And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.
Memory of the Month: Psalm 33:4
4 For the word of the Lord is right and true;
he is faithful in all he does.
Today's reading: MICAH 1-3 REVELATION 11
Christmas Message For Dads
The time for celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ is at hand and with it much celebration of His mother Mary. There is an earthly father figure that sometimes takes a back seat to everyone else in the story. But Joseph is there. He is a man of compassion who quietly listened to God and moves at God's command. He works hard and does whatever God puts before him to take care of his family.
Joseph was a man of compassion.
Matthew 1:19-19 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.
It seems a little pointless to suggest that fathers should be compassionate but then the depravity of mankind is so prevalent and understated that reality screams for us to point men to God's compassion. There is such a great difference in man's idea of compassion and God's reality. Every pain of God's children is felt in God's heart and God knows before the pain ever happens. Jesus took our pain to the cross with Him. Fathers should feel the impact of every pain in their children. A man that does not, is not close to God's heart. If you fall short, get on your face before God and confess it...
This is easy when children are young and little and everything is new. But when children get big enough to talk back and disobey the enemy is right there to bring in harsh earthly judgment and attitudes. God's compassion must lead us to Godly discipline that does not 'frustrate' the children as the Bible says. One translation puts it this way:
"Fathers, don't make your children bitter about life. Instead, bring them up in Christian discipline and instruction." Ephesians 6:4
>Joseph listened to God. In Matthew chapter 1, verse 20, God tells Joseph to not fear to take Mary as his wife and to name the child Jesus. In verse 25, same chapter, it says, "And he gave him the name Jesus."
Many of us might have wanted to run the other direction but Joseph took Mary as God told him.
>Joseph did what he had to do. In Matthew 2:13-23, Joseph heard God and obeyed Him and moved his family to Egypt. Then he obeyed God and went back to Israel but to Nazareth where they were not known.
> Joseph worked hard to provide. He was known as a carpenter.
Matthew 13:55
Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary?
I know many who read this are not parents or their children, like mine, are grown and gone. Some feel as though you have not been the best parent you could have been. This brings us to the reason for this season. Forgiving ourselves as God forgives each of us is one reason Jesus came and died for us.
Regrets do not have to remain things unforgiven. Confessing to God your sins and being forgiven means we do not have to carry the guilt anymore. Confessing to your children, or other loved ones in God's love, allows us to move in God's freedom.
Jesus gave Himself. It is never too late to give yourself to Him completely. This gives opportunity for time with family to be what God intended-a sweet reunion in love and peace.
Reconciliation with family or friends is always God's desire for us. Knowing and living in His peace is always God's desire. A man walking humbly before God is always God's desire. Being full of God's love is always God's desire for us. Fathers, your loving God and loving your neighbor as yourself is always God's desire. Bringing God good pleasure should always be our desire.
Bring God good pleasure and be the man He wants you to be.
...because He loves us...
Father in Heaven,
Forgive me my failures as a parent. Help me forgive myself. Give me understanding and compassion and longsuffering patience.
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