Story of Joseph - A Story About God's Promises

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I've been attending a Bible study at my church for several weeks. We have been studying the basics of the Old Testament ~ many stories of people of that time that have revealed how God has worked in their lives, and how He still works today.

Most recently, we have been studying the life of Joseph. Several statements in our study guide reminds me just how much God works in and through our lives each day. This story also brings up the fact once again that how we look at our circumstances in life affects everything else.

 The story of Joseph:

Genesis 37,  39,  40-45

Joseph's faith in God and what He communicated allowed him to see beyond his circumstances and serve the Lord.

• God is the Promise-Giver and Promise-Keeper. Joseph trusted that God was still with him, despite the apparent hopelessness of his situation.                  

1.  Sold into slavery by his own brothers. 
2. Falsely accused of a crime he didn't commit and imprisoned. 
3. Forgotten by those he helped, while in prison.

• God spoke through dreams to Joseph and the Egyptians    

1.   His dream as a shepherd boy 
2. The wine-taster's dream 
3. The king's dream

• God speaks to us in different ways today.

1. Through His Word. 
2. Confirmation through other believers 
3. Answered prayer, even if it's not what we pray for.

•  The Joseph story tells us that God was with Joseph and showed His faithfulness to him in the very worst of his circumstances.

             "The LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden." (Gen. 39:21)

• God is present. He is with us always.

1. The Bible tells us this truth: "For he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake    you.”(Hebrews 13:5) 
2. We are aware through our experiences and when we have peace that only He can provide in our lives. "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you" (John 14:27)

• When Joseph reveals himself to his brothers, he is able to forgive them and tells them that “It was God who sent me here—not you.”

•  God is sovereign.

1.  As children of God, we are able to see His sovereign plan, in spite of the   circumstances that led us down the road we take in life.

(source)


This story is a great reminder of who God is and how He works in our lives, each and every day.

Joy is a function of gratitude — and gratitude is a function of perspective.

(Ann Voskamp)

Sharing the many gifts God has graced upon me: Joy Dare

3 witnessed blessings:
1,198 - Getting to see my brother eat solid food again! Continued healing, as he is finally gaining, not losing weight, since his 4 month illness began.
1,199 - Quick healing of my knee, after surgery.
1,200 -  A friend who needed encouragement, finding the goodness of a stranger, just at the right time.

3 gifts from God's word: His promises
1,201 - Psalm 145:13-14

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made. The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.

1,202 -  Psalm 91:1-2  
 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of Yahweh, “He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.” 
1,203 - Malachi 3:6

"I the LORD do not change."

3 gifts only seen close-up:
1,204 - Through study of His Word, I can see many of His promises.
1,205 - A wedding invitation received in the mail.
1,206 - Pictures of my hubby when he was young, found in the corner of a dresser drawer.

3 graces from people you love:
1,207 -  Friends, who call and text me, saying they are praying.
1,208 -  My hubby, working hard to finish our latest major home renovation project.
1,209 - My hubby and son, doing dishes and laundry, to help around the house, while I recover.

Linking over at these blog parties:

Multitude on Mondays (A Holy Experience)  
Gratituesday (Heavenly Homemakers)
Winsome Wednesday(My Daily Walk in His Grace)

Thankful Thursday (Grace Alone) Hearts 4 Home Thursday (Our Simple Country Life)
  Sharing His Beauty (Beauty In His Grip)
God-Bumps & God-Incidences(Getting Down With Jesus)

When danger Surrounds Us: God Protects Us

Ever get the feeling like you are in great danger (that evil is present) and something awful could happen any minute? Sometimes, it happens so fast that you don't have time to even pray, "Lord protect me." That panicky feeling takes over and you do whatever it takes to protect you and/or your loved ones and get away from the situation as quickly as possible.

Then later, when the danger is past, you look back with awe and gratitude, knowing that God was really protecting you from harm.

I've experienced a few of those kinds of situations recently and they remind me over and over how God does care for us. I'm not saying that we are always protected from painful situations or the evil decisions of people who don't have Christ in their hearts. Sometimes things do happen, even to the children of God, because of the sin of the world. I'm not sure how God decides when to intervene in these situations and when not to. That's where trusting His wisdom must prevail.

