---COURAGE TO OBEY ~~

---"When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him."
---(Luke 2:39-40 / NIV)--

God’s plan for Joseph and Mary was joyful but also awkward and disruptive. Gossip and skepticism are not new. I’ll bet someone in Nazareth was keeping a calendar of announcements and deliveries. But Joseph put his reputation on the line with Mary’s: “I believe you. We’ll walk the streets of this village with our heads up.”

-- He didn’t let any aspersions be cast or do anything to salvage his reputation. He honored Mary in public, and he will be forever known as Jesus’ earthly father. I never think about the Christmas story without thinking about the pressures on this young couple. Scripture gives no indication that they did anything other than a fine job of parenting this most unusual boy. Your circumstances may not be perfect, and they may not be what you have dreamed of, but the hand of God can be present to do amazing things if you will invite Him into your life.

THINK ABOUT IT
Has embarrassment over what people might think ever slowed down a positive response to a God-invitation? No! If you had a do-over, could you accept His invitation now? I remain a Christ-Follower~~ YES!, Emmanuel= GOD WITH US!

PRAYER
---"Heavenly Father, I will put my reputation on the line with Jesus’—neither the praise nor the scorn of men will determine my response to Your invitations for me. I want my faith in You to be marked by courage. In Jesus’ name, amen."
Blessings,
Pastor Allen Jackson
[Jesus said, "Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father in heaven.
But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven." --[Matthew 10:32-33] --"Messiah" / Francesca Battistelli //<https://youtu.be/D14wX0K9XJQ>
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