February 24, 2014--Exodus 7-9, Military Support; When You Can't Think Straight, You Remember

PRAYER

Daddy,

It is Military Monday, and I’m concerned about our military. I am concerned about the government’s lack of respect for our military. Right now we are in election season, and I ask you to put men and women in office who support our military. I ask you to put leaders in all areas of care and policy that truly want to serve our military men and women.

 Daddy, our military sacrifices so much for us. I ask you to stand for those who stand for our military and stand against those who don’t. That simple. You said you would bless those who bless me and curse those who curse me. Anyone who does not supply and support the military you have put in place to protect and serve my family curses me and my family. I ask you to keep your word and stand against them. On the other hand, for those who support our military, fight for their benefits, see to serve them and get them care they need, bless my family. I ask you to bless them. Do what you need to do to take care of our military and their families.

 Thank you for being a warrior God who loves our warriors.

Amen

 BIBLE READING

Exodus 7— First of all, telling people what they don’t want to hear, even when you know it is God, is not the easiest thing. And second, why in the world would you make more blood when it was already everywhere and the whole land stunk from it? This is insane to me!

Exodus 8—Seriously?! Get rid of the frogs TOMORROW?! Right now!!!

And making more gnats? Speechless.
“NOW pray for me.” It makes me giggle that Moses said, “No problem. The flies will be gone TOMORROW.”

Exodus 9—The truth is, it is easy for me to skim these chapters because I know the stories, but it took me a few readings to realize there are things I didn’t know. The point when these really started to make sense to me, though, was when  I started thinking about it from an Egyptian perspective. The slave labor going away and the change it would cause. The devastation to the land. Seeing it destroy Egypt but not Goshen. What was it like for the Hebrews? They watched God take on every “god” of the Egyptians and destroy them. So why did they worry in the desert? And I think Pharaoh was crazy, but he believed he was deity. He believed somehow he was going to come out on top, and even if he didn’t win, he couldn’t afford to lose.

 It seems ridiculous, but it makes me slide to my knees and ask the Lord, in my life, when do I stand against you because of my pride, my tradition, my refusal to let go of something I want? Do I ever know I can’t win, but I am too arrogant to lose?

 MEMORIZATION

 Head cold wins this one. I’m even writing down times when I take my meds, but this I know:

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death (or a really annoying cold) you are with me.

You comfort me.
You provide for me.
You are preparing the victory for me.
I lack nothing.
Psalm 23, paraphrased from memory.

BIBLE STUDY/JOURNAL

The point of memorizing scripture is to hold on to what you know when you are too sick or tired to learn something new. A broad base of verses is good because then no matter what comes, you have a place to stand firmly.

 
Copyright 2014 Jerri Kelley Phillips

February 23, 2014--Exodus 4-6, It was Never About What Moses Could Do, Luke 6

Still letting my body fight this head cold. It isn’t my favorite thing, but I am amazed at how much less miserable I am now than I was three months ago before all the oral surgeries. It has not been an easy road. Truth be told, multiple times along the way I wondered if I had made a mistake, if I had chosen badly, but the truth is there was no other choice. It has left me pondering…

PRAYER

Daddy,

Thank you for taking me through hard times of healing so the rest of life is better. Thank you for your mercy, even when I hate the pain. You are good.

Amen.

BIBLE READING

Exodus 4 —God got mad at Moses. Do you have any idea how much the idea of making God mad because I refuse to be and do what He asks scares me? This has been a scary thought for me my whole life. God wasn’t mad because Moses killed an Egyptian or because he ran away into the desert. He was mad because Moses refused to be obedient. Sin isn’t just doing the wrong thing. Sin is not doing the right thing.

Um, so God was going to kill Moses. Yeah. I got nothing on that one.

Good news is all the Israelites are ready to pack and go. That’s good. Right?

Exodus 5—Well bother. I don’t think anyone hears, “God is for you and is going to save you,” and expects things to get WORSE, but they did, and I can understand the Israelites dressing down Moses and Aaron saying, “You said you were going to help, and look what you’ve done!” And poor Moses. Can you imagine how confused he was? He was supposed to be helping, and instead, his people are suffering worse conditions and being beaten. I can fully understand why he went to the Lord and said, “I’m not understanding this, and this does not look like what you said it would.”

It didn’t look like what God said.

And I think if I were Moses, I would be confused, too, and maybe even hurt. Plus, he didn’t even want to do this gig, but he is, and instead of getting better, it’s worse.

