Tag: Encouragement For The Downcast

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Walk Like Joseph

33 Now therefore let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt. 34 Let Pharaoh proceed to appoint overseers over the land and take one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt during the seven plentiful years. 35 And let them gather all the food of these good years that are coming and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh for food in the cities, and let them keep it. 36 That food shall be a reserve for the land against the seven years of famine that are to occur in the land of Egypt, so that the land may not perish through the famine.” ~ Genesis 41:32-36

Joseph was a prisoner; forgotten by the man he had interpreted the dream of for 2 years. Now, he was standing before Pharaoh, and he held all of the cards. He had nothing to lose. Imagine if Joseph told Pharaoh exactly what needs to be done. He very well could have kept that information to himself. A lot of people would have been like, “What’s in it for me?”

They would reason that, “Look, I’m a prisoner, and unless you free me, I’m not telling you anything, neither am I giving you any information. If you put me in charge, then I will help you. Then I will give you my good advice.” But not Joseph. Joseph explained to Pharaoh exactly what must be done with no hesitation at all.

Impressed, Pharaoh took off his signet ring and put it on the finger of Joseph. In so doing, Pharaoh bestowed on Joseph the full power of Egypt. In one day, Joseph went from prisoner to second in command of all Egypt, the superpower of that day.

Joseph embodied honesty. He didn’t try to use his God-given gifts to his own advantage. He didn’t try to make himself great. He simply accepted the hand dealt to him and tried to live for God regardless of whether he was in the house or in the gutter. Why? Because he fully trusted in the LORD. He fully believed that the LORD had him no matter what the enemy tried to do to him. Joseph grew wherever he was planted, and the LORD was faithful to him.

Joseph went from prisoner, living in the jail, to second in command over all of Egypt, answering only to Pharaoh in just one conversation. He was faithful to God, so God was faithful to him. Even if the cupbearer forgot Joseph, the LORD God didn’t.

There might be people that you’ve helped, that you’ve been there for, that you’ve invested into that have been elevated and have forgotten you, but don’t be discouraged, angry, or upset. The LORD God hasn’t forgotten you. He hasn’t abandoned you. If you remain faithful to Him, even when you have every right to be upset and bitter, the LORD will remain faithful to you, and he will elevate you because the LORD elevates the humble.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Walk Like Joseph.

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Grow In The Crucible

1 Now Joseph had been brought down to Egypt, and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, had bought him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him down there. 2 The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 His master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD caused all that he did to succeed in his hands. 4 So Joseph found favor in his sight and attended him, and he made him overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had. 5 From the time that he made him overseer in his house and over all that he had, the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; the blessing of the LORD was on all that he had, in house and field. 6 So he left all that he had in Joseph’s charge, and because of him he had no concern about anything but the food he ate. ~ Genesis 39:1-6

You know the story of Joseph. He was sold by his brothers to the Ishmaelites, who then brought him down to Egypt, where they sold him as a slave to Potiphar. But God was on his side and caused everything that he did to prosper. While serving as a slave in a foreign land, he was accused of attempted rape and sentenced to prison, but even in that, the LORD caused Joseph to prosper and be successful.

No doubt, Joseph was in the crucible. And as I said in our first message, we live a lot of life in the crucible. The fire may not be turned up as hot as it was turned up for Joseph or for Job, but nonetheless, we still live a lot of life in the crucible. And it’s all because of our attitude in the crucible, the amount of time we spend there. The more we resist, the longer we stay. Learn what you need. Purge what needs purging. It will be time well spent.

Therefore, don’t allow the downs to keep you down. Find the good in each and every situation. Find something to rejoice about it. Find something to thank God for. Joseph was sold into slavery by his own brothers. His big brothers, who were supposed to protect him, sold him to Ishmaelites, his cousins. Who then sold him to Potiphar. Joseph had every right to be upset, bitter, angry, but there is no record of that. There is only record of Joseph being blessed by God.

This tells me that no matter how difficult your crucible may be, if you will refuse to allow it to sprout a root of bitterness in you, the LORD will bless you. If you will refuse to sin in secret, the LORD will bless you. If you will strive for righteousness, the LORD will bless. The LORD will bless His people who are faithful to Him. Therefore, let your joy continue grow even in the crucible.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Grow In The Crucible.

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I’ll Never Forget You

15 Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. 16 Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me. ~ Isaiah 49:15-16

I know some will say that this portion of Scripture was written to the Jews and for Jerusalem, and they are right. Jerusalem was destroyed and the Jews living there, along with the king and the royal family, all the nobles were taken into captivity. Through all the destruction and sorrow, and pain that they suffered despair began to set in. Zion, another name for Jerusalem, started to complain that the LORD had forsaken them, that their God had forgotten them. So, God sent them a reassuring promise.

