What if you had a bunch of brothers who were so jealous of you? The reason being, you were born to your father when he was an old man and therefore you were "the apple of his eye"! He thought he could father no more children and there you were, a little last glimmer of his fast fading manhood! Such goes the bible story of Joseph, the young boy who wore the coat of many colors.
Gen.37:2-11
2 These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was pasturing the flock with his brothers. He was a boy with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father's wives. And Joseph brought a bad report of them to their father.
3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors. 4 But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him. 5 Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more. 6 He said to them, "Hear this dream that I have dreamed: 7 Behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and stood upright. And behold, your sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to my sheaf." 8 His brothers said to him, "Are you indeed to reign over us? Or are you indeed to rule over us?" So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words. 9 Then he dreamed another dream and told it to his brothers and said, "Behold, I have dreamed another dream. Behold, the sun, the moon, and eleven stars were bowing down to me." 10 But when he told it to his father and to his brothers, his father rebuked him and said to him, "What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall I and your mother and your brothers indeed come to bow ourselves to the ground before you?" 11 And his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the saying in mind.Gen.37:16-2816 "I am seeking my brothers," he said. "Tell me, please, where they are pasturing the flock." 17 And the man said, "They have gone away, for I heard them say, 'Let us go to Dothan.'" So Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan. 18 They saw him from afar, and before he came near to them they conspired against him to kill him. 19 They said to one another, "Here comes this dreamer. 20 Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. Then we will say that a fierce animal has devoured him, and we will see what will become of his dreams." 21 But when Reuben heard it, he rescued him out of their hands, saying, "Let us not take his life." 22 And Reuben said to them, "Shed no blood; throw him into this pit here in the wilderness, but do not lay a hand on him"--that he might rescue him out of their hand to restore him to his father. 23 So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the robe of many colors that he wore. 24 And they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it. 25 Then they sat down to eat. And looking up they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead, with their camels bearing gum, balm, and myrrh, on their way to carry it down to Egypt. 26 Then Judah said to his brothers, "What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? 27 Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother, our own flesh." And his brothers listened to him. 28 Then Midianite traders passed by. And they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. They took Joseph to Egypt.But God was with Joseph!Gen.39:1-5 1 Now Joseph had been brought down to Egypt, and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, had bought him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him down there. 2 The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 His master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD caused all that he did to succeed in his hands. 4 So Joseph found favor in his sight and attended him, and he made him overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had. 5 From the time that he made him overseer in his house and over all that he had the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; the blessing of the LORD was on all that he had, in house and field.But the moral of this bible truth is that God is sovereign over all things! He works His plan according to His will. He sees the whole picture, while we wonder why, God is in control and He knows the outcome is for His glory! Lord, we praise You for You alone are worthy. Teach us to rest in You in every circumstance. Amen
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Evil Treasure in Your Heart
Matt.12:33 "Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit.
Matt.12:35-37
35 The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. 36 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, 37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."A troubled and corrupt fountain(heart) brings forth muddy unpleasant streams. Nothing but the salt of grace, cast into the spring, will heal the waters, season the speech, and purify the corrupt communication.An evil man has an evil treasure in his heart and brings forth evil things.The sinner brings forth bad words and actions, to dishonour God, and hurt others. We need to be humble before the Lord always and keep a watch on our words to make sure we are keeping a Christian tongue! Text taken from Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryProfessing Christian, let us tame our tongue. Show respect to others! Masters, treat your slaves well! Slaves respect your masters. Men in authority over others, you will be judged by your own treatment of your workers! Workers respect "the man" even if he is in the wrong. Father God, only you know a person's heart! I pray for the ones who have bitterness of heart and disrespect for their brothers. Show mercy to them and teach them compassion! In Jesus name, AmenEph.6:5-9 5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, 6 not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, 8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. 9 Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.
Matt.12:35-37
35 The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. 36 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, 37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."A troubled and corrupt fountain(heart) brings forth muddy unpleasant streams. Nothing but the salt of grace, cast into the spring, will heal the waters, season the speech, and purify the corrupt communication.An evil man has an evil treasure in his heart and brings forth evil things.The sinner brings forth bad words and actions, to dishonour God, and hurt others. We need to be humble before the Lord always and keep a watch on our words to make sure we are keeping a Christian tongue! Text taken from Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryProfessing Christian, let us tame our tongue. Show respect to others! Masters, treat your slaves well! Slaves respect your masters. Men in authority over others, you will be judged by your own treatment of your workers! Workers respect "the man" even if he is in the wrong. Father God, only you know a person's heart! I pray for the ones who have bitterness of heart and disrespect for their brothers. Show mercy to them and teach them compassion! In Jesus name, AmenEph.6:5-9 5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, 6 not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, 8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. 9 Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Stolen Gods
Matt.6: 9 Pray then like this: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Definition of hallowed: set apart as holy, sanctified, consecrated
This definition can only be used in reference to a living God, not some figure cast out of metal who can not save to the uttermost, think, feel, bless, or judge!
