Reading through Genesis (41-47) with the kids, I was given new insight while studying the 7-year famine that came upon the land during Joseph’s time with Pharaoh. With our economy having been in its own recession/depression these last few years, I can’t help but make a connection to the Egyptian government of the time.
While the people in the land continued to lose their money and their livestock (likely a source of income), Pharaoh continued to gain under the plans Joseph had set forth. The government continued to grow in power and authority until eventually the people had to sell themselves and their land to survive. From then on, the Egyptian government owned them (so to speak).
For fear of their lives (fear being a keyword here), the people had no choice but to turn to the government. The Lord delivered Joseph and his family, though, from the famine that swept the land. In the midst of total loss all around, Joseph rose to a position of great authority and Jacob and his sons were blessed with land, livestock and all they needed to grow their estates.
In a country with a similar economic downturn and a government increasing in ultimate power and authority, Do you know where your help comes from? Does it come from the Lord, on whom we can always depend, who is ever-Faithful, who will not suffer to see His seed begging bread (Ps 37:25)? Or does it come from the government, on an economy that is bound to fail and will never truly provide for its people?
2 Tim 2:13 says, "If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself." God’s very nature is to be faithful—whether we believe or not. Our actions, our thoughts, our beliefs do not change the character of God. His Word is truth—God is not a man that He should lie (Num 23:19). Our lives—our finances, our families, our jobs, our every care—can be committed to Him, knowing that He is Jehovah Jirah: the Lord Who Provides; for He is able to keep that which we commit unto him (2 Tim 1:12).
God used Joseph’s bondage in Egypt to fulfill His purpose and ultimate plan, while keeping His children through times of despair. “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” (Rom 8:28).
Monday, June 21, 2010
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Don't Forget the Love
If there's one thing you don't ever forget in this life, let it be the truth that Jesus is the one who sets us free--not religion, not church itself, not even your work inside the church. It was through the love of God that Jesus hung on the cross to bear all of our iniquities, that we might be set free. Jesus said, I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, and the truth shall make you free. Nothing else in this world holds that kind of power.
If you're bound--unable to experience real freedom in your soul, freedom in your emotions, if you need freedom from the obvious--drugs, alcohol, relationships, etc., or from the not so obvious--fear, depression, self-hatred, ask Jesus to show you His bond-breaking love. He can show you true freedom.
None of us is really worthy of what God offers, but He gives to us anyhow. His love runs that deep. He shed His blood knowing that we would despise Him at some point, knowing that we are weak and without His strength we cannot stand. He knows everything already, the deepest part of our hearts--good, bad or indifferent--and He's calling you anyway. He knows the true value of your soul and loves you as His precious creation.
If you have been bound and set free through the love of Jesus, you have every reason to shout Hallelujah, raise up holy hands, and sing His praises!
If you're bound--unable to experience real freedom in your soul, freedom in your emotions, if you need freedom from the obvious--drugs, alcohol, relationships, etc., or from the not so obvious--fear, depression, self-hatred, ask Jesus to show you His bond-breaking love. He can show you true freedom.
None of us is really worthy of what God offers, but He gives to us anyhow. His love runs that deep. He shed His blood knowing that we would despise Him at some point, knowing that we are weak and without His strength we cannot stand. He knows everything already, the deepest part of our hearts--good, bad or indifferent--and He's calling you anyway. He knows the true value of your soul and loves you as His precious creation.
If you have been bound and set free through the love of Jesus, you have every reason to shout Hallelujah, raise up holy hands, and sing His praises!
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
The Choice
“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Josh 24:15)
Make the choice, God tells us.
“I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” (Rev 3:15-16)
Don't ride the fence. Make a choice, God tells us.
“Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them;” (Deut 11:16)
Serving our own desires has become our god. Bowing down and worshiping the things of this world has become our god.
As plain and simple as it can be…
“Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” (Ex 20:3)
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” (Deut 6:4-5)
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
We can’t ever say our Creator, the One true God, our eternal Savior didn’t tell us what He wanted, didn’t show us the path to salvation, didn’t give us everything we need to stand strong. We just have to make the choice…
Make the choice, God tells us.
“I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” (Rev 3:15-16)
Don't ride the fence. Make a choice, God tells us.
“Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them;” (Deut 11:16)
Serving our own desires has become our god. Bowing down and worshiping the things of this world has become our god.
As plain and simple as it can be…
“Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” (Ex 20:3)
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” (Deut 6:4-5)
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
We can’t ever say our Creator, the One true God, our eternal Savior didn’t tell us what He wanted, didn’t show us the path to salvation, didn’t give us everything we need to stand strong. We just have to make the choice…
Friday, June 11, 2010
Jesus Limited to English?