God said, look, “Can a nursing mother forget the child of her womb?” Normally, a good mother will never forget the child she bore. But God continued, “Even if she does, it’s highly unlikely, but even if she does forget her child that she is nursing whom she just gave birth to, I will never forget you. I can’t forget you, because I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.” This is referring to Jesus’ crucifixion. The nails that were pounded into the palms of His hands, bursting through blood vessels and coming out on the other side and then driven into the wooden beams of the cross, imprinted, or engraved our names on the palms of His hands.

That is how I know that this promise is for us as well. Because Jesus did not die such a horrific and cruel death as death on a cross for the Jews of Jerusalem only, but for us as well. Therefore, if our names were imprinted, or engraved on the palms of His hands as well, how can He forget us? And if He cannot forget us, that means we are ever in His sight and on His mind.

There is nothing that you are going through, or are experiencing that God does not know about. It may seem like you are in it all alone, and by yourself, but that is a lie from the enemy. Your God is there with you to shield you and to protect you. Yes, you may experience the storm. Yes, you may experience the earthquake, but God is right there just in case you stumble so that you will not fall. He will catch, He will lift you up. So, rejoice and be glad, for your God has not forgotten you. He is coming back one day to get us. All of us who have kept His commandments and who are waiting for His great return.

Father, thank You that You have not forgotten me. Please see the situation that I am in and give me peace in my storm. Speak to it so that it may calm, in Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.

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God’s Promises Are Trustworthy

14 “And now I am about to go the way of all the earth, and you know in your hearts and souls, all of you, that not one word has failed of all the good things that the LORD your God promised concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one of them has failed. 15 But just as all the good things that the LORD your God promised concerning you have been fulfilled for you, so the LORD will bring upon you all the evil things, until He has destroyed you from off this good land that the LORD your God has given you, 16 if you transgress the covenant of the LORD your God, which He commanded you, and go and serve other gods and bow down to them. Then the anger of the LORD will be kindled against you, and you shall perish quickly from off the good land that He has given to you.” ~ Joshua 23:14-16

By now, Joshua is old and advanced in years. He had led Israel for many years. He is now 110 years old, and the time of his death has come. He and Caleb were the only two men of fighting age who came up out of the land of Egypt during God’s great deliverance of the Israelites out of the land of slavery to enter the Promised Land. All the other men of fighting age perished in the desert because of unbelief. He knows how fickle these people are. So, he gathers the whole assembly of people, all the tribes of Israel, he calls them to Shechem and summoned the elders, the heads, the judges, and the officers, and there he presented them before God.

Joshua reminded them of where they came from and what God had done for them, and what He was still doing for them. He knew that they were prune to stray from their God, so he warned them to fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and in faithfulness. He also told them, “Look, you yourselves know that all of God’s good promises have been fulfilled for you.” Not one of His good promises has failed.

Now, here is the kicker. Now, in verse 15, Joshua begins to explain to the people saying, Look, The LORD your God has fulfilled all of the good things that He promised concerning you, but please understand that just like He fulfilled the good things, He will also bring upon you all the evil things that He has promised, until He has destroyed you from off this good land that He has given you.

Therefore, the LORD our God is a promise keeper. Whether the promise is good or whether it is for evil, as long as the requirements are fulfilled, God will bring that promise to pass. Now, understand this, God has given us great and awesome promises. Some are great blessings, and others are not so great.

For instance, Jesus promised that He will be back to get all of us who love Him and are waiting for His appearing. He also promised that if you are not waiting or do not desire Him, you will be left behind. So, just like God fulfilled all of His promises to ancient Israel, so will He fulfill all of His modern promises to us.

Therefore, stay awake, pay attention, and watch and pray so that you will not be left behind. Jesus is coming back real soon.

Heavenly Father, thank You that You are a promise keeper, and You will fulfill everyone of Your good promises to me, good or bad. Help me to be obedient so that You can fulfill Your great and awesome promises to me, and that I might reap the fat of the land, and live in your abundance. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

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The First Christmas Morning

1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. ~ Luke 2:1-7

This is the story of the first real and true Christmas. For in the fullness of time, God sent His only begotten Son, loved and adored by all of heaven and by the Father. Prized among the believers, rejected by men, and despised by the nations. But yet He came that we might have the promise of Christmas, and this was the very first Christmas morning. But many things had to all happen in sync, and in order, and everything had to be in harmony with each other and with Scriptural prophecy.

Caesar Augustus sent out a decree ordering all people in the Roman Empire to go to their own place of ancestral heritage to be registered for tax purposes. Mary and Joseph also went from Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem in Judea to be registered. Although Mary was so far along in her pregnancy, still, she and Joseph had to travel to the City of David to be registered just in time for Mary to give birth to her firstborn Son, our LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ. If it was not for the decree Mary and Joseph would not have a reason to be in Bethlehem, and Jesus would be born in the town of Nazareth. But God, in His omnipotence, looked down the corridors of time and saw and predicted what must take place.