The two stories I am sharing here, though, cannot be anything short of God's protection! Bad results should have and could have happened, especially with the first situation.

• Over Christmas vacation, we were down on the beaches of South Carolina. The weather wasn't hot, but much warmer than our snow-covered Indiana! Because of this, there weren't a lot of tourists walking along the shore, especially once the sun started to set. We felt pretty safe, since we were staying at a big oceanfront hotel and there were lots of employees and several guests staying there. It was the night before Christmas. We had spent the day on the beach, but our son wanted to go out after dark, just to see what we could find in animal life. *A few years back when visiting, we found white ghost crabs running into their little holes in the sand. So, off we went. It must have been around 10 p.m. Now, I must have felt some precaution was needed because on the way out of the hotel I asked if we should take some pepper spray/mace with us, as we usually had some with us in the car. But it just happened that we left it at home this particular time. We did have a flashlight, though. So, we decided we would just go a little ways down the beach and come back and we would be fine.
                
  Well, several yards down, we saw a few people, we thought either older teens or young men, standing on the beach, smoking some cigarettes. It was so dark out that, if it hadn't been for the glow of the cigarettes, we wouldn't have seem them at all. We walked by them without a word, my son, briefly shining the flashlight their direction. The tide was going out, so there was a small pool of water collecting between the shoreline and near the inner beach, where houses were. After walking about 5 minutes we decided to head back to the hotel, and were jumping across this pool, one at a time. My hubby was the last to cross and just as he did, out of the vast darkness, my son and I saw a figure coming up behind him, moving in quickly. The 'guy' was definitely following us, crossing right where we had crossed. My son whispered, 'Dad, there's a guy following behind you!'  Once my hubby turned and saw him, his protective instinct kicked in, which probably was one thing that saved our lives. This guy, whom my hubby suspected was one of the guys we passed smoking, was obviously up to no good, and had followed us all the way down the beach. Instead of running, which probably would have put us in more danger, hubby walked right up to the guy, which I think threw him off, as he acted all flustered and nervous. He had his hand in his jacket, which looked like he might pull something out of it, but then stuck out his hand to shake hands with my hubby, and started saying that he just wanted to "wish us a Merry Christmas and everything was going to be o.k."  In our best fearless voices we all said "thanks and wished him a Merry Christmas, too." He turned and walked back along the water's edge and we walked towards the houses, first slowly, then VERY quickly. 
  
  Later, back at the hotel, hubby said he had a gut feeling the 'stalker' was planning on robbing us. We weren't positive, but were thinking he was either drunk or high. The beach was so dark and the roar of the tide loud enough, that even if we had screamed for help, nobody probably would have heard us. My brave hubby said he was ready to take the guy down, if he pulled anything out of his jacket, but gladly that didn't happen. As I contemplated all that had just occurred, and our stupidity in going out on a dark beach in the first place, I knew that God had protected us from danger. Obviously, we don't know what the guy was planning on doing, but all-in-all, it was just an odd occurrence. Over and over again, I gave thanks to God for His protection, as did my son and hubby. It could have ended very differently!

• The second situation happened early just this morning. (This situation was very similar to one we experienced several years ago around Christmastime at our old farmhouse.)         

Overcoming Disappointment and My Brain of Mush!

Feeling disappointment is a part of life. Letting that disappointment control your attitude and behavior doesn't have to become the result.

It's been a week since I put my camera memory card into the little slot, closed the lid, and hit the 'on' button. The camera came on, but instead of the normal auto focus, the words "memory card error" shined across the screen. Attempt, after attempt brought the same result. No picture or videos; just errors and blank options.

"Great", I thought. " I didn't save my video clip."

I called a computer repair shop in town. "Well", said the techie, "those cards quite often have problems. That's why you're supposed to save your pictures and videos on the computer. There is a slight chance that I may be able to recover your stuff on the card, but it is a very slight chance. And your card will be ruined, once the attempt is made."

