December 10, 2008

The Census

Luke 2:1-5 (HCSB) 1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole empire should be registered. 2 This first registration took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David, 5 to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant.

Devotion
What does it smell like to travel? Smelly vans, dirty clothes, restaurant foods, outdoor clean air, outdoor stinky air.
Travel was what Joseph and Mary had to do. Of course they did not have a van or restaurants to go to, but they had a destination, and it wasn’t vacation. It was a demand of the government.
Wow.
Can God actually use the ungodly government structure of the Roman Empire to bring about the fulfillment of prophecy?
Could God use the course of human events around you to get you where he wants you to be?
He did and he does!
God, in his Sovereignty will use the events of the world around us to align us with his will. Of course we need to be open to allowing him to use us.
Someone told me recently that interruptions in your life should be seen as opportunities to minister. Let’s see them this way as we go about the Christmas season!

Questions for Discussion
Have you ever thought of what Joseph and Mary felt about traveling such a distance?
How has God used an “interruption” in your life as an opportunity to minister?
Where have you seen God at work that surprised you?

Prayer
Dear God, help me to keep my eyes open for where you are at work in my life and to take advantage of opportunities to minister. Amen.

Song
Emmanuel