The power of choice

Most of us don’t realise how fortunate we are that God gave us this power of Choice and hence we don’t use it to our benefit most if not all times.

Fred Kofman say’s you can choose to be a player or a victim in any situation in life, both sides have truth and facts to back them, except they are just one side of the whole reality. He gives an example of how most of us will respond to are simple question: why are you late for work/date/meeting?

Option one: The most obvious response will be, I was held up in another meeting, or I was stuck in traffic, my car broke down, my child did ABC etc.

Option two: The truth could be that we overslept, started off late, or decided to stay in a meeting that went over time.

He calls option one: “things you have no control over” and option two: “things you have control over.”

Most of us take the default position of option one because it makes us look innocent and we don’t have to take the blame, but what we are doing in this situation is that we are giving up control. This makes us by default the victim in any situation and hence we are likely to fail or not realise our full potential. We will not put any effort, since as a victim people are supposed to understand why you didn’t achieve or pass an exam; it is not your fault. We then settle for mediocrity all the time.

But if we decided to choose option two, taking control and responsibility, we are more likely to act on our situation and improve it. We will be able to get up and dust ourselves and move on towards our goal.

I will now delve to apply this to situation that Shevach Pepper a marriage counsellor has suggested: a case of being married to a depressed spouse.

You can decide to leave the marriage and say you left because your spouse was depressed and that is true. You will not lose anything (except time and emotion you invested while in it) but you will also not get anything. But you can also choose to stay; he says you can benefit a lot more. He gives 3 things that can happen to you if you decided to stay and stand by your depressed spouse.

Firstly, when you are with a depressed spouse you became proactive, hands on, you get your act together and are efficient because you have to do more roles that you would have done. In fact in a traditional African marriage if your wife is performing her cultural roles, as a man you might not even learn how to boil an egg, but if you stick to your wife, you may learn how to cook, get things going at home, prep kids for school, learn time management and how to effectively use your time and resources which you many have otherwise not learnt if the system was working well. We must remember that “necessity is the mother of all inventions.”

Secondly, you will also likely become creative or get your creative self switched on. You can start doing activities that call upon your creative self such as writing and painting. You also became a very romantic person and creative about your actions towards your spouse. You will try a lot of things to change environments and situations to make your spouse happy and help them get over their depression and find meaning to life. This will benefit you. JK Rolling of that Harry Potter fame started writing when she was on her lowest point in life you never know what you might became if you decide to not be a victim.

Lastly, you are likely to also become more spiritual and self less. You will get joy in the smiles and “Thank You’s” that you receive from spouse in appreciation of what you do for them. Even in extreme cases where they will not say thank you, your love for them will evoke a self less love that is driven by the moral right to do something good and nice regardless of whether we get any benefit from the action. That is the ultimate spiritual level, being selfless and exhibiting pure genuine kindness. You will also learn to be long suffering and patient.

These 3 things and many more will benefit you in many sectors of your life, career, business, social etc.

But the choice is yours, I would not be prescriptive on what you need to do but, I urge you to have the motto that Apostle Paul had, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength and decide not be a victim but a player.

Have a lovely week  

Who is a MAN?

adapted from  Chewe Chisanga Simwambana

  

A man is the most beautiful part of God’s creation who starts compromising at a very tender age.

He sacrifices his chocolates for his sister.

He sacrifices his dreams for just a smile on his parents face.

He spends his entire pocket money on buying gifts for the girl he loves just 2 see her smiling

He sacrifices his full youth for his wife & children by working late at night without any complaint.

He builds their future by taking loans from banks and repaying them for lifetime.

He struggles a lot & still has two bear scolding from his mother, wife & boss.

His mother, wife & boss all try to control him.

His life finally ends up only by compromising for others happiness.

Respect every male in your life.You will never know what he has sacrificed for you.

Lessons from john the Baptist

Key text John 3:27

AMP “John answered, A man can receive nothing [he can claim nothing, he can take unto himself nothing] except as it has been granted to him from heaven [a man must be content to receive the gift which is given him from heaven, there is no other source]”

NIV “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven”

What is it that you have and have you realized that has ONLY come from heaven and that it is a gift?

