Month: October 2022

Joseph’s first dreams were for himself, most dreams are for ourselves, but he was a young man and though true the dreams were for a long time in the future. He also had two dreams, confirmation of the message.

² This is the account of Jacob’s family line.

Joseph, a young man of seventeen, was tending the flocks with his brothers, … Genesis 37

Two Dreams, his brothers’ sheaves bowing down to his and the sun, moon and stars also bowing to him. The Lord showed Joseph his future, but not all the steps in between to get him there. The vision inspires us, but the process is when God works on our character, crucifying our Flesh, the Old Rebellious Nature in all of us.

The second set of dreams were Pharaoh’s officials in prison under Joseph’s supervision. Joseph knew God could give him the interpretations these men sought and their dreams revealed their futures.

⁸ ‘We both had dreams,’ they answered, ‘but there is no one to interpret them.’

Then Joseph said to them, ‘Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.’ Genesis 40

Two dreams with the same time frame but very different outcomes. Joseph SERVED THE MEN, BUT IN DOING SO GOD opened a way into the presence of the ruler of Egypt. SERVING BRINGS ITS OWN REWARDS WHICH MAY NOT ALWAYS BE OBVIOUS!

41 WHEN TWO FULL YEARS HAD PASSED, Pharaoh had a dream: Genesis 41

Joseph must have thought he was destined to spend the rest of his life serving in the prison, but God’s time for his promotion arrived. Pharaoh was given TWO DREAMS ON THE SAME NIGHT and didn’t know what they meant. His counsellors were of no help and then the cupbearer remembered Joseph. God had his own unique timing for the outworking of His purposes, just the same at the present time. This world has been held in captivity for almost two years, but God can end it all in a moment.

Joseph had no influence over the timing of his call into the presence of Pharaoh, he had to clean himself up and then he was right there, but so was His and Our God.

¹⁴ So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon. When he had shaved and changed his clothes, he came before Pharaoh.

¹⁵ Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.’

¹⁶ ‘I cannot do it,’ Joseph replied to Pharaoh, ‘but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.’ Genesis 41

DESTINIES ARE BEING DECIDED TODAY, after two years of restriction, just as Joseph’s destiny was decided when he interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams. We must be prepared to step forward when God’s opportunity comes and use our gifts, even though they may have lain dormant for a time.

²⁹ For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn; he will never go back on his promises. Romans 11:29 TLB

God bless and keep you today.

Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
CHRIST IN MOUTH OF FRIEND AND STRANGER.

From Saint Patrick’s Breastplate, 6th century.

We’ve been speaking of Joseph in Genesis 39, still serving time in the prison. As we step into Genesis 40 we read about two servants of Pharaoh who made his acquaintance in the prison, after displeasing their master.

⁴ The captain of the guard assigned them to Joseph, (God’s handiwork in this) and he attended them. Genesis 40

So Joseph made a ‘Connection’ with these two officials of Pharaoh; God brought them to him right there in prison. They were there because they’d upset Pharaoh, but they were also there to meet Joseph and learn of his skill in interpreting dreams.

⁸ ‘We both had dreams,’ they answered, ‘but there is no one to interpret them.’

Then Joseph said to them, ‘Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.’ 

Three days later both were gone, the cupbearer reinstated and the baker executed. That was all the time God needed to make the introduction between Joseph and a serving official of the king.

¹⁴ But when all goes well with you, REMEMBERER ME AND SHOW ME KINDNESS; MENTION ME TO PHARAOH AND GET ME OUT OF THIS PRISON. ¹⁵ I was forcibly carried off from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing to deserve being put in a dungeon.’ 

²³ The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him. Genesis 40

Joseph had the right idea about someone speaking a word in the king’s ear for him, but it wasn’t God’s time just yet. He had to serve a bit longer until God’s time was right, a Kairos moment (Greek word for the right or perfect time)

God sent someone into Joseph’s life, a divine introduction. He still does these things today and Joseph may have sensed in some way that this man could help him, but nothing happened. He must have been disappointed, however God had not finished. Pharaoh would have his dreams and then Joseph would be called for.

