Latest / The Daily Word / September 19 – A Heart Willing to Follow
Transcript
- Robert Rosales: Hey, good morning, good afternoon, good evening, friends. Welcome to the Daily Word Podcast. I'm Robert Rosales, and along with my wife Yolanda, I have the privilege of serving as the campus pastor at our Gastonia location. Thank you so much for taking some of your time and investing it with me in God's Word today. Whether you're listening on your morning commute, enjoying a cup of coffee. Or beginning your day with the Lord, my prayer is that this time encourages you and draws you closer to Jesus. Just as a reminder, each day as a church, we're reading through the Bible together using the life journal reading plan. And today, once again, we're going to focus on the New Testament passage. One of the things that I've learned over the years is that God often speaks in the quiet moments when we simply slow down and listen. Now remember, I'm using the SOAP method: scripture, observation, application, and prayer. That's a simple framework. It's outlined in the life journal book that we offer on all of our campuses. If you don't have a life journal book, come on, go to your lobby, go to your welcome center, get one. Whichever campus you attend, I'm sure we've got one there for you. Now, before we begin. Come on, would you just pray with me and invite the Lord to speak to us? Father, thank you for this new day and for the privilege of opening your word. Quiet the distractions around us and the noise within us. Give us hearts that are teachable, minds that are attentive, and lives that are ready to obey whatever you reveal. Holy Spirit, illuminate the scriptures and help us not only understand them, but live them out today. We asked this in the name of Jesus, and everybody said, Amen. Today's passage for September 19th is Luke chapter 2, and I journaled from verse 4. I've never really paid attention to verse 4, but today it really caught my attention. It really stuck out to me. Listen as I read from the NIV. 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. Listen to that last line. Because he belonged to the house and line of David. The title of my journal entry, if you'd like to know, this is what it is: A heart willing to follow God. Come on, say it with me. A heart willing to follow God. Think about this with me. Who was Joseph? Joseph was a descendant of David from the tribe of Judah and the royal line from which the Messiah was promised to come. Joseph was betrothed to Mary and became the earthly father and the legal father of Jesus, though Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit. Joseph was a righteous man who sought to honor God and do what was right. Joseph was a man who listened to God. And obeyed his direction even when God's instructions disrupted his plans. Joseph was entrusted with protecting and providing for Jesus and Mary, playing a significant role in God's unfolding plan of redemption. Joseph was a carpenter, a working man who faithfully served God within the responsibilities entrusted to him. In short, Joseph was an ordinary man from the line of David, whose righteousness. Obedience and willingness to be led by God made him an important part of God's extraordinary plan. Amazing. Here's my observation. Friends, have you ever thought, how do I live out and cooperate with the plans and purposes God has for my life? I do. And I wonder if that question ever went through Joseph's mind. As I read Luke 2 4, I was struck by. By the precision of God's plan unfolding in Joseph's life. I wondered how all the details had to line up for it to unfold and ultimately give way to the birth of our Savior Jesus. Think with me. Mary was a virgin betrothed to Joseph who belonged to the house of David. That's a crucial detail, since David had been designated as the head of the Messianic. Dynasty. An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, addressing him as son of David and commanding him to accept Mary as his wife, assuring him that her conception came from the Holy Spirit. Joseph's obedience to the angel and the message from God in this dream became instrumental in God's unfolding plan. Additionally, Joseph received angelic instruction to flee to Egypt with the child and Mary. Protecting Jesus from Herod's threat and later received divine guidance to return and settle in Nazareth. Joseph links the promises made to David to their fulfillment in Jesus. His faithfulness, responding immediately to angelic commands, providing legal standing for the Messiah, and protecting the child made him essential to God's redemptive strategy. Mary's selection as the vessel and Joseph's selection as the guardian together fulfilled the intricate requirements for God's divine plans. Wow! Exclamation mark. Did you know, friend, Romans eight fourteen says, For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. And I love Psalm sixty three eight. It says My soul follows close behind you, your right hand upholds me. Somehow, by the grace of God, Joseph had a heart inclined to follow God. Friend, do you? What about me? Is my heart willing to follow God? Joseph was led, guided, and directed by God, but it wasn't automatic. He had to cooperate with God through obedience. Responsiveness and a heart willing to be led. That's amazing. It's amazing when I think about how God's plan unfolded in the life of Joseph. And Joseph had to have a heart that was willing to follow. So, how does this apply? How does it apply to your life? How does it apply to my life? This is what I wrote down. I've been so blessed. Over the past 30 plus years to see so much of God's plan unfold for my life. I just turned 58 and I want to see God's plan continue to unfold for Yolanda and me. But I know it isn't all up to God. I realize that my part is to be willing to follow Him. I will intentionally pursue the Lord's presence, keeping my heart soft and responsive before Him. I want to be like Joseph, ready to listen, ready to respond, ready to follow. Wherever and whenever God leads, I will choose to follow. As I do, I am confident that God's plans and purposes will continue to unfold for my life. Friend, would you pray with me? Father God, thank you for speaking to me today through your word. I'm so grateful for your unseen divine hand over my life, over our lives. Thank you for speaking to us, leading us, guiding us, and providing for us. I'm so grateful. Holy Spirit, I yield to you today, fresh and anew. Lead me, teach me. Help me to follow the Father in all of his plans and purposes for the rest of my life. Help me to live a life that is pleasing to you, Father. Following you into all that you have for us. In Jesus' name. Amen. Lakeshore family, as you go about your day, my prayer is that you'll keep growing in your love for Jesus and His Word. As you spend time with Him every day, may He give you fresh insight, strengthen your faith, and guide your steps. Thanks for joining me today on the Daily Word podcast. I pray you've been encouraged to stay in God's word. And walk closely with the Holy Spirit. God bless you, and we'll catch you again tomorrow.