Posts with the category “pif”

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you desolate." In Matthew chapter 23, we see that Israel was given the same chance Joseph had. They were offered the same choice. True peace arrived. It ...  Read More

"When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus." Now listen, this is the key to the whole passage. When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him. He did not argue. He did not negotiate. He did not try to figure out how to make God's plan fit into hi...  Read More

"But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, 'Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.'" I want you to see three statements in the angel's words to Joseph. Three t...  Read More

"And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly." Now I want you to understand something about Joseph. This man was righteous. Scripture calls him a just man. That is not a throwaway phrase. That is a description of his character, his reputation, his track record of faithfulness. Joseph had built a righteous life. He knew how to please G...  Read More

"Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way." Rome had a phrase for it. Pax Romana. The Roman Peace. And here's what I need you to know about that so called peace. It was not peace at all. It was survival. It meant if you submitted, if you obeyed, if you paid your taxes and kept your head down, Rome would let you live. They would allow you to go about your business as long as you remembe...  Read More