Family, spouse, Job/employment/occupation/business, house, health, skills etc

Have you been thankful and thanked God for it?

John the Baptist was the one who had a special message from God to prepare the people for Christ’s first coming, to preach and ask for repentance among the believers (Jews), he was the first one to baptize.

As individuals and as a church how do we react when we are the only ones who have exclusive information or knowledge about something? Are we humble or proud? Do we use this position to oppress others?

As for John he preached mightily the gospel he had and was very stern in the warning, bordering on being harsh (calling Pharisees as a brood of vipers). He was true to his calling are you?

John teaches us that the laborers can rest (die but the work continues). God’s work is never dependant on one person, it is meant for a lot of people to share the work, so you must not feel bad when your time to stop work is up. 

Lessons from Christ's Step Father- Joseph

Text: Matthew 1:18-19 (NIV) "This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly."

In the beautiful story of the miracle birth of Christ, One of the key characters, Joseph is often over looked and Mary seems to be the one in the spotlight. Not that I want to remove anything from Mary, but I think Joseph equally did a lot of things and we can learn some things from his character.

From the text we find Joseph in a very difficult situation that required him to make a painful and tough decision.

The first option he had was to expose Mary and according to the law (Deuteronomy 22:23-24) she would be stoned to death. That was lawful.

The second option that was less drastic was to divorce her secretly, that was also allowed. He would then start his life afresh without Mary.

But he did neither!

The action that Joseph took revealed among other things 3 character traits that we can learn from.

The first one is that, Joseph exhibited righteousness by his desire to please God rather than do what was legally allowed. He yielded to higher calling, and we too must at all times consider what God's will is even when we are legally allowed to take a certain course of action.

The second is that he showed a deep compassion and sensitivity toward Mary. In spite of the eminent humiliation he would have been exposed to if the community discovered that Mary was pregnant with someone's child, he had concern for Mary. He empathized with her situation and chose not disgrace her publicly.

The third is his obedience to God. When was instructed by angel of God, he obeyed without question. He supported her all the way even when it appears he did not have a lot of wealth, he put in his all.

I think we should emulate this wonderful example set by Joseph when we are face with situations that don't go according to plan in our families and lives.

I pray that God can give us wisdom and power to achieve this!

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION/ BIBLICAL EDUCATION

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,

(Exo 31:1-3 KJV)

Aim of Christian/ Adventist education is prepare people for this world (mission or ambassadors of God) and also for the heavenly kingdom

We need to develop children who are like these biblical characters

And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the LORD, and also with men.

(1Sa 2:26 KJV)

And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

(Luk 2:40 KJV)

So Christian education must have the following

There is a mission, to work for God in this world

Bezaleel’s mission was to help build the tabernacle or sanctuary

Bezaleel  :Means in the shadow/protection of God

Steps/ key aspects of Christian education

There must be a Calling and without saying an Isaiah-iac response to the call. “here am Lord send me”

Recognising that you are called among the many to be a special person for this mission

When you respond to the call, you will be converted and filled with the Spirit of God, the power to do God’s will

KNOWLEDGE: information, facts, data, without interpretation or application is nothing but useless. The importance of it is that with it you cannot make what is known as an informed decision, in order not to make fool of yourself in decision making both for this life and the life to come, knowledge especially about God is very important. Even faith comes but hearing the word (knowledge/ information) about God

WISDOM:  it that which is not foolishness, foolishness is saying there is no God. It is also the ability to assess people or situations accurately. This is God given or Holy Spirit driven.  It is a combinational application (not sum) of knowledge, understanding and skill driven by the will of God through the Holy Spirit.

