Difficult Travel

Do you travel much? Have you had to travel in less than perfect circumstances? Have you traveled while being sick, under duress, or more than eight months pregnant? If you traveled under those circumstances, how difficult was that trip?

Many of us have traveled when not feeling well. We may have traveled with nothing more than a cold. We may have traveled feeling far worse. Some may have traveled while pregnant, and the further along you were the more difficult it likely was to travel.

I can remember one short trip when I did not feel well. It was less than thirty minutes from our house to the hospital. I felt so bad I could barely stumble my way to the vehicle with my wife and father-in-law helping me. As it turned out, I had a gall stone stuck in the tube between my gall bladder and kidney. Excruciating pain had me doubled over and nauseous. That short trip was one of the worst that I have ever experienced.

So, I cannot imagine being nearly nine months pregnant and having to travel more than 70 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Joseph, being a faithful husband likely secured a ride for Mary. Traditionally, Mary is portrayed as riding on a donkey. Yet, there is no indication in Scripture that she did. What we do know from history is they likely traveled in a caravan for safety reasons. We do know from indicators in Scripture that Joseph was not a rich man, which may have hindered his ability to own a donkey or a cart.

What we also know from Scripture is that Joseph and Mary were obedient to the commands of Caesar. They traveled to obey the directive to conduct a census. They followed the Jewish custom of being accounted for in the family hometown. Mary, specifically, was obedient to travel with her husband, or husband to be. Scripture does not tell us if they were married before or after she gave birth.

I pray we all obey the laws of the land. I pray we obey the commands of God. I pray each one of us digs deeper into Scripture to better understand the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. Be an obedient person. Obey the laws. Obey God. Read God’s Word. Study God’s Word. Know the true story.

Luke 2:4-5 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.

God Directs

Have you been accounted for? Have you partaken in a census? Do you know why a census is taken? Would you prefer not to have to worry about being accounted for? Would you like to better understand the difference between a census of the first century and today’s census?

Census taking has been going on for thousands of years. Governing authorities have taken them for a variety of reasons, which have included taxation, military, and voting. Most of us do not think about the census when its time comes around. We simply fill out the form and go on.

In the first century, a census was primarily dictated for taxation purposes. This was especially true of those areas of the world ruled by Roman Emperors. If Caesar wanted to build a new coliseum, he would get an estimate of the cost and conduct a census. The cost would be paid for by taxation of the people and spread across the Roman empire. It didn’t matter if the people lived in Israel or Spain or Gaul, they paid taxes to build a new coliseum in Rome.

The Jewish custom was to be accounted for in your family’s original hometown. So, since Joseph was of the lineage of David, he and Mary traveled to Bethlehem to be accounted for in the census as dictated by Caesar Augustus. If we remember well, or go back to 1 Samuel 16, we know that David’s father was Jesse and Samuel was sent to Jesse’s house to anoint God’s chosen, David, to be the future king of Israel.

It was no small trip for Joseph and Mary in those days from Nazareth to Bethlehem. If you could travel a straight line, it was about 70 miles between the two. However, as we know, roads are not straight, making it a much longer distance. Not only that, but the road was dangerous for anyone traveling alone, riddled with thieves. Joseph and Mary likely traveled along with a caravan for safety reasons.

Today, we might worry about family members traveling alone. Though we can travel much faster, we also travel much further. In the time it would have taken Joseph and Mary to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem, we could drive from New York to Los Angeles. If our child were to take on that type of challenge, we would want them calling us every few hours to ensure things were going well. But God is with us as we go about our daily lives, just as he was with Joseph and Mary.

I pray we all follow the laws of the land, just as Joseph and Mary did. I pray we realize God is at work, even in those we least expect. I pray each one of us trust that God is with us at all times. Obey the authorities. Trust God is at work. Know that God is with you. 

Luke 2:1, 3 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world…. And everyone went to their own town to register.

A Sign From God

Are you looking for a sign that things will get better? Do you long for that sign to be bright and bold so you cannot miss it? Have you not seen the sign already given?

There are times when we are low and long to see a sign that things will get better. We may wish that sign would be right in our face. We may feel as though we have missed signs in the past.

God has given us a sign. His sign was given long, long ago. He said through the prophets the Messiah was coming to save the world. He fulfilled that promise through Jesus’ miraculous birth to Mary.

