Are You the Shepherds?

Am I Joseph?

Am I Joseph?

The Advent story is a very familiar story to some people.  It is sometimes summed up with a front yard nativity scene and a few Christmas carols.  I hope this Advent season to go deeper, with the Holy Spirit's help, and embrace the very real life lessons God wants to teach us.  Have you ever watched a movie more than once?  Maybe you have watched your favorite movie a few times.  Every time you watch a true classic, you will see details you didn't see the first time.  I believe the Advent is a perfect example of this, and we cannot be satisfied to read it just once.  This season let's begin by identifying with the point of view of Joseph in Matthew 1:18-24.  

Imagine his position when he discovers his future wife is pregnant, and the baby is not his.  Many scholars believe Joseph was much older than Mary.  Can you imagine the disappointment he must have felt when the dream he was waiting for seemed to be over? God knew Joseph would pass the test of disappointment.   His love for God caused him to not seek revenge and resort to bitterness when his dreams of a normal marriage seemed to burn.  

An angel visited Zechariah to announce John the Baptist's birth.  An angel visited Mary to announce the birth of the Savior.  Joseph only saw an angel in his dream.  How much more room for doubt is there when it comes to listening to our dreams compared to seeing a real angel? How easy would it have been for Joseph to ignore his visitation?  Joseph must have possessed a supernatural kind of faith. 

 Imagine the Christmas story without Joseph?  Would Mary and her unborn child have survived?  Remember this was a time when women were considered unequal, and adultery would result in stoning.  It was at this time, a man named Joseph stood his ground and obeyed God.  We find later in the Bible Joseph listens to a dream again. This time he rescues Mary and baby Jesus from King Herod's murderous plot.  Joseph does not demand a lot of attention in the Advent story.  In fact, it would be very easy to overlook his role.  Yet in the most vulnerable time on Earth for Jesus, his infancy, God raised up Joseph to protect him.

So I ask you today, are you Joseph?  Has God entrusted something to you that may not have been your first choice, but he knew that you would be faithful?  Is he calling you to walk in obedience to stand as the protector of the vulnerable?    Has he given you a dream that you need to listen to? Today when your own desires may seem thwarted or confused, is there a ministry God has for you?  Is it for such a time as this that you should ask the question, “Am I Joseph?"  

The Birth of Jesus the Messiah- Matthew 18-24

18 This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. 19 Joseph, her fiancé, was a good man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement[a] quietly.

20 As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus,[b] for he will save his people from their sins.”

22 All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet:

23 “Look! The virgin will conceive a child!
    She will give birth to a son,
and they will call him Immanuel,[c]
    which means ‘God is with us.’”

24 When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. 25 But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus.

In Memory of Her

          There is a woman in the bible whose story seems so simple, but I believe it is one of the most powerful stories ever told.  She has been on my mind all week.  She ministered to Jesus a few days before his death.  She interrupted a meeting and poured her life savings, a costly perfume, upon Jesus.  The fragrance filled the room.   This unnamed woman was mocked for her action.  She was told she was an unwise steward. The religious told her she should have cared more for the poor.
            Who is to say we wouldn't feel the same way today?  Think of the needs of the people at that time.  Imagine a woman wasting somewhere between $25,000 to $100, 000 on one man.  It wasn't even practical.  Why would one man need to be covered in such extravagance?  She was the deciding factor in Judas's betrayal.  When Jesus defended her, Judas made up his mind.
            Yet this woman walked in a different realm.  She walked in the realm of the unseen, prompted by the Holy Spirit.  When so many were waiting for Jesus to minister to their needs, she was ministering to him.  In the days that would follow,  he would be deserted by everyone.  The sins of the world would be on his shoulders. He would be separated from his heavenly father, and he would suffer beyond all human comprehension.  Yet the fragrance of her perfume would linger in his nostrils.  The memory of her love would comfort him in the darkest hour.  No wonder Jesus declared that wherever the gospel is preached her story would be told.
           I believe this unnamed woman was willing to pour all she had on Jesus because he saw her in her brokenness.  She was willing to waste her life because he told her her life was not a waste.  I believe this unnamed woman truly understood the man before her was her savior.  Today are we still lovesick for the man Christ Jesus?  Have we heard him say our name, or are we going through the motions of religious duty.  It is love that gave her the boldness to do what would be remembered throughout eternity.

