Imagine having a dream of future greatness and blessings in your youth. Imagine the excitement and anticipation you would feel at the memory of such a dream. What would you do if your life took a turn for the worse and the dream seemed as though it were a cruel illusion? The story of Joseph is the journey of faith. It is a faith refined, stretched and transformed into a great testimony of the faithfulness of God. It is a story of the Long Journey Travelled.
The main characters in this story are Joseph, his brothers, and their father Jacob (also known as Israel). Joseph held a special place in his father's heart. "Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age," Genesis 37:3. His brothers were envious of him. God gave Joseph two dreams which he told to his brothers. "There we were, binding sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and indeed your sheaves stood all around bowed down to my sheaf," Genesis 37:7 ; "The sun, the moon and the eleven stars bowed down to me," Genesis 37:9.
Joseph's brothers, blind with envy, sold him to slave traders. He became a slave in Egypt. His journey was wrought with pain, rejection, deception and hope. He became the chief overseer of Potiphar's house because he resigned himself to do the best in his current situation as a slave in his home. He held onto his beliefs in the God of his forefathers and rejected the advances of Potiphar's wife. He was falsely accused and cast into prison for many years. Yet when the Lord gave him the interpretation of the butler and baker's dreams, he told them in faith. Eventually Pharaoh had a dream and Joseph was brought to interpret it. Joseph became the most powerful man in Egypt as result, second only to Pharaoh. He prepared the land to survive the impending famine that Pharaoh's dream foretold.
When the brothers who betrayed him came to bow down at his feet to seek food, a gamut of emotions washed over him, yet Joseph was able to say, "But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here: for God sent me before you to preserve life," Genesis 45:5. "So now it was not you who sent me here but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt," Genesis 45:8. Jacob was so overwhelmed with the news that his favourite son was not dead but in fact alive that when his sons told him the truth about Joseph, "Jacob's heart stood still, because he did not believe them," Genesis 45:26.
Imagine the journey each man travelled. Despite the unexpected twists and turns, God's promise remained constant. God's blessing came in like a mighty flood, washing over all the pain of the past. As it was with Joseph, so it is with us. God has promised us eternal life through Jesus Christ, so let us travel the long journey ahead in hope and faith. "Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal,"
2 Corinthians 4:16-18.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Talk Tuesday-What Will Be Written About Us?
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1
Are you feeling weary and discouraged? You KNOW that God has made you a promise, yet you find yourself still straining ahead to catch just a glimpse of your future blessing? The Apostle Paul makes a very bold statement, "For we walk by faith, not by sight," 2 Corinthians 5:7. Ours is a journey of faith and in this culture of instant gratification, that is not an easy thing. The Potter has great plans for the clay. God molds and shapes us into vessels of honour for the fulfillment of His Kingdom purposes. The question is, 'Do we TRUST Him?'
Hebrews Chapter 11 tells us about the faith of the patriarchs. Abel offered a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by faith in knowing that God was who He said He was. Enoch did not die but was taken up to heaven by faith in pleasing God during His life. Noah built the ark by faith in God who warned him of the coming flood. Abraham obeyed God in faith knowing that God would do as He promised. "By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches that the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward," Hebrews 11: 24-26.
What will be written about us? Let us encourage one another to persevere BY FAITH.
"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:1-2
Are you feeling weary and discouraged? You KNOW that God has made you a promise, yet you find yourself still straining ahead to catch just a glimpse of your future blessing? The Apostle Paul makes a very bold statement, "For we walk by faith, not by sight," 2 Corinthians 5:7. Ours is a journey of faith and in this culture of instant gratification, that is not an easy thing. The Potter has great plans for the clay. God molds and shapes us into vessels of honour for the fulfillment of His Kingdom purposes. The question is, 'Do we TRUST Him?'
Hebrews Chapter 11 tells us about the faith of the patriarchs. Abel offered a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by faith in knowing that God was who He said He was. Enoch did not die but was taken up to heaven by faith in pleasing God during His life. Noah built the ark by faith in God who warned him of the coming flood. Abraham obeyed God in faith knowing that God would do as He promised. "By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches that the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward," Hebrews 11: 24-26.
What will be written about us? Let us encourage one another to persevere BY FAITH.
"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:1-2
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Talk Tuesday-Tell The World
We recently celebrated 9 years of marriage. My husband creatively presented me with 9 envelopes which contained 9 days of adventures to commemorate our time together. Needless to say, I gave God praise and thanks for such faithfulness and mercy in choosing my husband for me, and not allowing me to choose for myself...but that's a discussion for another Talk Tuesday. Each envelope contained a clue as to the location of our next date. When I opened Day 2 it read, 'Taking you higher.' Well, I immediately guessed...the CN Tower! Yes, I was right and excited.
The CN Tower is the the world's tallest Tower, standing at 553.33m or 1,815ft, 5 inches. My husband took me up to the Look Out Level, as the dusky sky reflected the last rays of the sleeping sun. I looked out at the breathtaking view of the city of Toronto. What I didn't share with my husband was that as I looked out at the sleeping city, with its many lights telling the story of the lives below, my heart began to grieve. Last week, two people I knew, in their early 40s, had passed away. My heart ached for their families and loved ones-those left behind to pick up the pieces of a life transformed by loss. I asked myself, "Did they know Jesus?"
