One of my favorite stories in the Bible is the story of Joseph. It has all the makings of a great soap opera (jealousy, anger, betrayal, sexual tension, and the rags to riches plot that we all love). But there is so much more to the story. More than is traditionally told in Sunday School. It's about leaving no room for sin. Let's do a quick review.
The Joseph Run-Down
Joseph was the beloved son of Jacob (Israel). It was clear that Jacob loved Joseph more than all his other sons. Scripture says Jacob loved Joseph because he was the son of his old age (Genesis 37:3-4). While I believe this is true, I, also, think Jacob loved Joseph because his true love, Rachael, gave birth to him. (Remember: Leah, Jacob's first wife, was a result of the old bait and switch trick by his Uncle Laban.) Anyway, Joseph experienced a prophetic dream in which his whole family bowed down to him (Genesis 37:5-11). This, along with a multi-colored coat which identified him as his father's favorite, cemented the jealousy and hatred his brothers felt for him. When the opportunity arose, his brothers cast him into a pit and sold him in to slavery(Genesis 37:23-24, 28).
In Egypt, Joseph was purchased by Potiphar, one of Pharaoh's officials, the manager of Pharaoh's household. God anointed Joseph in his duties, and Potiphar became very fond of him. Joseph became Potiphar's personal assistant and had complete run of Potiphar's house. Now, this is where the story gets really interesting:
(Genesis 39: 6-15)
6-7 Joseph was a strikingly handsome man. As time went on, his master's wife became infatuated with Joseph and one day said, "Sleep with me."
8-9 He wouldn't do it. He said to his master's wife, "Look, with me here, my master doesn't give a second thought to anything that goes on here—he's put me in charge of everything he owns. He treats me as an equal. The only thing he hasn't turned over to me is you. You're his wife, after all! How could I violate his trust and sin against God?" 10 She pestered him day after day after day, but he stood his ground. He refused to go to bed with her. 11-15 On one of these days he came to the house to do his work and none of the household servants happened to be there. She grabbed him by his cloak, saying, "Sleep with me!" He left his coat in her hand and ran out of the house. When she realized that he had left his coat in her hand and run outside, she called to her house servants: "Look—this Hebrew shows up and before you know it he's trying to seduce us. He tried to make love to me but I yelled as loud as I could. With all my yelling and screaming, he left his coat beside me here and ran outside."
"Run, Joseph, Run"
Looking through carnal eyes, Joseph had a right to sin. He was a great kid. Honored God and his parents. Based upon his prophetic dream, Joseph was slated to be in some serious leadership role. Instead of great things happening to Joseph, he was despised by his brothers and sold for a price. Joseph was stripped from his mother's love and father's protection. Then, he was sold as a slave. While it was true he'd garnered favor from Potiphar, it still wasn't the same as having complete freedom. He wasn't allowed to run his own life. Scripture doesn't speak of Joseph having a social life or love interest. There were still so many limitations!
If anybody had a reason to sin, wouldn't it be Joseph? Seemingly, God had allowed him to be robbed of his parents and his freedom. Being obedient to God hadn't quite paid off in the way he'd imagined. Now, this woman is throwing herself at him day after day. She was his for the taking (if he wanted her)! Don't you think Joseph may have considered the offer for a split second? There's a good chance he did. I don't know many heterosexual males that wouldn't have considered the opportunity. However, instead of giving in to temptation, he ran for his life!
Don't I Have a Reason to Sin?
Did you know there are times Christians feel they have a right to sin? They feel they've tried to play by the rules and nothing has worked out for them. Their mind says, "Lord, I waited for you. I prayed, fasted, and honored you in every way I knew how. I believed what you showed me in my spirit, dreams, visions, and through your Word. Nothing has come to pass. Following you hasn't worked out for me."
The truth is you will never earn the right to sin. As a Believer, we are to avoid sin because we love God more. God sacrificed His best for us; we should give Him our best. If God doesn't give us what we want when we want, we shouldn't throw away His code of conduct. Don't we see this so many times?
God, you didn't bring me my husband, so I deserve to pick my own!
God, my wife isn't sexually satisfying me, so I deserve to have an affair!
God, my boss isn't paying me my fair wages, so I deserve to skim a little off the top!