Our God Almighty can not be lost or stolen!
Gen.31:19 Laban had gone to shear his sheep, and Rachel stole her father's household gods.
Matt.10:28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Matt.10:33 but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.
He is the maker of all things! Serve Him for He is everlasting!
Ps.90:2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
Christ has risen from the dead and He is Lord! Amen
The power of His mercy!
1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead
Titus 3:5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit
He is real and He is waiting for those who seek Him!
1Chr.28:9 "And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever.
Lord, thank You for the faith You give everyday! Awaken in us the knowledge of who You are. Let Your word rest upon our heart and give peace and the ability to teach others the wonder of You. Lord, may we show the love of Christ to the hurting for we know that love conquers a multitude of sin. Amen
Definition of hallowed: set apart as holy, sanctified, consecrated
This definition can only be used in reference to a living God, not some figure cast out of metal who can not save to the uttermost, think, feel, bless, or judge!
Our God Almighty can not be lost or stolen!
Gen.31:19 Laban had gone to shear his sheep, and Rachel stole her father's household gods.
Matt.10:28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Matt.10:33 but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.
He is the maker of all things! Serve Him for He is everlasting!
Ps.90:2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
Christ has risen from the dead and He is Lord! Amen
The power of His mercy!
1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead
Titus 3:5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit
He is real and He is waiting for those who seek Him!
1Chr.28:9 "And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever.
Lord, thank You for the faith You give everyday! Awaken in us the knowledge of who You are. Let Your word rest upon our heart and give peace and the ability to teach others the wonder of You. Lord, may we show the love of Christ to the hurting for we know that love conquers a multitude of sin. Amen
Sunday, January 15, 2012
In His Name the Gentiles Will Hope
Matt.12:21 and in his name the Gentiles will hope."
Who is this King Jesus in which we place our faith and hope of eternal life? He is God's only Son, wholly man and wholly God. Bestowed upon Him are the attributes given Him by holy God, power and judgement over all living things, unbelievable mercy and the keys to death and Hell.
1 Tim.2:5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus
John 17:1-5
1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, 2 since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 4 I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.Col.2:9-14 9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. 11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.Hallelujah and Amen!Rev.1:17-18 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, "Fear not, I am the first and the last, 18 and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and HadesOh Lord, how beautiful is the truth of Your Word! Amen
Who is this King Jesus in which we place our faith and hope of eternal life? He is God's only Son, wholly man and wholly God. Bestowed upon Him are the attributes given Him by holy God, power and judgement over all living things, unbelievable mercy and the keys to death and Hell.
1 Tim.2:5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus
John 17:1-5
1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, 2 since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 4 I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.Col.2:9-14 9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. 11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.Hallelujah and Amen!Rev.1:17-18 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, "Fear not, I am the first and the last, 18 and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and HadesOh Lord, how beautiful is the truth of Your Word! Amen
Friday, January 13, 2012
What God's Word Says about Death
Your destiny!
Ecc.7:2 NIV It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of every man; the living should take this to heart.
Heb.9:27 ESV And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.
From the beginning!
Rom.5:12 ESV Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned--
Unrepentant sinners face eternal death!
Rom.6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.God will one day destroy death!
Rev.21:4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."
Christ is the only way to eternal life! You can bow before the Lord Jesus and ask for His mercy!
Acts 4:12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
God created life! Life to be lived, in paradise, God walking with man, in perfect peace!
Satan perverted His plan for us to live a sin free life. That first sin brought death to all life. God created the only way for us to be reconciled to Him. Jesus was the acceptable sacrifice, His blood the atonement for sinful man! That gift can not be earned, it is free! Christ has the power to save and He alone is worthy to save mens' souls from Hell.
Lord, You are worthy! Amen
Ecc.7:2 NIV It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of every man; the living should take this to heart.
Heb.9:27 ESV And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.
From the beginning!
Rom.5:12 ESV Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned--
Unrepentant sinners face eternal death!
Rom.6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.God will one day destroy death!
Rev.21:4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."
Christ is the only way to eternal life! You can bow before the Lord Jesus and ask for His mercy!
Acts 4:12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
God created life! Life to be lived, in paradise, God walking with man, in perfect peace!
Satan perverted His plan for us to live a sin free life. That first sin brought death to all life. God created the only way for us to be reconciled to Him. Jesus was the acceptable sacrifice, His blood the atonement for sinful man! That gift can not be earned, it is free! Christ has the power to save and He alone is worthy to save mens' souls from Hell.
Lord, You are worthy! Amen
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
The Temptation of Us All
Don't insult God with a lie!
