FAITHFUL SERVICE UNDER ADVERSITY

From the time that he put Joseph in charge of his household and all he owned, the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s household on account of him. —Genesis 39:5

While Joseph was there in the prison, the LORD was with him and extended kindness to him. He granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden, who put all those held in the prison under Joseph’s authority, so that he was responsible for all that was done there. —Genesis 39:20-22  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8Sx_U0Ztr8

            He was ripped away from family by his brothers, sold into slavery and then considered dead by them. His father was deceived by these brothers into thinking that this one brother was eaten by wild beasts. How heart wrenching for this dad! What evil deeds by his brothers. Try to imagine Jacob’s horrific reality about what he had just been told about this son, his beloved son.

            Even though Joseph had pleaded with his brothers not to sell him, they would not listen to his agonizing pleas. His brothers had conspired against him. They hated him. They wanted to kill him, but were kept back from doing so by Reuben. But while Reuben was gone the other brothers sold Joseph into slavery. Reuben was beside himself when he found out, but then they schemed together the story and provided evidence that Joseph was eaten by wild beasts. They never said it. They just provided Joseph’s bloody garment and let Jacob come to the conclusion that Joseph had been killed and eaten by wild beasts. How cruel these brothers were!

As we follow Joseph’s life from the point of being sold we see that the Lord had not abandoned him. Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh’s guard, bought Joseph. “And the LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, serving in the household of his Egyptian master. When his master saw that the LORD was with him and made him prosper in all he did, Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household and entrusted him with everything he owned. From the time that he put Joseph in charge of his household and all he owned, the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s household on account of him. The LORD’s blessing was on everything he owned, both in his house and in his field. So Potiphar left all that he owned in Joseph’s care; he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate” (Genesis 39:2-6).

Joseph was falsely accused of rape by Potiphar’s wife and was thrown in prison. “While Joseph was there in the prison, the LORD was with him and extended kindness to him. He granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden, who put all those held in the prison under Joseph’s authority, so that he was responsible for all that was done there. The warden did not concern himself with anything under Joseph’s authority, because the LORD was with him and gave him success in whatever he did” (Genesis 39:20-23).

While in prison Joseph interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh’s cup bearer and baker.   The dreams came true and the cup bearer was restored to his place, the baker hanged. Joseph asked the cup bearer to remember him to Pharaoh because he was imprisoned falsely. He did not remember Joseph until two years later when Pharaoh had a dream that bothered him. Joseph was called to interpret them and did so. Then Pharaoh also told Joseph, “I hereby place you over all the land of Egypt” (Genesis 41:41).

Faithful service while experiencing hardship is blessed by God and is a blessing to others! Are we being faithful in service whether we are under hardship or not? May it be so.

Dear Father may I serve You for the rest of my life regardless of what comes my way.   May this be so in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus.

DEATH…IS NOT THE END!

Now the days of Isaac were 180 years.  And Isaac breathed his last, and he died and was gathered to his people, old and full of days. And his sons Esau and Jacob buried him. —Genesis 35:28-29

            Sobering words— “breathed his last… he died… buried him.” This is the fate of all who are born! From the time Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden to the present time— “you will eat your bread, until you return to the ground— because out of it were you taken.   For dust you are, and to dust you shall return” (Genesis 3:19). Pretty humbling— dirt you are and to the dirt we will return.

            From the time of Adam and Eve think of the billions of times a person “breathed his last… he died… buried him.” Mourning, sorrow, grief, pain and tears have filled the hearts and eyes of loved ones burying their loved ones and in turn there will be those who do the same for them one day when they breathe their last, die and are buried. It is sombering to ponder our last actions and the last act that will be done for us.

            About Jesus we are told that “Now since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity, so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.” (Hebrews 2:14-15).   We need not fear death because “Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.  For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man.  For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive” (I Corinthians 15:20-22). Hallelujah!

       Yes, these bodies will return to dust one day, but the best is yet to come—

Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.  I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.  And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.  ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” —Revelation 21:1-5

            Death is just a step into glory. Death is the last enemy that will be defeated and “thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (I Corinthians 15:26, 56-58).