Mark 14: ⁹ Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.

Remembering What I Know

Today as I set aside some time to just seek the Lord and pray for the events happening in our world, I felt overwhelmed.  The conflict in Syria seems like a vicious cycle, and the answers are so unclear.  I kept trying to pray and felt uncertainty on how to pray.  It was then that the Holy Spirit directed me to write down what I know about God.  It blessed me, and I want to share it with you.  Sometimes meditating on what we know about God is the most powerful way to pray.  The enemy loves to show off.  He does it on the news, in our families, and in our own thoughts.  We must remember what we know about our God.  Please feel free to use this list as you seek God's face today.

Our God is Wise

He doesn't need us to council him. He spoke, and the world was formed.  He sees all, knows all, and is not limited by time.  He speaks exactly what needs to be said, at exactly the right time.  He knows when a bird dies, and he knows our words before they're spoken.  He understand the seen and the unseen.

Our God is Strong

He used one man to slay hundreds.  He can move mountains, break towers, shake nations, and throw armies into confusion.  He causes demons to beg, plead, and tremble.  He fasted forty days and nights, looked in the face of Satan, and still overcame.  All authority has been given to him.  His voice thunders.


Our God is Good

Everything that is pure, right, and holy comes from him.  He is the creator of life.  He serves the weak and pursues the poor.  He does not lie, and he hates wickedness.  He always opposes evil.  He is patient beyond comprehension.  He is not easily angered.  He forgives.

Our God is Willing

He draws near to humanity.  He seeks that which is lost.  He rejoiced when his friends walked in victory.  He is close to the brokenhearted.  He makes his home in human hearts.  He weeps with us while keeping track of our tears.  He uses us even in our weakness.  He laid down his majesty, and he subjected himself to a cruel world.  He washes our feet.  He enables us to love.  He provides a way out of every temptation.  He works on our behalf.  He never sleeps.  He provides new mercy every morning.  He will raise us up again.  He will allow us to rule and reign with him.

There's some serious booty in this one!

I woke up at 4:45 this morning from a deep sleep.  I had been having a dream.  I believe it was from the Lord.  There was a theater full of people, and I was there too.  We wanted to laugh and be entertained.  We went to see a comedian.  His name was Mr. Booty.  All he did was moon the audience in a variety of ways.  He continued to take his pants down and expose us to his backside.  He was so popular and everyone loved him.  When I awoke I was really disturbed.  It was not a natural disturbance- I believe it was God's heart.  My mind raced to the word "booty".  There is a snack my kids eat sometimes called "Pirate's Booty." I believe the Lord related to me that while we are busy entertaining ourselves with foolishness the enemy (like a pirate) is stealing our treasure.  There is a war going on both in the natural and the spiritual.  Please don't get me wrong, I love to laugh, and have fun, but I believe God is telling us this is a season of warfare.  There are seasons to fight in prayer and this is one of them.  Sometimes when there is too much on our plate we turn to the ridiculous to numb ourselves from the obvious.  But now is the time to turn to our powerful deliver.  I don't have the answers to your personal battle, but I do know it is time to pray for God has a season of deliverance right around the corner.  I don't have the answers to Syria, but I do know it is time to pray because although we can't see it now, it will affect us like a current coming down the river.  The Pope has called for a day of fasting and prayer this Saturday regarding Syria.  I'm in.  I believe this is not a Catholic- Protestant thing, this is a God calling his children to pray thing.  My friends, let's check ourselves.  I was there in the audience too!  I was watching a ridiculous man show his behind.  I'm ready take the "booty"back from the enemy- are you?

take a risk

Psalm 139:29 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

I challenge you today to pray this prayer.    Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you, give you eyes to see,and ears to hear.  Ask him to show you your blind spots.   As I walk today, let me hear your voice.  Stir up the spirit within you children of God.  He has something to say to you today.  Be brave, take a risk, and get out there.  I challenge you today my friends, to walk on the tightrope of serving God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. Know if your fall, there is a net of his grace and mercy waiting to catch you!  

