Maybe Joseph worried that other people would think he was a wimp, or crazy, or foolish for heading to Bethlehem with Mary. Scripture says otherwise:
Matthew 1:19, 24 (ERV)
Joseph, was a good man . . . he did what the Lord’s angel told him to do.
All that matters. Lord, is what you think. May my Bethlehem journey be both good and obedient in your eyes.
Imagine that you’re Joseph, on the road to Bethlehem. What would you be saying to God?
There’s solid and steady Joseph, on the road to Bethlehem. On the road to the unexpected. Ready or not, he’s on a journey to change the world.
What about you? Has God called you to step out in faith, to take the first steps on a journey to change your world? What’s your road to Bethlehem? Ready or not, step into God’s plan.
37 million people are living with AIDS. Since the world started counting, another 35 million died from AIDS and related illness.
13 million children have lost one or both parents to AIDS. Many organizations minister to these children.
One group, AIDS Orphans and Street Children, has a unique approach:
“. . . it would take 80,000 orphanages that hold 500 children each just to house the children orphaned by AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa alone. Our Rescue Unit concept is a more practical way to reach those in need.”
These Rescue Units provide education, medication, food, emotional and spiritual support.
“The Rescue Units are small portable buildings set up near the orphans’ own villages. Rescue Units can help several hundred orphans in a five-mile radius.”
Our hearts go out to these children, Lord. So much need, in places with so few resources. Bless the relatives and neighbors who take these orphans into their homes. Bless the mission organizations that have stepped in to help. Provide enough to go around. And, Lord, make an end to the disease.
Amen.
Me:
You know, Lord, that I have long prayed for your light of truth to shine in the darkest corners of our government. But frankly, I was hoping that it would come with a spirit of repentance and reverence–and not with excuses and denials.
God:
My child, this is not the time to stop praying.
Ephesians 5:11 (NIV)
Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
Per the Bible, no cover-ups.
Every day brings another name accused of sexual harassment or asault. How do you feel about that?
Isaiah 29:15 (NIV)
Woe to those who go to great depths to hide their plans from the LORD, who do their work in darkness and think, “Who sees us? Who will know?”
Suddenly, those who thought their darkest secrets were safe realize that someone saw, someone knows and someone is telling.
And if someone is lying for political advantage or financial gain . . . well, someone sees, and someday, someone may tell. God knows.
Dan West was handing cups of milk to refugees when he realized what people really need–not a cup, but a cow. And that was the start of Heifer International.
“That ‘teach a man to fish’ philosophy is what drove West to found Heifer International. And now, nearly 70 years later, that philosophy still inspires our work to end world hunger and poverty throughout the world once and for all.
Yes, Lord, we want to feed the hungry. But how much better to equip them to feed themselves and then feed others. Physically and spiritually. Amen.