Therefore, without even knowing it, by sending out that decree, Caesar ensured that God’s prophecy, which declared that the Messiah shall be born in Bethlehem, would come to pass. The Proverb, (Proverbs 19:21), that says, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails” NIV is proved true. Many things had to happen all in sync and all in harmony as per Scripture. That is why we have Christmas, because God loved us so that He gave Jesus on that very first Christmas morning that whosoever believes and accepts Him shall live forever with Him.

Thank You, Father, that You gave us Your only begotten Son, our LORD, and Savior Jesus Christ, that we might live through His sacrifice on the cross of Calvary. May we always honor Your birth, LORD Jesus, on that very first Christmas morning. And may we always value and appreciate Your sacrifice, and may we love and wait patiently for the hope of Your appearing. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

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Take Some Time

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). — Matthew 1:23 (NIV)

As we celebrate Christmas, we are reminded of the most beautiful and profound truth: God chose to be with us. The name “Immanuel” captures the heart of the Christmas story: God with us. This simple yet powerful name declares that the Creator of the universe came to dwell among us in the person of Jesus Christ. That we, though unworthy, are loved by God, and He desires to have us with Him.

Jesus’ birth was not just a historical event; it was the fulfillment of God’s promise to be with His people. For generations, the people of Israel longed for the Messiah. They hoped for a Savior who would deliver them from oppression, bring peace, and restore the kingdom of Israel. Little did they know that this Savior would come to parents of no esteem or valor but regular, common people.

When God chose to send Jesus, He didn’t come in glory or might. He came in humility and simplicity. He wasn’t born to nobles in a palace or scholars in the temple but to two commoners. Why? Because their hearts were willing to follow the LORD and be used by Him, however He saw fit. In the midst of our busyness and distractions during this Christmas season, I want you to take some time and think about what it means that God chose to come near to us in such an intimate and personal way. How, unlike many other religions, ours has a savior that is near and not far off. A savior who dwells with us, in us, and through us.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Take Some Time.

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Know Thy Savior

2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. ~ Micah‬ ‭5:2‬‬‬

The prophecy of Jesus dates all the way back to creation. Jesus Himself brought forth the prophecy of His coming, as all things were created through Him, by Him, and for Him. It wasn’t just by coincidence that Jesus came 4,000 years after Adam. On the fourth day of creation, the sun was created. That was a sign, that Jesus would come in the 4th millennia of this earth. His coming was proclaimed from ancient days by He Himself.

Therefore His coming is from Ancient Days, which is why He is the Ancient of Days. So, be encouraged today, our savior isn’t a random man. He wasn’t just some person God created to bear our sins and redeem. No, our savior is the creator Himself. The Ancient of Days. The Beginning and The End. The First and The Last. The Alpha and The Omega. The very first Christmas gift was the Ancient of Days.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Know The Savior.

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God Here With Us

13 And he said, “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also? 14 Therefore the LORD Himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His Name Immanuel.” ~ Isaiah 7:13-14

Isaiah uttered the prophecy of the virgin birth of the coming Messiah on the behalf of God around 700 years before its fulfillment. King Ahaz of Judah was about to be attacked by Rezin, the king of Syria, and Pekah, the king of Israel. The two kings had conspired together to overtake Judah and place someone else on the throne.

When King Ahaz was advised about the impending doom, he and all his people were terrified at the news, and their hands trembled and their knees knocked together. But God, in His great mercy and in His grace, had other plans for Judah. He said, “No, nothing like that is going to happen here. Matter of fact, I will bring disaster on both of those kings and their countries. Then, He told Ahaz to ask for a sign, but Ahaz would not. So, God said alright then, since you will not ask for a sign, I will give you and the whole world a sign. The sign is, the virgin will give birth to a Son, and His Name shall be called Immanuel.

This was a prophecy about Jesus and His virgin birth. The virgin was Mary. Now, think about this. Mary could very well have read that same portion of Scripture herself, maybe several times before, or she could have heard that Scripture, but never once did she realize that the virgin prophesied about it was her. God Himself had prophesied about her that she would deliver hope to the world. Jesus is our hope, and the only hope for the whole world.

Ahaz and Judah found themselves in a hopeless situation. The two kings were way too strong for them. Therefore, they were terrified, but God…

When life happens, and it seems like the whole world has teamed up with all of hell against you and there is no way out. Remember the promise of Christmas. God is with us. The Scripture says, “…If God is for us, who can be against us?” NIV Romans 8:31b. God has sent His Son Immanuel, which means God with us because He is always with us. When trouble comes, or temptations, or persecutions, do not fear what the world will throw at you or what the enemy’s plans for you are; just remember that God has better plans because God is for you, and God is with you, and if He is with you, He will never leave you, nor will He let you be overcome by the enemy. Repeat it, God is with us.

