Month: April 2020

Joseph’s Dreams Fulfilled Part Three

~ jma47 ~ Leave a comment
Joseph had to tell his brothers twice who he was. Then he declared again God’s purpose in all his trials. Genesis 45:7 says, “And God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.”
 
Then Joseph sent them back to get his father and their families. Genesis 45:17-20 are Pharaoh’s words after he heard that Joseph’s brothers had come. Verse 20 says, “Also do not be concerned about your goods, for the best of all the land of Egypt is yours.”
 
When the brothers got back to Canaan, they told their father that Joseph was alive and that he was the governor over Egypt. Verse 26 says that Jacob’s heart stood still. His heart stopped in shock. Verse 27 says, that after they told him all and he saw the carts which Joseph had sent, “…the spirit of Jacob their father revived.”
 
Note: the entire family that went from Canaan to Egypt was 66 persons. 430 years later, the children of Israel could not be counted because there were so many.
 
God sent Joseph to preserve his family, who would become the twelve tribes of Israel to enter the promised land. Joseph’s dreams included the promise that the Lord made to Abraham. Genesis 15:5-6 says, “Then He brought him outside and said, Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them. And He said to him, So shall your descendants be. And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.”
 
Whatever the Lord speaks, He fulfills. Circumstances do not deter Him because He orchestrates them. His word will not return to Him void (Isaiah 55:11). He completes what He begins (Philippians 1:6). His timing is impeccable. His gifts and callings are irrevocable (Romans 11:29). He acts for those who wait for Him (Isaiah 64:4). He waits to be gracious to us (Isaiah 30:18).
 
As we shelter in, the temptations will rise to do something in our own strength, or to attempt to interpret what only the Lord knows. This time certainly brings out the hidden impatience. James 1:3 says to count this trial as joy. The JBP says to welcome it as friends.
 
Hebrews 10:26 is a great reminder. “For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.”

3 FREE Ebooks On Amazon

~ jma47 ~ 1 Comment

Here are 3 more ebooks FREE on Amazon today, Thursday, and Friday

Reviving Burned Stones: rejection recovery

Power of Thoughts: harnessing truth births inner transformation

Cracking the Code of Unforgiveness: letting go of past hurts

These short ebooks are from the first three chapters of my paperback entitled Victorious Garden: true heart forgiveness. I will be posting free ebooks off and on so you have something to read during this sheltering in time. These were all published in 2016.

Joseph’s Dreams Fulfilled Part Two

~ jma47 ~ Leave a comment
So many scenes unfolded as the Lord continued to fulfill Joseph’s dreams. No one obtained the stored grain without Joseph’s approval. Not only did they feed the Egyptians, but those who traveled from other areas.
 
Jacob was in Canaan. He sent his 10 oldest sons to buy grain. In Joseph’s dream his brothers bowed down to him. Genesis 42:6 says, “…And Joseph’s brothers came and bowed down before him with their faces to the earth.”
 
Joseph recognized them, but hide his identity from them. He accused them of being spies. They spilled the beans in verse 13. “And they said, Your servants are twelve brothers, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and in fact, the youngest is with our father today, and one is no more.”
 
Joseph put them in prison three days. Then he said that he would keep one brother in prison, and the rest would go home with grain. The condition was that they would bring their youngest brother.
 
The 10 brothers talked among themselves and Joseph heard them. Verse 24 says that he turned himself away from them and wept.
 
Simeon stayed in prison, and the rest went back. When they told Jacob what had happened he was upset that they said anything about Benjamin.
 
The grain that Joseph sent was used up and they were faced with the famine again. Jacob finally consented and sent Benjamin. There is much drama which you can read for yourselves.
 
Fast forward. Joseph saw his little brother. He sent everyone from him and revealed himself. Genesis 45:3 says, “Then Joseph said to his brothers, I am Joseph; does my father still live? But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed in his presence.”
 
Can’t you just imagine the shock? Verse 5 helps us understand Joseph’s perspective in his trials. It says, “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.”

Joseph’s Dreams Fulfilled

~ jma47 ~ Leave a comment
Pharaoh had two dreams. None of his magicians or wise men could interpret them. The butler remembered Joseph. He told Pharaoh there was a Hebrew in prison with him who interpreted dreams.
 
Genesis 41:14 says, “Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him quickly out of the dungeon; and he shaved, changed his clothing, and came to Pharaoh.”
 
Pharaoh’s dreams spoke of a coming famine. There would be seven good years, followed by seven years of severe famine. Joseph’s dreams fulfillment, became the answer to the impending disaster.
 