I’d be confused, too.

Exodus 6—As hard as it is to imagine, Pharaoh exerting his power was necessary. The people needed to see Pharaoh at his worst. They needed to see him act against them because it was the only they could truly understand the power of God working for them.

Okay. Never got this before. Prior to this, God was the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. NOW, He was going to be the God of the entire nation. He wasn’t just promising one person, He was promising them all.

And still, Moses wasn’t getting it. “Why would Pharaoah listen to me?” He still didn’t know. It wasn’t about him. It was about God.

 

MEMORIZATION

Luke 6

27 “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 
28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.  

Heavy blog coming on this one. I’ll let you know when it is up.

BIBLE STUDY/JOURNAL

It was never about Moses and what he could do. It was always about God and what He said He would do.

Copyright 2014 Jerri Kelley Phillips

February 22, 2014--Exodus 1-3, Standing in What We Don't Know

PRAYER

Daddy,

I can’t think clearly enough for eloquence, so let me just lay it on the table. Israel is your people, and I am asking you to lay their enemies low. I am asking you to bring down the enemies of Israel with a mighty hand. Bring them down like mountains into dust. I ask that anyone who has the audacity to set themselves up against your people see your hand of judgment raised against them. Be with your people and bless them.

Amen

BIBLE READING

Exodus 1—So everybody we used to know is dead, including the nice pharaoh. Fear has come into play, and we try to control or get rid of what we fear. One of the things I love about this chapter is that the midwives feared God and He gave them families of their own. Gotta love God. J

Exodus 2—I cannot imagine how terrifying it was for Moses’ mom to put him in that basket and leave him in that river where wild animals were and who know what would happen to him. I don’t know if she was a woman of faith or a woman of desperation, but that took tremendous courage.

So life is cushy in the palace, and Moses sees an Egyptian hitting a Hebrew, and he snaps. Next thing you know, he’s in a desert getting married and having babies. Do you wonder if Moses ever sat in that desert and wondered if he had blown it? Did he know he was the deliverer for the Hebrews? Did he think he had blown it beyond redemption? Just wondering.

 Exodus 3—Okay, so let me get this straight. If I am Moses, I am thinking, “You want me to go to Pharaoh, the same Pharaoh I made really mad by killing one his men, the same Pharaoh who tried to kill me, and tell him that this God he can’t see wants him to let all the slaves go, and I will know this is you AFTER we are safe on the other side?”

 And I love this. Moses asks, “Who am I to do this?”

 God does not reply with anything about Moses. He answers concerning Himself. “I will be with you.”

 Simple enough. This is NOTHING about you. This is ALL about me. Not hard.

 Except, it is hard, and people sit there and mouth about Moses’ lack of faith, but really, I think I can understand. God is going to be with him, but it’s not like he can take this non-burning bush around with him to prove it, and not only will the Israelites have their doubts, but Pharaoh is going to be difficult and need miraculous proof.

 “And who am I supposed to tell them told me to do this?”

 “I Am that I Am.”

 I mean seriously. Think about this for a moment. Just…yeah, I can see why Moses is a bit hesitant.

 MEMORIZATION

Muddled minds don’t memorize well, so today I’m reading. For reasons I will blog about later, I am reading Proverbs 31. And her Husband shall rise up and call her blessed. So let it be for me, Lord.

BIBLE STUDY/JOURNAL

I am pondering Moses and how easy it is to stand in what we can see instead of walking in what we can't.

 

Copyright 2014 Jerri Kelley Phillips

February 20, Genesis 49 and 50, Everybody's Dead. Now What?

PRAYER

Daddy,

I lift up my community to you, and I know there are a lot of people who don’t know you as Lord and Savior, and I know others know you are God and think that is enough. I ask that you would make me a light in their darkness, that the relationship I have with you would be a beacon to them. Create divine connections and appointments so I can talk to them and you can be glorified. Show me a way into their lives.

Bless these people with healing they need in every area of life. Bless them financially and especially bless them relationally. I know some are looking for healing in their families, and I ask that you would bless them with that.

Give our leaders wisdom, and be glorified in them and their decisions. Lord, may you above all things be the center of this area.

And, Lord, we need rain. I ask that you would send us rain.

In the precious name of Jesus I pray,

 Amen

 BIBLE READING

 Genesis 49—Sometimes I want to go back and actually follow the family lines to see what happened to them. Maybe I’ll do that.

