Monday, December 04, 2006

Out on a limb

Matthew 1:18-21 (NIV)
18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.
19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
20 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.
21 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.

Good morning!

Are you a risk taker? To a certain degree, all of us take risks from time to time. We risk our lives every time we get behind the wheel of a car. We make choices each day that will have consequences affecting our future. For instance, what made you choose whether to go to college or go to work full time? If you went to college, where did you go and why? We make calculated risks about where to live, whether to rent or buy a home, whether to marry, and have a family. We risk our hearts in relationships, knowing when we choose to love another person, we may actually get hurt in the process. There are calculated risks to almost every life decision we make.

Joseph was a man of strong conviction. He was a descendant of family of King David, and grew up in a home where demonstrating integrity and being obedient to the Father was a vital part of daily living. The scripture tells us that Joseph was a righteous man. When he learned that his betrothed was with child, Joseph took a risk to save two lives. Hurt and disillusioned, Joseph cared more for Mary’s plight than he did for the ridicule and judgment he might face from those around him. He chose to divorce her quietly rather than expose Mary and her child to public disgrace and probable punishment by death. Joseph took a huge risk when he made this decision. He went out on a limb to save their lives. Under these circumstances, would you have done the same?

It is no coincidence that God hand-picked Joseph to be the earthly father of His only Son, Jesus Christ. God sent an angel of the Lord to Joseph in a dream, encouraging him to take Mary as his wife. Joseph took a risk, and assumed the responsibilities to become a husband to Mary and earthly father to our Lord. Joseph raised Jesus as his own, training him in carpentry, and raising him in the faith.

When God gave His only Son up to be the sacrificial lamb for all humanity, He took a huge risk that we would choose to turn around and follow Him home. Jesus literally went out on a limb to save us from eternal sin and separation. Our God is the greatest risk taker of all. Now it is our turn to decide whether we will risk it all to serve Him, love Him, and share His light and life with the world. Are you a risk taker? Are you willing to go out on a limb for the one who came to save you?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: courage and determination to go out on a limb today for Jesus. If you are willing to assume the risk, God will help you share your faith with people who desperately need to hear the Good News. Are you willing to take a risk for Jesus?

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© Copyright 2006, Deb Spaulding
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