Some of us may be about to meet or have already met someone whom God has brought into our lives. Nothing may have happened yet, but God’s plans always bear fruit.

I started today with part of the Prayer of Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland.

‘CHRIST IN MOUTH OF FRIEND AND STRANGER.‘

Look for Christ in the mouths of those God brings into your life.

Fathers Love Ministry would welcome your support today. Please donate at our website;

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We are available to seek personal words of encouragement and to counsel those who wish it online, contact us on our website above.

THE LORD IS NO ONE’S DEBTOR, HALLELUJAH.

 

Perhaps your Gifting still has to find it’s fullest expression!

² The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. ³ When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, ⁴ Joseph found favour in his eyes and became his attendant. POTIHAR PUT HIM IN CHARGE OF HIS HOUSEHOLD, AND HE ENTRUSTED TO HIS CARE EVERYTHING HE OWNED. Genesis 39

²² So the warder PUT JOSEPH IN CHARGE OF ALL those held in the prison, and HE WAS MADE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL THAT WAS DONE THERE. ²³ The warder paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did. 

Joseph had a GOVERNMENTAL GIFTING which initially found expression in unusual and uninspiring places.

We said yesterday, DON’T BEGRUDGE SERVING YOUR POTIPHAR, God may have appointed them to Nurture and School the Gifting on your life. The roles given to Joseph were those of a house slave and a prisoner, but those roles in miniature, prepared him for his future – God’s training ground with a Hidden Connection to Pharaoh.

The eventual outcome in Joseph’s life was just a huge expansion of his previous positions.

Derek Prince May be a modern day example of God’s preparation for a life and ministry. He began life as a highly educated scholar of the Classics, Greek and Latin, and also Philosophy, literally love of knowledge. Like Joseph’s dreams, he had an early supernatural encounter with the Lord outlining his future. A teacher of the word and more; his life would be a stream, become a mighty river and then an ocean. In the beginning he had to seal and address the envelopes himself when sending mail to his supporters, but eventually God gave him a worldwide ministry. The stream did become a mighty ocean, BECAUSE GOD SAID IT WOULD.

We are living in a day when there’s going to be a huge expansion of the Kingdom of God on this earth and God has been preparing people for significant roles in the coming outpouring of His Spirit. First thing is, don’t step back in fear when He calls you to step forward in Faith. His final outcome for your life may look nothing like the house servant, nor prisoner. In this day He needs people to step into the roles He’s prepared for us from before creation. They may look very different to where we’ve come from but He needs us in this day. Be available, it may be bumpy at times but it will be exciting and fulfilling.

²⁷ ‘So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.’ Numbers 6

 

God may choose to bless others, even through you, BUT BE PATIENT, YOUR SEASON FOR HIS BLESSING WILL COME.

39 Now Joseph had been taken DOWN TO EGYPT. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was ONE OF PHARAOH’S OFFICIALS, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there. Genesis 39

The Bible talks about going DOWN TO EGYPT (Egypt a type of the World) and UP TO JERUSALEM (City of Peace and Making Aliyah, for returning Jews). God used Egypt to provide for His people during famine and also a place of refuge for His Son, but it was never the final destination for them, nor us!

Does God have a ‘Potiphar’ in your life at this time? DON’T BEGRUDGE SERVING THEM, they may be part of His plan and preparation for your future. Joseph had to learn to take orders before he could give orders – be entrusted with high position as the ruler of Egypt.

More importantly there was a Hidden Connection with the Pharaoh. Potiphar was a captain of Pharaoh’s guard, whom Joseph would eventually serve.

Both Joseph and his father Jacob carried the blessing of God on their lives, even outside the land God had promised. We shouldn’t resent others being blessed through our service (others names may appear taking credit for our work, but God rewards His own). Better to have satisfaction from serving well and allowing God to promote us than having a bad attitude to those around us. We should always remember that we’re a living testimony for the Lord, especially if we’re known to others as Believers.

Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, ⁷ and after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, ‘Come to bed with me!’

⁸ But he refused. Genesis 39

A major problem arose for Joseph right in the house where he lived and worked, Potiphar’s wife wanted to sleep with him,  but he refused despite her repeated appeals, (trials may remain for a season) in fact he finally RAN FROM HER. Genesis 39:12 Good advice for those facing repeated temptations and not just sexual. Many areas, including business partnerships – RUN, don’t walk away from sin!

Once again Joseph seemed to have been harshly treated, now ending up in prison for resisting a sinful liaison. (No sin was recorded against Joseph, he’s regarded as a Type of Christ). But the Hidden Connection to the Pharaoh still remained as Joseph progressed further along God’s plan.

²⁰ Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, THE PLACE WHERE THE KING’S PRISONERS WERE CONFINED.

But while Joseph was there in the prison, ²¹ THE LORD WAS WITH HIM; HE SHOWED HIM KINDNESS AND GRANTED HIM FAVOUR in the eyes of the prison warder. Genesis 39

God kept Joseph and blessed him, even in the dungeon. His goodness never left Joseph’s life, no matter what his situation and He’s just as faithful towards His children now.

God bless and keep you today.

Heaven may be cheering and applauding when things look at their worst for us! Why? Heaven knows God’s plans and the good He intends to do us.

We saw yesterday how Joseph’s brothers stripped him of ‘his richly ornamented robe’. Genesis 37:23 His status as Favourite Son was gone in a moment. Then he lost his Freedom, they confined him in a cistern. But his brothers weren’t allowed to harm Joseph, (his name means ‘God will give’ and also ‘to increase’) much like God forbade Satan to harm Job in all his trials. Finally, Joseph was sold into Egypt, a strange land with different culture and customs where he was a slave. Joseph had no say in any of this, God ordained the course of his life from this time on.

²⁹ When Reuben returned to the cistern and saw that Joseph was not there, he tore his clothes. ³⁰ He went back to his brothers and said, ‘The boy isn’t there! Where can I turn now?’ Genesis 37

Often when we’re facing problems we’re tempted to say if only so and so were here, they’d know what to do and help us get out of this. Reuben was the eldest and no doubt bore greater responsibility before his father for Joseph, but God didn’t allow Reuben to be there until Joseph was gone. Sometimes God’s will is that we face a particular problem on our own; He may be trying to develop/deal with something deep inside us. A battle that He wants us to overcome in our weakness and trusting in Him alone.

I know an experienced minister friend from America who has preached in many nations. They were on another trip to Africa and something unexpected happened. They were murmuring to the Lord about what they were going to do and heard Him say, ‘YES, YOU’VE ONLY GOT ME NOW.’ Like Joseph, sometimes it will just be us and the Lord; He’s arranged it that way!

³⁴ Then Jacob tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and mourned for his son many days. ³⁵ All his sons and daughters came to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. 

Jacob took the loss of Joseph, Rachel’s son, very hard, but God’s plan for Joseph’s life had begun.

³⁶ MEANWHILE, the Midianites sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard. Genesis 37

‘MEANWHILE’, such an important word. While mourning and grieving was going on in the earth, God’s plans were taking shape. All the events that have happened recently and many more still to come; MEANWHILE GOD’S PLANS FOR THE FUTURE ARE UNDERWAY. For a season Israel would live in Goshen and eat the best of the land during severe Famine.

May God bless and keep you today.

 

Many times our souls may wince at what God has planned for our lives.

Joseph, the Favourite of his father Jacob is such a one.

The account of Joseph, the fourth generation from Abraham, begins in Genesis 37. God is now working with a family on the earth to bring about redemption for mankind.