Genesis 50— Two thoughts: 1. Did the Egyptians give this monstrous caravan and honor because this man was Joseph’s father or because of the man himself? Does it say and I just missed it? I don’t know.

2. Why did Joseph weep again? Was it because his brothers were still stuck in their emotional and mental guilt prison or because even after all the time with him, they didn’t know him? Was he grieved because he still didn’t really belong? They still saw him as an outsider?

Done with Genesis!!! How are you feeling?

 

MEMORIZATION

27 “But to you who are listening I say:

Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.—Luke 6
 
Do you ever wonder why certain things stick in your head and others you really have to fight for? I’m having to fight for Luke 1:37-38

“No word of the Lord will ever fail.”

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be fulfilled to me as you have said.”
Then the angel left her.
 
37 For no word from God will ever fail.”
38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered.
“May your word to me be fulfilled.”
Then the angel left her.

Still fighting for this.

BIBLE STUDY/JOURNAL

 
I have tried to handle this valiantly. However, I am so sleepy I could fall asleep right now, so I think I am going to do just that. I’ll see you tomorrow. Probably later than usual, but I’ll see you.

Blessings,

Jerri

February 19, 2014, Genesis 46-48, Election Prayers, Muppet Mayhem, Obedience

After 8:30, and I’m just getting to this. Up with kids most of the night, one sick and one with a neck injury, and to curb the sinus overabundance, I tried some allergy medication, which has had me either a sleep or a in fog most of the day. Days like this happen, and it is easy to get discouraged and wonder why I try because after all, it’s after 8:30 at night, and who is going to read it anyway?

Well, the truth is I don’t know if anyone is going to read it, but I made a commitment to do this to the best of my ability, and today, this is my best. So even if no one reads it, my Lord sees my obedience, and I am learning that is the whole point of life. Obedience. To Him. Even when there is no clear result…because obedience to Him is the only result that matters.

PRAYER

Daddy,

Our nation has started the election process, and I’m asking for people to lead us whose hearts are for you. I don’t care if they are Republican, Democrat, independent, or whatever. I’m simply praying for them to have your heart.

Be with those who are endeavoring to run honorable campaigns. Give them peace.

Stand against those who are liars and cheaters and use manipulation to gain an upper hand.

In accordance with your Word, I ask…

…that you bring an end to the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure. (Psalm 7:9)

…for the power of the wicked to be broken but for you to uphold the righteous. (Psalm 37:17 )

…for you to cut off the horns of all the wicked but to lift up the horns of the righteous (Psalm 75:10)

…you to rescue the righteous person from trouble and let it fall on the wicked instead (Proverbs 11:8)

…that the righteous would prosper and the city rejoice while the wicked perish (Proverbs 11:10)

…that no one be established through wickedness but that the righteous would not be uprooted (Proverbs 12:3)

…that the wicked would be overthrown and never rise again  but that the house of the righteous stand firm (Proverbs 12:7)

…that no harm would overtake the righteous but that the wicked would have their fill of trouble. (Proverbs 12:21)

…that righteousness would guard the person of integrity but that wickedness would overthrow the sinner (Proverbs 13:6)

…that the light of righteous shine brightly, but the lamp of the wicked be snuffed out (Proverbs 13:9)

Thank you for hearing my prayer on behalf of this nation.

Amen

BIBLE READING

Genesis 46—Oh, seriously. I saw “Muppin” and my brain made it “muppet”. Hard to get anything deeply spiritual out of muppets. Sorry.

Genesis 47—Honestly, I’m too tired for anything deep. But Joseph saved everyone. I did have one thought: what was it like for Pharaoh to be blessed by this man of God? Did Pharaoh know it was powerful? Did he realize he was in the presence of greatness? Did he miss it because he believed he was a god-king? Do I miss things because I think I am above the person giving them to me? Do I realize the gifts and blessings even when  the giver seems so…ordinary?

Genesis 48—So why did the boys get credited to Israel? I don’t know, but again, not a trip through to study, just taking a look around, so I’ll look it up later.

MEMORIZATION

My mantra today.

 ^37 “For no word from God will ever fail.”

³⁸ “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered.
“May your word to me be fulfilled.”
Then the angel left her.
Luke 1

BIBLE STUDY/JOURNAL

I have tried to hand this valiantly. However, I am so sleepy I could fall asleep right now, so I think I am going to do just that. I’ll see you tomorrow. Probably later than usual, but I’ll see you.

