Hard Work Pays Off

Genesis 44:14-17

The average person who works to maintain a steady income, seeks to fulfill all their assigned duties, so that there will be no problems or issues when pay day comes. Many of us dress ourselves in such a fashion, that we exemplify what our position represents. We arrive to work clean, well kempt, and giving off sweet smelling fragrances. Most people care about how they look at work, and also how they perform. They take pride in the work they do, and seek to go above and beyond what’s expected of them. When problems arise, we work diligently to correct all issues that may have gone wrong, and our end goal is to prove to our superiors, that we are well able to perform all duties assigned to us, as well as show them that our hard work deserves just recompense.

Imagine for a moment, if we took the same approach as we do working for worldly men, and applied the same work ethics to living for God. Do you monitor how you dress yourself on a daily basis (as being a representation of holiness)? Do you love God and keep His commandments diligently, and wholeheartedly? How do you expect God to reward you on judgment day, based on the fruit you produced during your lifetime? Reconsider all the effort you put forth to please men, and redirect some of that time and effort into fulfilling God’s will for your life. While it’s commanded in Scripture for man to work, it’s also commanded that we bring forth fruit meet for repentance. Strive to maintain a healthy balance of physical and spiritual labor, knowing that in the end, God will reward us not for clocking in and out at work, but for what we accomplish for His kingdom.

We live this life for purpose and reason, but not too long, for only a season.

Ell

A Right Spirit

Genesis 44:1-13

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” (Romans 3:23 KJV). Every person who has ever lived (with the exception of Jesus Christ), has done something that required God’s gift of salvation. In fact, simply being born of man’s sinful seed, makes a person sinful by default, and primed for iniquity. But, thanks be to God, for His grace, mercy, and righteousness, we can all be redeemed, and forgiven from our faults.

Forgiveness is a wonderful thing, and showing consistent signs of repentance through one’s lifestyle proves to others, that one indeed has received a right spirit. Many make mistakes, then verbally admit they have changed from the error of their ways, but the real proof of one’s changed heart can be witnessed through how they live on a consistent basis.

God cares for all men, more so for those who diligently seek Him, but He will present opportunities for His people to prove that what they profess is actually truth. An example of this can be seen in the way Joseph tried and tested the hearts of his brethren. While he could have simply greeted his brothers, and told them all that he had gone through, Joseph decided to first make sure his kin folk weren’t still up to evil deeds. God desires to bless all His children greatly, but He will never spoil His gifts on those who will abuse, misuse, or defile His great blessings.

Joseph’s plan was very successful in revealing that the hearts of his brothers were indeed changed, and this was proven by the renting of their clothes, which was the ultimate sign of genuine honesty, sincerity, and deep mourning. Sin has the ability to cause years of hurt, pain, and shame, but forgiveness, coupled with a changed lifestyle, can bring about restoration that can reunite even the most difficult relationships.

We live this life for purpose and reason, but not too long, for only a season.

Ell

Another Story

Genesis 42:6-25

What if, after all God did for Joseph, from keeping him safe in the pit, protected during slavery, appreciated in prison, to becoming ruler over all Egypt, he decided not to forgive his brothers from the way they dealt with him as a child? I strongly believe, there would be an entirely different story written in chapter 42 of the book of Genesis. If Joseph had refused to show kindness to his brothers, their entire family line (with the exception of himself), would have perished in the famine, and this would have no doubt caused major rifts in biblical genealogies, as the sons of Jacob fathered many who were prominent figures in Scripture.

It’s amazing how one sin, can cause a lifetime of trouble. Even in our own lives, I can say with confidence, that if given the chance, there are quite a few choices you would change, without hesitation. Bad decisions have lingering consequences, many of which never seem to go away, so it’s vital that we walk in obedience to God, and avoid making careless mistakes along our journey. God knew that Joseph would forgive his brothers, and supply all their needs, when the time came. This is why he was elevated to 2nd in command in Egypt. God also knows whether we will slip and fall, or stand strong, so He allows, or disallows certain things to happen in our lives as well. Strive to always make wise decisions, and never refuse to show love to your haters, because God allowed you to be blessed, just so you could bless some of them. Don’t take the blessings of God for granted, neither hold grudges against those who’ve caused you grief. Instead, as you have freely received from God, freely give to those in need.

We live this life for purpose and reason, but not too long, for only a season.

Ell

Eternal Emotions

Genesis 42:35-38

What is it about the human heart, that allows for it to experience both ends of the emotional spectrum and all the roller coaster feelings in between; sometimes all within mere moments of time? Being made in the image of God the creator, and after His very own likeness, mankind was designed in a very unique, and incomparable fashion. Without trying to sound braggadocious or anything of the sort, but God made us super special, in a variety of ways! Man has the ability to think, think about what they’re thinking about, then decide which thought to act upon. We can feel hurt, pain, and shame on the inside, without any physical signs of its occurrence on the outside.

