Selections From Matthew 1
The birth of Jesus Christ came about this way: After His mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, it was discovered before they came together that she was pregnant by means of the Holy Spirit. So Joseph, her husband, being a righteous man, and not wanting to disgrace her publicly, decided to divorce her secretly. But after he had considered these things, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, don't be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what has been conceived in her is by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins."
He knew that he hadn't - he hoped and prayed that she hadn't - this just couldn't be happening. Still, Mary had never been known to lie to him before. What's a nice guy like Joseph doing in a mess like this? To help us see the miracles that occur inside the walls of God's will.
Does God ever speak to you in dreams? The Bible certainly bears out the practice. Joseph did, Jacob did, Nebuchadnezzar, and others. Job's friend, Elihu, said: "God does speak in one way, then in another, but a person may not notice it. In a dream, a vision of the night, when a deep sleep falls upon people amid slumber on their bed" (Job 33:14–15). Certainly dreams are often born from the day's events or from pizza eaten too late at night. But stay open to God's communicating through your dreams. It's been done before.
Look At It This Way ...
Many of us want God to speak to us and give us an assignment. However, we are not interested in making any major adjustments in our lives. Biblically, that is impossible. Every time God spoke to people in Scripture about something He wanted to do through them, major adjustments were necessary. They had to adjust their lives to God. Once the adjustments were made, God accomplished his purposes through those he called.
Adjustments may be required in one or more of the following areas: in your circumstances (like job, home, finances), your relationships (family, friends, business associates), your thinking (prejudices, methods, your potential), your commitments (to family, church, job, plans, tradition), your actions (how you pray, give, serve), your beliefs (about God, his pur-poses, his ways, your relationship to him). The list could go on an on. To go from your ways, thoughts, and purposes to God's will always requires a major adjustment. Once you have made the necessary adjustments, you can follow God in obedience.
A Final Thought:
God's work is bigger than any one person, yet it is performed through a God-guided network of individuals who are willing to swim the currents of His will. Are you?
by : Henry Blackaby
