Category Archives: Character of God

Faith / Trusting God, Grace / Patience, Promises

Trust God’s Timing To Fulfill His Promises

I count myself blessed to have a meaningful personal relationship with my Lord and Savior. That certainly does not mean I have all the answers or get everything right… far from it! I still do things I wish not to do and sometimes fail to do those things I should do. However, I have had the opportunity to hear from God through the Holy Spirit on more than a few occasions. I have not experienced angels, visions, or burning bushes… but God has none the less revealed very personal application of His word to my life at different points in my life.

I can usually point back to specific areas of prayer in which I can see Him answering, though it is almost never as fast as I might prefer. God’s timing is different than our timing. I am learning more and more to trust His timing over my own desires for a quick answer. So often today we expect everything instantly or we lose patience. Internet is not fast enough! Really… can any prior generation even claim to have imagined what amazing technology we have today? Microwave takes too long? Really? Think about it in context of the world history. We really have become impatient. I once found myself starting to get frustrated that an email took a few minutes to reach someone on another continent… as I spoke with them on the phone. Truly that is incredible and we have learned to take it for granted.

God has the wisdom to know that He is often doing more than just answering our question or fulfilling a promise He made to us. He is preparing us so we are ready for what comes ahead. Think of God like a master chef and we are the dish He is preparing. He knows what He is preparing us for and He takes His time doing so. He cooks with a crock pot rather than a microwave oven. It takes longer, but it tastes so much better when it is ready! And God always starts early enough when He is working with us, so He always finishes on time.

Let us take a look back at a promise God made to Jacob in Genesis.

Genesis 28:14-15  14“Your descendants will also be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south; and in you and in your descendants shall all the families of the earth be blessed. 15“Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

God promised Jacob his descendants would be like the dust of the earth in number! Now, as Jacob is approaching his death, we can check the progress report on how big his household has grown.

 Genesis 46:8-34

Those Who Came to Egypt

      8Now these are the names of the sons of Israel, Jacob and his sons, who went to Egypt: Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn. 9The sons of Reuben: Hanoch and Pallu and Hezron and Carmi. 10The sons of Simeon: Jemuel and Jamin and Ohad and Jachin and Zohar and Shaul the son of a Canaanite woman. 11The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. 12The sons of Judah: Er and Onan and Shelah and Perez and Zerah (but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan). And the sons of Perez were Hezron and Hamul. 13The sons of Issachar: Tola and Puvvah and Iob and Shimron. 14The sons of Zebulun: Sered and Elon and Jahleel. 15These are the sons of Leah, whom she bore to Jacob in Paddan-aram, with his daughter Dinah; all his sons and his daughters numbered thirty-three. 16The sons of Gad: Ziphion and Haggi, Shuni and Ezbon, Eri and Arodi and Areli. 17The sons of Asher: Imnah and Ishvah and Ishvi and Beriah and their sister Serah. And the sons of Beriah: Heber and Malchiel. 18These are the sons of Zilpah, whom Laban gave to his daughter Leah; and she bore to Jacob these sixteen persons. 19The sons of Jacob’s wife Rachel: Joseph and Benjamin. 20Now to Joseph in the land of Egypt were born Manasseh and Ephraim, whom Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, bore to him. 21The sons of Benjamin: Bela and Becher and Ashbel, Gera and Naaman, Ehi and Rosh, Muppim and Huppim and Ard. 22These are the sons of Rachel, who were born to Jacob; there were fourteen persons in all. 23The sons of Dan: Hushim. 24The sons of Naphtali: Jahzeel and Guni and Jezer and Shillem. 25These are the sons of Bilhah, whom Laban gave to his daughter Rachel, and she bore these to Jacob; there were seven persons in all. 26All the persons belonging to Jacob, who came to Egypt, his direct descendants, not including the wives of Jacob’s sons, were sixty-six persons in all, 27and the sons of Joseph, who were born to him in Egypt were two; all the persons of the house of Jacob, who came to Egypt, were seventy.

      28Now he sent Judah before him to Joseph, to point out the way before him to Goshen; and they came into the land of Goshen. 29Joseph prepared his chariot and went up to Goshen to meet his father Israel; as soon as he appeared before him, he fell on his neck and wept on his neck a long time. 30Then Israel said to Joseph, “Now let me die, since I have seen your face, that you are still alive.” 31Joseph said to his brothers and to his father’s household, “I will go up and tell Pharaoh, and will say to him, ‘My brothers and my father’s household, who were in the land of Canaan, have come to me; 32and the men are shepherds, for they have been keepers of livestock; and they have brought their flocks and their herds and all that they have.’ 33“When Pharaoh calls you and says, ‘What is your occupation?’ 34you shall say, ‘Your servants have been keepers of livestock from our youth even until now, both we and our fathers,’ that you may live in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is loathsome to the Egyptians.”

