Even though Joseph was thrown into prison after Potiphar’s wife falsely accused him, God granted him favor in the eyes of the Prison Warden, who gave Joseph the position of Administrator over the entire jail. God was well pleased with Joseph, and made even the Palace Guard live at peace with him…which probably drove Potiphar’s wife crazy! She wanted him punished for resisting her advances, and instead, he was granted a very powerful position. If God takes pleasure in us, even our worst enemies will befriend and show us partiality.
Tag: THE WORD
II Chronicles 7:14 ” If My people who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and forgive their sin and heal their land.”
This entire passage hinges on one little word, and that word is “then”. If the first part of the scripture is accomplished, it will be followed by the final portion. God is very specific of what He requires of us first…we are to swallow our pride, pray fervently, seek His face, and turn from our evil ways…and then and only then will He act. We’ve got to do our part before He’ll do His…if we are serious about pursuing our task, He will be just as serious about fulfilling His.
Acts 17:24 ” The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples buildt by hands.”
It has to be totally presumptuous to think we could somehow contain God in a temple. The Creator of heaven and earth and everything in it, the God who gives us breath and life can not be contained in a building. His magnificence would far overshadow any building that could possibly be imagined by any feeble human mind. But there is one temple He fits in beautifully, there is one temple He desires to dwell in…it’s you, for I Corinthians 3:16 says, “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?” You are that magnificently sacred temple where He choses to live.
Jeremiah 23:29 ” Is not My Word like fire,declares the Lord, And like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces? “
God’s Word…it’s alive, powerful, effective, and ever brand new. I dare say, that if we all read the same passage, we would all receive something different from it, which has to be the most amazing quality of His Word! God’s Word can convict us where we live, for nothing is hidden from Him. His Word can judge our most hidden thoughts and attitudes we think no one knows. God’s Word is like fire that burns away the “stuff” of the world, leaving behind what we’re really made of. His Word is like a hammer that chips away at our hard exterior until Jesus is exposed in us. God’s Word… a letter written just for you!
John 13:8 ” ‘No,’ said Peter, ‘You shall never wash my feet.’ Jesus answered, ‘Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.’ “
The place is the Last Supper…Jesus is washing the disciples feet one by one when Peter refuses Him. In Jesus’s reply He did not say, “You have no part in Me.”…which would mean that Peter was unsaved, but rather Jesus said, “You have no part with Me.”…which means having no communion or fellowship with Jesus. The Lord was showing Peter the necessity of regular spiritual renewal or cleansing in order to remain in fellowship with Him…and that simple act of foot washing symbolized sanctification…
being set apart for God.
Romans 12:13 ” Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
Because of our location, our home is a crossroads for many friends. Those traveling from the West Coast eastward stop, as does those in the Midwest headed West. And the many visiting Yellowstone National Park end up staying here to. It says that we need to practice hospitality… that means doing it over and over again until we get good at it. Yes, it takes practice to be friendly, generous, warm, and welcoming to all those who come into our homes. I Peter 4:9 states that we should “offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.” By opening our homes up to others we show the love of Jesus in very basic and practical ways…food and shelter given with kindness and love.
Luke 5:12-13 ” When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him,’Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.’ Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. ‘I am willing, be clean!’ And immediately the leprosy left him.”
A man covered with leprosy saw Jesus from afar. According to the Law he was to isolate himself from the crowds, but instead, he rushed headlong towards Jesus,throwing himself down at His feet. Maybe this man had watched Jesus healing others, maybe a fellow leper he knew was healed, regardless, he now presented himself at Jesus’s feet proclaiming “I know you can do it…but will you?” When Jesus said “I am willing.” He used a Greek word that not only meant He desired to heal him, but that He had the ability to do it. Do you need a healing in some area of your life today?…Jesus is there, willing and able to do it for you.
II Corinthians 9:6 ” Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”
Most people who read this scripture think it has to do entirely with money. But showing benevolence towards others has so many varying facets. Several of the Proverbs talk about a generous man prospering and being blessed not just monetarily, but with abundant joy. But the opposite is also true…if you are lacking in certain areas of your life, if you sow it into others, you yourself will it reap back…for it says in Galatians that a man reaps what he sows. In other words, if you are lacking, pour into others, and you will receive back lavishly.
Hebrews 13:2 ” Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.”
Newly married, we were shopping one evening at the local grocery store, when a young woman came towards us pushing her cart..full of groceries, a large Bible, and a beautiful baby with the most exquisite pair of shoes I had ever seen. As soon as she saw us, her face lite up, as if seeing old friends, and she began to talk as she approached our cart. It was a very odd one-sided conversation, in that she seemed to know both of us very well, and was telling us how blessed our marriage was going to be. As quickly as she appeared, she left, leaving us both dumbfounded. At the very same moment we turned and asked each other…”Who was that?” Neither one of us knew who she was, so we decided to find her and apologetically ask. Up and down the aisles we went, finally ending up at the check-out stands where two of our good friends were cashiering. Neither one of them had helped a lady with a baby and lots of groceries all evening. Was she an angel sent to give us a message of blessing from the Lord…I believe so.
I Thessalonians 4:7 ” For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.”
What exactly is it to live a holy life? I dare say, what I consider to be living a holy life may differ greatly from what you think. Each one of us comes from differing cultures, backgrounds, and upbringings. Each one of us are at different places in our Walk with the Lord. Aristotle defined holiness as standing between caring to please no one, and endeavoring at all costs to please everyone. In other words…we should strive to please God not man, all the while being Jesus to everyone around us.
Safetypinlove 