"Hey, I'm willing to try anything!" I retorted.
You see, the video I wanted was very special to me.

On December 24 of 2012, my hubby and I celebrated (a little late) our 25th wedding anniversary by renewing our vows on the beaches of South Carolina. We had a beautiful short ceremony and we got it all on video, to keep the event alive.  I was so excited the first time I watched the video, once we got home! It came out so clear and was well done! I was SO excited to show my friends and family what a sweet ceremony it was! It was about the most romantic 8 minutes of my life!

Then it was gone that quickly. The techie gave me little hope, but that was enough for me. So I left the card with him, in hopes of success. The next day he reported back to me that he found most of the photos on the card and even a few videos, but not the video of our renewal.

Oh, I was bummed! I went home and studied the ones he did recover. There was one video that still would not allow me to open it. I called the techie again and told him about it. In his "fix-it" determination, he worked on it again, trying another program.

A day later, he called me back. "I got the video clip!" he exclaimed. I was shocked and exhilarated all at once!! I made another trip to the repair shop, where he downloaded the video to my laptop, but first played a few seconds of the video to make sure it was what I wanted. "Yes" I exclaimed! "That's it!" I could not thank him enough!

Back home again, I went right to the video to watch the long-awaited 8-minute clip. The beginning seemed a little different than what I had remembered. It cut in and out, played for about 30 seconds, then abruptly ended. I tried again and again it didn't play all through.

My heart sank. "No! Not again!"
It appeared that, in reality, only a small amount of the video had been recovered. Not much to go on, for sure!

I was twice disappointed.  My emotions had been hijacked and thrown around so much in the last couple of days that I didn't know how to respond.
My stomach started to hurt.
"Why was this upsetting me so much?" I asked myself.
There were several photos that had been recovered. So I had at least SOMETHING.
I know I'm an emotional person by nature, but this was ridiculous!! 
What could I do to overcome my disappointment?

Asking the Right Question                      

After many years of hurts and frustration, I finally realized that the question I should ask God isn't "Why, Lord?" but rather, "What now, Lord?"

• but it's hard to ask the right question when you’re feeling disappointed. It's hard to ask when your heart is breaking. It's hard to ask “What now?” when expectations and dreams have been shattered.
• But your life will begin to change when you start asking God, "What would you have me do now, Lord? God is eager to show you what he wants you to do next.

Where to Take Your Heartaches

In the face of trouble, our natural tendency is not to ask the right question. Our natural tendency is to complain. Unfortunately, griping to other people rarely helps solve our problems. Instead, it tends to drive people away

• But we can't just let it go. We need to pour our heart out to someone. Disappointment is too heavy a burden to bear. If we let disappointments pile up, they lead to discouragement. Too much discouragement leads to despair.

• God listens. He'd rather have us empty our heart to him than keep that bitterness inside. He is not offended by our discontent. 
•  God has the power to change us, our situation, or both. He knows all the facts and he knows the future. He knows exactly what needs to be done.

The Answer to 'What Now?'

When we pour out our hurt to God and find the courage to ask him, "What do you want me to do now, Lord?," we can expect him to answer.

•  The Bible is such an important guidebook that we should immerse ourselves in it regularly.

•  Seeking God's answer to "What now?" helps us grow in faith. Through experience, we learn that God is trustworthy. He can take our disappointments and work them for our good.

 No matter how painful your disappointment may be, God's answer to your question of "What now, Lord?" always begins with this simple command: "Trust me. Trust me."
 (Source)

I had to sit down and consider so many other things to counter-act my disappointment. I started writing all that God would have me learn/gain from this situation.
1. There are many things I can be thankful for...At least I had the photos. At least my hubby loves me enough to plan to renew vows with me. At least I can remember most of the ceremony and all that took place!
2. Maybe I am putting too much emphasis on romance in the relationship. Yes, some romance is a good thing, but it too loses its effect on us as time goes by. The reality is, romance is usually temporary, anyways. Love, though, is for eternity.
3. God is in control. If He wants me to have memories of this on video, He will provide a door to open that will provide it to me.