As Jacob goes to Egypt, nearing the end of his life, the count of all his household combined numbers only 70 people.  God indeed fulfills His promise to Jacob, but does so in His own timing. God is not in a hurry. He is always on time. We just need to learn to trust the master chef, be more patient as we wait on God, and count ourselves blessed that our Creator loves us so much that He even personally guides and directs us on our path through life.

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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? If you die today, do you know for sure that you would be with God in heaven? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Forgive Others / Seek Forgiveness, Grace / Forgiveness, Jesus Christ / Yeshua

Set Free From Slavery To Sin

Have you ever found yourself continually repeating the same wrong behavior or thoughts even though you know it is a mistake… a sin? Do you feel powerless to break free of temptation and stop the behavior or sinful thoughts? Often the guilt makes it feel even worse because we can not imagine that we can be forgiven. There is no way out.

The good news is that Jesus died for us for just that reason… so we could be brought into right relationship with God even though we have sinned and made mistakes! Praise God for coming down as Jesus to walk among us and suffer punishment on our behalf.  Thank you God! Our Lord and Creator does not forget us… He made us. Rejoice that He has redeemed us from our sin through the death of Jesus Christ! By submitting to Him and asking forgiveness He can set us free from bondage to sin.

John 8:34-36

  34Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. 35“The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. 36“So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.

Isaiah 44:21-23

21“Remember these things, O Jacob,
And Israel, for you are My servant;
I have formed you, you are My servant,
O Israel, you will not be forgotten by Me.

22“I have wiped out your transgressions like a thick cloud
And your sins like a heavy mist.
Return to Me, for I have redeemed you.”

23Shout for joy, O heavens, for the LORD has done it!
Shout joyfully, you lower parts of the earth;
Break forth into a shout of joy, you mountains,
O forest, and every tree in it;
For the LORD has redeemed Jacob
And in Israel He shows forth His glory.

Thank you God for creating a way for us to be set free from bondage to sin, forgiven and reconciled to you!

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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? If you die today, do you know for sure that you would be with God in heaven? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Family, Forgive Others / Seek Forgiveness, Grace / Forgiveness, Grace / Patience, Revenge

Peace Through Patience, Wisdom, and Forgiveness

Joseph demonstrates an amazing amount of patience, wisdom, and forgiveness in managing his meeting with his brothers when they return to Egypt with Benjamin. It was emotionally a stirring moment for Joseph to see Benjamin again… so much so that he had to leave to gather control of his emotional response. Further, he continues to not let on to his brothers who he is, even as they fulfill again the dreams given to him by God in his youth by bowing down before him.

Joseph desires to test his brothers to see if they have changed from their evil ways so long ago when they sold him into slavery. He avoids the emotional response of revenge to just hurt them. He avoids even rejoicing publically at seeing Benjamin. He avoids what must have been temptation to gloat or boast in the fulfillment of the dreams he shared with them so long ago. Instead, Joseph demonstrates wisdom and patience in continuing in a very intentional way to manage the reunion with his brothers. He seeks to test them.

Genesis 43:16-34

Joseph Sees Benjamin

      16When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to his house steward, “Bring the men into the house, and slay an animal and make ready; for the men are to dine with me at noon.” 17So the man did as Joseph said, and brought the men to Joseph’s house. 18Now the men were afraid, because they were brought to Joseph’s house; and they said, “It is because of the money that was returned in our sacks the first time that we are being brought in, that he may seek occasion against us and fall upon us, and take us for slaves with our donkeys.” 19So they came near to Joseph’s house steward, and spoke to him at the entrance of the house, 20and said, “Oh, my lord, we indeed came down the first time to buy food, 21and it came about when we came to the lodging place, that we opened our sacks, and behold, each man’s money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full. So we have brought it back in our hand. 22“We have also brought down other money in our hand to buy food; we do not know who put our money in our sacks.” 23He said, “Be at ease, do not be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has given you treasure in your sacks; I had your money.” Then he brought Simeon out to them. 24Then the man brought the men into Joseph’s house and gave them water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their donkeys fodder. 25So they prepared the present for Joseph’s coming at noon; for they had heard that they were to eat a meal there.