Verse 33 Joseph said, “Now therefore, let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man, and set his over the land of Egypt.” He went on to explicitly explain God’s plan.
 
Pharaoh placed Joseph over all the land. He gave him his signet ring, clothed him in garments of fine linen, and put a gold chain around his neck.
 
23 years after the dream, Jospeh was second in command of all the land of Egypt. Pharaoh gave him a wife. Verse 49 says, “Joseph gathered very much grain as the sand of the sea, until he stopped counting, for it was immeasurable.”
 
They had seven years of plenty. Joseph wisely stored provision for the coming seven years of famine. When the famine arrived, Joseph was prepared. Verse 56 says, “The famine was over all the face of the earth…And the famine became severe in the land of Egypt.”
 
Joseph had no clue that the impoverishing famine would connect him to his father and brothers. Remember back in Psalm 105, it said that God called for a famine. The Lord orchestrated every moment in Joseph’s life, just as He does ours.
 
Job 42:2 says, “I know that You can do everything, and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You.” God had to get Jacob and his extended family to Egypt, so 430 years later He could raise up Moses to lead the children of Israel into the promised land. All of history, as we know it, was divinely orchestrated. Our present pandemic is also. May the Lord’s purpose be fulfilled in our lives in this moment of history.
 

Developing Joseph’s Character

~ jma47 ~ Leave a comment
Joseph had two dreams when he was 17 years old. At that age, he did not have the maturity to step into the dreams. It took 23 years of trials that stretched, and trained him for the fulfillment.
 
His brothers sold him as a slave to a band of Midianite traders. They took him to Egypt and sold him to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard.
 
Genesis 39:2 says, “The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.” Verse 3 says that the Lord made all he did to prosper.
 
Joseph was set up by Potiphar’s wife. He fled the scene, but was thrown into the dungeon because of her false accusations. Joseph excelled in prison. Verse 22 says, “And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners who were in the prison.; whatever they did there, it was his doing.”
 
Two of the king’s servants offended him and he had them thrown into the prison where Joseph was. Note how attentive Joseph was. Even though he was in prison, he took his position seriously.
 
Joseph noticed one morning that the king’s butler and his baker were sad. He asked them why they looked so sad. They both told him their dreams which he interpreted.
 
In Genesis 40:14 he asked them to remember him when they were released. Verse 15 is the first mention of how Joseph felt about his trial. It says, “For indeed I was stolen away from the land of the Hebrews; and also I have done nothing here that they should put me into the dungeon.”
 
Genesis 42:21 in another glimpse of his trail. His brothers were speaking. It says, “…for we saw the anguish of his soul when he pleaded with us, and we would not hear…”
 
There is a great narrative in Psalm 105:16-20. It reveals for us God’s purpose, His tools, and the fulfillment. First He sent the famine. Verse 17-18 says, “He sent a man before them–Joseph–who was sold as a slave. They hurt his feet with fetters, he was laid in irons.”
 
Verse 19 is the purpose which is applicable for us as well. It says, “Until the time that his word came to pass, the word of the Lord tested him.” The Lord always tests the word He plants in our heart. It is His pattern for developing the character needed to fulfill His purpose. Ephesians 1:11 says that He works all things according to the counsel of His will.

Sowing Tenacity

~ jma47 ~ Leave a comment
Jacob refused to let go of the angel that was wrestling with him. Genesis 32:26 says, “And He said, Let Me go, for the day breaks. But he said, I will not let You go unless You bless me!”
 
Have you ever wrestled with God over an issue in your life? It is in the wrestling that the inner change comes. Jacob knew what the Lord had promised, and he was not going to give it up.
 
Circumstances in Jacob’s life were hard. He labored for a deceitful man. All the while he held onto God’s promise to take care of him and return him to his home place.
 
We do not wrestle with a physical angel as Jacob did. We wrestle with thoughts, mindsets, and strongholds. What God has said, He will do. There is no question.
 
However, we may play presumptuous scenes in our mind, or negative dialogue against a person or circumstances, or allow doubt, fear, or unbelief to creep in. Each one of these will begin the process of undermining our faith.
 
That is why Ephesians 6:16 says to take up the shield of faith. Only our faith will quench the fiery dart lies of the enemy. Here is another verse. 1 Thessalonians 5:8 says, “But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.”
 
The breastplate protects our heart which is our belief center. Anything done in our own strength will not be from love but from our own selfish ambitions. Love and faith are both persevering gifts from the Lord.
 
