It’s been quite a while since my last post, on “How Haters Help”. The biggest reason for my hiatus has been, quite simply I have been busy. There has been no shortage, of lifes constant issues, that have kept me preoccupied. Today, my typically positive, easy going disposition was interupted by a moment of frustration. Thank God for great friends, and an awesome wife, to put things back into perspective. My friends have offered sage advice, and you guys know who you are, thank you from the bottom of my heart. My wonderful wife, reminded me, “God, is more concerned with the effort of the rebound, than the quality of the shot.” God is indeed the best coach ever.
So you see, God has spoken to my heart, through many voices today, but none ring clearer, than what His Word is speaking. I had to go back to the previous post in the How Haters Help series, to fully realize, how I have lost perspective in my current situation. I moved into the natural progression of concern, that Joseph did in the story. [I guess I should of read ahead.] Joseph finds himself, sold into slavery, accused of horrendous crimes, and placed in prison, despite being innocent. He had no advocate for more than 13 years, even though God was constantly showing Him favor. Joseph then, saw within his reach, an opportunity to get out of his present predicament. He interprets the dream, of someone in position to plead… Continue Reading
May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ —for this will bring much glory and praise to God. – Philippians 1:11
It has been a while since my last blog entry, on “How Hater’s Help”, where we used the story of Joseph’s life to show how haters help us get out of our comfort zones. Now we want to further delve into the reason why getting out of our comfort zones are so important. God often uses uncomfortable situations to develop Godly characteristics in His children.
Psalm 105:16-19
16 He called for a famine on the land of Canaan,
cutting off its food supply.
17 Then he sent someone to Egypt ahead of them—
Joseph, who was sold as a slave.
18 They bruised his feet with fetters
and placed his neck in an iron collar.
19 Until the time came to fulfill his dreams,
the Lord tested Joseph’s character.
The scriptures show us that Joseph had great opposition after his “Haters”, sold him into slavery. As if being a slave wasn’t hard enough, we then see Joseph go through a series of tramatic events. I wonder if Joseph asked, “Can things get any worse?”. He went from slave, to being accused of rape, to prisoner and when each event was triggered Joseph had done nothing wrong. Talk about trying a persons character. I know if I were… Continue Reading
Last time, I introduced “How Haters Help“. We discussed how God deals with his children, and promised to delve deeper into the story of Joseph. This go around, we want to explore “How Haters Help Us Get out of our Comfort Zone”
Daddy’s favorite, nice clothes, and big dreams is where our friend Joseph’s story begins. He was poised to be “The Man”, in Canaan. His father had given him a garment of distinction. This gift magnified what Jacob felt in his heart about Joseph, and further distinguished him from his brothers. While his father’s gift was cool, it was his God given gift that was going to separate him, and cause him to be a integral part of the promises God made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It was an awesome honor, with a catch. He had to move from Canaan do what he was created to do. Jacob was given the dream but God didn’t give the blueprints on how He would accomplish his purpose. I think if Jacob had known this path was a rough one he might have not been wo quick, to share it, or maybe he would have even chalked it up to being a nightmare. Canaan represents a place of comfort for Joseph. Everyone knew he was gifted, and heard the dream. Jacob was a big fish in a small pond. If he was going to fulfill Gods purpose for his life, he needed to swim amongst sharks. He had to… Continue Reading
One of most powerful life stories that I have ever heard, was about a young man who experienced what seemed like impossible obstacles to overcome. This young man experienced tragedies, that most of us could only imagine, and yet his resolve and trust in God, caused him to become one of the most powerful men in the country. He was an extremely gifted young man in a house full of extremely gifted people. Yet, because he was his Father’s favorite, his older half brother’s despised him. (His dad had some serious baby mama drama, going on under his roof.) His brother’s were on the record, as not being able to say a single nice thing about him. Talk about some haters, and in your own household nontheless. Home is supposed to be a place where you feel love, and appreciation, where you can be nurtured and have a sense of belonging. Well not for the young man in our story.
The haters eventually became so outraged at the young man, they figured that he would be better off dead. They plotted to kill him and cover their tracks with an elaborate lie. You may be able to tell bye now that the life story I am writing about is of “Joseph” from the Bible. (The story can be found in Genesis 37-50 ) As if everything I have written till this point was not bad enough, Joseph eventually was sold into slavery, wrongfully accused and thrown in prison.… Continue Reading