Along with this disappointment, January has proven to be a busy month, so far! We had several windows replaced in our house and my schedule has been anything but normal. Some days I feel like my brain is pure mush....a million things going in there and everything is in chaos. I take a deep breath when I start each day, saying a prayer that the Lord will get me though. I pray for peace, patience, joy, and trust in Him alone!

Resolved to Praise the Lord!
In 2012, I practiced writing out the gifts God placed in my life. In 2013, I want to continue that practice, no matter what God brings into my life. Some days, I may list gifts that are listed in the Joy Dare by Ann Voskamp. Other days, like today, I will write straight from my heart. I will continue counting from where I left off in my last post, where I listed my gifts.(Here)

Three gifts miraculous:
1,185 - My brother, coming home the first week of 2013, after being hospitalized for 3 months.
1,186 - Being able to go to South Carolina with my hubby and son to renew wedding vows on the beach.
1,187 -  Letting go of my disappointments and trusting God.

 Other gifts:
1,188 - A son who still enjoys spending time with his parents.
1,189 - Getting a little goofy....just for fun!

 1,190 - Walking the beach with our doggies.

 1,191- Enjoying a beautiful ocean view, with the sound of the waves coming in.

 1,192 - Unique artwork (graffiti) that my son liked.

 1,193 - A hug from my son at the beach.

 1,194 - My hubby relaxing with Sophie, watching t.v.

 1,195 - Historical grave-site in South Carolina

This man wore many hats in his day.

 1,196 - Back in Indiana...a quiet, snow-covered spot by the lake.

1,197 - A gorgeous pink sunrise on a cold winter morning.

Linking over at these blog parties:
Walk with Him Wednesday (A Holy Experience)
Winsome Wednesday(My Daily Walk in His Grace)

Thankful Thursday (Grace Alone) Hearts 4 Home Thursday (Our Simple Country Life)
  Sharing His Beauty (Beauty In His Grip)
God-Bumps & God-Incidences(Getting Down With Jesus)

A New Year, A New Word

Source: turnbacktogod.com via Ann on Pinterest

Well, here it is....my word for 2013! It was pretty easy for me to find a word this year. Maybe because last year, I found myself dealing with a lot of challenges that tested my steadfastness. Sometimes, I didn't do too well in being steadfast. As a new year begins, and the clock winds closer to Christ's return, I know I will be required, more than ever, to be steadfast in my faith walk.

The word steadfast traces back to the Old English word stedefæst, a combination of stede, meaning "place," and fæst, meaning "firmly fixed." Picture a steadfast person standing firmly in place, not wavering or budging an inch, and you’ll have a good sense of what this word means. Someone can be steadfast in a belief, an effort, a plan, or even a refusal. Whatever it is, it means that the person will calmly hold firm to the chosen position and follow through with determination.

A word meaning to endure patiently. A steadfast person is one who is reliable, faithful, and true to the end. Paul said Jesus was a person of steadfastness (Romans 15:3-4). The NAS translates steadfastness with “perseverance” (2 Thessalonians 1:4). James said that trials that test our faith produce steadfastness (2 Thessalonians 1:3 KJV “patience”; NAS “endurance”; NIV “perseverance”).

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.  (Isaiah 26:3)

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.           (1 Corinthians 15:58)

For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ. (Colossians 2:5—NKJV)

 Here is an example of Christ's steadfast love:

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;

his mercies never come to an end;

          they are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness.

           (Lamentations 3:22–23)

The translators of the Greek word means “firm, solid expanse, solid, stiff, and standing firmly” chose the English word “steadfast” to best communicate the idea. Steadfast is of Anglo-Saxon derivation and is incorporated into several words and phrases. “Stead” means a firm place (like a town), or the position of a thing filled by a replacement, a successor which may substitute in the place of another (our phrase “stand in good stead” means to give good advantage and serve well in the place of something). These definitions enhance the meaning of “instead.” They communicate the foundational thought behind the words “homestead” (house, outbuildings and farmland as settled property), bedstead, and “steadfast” (firm, fixed, settled, established, and constant as opposed to fickle). 

