Let There Be Joy - Day 10

Let There Be Joy
Written By Carol McLeod

Do Not Be Afraid

Joseph was a righteous man ... a good man ... and a kind man.  The word “righteous” in Matthew 1:19 is defined this way in the Greek: ‘used of him whose way of thinking, feeling and acting is wholly conformed to the will of God.”

Joseph was not making decisions based upon his own best interest but his decisions were birthed in the conviction of God’s perfect and holy will.  Joseph was learning a significant lesson this first Christmas season: celebrating the Savior is not about maximizing your own desires or preferences but it is about doing whatever it takes to welcome the Christ Child into your life.

This is a sobering lesson that we all need to be reminded of this Christmas season.  Christmas is not about how I feel, about my circumstances, or about the comfort of family and friends.  Christmas has always been and will eternally continue to be about making room for Jesus in the disappointed hallways of life.

Joseph planned to send Mary away privately although he could have had her stoned in the village square.  Joseph’s wise and kind plans were interrupted by a Christmas angel!  How wonderful to know that even when we are doing what we believe to be the highest good, God’s ways are still higher than our best intentions!  Christmas is a time when heaven’s best interrupts our good.

And what were the first words that came out of the angel’s beatific mouth?  “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid …” 

The words spoken to Joseph over 2,000 years ago ring clearly across the ages into our disappointment.  “Do not be afraid,” is the message of Christmas to your life today.

Has God interrupted your life lately?  Perhaps this Christmas you just might want to take stock of your life and realize that God has the right to interrupt your mundane.  God has the right to show you a better way of doing life because your very best human decision pales in comparison to what God has for you!

Was Joseph just an ordinary boy in love with an ordinary girl named Mary?!  Not a chance!  God always has plans other than ordinary for those who choose a lifestyle of uncompromising righteousness.  God desires to use each one of us as the vehicle through which Christ is revealed to every generation.

If you think that Christmas was only about Joseph and Mary ... you are more than wrong.  You might as well join the Grinch and Ebeneezer Scrooge in your opinion of Christmas.  God longs to birth Christmas through you at this time in history.  You are here to reveal the character and the heart of God.  It is what righteous people do - not only at Christmas but 365 days a year!

Bible Reading: (click on the Scripture reference to open in reader)

Matthew 1:18-25

Colossians 1:25-29

Let There be Joy In Me:

Pray this year that Jesus would interrupt your holiday plans.  Ask Him to invade your ordinary life with His extraordinary.

What fear issue does the presence of Jesus help you deal with?

HDonateello, World!

If this devotional has been an encouragement to you, would you consider giving a year-end gift to Just Joy! Ministries this Christmas season?

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Carol McLeod
Carol says, “I am just a girl who is head over heels in love with Jesus ... passionately addicted to His Word ... and find all of the joy that I need in time spent in His presence." Carol is a Christmas-aholic, loves ACC basketball and the beach! Like all menopausal women, she is overly fond of chocolate and enjoys a good read. She doesn't like cleaning her house and is an expert in carry-out dinners. She hates to shop … loves to jog … and somehow finds time in her busy life to hang out with small children. She is the kind of woman that you could laugh with over lunch, cry with over disappointment and shout with over a victory! But … if you need her official bio … read on! Carol is an author and popular speaker at women's conferences and retreats, where she teaches the Word of God with great joy and enthusiasm. She also hosts highly successful Just Joy! outreaches. Carol encourages and empowers women with passionate and practical biblical messages mixed with her own special brand of hope and humor. Carol has written three books, "Holy Estrogen!", "The Rooms of a Woman's Heart" and "Defiant Joy!" which was released by a subsidiary of Thomas Nelson. Her teaching DVD, "The Rooms of a Woman's Heart", won the Telly Award, a prestigious industry award, for excellence in religious programming. Carol has also been featured on YouVersion (the smart phone Bible app) with several devotionals, including: "For the Journey Set Before Him", "Jolt of Joy", and "Joy to YOUR world", " Carol has a daily radio program, "Defiant Joy! Radio" which is available in several national markets including Youngsville PA, Warren PA, Buffalo NY, Roanoke VA, Norfolk VA, and Nashville TN.  A 1977 graduate of Oral Roberts University with a degree in Music and English, Carol has the distinction of being both the first Women's Chaplain and the first woman to speak at the university's Vespers.  Carol currently serves on the ORU Alumni Board as chaplain.  She is married to her college sweetheart and love of her life, Craig, who serves as senior pastor of Life Church, a church near Buffalo, NY.  Craig and Carol have been happily married for nearly 37 years and are the parents of five children and three delightful daughters-in-law. Craig and Carol are thrilled with the joy of being grandparents to five precious grandchildren! Carol has written three books, "Holy Estrogen!", "The Rooms of a Woman's Heart" and "Defiant Joy!" which was released by a subsidiary of Thomas Nelson. Her teaching DVD, "The Rooms of a Woman's Heart", won the Telly Award, a prestigious industry award, for excellence in religious programming. Carol has also been featured on YouVersion (the smart phone Bible app) with several devotionals, including: "For the Journey Set Before Him", "Jolt of Joy", and "Joy to YOUR world", " Carol has a daily radio program, "Defiant Joy! Radio" which is available in several national markets including Youngsville PA, Warren PA, Buffalo NY, Roanoke VA, Norfolk VA, and Nashville TN.  A 1977 graduate of Oral Roberts University with a degree in Music and English, Carol has the distinction of being both the first Women's Chaplain and the first woman to speak at the university's Vespers.  Carol currently serves on the ORU Alumni Board as chaplain.  She is married to her college sweetheart and love of her life, Craig, who serves as senior pastor of Life Church, a church near Buffalo, NY.  Craig and Carol have been happily married for nearly 37 years and are the parents of five children and three delightful daughters-in-law. Craig and Carol are thrilled with the joy of being grandparents to five precious grandchildren!
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Let There Be Joy - Day 9