      26When Joseph came home, they brought into the house to him the present which was in their hand and bowed to the ground before him. 27Then he asked them about their welfare, and said, “Is your old father well, of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?” 28They said, “Your servant our father is well; he is still alive.” They bowed down in homage. 29As he lifted his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, he said, “Is this your youngest brother, of whom you spoke to me?” And he said, “May God be gracious to you, my son.” 30Joseph hurried out for he was deeply stirred over his brother, and he sought a place to weep; and he entered his chamber and wept there. 31Then he washed his face and came out; and he controlled himself and said, “Serve the meal.” 32So they served him by himself, and them by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because the Egyptians could not eat bread with the Hebrews, for that is loathsome to the Egyptians. 33Now they were seated before him, the firstborn according to his birthright and the youngest according to his youth, and the men looked at one another in astonishment. 34He took portions to them from his own table, but Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as any of theirs. So they feasted and drank freely with him.

It is often tempting to respond just based on our emotions to every situation that presents itself. However, this is not always the best course. We should take care to be intentional and thoughtful in how we respond to situations such as the one Joseph encounters in Genesis 43. Measure our response with patience, wisdom, and forgiveness.

More and more I come to realize as well the value of pausing to seek God on specific situations in my life. He cares about the details of our lives as a father cares for his children! The more I am able to avoid quick, almost instinctive responses… the more thoughtfully and prayerfully I consider key decisions… the more I am able to live consistently with God’s word. I pray God gives me the patience, wisdom, and forgiveness that Joseph demonstrated in dealing with being reunited with his family after much tragedy and hurt in his past.

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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? If you die today, do you know for sure that you would be with God in heaven? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

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Heaven and Hell, Hebrew Roots / Commands / Law, Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Salvation, Share the Good News

The Building Is On Fire, We Must Warn Others!

Imagine for a moment that you are working in or visiting a large building complex with many people. Everyone is going about doing every day tasks, completely unaware that a fire rages within the building complex. Some see the smoke and recognize the coming peril. They try to warn others, but many do not want to hear it. They are busy. They do not believe the building is on fire. They mock and discourage those who are trying to warn everyone. They ignore even the fire alarm, assuming it is a drill, malfunction, or prank.

You are a fool. We don’t believe you.

You are just trying to ruin our day and make our life difficult.

The God I believe in would not allow fires in buildings with people.

If it is on fire, leave yourself then. Quit bothering us.

A few listen, heed the warning and consider the danger… eyes opened to the smoke they begin to try to save others or just run out of the building themselves.

The first reaction many of us have is that this is silly. It would never happen. Of course people would heed the warning. But there is a much greater danger for all of those who do not yet accept the truth of Jesus Christ as God… an eternity of suffering in Hell for rejecting Jesus Christ. Many who serve Jesus Christ are and have been for centuries trying to warn others about the impending danger. We are mocked, persecuted, and sometimes killed for our effort. We are seldom welcomed with open arms and thanked for bringing the good news of the gospel… of salvation through Jesus Christ. Sometimes it is even the church itself that is persecuting those who bring the true message of the gospel to the people. There are countless examples including the religious leaders of Israel and the Catholic church over many centuries.

The message of Christ is at once very simple such that a child can understand it, and yet very difficult in that we must change to move away from our sinful ways of doing things our way and turn toward Jesus and doing things God’s way. (Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.)

No matter the suffering or risk to ourselves as followers of Jesus, He wants us to tell everyone about the truth of the gospel! We know this because of how Jesus lived out His earthly ministry and how His disciples lived and died to share the gospel after Jesus had returned to Heaven. Jesus made a point of highlighting this, not as a request, but as a command, to His disciples and the command is still in effect for all true followers of Jesus Christ today.

Mark 16:15 15And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.

Many have become complacent about the urgency of sharing the gospel.

Christ has not returned yet in judgment, perhaps He never will.

Maybe all will go to Heaven because God loves us.

Yet Peter highlights to us even thousands of years ago the flaw in that thinking. God is patient. His timing is not our timing. But, the end will come and will come suddenly. Those who are not prepared will end up in Hell for eternity due to their rejection of Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 3:9-11 9The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. 10But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.

Consider from a slightly different perspective as well. Although the end of the age has not come and Jesus has not returned in judgment as yet, countless generations of people have died and most of them did not know when they would die ahead of time. We must be prepared in accepting and submitting to Christ wholeheartedly before our time on this earth ends either by our death or by Jesus’ return.

