1.06.2009

Simple

I am trying not to post something every single day. I'm just extremely stoked that so many are up for this New Testament challenge ... I can't help myself! I'll soon slow down a bit.

Something very simple hit me this morning as I read Matthew 2 with the family. In some way that I can't explain or completely understand, Joseph heard this message from God: leave Bethlehem for awhile and come back later. I don't know if it is my personality or my desire for control, but it would be very hard for me to pack up my new wife and brand new baby to take off for some foreign place. But Joseph did. We don't know much about Joseph, but he teaches us a very simple lesson. Obey. Don't talk yourself out of it, don't reason God's voice away...just obey. Simple.

I know there are those of us who are saying, "Well if God showed up in the form of an angel and spoke to me, I'd do whatever He said. God just doesn't speak to me." Here's the deal - God speaks to us more than we realize. We just don't do a great job of listening. I'm as guilty on this as anyone. I believe God speaks to you and me through 1. His Word and 2. each other. The take away for me on this busy morning (my day is full of meetings) is to slow down.....listen.....and then obey.

May you and I hear God's quiet voice speaking to us in the chaos of this world...and may we, like Joseph, say with profound wisdom in our voice, "OK."
Posted by Matt

7 comments:

  1. MikeJanuary 6, 2009 at 9:20 AM

    No keep posting, this is great.

    Knowing when its God guiding me to do something or its my own head guiding me is always my struggle.

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  2. The Fay FamilyJanuary 6, 2009 at 9:45 AM

    Just read a commentary on biblegateway.com. ( I really like that site) Anyways it was talking about how the Magi would have been considered pagans by the Jewish people. They were astrologers and the Bible was against divination. They are really the last people that the Jews would think would be coming to worship Jesus and yet God chose to reveal His location through a star knowing it would be the Magi (the pagans) who would recognize it. Even in the very beginning of Jesus' life God is revealing that His good news, His son, is for everyone. Not just the religious but for ALL. I thought that was pretty cool.
    And, by the way, I love this idea. Thanks Matt for posting.

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  3. Jan and Kris StilesJanuary 6, 2009 at 11:56 AM

    They were relentless in their pursuit of the Lord. Wise men still seek Him.

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  4. LornaJanuary 6, 2009 at 5:24 PM

    This is a great example of God repeating history for us: Pharaoh ordered the execution of all young boys. Moses was saved and became Israel’s deliverer. Jesus is saved and becomes the WORLDS deliverer! What an amazing God we serve!

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  5. GESJanuary 6, 2009 at 5:43 PM

    Matt: An incredible blessing to be able to share among the MMCC Community in this way. Matthew 2 has three powerful and very clear prophecies fulfilled from the Old Testament prophets of Micah, Jeremiah and Hosea. The synchronicity of God's Word is a great illustration of his sovereignty over all the universe. The portending of God's condescending to become flesh on earth is clearly, the Greatest Story Ever Told! The Gospel accounts in their most minute detail, set out the character of God through Christ. The most unlikely characters, become the heroes and illustrators of who He is and what He represents. From the Maji to the Shepherds (the lowliest of occupations of the time!) to settling in the non-descript and very forgettable Galilee, it is an unbelievable account. Peace and Grace!

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  6. Pam SmithJanuary 6, 2009 at 7:14 PM

    OK, Grant, that just flew over my head. Try English. :)

    I wonder if the wise men had prophesies left from when Daniel was there.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Pam SmithJanuary 6, 2009 at 7:15 PM

    OK, Grant, that just flew over my head. Try English. :)

    I wonder if the wise men had prophesies left from when Daniel was there.

    ReplyDelete

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