²³ So when Joseph came to his brothers, THEY STRIPPED HIM OF HIS ROBE – the ornate robe he was wearing – ²⁴ and they took him and threw him into the cistern. THE CISTERN WAS EMPTY; there was no water in it. Genesis 37

Joseph, the Favourite had the coloured robe, a special gift from his father that set him apart from his brothers. He stood out from them, but the first thing to go was his robe. (Speaks of his Old or Former Identity) We all come to the Lord as individuals (the world and the enemy DEMAND CONFORMITY) but God created each of us as unique individuals. However God had a different plan for Joseph and eventually he would be known as the ‘Prince among his brothers’, Genesis 49:26, but not for many years and after many trials. So in a moment Joseph was stripped of his dignity, all reason for pride as the Favourite was gone.

Next his freedom was taken from him when the brothers threw him into the cistern, reminiscent of Jeremiah, but this one was dry. They weren’t allowed to drown him, only to confine him. It may often appear to us as if things are out of control in our lives, but God actually controls the smallest details as we submit to His will. (Hannah Whitall Smith author of ‘The Christian’s secret of a Happy Life)

²⁵ As they sat down to eat their meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were loaded with spices, balm and myrrh, and they were on their way to take them down to Egypt.

²⁶ Judah said to his brothers, ‘What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? ²⁷ Come, let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood.’ His brothers agreed.

²⁸ So when the Midianite merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and SOLD HIM FOR TWENTY SHEKELS OF SILVER to the Ishmaelites, WHO TOOK HIM TO EGYPT. (Represents the World)

THEY SOLD JOSEPH INTO EGYPT. Joseph was traded for money into a system he didn’t even know. The people of God have also been sold into the system of this world, but God is now working to set us free and bring us out of our slavery. The enemy has ensnared and enslaved us in many ways within his system of government, but just like Joseph God has His plan for deliverance. For many believers this has been the only life we’ve known and so anything else may seem strange and even threatening. I believe Joseph, an early type of Christ, is an encouragement for us.

May God bless and keep you today.

Samson lost his way, but the Lord intervened and in the end gave him his greatest victory! Hallelujah Will He do the same again for His people today?

Samson stirred up great anger from the Philistines when he took revenge on his wife and father-in-law. He burned the Philistines corn and then slaughtered many of them for murdering his wife.

THREE THOUSAND MEN, a significant number, came from Judah to take him prisoner and bring him to the enemy. They agreed not to harm Samson, but tied him up and handed him over to their enemy. We have seen people today acquiescing in the face of opposition, so as not to disturb those in  authority. Samson was definitely not one of these, he rose up, or was stirred up and greatly disturbed the enemy.

He liked to write poetic lines to record his victories, (much like David wrote his psalms) when he slew a thousand with the jaw bone of an ass. God gave Samson victory against the greatest of odds AND HE CAN DO IT AGAIN, NO ENEMY IS TOO GREAT FOR OUR ALMIGHTY GOD.

¹⁶ Then Samson said,

²⁸ Then Samson prayed to the Lord, “Sovereign Lord, remember me. Please, God, strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes.” ²⁹ Then Samson reached toward the two central pillars on which the temple stood. Bracing himself against them, his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other, ³⁰ Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” Then he pushed with all his might, and down came the temple on the rulers and all the people in it. Thus he killed many more when he died than while he lived.

NEVER GIVE UP, GOD CAN GIVE THE WEAKEST SERVANT ASTOUNDING VICTORY AGAINST AN ENEMY.

Fathers Love Ministry would welcome your support today. Please donate at our website;

fathersloveministry.co.uk

We are available to seek personal words of encouragement and to counsel those who wish it online, contact us on our website above.

THE LORD IS NO ONE’S DEBTOR, HALLELUJAH.

What’s given to Him will always be multiplied back to us.

God bless and keep you today.

 

Samson (Shimshon, Hebrew – of the sun) was chosen from the womb to fight and kill the enemies of God’s people. All mankind is born into this battle of the ages, though many are unaware.

Samson’s parents had an angelic visitation before his birth, instructing them how he must be cared for, while still in his mother’s womb.

⁵ You will become pregnant and have a son whose head is never to be touched by a razor because the boy is to be a Nazirite, dedicated to God from the womb. He will begin the  DELIVERANCE OF ISRAEL FROM THE HANDS OF THE PHILISTINES.”

