Joseph's Choice of Mercy 12-17-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I come now before You, to worship and adore You, and welcome You into every moment of my day. ... "Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place this way. When His mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, and angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the Child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a Son, and you are to name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins' " (Matthew 1:18-21). Before the angel of the Lord spoke to Joseph, he had a choice to make -- to demand judgment or release mercy. Under the law, if a virgin engaged to be married, found to have had relations with another man could have been stoned at the city gate along with that man (Deuteronomy 22:23-24). "But just when" Joseph choose mercy rather than judgment, the angel appeared to him and spoke to him. Joseph showed himself to be "a righteous man" in his actions by what he had resolved in his heart. "So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. For judgment will be without mercy to anyone who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment" (James 2:12-13). Like Joseph, Lord give me a heart of mercy, not always insisting on my just judgment of those I feel have wronged me or violated my trust. There is room for justice and just judgment, but You also desire there to be room for mercy. You have shown great mercy to each of us by coming to "save (Your) people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21). You were conceived and born in the midst of mercy. Then one day You died to release mercy to us all. Thank You for saving me from my sins. Thank You for making room for mercy in Your heart. Give me Your heart of mercy toward others. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Come to The Fountain! on the 3rd Friday night of every month for our ministry's city-wide gathering of the body of Christ from every tradition and stream to worship the Lord in Sprit and in Truth. Come drink deeply from the Living Waters in the freedom of the Spirit. 7 pm in the chapel at Centenary in Lexington. All who are thirsty are welcome. Call or write for details: 859-422-1794 Come to The Mountain! on Monday Nights for our ministry's weekly prayer for Israel and the peace of Jerusalem led by Doris and Bob McCray. 7 pm in the upstairs Community Room at First Southern National Bank on Harrodsburg Rd. in Lexington. All are welcome. Call or write for details: 859-422-1794 Subscribe/unsubscribe by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 www.messiah-ministries.org Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com