If Caesar had not issued that decree, Joseph wouldn’t have gone back to Bethlehem. And that would mean Jesus would have been born somewhere else. So I believe God made Caesar Augustus issue that decree, not himself. Things don’t just happen.
Joseph was never shy about going to Nazareth with Mary for the census, even though he hadn’t married her yet and she was expecting the child Jesus. Man of God, don’t be shy to hang out with that godly lady you love and want to marry.
Jesus’ position in heaven as the Son was too high for any earthly thing to announce His coming.
As you follow Christ and keep obeying Him, He’ll help you birth your miracles even in times of adversity.
Herod ended up dead because he saw Jesus’ birth as a threat, not as a prophecy fulfilment. As a leader, you must master your spiritual discernment to see right in situations and people’s potential. If you don’t, you’ll make wrong decisions and make pursuits contrary to the vision God gave you.
When Joseph decided to divorce Mary, God stepped in not because of Joseph but to protect His prophetic words from getting annulled by one grieved man. And Joseph obeyed God. May God give you a spiritually submissive husband.
No scripture says Mary went to pray for Joseph not to divorce her after telling him she was pregnant with Jesus by the Holy Spirit. But I believe she did it. Never cease praying for your partner or spouse. Always tell God to stabilise each others’ minds.
Instead of doubting God’s promises about your life, ask Him for explanations. Stay with Him until You hear him answer all your questions so that your faith in His Word will stand strong. For that is what Mary did to Angel Gabriel until her faith in giving birth to Jesus stand strong despite challenges surrounding it.
If the wise men had disobeyed God, baby Jesus would have been killed by Herod. The saviour of man wouldn’t have executed His divine mandate — that is, taking away the sin of the world (John 1:29). That also means there would be nothing like salvation, and people would have continued wallowing in sin worse than today. One simple obedience has collaborated to billions of people having access to salvation today and counting.
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God isn’t after our money or possessions. He’s after our hearts. When the wise men pulled resources together to give, they had only three packages. It doesn’t mean they were three in number. But God kept communicating to them not to visit Herod upon their return to their country.
How can wise men from the East travel and tell Herod that the “king of the Jews” is born, and he’d be intimidated? How can an old man like Herod think about losing his position to a fresh baby? It’s a picture of poor leadership styles today. Instead of Herod looking out for succession in leadership, he was thinking about protecting his position of power. If you’re in leadership today, stop thinking so selfishly. Stop thinking about securing your position without mentoring anybody.
As we celebrate the birth of the prince of peace today, never forget that you are who you are because of Him. Enjoy yourself, and feast together as a family. But do everything to glorify Him. And as you move on with your life, always give Him the space to effect changes in Your life that’ll glorify the Father of lights.