It goes on and on. God doesn't give us what we want, so we rationalize our disobedience. Look at Abraham and Sara. God promised them an heir in their old age. Sara couldn't wait and took matters in to her own hands. She allowed Abraham to sleep with Hagar (Notice he didn't refuse the proposal, but that's another topic for another day). Hagar gave birth to Ishmael. Then, Sara gave birth to Issac. To this very day, the lineage of Issac and Ishmael still have a heavy disdain for each other.
What would happen if we just trusted God? Yes, it can be very hard. There are things that we long for. Remember that God has something special just for you! Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." However, deciding to sin is never a beneficial resolution to the issue. Sin equals death. It could be physical death, relational death, financial death, death of peace, etc. Something has to die.
One More Thing
Just in case you want to use the "I just couldn't help myself !" excuse please remember God always provides a way of escape. I Corinthians 10:13 states, "No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help you come through it." In other words, RUN! JUMP! HOBBLE! Do whatever you have to do to remove yourself from the situation. If it's pornography, turn the cable and Internet off. If it's gluttony, throw all the fattening food away. If it's gossip, place yourself on a silence fast. He always provides a way out; you just have to choose to take it. The way out may not be easy. It may not be pleasant. But it is critical! In spite of what Joseph's body told him, he ran! In spite of how fine she looked that day, he ran! He ran from sin and to God.
Happily Ever After
Joseph went through trials after making this critical decision. He endured false accusations and imprisonment, but oh my in the end! In the end, he was promoted to second-in-command under Pharaoh. He was reunited with his family. God used him to deliver his people from starvation. Joseph gained much wealth. He married and had children of his own to love. His obedience gave new life to him and the people connected to him.
Dear Child of God,
I know it seems hard right now. Nothing is working out how you thought it would. You've prayed but the heavens are as brass. Don't be discouraged. God gave His very best (Jesus) just so you wouldn't be eternally separated from Him. He hears your prayers. This is a faith walk. Yet, will you trust Him. Pass your test. Prepare for your breakthrough.
I do love you,
Dapoet
Monday, August 20, 2012
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Who's Steering the Ship?
Acts 1:6-10
They [Paul and Timothy] went to Phrygia, and then on through the region of Galatia. Their plan was to turn west into Asia province, but the Holy Spirit blocked that route. So they went to Mysia and tried to go north to Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus wouldn't let them go there either. Proceeding on through Mysia, they went down to the seaport Troas.
That night Paul had a dream: A Macedonian stood on the far shore and called across the sea, "Come over to Macedonia and help us!" The dream gave Paul his map. We went to work at once getting things ready to cross over to Macedonia. All the pieces had come together. We knew now for sure that God had called us to preach the good news to the Europeans.
In the Beginning
One of the most exciting times of my life was when I truly decided to surrender my life to God. Although I was raised a Christian, I did not spend my childhood and teenage years active in the faith. I went to parochial school, so I was familiar with the Bible. Ocassionally, I went to church, so I was familiar with the "church" experience. But I had never developed a real relationship with God. It wasn't until my early adult years that I realized I had no idea how to run my life. A series of painful experiences had cemented that fact firmly in my head. I knew it was time to go back to basics.
Amazing things happened when I recommitted my life to Christ. God answered my prayers faster than delivery from Domino's Pizza. Wow! Is this what serving God is like? Instant answers! Why didn't I recommit years ago? This went on for the first few years of my renewed walk with the Lord. God was so clear and things moved so fast that I became the modern day Gideon seeing the fleece wet and dry (See Judges 6). Unfortunately, this didn't last forever. The instant responses and miracles I experienced from God had longer intermissions. I was no longer a Baby Christian. What's a Baby Christian? It's a person that needs results quickly or they will stop believing in God. Think about it. Babies need to be fed every couple of hours. When they are hungry, they kick, scream, and have a full out tantrum until their needs are met; however, as the child grows older, they understand that there are set times to eat (breakfast, lunch, and dinner). There is no longer a need to scream and shout. At the appointed time, the child will get what they need. It's like that in our walk with Christ. I was no longer a baby; it was time to grow up.
From Milk to Meat
I would be a liar if I told you I didn't like the taste of milk. Instant gratification is a wonderful feeling but a poor character builder. To trust God, you have to go through something! You have to encounter something that appears bigger than you and in which your efforts seem futile. You have to wait for God and keep your ears close to Heaven for His direction. It is in these times that you do what you can but leave plenty of room for God to intervene.