Our Lord commands us to tell as many as we can about the salvation He offers through faith, by grace. He does not ask us to do so “if convenient”. He commands us to go to all the world… decidedly loving and sacrificial, but certainly not convenient.

If we picture ourselves back in the opening story… in a building complex that was on fire. Would we just leave quietly? Would we not tell others? How much more so should we be urgently proclaiming the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ when the eternal salvation or damnation of people’s souls are at stake!

Study God’s word daily. Pray humbly before God daily. Ask Him to prepare you and prepare people to hear the message when you share it. Pray as Peter and John did that God would give you the boldness to proclaim the gospel in all situations to all audiences everywhere around the world.

Acts 4:23-31

23When they had been released, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24And when they heard this, they lifted their voices to God with one accord and said, “O Lord, it is You who MADE THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH AND THE SEA, AND ALL THAT IS IN THEM,

25who by the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David Your servant, said,
‘WHY DID THE GENTILES RAGE,
AND THE PEOPLES DEVISE FUTILE THINGS?

      26‘THE KINGS OF THE EARTH TOOK THEIR STAND,
AND THE RULERS WERE GATHERED TOGETHER
AGAINST THE LORD AND AGAINST HIS CHRIST.’

27“For truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predestined to occur. 29“And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence, 30while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.” 31And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness.

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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? If you die today, do you know for sure that you would be with God in heaven? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

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Forgive Others / Seek Forgiveness, Grace / Forgiveness, Merciful, Prophecy, Revenge, Righteousness / Serving God

Now That You Have The Power, What Will You Do?

In all your life, whom do you think has wronged you more than any other? Have you ever wished to be in a position of power and influence over them? If so, why? Have you really considered what you would do?

Often what people seek is revenge, or “getting even”. They seek to hurt those who have hurt them. That is not what God wants from us… to hurt someone else with a spirit of selfishness and hunger for revenge. Joseph found himself in just such a situation and it was very emotional for him. He had to decide how to respond when he suddenly had the power of life and death over his brothers, who had years before sold him into slavery.

Genesis 42:1-28

Joseph’s Brothers Sent to Egypt

      1Now Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt, and Jacob said to his sons, “Why are you staring at one another?” 2He said, “Behold, I have heard that there is grain in Egypt; go down there and buy some for us from that place, so that we may live and not die.” 3Then ten brothers of Joseph went down to buy grain from Egypt. 4But Jacob did not send Joseph’s brother Benjamin with his brothers, for he said, “I am afraid that harm may befall him.” 5So the sons of Israel came to buy grain among those who were coming, for the famine was in the land of Canaan also.

      6Now Joseph was the ruler over the land; he was the one who sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph’s brothers came and bowed down to him with their faces to the ground. 7When Joseph saw his brothers he recognized them, but he disguised himself to them and spoke to them harshly. And he said to them, “Where have you come from?” And they said, “From the land of Canaan, to buy food.”

      8But Joseph had recognized his brothers, although they did not recognize him. 9Joseph remembered the dreams which he had about them, and said to them, “You are spies; you have come to look at the undefended parts of our land.” 10Then they said to him, “No, my lord, but your servants have come to buy food. 11“We are all sons of one man; we are honest men, your servants are not spies.” 12Yet he said to them, “No, but you have come to look at the undefended parts of our land!” 13But they said, “Your servants are twelve brothers in all, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and behold, the youngest is with our father today, and one is no longer alive.” 14Joseph said to them, “It is as I said to you, you are spies; 15by this you will be tested: by the life of Pharaoh, you shall not go from this place unless your youngest brother comes here! 16“Send one of you that he may get your brother, while you remain confined, that your words may be tested, whether there is truth in you. But if not, by the life of Pharaoh, surely you are spies.” 17So he put them all together in prison for three days.

      18Now Joseph said to them on the third day, “Do this and live, for I fear God: 19if you are honest men, let one of your brothers be confined in your prison; but as for the rest of you, go, carry grain for the famine of your households, 20and bring your youngest brother to me, so your words may be verified, and you will not die.” And they did so. 21Then they said to one another, “Truly we are guilty concerning our brother, because we saw the distress of his soul when he pleaded with us, yet we would not listen; therefore this distress has come upon us.” 22Reuben answered them, saying, “Did I not tell you, ‘Do not sin against the boy’; and you would not listen? Now comes the reckoning for his blood.” 23They did not know, however, that Joseph understood, for there was an interpreter between them. 24He turned away from them and wept. But when he returned to them and spoke to them, he took Simeon from them and bound him before their eyes. 25Then Joseph gave orders to fill their bags with grain and to restore every man’s money in his sack, and to give them provisions for the journey. And thus it was done for them.

