My assignment tonight is to share some outstanding qualities demonstrated by Joseph and Mary. Have you ever wondered if the selection of Joseph and Mary was a random selection by God, or they did satisfied certain conditions.
Perhaps God had other options before considering Joseph and Mary. I don't believe it was a random selection.
There must have been virgins 'holier' than Mary in Isreal, and young men more hardworking than Joseph. But God was careful with the destiny of his Son. He waited patiently for the fulfilment of Galatians 4:4. "But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman..."
Why should God wait for the fulness of time? Why couldn't God simply entrust Jesus into the hands of 'any kind' of man and woman?
Indeed, God needed a family from the stem of David that would be a custodian of his Son, Jesus. But that was not enough. The choice of who 'fathers' Jesus would affect the life trajectory of Jesus, and his influence the fulfilment of his purpose.
2 Chronicles 16:9 says "For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him".
After navigating the whole earth, God picked Joseph, and Mary. It is now obvious that God was not looking for a very wealthy or influential family. God needed the same quality that made David stand out...
"A RIGHT HEART"
I) Joseph was not a Wealthy Man, but he was a Just Man.
+ Proverbs 9:9 says Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
When God says a Man is Just, He is not just saying... "hey this guy does not lie".
God is saying... "this guy is MALLEABLE, he can go out of his way to conform to my will. He has been tested and can be trusted. I can give him an instruction and go to bed...."God needed a Man that can learn and listen, and he got that in Joseph.
+ Why was it important for Joseph to be just to 'father' God's baby?
A little while after the birth of Jesus, Soldiers were deployed to kill Jesus and every male child in Bethlehem.
God needed a man He can lead and guide easily.
Do you carry a child with an important destiny? The protection of that child and his provisions are determined by your level of malleability to God.
If Joseph had tarried longer because he wasnt sure, or tying to reason or convince God with superior logic... He would have killed Jesus before his time.
Also, God guided him to the right manger where the wise shepherds could locate and deposit treasures. If it is God's plan or God's vision, the provision is ready and settled, just stay malleable.
+ Another Man that was in the category of "Just Men" according to the bible is Noah,
Guess what he did too, God gave him an instruction and his obedience saved the World...
You cannot father a child successfully without be fathered successfully by God.
My advise to Sisters,
If God cannot lead your Man, there is cause for alarm.
Brothers, God's provision and protection are preceded by his instructions. If he's not leading you, you cant get his best.
Joseph responded promptly to the instructions God gave him and trained Jesus to do likewise.
Later in the life and ministry of Jesus, It was easy for him to say... "The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise"
Joseph had shown him the way to respond to God.
God cannot entrust his destiny/plans into the hands of a Man that does not value his words.
My mentor said, God only tells the man that cares to listen.
MIKE MURDOCK SAYS: Fathers are responsible for what the child believes, and mothers are responsible for what the child remembers.
Now, Let's talk about Mary a little.
Apart from her virginity (which was verrrrry virtuous in the olden days.... Smiles), she had similar outstanding qualities.
Imagine if Mary was sexually polluted, Jesus could have needed to spend more days in the wilderness trying to renew his mind before he enters ministry.
Because a woman is the Moral thermostat of the house. She influences the level of morality consciously or unconsciously.
I don't know how they do it, but women have a way of determining the moral atmosphere of the house, and their sense organs can perceive immorality/infidelity is powerful.
Even when Men get confused and make mistakes, sensitive women don't .
For instance, Isaac almost willed the "Abrahamic blessings" to Esau, thank God for Rebekkah. She sniffed him out, and passed the blessing to Jacob.
Esau would most likely have used the thing to buy Suya anyways...
Wise Men don't underestimate the power and potential of their Wives.
Also, Mary was a Woman of Faith
I also have reasons to believe that Mary could have been praying when Angel Gabriel appeared to her, because God's Angels are ministering spirits...
You see, If you are carrying God's baby, then my dear, you cannot comprise walking by faith. The salary of Mary for birthing Jesus required faith to be debited.
Mary was just a normal young girl, but you see, Faith always make People stand out.
Without much info about her background, I am sure she must have consistently acted on Joshua 1:8. Because you can fake many things, but not faith.
+ For instance, when Angel Gabriel visited Zacharias and Mary in Luke 1, there were totally different responses and reactions.
Mary, a virgin woman, not a Priest VERSUS Zacharias, a Priest with years of experience.
When the angel came,
Zacharias' Response
-And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
- And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.
He wanted logical explanation.... Angel Gabriel didn't waste time, he gave him one. I'm not sure he received it with Joy.
Mary's Response
- And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
- And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.
+ The responses were different and so was the reaction. Sisters, don't leave the Faith business to your husband. Your Faith is equally important to the fulfilment of the destiny of your family.
I am sure that was the first time she demonstrated faith because without Faith no man can please the God, and angel Gabriel told her that she is favored among Women...
Pastor Sam last week said, even though Abraham was the father of faith, Sarah's faith was involved in conceiving Isaac.
Your faith will determine the level of confidence installed in your child.
+ The life and ministry of Jesus were anchored on Faith, so he needed to be raised in a house of Faith. Remember, faith comes by hearing....
Where there is consistent demonstration of trust in God.
+ I doubt if Jesus was healing and performing miracles publicly nor privately before his ministry started, because even his blood brothers did not believe in him.
They told him... . "If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world. For neither did his brethren believe in him" (John 7:4-5)
But thank God for a mother that understood the Destiny of her child.
Brothers,
If your wife is not interested in talking about the future of your children, or praying and planning for their training for purpose.... You need to UPDATE your prayer request.
Sisters, you have a great role in helping your child discover purpose and fulfil purpose early.
I round up with the words of Bishop David Oyedepo, he said that the assignment of every parent is to help their child discover purpose and discover it on time.
My time is up now....
I will upload an audio file, and round up with the words of Bishop David Oyedepo, he said that the assignment of every parent is to help their child discover purpose and discover it on time.
Joseph and Mary did a great Job because Jesus discovered his at 12.... "I should be about my father's business".
Comments
Post a Comment