Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today is Wednesday October 21, 2009 and we are continuing our studies in the book of Luke, please read chapters 2-3 in your Bible or Click Here to read them. http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-october-21

Today's Message: Godly Authority
Submission to godly authority is a powerful testimony to the grace of God working in our lives.

Caesar Augustus was the Emperor of the Roman Empire, that controlled the civilized world at the time. Caesar issued an decree that all the people under the Roman empire were to enroll or register themselves for the sake of taking a census of all the people in the land of their origin. This is not something that is recorded only in God's Word but is well documented even today through the British museum. Where ever a person was, he had to return to birthplace to be registered on a certain date, if he had a family, he took them with him. “And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” - Luke 2:1-5. Joseph took his wife Mary with him, and traveled to his home at Bethlehem-Judah, just outside of Jerusalem. "Bethlehem" in the Hebrew tongue means "the house of bread". The Bread, is in relation to the Bread that you take in communion, which represents Christ, the child that shall be born here in Bethlehem. Jesus is the Bread of spiritual life, eternal life. Mary gave birth to her firstborn Son, Jesus the Christ, not in the local inn, but in the back where the animals are kept. The eternal King over the Kingdom of God without end, was born into our age of flesh man in the lowest form that a child could enter, out where the animals were feeding.

When all the ceremonies were finished, the sacrifices offered, and the preaching was over, according to the law of the Lord, they went back home to Nazareth. However, the Passover brought Mary and Joseph to Jerusalem every year. “And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it...........And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.” - Luke 39-43,48-51. It had been three days since they had left for home, and Joseph and Mary had gone all over Jerusalem looking for their young boy. When they finally went into the Temple, there Jesus was sitting in the midst of the doctors, the scholars of the time, listening and asking Him questions. Mother Mary was worried, as any mother would be. Mary told Jesus that your step father and I have been worried about you. Jesus is letting it be known that when He was in the temple He was home. He just could not see why there should be so much confusion as to His location when He never left the temple in the first place. This was His Father's house. Jesus submitted Himself to His earthly parents and went with them back home to Nazareth. At the time Joseph and Mary just could not understand what Jesus was telling them, but Mary kept what the angel of God told and kept those thoughts in her mind also.

There is something awesome beyond words to express in the thought of Jesus as the Creator of all things submitting to earthly parents who were part of His creation. But Jesus Christ lived at home until He was thirty years old. During that time, as the custom was, the Son of God was a submissive son of Mary and Joseph. Vanity, selfish ambition and prideful independence are always in a hurry to reject God-ordained parental authority. You do not find Jesus murmuring against the restraints of home or reminding them or others that He had His rights and was fully capable of self-management. The Christian son and daughter who are living in submission to Christ will also experience the same satisfaction of living in subjection to their parents. “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;” - Ephesians 6:1,2.


Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
Lord, our lives are in Your hands. We make our plans and dream our dreams, but we desire to have the same attitude as that of Your Son, Jesus, who expressed His own heart’s desire and then submitted His will to You when He prayed, “Nevertheless, not my will but Thy will be done.”  Help us to submit our will to Yours and trust You with our future, for You never forsake the righteous and You are a refuge for those in trouble. In Jesus' Name........Amen.

Have a wonderful and blessed day/night
God Bless You,
Christina

Learn About Salvation Only Made Through Jesus Christ
Go to: I'm Ready to Get Saved
http://www.readytofollow.com/salvation