Reformation

As I sat in Starbucks yesterday enjoying my low-fat pumpkin spice latte, reading the record of Joseph in Genesis, I wanted to stand up and sing! Yup, it was that good. The record in Genesis 37-50 is a stellar account of true forgiveness and the incredible love to see a long process through to the end of producing impacting glory for God and His truth. Joseph exhibits all along the way, great faithfulness, leadership and meekness to God's wisdom in handling a tough situation.

Forgiveness is a much written about subject. Some good and some not so good. However God is the best source on the subject and the story of Joseph occupies significant space in a very foundational book. When you read the section, see the change in Judah. He grows up and becomes courageous in standing for what's right. This is important for he is a part of the Christ line in the Old Testament.

Genesis also shows the growth of Jacob, Judah's father. Jacob grows from a contender to a man that God becomes his sufficiency. We all are growing. There is absolutely no one that has all the answers and has no need of growth. If you meet somebody that thinks like that - RUN!

II Timothy 3:16 says:
16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness..

Everybody knows that the Bible is all about doctrine and reproof. I'm not so sure we understand correction as well as we could. Why is correction necessary? It is really an important thing. The world is ever around us teaching, pulling, pushing us in many directions, but as we look to God's Word and allow it to correct our spiritual GPS system, we become so thankful and see God's power provide for us and as a result trust God with all the details of our lives.

II Timothy 2:2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able (because they get know God as their sufficiency) to teach others also.

I didn't stand up and sing at Starbucks, but I have been sharing and will continue to share what I learned from the record of Joseph.

Boldness and Confidence

True boldness, true confidence can only come from the creator of the Universe (and that’s no ‘secret’ for those who have read The Secret) God’s heart has always been visible. It’s everywhere around us in His creation, His Word and in those who truly tap into His love and manifest it to others.

Ephesians 3: 9And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:10To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 11According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: 12In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

Boldness in this verse ‘frankness’. ‘Access with confidence’ is that we no longer have to feel separated from God. Nothing stands between us and God. No person, no altar rail, no weakness, or the undertow of the world,-- absolutely nothing -- can prevent us from finding the way to God’s heart. With plainness of speech we can stand before Him and expect Ephesians 3:20 kind of help. God is faithful and trustworthy. Read Ephesians 3!

With the help of my four-footed friends I have fine-tuned my understanding of the words: ‘meekness’ and ‘submissiveness’.

The dog on the right, Tucker, is a wonderfully meek dog. E.W. Bullinger defines meekness as: “meek, gentle, enduring all things with an even temper. Tender, free from haughty self-sufficiency, tender in spirit.” Maggie, in the middle, has strong submissive traits and she is highly trained as a hunting dog; a job she totally enjoys (Sadie on the left is just too cute and sweet!).

Both meekness and submissiveness can be positive behavior patterns. Humans who have cognitive minds, have the God-given, free-will choice in exhibiting neither, either or both. Allowing the love of God to be ‘shed abroad' in our hearts, we can be tenderhearted and deliberately place ourselves in a proper arrangements (marriage is a good example of this). We can also be meek and not submit to something we don’t believe is best (our free-will right). If we are tenderhearted and decide to submit to something that is not the best, we have to bear with a little hypocrisy. And finally we might not be meek and not be submissive. It’s all our choice.

We all have multiple opportunities to submit to something like family, friendship, work, the law, and marriage just to name a few. Even in the small details of life, meekness and submission are helpful qualities.

It is our free-will choice to put ourselves in subjection to God through His Word and His son Jesus Christ. It’s an easy choice when we realize and get to know His heart toward us. In Psalm 1:1-3, God prefaces the wonderful book of psalms with His heart for His own.

1 BLESSED (happy, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather.
2But his delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law (the precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God) he habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by day and by night.
3And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper [and come to maturity]. (Amplified version)

19 We love Him, because He first loved us. I John 4:19