A Different Way
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· 6 viewsDo not go back to normal. There is a trap set for you if you go back to that place you are familiar with. Instead, let Holy Spirit lead you to the place that feels like in-between.
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Do not go back to normal!
Do not go back to normal!
Play video: Christmas story wise men.
12 And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way.
If you go back to normal there is a trap set for you.
God has anointed a new path for you and He has lifted His favor from what was normal.
Most of us are in some place of transition or in between.
What was is gone, What is, we are not sure of yet, and what will be, we can not see.
The trap is set in the place of what used to be.
If you try to go back you will get stuck and the outcome will steal your life away.
How do we find our way forward?
Holy Spirit will lead you one step at a time.
13 Now when they had gone, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him.”
God led Joseph and Marry into Egypt.
Egypt represents a place of captivity for their people.
Egypt:
slave, trapped, powerless, not home, don’t belong, transition, in-between...
also promise fulfilled, rescued, delivered...
Normal for Mary and Joseph would be Bethlehem.
It feels safe, It feels secure, It is what they know.
Bethlehem = your old normal
Egypt = places you feel stuck in, trapped, powerless, in a box, frustrated, not your home, don’t belong...
In those places you feel stuck, trapped, not your home, Jesus has a gift for you.
In the waiting, you will grow.
In the waiting you will spend time with Jesus and family.
Bethlehem feels safe and Egypt does not.
The truth though is that Egypt was safe and Bethlehem was not.
It feels safe to keep going in the same building.
It feels safe to keep doing church the way we have.
It feels safe to keep those friends around.
It feels safe to keep that job or that position in your job.
It feels safe to keep the marriage the way it is.
It feels safe to keep being a peace keeper.
The truth is a trap has been set for you in what feels safe.
The truth is what God is going to do inside you in the places you don’t feel safe is what matters.
Egypt is the In Between place, the Transition Place.
19 But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, and said,
20 “Get up, take the Child and His mother, and go into the land of Israel; for those who sought the Child’s life are dead.”
Herod = hero or heroic.
- More specific and external hero.
Herod wanted to be the hero, and he did not want some baby threatening that for him.
When you finally let dye what you thought was going to be your saving option.
When you finally let what was going to save your life from the outside in...
That is when Jesus will lead you back to the place where you belong.
21 So Joseph got up, took the Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel.
22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Then after being warned by God in a dream, he left for the regions of Galilee,
23 and came and lived in a city called Nazareth. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophets: “He shall be called a Nazarene.”
God led Joseph and Marry with only one plan at a time.
God could have come to Joseph from the beginning and said on this day you will leave Egypt and you will go strait to Nazareth.
I know you would love for God to lay out His plan for you with a map and an instruction manual.
What would be the fun in that? lol
What would be the relationship and trust in that?
What God is doing in the season is all about trust and relationship and what He is growing you into becoming.
All through this journey of Joseph and Marry, Jesus was growing up.
Jesus grew up moving around learning to trust His Father’s guidance, not a map of His life.
Do not go back to normal!
Holy Spirit strongly reveled to me the importance of not going back to normal.
Do not go back to normal. There is a trap set for you if you go back to that place you are familiar with.
Instead, let Holy Spirit lead you to the place that feels like in-between.
Let Holy Spirit change you in that place where you don’t feel like you belong.
Egypt is the In Between place, the Transition Place.
Go from what feels safe to the in between place.
Let what you wanted to save you die.
Let Holy Spirit lead you into what will be your new normal.
Today’s Activation:
Jesus what is one area you dont want me to go back to normal?
What path do you want me to take instead?
Other Resources:
1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, 2 “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet: 6 ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, Are by no means least among the leaders of Judah; For out of you shall come forth a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ” 7 Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him.” 9 After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way.
Egypt
Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon 125 Αἴγυπτος
125 Αἴγυπτος [Aiguptos /ah·ee·goop·tos/] n pr loc. Of uncertain derivation; GK 131; 24 occurrences; AV translates as “Egypt” 24 times. 1 a country occupying the northeast angle of Africa. 2 metaph. Jerusalem, for the Jews persecuting the Christ and his followers, and so to be likened to the Egyptians treating the Jews. Additional Information: Egypt = “double straits”.
Harod
G2264 a hero
Harod = heroic
from
Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon 1491 εἶδος
1491 εἶδος [eidos /i·dos/] n n. From 1492; TDNT 2:373; TDNTA 202; GK 1626; Five occurrences; AV translates as “shape” twice, “fashion” once, “sight” once, and “appearance” once. 1 the external or outward appearance, form figure, shape. 2 form, kind.
Nazareth:
Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon 3478 Ναζαρά, Ναζαράθ, Ναζαράτ, Ναζαρέθ, Ναζαρέτ
3478 Ναζαρά, Ναζαράθ, Ναζαράτ, Ναζαρέθ, Ναζαρέτ [Nazareth, Nazaret /nad·zar·eth/] n pr loc. Of uncertain derivation; GK 3711 and 3712 and 3713 and 3714 and 3715; 12 occurrences; AV translates as “Nazareth” 12 times. 1 the ordinary residence and home town of Christ. Additional Information: Nazareth = “the guarded one”.
11 You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.
24 And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.
8 O Lord, lead me in Your righteousness because of my foes; Make Your way straight before me.
14 “For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;