Matthew 1:24 Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the Angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife,

 

Due to his obedience, Joseph was chosen by God to be the husband of Mary and the step-father of Jesus. When we think about what God asked Joseph to do at this time in his life, it's obvious he was truly an extraordinary young man.

 

It has always been (and still is) very common for God to speak to people in Dreams, Visions, and through Angelic Visitation. To receive a Divine Message from the Lord is not uncommon. However, to OBEY the Message is a different story.

 

The Lord spoke to Joseph and told him not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife even though she was pregnant. This was unheard of in those days but Joseph obeyed the Lord. He went against what was socially and politically correct at the time and acted in obedience to God.

 

God hand-picks people for certain tasks and responsibilities. He has always done this and He still does today. This is the fulfillment of the popular Scripture, Jeremiah 29:11. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

 

The Lord has wonderful plans for each of us, but we will never experience His plan for our lives if we are not obedient to His call. The absolute key to living a fulfilled Christian life, is obedience. Without it, there is nothing.

 

Later in the story we read where the Lord spoke to Joseph telling him to go to Bethlehem. He went. Then God told him to go to Egypt. He went. Finally the Lord told Joseph to go to Nazareth. He went. Joseph never questioned the Voice of the Lord. Whatever He told him to do, he obeyed without hesitation.

 

Few people can honestly say that. When we learn to recognize the Voice of the Lord and act in obedience to His Voice, then we will begin to experience the abundant life Jesus gave His Life for us to have.

 

Obedience. That’s the key. With that single key, we can open the door to Abundant Life.

 

Obedience to the Lord will……..turn the tide

 

Listening, Doreen

 

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