Thank You Dear Father for the victory You have given us through Jesus. Now may I finish the race well in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus. So be it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fa8w7mGug0c

THE PRIORITIES OF LOVE

Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me; and anyone who does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me. —Matthew 10:37-38

           Do you love something or someone more than Jesus? Do you love your family more than Jesus? Do you love your spouse more than Jesus? The two great commandments are to “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.” 

            Through the years I have met followers of Jesus who seem to put family before Jesus. It appears at times that the children of the family are the ones leading the parents and not the other way around. If I know what I am to do and do not do it we read in James that it is sin (James 4:17).

            Some parents are so committed to their families that they will make sure their children are involved in this or that and the other thing, but when it comes down to being committed to Jesus’ body, well they are not so committed. Be sure.   We are to committed to our families, but if that commitment takes precedence to being committed to Jesus and His desires, then that commitment is not godly.

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.  For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.  The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. —I John 2:15-17

            So whether it is family or anything in this world, if my love for my Lord is not top priority then I have a sinful priority! If He is my priority focus then everything else will be more as it should be. It He is not my top priority then everything else will not be more of what it should be.   Oh may He be our first love today and for the rest of our lives on this planet!

Dear Father may my Lord Jesus be top priority in my life. May I love Him above all else and then may I love my neighbor as myself. May this be so in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEfrqsstiFw

JESUS PROVES HIS WORDS BY HIS ACTIONS

Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town.  Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!” Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts?  Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?  But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” 7Then the man got up and went home.  When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to man. —Matthew 9:1-8

But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.” —James 2:18

            Jesus was going to SHOW His authority to the teachers of the law who had said, “This fellow is blaspheming!”   Jesus had spoken to the paralyzed man and had told him to “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”   The teachers of the law that were present took exception to this.

            Jesus knew their thoughts and asked them, ““Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts?  Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?  But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” Jesus wanted them to KNOW that He had authority on earth to forgive sins. In the parallel passages of Mark 2:7 and Luke 5:21 the Pharisees and teachers of the law had said, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Now Jesus was to going now SHOW them who He was.

            Jesus had said to them, “Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?”   Which one would you say is easier to say? Well it would be easier to say, “Your sins are forgiven.” Why? Because you cannot see the sins actually being forgiven. Even you and I can “say” we forgive someone, but what is the evidence that we have? It is in our actions. Well, Jesus backed His statement up with action by telling the paralyzed man to “Get up, take your mat and go home.” There’s the evidence. A man paralyzed, a man brought to Jesus on mat by his friends, a helpless man got up and walked home. He did not need to learn to walk again. He did not need any rehab. He did not need his friends to help him. No the man immediately got up and walked as if he had always been walking!   “When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to man.”  

            Yes, God alone could forgive sins and Jesus did. God alone could have a man walk as though he were never paralyzed, but had been. Yes, Jesus was SHOWING them who He was.

            It is true that “Actions speak louder than words.” A person can speak all they want about anything, but it is their actions that prove their words. Just as we are told in James—”Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.” Anybody can say anything, but it is their actions that prove their sayings valid.   May our speech and actions agree for the honor and glory of God. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIrizhT_ckU

Dear Father I am so grateful that You always DO what You SAY! May I be more like You and have my words and actions agree more according to Your desires. May this be so in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus.

MOURNING WILL CEASE

Sarah lived 127 years; these were the years of the life of Sarah.  And Sarah died at Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham went in to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her. —Genesis 23:1-2

            The death of Sarah was about 4000 years ago. Think of all the mourning that has taken place from that time until now because of all the deaths that have occurred since then. That is a lot of heartache, a lot of tears, a lot of loss…

            Death entered the human race when sin entered through the disobedience of Adam and Eve. But “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work” (I John 3:8) and “that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death” (Hebrews 2:14-15). Now “the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23) and “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13).

            Yes, there has been and is much mourning because of death. Even in our brief lives we have experienced many tears because of death. But there is coming a time when our Lord will “make all things new” (Revelation 21:5). At that time “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4). Wow… think on that! That is where our home is. It is with Jesus and all who love Him together in that glorious place!