      26So they loaded their donkeys with their grain and departed from there. 27As one of them opened his sack to give his donkey fodder at the lodging place, he saw his money; and behold, it was in the mouth of his sack. 28Then he said to his brothers, “My money has been returned, and behold, it is even in my sack.” And their hearts sank, and they turned trembling to one another, saying, “What is this that God has done to us?”

Joseph did not seek revenge, but he did put his brothers to a difficult test to see if they had changed or if they would once again quickly betray another younger brother who was favored by their father. This time the test would be regarding Benjamin and we will continue to read about how it plays out as we continue through Genesis.

Joseph recognizes that God foretold this situation in the dreams he received as a child, in which his brothers would bow down before him. The prophecy God shared with him through dreams had come true. Joseph passed on the opportunity to hurt them or kill them. Instead, he chose a path that was more pleasing to the Lord. In fact, Joseph actually returned their money and gave them provisions for their return trip. No doubt Joseph had a strong relationship with God.

Now let’s return to the beginning of this article for a moment. Remember again the person or people you feel wronged you. Keeping the godly example of Joseph in mind… give consideration again for how you would respond if you had power over those who had done wrong to you. Prayerfully release any bitterness or desire to “get even”. Ask God to help you move on, if you have not already done so. If given the opportunity… seek to heal old wounds and honor God with how you handle the situation. As we read on we will see that Joseph’s response actually opened a door for God to restore his family to him because of how he handled himself. Perhaps God was testing Joseph as Joseph was himself testing his brothers.

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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? If you die today, do you know for sure that you would be with God in heaven? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

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Disobeying, Rebelling Against, Ignoring God, False Prophets / Teachers, Forgive Others / Seek Forgiveness, Grace / Forgiveness, Holy Spirit / Ruach HaKodesh, Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Joy / Happiness / Rejoicing, Obeying God, Persecution / Glorifying God, Share the Good News, Study the Word, Suffering / Adversity, Wickedness / Evil

Whom Shall We Believe? Whom Shall We Follow?

Many times even today people defer to the perceived “religious leaders” or authority figures for guidance on what is right and what is not of God. Often it is for lack of studying God’s word themselves and a habit to just trust whomever identifies themselves in a established religious bureaucracy or whomever has the biggest crowds or most Facebook likes. These are not reliable measures of who teaches the truth about God. Often this can lead on a path to Hell, lost and far away from God.

Consider the high priest, Pharisees, and Sadducees during Jesus’ earthly ministry. They not only killed Jesus but also persecuted His disciples  violently. For those who trusted only in the established religious bureaucratic organization, they were lost and missed out on the revelation of grace and forgiveness through Jesus Christ.

Instead, the truth of Jesus Christ was being proclaimed by Jesus’ humble disciples, who were being arrested and whipped and threatened for speaking the truth of Jesus Christ.

Each of us should take care… God wants us to study His word ourselves and pray daily, wholeheartedly seeking after Him and changing our lives to reflect how He wants us to live… even if it means pain and suffering for us in our lives. Of course this is difficult, and that is why God sent a helper in the Holy Spirit to help us as believers and followers of Jesus.

Acts 5:27-42

     27When they had brought them, they stood them before the Council. The high priest questioned them, 28saying, “We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” 29But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. 30“The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had put to death by hanging Him on a cross. 31“He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 32“And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.”

Gamaliel’s Counsel

      33But when they heard this, they were cut to the quick and intended to kill them. 34But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law, respected by all the people, stood up in the Council and gave orders to put the men outside for a short time. 35And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you propose to do with these men. 36“For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a group of about four hundred men joined up with him. But he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37“After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census and drew away some people after him; he too perished, and all those who followed him were scattered. 38“So in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or action is of men, it will be overthrown; 39but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God.”

      40They took his advice; and after calling the apostles in, they flogged them and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them. 41So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name. 42And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

Notice the wicked and hard hearts of the chief priest and the other religious leaders of the time. Not once is there a mention that they prayed to God for guidance regarding Jesus. Always they reacted in the flesh, seeking after their own traditions and power. They never considered that the Messiah they all said they were waiting for would actually come. What else could they possibly expect as evidence beyond what Jesus provided!

Now they are so mad that they want to kill the disciples rather than pause and consider if Jesus really was God. Now it is twice as hard for them because they would have to admit they were wrong and killed the Messiah.