Blessings,

Jerri

February 18, 2014 Genesis 43-45, Testing the Family Waters

PRAYER

Tuesdays are the day when I pray about my church, and today I feel at a loss. You ever feel that way? It is really easy not to pray at all because I don’t know what to say, BUT, I’ve made this commitment, and I really want to keep it, and my church needs prayer…..So, I’m just going to start talking and let the Spirit take over.

Lord,

I need your heart for my church. I need to know what is on your mind. I got to church on Sundays, and I look around and wonder what those people are dealing with. I wonder what is hurting them. I wonder how many of them are on the edge and barely hanging on. I wonder how many of them are sitting there thinking if people really knew them they would be mortified. And I think about how crushing that is, and, Lord, if I could give those people anything, I would give them freedom from that. I would hand them Isaiah 61 on a platter. So, Lord, that is what I am praying for my church. I ask you to:

Proclaim good news to the poor. Beyond the pastor’s words, on a spiritual level, in a personal way, give them the good news that they don’t have to live where they are anymore.
Bind up the brokenhearted,
    to proclaim freedom for the captives
    and release from darkness for the prisoners,
   proclaim to them that this is the time when they have favor with you, all the breakthroughs, healings, and blessings they’ve been hoping for, NOW is the time

 and show them that now is when you will act on their behalf and hold accountable those who acted against them, those who left them hurting, broken, and wounded,
 comfort all who mourn,
 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
 bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,
the oil of joy instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.

Lord, I ask you to unleash the purpose of Christ on the people in my church for their healing and deliverance and your glory.

Thank you for hearing my petition and acting on behalf of your people.

I ask these things in the holy name of Jesus,

Amen

BIBLE READING

Genesis 43— I didn’t understand Joseph’s reaction to Benjamin until today. I didn’t understand the big emotional reaction to someone he didn’t even know until today. Yesterday I mentioned Joseph wanting to belong somewhere, wanting a connection. I think that was Benjamin. He was a brother to the others, but he wasn’t. The family dynamics made things crazy, then he had dreams, and add the favoritism, and he didn’t belong, but here is a boy who is a real brother who is obviously the favorite now, who might understand. Joseph could finally see a good ending for himself in the family because he saw the good ending Benjamin was living.

Genesis 44—Wow. Talk about a character test. Were they the same? Had things changed? He wanted to know: who were these men NOW?

Genesis 45—“Do not quarrel on the way.” This just makes me giggle.

 MEMORIZATION

Today I found myself repeating Romans 13:15 over and over.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

I also found myself learning Luke 1:37 and 38

^37 “For no word from God will ever fail.”

³⁸ “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered.
“May your word to me be fulfilled.”
Then the angel left her.

BIBLE STUDY/JOURNAL

Lord…Daddy,

Use my words to bring you glory. Speak to my heart always so my meditations are on you and for you. Please grant that my words would be your words. Grant that my heart would be one of love. Reveal all hard places so I can give them to you and you can fill them and soften them to you and your purpose. Give me compassion and give me wisdom to pick my words carefully. Your Word says Jesus didn’t break a tender reed. Please grant that the same would be said of me. I don’t want to break any tender reeds. I want to see them through your eyes and your heart. Oh, God, that my writing would be healing and never hurtful, that it would bind wounds instead of inflicting them, that I would be more concerned about effectively communicating your truth than structuring a sentence melodically. Daddy, above all things, your heart. I love you. Amen

February 17, 2014 Genesis 40-42, Military Monday, Memory Review, Peace in the Proimse

It is hard to believe it’s been two weeks since I’ve sat down and read and written. I’ve been writing and reading, but I have missed the methodical reading and letting the Lord speak as He wants instead of looking something specific up for my purpose. There is just something incredibly amazing about hearing the Lord whisper His heart. You know?

PRAYER

Military Monday. One of my favorite days. J

Lord,

I ask special protection over our military in active hotspots today. I ask that your presence would be obvious to them. I ask that prayers of their loved ones would come before you as a beautiful aroma and you would honor them. I ask you to give wisdom to the leaders, divine revelation concerning danger zones and strongholds. I ask you to open their eyes to see he enemy even before physical contact is made.

I ask you to give them peace, and, Lord, make their aim true. May the bullets that leave their firearms hit the target for which it is intended, and may your hand guide them in the day of war. Be the perfect marksmen in them and through them.

Confuse the plans of the enemy. May their intelligence be mixed up and contorted. May they find chaos instead of clarity. Be the judge who judges against them and wreaks vengeance upon those who stand against you and your purpose.