The helmet of salvation protects our minds. It is our anchor of hope in the storms of our life. 1 Corinthians 13:13 says, “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” Sowing tenacity is essential for us to finish well.

Futility of Presuming & Jacob’s Transformation

~ jma47 ~ Leave a comment
Futility of Presuming
 
Isaac presumed he was going to die. He sent his son Esau out to get game for him. Rebekah overheard and set up Jacob’s deceit. Jacob stole the blessing intended for Esau the firstborn.
 
Esau threatened to kill Jacob. Therefore, Rebekah sent Jacob away to her family to find a wife. Jacob worked for deceitful Laban for 20 years. When he fled Laban, he sent word to Esau that he was coming back.
 
Jacob’s servants told him that Esau was coming with 400 men. Jacob presumed the worst. Yet here is the reunion. Genesis 33:4 says, “But Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept.”
 
Not only did the brothers unite, but after Jacob got back he went to his father. Some twenty years had passed and Isaac was still alive! His original presumption of his impending death did not take place. Genesis 35:29 says, “Isaac breath his last and died, and was gathered to his people, being old and full of days. And his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.”
 
Jacob’s Transformation
 
Jacob’s name means supplanter or deceitful. As Esau was coming out of the womb, Jacob grabbed his heel. The literal meaning of his name is One Who Takes the Heel.
 
Fast forward. Jacob was on his way to meet Esau. He had sent everyone ahead of him and spent the night alone. An angel came and wrestled with him. Genesis 32:27 says, “What is your name? He said, Jacob.”
 
I recently heard a speaker who said that the angel was not asking for information but confession. He wanted Jacob to acknowledge what he had been. In essence, Jacob said, ‘my name is supplanter and deceitful.’
 
Verse 28 says, “And He said, Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.”
 
The Lord changed Jacob’s name to Israel, which means Prince with God. God commended Jacob and gave him a new name to reflect his character transformation.
 
Israel became the father of the 12 tribes of the children of Israel. The Lord used his trials to change his character. He does the same in our lives. He uses our trials to prepare us for His purposes. We have to grow in character in proportion to the assignment.
 
Romans 5:3-4 says, “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character, and character, hope.” The Amplified uses the words proven character.

The Power Of Sowing & Reaping Pt. 2

~ jma47 ~ Leave a comment
Remember that Jacob fled from Laban. Then Laban pursed him and caught up, accusing him of stealing his household gods. The night before the Lord spoke to Laban in a dream and told him to speak to Jacob neither good nor bad. After Laban searched everything, Jacob spoke (Genesis 31:36-41). Then verse 42 says, “…God has seen my affliction and the labor of my hands, and rebuked you last night.”
 
Laban and Jacob made a covenant together. Laban made a true statement that applies to us today. Verse 50 says, “…God is a witness between you and me!” No matter what we think or what we do the Lord is a witness.
 
The next scene is about Esau and Jacob. Jacob sent his servants to tell Esau that he was coming. The messengers came back and told Jacob that Esau was coming to meet him, and he had four hundred men with him.
 
Genesis 32:7 says, “So Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed…” His actions after that reflected his fear and distress. He put his animals out in front with his servants to distance himself from Esau.
 
Verse 20 says, “…For he said, I will appease him with the present that goes before me, and afterward I will see his face; perhaps he will accept me.”
 
Jacob jumped to conclusions. He acted out of fear. He dialogued in his mind about his circumstances, and did everything in his own strength. Even though he had just rehearsed that the Lord had promised to protect him and bring him back to his father’s house, he schemed how to preserve his life (32:9-12).
 
When we sow deception, we reap it in another season. It had been 20 years since Jacob had fled his father’s house because Esau threatened to kill him. In his present circumstances, he assumed he knew what Esau was thinking.
 
We NEVER know what another is thinking. It is not wise to presume anything. Our actions need to be based on truth alone. David wrote Psalm 19. Verse 13 says, “Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and I shall be innocent of great transgression.”
 

3 FREE EBOOKS

~ jma47 ~ Leave a comment
3 FREE EBOOKS
 
Today, Friday, and Saturday three of my ebooks are on Amazon for FREE!
 
These two are short:
Overcoming Daily: consistent application of God’s Word
Conquering Fear: Jesus is our Victorious Conqueror
 
This is an ebook from my latest paperback:
He Drew Me Out Of Deep Water: encouragement for hard trials
 
Seize them in the moment of this opportunity 💜