Jesus is called Immanuel because He is God with us, which is the meaning of the title. Did you know that Christ is the Greek translation of the Hebrew word Messiah? So, when we say Jesus Christ, it is the same as saying Jesus Messiah. We could say Jesus the Christ instead. Regardless, we are speaking of the sign God has given us as a comfort and assurance that everything will be alright.

God provides us with other signs throughout our lives. Most of them are small. Too often we miss them. Why? We are not looking for them. After all, how many people have missed the sign of the Messiah? As humans, we too often look for something tangible or right in front of our face. We should be looking at things through Jesus’ eyes and see the signs given by God.

I pray we all open our eyes to see God’s signs. I pray we ask God to open our eyes and reveal his signs to us. I pray each one of us will seek to see things as God sees them and witness his wonderful works in our lives. Open your eyes. See as Jesus sees. See God’s signs. See Jesus as the Messiah. See Jesus as your Savior. Trust that God is at work in your life.

Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Choose the Cornerstone

How well do you make the right choice? Do you fall for making a bad choice often? Or are you able to stand strong in the power of God and make the right choice? Are you willing to stand on the foundation God has laid? Do you know the cornerstone of the building God is building?

Choices can be difficult—extremely difficult—at times. We may have family or friends who lead us astray. We want to be liked by them and choose to go along. We may have co-workers who coax us into cheating or scheming. We may allow advertisements to draw us into bad decisions.

God sent Jesus to be the cornerstone of his kingdom. Peter references it in his first letter to followers. Paul references it in his letter to the churches in Ephesus and Rome. Jesus himself references it in relation to himself when He states, “the stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone” (Matthew 21:42).

Jesus knew His place and His mission from the beginning. At a very young age He was going about carrying out the mission He had been assigned. He spent time in the temple when His family went to Jerusalem to celebrate holy days. He knew where and when He was to be to begin His ministry.

We also can know where we are to be, the choices we should make, and trust that Jesus is the rock on whom we are to stand. It may appear to be tough. It may feel uncomfortable. It will be counter cultural. Jesus stood out in the culture of the first century. He stands out even more today.

I pray we all make the choice to stand on the Rock. I pray we choose the cornerstone on which God is building. I pray each one of us choose to follow Jesus and be counter cultural. Make the right choice. Choose the Cornerstone. Choose the Rock. Choose Jesus. Trust God. Trust Jesus.

Isaiah 28:16

So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: 

“See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, 

a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; 

the one who relies on it 

will never be stricken with panic.”

Wise Humility

Do you consider yourself a humble person? Do others consider you a humble person? Or are you a proud person? Do you harbor a selfish ambition? Do you boast about your accomplishments? Are you envious of what others have?

I dare say most of us are not as humble as we might think we are. After all, merely thinking of ourselves as humble, if we take pride in it, means we are not as humble as we should be. A truly humble person likely doesn’t even know they are humble—but God does.

How are we to show our humility? James tells us to show it by leading a good life and in the deeds we do. Leading a good life includes following the teachings of Jesus and His commands. God will reveal himself through us to others. We will become an example for others to follow. We will be a beacon of hope to those we encounter.

God has prepared good works for us to do (Eph. 2:10). Carrying out those good works also reveals our humility. It shows that we have submitted to God’s plan. It shows that we have set aside our selfish ambition and envy.

How do we become humble? By understanding the wisdom of God. Though this may sound simple, it requires work, belief, and faith. To understand God’s wisdom, we must know God’s Word. We must read God’s Word and study it. We must discuss it with other followers who also read it. God works through all those who read his Word to help us better understand his will.

We also must believe God’s Word. We must believe he is God, that he sent his Son to be our Savior, that Jesus rose from the dead, and Jesus will return. We must put our faith in someone we cannot see nor physically interact with. We must hold onto our faith, regardless of what comes our way. All this increases our wisdom, which leads to us becoming humble.

I pray we all seek to understand God’s Word. I pray we gain in wisdom. I pray each one of us lead a good life and demonstrate the humility that only comes from the wisdom of God. Seek to know God. Read his Word. Gain understanding. Become wise. Lead a good life. Follow Jesus. Be humble.

