Directions From The Counselor of Wonder

Directions From The Counselor of Wonder Matthew 2.19-23 Joseph moved the Holy Family to Egypt. He also moved them back at the appropriate time to Israel. Joseph played a key role in the early years of the life of the Word becoming flesh. He was the protector and provider for the family. He led them according to his heart and the direction he received in the dreams he had. Joseph sets an example for all of us who are fathers on earth. He listened to the LORD and obeyed Him fully. He put the LORD and his family first. My Dad was like that. His example stays in my heart today. I have wonderful memories of him, sitting next to him in church, being in his Sunday School Class, serving as a Sunday School Teacher when he was Superintendent… and much more! Working with him, learning how to garden from him, laughing, singing, being together, going to Mets Games together, 1986. How we need the direction of God’s Spirit in our lives today. We have an Everlasting Father Who is the Wonderful Counselor! We have His Word for spiritual direction. We need His Spirit for what steps to take, our present and our future. Way too many people, God’s people, lean on their own understanding and end up settling for less than what God has for them. God’s people have been pragmatic when they should have been prophetic. Too often we have been about our comfort rather than God’s Kingdom. More concerned about monetary investments than the advancement of God’s Kingdom! With hearts that have not been refined or purified we follow our own desires, then wonder why we are in a mess! Pastor Mauricio and I yesterday afternoon. We have more than enough. Way better than most of the Pastors in the world. Yesterday early morning… Too many have floundered. As I look back on my life I am thankful for that guiding Hand of God, the direction of the Holy Spirit and the godly people who spoke into my life in times of major decisions. God has provided wise counselors to this very day, at 65 years old and on Medicare! As I interact with and observe those who lost all for the sake of knowing Christ my heart is filled with joy. I have learned from them. Blessed is the person who has nothing but Jesus! Fritz Chrysler, “The person who has everything and Christ is not a bit richer than the person who only has Christ.” * God Gives us the Direction We Need vs.19-20 When we need it. He does not lay the whole plan of our life out for us. One step at a time. A good man’s steps are ordered by the LORD. The life of following Jesus is a walk. We never see Jesus running, rushing or making haste, on the contrary! He does gives clues, visions and dreams. While we wait and work. Waiting does not mean inactivity. On the contrary it means watching and working. There is a great deal of work to be done. Sometimes, the vision or Dream is not for the immediate fulfillment. Habakkuk illustrates that. Habakkuk 2.1 I will stand at my watch
    and station myself on the ramparts;
I will look to see what he will say to me,
    and what answer I am to give to this complaint. The Lord’s Answer 2 Then the Lord replied: “Write down the revelation
    and make it plain on tablets
    so that a herald may run with it. 3 For the revelation awaits an appointed time;
    it speaks of the end
    and will not prove false.
Though it linger, wait for it;
    it[c] will certainly come
    and will not delay. Sometimes we can not get going fast enough. Joseph showed us that last week. This dream to return was not a matter of immediacy due to an emergency. He did not leave in the middle of the night. The LORD shows us the way. Genesis 12.1 The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.” Many times it is this way as we follow the LORD. We encounter difficulties when we try to usurp the authority of the Holy Spirit for our own purposes. God’s mark of approval, whenever you obey Him, is peace. He sends an immeasurable, deep peace; not a natural peace, “as the world gives,” but the peace of Jesus.” -Oswald Chambers * Obeying the LORD is the Key to Living an Abundant Life v.21 He got up and left. It doesn’t seem like this was the middle of the night. Three times so far Joseph obeyed the dreams given. Matthew 1.24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the LORD had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. Matthew 2.14 So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, 15 where he stayed until the death of Herod. And this time v.21 * God Works In A Mysterious Way vs.22-23 He brought them back to Israel He brought me back to Long Island. He brings us back some times. He is desiring the church be brought back to the manger, back to the simplicity of His birth, Back to the meaning of it, Back to the Son of a man Who had no place to lay His Head even at His birth! Some of you listening by livestream, God is calling you back to the church, to be part of His Kingdom. He brought them back home to Nazareth. Their hometown but not the most desirable place in Israel. The Father, the Everlasting Father, the Waiting Father is desiring to bring all people to His Home. Jesus was called a Nazarene. Isaiah 9.1-7 Galilee of the Gentiles by the Sea Nathaniel would ask, “Nazareth, can anything good come from Nazareth?” Not a compliment “Come and see,” said Philip. John 1.46 That is what we need to be doing! Inviting people to come to Jesus. Psalm 34.8 O taste and see that the LORD is good. As God deals with our lives it so important to follow His direction fully. Obedience to the LORD does more than we can ever dream of or envision! ❤️ There is peace and joy and blessing in following Jesus. It is the only way to have abundant life.