Men are physical, spiritual, and soulful beings, created to exhibit the most incredible works of the One who made all things. I’ve often wondered, why did God make us so emotional, or allow for us to feel things, some of which aren’t favorable. For example, losing something, or someone that holds a special place in your heart, brings a hurt that is unlike anything else. In the Bible, Jacob thought he had lost his “favorite” son, Joseph, which left a huge hole in his heart. This pain caused him to cling even more tightly to his youngest son, Benjamin. In the same way a physical scar heals, yet continues to reveal a scar, Jacob carried the scar of supposedly losing his son, for years (until he discovered he was actually alive).

Losing a loved one never feels good, especially if they left us with unresolved issues. For this reason, I advise all men to appreciate those who remain in your life, and love them unconditionally, because you never know when will be the last time you’ll see them. In addition, sympathize, and emphasize with those who may have lost someone dear to their hearts, because it’ll never be easy for them for the rest of their life.

We live this life for purpose and reason, but not too long, for only a season.

Ell

Hearts Of Repentance

Genesis 42:29-34

To what lengths would you go, to save the life of someone you love? The story of the life of Joseph is filled with many valuable lessons, that can all benefit anyone who desires to be more like God. In our text, Joseph was very careful not to reveal his identity to his brothers suddenly, as he perhaps desired to uncover the truths of his younger brother Benjamin, and his father Jacob. Joseph knew how vile and malicious the hearts of his older brothers were, so he was wise in his initial approach toward them.

The text reads that Joseph spake roughly with them, no doubt to bring back to their remembrance, how they willingly planned to end his young life. Through God’s wisdom, Joseph’s strategy worked. After a moment of harsh, yet necessary dealings with his brethren, Joseph caused the once unruly men to finally face the truth of their actions toward him as a child. It’s hard to get over being hurt, especially when it comes by the hands of family, but time always has a way of reminding your persecutors that their ungodly acts toward you, will always work against them, until they repent.

Joseph was able to endure extreme hardships, receive the highest honor as ruler of Egypt, and be reunited with his father and younger brother once again. Joseph’s brothers thought selling him into slavery would be his end, but God sent the young lad on a journey, to eventually preserve their very own lives. Your life may not seem to be all that and a bag of chips at the moment, but keep on pressing on, and watch how God orchestrates the events of your life, to serve His life-changing purpose.

We live this life for purpose and reason, but not too long, for only a season.

Ell

Wounded Love

Genesis 42:26-28

Do you find it easy for you to give, after you’ve been hurt, or do you cling to your possessions, not trusting that your acts of love and kindness will be appreciated by those whom you’ve forgiven? When a man abides in the love of God, it causes him to behave differently from those who are unaware of what His love truly stands for. God’s love is “patient, kind, does not envy, does not boast, is not proud, does not dishonor others, is not self-seeking, is not easily angered, keeps no record of wrongs, does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth, always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NIV).

It should never be hard for a Christian to bless others, even after experiencing hurt and shame. This was proven to be true in our text, where Joseph not only blessed his brothers with food supplies, but he secretly returned the money which they used to buy the goods. This simple, yet commendable act says a great deal about the character of Joseph. It was proven that he had forgiven his brothers, by the selfless acts of love he rendered to him.

As you continue on your journey through life, be mindful not to hold grudges against those who have wronged you. Instead, keep your heart open to forgive them, and your hands extended to offer a helping hand (within reason, of course… also be mindful of those who willingly try to take advantage of your kindness, and allow the Holy Ghost to give you discernment to know the difference).

We live this life for purpose and reason, but not too long, for only a season.

Ell

Oohhh Be Careful…

Genesis 42:1-5

One of the most influential lessons I’ve learned in life was, be careful how you treat a person, because you never know when you may need their help. Oftentimes, it’s a hard pill to swallow, requesting assistance from someone you’ve wronged severely and repeatedly, but receiving help from others comes easy, when you learn to show genuine love and respect toward them consistently.

Joseph’s brothers treated him unfairly, and refused to appreciate his gift, while choosing rather to see him suffer, than prosper. It’s sad and disheartening, when your own family treats you as if you were their enemy, rather than their own kin. But, through all his suffering, shame, and disappointment, God allowed Joseph to be blessed beyond his imagination.

Joseph was purposed to be blessed for many reasons, but also to lend a helping hand to those same brothers who sold him into slavery. During the time when the struggle through the famine became intense, Jacob commanded his sons to go to Egypt for food. After pondering on this lesson for a while, I’m convinced, Joseph knew he’d run into his brothers again, and God had placed him in a position that the average person would never reach during those days, so being in the presence of his jealous and cruel brothers, would definitely have a different flavor this go ’round. Despite the way he was treated, Joseph showed true love toward his brothers.

