It Was Always God’s Plan

 Scripture:

“After all, you weren't really the ones who sent me here—it was God. He made me the highest official in the king's court and placed me over all Egypt.” ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭45:8‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Observation:

When Joseph finally revealed himself to his brothers, he knew they would feel guilty about what they did to him. His response was priceless. He told them that they didn’t send him to Egypt, but God did, and He did it to be able to take care of them. God not only blessed him and turned his sorrow into joy, but God placed him over all Egypt. He let them know that God was with him al the way and that it was actually God’s plan coming to pass as he had seen in his dreams many, many years prior.

Application:

Even when it seems your enemies triumph over you for a season, God may be setting you us for a massive victory. God uses to the situations of our lives to bring about His will. Sometimes He has to allow certain things to happen that may not feel good to us, but He knows the outcomes and is willing to let us go through some difficulties in order to make His victory more sweet. The story gives God even more glory because of the pit, and Potiphar’s house and the prison. It makes it clearly something only God could do and He gets the credit.

Prayer:

Father, I want to live a life in oneness with You. I want You to be with me all the days of my life. When I struggle at times, let me know You are with me and its all part of Your plan. Teach me to wait patiently for You to move and raise me up. Let me have the heart of Joseph.

Yours,

Jeff

Completely Forgotten

 Scripture:

“but the king's personal servant completely forgot about Joseph.” ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭40:23‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Observation:

Pharaoh’s chief butler and baker were thrown into prison with Joseph, there Jospeh interpreted their dreams accurately. He had one request, don’t forget me when what I said happens. Of course, life always has twists and turns.  The butler completely forgot about Joseph and left him in prison until the king needed a dream interpreted. The king brought Joseph out of prison so he could interpret the dream, and the rest is history.

Application:

Sometimes in life it is easy to feel forgotten. Most people truly have good intentions, but somehow forget the promises they have made. The beauty of God is that He never forgets where we are. He knows every time we are forgotten and doesn’t forget his promises to us. They may not come when we want them to, but His promises will come to pass if we remain faithful. With God, there may be times when we think He has forgotten us, but He hasn’t. 

Prayer:

Lord God, help me to know deep in my spirit that You never forget Your promises. When I feel forgotten or overlooked, help me to know that my hope is not in any person, but in You. You are my rock and my foundation. You are my sword and shield. You are my strength and my deliverer. You never forget. Help me to trust You in that.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

God WITH Us

 Scripture:

“The jailer did not worry about anything, because the Lord was with Joseph and made him successful in all that he did.” ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭39:23‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Observation:

Joseph had a couple of dreams that got him in trouble with his brothers. They sold him into slavery, where God blessed him and he was given charge over a powerful man’s home. From there he was falsely accused of something he didn’t do and put into prison.  This verse find him in the prison where it says, “the jailer did not worry about anything, because the Lord was with Joseph and made him successful in all that he did. In this story, we continue to see that the Lord was WITH Joseph and made him successful in everything. 

Application:

When the Lord is WITH someone, he always seems to prosper them and raise them up above their peers. The biggest goal of our lives should be to have the Lord smile upon us and bless us with His presence. When God is pleased with someone, He makes them successful in everything they do. I don’t want to try to make myself successful, but I do want God to bless my life, which brings success in every realm. I need to live a life that pleases God first and foremost so He can bless it.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, my life is in Your hands. Help me to follow You closely and to do Your will at all times. I long for oneness with You. I want to see what You’re doing and hear what You’re saying. Tune me in and let me walk in step with You. As You were WITH Joseph, I want You to BE WITH me every day.

Your Son,

Jeff

Defined by Where You Settle

 Scripture:

“Magdiel, and Iram. These clans descended from Esau, who was known as Edom, the father of the Edomites. They took their names from the places where they settled.” ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭36:43‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Observation:

This passage says that the descendants of Esau took their names from the places they settled. The children of Israel always took names that meant something and, generally were prophetic names concerning who they would become. The thing that stood out to me here was that they were named by their surroundings instead of being named by their father. They were named for where they were instead of where they were going.