Father, thank You for giving us Your Son Jesus, who is actually God with us. I surrender my will to You and ask that You be king of my heart. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

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Our Christmas Inheritance

16 Thus says the LORD God: If the prince makes a gift to any of his sons as his inheritance, it shall belong to his sons. It is their property by inheritance. 17 But if he makes a gift out of his inheritance to one of his servants, it shall be his to the year of liberty. Then it shall revert to the prince; surely it is his inheritance—it shall belong to his sons. ~ Ezekiel 46:16-17

The Father has given us Christians, His children, a share in the inheritance, thus making us coheirs with Jesus, His Son. It is, if you will, a Christmas present from our Heavenly Father. The Scriptures teach that the whole earth and everything in it are His, even the people, because He created everything. Jesus declared in Matthew 5:5,

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

That is a promise from our LORD and Savior. He looked for the most perfect gift that He could give us and found that there is no gift greater than the love of His Son Jesus, who gave His life for everyone who will accept His forgiveness. Then He made us joint heirs with Him so that we will reign and rule with Him. It was the perfect Christmas gift.

There is a Christmas song by Buck Owens called Christmas Shopping, and in the song he explains that he is trying his best to get everybody something that they wanted, then he says, “But I didn’t know what to get you.” Our God, however, was not confused at what to get us. He gave us Jesus, born of a virgin, laid in a manager, the perfect Lamb of God. But it doesn’t end there. The song says:

Well, I must’ve walked a hundred miles or more
I went to every store in town
My feet started swellin’ and my head started achin’
And I couldn’t find a place to sit down
But to tell you the truth well, I really don’t mind it
I could even walk another mile
‘Cause on Christmas mornin’
When they open up the presents
Well it’s worth it just to see them smile

That is what Jesus did for us, but the only thing is, He did it to the extreme. He walked hundreds, even thousands of miles, during His earthly ministry, healing the sick, preaching the good news, raising the dead, feeding the hungry, and just all around doing good. Then He was falsely accused, found guilty, although there was no guilt to be found, wrongly sentenced to capital punishment on the cross, He suffered terribly and there He died. But on the third day, He rose again and is coming back for us, those who love Him, to give us our inheritance. His death and resurrection are the perfect Christmas gift. For Him, it was worth it to go through all of that because, on Resurrection Morning, when the dead in Christ rise, we will be with Him forever. It will be our Christmas morning.

God declared through Ezekiel that if the prince gives a gift to any of His children, it shall belong to us. Therefore, what Jesus has given us, no one can take it from us, it is ours forever. So, don’t give up, and don’t give in; hold on to Jesus so that you will receive your Christmas Inheritance.

Father, thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, to die so that we might live. Help me to live my life pleasing to You so that when Jesus comes back, I might receive my Christmas Inheritance. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

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Peace On Earth

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests.” ~ Luke 2:13-14

By the time the angel appeared to the shepherds, Jesus had already been born. The angel told them that a Savior was just born. Then, a great multitude of heavenly hosts appeared with the angel praising God and declaring peace to those on earth with whom He is pleased. Isaiah prophesied that when Jesus, the coming messiah, is born, He will be called Prince of Peace.

On the night that He was betrayed, Jesus told His disciples,

27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you … (John 14:27a).

Jesus gave us His peace so that we are not shaken no matter what comes against us, so that in all situations, no matter what, we can have peace because peace comes from Him.

I read a story once about a king who loved paintings. He announced that any artist who could paint a picture depicting peace would be greatly rewarded. The day came, and many paintings were presented to the king. After examining them, the king chose two. One was a scene of a beautiful calm lake, with water so still and so clear that even the inner surface of the lake was visible. The sky was blue with white fluffy cotton clouds floating and drifting lazily overhead. The air was so still that not a leaf was waving.

The second was of mountains, which were completely dry and lifeless. Over the mountains were thick, angry black clouds with lightning flashing and the wind blowing. The heavy rains were pelting down on the landscape, causing the river to swell and overflow. The storm swept over the scene, causing the trees to sway terribly. Everyone thought the first picture would surely win.

After a few days of being on display, the king announced, to everyone’s shock, that the second picture would be the winner. When questioned about his decision, he said, “Look at this tree bent to one side by the wind on the left side of the waterfall. Look at the nest on its branch. See how a bird is feeding its chicks with such tenderness, calmness, and love.”

That is the kind of peace that the Prince of Peace gives us. Even amidst the haste, noise, and confusion, even when problems threaten to topple our stability and our whole world comes crashing down, the Shalom Peace of Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God, will keep us and preserve our joy. We are not alone, the Prince of Peace is with us, therefore, we will say, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus Christ, Your Son. Thank You, LORD Jesus, that You give us Your peace that passes all understanding and will keep us calm and at peace even in the most difficult times. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

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