The walls of the pit must have seemed higher than a building as it blocked out the sun while his brothers looked down at him. The only thing he had done was to share the dreams he had over the past few nights. His brother became furious at his interpretation of the dreams. His brothers disliked the more he obeyed his father. Now, he is in a pit… just waiting.
The next step would take him farther from home. His brothers ended up selling him to slave traders. He ended up being sold again to the captain of the military guard in Egypt. Now he was a servant in a foreign land far from home. In a short time, he went from being the most loved son of his father to being a servant in a God-less kingdom.
Even though he was in a foreign land, the Lord watched over him and brought him to a place of prominence in the empire. Long story short, he ended up in prison for doing what was right. His choice of the right thing ended up putting him in the wrong place.
How can a man stay true to who he is called to be when, at every height, there is a rocky bottom?
Whether a pit or a foreign prison, he was at the bottom again?
What do you do when everyone turns their back on you?
- Joseph stayed faithful. The Lord blessed Joseph in prison and each blessing brought him success. (Genesis 39.21-23)
- Joseph uses his abilities. Not only was Joseph faithful, but he used his gifts to bless those around him. (Genesis 40.1-15)
- Joseph remembered God. As God remembered Joseph, Joseph remembered the way God had blessed him and he looked into the future. (Genesis 41.50.52)
Just some thoughts,
When Jesus gathered with His closest friends shortly before His betrayal and arrest, He says, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” (John 16.13; ESV)
While most know the verse, it is important to realize the background of His words. The background is simple, yet chilling.
Jesus was getting ready to die, and He knew it. As one might say, “His time had come.” He knew that shortly one of his closest followers would betray him for money, that another would deny him three times and still all the others would disappear for a while. He would be left alone. It would be difficult.
Jesus taught many lessons throughout His brief time on Earth, but one of the greatest lessons He taught was service. Even though He knew His friends would leave Him, He still stood firm and served them so their lives could be greater.
Jesus’ interests were clearly in the lives of those around Him. He knew His purpose (Luke 19.10) and His purpose was not of His own, but that of the Father. (John 6.38) Even in His prayer in John 17, one can see the actions of Jesus were to glorify the Father (John 17.1-5). As Jesus prays for Himself, He does not forget His friends (John 17.20-26)
Are you interested in the people?
Jesus found an interest in people because they needed someone to lead them to a better life. Earlier in His ministry, Matthew records that Jesus “…had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matthew 9.35-38)
Are you sharing the story of Jesus’ interest in people?
Remember, Jesus is interested in you.
Just a thought,
The apostle Peter is known for two things (1) putting his foot in his mouth often and (2) delivering the sermon on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2. Those two events in Peter’s life are his most well-known, but also a testimony to his personal growth.
Peter followed Christ after his brother Andrew brought him to see Jesus (John 1.41-42). Who knew that fisherman from a small town in Galilee would follow the Messiah for three years, open his mouth too soon, yet stand before other followers of Jesus and deliver a message which would, through the power of God, convert over 3,000 people from the beginning. (Acts 2.41)
Who knew?
God knew.
God knew that one person had the power to share a message and convert others.
Jesus knew.
From their first meeting, Jesus called Peter “Cephas” which means rock. Whether it is a look into Peter’s character or his firmness in his beliefs, we know that the word “rock” would mean greater things as the years went on. (Note Matthew 16.16-18)
What caused such growth in Peter? What caused Peter to go from being a fisherman to being a gospel preacher? What allowed Peter to go from an open mouth to preaching from an open heart?
Peter was not a PH.D. candidate, nor was he a theological scholar, yet the Jewish leaders noticed something about his life. They noticed that this “uneducated, common” man had been with Jesus. (Acts 4.13)
Because Peter spent time with Jesus, people saw his boldness and his life. Spending time with Jesus not only changed Peter’s life, but it will change your life.
How can you spend time with Jesus?
Open his words and spend time with His followers being encouraged together.
Just a thought,
Another year has begun, and a fresh start is here!
As the days of a new year are upon us, let us remember that even though it might be a new year, God is still the same and He desires a relationship with you.
God wants you to come to Him. “This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:3-4)
God wants to give you His mercy. “Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” (1 Peter 2:10)
God wants to give you His grace. “But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’” (James 4:6)
God wants you to be victorious. “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57)
God wants to give you a home. “…Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:17-18)
Remember, no matter what the year, the month or the day, God still wants you. It is His desire for you to have the greatest gift one could consider; a home with Him forever.
Just some thoughts,
This is Day #2
Join is this week as we study John 13.
This chapter is filled with examples, illustrations, and words of Jesus which motivate us for greater living. In this study we will look at the Passover, the dinner with the disciples, the betrayer (Judas), the confusion at the table, Peters famous words, and the feet washing Savior of the World. Join us this week as we study together.
The videos below are on YouTube and Rumble. You can choose whichever format you prefer.
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The Bible Class on Rumble:
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The Bible Class on Youtube:
You can find more videos of the Preacher’s Pen on YouTube by clicking here.
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