1 John 1:8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
So what is sin and what is temptation? Sin is rebellion against God and His laws. Temptation is the tool that Satan uses to entice you into rebellion. It comes in many forms, self-gratification, self-protection and self-exaltation. We are tempted to fulfill our wants apart from God's will. Jesus trusted God's all-sufficiency, all-satisfying goodness. We are tempted to question God's presence and to manipulate God's promises. Jesus rested under the unshakable security of God the Father. We are tempted to exalt ourselves while we rob God of His worship. Jesus exalted God till His death. Satan is cunning and knows our every weakness. Christ and Christ alone never sinned. Christ was tempted forty days and nights. He had no corrupt nature of sin in Him. Not so for us, we have had it from the beginning through Adam. We may try to be like Christ but we will often fail. And why is this? Every person that is born has the will to sin. When we do not yield to temptation it is just an affliction that Satan uses for torment. But when you come to know the joy that is found in Christ and His mercy, you began to struggle against sin. You read about Christ and His love and mercy and want to show others the hope we have found in Christ. All of us are sinners but some of us have been saved by grace! Do you know the grace offered by Christ? Our success at being delivered from sin rest totally on the power of Christ in our lives. Jesus totally relied on the power of His Father to defeat Satan. This is spiritual warfare, a battle between Christ and Satan, two kingdoms battling for souls, and it has eternal consequences. Satan is already conquered and Christ is King. He is a savior King! He is sovereign Lord! We have victory through His blood!
Matt.4:1-11
1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread." 4 But he answered, "It is written, "'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple 6 and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, "'He will command his angels concerning you,'and "'On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.'" 7 Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.'" 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me." 10 Then Jesus said to him, "Be gone, Satan! For it is written, "'You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.'" 11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.
1 John 1:8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
So what is sin and what is temptation? Sin is rebellion against God and His laws. Temptation is the tool that Satan uses to entice you into rebellion. It comes in many forms, self-gratification, self-protection and self-exaltation. We are tempted to fulfill our wants apart from God's will. Jesus trusted God's all-sufficiency, all-satisfying goodness. We are tempted to question God's presence and to manipulate God's promises. Jesus rested under the unshakable security of God the Father. We are tempted to exalt ourselves while we rob God of His worship. Jesus exalted God till His death. Satan is cunning and knows our every weakness. Christ and Christ alone never sinned. Christ was tempted forty days and nights. He had no corrupt nature of sin in Him. Not so for us, we have had it from the beginning through Adam. We may try to be like Christ but we will often fail. And why is this? Every person that is born has the will to sin. When we do not yield to temptation it is just an affliction that Satan uses for torment. But when you come to know the joy that is found in Christ and His mercy, you began to struggle against sin. You read about Christ and His love and mercy and want to show others the hope we have found in Christ. All of us are sinners but some of us have been saved by grace! Do you know the grace offered by Christ? Our success at being delivered from sin rest totally on the power of Christ in our lives. Jesus totally relied on the power of His Father to defeat Satan. This is spiritual warfare, a battle between Christ and Satan, two kingdoms battling for souls, and it has eternal consequences. Satan is already conquered and Christ is King. He is a savior King! He is sovereign Lord! We have victory through His blood!
Matt.4:1-11
1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread." 4 But he answered, "It is written, "'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple 6 and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, "'He will command his angels concerning you,'and "'On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.'" 7 Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.'" 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me." 10 Then Jesus said to him, "Be gone, Satan! For it is written, "'You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.'" 11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
The Least of These
I saw him today! On the side of the road going to the mall, there he sat, a smile on his face! I have seen him many times before, different places, different faces! He was a little dirty, maybe hadn't had the luxury of a bath in a while, but still smiling. And I was ashamed! I have, by the grace of God, shelter, as many baths as I would like to take, food, loving family, clothes(clean), and every other personal and financial need you could name. I always have a sad thought but most times, drive on by. What would it cost me to show the love of Christ to a stranger in need? Nothing! I need not judge his circumstance, only to offer a little food and a kind word. Pray for us all to show the love of Christ to the ones who really need it. I recently read about a place called "Grace's Kitchen" that is located in the inner city. They had a wonderful suggestion about how to be prepared at all times to help those who are hungry. Take a large ziplock bag and place a bottle of water, an individually wrapped granola bar, a package of individually wrapped peanut butter crackers, a fruit cup with a pull top and a Bible verse written on a index card. Keep these in your card and keep your eyes open! The Lord will put them and you in the right place, blessings will abound!
Matt. 25:35-40
35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' 40 And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'Christ has commanded us to show mercy to the suffering just as He has shown mercy to us, by His death, so that we may be pardoned through the shedding of His precious blood!Lord, I pray for our eyes to be open to the plight of the hurting souls all around us. Whether their need be food or just a kind word or maybe we need to tell them of the hope we have found in You. Amen
Matt. 25:35-40
35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' 40 And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'Christ has commanded us to show mercy to the suffering just as He has shown mercy to us, by His death, so that we may be pardoned through the shedding of His precious blood!Lord, I pray for our eyes to be open to the plight of the hurting souls all around us. Whether their need be food or just a kind word or maybe we need to tell them of the hope we have found in You. Amen
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