James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

An Angel Appeared

Have you ever wondered about angels? What do they look like? Will you recognize them if you see them? Do they have an aura about them? Do they all have wings? Are there different types of angels? What would you do if you saw one? Do you believe there are angels?

We do not see angels discussed often in the Bible, but when we do, they are doing prominent work for God. The two most often spoke of angels are Gabriel and Michael. One is a messenger and the other a warrior. There are a few occasions the angel mentioned is not named.

Joseph was to marry the young Mary. They had been betrothed, which is a more binding arrangement than an engagement as we know it. In fact, the only way to back out of a betrothal was by divorce. The reason for a divorce when betrothed must abide by the reasons required to divorce if you were married. So, he could not break it off with Mary just because he changed his mind.

Mary becomes pregnant. Joseph was a faithful follower of the law. It appears Mary has violated the law. Joseph evidently loves and respects Mary for he doesn’t want to shame her, embarrass her, or make a big scene. So, he decides he will divorce her quietly and hope people don’t notice when the wedding ceremony never happens, and Mary remains with her parents.

Before he can follow through, an angel shows up to tell Joseph not to go through with the divorce. Though we are not told explicitly, it is reasonable to assume it was Gabriel who came to Joseph, just as he came to Mary. Joseph does as he was told and keeps Mary to be his wife.

As we go about our lives, we hear of strange occurrences that happen. We wonder if we have encountered an angel. Perhaps we have. If we believe we have and the angel gave us instruction that agrees with Gods Word, we would do well to follow it. For if the angel is from God, God has sent him to us for a reason.

I pray we all believe there are angels. I pray we believe angels carry out God’s instructions. I pray each one of us seek to follow God’s instructions, especially if an angel appears to us. Believe there are angels. Seek to follow God’s instructions. Trust God. Trust his messengers.

Matthew 1:19-21 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

Miraculous Birth

Have you heard the news? Have you been told the wonderful news? Do you look forward to the celebration? Is it a one-day celebration or do you celebrate throughout the year? How do you celebrate? Do you have a big family dinner? Do you gather for multiple dinners?

Christmas Day is still several days away. Yet many are already holding celebrations. For some of us, we participate in multiple family dinners, depending on whether we are married or not, our workplace has dinner, or we gather with close friends. Celebrations are everywhere.

Are we celebrating for the right reason? It is unfortunate that some only think of the gifts (or the cost of them) during this time of year. Their focus is not on the Christ child but on the commercialism of it all. Now, make no mistake about it. There is nothing inherently wrong with giving gifts.

A wonderful sign was given nearly two-thousand years ago. God came to this earth in person and was born in a stable and placed in a manger—a feeding trough. God came down from heaven to live in the very creation he had created. We may have heard the story so often that we have lost the wonder and awe of this amazing birth.

God performed one of his two most amazing miracles on that day. The Creator came to his creation to walk the dusty roads, sleep on the ground, and interact with the people he created. Of course, the second most amazing miracle happened on the day Jesus was resurrected. But it is the His birth that we celebrate on Christmas Day. It is the joy of a newborn babe. It is God loving us so much that he came to live with us.

I pray we all enjoy our celebrations. I pray we celebrate with family, friends, and co-workers. I pray our celebrations include our thoughts focusing on the wondrous birth of Jesus Christ. Celebrate Jesus’ birth. Celebrate our Savior coming to us. Celebrate the miracle of God.

Luke 2:12 “This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Ask What, Not Why

Do you wonder why you are in the situation you face today? Have you wished you were taller, shorter, thinner, heavier, more talented, smarter, etc.? Are you currently striving to change yourself into someone you were not meant to be?

Many of us ask why. We ask why we were made the way we were. We ask why we struggle to learn something new. We ask why we are physically different than we prefer. We ask why we cannot seem to land the job we desire. We ask why we do not have a talent we wish we had.

Have you considered that when you ask these questions you are questioning God? God has made each one of us just as he desired. When we question his creating us, we test his patience, we question his right as the creator to create as he sees fit.

Think about this for just a moment. If you were to paint a picture, how would you feel if someone else asked why you painted flowers rather than a building? Especially if they were implying the flowers were not beautiful! I suspect each of us would reply that it was our right to paint a picture of whatever we wanted.

