December 12, 2010 No Misfits Here

No Misfits Here

Day 28: Luke 2:4-5 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.

JOSEPH and Mary are on an 80-mile walk from Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem in Judea. The journey would take about 5-8 days, depending on how everyone was feeling. These are the next steps of God’s magnificent plan to save the world.
Consider here the centuries of promises and prophecies from Abraham to Isaac to Joseph to Moses to Samuel to David to Isaiah to Daniel to Joseph and Mary. Wait, “Joseph and Mary”, can we say their names in the same breath with the mighty, godly heroes of Israel’s history? They are impoverished misfits, scared and just following the crowd.
Or are they misfits? Joseph and Mary are surely as much a part of God’s plan of salvation as the mighty and famous. God puts people of all shapes, sizes, backgrounds and futures on a journey with him to bring salvation to the world. God takes “misfits” and fits them perfectly into his plan.
That’s why he’s called you. Yes, you. You’re really not a misfit. You may think you are, but you’re not.
When you say, “Yes, Lord. I will follow you.” you enter into a journey that goes step by step to where God fits you perfectly to Him. He takes you to the places he needs you to go—a crowded town, a stinky stable, a sheep pasture, a rocky road, a mountain top, a fertile plain, a cross.
Yes, God’s salvation makes you his. I pray you enjoy the wonder of your journey with him. After all, the journey ends in heaven.


Pause and Consider: how you can fit into God’s perfect plan of salvation.


A Big, Big Love
Read Revelation 3

Rev 3:20-21 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

THREE CHURCHES, three judgments, one promise—Jesus’ love and salvation washes over his hard words and warnings.
Sardis was on a high hill, an Acropolis, thought to be impregnable. But five times the hill was conquered because the inhabitants did not believe anyone would attack. They didn’t watch. So our Lord says in Rev 3:3 “fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.” The warning: always be on the watch against attacks from evil.
Philadelphia suffered from many earthquakes. But Jesus assures this faithful church that: Rev 3:7 He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens” Nothing but the power of the King can open or close the door to the Kingdom of God.
And against Laodicea, Jesus speaks of their lukewarmness. They have no passion. He even prefers they are passionately against him to their lukewarm culture! His judgment is severe. And then his promise is forever.
“Behold” he says. He wants to be sure you hear him. He’s knocking at the door. Yes, he has come to speak of your sin. But he loves you so much he can’t hold back. He is passionate for you. And now he’s calling on you to answer him.
In the words against these churches we can see our lives. Jesus is imploring the church and you to respond and to see his love.


Pause and Consider: His love is much, much bigger than your sin. Will you open the door to your heart?