Latest / Jessi Morgan Devotions for the Christian Heart Podcast / Government, Census & The Birth - Day 20

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Government, Census & The Birth - Day 20 · Jessi Morgan Devotions for the Christian Heart Podcast

• 0:00
  SPEAKER_00: Hello, hello, this is Jesse Morgan Devotions for the Christian Heart Podcast.
• 0:04
  SPEAKER_00: Welcome, welcome.
• 0:05
  SPEAKER_00: This year I'm bringing my 25-day Christmas devotional to life in a new way.
• 0:10
  SPEAKER_00: Beginning on day 11 through day 25, each devotional entry now has a matching mini podcast episode, a simple 8 to 10 minute reflection designed to help you slow down and truly sit with the story of Jesus' birth.
• 0:23
  SPEAKER_00: Each episode clearly follows the same day as the written devotional, so day 11 in the book is day 11 on the podcast and so forth.
• 0:31
  SPEAKER_00: My hope is that these daily audio reflections make the journey to Christmas feel even more personal, peaceful, and meaningful.
• 0:38
  SPEAKER_00: Thank you for being here.
• 0:40
  SPEAKER_00: Let's go.
• 0:45
  SPEAKER_00: The Census and the Savior Episode 87, Day 20, Luke 2, 1 through 7.
• 0:53
  SPEAKER_00: In those days, Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.
• 1:00
  SPEAKER_00: This was the first census that took place while there was a governor of Syria.
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  SPEAKER_00: And everyone went to their own town to register.
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  SPEAKER_00: So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judah, to Bethlehem, the town of David, because he belonged to the house in the line of David.
• 1:18
  SPEAKER_00: He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.
• 1:23
  SPEAKER_00: While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn a son.
• 1:29
  SPEAKER_00: She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger because there was no guest room available for them.
• 1:35
  SPEAKER_00: Now, what I just love about the Bible is how deeply connected it is.
• 1:40
  SPEAKER_00: The Old Testament is tied to the New Testament, and the New Testament fulfills the Old.
• 1:44
  SPEAKER_00: Nothing stands alone, everything points to Jesus.
• 1:48
  SPEAKER_00: When we read about Jesus' birth, it's told so simply.
• 1:52
  SPEAKER_00: You know, there's no place, there's I mean, there's no palace, there's no parade, no royal announcement.
• 1:58
  SPEAKER_00: Mary and Joseph had to travel to Bethlehem because of a census.
• 2:02
  SPEAKER_00: They slept outside, the baby was wrapped in cloths and laid in a manger.
• 2:06
  SPEAKER_00: Joseph went to Bethlehem because he was from the line of David, and that's exactly where the Messiah was prophesied to be born.
• 2:13
  SPEAKER_00: God didn't complicate it.
• 2:14
  SPEAKER_00: Jesus came into the world humbly through a virgin with no earthly status attached.
• 2:19
  SPEAKER_00: He grew up among his people quietly, only to later become the savior of the world.
• 2:24
  SPEAKER_00: And when you really sit back and think about it, that's incredible.
• 2:29
  SPEAKER_00: I also believe there's no such thing as coincidence in scripture or in our lives.
• 2:34
  SPEAKER_00: When I read, when I read about the census during Jesus' birth, I always it always reminds me of another census in the Bible, one involving King David.
• 2:44
  SPEAKER_00: In his later years, David ordered a census of Israel against God's instruction.
• 2:49
  SPEAKER_00: His heart was rooted in pride and self-reliance rather than trusting in the Lord.
• 2:54
  SPEAKER_00: As a result of that disobedience, God allowed a plague to come upon Israel, and 70,000 people died as a consequence.
• 3:02
  SPEAKER_00: This is in 2 Samuel 24.
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  SPEAKER_00: David was devastated, he fell to his knees, repented, and begged God for mercy.
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  SPEAKER_00: That story always sticks to me for some reason, just because of the concept of a census.
• 3:15
  SPEAKER_00: So, anyways, now fast forward to Joseph and Mary.
• 3:19
  SPEAKER_00: This census wasn't an act of disobedience by Joseph, it was ordained by God.
• 3:25
  SPEAKER_00: Joseph followed direction placed before him, even though it was probably very inconvenient and uncomfortable.
• 3:32
  SPEAKER_00: And look at what came from it.
• 3:34
  SPEAKER_00: Because of that census, Joseph traveled to Bethlehem, the exact place that Micah 5-2 prophesies the Messiah the Messiah would be born.
• 3:44
  SPEAKER_00: If that census had never happened, Joseph would have wouldn't have gone to Bethlehem and the prophecy wouldn't have been fulfilled.