Application:

You will be defined by what you settle for or allow in your life. Will I be defined by where I have been or where I am in life right now or will I be defined by the prophetic revelation of God’s plan for my life? Will I be defined by what God sees in me or by what those around me see? I don’t want to be known for what I see around me, but by what my Father says about me.

Prayer:

Father, you named me Jeffrey, heavenly peace. Let me be defined by what You have to say about my life and not what others, or circumstances, or achievements, etc. have to say about my life. Help me not to be defined by where I am in life, but by You Lord. Help me not to settle for what others say about me, but to know what You have to say about me. Let my life reflect Your glory.

Yours Forever,

Jeffrey

Wrestling with God

 Scripture:

“The man said, “From now on, your name will no longer be Jacob. You will be called Israel, because you have wrestled with God and with men, and you have won.”” ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭32:28‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Observation:

Jacob was on his way back home to his family after serving Laban for 20 years and building his family. He was preparing to meet his brother Esau for the first time after they had parted twenty years before. One night he wrestled with a man, who turned out to be the Lord. When the Lord wanted to go, Jacob told him, “I won’t let you go until you bless me.” He wrestled with God for his blessing. He wouldn’t let go until he had God’s blessing on this life. 

Application:

Jacob was already a very blessed man, but he understood the power of God’s blessing. He knew that when God blesses someone, everything will be okay. He knew it would go well with his brother if he was blessed by God. He knew he would prosper if he was blessed by God. We must learn to wrestle for the blessing of God in our lives. We must learn to seek God until He blesses us. His blessing on our lives can change any situation. His blessing can change everything. When God blesses you, even your enemies realize you are blessed.

Prayer:

Lord, bless me. Bless my family. Bless Word of Life. Bless Hearts for the Harvest. Bless everything You put into my hand. I want to live a life that is blessed by You. Help me not to give up in any area but to seek You until my life is blessed in every way. Let the world see my life and know that God has blessed me. I’m willing to wrestle. I’m willing to go after that blessing.

Your Son,

Jeff

God’s Presence

 Scripture:

“Jacob woke up suddenly and thought, “The Lord is in this place, and I didn't even know it.”” ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭28:16‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Observation:

Jacob had just had his proverbial “Jacob’s Ladder” dream. When we woke up, he thought to himself, “The Lord is in this place and I didn’t even know it.” He came to realize that God was Omni-present, everywhere, all the time. He didn’t feel like God was there, but he suddenly realized, God is not only in one location or another. He is as close as the mention of His name.

Application:

Sometimes God is closer than we think. When we look at situations and problems in our lives, we must realize that God hasn’t disappeared, or gone away. Sometimes when we think God it’s far away from us, He is right there. He will never leave us nor forsake us. He allows Himself to feel distant to cause us to seek Him, but really He is as close as the mention of His name. 

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, You are everywhere, but You are right here. You are closer to me than it feels like. When it seems You are far away and not answering my prayers, help me to stand strong and know that You haven’t gone anywhere, rather, You want me to seek You more and more. Help me to always be a seeker of Yours. Let me realize that You are with me at all times and never leave me.

Your Son,

Jeff

Blessed and Highly Favored

Scripture:

“Abraham was now a very old man. The Lord had made him rich, and he was successful in everything he did.” ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭24:1‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Observation:

Here we see Abraham as an old man. He had obeyed God and followed what the Lord had told him to do. He was willing to offer his only son, his promised son, Isaac as an offering to the Lord. He had followed the voice of the Lord throughout his life and was blessed because of it. Here it says the Lord made him very rich and he was successful in everything he did. God does bless his obedient children!

Application:

It is God who promotes, empowers, raises up, and blesses. God can take anyone, who is obedient, and raise them up as a testimony of his goodness. Just like Abraham’s obedience to the voice of the Lord and the Word of the Lord, caused him to have a blessed life, so our lives are blessed when we obey the Lord in all things. Our job is obedience, His job is blessing! Obedience positions us for blessing. Therefore, obedience to the word of the Lord is crucial if we want to live blessed lives.

Prayer:

Lord God, help me to obey You fully and completely. Teach me to follow Your ways and walk in Your footsteps. Let my response to You always be yes and amen. Bless my life. Bless my family. Bless the church I lead and bless the ministry I lead. It all belongs to You for Your purposes.

Yours Forever,

Jeff