The same Greek word is found in other places in the Bible. 2 Timothy 2:19 says, “Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands having this seal: ‘The Lord knows those who are His,’ and ‘Let everyone who names the Name of Christ depart from iniquity.’”

In 1 Peter 5:8–9, Peter says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.”

 Source

Source: google.com via Ann on Pinterest

One who is steadfast is a person who stands unagitated and immovable in spite of the fierce pressures coming against him. The Bible calls this quality ‘steadfastness’.

Source: spiritualinspiration.tumblr.com via Ann on Pinterest

The Lord wants us to be people of steadfastness. He does not want us to sway and slip with every passing torrent. Steadfastness is built up in us as we go through various trials. That’s why the Lord exhorts us to be joyful in trials because every trial is an opportunity for building up our spiritual and emotional ‘muscles’.

Think about a body builder. Before he begins his body building program, his muscles would probably be loose and not so strong; but as he daily does this program, eventually his muscles become strong and powerful. This happens because his muscles have developed the quality of steadfastness as a result of withstanding pressures.

Similarly, the Lord wants you to develop steadfastness in your life through the pressures and trials that come against you. Consider every trial that you face today as an opportunity to become more strong and unflinching. And as you tackle your daily pressures with this mindset, you grow in endurance, boldness, vitality, and confidence in God. What the devil planned for evil will become a channel for success in your life.

- – - written by Joe Abraham (from www.gloriousliving.net)

Read more at Tackle Your Trials, Be Steadfast

Source: google.com via Ann on Pinterest

...
 A quick word about the word I had for 2012:"Transformed"
 My desires for 2012 were:

• To live a healthy lifestyle:  physically, in my relationships, and in my walk with God every day.

•  To realize my gifts and use them to God’s glory alone.

• To know my limitations and learn when God is leading and when He’s not, and take action accordingly.

• To make a difference in the lives of others by sharing my life experiences and words of encouragement.(specifically through my blog)

• To be a true disciple of Jesus Christ, walking the hard road and taking up my cross daily to do so.

 God has been good, even in the midst of many challenges! I feel like He helped me grow in fulfilling my desires and He continues to work in me.  

As far as being steadfast for 2013... My desires are similar, but in a more determined way. I have learned much about being transformed.....now I need to stay strong in the transformation that has taken place.

“A Prayer For Steadfastness”

 Jesus, we proclaim You to be the King of Kings and Lord of lords.  Help us to boldly declare this glorious message, not only in a setting where we find receptive listeners, but also to a hostile world that is building its perishable kingdom here on earth. May we be full of conviction and infused with Your power as we courageously tell others “There is another King, one called Jesus.”  You’ve called us to be light in a world full of darkness. You’ve also enjoined us to be peacemakers. Sometimes when we take a stand for righteousness it does not bring peaceful resolution, but instead further conflict arises. Then we go through a surge of emotions and doubts begin to arise regarding our stand.  Would You help us to be diligent in our study, prayerful about our stand, and immersed in Your Holy Word.  May we not stand in our own strength or be led by aimless ambition. Lord, as we take a position against the evil tide of our land help us to be unapologetic in our stand, consistent in our Christian walk, and loving in our approach. May we, by example and word, say to the fallen world that we serve not the god of this age, but we serve a King who is ageless and eternal. In Your strength alone we stand. Amen.

2012 In Review (Photo Video) ~Happy New Year!

Source: inherheart.blogspot.com via Ann on Pinterest

 I love looking over all my pics from the past year. 
Sharing some of my favorites
 HERE
(Don't forget to turn your sound on.)
Wishing you all a Happy New Year's Eve!
God bless you all! We'll see you in 2013.

Linking over at these blog parties:

  Fresh Brewed Sunday(My Freshly Brewed Life)
Jumping Tandem(The Sunday Community)
Better Mom Mondays(The Better Mom)
 Sharing His Beauty (Beauty In His Grip)
God-Bumps & God-Incidences(Getting Down With Jesus)