⁷ But he said to me, ‘You will become pregnant and have a son. Now then, drink no wine or other fermented drink and do not eat anything unclean, because the boy will be a Nazirite of God from the womb UNTIL THE DAY OF HIS DEATH. (Samson was God’s man from birth to death, his misdeeds never changed that!) ’ ” Judges 13

The instructions were repeated twice to be absolutely sure that they would be obeyed.

²⁴ The woman gave birth to a boy and named him Samson. He grew and the LORD BLESSED HIM, ²⁵ AND THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD BEGAN TO STIR HIM while he was in Mahaneh Dan, (Means camp of Dan, camp of judgement and HOST of judgement) between Zorah and Eshtaol. Judges 13

The Lord blessed His man as he grew, but then there came a time when the Spirit of The Lord began to stir him. At some point in a life God begins to seek to introduce His plan and purpose and that’s a very important moment for us all. Samson had been set aside for this moment from the womb, probably just as well as he was a strong character. He began to move into the things of God, perhaps not even fully aware of God’s leading. The location where this occurred was Mahaneh Dan, means camp of Dan, but also camp of judgement and Host (Heavenly Host) of judgement. God’s judgement was coming on the enemy.

14 Samson went down to Timnah and saw there a young Philistine woman. ² When he returned, he said to his father and mother, “I have seen a Philistine woman in Timnah; now get her for me as my wife.” Judges 14

His Father wasn’t happy and no wonder, marriage to a gentile was forbidden, especially an enemy.

But Samson said to his father, “Get her for me. She’s the right one for me.” ⁴ (His parents did not know that THIS WAS FROM THE LORD, WHO WAS SEEKING AN OCCASION TO CONFRONT THE PHILISTINES; for at that time they were ruling over Israel.)

God was breaking all the rules to pick a fight with the enemy. Truly His ways are not our ways,

⁸ “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
⁹ “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55

Samson was misunderstood by his own father and his people. How often is this true in the Church today, the ones who’re walking with God are often labelled as extreme and troublesome. But God’s not interested in keeping religious people comfortable or maintaining the status quo. No one should rule over His people and He will move heaven and earth to stop that. God is violently confronting the enemies of His people today, the Host of Judgement is moving.

God bless and keep you today.

Some powerful promises from the Lord for His children. Proverbs 10

Don’t live your life ‘treading water’, Paul was determined to  Press On.

‘Treading Water’ means keeping our head above water, but not going anywhere, no forward movement.

¹² Not that I have already obtained all this, (Conformity to Christ and Resurrection with Him) or have already arrived at my goal, but I PRESS ON to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Philippians 3

Paul was aware that he hadn’t yet achieved his goal and so he was Pressing On. His purpose was to fulfil that for which Christ had taken hold of him. Every Christian has FIRST ‘been taken hold of’ by the Lord! God is the One who initiated our coming to know Him, He pursued us. But Paul now says twice that he’s going to Press On to fulfil God’s Call on his life.

¹³ Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: FORGETTING WHAT IS BEHIND AND STRAINING TOWARDS WHAT IS AHEAD, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

It’s interesting that Paul puts Forgetting first. HE WASN’T ALLOWING HIS PAST TO ROB HIM OF HIS FUTURE. If ever anyone had reason to look back and reflect on all the things he’d done for the Lord it was surely Paul, but Paul was determined to Press On. Our past, especially if we’re older, can rob us of the good things God still has for us to do, if we too are willing to Press On. Paul wanted ‘to win the Prize’ for which he’d been called heavenward and we too have our own prize to win.

¹² Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. ¹³ In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, … I charge you ¹⁴ to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁵ which God will bring about in his own time 1 Timothy 6

Paul urged his spiritual son, Timothy, to ‘Fight the good Fight of Faith and lay hold of the eternal life to which he also was called’. In the previous verse Paul exhorts Timothy to pursue six things, including Endurance. We’re living in days when we need a stubborn determination to hold onto God, no matter what happens.

God bless and keep you today.