore made it clear that when one says yes to Jesus and walking with Him, the path will not necessarily be easy. Joseph and Mary needed to go to the place of Joseph’s birth to register for a census being taken. That was over 100 miles away and Mary was very pregnant. Yes, when we say yes to doing what God asks of us, there is often chaos that comes. Pastor Moore said, “Sometimes following a star leads to a stable. The stable was not clean, was not comfortable, and the journey getting there was not easy. Yet the stable may be where you need to be in order to become free from what is keeping you from your miracle. God has a way of showing things about Himself in the stable or during the storms we face.”

Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 6:33). Joseph almost missed the miracle of his part in the life of Jesus. “Do not let the trouble in your life cause you to miss the peace that Jesus Christ brings to you. Christmas was caused by trouble in the world. Jesus came on a rescue mission – a mission to rescue and save you and me! Don’t miss the peace Jesus brings to “whosoever believes” (Pastor Moore).