UNDERSTANDING: showing careful consideration or attention long-suffering

ALL MANNER OF WORKMANSHIP: Skill: ability, proficiency, knack, competence, aptitude

We must distinguish skill from talent (endowment, gift)

It is possible to have a talent but fail to excel of you don’t develop it. So skill could be seen as talent developed

It is a combination of all these aspects that make one educated in the biblical sense

Zambia's Tangled Webs and Flows | Think Africa Press

Zambia's Tangled Webs and Flows | Think Africa Press

http://www.vibeweekly.com/features/324-how-women-made-men-unmarriable.html

How You Can Understand and Overcome the Stress of Lovemaking

How You Can Understand and Overcome the Stress of Lovemaking

Training Fellowships in Public Health and Tropical Medicine | Wellcome Trust

Training Fellowships in Public Health and Tropical Medicine | Wellcome Trust

Daily Maverick :: The politics of selective empathy

Daily Maverick :: The politics of selective empathy

Why care about research? Ask Whoopi

Why care about research? Ask Whoopi

Marital challenges in Africa...extract from BBC article by Sola Odunfa

One of the trickiest problems that confront a young couple is their relationship shortly after the wedding.

This is especially the case when the man is the financial cornerstone in his family.

The family expects him to continue to support them exactly as he used to before his new status as husband and, therefore, head of his own nuclear family.

If he fails to live up to their expectations they turn on his wife - and accuse her of trying to turn their son against his brothers and sisters.

On her part, his wife reminds him constantly of his new responsibilities in the home and cautions that a line should be drawn somewhere between his family loyalty and the needs of his own home.

It takes wisdom and diplomacy for the man to navigate his way through these conflicting demands.

Otherwise he risks either destabilising his home or incurring the anger of his siblings and larger family.

Neither augurs well for his and his children's, long-term happiness and well-being.

The Wisdom of the Snake

“Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.”(KJV (Matthew 10 verse 16)

“I am sending you as sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”(NIV)(Matthew 10 verse 16)

Most preachers have focused more on the quality of humility, being innocent or harmless as doves and left out the wisdom or shrewdness of the snake. People are asked to be humble so many times that one may think that is all there is to being Christian. But this is not exactly what Christ said. He said the follower or disciple needs poses both qualities and one or the other. When one focuses on only one quality, humility as the one important attribute to have, we will not only to fail to survive in the hostile environment (among wolves) but we will also be telling half the truth. This makes us fall into the trap of subtracting from the Word which we are warned against in the book of Revelation 22:19.

And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. (Revelation 22:19 KJV)

The word’s Behold (KJV) and Therefore (NIV) in Matthew 10:16 bring out a sense of seriousness and an intended meaning of caution to the followers of Christ as they go to evangelise and spread the good news of the kingdom of God. Christ was giving the final instruction to his disciples before they went on their mission just like a parent would give advice to her child who is leaving home to a foreign place. He told his disciples, I will not be around to tell you what to do or even protect you, but here is how you should conduct yourselves in my absence.

The verse talks about two qualities that a Christian or follower of Christ needs have to survive the hostile environment. An imagery of a ‘sheep among wolves’ makes it apparent that unless they follow his advice; their chances of survival are very slim if not zero

What is the wisdom of the snake in that Christ talks about Matthew 10 verse 16?

“…. as wise (KJV) or shrewd as a serpent.”

Why would Christ want his disciples to borrow an attribute from a serpent which symbolises the devil? The serpent is associated with the evil, the devil, deceit, lies, untrustworthiness, betrayal and most of the stories about snakes are those with a negative connotation. In-fact most people would be offended if they are called snakes because it would imply that they are bad people.

I have tried to find out why Jesus would want his followers to poses the wisdom of the snake by answering the questions;

1. What Similarities or parallels do Snakes and Christians have?

2. How does the snake protect it self?

Similarities or Parallels

ü Lack of proper first line of defence mechanism, The Snake has a weak skin that makes it Vulnerability to injury.

The snake has a thin weak skin that can easily be punctured eve by a thorn. And once the skin is punctured the wound almost always becomes fatal. This is the same with Christians, when we are not protected by God we are as vulnerable as the snake, there defence can not stand against the darts of the devil as Paul say’s in the book of Ephesians 6:11.

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

(Eph 6:11-13, KJV)

Without the protection of the armour of God Christians are as vulnerable, hopeless and doomed as a snake that might only rely on its skin for protection.

The Snake moves in hostile territory

For a creature that dies not have limbs, and with only thin weak skin, to pass through and over thorns and rocks at high speed sometimes is risky business. The snake is food for some other creatures such as pigs and birds of prey. Humans almost always will want to kill one when they it. This is true of Christian and a human today, the world as it is today is very hostile.

