Luke 2:24

New Living Translation

24 So they offered the sacrifice required in the law of the Lord—“either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

 The quotation is from a part of Leviticus. The Lord ordered a lamb and a young pigeon or turtledove as sacrifice in this passage (Lev. 12:6-8). If the woman was unable to offer a lamb, two young pigeons or turtledoves were acceptable alternatives.

Mary would not have given the lesser offering if she’d been able to offer the lamb.

This demonstrates that Joseph and Mary were not wealthy, yet the Lord chose them to be the earthly parents of His only begotten Son.

The Lord doesn’t select the method that man does. Man looks at the surface, but God looks at the heart (1 Sam. 16:7).

When they were without, Mary and Joseph were chosen: they had no celebrity, position, or money. God gave the most valuable present He possessed to a couple that would have been overlooked if men had been in charge of the hunt.

The Lord is not looking for talent, but rather availability. D. L. Moody once heard a preacher say, ‘The world has never seen what God can do with one man who is totally yielded to Him.’ In response, D. L. said, ‘By the grace of God, I’ll be that man.’ This man, who was not educated, proceeded to quake three continents for God.

In 1979 a young stoner in High School gave his life to Jesus. In 1981 he responded to the call of God and went to Bible college. In 1988 he started his first church. Over the course of the next 33 years, he started 3 churches, pastored 2 others, and has literally led thousands of people to the Lord and seen many miraculous healings.

Is it because he feels that he is all that and a bag of chips? No. He was just a 16-year-old stoner with a 63 Nova SS who prayed a simple prayer one day. “God if you are really there, do something with me.” And that prayer was answered.

How do I know? I am that 16-year-old stoner who experienced the grace of God.

God, in His infinite love and wisdom, will choose you as well if you’ll make yourself open to Him (1 Cor. 1:26-28).

Blessings!

Pastor Duke

Pastor Duke Taber and his wife Sue pastor Mesquite Worship Center located at 140 Riverside Rd. Ste D. in the Sherwin Williams Building. You can join them Sunday’s at 10:00 AM, 6:00 PM and Wednesday’s at 7:00. Absolutely everyone is welcome and you can come as you are.