• 3:51
  SPEAKER_00: Look at how God moves puzzle pieces.
• 3:53
  SPEAKER_00: Look at how he uses systems, timing, and even government orders to fulfill divine promises.
• 4:00
  SPEAKER_00: What once brought consequences and disobedience became a blessing through obedience.
• 4:05
  SPEAKER_00: And I think about this in my own life.
• 4:07
  SPEAKER_00: Back in 2013, 2014, about I was on and off with a guy.
• 4:13
  SPEAKER_00: I dated other people, but I always found myself gravitating towards him.
• 4:17
  SPEAKER_00: And truthfully, he was no good.
• 4:19
  SPEAKER_00: He never wanted to commit, no effort, no follow-through.
• 4:22
  SPEAKER_00: It was annoying and frustrating over the years.
• 4:26
  SPEAKER_00: And at the time I was working at Macy's in Miami, my first year there.
• 4:30
  SPEAKER_00: And one day my district vice president and district HR director told me that Harold Square in New York City, the flagship, wanted to interview me.
• 4:38
  SPEAKER_00: I was blown away, shocked.
• 4:40
  SPEAKER_00: I went to the interview, got the position, and I moved.
• 4:42
  SPEAKER_00: Yes, it was an amazing career opportunity and move, but if I'm being honest with you today, and I've never said this, about 70% of me moved out of frustration and spite.
• 4:54
  SPEAKER_00: I was tired of waiting on this guy who wasn't choosing me.
• 4:58
  SPEAKER_00: I think my proximity, because he lived in Orlando, I lived in Miami, and being just three hours away, he i it it made him comfortable.
• 5:06
  SPEAKER_00: Like, she'll always be there.
• 5:09
  SPEAKER_00: When I told him I was moving to New York, he was stunned.
• 5:12
  SPEAKER_00: And after that, the relationship fizzled out completely, and it was meant to.
• 5:18
  SPEAKER_00: But if I hadn't moved, if I hadn't followed that unexpected, uncomfortable nudge or frustration I was going through, I wouldn't have never met the love of my life.
• 5:30
  SPEAKER_00: God knew exactly what he was doing.
• 5:32
  SPEAKER_00: He used a situation that didn't make sense to me at the time to lead me to my husband.
• 5:38
  SPEAKER_00: And that's how God works.
• 5:41
  SPEAKER_00: Sometimes the moves feel calculated, sometimes the direction feels odd, sometimes we're just saying, okay, Lord, I guess I'll go.
• 5:51
  SPEAKER_00: But there is always purpose behind his instructions.
• 5:55
  SPEAKER_00: Just like the census brought Joseph to Bethlehem at the perfect moment, God uses the details of our lives to bring about his promises to us.
• 6:05
  SPEAKER_00: And now, here we are, just days away from celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.
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  SPEAKER_00: Let's pray.
• 6:12
  SPEAKER_00: Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us your Son.
• 6:14
  SPEAKER_00: Thank you for the humble, intentional way Jesus entered this world.
• 6:18
  SPEAKER_00: We thank you for your perfect timing, your obedience, your love.
• 6:21
  SPEAKER_00: Jesus, we praise you for who you are and for the gift of your life.
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  SPEAKER_00: We love you and we honor you, Lord, and we praise you.
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  SPEAKER_00: In Jesus' name.
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  SPEAKER_00: Amen.
• 6:32
  SPEAKER_00: Love you all.
• 6:33
  SPEAKER_00: Till next time.
• 6:37
  SPEAKER_00: Thank you for listening.
• 6:39
  SPEAKER_00: This episode is part of my Christmas devotional series inspired by my written devotional, 25 Days Till Christmas, a scripture-filled journey preparing our hearts to celebrate the birth of Jesus.
• 6:49
  SPEAKER_00: I invite you to read along and reflect on his story in a deeper way.
• 6:53
  SPEAKER_00: Details in the show notes for the written devotional.
• 6:55
  SPEAKER_00: And it also says in Scripture, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, goodwill towards men.
• 7:01
  SPEAKER_00: Luke 2.14.
• 7:03
  SPEAKER_00: And don't miss the next reflection in this Christmas series by subscribing to the podcast to continue walking through God's Word this season.
• 7:11
  SPEAKER_00: And a little bit about me.
• 7:12
  SPEAKER_00: I'm Jesse Morgan, wife, mom, and devotional writer and podcaster who loves sharing biblical encouragement and the hope we find in Jesus.
• 7:20
  SPEAKER_00: Till next time, Jesse Morgan signing off.