This, know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (2Timothy 3:1-5KJV)

The Snake has a very poor wound healing mechanism

Once a snake is wounded it has a poor healing mechanism, the wound can only become worse. This is also true for Christians, once they are spiritually wounded, and with no help from God, they can only move from bad to worse. Without divine intervention and power, it is impossible to change ones behaviour.

Pitted against its enemies ‘weapon for weapon’, the snake has no chance of becoming a victor

Strength for strength and muscle for muscle most of the snakes (with the exception constrictors who have no speed), can not fight against their enemies. All they have is the power of the venom. Just like a Christian without the weapon of God is also not a match for the devil. He has no chance at all.

How does the snake protect it self?

The Snake is a very Shrewd Creature

The Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary 6^th Ed () defines shrewdness as ‘Clever at understanding and making judgements about a situation’. When a snake in the open area with no trees sees an eagle in the sky, it can pretend to be dead by lying on it back and it belly up. This makes the eagles disinterested in a “dead snake” and look for something else. Christians need to be like that, they must be able to quickly read the situation and ask themselves is this worth the effort, what can I quickly do to make most of a given situation be it to help someone or an opportunity to speak to someone about the good news.

The Snake is Decisive

The snake knows that it can’t afford to be indecisive because it may not have a second chance after striking. It always has to make a decision and stick to it. If it is to run away it will do just that. If it is to strike or scare an enemy it does just that. Most Christians in most cases are on the wall, you can’t tell whether they are for the devil or for Christ.

“So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth. (Rev 3:16)”

Christ say’s that the Christians are lukewarm; they are neither hot nor cold, they are not passionate about his work but at the same time they are not opposing it. And because of this God does not know what to do with them except to spew them out of his mouth (care and protection). They must learn from the snake and be decisive. They have to decide to strike or not to and what ever they chose, they must stick to it.

The Snake Maximises on chances by being patient and preparing adequately

The snake knows that in most cases it has at the least half a chance, but takes it any way. It prepares it self and can wait for it’s pray for hours on end until the right moment to strike. When the moment comes, it strikes with all the might and strength it has, it will strike as if all its life depends on it. For a snake it is now or never. If Christians and indeed humans put a lot of effort in preparation and waited patiently for the right time to take an action, the results from their efforts would be amazing.

The Snake uses Speed

Once the snake finds the right opportunity to strike, it strikes with a lot of speed. In life time determines survival or death, even when you have the proper medication if you give it late, you can lose a life. Once you have a clear short you need to act with speed because in life we are always shooting at a moving target. There are times as Christian when we need to act with speed at avoiding sin, or saving a life, and intervening in a situation, there is no chance of procrastination, this is when we need to learn from the snake. When the opportunity is there cease it fast.

Sometimes the Snake walks away (runs)

The snake has the ability to access the situation and sometimes when it sees that it is out numbered or does not have the muscle to put up a fight or better still it is not necessary to fight back it walks away from the fight. This gives the snake dignity and sometimes saves its life. We are told to die fighting sometimes it is not necessary to die for a poor cause when you could still have to fight better and bigger wars. Fight only when the victory will count. Someone once told me that ‘it is worthless to win an argument and lose a friend. There are times in the bible where Christ walked away from a challenge because he knew there would be no real benefit except boosting ones pride or ego.

The Snake attacks when least expected

The snake will in most cases attack its prey when they least expect, when they are comfortable and have lowered there guard. Some times it gets so close to its prey such that its prey becomes comfortable with the snake around. When nee to develop this as Christian, people must feel comfortable with us before we talk about our beliefs; they must develop trust in us first, that way they will be willing to hear us out. People talk about shooting from the hip, to survive in hostile environments you have to do that if it comes to that.

Looks and action speaks louder than words

The king cobra has a loose muscle and skin around its neck which is used to scare away adversaries. When attacked or when it senses danger, the snake will make hissing noises or like the king cobra tightens the neck muscles such that it looks bigger and scary. That way enemies run way. The other thing is that when the snake strikes, is has not time to stick around, but the effect of is actions will be seen. It is high time that Christians stopped making noise about who they are and what they are capable of doing, the world has heard a lot about Christians but what is need is to see them in action.