The Apostle Paul was on fire for God. He loved God with every fiber of his being and sought to share the Gospel of Christ to the world. After all, Christ commanded that the Word of God be taught to the ends of the Earth. In Acts 16, this is clearly what Paul sought to do. He made a plan of where he felt he wanted to go, "They [Paul and Timothy] went to Phrygia, and then on through the region of Galatia. Their plan was to turn west into Asia province..." (Acts 16:6). However, the Holy Spirit barred them from taking that particular route, "but the Holy Spirit blocked that route." Notice that the Holy Spirit blocked the route but didn't tell Paul and Timothy where to go instead. Less mature Christians would've had a breakdown at this point. The monologue would go a little something like this, "God, you told me to preach your Word to the Earth. I studied, planned, and am ready to preach. Now, you block me from completing the mission. Plus, you won't even tell me where you want me to go." Paul did none of this. Instead, he simply changed course, "So they went to Mysia and tried to go north to Bithynia..." (Acts 16:7). Again, the Holy Spirit blocked their way, "but the Spirit of Jesus wouldn't let them go there either." Wow! Twice Paul and Timothy did what they thought God wanted them to do; twice they were stopped.
Dinner is Served
Paul and Timothy could've been discouraged by the blocking of the Holy Spirit. They could've turned around and went home. I mean let's keep it real. The ships they sailed on were not cruise ships. Paul and Timothy weren't on the deck of the S.S. Carnival sunbathing while eating lox and sipping virgin pina coladas. This journey was far from a vacation. Moreover, they didn't see themselves as failures because they were heading in the wrong direction. Instead, they believed God would direct them at the appointed time, "That night Paul had a dream: A Macedonian stood on the far shore and called across the sea, "Come over to Macedonia and help us!" The dream gave Paul his map. We went to work at once getting things ready to cross over to Macedonia. All the pieces had come together. We knew now for sure that God had called us to preach the good news to the Europeans" (Acts 16:9-10). Paul and Timothy let God steer the ship. They understood that they were on God's time.
So often, we give God our timeline. God you know I need this done by such and such a date. God's Blackberry isn't broken. He doesn't need a personal assistant to remind Him when something is needed. What He is trying to do is make you trust Him. Will you trust him in the 23rd hour and the 59th minute? Do you believe that He is working in the midst of the silence? He is working on your behalf.
While I'm Waiting
What do you do while you are waiting?
1. Live. Too many times, people stop living while their waiting on God. Trust me. God doesn't work any faster because you stop living. He doesn't move up His plan because you're having a tantrum and refusing to do anything else until He answers.
2. Stay Connected. Continue to keep your spiritual ears sharp by staying in the Word of God and praying. By staying in the Word, your spirit man remains encouraged. And no doubt about it, when God finally speaks to you, you WILL hear Him.
3. Be Thankful. I know it's hard to see waiting as a blessing but it is. It's really a promotion. This is God saying that you're ready to go to the next level. He's watched you grow, and it's time to take the training wheels off. When the training wheels come off, God allows and trusts you to go farther and encounter new environments.
Child of God,
You can do it! I believe in you. More importantly, God believes in you! Live. Stay Connected. Be Thankful. Watch God move on your behalf!
They [Paul and Timothy] went to Phrygia, and then on through the region of Galatia. Their plan was to turn west into Asia province, but the Holy Spirit blocked that route. So they went to Mysia and tried to go north to Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus wouldn't let them go there either. Proceeding on through Mysia, they went down to the seaport Troas.
That night Paul had a dream: A Macedonian stood on the far shore and called across the sea, "Come over to Macedonia and help us!" The dream gave Paul his map. We went to work at once getting things ready to cross over to Macedonia. All the pieces had come together. We knew now for sure that God had called us to preach the good news to the Europeans.
In the Beginning
One of the most exciting times of my life was when I truly decided to surrender my life to God. Although I was raised a Christian, I did not spend my childhood and teenage years active in the faith. I went to parochial school, so I was familiar with the Bible. Ocassionally, I went to church, so I was familiar with the "church" experience. But I had never developed a real relationship with God. It wasn't until my early adult years that I realized I had no idea how to run my life. A series of painful experiences had cemented that fact firmly in my head. I knew it was time to go back to basics.
