Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Change”
Our Bible verse for today: “An angel of the Lord appeared to him (Joseph) in a dream … When Joseph woke up he did as the angel of the Lord commanded.” Matthew 1:20; 24 (NLT)
Our thought for today: “God may change your plans.”
Joseph was probably little different from other young Jewish men of his day in that he had plans to marry a good respectable Jewish girl, have a family, and make a decent living in some trade (in his case as a carpenter). He probably expected to live a quiet life, without controversy, and to be a faithful and respected member of his local synagogue.
God had similar plans for Joseph, but with a few minor twists. Mary was a good respectable Jewish girl – exceptionally so! But it wouldn’t appear that way to the rest of the community. And evidently Joseph did make an average living as a carpenter but maybe not as good as it could have been if Mary’s reputation hadn’t been questionable. And that quiet life without controversy? Probably not. His oldest boy (Jesus) presented some special parenting challenges that Joseph probably hadn’t planned on. It turns out that he was God in a human body, that He was perfect in all his ways, and even as a child He knew more than the most learned Rabbis in Jerusalem. Can you imagine?
As it turned out, God’s plans for Joseph were just a little different than Joseph’s plans for Joseph. But they were better. Much better.
The same is true for you. While it’s unlikely that an angel of the Lord will appear to you in a dream to inform you that God is going to use your life to help alter the course of human history, it’s still true that He has a great plan for your life. But please don’t miss the fact that Joseph had a choice. God never removed the man’s free will. He could have refused to participate in God’s plan and divorced Mary, and then gone in search of another wife whose situation was a little less complicated.
You too have a choice. As the weeks, months, and years of your life unfold you will inevitably make some plans that aren’t quite in synch with what God wants for you. During those times there will need to be some changes, some adjustments made in order for you to live God’s plan instead of your own. Like Joseph you will have to actually choose God’s plan over your own. You will have to accept the changes and make the adjustments.
I can tell you from personal experience and from hard lessons learned, that the best place for you and your family to be is in the center of God’s will. From time to time that will involve making some changes.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 