Hebrews 12:2-3 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

We are told many places in the Word to be still, to fix our eyes, and to put the Lord always before us.  Most of the time when we read the scriptures that tell us to quiet ourselves and be steady, we'll find in context there was great struggle or conflict going on. There are many times the war is waging, and Jesus reminds us to simple look at him.  We MUST intentionally do it.  Sometimes that is that last place we think to look.  We are to busy fighting the waves, and trying to outrun the storm. I remember when I was little girl taking swimming lessons.  I was amazed how effective the dead man float was.  The water simply held you up. You just had to focus on being dead weight and letting the water do the work.   Today there is a war waging and your struggles may be many, but let him hold you up.  He is willing, able and capable.  

My Story

I gave my life to the Lord in 1997.  I had studied many religions, and lost my way.  My heart wanted someone to love me and know me.  I had been told by my family, as a child, that I was special but life and poor choices convinced me otherwise.  The world is a cruel taskmaster.  I could no longer meditate, medicate, or  ignore the pain.  When I learned of Jesus and his personal love for me, I was curious.  When I began to read the word of God, it came alive and spoke directly into my needs.  The day I made Jesus Lord of my life, everything changed.  I became a person, still very much imperfect, but now guided by the words of a man, a powerful spirit living within me, and a conversation with my heavenly father constantly.  I was no longer alone.

In 2002 God began to speak to me about destiny.  I asked him for a spiritual mandate.  I had heard a preacher speak about this and I thought, "I want that too".  God is faithful to direct his people, and give them vision for their life.  Vision helps us know where we are going.  Patience, perseverance, prayers, people, and a whole lot of supernatural grace gets us there. It was a very special night God gave me a vision that has never gone away.  He led me to Isaiah 50 and Numbers 10.  He spoke specifically about being a voice.  Through this encounter I knew God was leading me to speak and teach about him.  It was 9 years later before I began to see a little more about what being a voice meant.

As I matured in the Lord and in my many roles as daughter, sister, wife, mother, friend, and church member, God released me into more spiritual responsibility and leadership.  In 2012, through a series of events He began to stir a desire to teach the Word of God and speak vision into people through personal stories, scripture, and most importantly the power of the Holy Spirit.  In spring 2013, God made it very clear to me one night that it was time to start the training to enter full time ministry.

So here I am, and here you are.  I hope you will join me in this process of training.  I am currently a full time 3rd grade school teacher.  I volunteer at Mexia First Assembly of God as a youth worker, on-call Bible teacher, prayer pastor, and anything else I'm needed for   I am taking online ministry classes through Berean School of ministry to become a licensed minister through the Assemblies of God.

My husband Enrique, is a powerful man of God who serves as my sounding board in so many areas.  He is a full-time high school art teacher and the volunteer fine arts pastor at our church.  We have three beautiful and active children, Mattie age 11, Zechariah age 8, and Zoe age 4.  In the midst of God calling me, our baby Zoe was diagnosed with auditory neuropathy (severe hearing loss and speech perception disorder) .  God always has a story to tell through situations like Zoe and it is not an accident that her diagnoses came at the same time as God's call.

It's impossible for any of us to sum up our life story and our God story in a page.  If you are like me, your mind will race as you chose which details are the ones most significant to include.  The purpose of sharing my life and story with you is not about the details.  Please join me as I share the messages God puts in my heart, and I pray it will bring you into a deeper relationship with him.   Please join me as we discover together what being a voice for God is all about.