Trust Exemplified!

Babies come from a mommy and a daddy! If you were brought up believing Santa Claus or the Stork did the work, you need to understand the truth. :) Babies come from a mommy and a daddy.
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Understanding this obvious truth, you can only imagine what went through Joseph's mind when Mary shared with him that she was pregnant. His most immediate thought had to have been, "You've cheated on me." We're not told this for sure, but I would assume that Mary would have told Joseph about the angel Gabriel appearing to her and explaining the conception of the baby within her. Still, Joseph decides to call off the marriage with Mary. The Bible says he was going to do it quietly because he was a righteous man.
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Joseph must have been pretty shocked when an angel appeared to him as well and explained that the baby within Mary was actually conceived by the Holy Spirit, not another man. The angel told Joseph to take Mary to be his wife and also spoke the name that would be given this baby: Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:22).
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Both Joseph and Mary exemplified (don't you like that word!) trust in the Lord. Telling Joseph the news that she was pregnant with the Son of God must have been a difficult choice to make. After all, she didn't know how Joseph would respond. But her statement to the angel recorded in Luke 1:38 demonstrates her trust in God, "I am the Lord's servant, may it be to me as you have said." And Joseph, likewise, demonstrated trust when he chose to listen to the angel and take Mary as his wife. For him, he knew the truth, but how would others respond? Would they ever believe this miracle or would they reject both he and his new wife? Joseph chose to trust the Lord and accept their calling.
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Joseph and Mary were ordinary people like you and me who chose to trust the Lord. God used them for His purposes. God has purposes for our lives as well and He will fulfill those purposes as we exemplify trust in Him as Joseph and Mary did.

It Is Better to Give Than to Receive

When it comes to serving the homeless, I think people are often not quite sure just how to help. I hear statements like, "Well, if I give a bum some money, he'll just go buy beer." I admit that I too have felt this and probably at one time or another said a statement like this. I certainly don't want to enable someone's addiction. But I am concerned that in having these cautions, many in the church may not be doing anything at all.
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"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'" ~Matthew25:40.

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Have you ever heard this verse quoted in relation to the homeless? I've heard it numerous times. And I'll be honest with you, it really bothers me. Why? Because Jesus says "one of these brothers of mine." Should we give to those in need? Yes! But in this verse, Jesus is calling for us to take care of the needs of Christians. When this verse is quoted in relation to homeless ministry by and large, it's taken out of context. That bugs me.

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So then I ask myself, are there any verses that would lead me to remember the needs of homeless? The answer to that questions is yes (and yes, and yes, and yes!). Here are a couple verses to keep in mind.

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"In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He Himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" ~ Acts 20:35

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"Don't steel, work! Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need." ~ Ephesians 4:28

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Has God blessed you? If so, you can bless someone else. Think this Christmas of how it is that you might give to those in need. Share a package of socks for the homeless, buy a bag of groceries for a family in need, send some money to a Christian organization you can trust. Look for ways to evidence your care and concern for those who don't have as much as you have remembering Jesus' words, "It is better to give than to receive."

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May you be blessed in a very special (and maybe different way) this Christmas season as you look for ways to give.