Can you show real love to someone who deliberately hurt you? Can you forgive, and bless that person who sought only to kill your hopes and dreams? Is your faith strong enough to endure suffering for a season, so that God can elevate you to a place from which you can bless those who caused all your suffering? Chew on that for a moment…

We live this life for purpose and reason, but not too long, for only a season.

Ell

Fruitful In The Famine

Genesis 41:25-33, 37-40, 50-52

Why do bad things happen to good people? Well, bad things happen to everyone, but it seems, at times, that the good suffer unnecessarily, simply for doing what’s right. Many have lost their lives in the past, for standing for truth, and although they were unable to live full lives, their message still resonates in our current time. In Scripture, Stephen was stoned to death, for doing great wonders and miracles among the people, and teaching the truths of Jesus. Many who strive to do good, suffer unfortunate hardships, but God sees all, and can use those hardships to promote those who endure them.

Our text summarizes the theme of Joseph’s life. Although he didn’t suffer death from all his negative occurrences, God proved to him that those who remain obedient to His Word, can and will be rewarded in the earth. Aside from being blessed during the famine, Joseph’s obedience to God caused him to become ruler of Egypt. Pharoah said to Joseph, “only in the throne will I be greater than thou” (vs. 40b). Wow, what an honor! Allow this lesson to encourage you to continue fighting the good fight. Bad things will happen to good people, but God will use those bad experiences, to elevate them to greater levels in Himself, and among men.

We live this life for purpose and reason, but not too long, for only a season.

Ell

One Source

Genesis 41:53-57

Trying to prosper in this life while navigating on your own judgment and intellect, will always lead you to an unfruitful end. There’s nothing inherently good in the earth (especially these days) except for those things we have need of to remain alive. Food, clothing, shelter, and good health are most important among all things we can accumulate, and without them, living could easily become a hard thing to do.

God gives those who trust in Him, wisdom required to navigate in the earth. The Lord knows all, and sees the end from the beginning. God knows when seasons will change, whether in nature, or in our own lives. He keeps His children clothed, fed, and protected, during all seasons, and desires that they always be prepared to extend provisions to others as well. It’s hard to convince someone, the God we serve is full of grace, and can supply all our needs, when we’re broke and struggling, but God can and will provide for those who diligently seek Him, and desire to do only what’s pleasing in His sight.

As we continue delving into the story of Joseph, we find where the seven years of plenty had come to an end, and famine took precedence in all civilized lands that surrounded Egypt. Because of Joseph’s interpretation of Pharoah’s dream, God allowed Egypt the opportunity to prepare well, before the time of dearth invaded the lands. It’s uncertain whether or not the other lands got wind of the prophetic words of Joseph, but the Bible noted, “And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph to buy corn; because the famine was so sore in all lands” (vs. 57).

We may not know what tomorrow holds, but we can be certain of who holds tomorrow. God will supply all our “need”, according to His riches in glory, and He expects His people to be ready and willing to help those who are in lack. Giving is God’s modus operandi, and it should be engrained in the minds of all Saints, to operate the same. “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again” (Luke 6:38 KJV). God is the source of all good things, and we can always come to Him to receive those things we have need of.

We live this life for purpose and reason, but not too long, for only a season.

Ell

Pharoah’s Ring

Genesis 41:41-49

Throughout the Bible, there are numerous underdog stories, that uplift those with heavy hearts, and encourage others with hung down heads, but of all the stories written, few compare to the life, and legacy of Joseph.

Born into a prestigious family line, Joseph was destined to continue in the footsteps of his predecessors. Like all feel-good stories, Joseph’s beginning was hard, harsh, and extremely cruel. From being hated by his own kin, to being imprisoned for false accusations, the servant of the Lord refused to allow his struggles and persecution to hinder his godly duties. How often do men turn away from God, and seek other sources for answers, when life hits them with seasons of trials and tribulations? Very often, from my perspective. The times we should cling to God most, is when trouble hits, because these are the very moments God desires to use us to accomplish great things.

Joseph’s patience, and endurance through his challenging season, paid off in an unprecedented way! From being literally thrown in a pit, then imprisoned, Joseph’s faithfulness to God awarded him the position of “ruler over all the land of Egypt” (vs. 43b). God may not make us kings, queens, and rulers over countries for our consistent holy living, but He can, and will bless His people in other ways. Whether we are blessed with good health, wealth, favor with man, healthy and obedient children, or any other good thing, staying true to God in the midst of hard times, will always work to the benefit of the Saints of God.

We live this life for purpose and reason, but not too long, for only a season.

Ell