The Snake Maximises on its weapons (talents)

The snake only has Venom or Muscle Strength for the constrictors. These are the only things the snake will use for both defence and survival (food). They have maximised on the special sharp of fangs to inject venom and to grab, food when swallowing. The constrictors crush the victim to death using their muscles. Christians must use their talents, to evangelise and help people within their vicinity and reach. They must not wait until the have millions of dollars to help people but with what ever they have. Some people are hospitable, use that you make a difference in your society.

The snake sheds its outer skin as it grows

As Christians and people in general, we need to shed off old habits that are detrimental and are a hindrance to our progress be it spiritual or social. This will enable us to be more effect and productive in our lives

The Snake Hides in rocks

The snake can not make build or make any dwelling; the only safe place is to hide in rocks, between them and in caves. This fortress is weather and season proof. If Christians would learn from the snake and make Jesus the ‘rock of ages’ their only weather and season proof Rock in their lives, we would be more happy and less stressed about the cares of the world.

Conclusion

The wisdom of the snake is what keeps the snake alive against a lot of odds. If the snake had not been wise, it could not survive a day in the wild. One can now be able to conclude that if we combine this trait together with humility of Christ, we can make a lot of progress in the work of God and in changing people’s lives. We can also become better people.

Where Did Colgate ToothPaste Came From? A Biography Of A Man Of God!

Twelve-year-old William Colgate woke with a start as someone pounded on the door of the house. It was the middle of the night in the small town of Shoreham, near London.

William Pitt, the British prime minister, had sent a private messenger to warn his friend - Colgate's father - that he must leave England or risk imprisonment or death. People knew that Robert Colgate had sympathized with the Americans during their recent fight for independence. So, in March 1795, the Colgates boarded ship for Baltimore. When the family arrived in America, they settled on a farm.

Then William's father formed a partnership with Ralph Maher to manufacture soap and candles, and William helped the two men. The partnership dissolved after two years - William's father wanted to get back to farming.

William, 19 years old, decided that he would go into business on his own. However, his business failed within a year. William determined to try again - this time in New York City.

"Be sure you start right, and you'll get along well," advised a friend, a canal-boat captain who was a Christian. "Someone will be the leading soap maker in New York. It may be you!

"Be a good man. Give your heart to Christ. Give God all that belongs to Him. Make an honest soap. Give a full pound."

William read the Old Testament story of Jacob's vow. When Jacob left home, he said, "If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear so that I return safely to my father's house, then the Lord will be my God... and of all that you [God] give me I will give you a tenth." – Genesis 28:20-22

Jacob's vow challenged William. He made a similar vow; he determined to give God first place in his life, and he also promised to give a tenth - a tithe - of his profits to God.

In 1804, at the age of 21, William found employment with tallow chandlers Slidel and Company, where he learned more about the soap-making business. When, two years later, the company ceased production, William was ready to try again.

William Colgate and Company met with success from the start. Within six years he added the manufacture of starch to his laundry-soap business. Later, he also produced hand soap and a variety of toilet and shaving soaps.

As Colgate's business grew, so did his family. In 1811, he married Mary Gilbert, and they became the parents of 11 children - giving most biblical names. They attended church, had family worship, and read the Bible together.

William became known as Deacon Colgate in his church. He liberally supported missions, temperance (the Colgates allowed no alcohol in their home), and Christian education. He donated large sums to several educational institutions, including Madison College, in Hamilton, New York. It's now called Colgate University in his honor.

William never forgot his promise to God. From the first dollar he earned he devoted 10 percent of his net earnings to benevolence. As he prospered, he instructed his accountants to increase the amount to 20 percent and later to 30 percent. It seemed that the more he gave, the more he prospered.

William saw, in his business, the fulfillment of the promise made to tithe payers that God will " 'throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it."

-Malachi 3:10

He took an active interest in the Bible, particularly its translation, publication, and distribution. In 1816, he helped organize the American Bible Society, and later he assisted in forming the American and Foreign Bible Society.