            So, are you discouraged? Saddened? Mourning?   Think about how the ending of our story here on earth in this life is going to end. We will be finally home… finally… hallelujah! “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and immovable. Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (I Corinthians 15:58).

Dear Father in Heaven I am so glad to know Jesus and to know what is in my future. Thank You for the glory ahead. Until then may I live faithfully for You in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus. May it be so. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdOOxuQii_s

ETERNAL, NOT TEMPORAL FOCUS

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. —Matthew 6:19-21

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. —Matthew 6:24

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. —Matthew 6:33

            Where is our focus? What are we seeking? How are we spending out time? What is the motivation behind spending the time where we are spending the time?

            It is stated very clear that we cannot serve two masters. We cannot serve both God and money. Who or what is our priority? Do we love being with the family of God? Do we love sharing Jesus with others? Do we love being comfortable? Do we love making money? None of these things are necessarily bad in themselves, but if our Lord God Almighty is not our first priority then that is not good!

            Do we want the treasure now on earth or later in heaven? What is our focus? Are we living like we are just pilgrims and strangers passing though this life? Or are we putting down roots and not really pondering treasure in heaven, but focused on earthly treasure?

Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle. —Proverbs 23:25

You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth… —Deuteronomy 8:17-18

            Whatever wealth we have it is because our Lord God has enabled us to have it.   We should be grateful and as His stewards, His managers we should use the wealth as He desires. Never depend on riches because things can change quickly.   Our priority as followers of Jesus is to be Jesus! He is the same yesterday, today and forever! In a world full of change He is the only One that we can fully depend on, the only constant. So let us focus on Him and His desires with whatever resources He gives to us. Dear Father may this be so in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuuLBPOYcI8

BELIEVING GOD IS COUNTED AS RIGHTEOUSNESS

And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness. —Genesis 15:6

What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation.  However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: “Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them.” —Romans 4:3-8

This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. —Romans 4:21-25

You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? Have you experienced so much in vain—if it really was in vain? So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard?  So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. —Galatians 3:7-9

And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. —James 2:23

            Not just believing that God exists, even the demons believe that (James 2:19), but believing what God says— this faith is credited to us as righteousness. As the Apostle Paul said, “What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith” (Philippians 3:8-9). When we put our faith in our Lord Jesus (Romans 10:13) we are given the righteousness of God through Jesus (II Corinthians 5:21). Then a person’s life will be transformed (Romans 12:2) and there will be evidence in that life of the faith they possess by their actions (Acts 26:20; James 2:14-26).   Oh that there would be this evidence in our lives that we have truly believed and that the righteousness of God has been credited to our account. Dear Father may this be so in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus. So be it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsYyuK1w3q0

FOLLOWING AND FISHING

And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. —Matthew 4:19

            Jesus told those early followers of His that He would make them “fishers of men.”   Followers of Jesus are to be fishers of men. But what does that mean? Well, Jesus took something they were familiar with— fishing for fish— to convey this truth that they would now fish for men. So, what does it mean to fish for men? To fish for fish there needs to be some knowledge of how to fish for fish.   You need to be equipped. You need to go to the environment where the fish are.   You could fish off shore or from a boat.   You could use a net or a line. If using a net you need the practice in casting a net and someone would show you how to cast a net. If using a line you would be shown how to rig the line and cast the line as well. You would also learn when and how to pull the net or line in and once you catch fish you would be shown how to clean them.

            So do you know how to fish for men? You need to be equipped. What is the best way to be equipped? Connect with a season fisher of men and learn from that season fisher of men. Then regularly go to an environment where people are. It could be relatives, friends, acquaintances or people that you don’t know. To fish for men you need to go to their environment.   Don’t expect them to just jump into your boat/local church. When you are in their environment then you need to cast your net or line—- sharing the gospel with a group or an individual. But remember, just as a fish needs to be clean when it is caught so a person needs to be discipled when they “call on the Name of the Lord” to be saved (Romans 10:13).

