Bible Reading: Genesis 43-45
Genesis 45:7-8 And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. 8 So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.
Joseph realized the plan of God, but it took a while. After betrayal, slavery and prison, he finally realized what God was doing. God placed Joseph in a strategic position to save the lives of the Egyptians, the Israelites and many other people. He also had him in place to move Israel into Egypt which was his plan all along.
God delivered the Israelites from famine by Joseph's hand. Later, God would deliver the Israelites from Egyptian slavery with Moses' hand. God has a plan and if you and I are in Christ, we are a part of that plan. Joseph did a 'good work' in delivering so many from the famine. The Bible says that God has 'good works' for all his children to do.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
God has ordained these good works before. In other words, his plan is in place in our lives. He is not making it up as he goes. With that in mind, is it possible that difficult circumstances in our lives are like those of Joseph's? Is God positioning you to use you for a great deliverance?
Maybe you suffer at work with a difficult person? Maybe you are there to share the gospel with someone and be the instrument that God uses to bring that person to faith in Christ?
There are many other ways that God could put you in a position of influence in someone's life. I know that God allowed us to meet some doctors, nurses and other families when our daughter was in the hospital. It took a while, but eventually we realized that God wanted us to minister to the people we were coming into contact with.
Don't let the difficulties take your eyes off God's plan. He is bringing about a great deliverance. He has you in a position for a reason. Trust him!
In Christ,
Rody
Friday, January 27, 2012
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Can we find such a one as this
Bible Reading: Genesis 41-42
Genesis 41:38 And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?
When a person is filled with the Spirit of God, people will recognize a difference. In Joseph's case the Pharaoh realized that Joseph had a wisdom that was beyond himself. In all his kingdom, the Pharaoh had not met anyone like Joseph.
It is God's intention for all his children to be men and women who are distinct and different in this world.
Titus 2:13-14 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
We are to be a peculiar people who are zealous of good works. When Pharaoh gave Joseph the opportunity, he did a good work with God's wisdom and God's plan.
The lost world will recognize a difference about the Christian. Christians should be the very best employees. They should be good students. They should be good neighbors and friends. Why? Because all of life is spiritual and God's Spirit empowers us to live for Christ in everyday circumstances.
Let God's Spirit have control of you today!
In Christ,
Rody
Genesis 41:38 And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?
When a person is filled with the Spirit of God, people will recognize a difference. In Joseph's case the Pharaoh realized that Joseph had a wisdom that was beyond himself. In all his kingdom, the Pharaoh had not met anyone like Joseph.
It is God's intention for all his children to be men and women who are distinct and different in this world.
Titus 2:13-14 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
We are to be a peculiar people who are zealous of good works. When Pharaoh gave Joseph the opportunity, he did a good work with God's wisdom and God's plan.
The lost world will recognize a difference about the Christian. Christians should be the very best employees. They should be good students. They should be good neighbors and friends. Why? Because all of life is spiritual and God's Spirit empowers us to live for Christ in everyday circumstances.
Let God's Spirit have control of you today!
In Christ,
Rody
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Israel loved Joseph more
Bible Reading: Genesis 35-37
Genesis 37:3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours.
This hurts my heart! As I read of the family of Jacob I see a father who chooses favorites from among his children. How can a man do that? Did he not understand that this would create jealousy?
Genesis 37:4 And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.
Could he not see that this would make the other brothers hate Joseph? Why would a parent do this? Well, unfortunately it happens. It was not Joseph's fault. He was the recipient of special attention from his father. He suffered for it at the hands of his brothers.
If you are a parent, please read this account in the Bible and make it a matter of prayer to love your children - all of them. They are not all alike, so you cannot treat them all alike, but you can love them all the same. Even if you have more in common with one of them, you can make it a matter of training on your part to understand the other children. Please - do not play favorites.
If you are a child, remember that the Bible promises:
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Even though Joseph's brothers hated him, God used their hatred to save many lives and fulfill his purpose. If you are the favorite don't flaunt it. If you are not the favorite, don't despise. Trust God. Because we have a loving Heavenly Father that loves all his children!
Praise God that through faith in Christ, we can have a perfect Father.
In Christ,
Rody
Genesis 37:3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours.
This hurts my heart! As I read of the family of Jacob I see a father who chooses favorites from among his children. How can a man do that? Did he not understand that this would create jealousy?
Genesis 37:4 And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.
Could he not see that this would make the other brothers hate Joseph? Why would a parent do this? Well, unfortunately it happens. It was not Joseph's fault. He was the recipient of special attention from his father. He suffered for it at the hands of his brothers.
If you are a parent, please read this account in the Bible and make it a matter of prayer to love your children - all of them. They are not all alike, so you cannot treat them all alike, but you can love them all the same. Even if you have more in common with one of them, you can make it a matter of training on your part to understand the other children. Please - do not play favorites.
If you are a child, remember that the Bible promises:
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Even though Joseph's brothers hated him, God used their hatred to save many lives and fulfill his purpose. If you are the favorite don't flaunt it. If you are not the favorite, don't despise. Trust God. Because we have a loving Heavenly Father that loves all his children!
Praise God that through faith in Christ, we can have a perfect Father.
In Christ,
Rody
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