God’s example of family life was the example of Mary and Joseph.
We just celebrated our annual Christmas season. Some gave gifts to loved ones in memory of the greatest gift that was ever given to mankind.
The gift exchange often times becomes the main focus of this season, rather than the family and loved ones we should cherish and celebrate.
Today, I listened to a sermon from Saddleback Church on "disappointment." It was very inspiring and gave me a new perspective on family, and even how God picked the ideal family to place Himself. God's First Family was Mary and Joseph.
God chose a virgin who was engaged to be married, and even though Mary was already engaged she was not getting "some on the side" Luke 1:26-38 Secondly, God picked Joseph who was engaged to Mary. He was a righteous man, honorable and definitely obedient to God’s word. Matthew 1:18-24 Joseph listened and obeyed the word of the Lord. He was not a procrastinator, he acted without delay. Joseph was willing to take steps of faith according to the word of God, spoken to him by angels and Mary. He was a businessman, hard working and able to take care of his family. Before he became her husband he protected Mary’s reputation. They both trusted God to provide as they went into hiding. Joseph was asked to deny his personal desires as a newly married man, for the greater good. So,he kept Mary pure until the baby was born. Then He raised the King of Kings with his wife,and taught him his trade as a carpenter. Mary and Joseph stayed in the background, they did not out shine the Lord of Lords. Both Joseph and Mary trusted and obeyed God and lived in harmony in their obedience to Him. Seeing Mary and Joseph in this way was a new revelation and it gave me hope. I have new hope for my family that together we will obey the word of the Lord. I have hope for other families and friends, who obey the Lord. TODAY I write this to encourage young families, to raise their children as Mary and Joseph did. I would like to encourage new families to pray and allow Holy Spirit to guide you as you resist trends, traditions, culture, and peer pressure in raising your children. I pray that you will be as Mary and Joseph, God's First Family live in obedience to His word with guidance and counsel of Holy Spirit.