The soap king died on March 25, 1857, but his influence continues. The Colgate name lives on in products in supermarkets throughout the world. And the name still preaches a sermon to those who know his story.

Contributed by Mr. John Cherian

Meet the Woman Behind India's Pink Vigilantes - The Daily Beast

Meet the Woman Behind India's Pink Vigilantes - The Daily Beast

Land Cruiser still tough at 60 - Toyota - IOL | Breaking News | South Africa News | World News | Sport | Business | Entertainment | IOL.co.za

Land Cruiser still tough at 60 - Toyota - IOL | Breaking News | South Africa News | World News | Sport | Business | Entertainment | IOL.co.za

No country for young intellectuals to spread their wings

No country for young intellectuals to spread their wings: "I sometimes wish I was living in London or New York and not in Johannesburg. Unlike South Africa, countries like the United States and the United Kingdom place a decent premium on the role of intellectuals in society."

Kalaki's Korner: The Mutant

Kalaki's Korner: The Mutant: "The Mutant ‘Don’t turn off the TV,’ I said, ‘Frank Mubushisha is interviewing Flux Mutant. He’s the one who says that only he can understa..."

Reflection on Fatherhood

Text:

“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.” John 15:7 (NI V)

When a human being is born, s/he is hopeless just a matter of time they would die. Survival instinct at birth is not there at birth for human being. I suppose it must be learnt from the parents and by life experiences. The animals have been wired in a different way; their chances of survival at birth without parental help are far better than humans.

I have come to appreciate that just like the child needs a parent for total survival, we need God for us to like, and without him we are useless. The only instinct the child has to be close to mum or make sure mum attends to me, if not I perish. I look forward to a time when Christians can be that dependent on God in everything they do. Just like a branch is to the main tree trunk.

The child is able to identify the parents even when it is in the womb and when it is born before the eyes open by voice. Most of us Christians cannot do this; we only realize or remember that there is God when we survive a near fatal accident of when we are in problems. I wish we could even when all is well in life close our eyes and still listen to His voice.

As long as the baby is in the arm of its mother, it asks whatever it wants, milk, change my nappy, I am too hot, or cold, can you hold me upright, turn me, hold me like this…the list goes on, the parents does all this with pleasure, why can’t we trust God to do this for us.

The child does not question if the food (milk) that is it give is good for it, it trusts the parents that what mum or dad gives is the best and will take without question. Christians and humans in general we are very different, we question everything and anything that comes from God. If I was God I would be very sad, because it means my own child does not trust me…..

I hope and pray that we take heed to the verse and benefit from God.

God bless you.

Lessons from Christ's Step Father- Joseph

Text: Matthew 1:18-19 (NIV) "This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly."

In the beautiful story of the miracle birth of Christ, One of the key characters,Joseph is often over looked and Mary seems to be the one in the spotlight. Not that I want to remove anything from Mary, but I think Joseph equally did a lot of things and we can learn some things from his character.

From the text we find Joseph in a very difficult situation that required him to make a painful and tough decision.

• The first option he had was to expose Mary and according to the law (Deuteronomy 22:23-24) she would be stoned to death. That was lawful.

• The second option that was less drastic was to divorce her secretly,that was also allowed. He would then start his life afresh without Mary.
• But he did neither!

The action that Joseph took revealed among other things 3 character traits that we can learn from.

• The first one is that, Joseph exhibited righteousness by his desire to please God rather than do what was legally allowed. He yielded to higher calling, and we too must at all times consider what God's will is even when we are legally allowed to take a certain course of action.

• The second is that he showed a deep compassion and sensitivity toward Mary. In spite of the eminent humiliation he would have been exposed to if the community discovered that Mary was pregnant with someone's child, he had concern for Mary. He empathized with her situation and chose not disgrace her publicly.

• The third is his obedience to God. When was instructed by angel of God, he obeyed without question. He supported her all the way even when it appears he did not have a lot of wealth, he put in his all.

I think we should emulate this wonderful example set by Joseph when we are face with situations that don't go according to plan in our families and lives.

I pray that God can give us wisdom and power to achieve this!