This same principle applies to God creating each of us. He has created us for a purpose. He has created us to be who he desires us to be. Perhaps we should stop asking why and instead ask what. Ask what God wants us to do. Ask for what purpose has God created us. Ask what God’s plan is for us. Ask God what he has prepared for us to do.

When we desire to fulfill God’s plan for us, just as he created us to do, we find our place in this world. When we follow God’s plan, we discover joy, peace, and love. When we stop trying to be someone else and instead be who God created us to be, we experience God and please him.

I pray we all stop asking why and start asking what. I pray we seek to know what God’s purpose is for us. I pray each one of us follow God’s plan for us rather than trying to be someone else. Stop asking God why. Start asking God what. Know that God created you for a purpose. Seek God’s purpose for you. Please God. Find joy. Find peace. Find love. Experience God.

Romans 9:19-21 One of you will say to me: “Then why does God still blame us? For who is able to resist his will?” But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’” Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?

Stop Testing, Believe

Have you been frustrated by testing? Have you been asked to prove yourself again and again? Do you test others? Does it upset you when others do not believe you? How well do you believe others? Do you believe the truth of God as testified by witnesses?

Experiencing testing or trials is challenging and difficult. When we are required to prove ourselves, we grow anxious, frustrated, angry, or despondent. We may feel as though we are being put through the wringer. Having to prove ourselves may seem to be a daily battle.

If we feel as though we are being tested every day, we are not alone. Jesus was tested often while He walked this earth. Even if He had told them His birth was a miraculous birth, people would not have believed Him. After all, how many believe Him today?

Sometimes, our testing is to prove ourselves worthy of being included in a certain organization. Other times, it is nothing more than someone does not believe us. Perhaps they do not believe what we are saying. Maybe they do not believe we are worthy of their attention. Regardless of the reason for it, we grow frustrated having to prove ourselves over and over again.

If it is so frustrating for us to prove ourselves, why do we ask others to prove themselves? We cannot deny we do. We look down on others. We puff ourselves up. We don’t believe others. We distrust people, even over the smallest of things—things that have no impact on us. Why not just let them pass and move on? Because we feel compelled to think of ourselves better than others.

People asked Jesus to provide a sign from heaven. They didn’t just want Him to tell them who He was, they wanted a miracle. After they witnessed a miracle, they wanted another. God has performed more miracles than we can count, yet we still ask for a sign that he is who he says he is. Maybe, just maybe, we need to stop asking for signs and simply believe.

I pray we all stop testing God. I pray we believe the miracles he has already performed. I pray each one of us will believe God is who he says he is and put our faith in Jesus Christ. Trust God’s Word. Believe in Jesus. Believe God has performed miracles. Put your faith in Jesus.

Luke 11:16 Others tested him by asking for a sign from heaven.

The Perfect Highway

Have you driven on a new highway? Have you been on a road so smooth you felt no bumps? Isn’t it nice to be on a smooth highway? Doesn’t the ride feel good? Wouldn’t it be nice if your daily life was as smooth as that?

In our lives we often experience many bumps, snags, and even roadblocks. At times, it can seem as though life is extremely difficult or challenging. We sometimes wonder when it will ever end, and we experience a smooth section again.

There is a smoother highway available to us in our lives. The highway God has made is smoother than any other. We may experience difficulties in this life, but there is a time coming when those difficulties will no longer occur.

God has told us that He will provide a perfect highway for us. It will be a highway for those who have chosen Him over this world. Only those who are pursuing holiness will find it. Only those who have chosen Jesus as their Lord and Savior will walk on it.

Smoothing out our life is our choice. God stands ready to help us. He will lead us out of the desert. God will strengthen us when we are weak. He will remove our fear. He will open the eyes of the blind and the ears of the deaf. He will heal the lame and sick.

I pray we all choose to walk God’s highway. I pray we seek to be holy as God is holy. I pray each one of us will choose to be a follower of Jesus and accept God’s help along the way. Travel the better highway. Walk on God’s highway. Have your eyes opened. Hear God’s call. Be healed. Be holy. Choose Jesus.

Isaiah 35:8

And a highway will be there; 

it will be called the Way of Holiness; 

it will be for those who walk on that Way. 

The unclean will not journey on it; 

wicked fools will not go about it.