Release the Spirit of holy revelation among our troops for the purpose of the salvation of their souls. I ask you to build unity of heart and purpose for I know you bless unity of hearts committed to you and your purpose.

I ask you to empower the chaplains with words of wisdom and courage. Give them insight from your word to speak directly to the hearts and minds of these men and women serving to protect our country’s people. I ask you to embolden them with truth and give them words of healing when comfort is needed.

Accomplish your purpose among those serving in the military. Be glorified in them that they would be an army serving you for your purpose to protect, defend, take ground, and exact judgment. Be their rearguard and the one who goes before them. Encompass them round about with your power and your presence. May they know their victories are not their own but handed to them by the hand of an Almighty God.

Thank you, Father, for being a warrior who fights for His own.

To you be all glory and honor.

In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen

 

BIBLE READING

Genesis 40—Anybody else in the room ever feel forgotten? Yeah. Me either. <insert eye roll> Okay, the truth is I want to make this some major comfort thing. You know. One of those “you’re in good company” rah rah speeches, but the truth is, if you’ve ever been forgotten, you know there is no comforting bright side. It’s just miserable, and you can know God’s timing is perfect, and you can know logically you are fine, but emotionally, it hurts horribly. And if you are feeling forgotten, I’m so sorry. I know it is hard.

Genesis 41—“He has made me forget all my household.” Except Joseph obviously had not forgotten. When his brothers came, Joseph clearly remembered. So obviously he hadn’t mentally forgotten. I haven’t done a word study on this because we’re just reading through, but I’m wondering if Joseph meant God had filled the hole left because of his family. It is a hard thing having no family, having no place to belong. Perhaps this son fills the longing for family and the longing for the family he lost. Not saying it is, just thinking maybe.

Genesis 42—So much goes through my mind with this chapter. I cannot fathom how Joseph felt looking on his brothers and watching them bow down to him. Sure he’d had the dreams, but to see these people—HIS BROTHERS—who had treated him so cruelly bowing to him. I cannot imagine.

 As for his brothers, shame and guilt are heavy burdens to bear.

 And Israel, what unbelievable grief and fear he must have had.

 Talk about a family steeped and overflowing in dysfunction, but even in this mess, God was paving the road for the Messiah. Amazing.

 

MEMORIZATION

I’ve done very little memorizing the last two weeks, so today I am reviewing what I’ve learned, making sure it is still with me.

 
A noble man makes noble plans and by noble plans he stands. Isaiah 32:8

Each one will be like a shelter from the wind,

a refuge from the storm;
Like streams of water in the desert
And like a great rock in a thirsty land. Isaiah 32:2

Be still and know that I am God.

I will be exalted among the nations.
I will be glorified throughout the earth.
Psalm 46:10
Gotta check this one. It doesn’t feel right.

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”

OH! So close. You would think I could remember the exalted thing twice, right? Gonna run this through my head a few times and move on.

Have I not commanded you?

Be strong and courageous.
Do not be afraid.
Do not be discouraged.
For the Lord your God is with you wherever you may go.
Joshua 1:9

My mind has gone blank on the beginning of Jeremiah 29.

“When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with your whole heart. You will seek me and…I will bring you back to this place from which banished you….”

Gotta refresh myself on this one.

¹⁰ This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. ¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ¹² Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. ¹⁴ I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.^[b] I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”

 BIBLE STUDY/JOURNAL

 Daddy, I don’t even know what to say. I am trying to find something deep in this that isn’t cliché, and really, it all just sounds…it sounds like what has been said over and over and over. The truth is I don’t feel like I’m in a dungeon or a slave. I feel okay with where I am, but sometimes it is hard to figure out how to live in right now when I am waiting for the promise. How do I live in the truth of what is this moment without letting it negate the truth of the promise that seems utterly impossible from here?

That is where I am right now. I know one of the promises you’ve given me, and I’m struggling with it. Right now, it seems a million miles away, or maybe the more accurate thing to say is I feel a million miles away from it.

 I know you tell me not to fear or be discouraged. You say to be bold and courageous, but I confess, I feel neither bold nor courageous. I feel…like hiding in my closet. And right now, I am trying to summon everything I know about taking down giants and vast armies and city walls that fall because people have the faith to keep walking, but none of it is really helping me. So, this is what I am going to do. Instead of trying to make me be what I think I need to be, I’m going to take a deep breath and focus on all I know you are.

 You are my Daddy who loves me.