Gamaliel came closest to recognizing the power of God… his advice was wise in that there is no point going against God.  However, he too missed the fact that Jesus was Messiah. The others still insisted on flogging and threatening the disciples before letting them go.

By contrast to the attitude and behavior of the religious leaders, we see the Spirit filled disciples rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for Jesus’ name. Despite continued threats, they returned to publically teaching and proclaiming Jesus as the Christ! Surely true followers of Jesus should seek to be like these men.

When we seek to discern those who teach truth from folly we must first study God’s word in the Bible consistently and seek God humbly in prayer daily. They we will be better prepared to test the teachers we hear to ensure we follow the right ones… and none have the authority to re-write scripture and change God’s word… not even a jot or tittle.

Matthew 5:18 “For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? If you die today, do you know for sure that you would be with God in heaven? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

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Blessed, Faith / Trusting God, Forgive Others / Seek Forgiveness, Grace / Forgiveness, Grace / Patience, Humility, Money / Finances / Wealth, Righteousness / Serving God

When You Gain Favor From God and Man, Don’t Change The Recipe

It is easy to become full of ourselves, filled with pride, when we succeed in the eyes of men. We must be careful to remain humble and serve God even in success. Many wise men, including David and Solomon, started with a close relationship with God and then drifted further from God when they had much success and power… and it was to their own downfall. When we find favor in the sight of God and man by living humbly and righteously according to God’s instruction, do not change the recipe. Keep doing the things that got you there… pray, study scripture, listen to God and obey, work hard, be patient, give glory to God for what He does through us, etc.

Joseph set a fantastic example in  Genesis 41:38-49. Joseph did not change when he was given great power and authority. He worked diligently and responsibly, maintaining his right relationship with God and he continued to experience favor from God and men as a result.

Joseph Is Made a Ruler of Egypt

      38Then Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find a man like this, in whom is a divine spirit?” 39So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has informed you of all this, there is no one so discerning and wise as you are. 40“You shall be over my house, and according to your command all my people shall do homage; only in the throne I will be greater than you.” 41Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.” 42Then Pharaoh took off his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand, and clothed him in garments of fine linen and put the gold necklace around his neck. 43He had him ride in his second chariot; and they proclaimed before him, “Bow the knee!” And he set him over all the land of Egypt. 44Moreover, Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Though I am Pharaoh, yet without your permission no one shall raise his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.” 45Then Pharaoh named Joseph Zaphenath-paneah; and he gave him Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On, as his wife. And Joseph went forth over the land of Egypt.

      46Now Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh, king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh and went through all the land of Egypt. 47During the seven years of plenty the land brought forth abundantly. 48So he gathered all the food of these seven years which occurred in the land of Egypt and placed the food in the cities; he placed in every city the food from its own surrounding fields. 49Thus Joseph stored up grain in great abundance like the sand of the sea, until he stopped measuring it, for it was beyond measure.

Joseph had experienced much suffering and difficulty in his early life… sold into slavery by his brothers, thrown into jail based on lies, forgotten in jail for years by one he helped. Joseph handled it with great patience and a righteous attitude toward God. Surely we would be tempted to think God forgot about us in his circumstances. But now at 30 years old, Joseph stood tall as second in command of all Egypt… right where God wanted him. When he assumed the position, Joseph did not change and take credit, or fill with pride. He continued to honor God and faithfully carry out his work.

I pray God would help each of us as His followers to take on the patience, diligence, humility, forgiveness, and faith which Joseph demonstrated throughout his life.

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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? If you die today, do you know for sure that you would be with God in heaven? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

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Faith / Trusting God, Grace / Forgiveness, Hearing from God, Hope, Peace / Rest, Suffering / Adversity

God’s Timing Is Perfect – Wait For It Faithfully

Have you found yourself suffering through hard times? Of course you have. We all have.  Sometimes our problems can seem insurmountable and overwhelming. Many lose faith in God during these difficult times.

Imagine if you had been sold into slavery by your own family. Then when you endure and succeed in that challenge, someone lies about you and accuses you of doing the very thing you refused to do! You get the blame and get thrown in jail. Years go by. You succeed even in jail and help someone inside jail that says they will petition for you when they get out. Then they forget you for years. It would be easy for us to declare God has abandoned us in this circumstance… but that is not necessarily true.

Let’s explore what scriptures reveal for Joseph after those very same things have happened to him. He managed to maintain faith in God and found favor in the sight of both men and God in every circumstance. He never gave up. He never quit. He continued to work hard and maintain a good attitude and remained faithful to God through it all. What men (and women) intended for evil to him, God uses for good… and God’s timing is always perfect.