Amazing things happened when I recommitted my life to Christ. God answered my prayers faster than delivery from Domino's Pizza. Wow! Is this what serving God is like? Instant answers! Why didn't I recommit years ago? This went on for the first few years of my renewed walk with the Lord. God was so clear and things moved so fast that I became the modern day Gideon seeing the fleece wet and dry (See Judges 6). Unfortunately, this didn't last forever. The instant responses and miracles I experienced from God had longer intermissions. I was no longer a Baby Christian. What's a Baby Christian? It's a person that needs results quickly or they will stop believing in God. Think about it. Babies need to be fed every couple of hours. When they are hungry, they kick, scream, and have a full out tantrum until their needs are met; however, as the child grows older, they understand that there are set times to eat (breakfast, lunch, and dinner). There is no longer a need to scream and shout. At the appointed time, the child will get what they need. It's like that in our walk with Christ. I was no longer a baby; it was time to grow up.
From Milk to Meat
I would be a liar if I told you I didn't like the taste of milk. Instant gratification is a wonderful feeling but a poor character builder. To trust God, you have to go through something! You have to encounter something that appears bigger than you and in which your efforts seem futile. You have to wait for God and keep your ears close to Heaven for His direction. It is in these times that you do what you can but leave plenty of room for God to intervene.
The Apostle Paul was on fire for God. He loved God with every fiber of his being and sought to share the Gospel of Christ to the world. After all, Christ commanded that the Word of God be taught to the ends of the Earth. In Acts 16, this is clearly what Paul sought to do. He made a plan of where he felt he wanted to go, "They [Paul and Timothy] went to Phrygia, and then on through the region of Galatia. Their plan was to turn west into Asia province..." (Acts 16:6). However, the Holy Spirit barred them from taking that particular route, "but the Holy Spirit blocked that route." Notice that the Holy Spirit blocked the route but didn't tell Paul and Timothy where to go instead. Less mature Christians would've had a breakdown at this point. The monologue would go a little something like this, "God, you told me to preach your Word to the Earth. I studied, planned, and am ready to preach. Now, you block me from completing the mission. Plus, you won't even tell me where you want me to go." Paul did none of this. Instead, he simply changed course, "So they went to Mysia and tried to go north to Bithynia..." (Acts 16:7). Again, the Holy Spirit blocked their way, "but the Spirit of Jesus wouldn't let them go there either." Wow! Twice Paul and Timothy did what they thought God wanted them to do; twice they were stopped.
Dinner is Served
Paul and Timothy could've been discouraged by the blocking of the Holy Spirit. They could've turned around and went home. I mean let's keep it real. The ships they sailed on were not cruise ships. Paul and Timothy weren't on the deck of the S.S. Carnival sunbathing while eating lox and sipping virgin pina coladas. This journey was far from a vacation. Moreover, they didn't see themselves as failures because they were heading in the wrong direction. Instead, they believed God would direct them at the appointed time, "That night Paul had a dream: A Macedonian stood on the far shore and called across the sea, "Come over to Macedonia and help us!" The dream gave Paul his map. We went to work at once getting things ready to cross over to Macedonia. All the pieces had come together. We knew now for sure that God had called us to preach the good news to the Europeans" (Acts 16:9-10). Paul and Timothy let God steer the ship. They understood that they were on God's time.
So often, we give God our timeline. God you know I need this done by such and such a date. God's Blackberry isn't broken. He doesn't need a personal assistant to remind Him when something is needed. What He is trying to do is make you trust Him. Will you trust him in the 23rd hour and the 59th minute? Do you believe that He is working in the midst of the silence? He is working on your behalf.
While I'm Waiting
What do you do while you are waiting?
1. Live. Too many times, people stop living while their waiting on God. Trust me. God doesn't work any faster because you stop living. He doesn't move up His plan because you're having a tantrum and refusing to do anything else until He answers.
2. Stay Connected. Continue to keep your spiritual ears sharp by staying in the Word of God and praying. By staying in the Word, your spirit man remains encouraged. And no doubt about it, when God finally speaks to you, you WILL hear Him.
3. Be Thankful. I know it's hard to see waiting as a blessing but it is. It's really a promotion. This is God saying that you're ready to go to the next level. He's watched you grow, and it's time to take the training wheels off. When the training wheels come off, God allows and trusts you to go farther and encounter new environments.
Child of God,
You can do it! I believe in you. More importantly, God believes in you! Live. Stay Connected. Be Thankful. Watch God move on your behalf!
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