Tag: Joseph

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Hope that is not in vain

Two days ago I wrote about Joseph and his remarkable ability to stay focused on God even when it seemed that his life was falling down around him. The story is such a great example of well placed hope. Sort of like the hope found in Israel described below by the  prophet Isaiah.

those who hope in me will not be disappointed.” (Isaiah 49:23 NIV)

Remembering this promise each day as I deal with the junk called ‘daily life’ provides with me a little more optimist and widens my ability to accept difficulties.  Knowing that  hope is not misplaced sends all of our first world problems to the background and helps move the focus on to the things that have importance.  Things like relationships, building up others, and like Joseph giving your best effort every day.

Take a moment throughout the day to refresh the placement of your hope, and reveal in the promise.  Then go and do.

 

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As it was with Joseph

I love the story of Joseph. I have written about this story many times before. I think it is pretty awesome to see how Joseph keeps his head focused in the right direction, even when it does not appear that things are going his way. I have been reminded of this over the last three weeks as I have been teaching the story to the group of teenagers that I get to hang out with. This verse in particular is something that is quite motivating to me as I face the challenges of the day.

The keeper of the prison paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph’s charge, because the Lord was with him. And whatever he did, the Lord made it succeed. (Genesis 39:23 ESV)

Despite situations that may have seemed less than ideal, Joseph continue to prosper because the Lord was with him. And so it is with us today. When we follow his command and give Him our heart, He abides with us. Take comfort in that today .

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Go Go Joe!

A few weekends ago I traveled up the road to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee with some local high schoolers and my family to take in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”.    It’s a great and fun show, and the tunes have been stuck in my head for weeks. There was one part of the movie that has stuck with me.  It’s after Joseph has been betrayed the second time (  the first by his brothers, the second by Potiphar).  He sits in jail with no hope.  No way out.  No chance.   It’s in this moment that Joseph sings about how he doesn’t matter and that his life is not important.  But right there in that same moment, the narrator starts to sing to him “Go Go Joe, Go Go Joe”.  In the midst of his despair she starts to encourage him and finishes her encouragement with “We’ve read the book and you come out on top!”.  Its a funny line, but a really really powerful line. 

That’s the part of Joseph we can relate to.  I don’t tell dreams, I don’t have twelve brothers and I dont have a multicolor coat ( oh, well, yes I do…)  .. but really, I can relate to feeling at rock bottom, to feeling that you are alone, or that you have no hope.  And I caught myself rejoicing in my mind when I heard her singing”  We’ve read the book and you come out on top!”  It reminded me of my of my favorite Chris Tomlin songs – I Will Rise

There’s a peace I come to know, though my heart and flesh my fail, there’s an anchor for my soul ,I can say it is well, Jesus has overcome and the grave is overwhelmed, the victory is won, he is risen from the dead, and I will rise!

Yes!

We have read the book, we come out on top.

 24See that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. 25And this is what he promised us—even eternal life. 1 John 2:24-25 

 26You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.  Galatians 3:26-29

And if you are not sure what happens to Joseph or if just you want to see a great show, my son and nephews will be in a rendition of “Joseph” along with the high schoolers at Boyd Buchanan this weekend.  Three shows – 7 on Friday night, 2 and 7 on Saturday.  Come out there and enjoy a great show and rejoice that we come out on top!

Enjoy the day you have been given – its a day closer to the promise.