Joseph’s time for deliverance from suffering finally comes in Genesis 41:1-13. God spoke through dreams to an unbeliever, Pharaoh, and used that as a mechanism to bring about his plans for Joseph! Further, if Joseph had not been in jail, he would never have met the cupbearer, who God uses to identify Joseph to Pharaoh. God’s ways are certainly not our ways.

Pharaoh’s Dream

      1Now it happened at the end of two full years that Pharaoh had a dream, and behold, he was standing by the Nile. 2And lo, from the Nile there came up seven cows, sleek and fat; and they grazed in the marsh grass. 3Then behold, seven other cows came up after them from the Nile, ugly and gaunt, and they stood by the other cows on the bank of the Nile. 4The ugly and gaunt cows ate up the seven sleek and fat cows. Then Pharaoh awoke. 5He fell asleep and dreamed a second time; and behold, seven ears of grain came up on a single stalk, plump and good. 6Then behold, seven ears, thin and scorched by the east wind, sprouted up after them. 7The thin ears swallowed up the seven plump and full ears. Then Pharaoh awoke, and behold, it was a dream. 8Now in the morning his spirit was troubled, so he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all its wise men. And Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was no one who could interpret them to Pharaoh.

      9Then the chief cupbearer spoke to Pharaoh, saying, “I would make mention today of my own offenses. 10“Pharaoh was furious with his servants, and he put me in confinement in the house of the captain of the bodyguard, both me and the chief baker. 11“We had a dream on the same night, he and I; each of us dreamed according to the interpretation of his own dream. 12“Now a Hebrew youth was with us there, a servant of the captain of the bodyguard, and we related them to him, and he interpreted our dreams for us. To each one he interpreted according to his own dream. 13“And just as he interpreted for us, so it happened; he restored me in my office, but he hanged him.”

What a fantastic role model Joseph is for the rest of us! I pray God would strengthen my faith to serve as faithfully as Joseph through tough times. Yet I find myself frustrated when I experience a string of minor annoyances… a flat tire, a computer that breaks, a home repair I did not expect. How minor these are! Yet I still get flustered at times. I am most certainly a work still in progress, submitted to our Lord Jesus and striving to become more like Him and less like my own selfish nature.

When facing difficulty, remember Joseph and how he endured. Also remember what Paul taught us about patient endurance in Romans 5:1-5.

     1Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. 3And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? If you die today, do you know for sure that you would be with God in heaven? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

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Consequences of Sin, False Prophets / Teachers, Grace / Patience, Justice / Judgment, Prophecy, Righteousness / Serving God

The Day of the Lord Is Coming… Prepare Now!

Many today mock the return of the Lord Jesus, claiming that if He has not yet come, two thousand years after He died on the cross then He is not coming. They further rationalize, incorrectly, that He will not come at all and certainly not come in judgment of the ungodly. They confidently pursue after their own lusts and sinful desires without regard for the word of God or for God Himself.

Even some genuine believers begin to doubt the flawless nature of the Bible when confronted by mockers about the amount of time that has passed without Jesus’ return.

Would it surprise you that Jesus and His disciples knew this would happen?  In fact, Peter wrote about it in 2 Peter 3.

Purpose of This Letter

      1This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you in which I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, 2that you should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles.

The Coming Day of the Lord

      3Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, 4and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.” 5For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, 6through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water. 7But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

      8But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. 9The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

A New Heaven and Earth

      10But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.

      11Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! 13But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.

      14Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, 15and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, 16as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. 17You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, 18but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

Time from our perspective is different from that of God. We can not count time from our perspective and expect to fully anticipate God’s timing in fulfilling the prophecy. Further, God’s motives are higher than our motives. His delay is not because He forgot… it is not because He is just slow… it is because He is patient and loves us. I know personally that if God would have brought about the end of the age 15 years ago, I would be in Hell for all eternity. But now, through His grace, I have hope in the promise of Heaven with Him.

Many try to predict when the end of the age will come… to what purpose? God tells us we will not know when it comes… it will come like a thief in the night. We can not wait to predict it in order to prepare for it. As God’s righteous people, we must prepare now!

Through Jesus Christ we may be found in peace, spotless and blameless… prepared for His return. (Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.) Take heed of the warning from Peter that there will be many errors and wrong teaching about the word of God by unprincipled men. We are forewarned and should take action to prepare ourselves through prayer and consistent study of the scriptures. We must learn to discern truth from fiction in regards to God’s word. Laziness on our part to study the word is no excuse for living an unrighteous life.  Through prayer and study, we can grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As we grow in knowledge, we must also apply it continually to our lives, to transform ourselves away from our selfish nature and to become more like Jesus Christ.