You are faithful.
You are kind.
You are gentle.
You are loving.
You are fulfilling.
You are tender.
You give blessings without regret.
You are good.
You tend me with gentleness.
Your thoughts are for how you can walk me through this path.
You are my peace.
The way you love me is my peace.
Your whole devotion to me is my peace.
You are my peace.
You are my peace.
You are my peace.
You are my peace.
I will be still and know…you are my peace.
I will be still and know…you are.
I will be still and know…you.

Prayers in my Absence

I know I committed to daily reading and writing, but I am having oral surgery this week and am told to expect a week or two of recovery time. In the meantime, will you pray?

Due to the nature of this surgery, my sinus cavity is at risk of perforating again. To prevent this, I need:
--perfect outcome tomorrow
--no sneezing, sniffling, or needing to blow my nose for three or four weeks

I also need to heal so I can be Mom again.

Would you pray for me for these things?

Thank you.

I'll see you on the other side of this.

Y'all be blessed and know, God loves you deep and wide, deep and wide.

February 2, 2014 Genesis 37-39, Jeremiah 29 Finished!, The Promise of the Hard Road

PRAYER

 Lord,

Show me how I need to live so you can fulfill your promise. Show me any place where I seek your hand and not your face. Forgive me for my selfishness. I ask that you would give me my heart's desires because then I know they are your desires as well. Change my heart and mind to an eternal mindset, not a temporal one. And, Lord, remind me that the promise is not who I will become but who I am and who I get to live.

 

Thank you for your goodness to me.

Amen

BIBLE READING

Genesis 37— A promise of ruling…that led right into slavery.

Genesis 38—Have you ever wondered how God can take such an unholy mess and make something good out of it? I read chapters like this and wonder, but it also gives me hope. I read these chapters and think, “Surely if He can make something beautiful out of this mess, He can still do good things with messes I’ve made.”

Genesis 39—“² The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. 3 And his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand. 4 So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority. ⁵ So it was, from the time that he had made him overseer of his house and all that he had, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had in the house and in the field. 6 Thus he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand, and he did not know what he had except for the bread which he ate.”

Do you get this? Joseph is a slave. This is not the promise. Joseph wasn’t living God’s promise, but he promised to live God. I’ve known, and still know, way too many people who aren’t living the promise who make the lack of promise their identity instead of making their identity one that allows God to keep His promise.

Joseph didn’t live as though he were in lack. He lived as though he were living in the fullness of his identity—his identity was a leader, a man of character, a man of God. The circumstances, social status, and living quarters didn’t define him or he chose to be. The promise wasn’t so much about circumstance as it was identity. He understood the promise wasn't about what he received but who he was to live. His identity is one of greatness, and he chose to live that greatness where he was.

The question I have to keep laying before the Lord is:

Have I chosen to live the promise of greatness no matter what the situation or circumstance, or am I living an identity of lack because my identity is about what I get from about a situation or a circumstance?

 MEMORIZATION

“When seventy years are complete for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to do you good and not harm, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and bring you back from captivity. I will bring you back from the nations and places I banished you, “declares the Lord. “I will return you to the place from which I you into exile.”—Jeremiah 29:10-14

YES!!!!

BIBLE STUDY/JOURNAL

So often people tell the story of Joseph and focus on his slavery, ability to interpret dreams, and his restoration, but the big picture gets lost. I think we don’t like the pattern of promises in the Bible. We like to think promises are made and kept quickly and easily, sort of like sitting on Santa’s lap in early December, dreaming wildly for a week or two, and waking up to find what we want wrapped in pretty paper and bows. But God is not Santa.

God is not about a childhood wish but an eternal purpose, and His great gifts don’t come wrapped in pretty paper under a tree by a warm fire but instead wrapped in swaddling clothes in a cold stable in a manger.

As I’ve been reading through Genesis this time, I’ve noticed a pattern. God gives great promises, and they come with great cost.

No promise comes without the training to hold it and keep it.

Joseph had the promise of being a great leader, and I’m sure being the youngest and being hated made those promises seem like steak to a starving man. Maybe he even told his family about his dreams because he knew what they meant and he hoped to intimidate in some way. I wasn’t there. I don’t know.

All I really know is God gave him a promise and confirmed it. Then God took him through training to hold that promise, and in that training, he was stripped of all he was in order to become all God needed him to be.

Except, was he?

His situation changed. The circumstances changed.

But the promise was never about those.

The promise concerned who he was, and can who we are at a core be stripped from us…or is it simply uncovered when everything in life that might hide it are removed?