A conversation from earlier keeps running through my mind. Actually, what I keep pondering is a statement made by someone that the power of the name of Jesus lies only in the name as we, English speakers, know it. The point was made that people who speak other languages are to learn the English word “Jesus” just as someone would have to learn my name as “Amanda” in order for God’s power to be loosed.
Now, I understand that sometimes it’s hard to look outside our own cultural box when we’ve experienced little to nothing else, but to limit the power of God to only one culture or language is highly erroneous.
First of all, just to examine the origin of the books of the Bible—stemming from the Middle East to Asia, but nowhere in the western world—and the languages in which the scriptures were originally written—Hebrew, Greek, Aramaic—leaves little room for argument.
Secondly, God Himself created language. He created mankind to communicate in one language and then created diversity in language at the Tower of Babel (Gen 11:1-9). And when the apostles spoke in a multitude of languages at Pentecost (doubting, by the way, that English was one of those languages), each of the men present could understand in his native tongue because it was God, the Holy Ghost, speaking through them (Acts 2:4-8). God created all languages and God knows all languages.
This is such a nonsensical belief that it is not only difficult to understand how someone could maintain such a thought, but it is deeply saddening. To say that if someone doesn’t use the English word, “Jesus,” then they are denied the power thereof is to say that all the Christians martyred for His name’s sake during the first 1300 years (before the 1st English manuscripts of scripture emerged) died in vain. And what about the millions more Christians who don’t live in English speaking regions? It is to say they are denied the power of God even unto salvation and that is a gross deception.
I can’t even begin to think I understand the fullness of the power of God. But I do know that the Word of God is alive—in every language. It is not confined to one or another. The Holy Spirit, which guides us into all truth, is alive. He’s not confined to one part of the world or another. God, the Almighty, the infinite Creator of heaven and earth, the Alpha and the Omega, without beginning or end, cannot be confined to the depths of our own understanding or even our imaginations. He is the fulfillment of omnipotence (unlimited power & authority) and omniscience (unlimited knowledge & understanding). No language barrier can bridle the power that lies in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Now, I understand that sometimes it’s hard to look outside our own cultural box when we’ve experienced little to nothing else, but to limit the power of God to only one culture or language is highly erroneous.
First of all, just to examine the origin of the books of the Bible—stemming from the Middle East to Asia, but nowhere in the western world—and the languages in which the scriptures were originally written—Hebrew, Greek, Aramaic—leaves little room for argument.
Secondly, God Himself created language. He created mankind to communicate in one language and then created diversity in language at the Tower of Babel (Gen 11:1-9). And when the apostles spoke in a multitude of languages at Pentecost (doubting, by the way, that English was one of those languages), each of the men present could understand in his native tongue because it was God, the Holy Ghost, speaking through them (Acts 2:4-8). God created all languages and God knows all languages.
This is such a nonsensical belief that it is not only difficult to understand how someone could maintain such a thought, but it is deeply saddening. To say that if someone doesn’t use the English word, “Jesus,” then they are denied the power thereof is to say that all the Christians martyred for His name’s sake during the first 1300 years (before the 1st English manuscripts of scripture emerged) died in vain. And what about the millions more Christians who don’t live in English speaking regions? It is to say they are denied the power of God even unto salvation and that is a gross deception.
I can’t even begin to think I understand the fullness of the power of God. But I do know that the Word of God is alive—in every language. It is not confined to one or another. The Holy Spirit, which guides us into all truth, is alive. He’s not confined to one part of the world or another. God, the Almighty, the infinite Creator of heaven and earth, the Alpha and the Omega, without beginning or end, cannot be confined to the depths of our own understanding or even our imaginations. He is the fulfillment of omnipotence (unlimited power & authority) and omniscience (unlimited knowledge & understanding). No language barrier can bridle the power that lies in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Love Your Enemies
Love your enemies. As we’re commanded to love one another to show ourselves as Christ’s disciples indeed, so we are commanded to love our enemies. The love of Christ in us may be the only true love, the only unconditional, compassionate love that they may experience. Christ loved us when we were His enemies, for while we were yet sinners He died for us. What is our reward if we only love those that love us? Love your enemies, Jesus says, and your reward shall be great! If we exchange hate for hate, malice for malice, we are no different than the rest of the world. God says be ye holy for I am holy. Holiness isn’t only portrayed in our daily activities. Holiness is in our hearts and to whom and how our hearts are extended to others, “…learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart…” To show humility in forgiveness and love, instead of clinging to pride and stubbornness, brings us closer to the meekness of Christ. It unleashes the power of God through His love. The power to deliver, the power to heal, the power to save—for love covers a multitude of sins. Hallelujah! Thank you Jesus for Your unfailing love that covers my sins.
“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” (Matt 5:44).
“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” (Matt 5:44).
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