            Here is the promise stated in the above verse… “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Are you a follower of Jesus? Are you fishing for men? He did say that if we follow Him then He would make us “fishers of men.” Are you being faithful in this area? Then after the “catch” we need to make disciples.   Are you being faithful in this area?   May you be so!

Dear Father as I go to the place where lost people are please help me to cast the net or line and trust You for the results. Just as in fishing for fish I cannot make the fish bite, so also I cannot change anybody, but I can bring the gospel to them and trust You for the rest. May I be faithful in fishing for men in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus! So be it!   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mflekg7ieX0

GOOD FRUIT OR BAD FRUIT

Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. —Matthew 3:8

“I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” —Matthew 3:11-12

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.  By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.  A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. —Matthew 7:15-20

            Is there fruit in your life that is in keeping with repentance? The Apostle Paul said, “I declared that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds worthy of their repentance” (Acts 26:20).   Anybody can speak words—- “Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips” (Proverbs 27:2) — but it is the actions, the fruit of one’s life that truly indicates repentance. It is what is seen in one’s life, not only what one says! James tells us that “if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?” (James 2:14). How others see you is huge, not only other believers, but also those who do not follow Jesus— “He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap” (I Timothy 3:7).

            I heard an illustration years ago that speaks to this— A young boy had his first job at a grocery store and after working there for some time he was wondering how he was doing. So at lunch time he went to a phone booth (remember those glass enclosures that housed a phone out in the public squares!) and called his place of employment. He pretended to be someone else and inquired how he was doing at the job. He received a positive affirmation.— What if we checked up on ourselves? What would our employer say if we asked how faithful we were at our job? How about those we work with? How would our local church leaders and attenders assess our faithfulness in serving our Lord? Most importantly, how is our Lord assessing our faithfulness in any area of our lives? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkxoTmKpDcU

            Baptism by water and by the Holy Spirit are evidences that a person truly has repented. Baptism into the body of Christ signifies that a person has truly repented and has “heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory” (Ephesians 1:13-14). A person is baptized by water to signify that repentance has taken place. So, what kind of fruit do others see in your life? Again, “Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips” (Proverbs 27:2).

Dear Father may I produce the fruit that will bring honor and glory to Your Name.   May this be so in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus. So be it!

DEATH WILL BE NO MORE!

And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” —Genesis 2:16-17

But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. —Genesis 3:4

By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” —Genesis 3:19

            Death… where did it come from? Death entered the human race through disobedience. When Adam and Eve sinned then death entered. God had told Adam this would happen— “for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” That was a stated consequence that would happen. Satan directly opposed God’s Word by telling Eve that “You will not surely die.” We are told that “just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned” (Romans 5:12).

            At the present about 150,000 people die each day. That brings much sorrow and pain, tears and mourning. All this can be traced back to the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve followed Satan’s word instead of God’s Word. Now we can see the Wisdom of God and the hateful deceit of Satan. Beware!   Satan is his same deceitful self today and is out to destroy whoever he can (I Peter 5:8).

            Here’s a scheme of Satan— he does not want people to think of physical death and surely he does not want people to be thinking about eternal death (Revelation 20:15). But our Lord God Almighty has given us the responsibility to warn people of both— all are going to die. People will typically agree with you on this point, but the point of eternal death, eternal judgment is where people will disagree with you. The Satanic deception is to keep people blinded to the gospel that can save them from eternal death (II Corinthians 4:4). This is why we need share the gospel of coming into relationship with Jesus through His final substitutionary death on the cross (John 19:30), proving Himself to be the Son of God by the resurrection from the dead (Romans 1:4). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZD6khv6pGkw&t=9s

            Here’s the good news of knowing Jesus— And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.” And the One seated on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new” (Revelation 21:3-3). Yes, all things will be made right! Even so come Lord Jesus!

Dear Father I thank You for our Blessed Hope, our Lord Jesus and life forever with Him and all who love Him.   May I be faithful to Your desires in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMsMiluCUUI