As you shall see in the story of Joseph, jealousy brews hatred, evil schemes, and lies. The story of Joseph begins with his dream of reigning over his family. After telling his brothers and father about his dream where they would bow down to him, the brothers became jealous but the father kept what he said, in his mind. The brothers were jealous of Joseph because the father paid more attention to him. And when the brothers saw how much the father loved him, they hated Joseph. Perhaps the brothers did not know the reason that the father loved Joseph more. The father loved Joseph because he was born to him at an old age. Moreover, the brothers’ anger and jealousy caused them to hate Joseph. One day as Joseph was approaching them, they made the sarcastic remark “Oh look, here comes that dream expert!” And plotted to kill him. However, Reuben the first born convinced them not to shed blood or take Joseph’s life but instead, throw him into a pit. In agreement the brothers stripped him of his robe of many colors and threw him into the waterless pit. As the brothers sat to eat their meal, a caravan of traders from Gilead caught their eyes. Judah expressed that selling Joseph would be more profitable than taking Joseph’s life. So they sold Joseph for 20 pieces of silver to the Ishmaelites who then, took Joseph to Egypt. Once Reuben was informed by his brothers of the events that took place, in his fear of what to say to his father, agreed to tell the lie that Joseph was killed by a male goat. Proverbs 27:4 reads “Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?
Through all Joseph’s troubles, God was with Joseph for He had a plan and purpose for his life. Romans 8:28 reads “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” As one further reads the story of Joseph, his dream did come true. For God was with him and had sent him to establish his family as a remnant within the land and keep them alive by a great deliverance, in addition to settling them in the land of Goshen where they were to be sustained (Genesis 45:7-11).
Reflection: Your family may have jealousy that brews hate, not knowing that the plan and purpose for your life may turn out to be for the good in their lives and the lives of many others in the land of milk and honey.
Sharing one of my creative ideas, matching songs with scripture. I invite you to try it. Sing to the Lord for He has done excellent things. This is known in all the earth (Isaiah 12:5).
Order My Steps: Psalm 37:23-24 the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord and He delights in ways. Though they stumble they will never fall for the Lord holds them by the hand.
Now Behold the Lamb: John 1:22, John the Baptist, proclaims! Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
I Give Myself Away: Romans 12:1-2, I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God which is your reasonable service.
How Great is Our God: Psalm 95:1-3 Oh come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. For the Lord is the great God, And the great King above all gods.
Most Mighty, Omnipotent, Omnipresent God, we ask for a Spiritual awakening through the power of Your Holy Spirit, let Your love pour out like falling rain, let the waters of the flowing river overflow with the abundant fruits and gifts of the Spirit. May the Spirit of the Living God fall fresh on Your beloved children in a powerful and mighty way. Father we pray for their hearts and minds to be open as wide as the gates of heaven to believing and receiving all that you have through the power of the Holy Spirit. Father, through Your divine power instill in Your beloved children a fresh new love for You, each other, and the world. This is the prayer of Your servants, in the precious blood of the Lamb, Jesus. Amen.
Christlike love is given through the power of the Holy Spirit. An agape love that endures, follows God’s instruction, and brings His resounding love into this world’s Babylonian mess.
Christlike love serves a higher purpose, saving those from oppression, reconciling God’s people to Him, and demonstrating His heartfelt love. In putting the burning fires of hate, anger, greed, and selfishness out with the life giving water of the Holy Spirit, sent from heaven above. Leaving smoldering, purified ashes, rising in an aroma of sweet smelling smoke, of the Father’s divine reigning power and glory.
Christlike love is compelled to serve and shows no partiality. For the law of love is Jesus’ law and reality. In loving the Father and loving one’s neighbor, no matter of one’s status, language, or race. Christlike love sees what the Father sees and shares the Father’s heart, A heart filled with compassion, forgiveness, mercy and grace.
The Father says gather my children of the promise, Oh gather my children, from every nation and tribe from generation to generation. Oh sing God’s faithful ones rejoice ! rejoice! Set your eyes on above filled with the power of love, in all gentleness and faith, keeping your eyes on Jesus, our precious Savior and King, let your resounding voices sing, exalt the King. Rejoice! rejoice!
Let the doves fly and the spiritual rivers flow, from soul to soul. Heaven on earth, His Kingdom advancement, is the goal. Dance like David with your priestly garments on and make shouts of joy. Joyful shouting from every mountain top in every corner of His world. Understanding that Christlike love heals, comforts, brings deliverance, and strengthens through the power of Holy Spirit, infusing in the believer’s soul.
Father, I pray that many more of Your people from every nation and tribe, and those who will today and in the future, come in faith in Jesus, be filled with Your Christlike love by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Reading: Romans 13:8-10
“ Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”
The world has had enough of their hideous escapades
Reading: John 8:12 (NIV)
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”
Wind Gust 