You see, the Bible makes such bold claims regarding those who die in Christ:
"For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him." 1 Thessalonians 4:14
"We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord." 2 Corinthians 5:8
"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." Philippians 1:21
"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" 1 Corinthians 15:55
We made our way down to the Observation Deck, and after a rather nerve-wracking tour on the gated outer-level, we waited by the elevator for our turn to return to ground level. Suddenly, a woman with a kindly face approached me, as I sat in my wheelchair waiting. It was a rather long day and on those odd occasions, my legs do not function as I would like them to, and this was one of those days. She asked me what was wrong. Then she asked me if I knew Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour. She offered to pray for me, for God's healing. As we spoke, I realized that God had sent His messenger, a missionary all the way from Kenya who was visiting Toronto, to tell me this message, "We have to tell people about Jesus." She began to speak into our lives by the power of the Holy Spirit, stirring up dreams that we quietly prayed about to the Lord. She said, "No matter how much technological advances man make, they still need to know Jesus."
I paused because the Lord addressed the pain I was guarding in my heart. His message to me, and to all of His children is to, 'Tell the world about Jesus.'
The CN Tower is the the world's tallest Tower, standing at 553.33m or 1,815ft, 5 inches. My husband took me up to the Look Out Level, as the dusky sky reflected the last rays of the sleeping sun. I looked out at the breathtaking view of the city of Toronto. What I didn't share with my husband was that as I looked out at the sleeping city, with its many lights telling the story of the lives below, my heart began to grieve. Last week, two people I knew, in their early 40s, had passed away. My heart ached for their families and loved ones-those left behind to pick up the pieces of a life transformed by loss. I asked myself, "Did they know Jesus?"
You see, the Bible makes such bold claims regarding those who die in Christ:
"For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him." 1 Thessalonians 4:14
"We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord." 2 Corinthians 5:8
"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." Philippians 1:21
"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" 1 Corinthians 15:55
We made our way down to the Observation Deck, and after a rather nerve-wracking tour on the gated outer-level, we waited by the elevator for our turn to return to ground level. Suddenly, a woman with a kindly face approached me, as I sat in my wheelchair waiting. It was a rather long day and on those odd occasions, my legs do not function as I would like them to, and this was one of those days. She asked me what was wrong. Then she asked me if I knew Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour. She offered to pray for me, for God's healing. As we spoke, I realized that God had sent His messenger, a missionary all the way from Kenya who was visiting Toronto, to tell me this message, "We have to tell people about Jesus." She began to speak into our lives by the power of the Holy Spirit, stirring up dreams that we quietly prayed about to the Lord. She said, "No matter how much technological advances man make, they still need to know Jesus."
I paused because the Lord addressed the pain I was guarding in my heart. His message to me, and to all of His children is to, 'Tell the world about Jesus.'
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Monday, August 15, 2011
Talk Tuesday-In The Shadow of Death
"It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of everyone; the living should take this to heart," Ecclesiastes 7:2.
We recently attended a funeral where we heard the following sermon preached, "Each day you are living brings you closer to death. Live your life for Christ so that when you die in Him, you will live with Him forever." These were very sobering, powerful words. I began to ponder the meaning of this, reflecting on my own life. The temptation to live for 'self' is always there, beckoning, enticing and attempting to waylay our desire to live for Christ. Jesus tells us that He has come to give us life, "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly," John 10:10.
Then He teaches us about what is required:
"Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?" Luke 9:23-25
I am reminded to take stock of my life, to persevere, to ask for help when I fall and receive the hand of mercy and grace God so readily extends in the brokenness of my spirit. Even when times seem hard, He is always near. His love is so deep, His faithfulness so limitless, His grace so wide and His mercy so great that He stands always ready to lift us up, bind us up, heal us and send us forth to be His hands of love upon this earth. So, instead of looking to ourselves, let us look to Him expectantly. Continue to walk in love and obedience, pursuing the higher call of Christ. Let us walk with Him, even in the shadow of death.
"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who set Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life," John 5:24
We recently attended a funeral where we heard the following sermon preached, "Each day you are living brings you closer to death. Live your life for Christ so that when you die in Him, you will live with Him forever." These were very sobering, powerful words. I began to ponder the meaning of this, reflecting on my own life. The temptation to live for 'self' is always there, beckoning, enticing and attempting to waylay our desire to live for Christ. Jesus tells us that He has come to give us life, "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly," John 10:10.
Then He teaches us about what is required:
"Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?" Luke 9:23-25
I am reminded to take stock of my life, to persevere, to ask for help when I fall and receive the hand of mercy and grace God so readily extends in the brokenness of my spirit. Even when times seem hard, He is always near. His love is so deep, His faithfulness so limitless, His grace so wide and His mercy so great that He stands always ready to lift us up, bind us up, heal us and send us forth to be His hands of love upon this earth. So, instead of looking to ourselves, let us look to Him expectantly. Continue to walk in love and obedience, pursuing the higher call of Christ. Let us walk with Him, even in the shadow of death.
"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who set Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life," John 5:24
"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come...So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him." Matthew 24: 42 & 44
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Prayer Wall - August
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