Even if you do not believe the end of the age is coming during your lifetime, you will be judged based on your relationship with Jesus (or lack of a relationship) when you reach the end of your life… and none of our tomorrow’s are promised. Studies show that 5 out of 5 people die… and they do not all know ahead of time when that will take place. Prepare now!

Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? If you die today, do you know for sure that you would be with God in heaven? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? If you die today, do you know for sure that you would be with God in heaven? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

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Blessed, Character of God, Righteousness / Serving God, Suffering / Adversity

Experience Victory Regardless of Circumstances

Genesis 39 is truly an incredible tribute to Joseph and to the blessings of living according to God’s way rather than that of the world. Joseph is sold into slavery by his brothers, yet resists harboring resentment and bitterness as the focal point of his life. He moves on, focuses on the good, serves his new master faithfully and competently. God is with Joseph and blesses him such that he succeeds and he is given much authority. Then it seems the pattern repeats. Joseph is betrayed by Potiphar’s lying wife and again he loses everything ending up in jail. Again, God is with Joseph and he succeeds and finds favor amongst those in charge.

Joseph’s Success in Egypt

      1Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an Egyptian officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the bodyguard, bought him from the Ishmaelites, who had taken him down there. 2The LORD was with Joseph, so he became a successful man. And he was in the house of his master, the Egyptian. 3Now his master saw that the LORD was with him and how the LORD caused all that he did to prosper in his hand. 4So Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal servant; and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he owned he put in his charge. 5It came about that from the time he made him overseer in his house and over all that he owned, the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house on account of Joseph; thus the LORD’S blessing was upon all that he owned, in the house and in the field. 6So he left everything he owned in Joseph’s charge; and with him there he did not concern himself with anything except the food which he ate. Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance. 7It came about after these events that his master’s wife looked with desire at Joseph, and she said, “Lie with me.” 8But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “Behold, with me here, my master does not concern himself with anything in the house, and he has put all that he owns in my charge. 9“There is no one greater in this house than I, and he has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do this great evil and sin against God?” 10As she spoke to Joseph day after day, he did not listen to her to lie beside her or be with her. 11Now it happened one day that he went into the house to do his work, and none of the men of the household was there inside. 12She caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me!” And he left his garment in her hand and fled, and went outside. 13When she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and had fled outside, 14she called to the men of her household and said to them, “See, he has brought in a Hebrew to us to make sport of us; he came in to me to lie with me, and I screamed. 15“When he heard that I raised my voice and screamed, he left his garment beside me and fled and went outside.” 16So she left his garment beside her until his master came home. 17Then she spoke to him with these words, “The Hebrew slave, whom you brought to us, came in to me to make sport of me; 18and as I raised my voice and screamed, he left his garment beside me and fled outside.”

Joseph Imprisoned

      19Now when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spoke to him, saying, “This is what your slave did to me,” his anger burned. 20So Joseph’s master took him and put him into the jail, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined; and he was there in the jail. 21But the LORD was with Joseph and extended kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the chief jailer. 22The chief jailer committed to Joseph’s charge all the prisoners who were in the jail; so that whatever was done there, he was responsible for it. 23The chief jailer did not supervise anything under Joseph’s charge because the LORD was with him; and whatever he did, the LORD made to prosper.

Joseph could easily have shut down and harbored bitterness and hatred as the focal point of his life. He did not. Instead he kept working hard and living according to God’s instruction. He was a righteous man through much suffering. Because of this, God remained with Joseph and continued to turn for good what others meant for harm.

None of us pray for difficulties and problems. However, we should expect to experience them in our lives in this imperfect, fallen world.  As followers of Jesus, pray with me that God would help us to have the attitude and faithfulness that Joseph demonstrated through many difficult situations across many years. Pray that God will use us as he used Joseph.

If you are not yet a follower of Jesus, would you like to understand how someone who experienced such hardship as Joseph could maintain such a positive attitude and succeed even through terrible betrayal? The answer is a personal relationship with God.

Learn more about submitting your life to Jesus and trusting in Him through adversity. Find out how it can transform your life from defeat to victory regardless of circumstances. Free yourself from bondage to sin. Experience true freedom in Jesus Christ. Read more – The Message of the Cross.

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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? If you die today, do you know for sure that you would be with God in heaven? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

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