A Verse For Every Season

25 Powerful Bible Verses On Eternal Life

Eternal life means different things to different people depending on religious or philosophical standpoints. Eternal life for the child of God means spending eternity in the presence of God. In the Eastern religious systems it is believed the soul will be reincarnated until it reaches nothingness. But the Bible states: And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment, so also Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him. Hebrews 9: 27-28 The Christian’s aim is not to become nothingness, the goal is to reach heaven and escape hell. The Bible says, eternal life is a gift of God that comes only through Jesus Christ. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23 Eternal life is a free gift from God and we receive it not through our good works, but through the atoning work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Here are 25 Bible verses that speak of the eternal life that we receive in Jesus Christ when we become His followers. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.John 10:28-30 For those who find me find life and receive favor from the Lord.Proverbs 8:35 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.1 Peter 5:10 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.1 John 2:17 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.2 Corinthians 4:18 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.1 John 5:11 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.John 3:16 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.2 Corinthians 4:17 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.1 John 5:13 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.Psalm 139:23-24 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.John 17:3 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.Romans 6:23 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.John 3:36 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”Revelation 21:3-4 Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.Matthew 7:13-14 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.1 Timothy 6:12 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.Romans 8:18 But whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.John 4:14 Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.Matthew 10:39 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”Revelation 1:8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.Galatians 6:8 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.1 Timothy 1:16 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.Hebrews 7:25 So that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.Romans 5:21 For the Lord loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. Wrongdoers will be completely destroyed; the offspring of the wicked will perish.Psalm 37:28 It is reassuring to know when we leave this world, we will have eternal life in Christ. Jesus said, no one can snatch us out of his hand or the Father’s hand. This is a blessed assurance indeed. When we live for Christ and follow in his ways, he will protect us from anything that threatens to take us away from him. This speaks of a

What the Bible says about regret.

Regret is a feeling of sorrow or remorse over something that had happened or had been done or for a mistake or failure. When people accept Jesus in their lives, it is not uncommon for them to feel regret over the things they had done in their life before meeting Jesus. This is appropriate in those circumstances until we learn of God’s unconditional love and grow in the knowledge of God and His forgiveness. However, if regret over past sins persists even though we have renounced our old way of life, we can be sure there is another influence at play. Regret is the poison Satan uses to get into our souls and make us doubt God’s ability to forgive us and cleanse us from ALL sins. Satan’s attack on our spiritual walk with God is relentless and he will use any means possible to frustrate our relationship and walk with God. God, on the other hand, does not want us to dwell on the past, because His redemptive plan of sending His son to die for our sins was enough to take our guilt and shame away. When we live in regret, we cannot live a victorious life. To regret something, we have to return to the past and remember it in order to regret it. Satan uses this strategy to keep us connected to our past and if we don’t address this, we will never be free from the ghosts of our past. God says in Isaiah 43:25 “I, I am He who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins. God called us out of death into life. This means we are no longer the same person that committed those sins. Our spirit man has been renewed. However, if we are still committing those sins from the past then the Holy Spirit will convict us. When we are convicted, we need to go to God, repent and allow the blood of Jesus to wash us then the Holy Spirit will deliver us and help us to walk in righteousness. God is able to deliver us from all past sins and bondages that are rooted in addiction and behaviours that separate us from Him. The enemy cannot prevail when we know that Jesus’ redeeming blood has washed us from all past sins. When regrets hinder our faith and walk with God, we can recognise the enemy’s hand in it and use God’s Word and the blood of Jesus to overcome him. Here are some verses that talk about how God does not want us to dwell on and remember the past, but to walk in the freedom He has secured for us through the blood of Jesus. Do not remember the past when God has already washed it away Philippians 3:13-15 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Isaiah 43:18-19 Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. We are called to repent and confess our sins, then walk in righteousness. 2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Mark 11:24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 1 Corinthians 5:7 Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Acts 3:19- 21 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out. Leviticus 26:40-46 “But if they confess their iniquity and the iniquity of their fathers in their treachery that they committed against me, and also in walking contrary to me, so that I walked contrary to them and brought them into the land of their enemies—if then their uncircumcised heart is humbled and they make amends for their iniquity, then I will remember my covenant with Jacob, and I will remember my covenant with Isaac and my covenant with Abraham, and I will remember the land. But the land shall be abandoned by them and enjoy its Sabbaths while it lies desolate without them, and they shall make amends for their iniquity, because they spurned my rules and their soul abhorred my statutes. Yet for all that, when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not spurn them, neither will I abhor them so as to destroy them utterly and break my covenant with them, for I am the Lord their God. Isaiah 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. Acts 17:30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. Luke 15:7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents

He’s near to the brokenhearted

“The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. ” Psalm 34:18 It seems everywhere we turn we hear of dear friends who have passed from this life to their eternal home with God. The pandemic has taken its toll on many families, causing unexpected loss that will take many years to process. Left behind are grieving families that grapple with the sudden loss of their family members, sometimes two people from the same family. Nothing has prepared us for this life shattering event. So many loss was experienced at all levels and in all spheres of life no matter how rich or poor. In fact, we can all relate to the notion that we can refer to experiences as either pre of post pandemic. Things that the pandemic has taught us is that life is precious, that we are susceptible to destructive viruses and that our wealth and prosperity is vulnerable to economic downturns. But most importantly tit has taught us that we are inextricably connected to each other, no matter where we live in the world. Nothing in life is promised to be permanent. Life is ever changing and sometimes we cannot prepare for everything. Loss is part of the human journey, but it is also the most excruciating thing that we will ever experience. Many things in life cause a broken heart, the loss of a love one, divorce, the loss of a job, a beloved pet a precious relationship. No one can truly comprehend what someone who’s going through loss are experiencing. Loss and heart break is so personal and so intimate to the person going through it. This is also why we should be careful to give ‘advice’ when we try to console those who are suffering. Even with the most sincere intentions, we can do more harm than good. Many times in our sufferings, we appreciate it more if someone sits with us in silence without offering advice or consolation. When we lose something or someone dear to us, the pain of that loss can be so intense that it feels as though we’re unable to breath. A little boy described it as the “big hurt”. He said the hurt over the loss of his grandmother was so much that his little body couldn’t contain it, when the hurt becomes too big, it leaks out of his eyes and afterwards he feels a little better, until it leaks again. I thought this was such an appropriate way to describe the grief we feel when we lose a loved one. All loss require grieving: It is important to allow ourselves to let the grief “leak” out sometimes. This could be tears that quietly water our cheeks or just talking about our loved one with someone who is willing to listen. It is our nature to grieve over loss and this is a process. No one can tell us how long or short our grieving will be, how quickly we will ‘get over it’ and ‘move on’. Interestingly, there are many people who don’t get over it and who can never come to terms with their loss. Thankfully, our Saviour knows what this feels like and he understands, because He went through the same suffering and more. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Isaiah 53:3 Grief’s five stages: Psychiatrist Elisabeth Kubler-Ross developed the 5 stages of grief that suggest the process people go through after the loss of a loved one. 1. Denial It is difficult to deal with the overwhelming emotions that come with the loss of a loved one. In order to minimise and manage the impact on our emotions we slip into denial as coming to grips that that person is no longer with us can be too difficult to comprehend. Our reality shifts as we remember moments spent with that person. Denial tries to slow the grieving process down as we are not ready to fathom the future without that person. 2. Anger Anger is a common emotion after the loss of a loved one. It is often easier to express anger at people or God for the loss of that loved one. This often easier than showing our true feelings of being scared to face the future without that person. Anger can unfortunately isolate is at a time when we need comfort and solace the most. 3. Bargaining In this stage of the grieving process, it is not unusual for us to become acutely aware of our humaness, that there is a higher power that we can petition. We begin to bargain with God saying things like: “If you heal this person, I will love them better.” This usually gives us a sense of control over a situation that is out of our hands. 4. Depression As we progress through grief we realise that no matter what we do or how we bargain, we’re unable to change the outcome. We begin to look at the reality of what is happening and become more present with seeing the situation as it is. We become introspective and withdraw into ourselves as the emotions grow. We tend to be less social and can become quite isolated. Of you or a loved one is struggling with depression contact the _____________________________________ 5. Acceptance At this stage in the grieving process we are no longer resisting what has happened, or trying to make it something different. We may still experience feelings of regret and a lot of sadness, but the other tactics of denial, anger, bargaining are less prevalent to our survival Beauty in the pain. Someone once said: ” We are creatures who were born to transform pain into beauty. We have all experienced pain or will experience pain at some point in our lives. We can do 2 things with that pain:

25 Powerful Bible Verses On Eternal Life

August 22, 2023

Called to intercede

July 15, 2023

The story of Abraham and Lot and the difference in their relationships with God, made me think how building an intimate relationship with God can give us the boldness to ask Him anything in prayer. Abraham’s intimacy with God, always following closely His instructions was the reason he could implore God to save Lot and his family before destroying the sinful Sodom. Abraham intercedes for Lot and Sodom, when God informs Him of His plan to destroy Sodom. To intercede means to use one’s influence to persuade someone in authority to forgive a person, or to save that person from punishment. We read in Genesis 18:16- “Then the men left and went to a place where they could look down at Sodom, and Abraham went with them to send them on their way. And the Lord said to himself,“ I will not hide from Abraham what I am going to do. Then the Lord said to Abraham, “There are terrible accusations against Sodom and Gomorrah, and their sin is very great. I must go down to find out whether or not the accusations which I have heard are true.” Then the two men left and went on toward Sodom, but the Lord remained with Abraham. Abraham approached the Lord and asked, “Are you really going to destroy the innocent with the guilty? If there are fifty innocent people in the city, will you destroy the whole city? Won’t you spare it in order to save the fifty? Surely you won’t kill the innocent with the guilty. That’s impossible! You can’t do that. If you did, the innocent would be punished along with the guilty. That is impossible. The judge of all the earth has to act justly.” The Lord answered, “If I find fifty innocent people in Sodom, I will spare the whole city for their sake.” Abraham spoke again: “Please forgive my boldness in continuing to speak to you, Lord. I am only a man and have no right to say anything. But perhaps there will be only forty-five innocent people instead of fifty. Will you destroy the whole city because there are five too few?” The Lord answered, “I will not destroy the city if I find forty-five innocent people.” Abraham spoke again: “Perhaps there will be only forty.” He replied, “I will not destroy it if there are forty.” Abraham said, “Please don’t be angry, Lord, but I must speak again. What if there are only thirty?” He said, “I will not do it if I find thirty.” Abraham said, “Please forgive my boldness in continuing to speak to you, Lord. Suppose that only twenty are found?” He said, “I will not destroy the city if I find twenty.” Abraham said, “Please don’t be angry, Lord, and I will speak only once more. What if only ten are found?” He said, “I will not destroy it if there are ten.” After he had finished speaking with Abraham, the Lord went away, and Abraham returned home.” Lessons we can learn from this encounter: Firstly, God is willing to spare cities – although Sodom was wicked and corrupt and God had had enough of their unrighteous living, he was willing to save the city if He found ten righteous people. God is willing to spare cities where believers are praying and interceding for the people. Secondly, there is power in intercession – When Abraham saw that God was determined to destroy Sodom, he began to intercede knowing that Lot and his family lived there. Abraham positioned himself between God and the city on behalf of the innocent that lived there. Only Lot and his family were found to be righteous and therefore, only they were saved. Thirdly, the intercessor’s prayer can affect the outcome of any situation. Abraham’s persistence caused the angels to take Lot and his family by the hand to lead them to safety. Let’s look at another example: In Exodus 32, Moses intercedes for the children of Israel to hold back God’s judgment after they made a golden calf and worshiped it. God said to Moses in Exodus 32:10, “Now, don’t try to stop me. I am angry with them and I am going to destroy them. Then I will make you and your descendants into a great nation.” Verse 11 reads: “But Moses pleaded with the Lord his God and said, “Lord, why should you be so angry with your people, whom you rescued from Egypt with great might and power? Why should the Egyptians be able to say that you led your people out of Egypt, planning to kill them in the mountains and destroy them completely? Stop being angry; change your mind and do not bring this disaster on your people. Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Remember the solemn promise you made to them to give them as many descendants as there are stars in the sky and to give their descendants all that land you promised would be their possession forever.” So the Lord changed his mind and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened.” Once again we see someone intercede for the people, by placing themselves between God and them. We can see that Moses’ intercession ‘changed God’s mind’ and in so doing the children of Israel were spared. What makes an effective intercessor? We can learn from Abraham and Moses that although they were different people and lived at different times, they had some things in common that made them effective intercessors. How does this relate to the child of God? As children of God we only need to look around us to see that the age we live in is not so different from that of the destroyed cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, we realize the impending doom and we are called to stand as intercessors in the gap and hold back the hand of God. The word says in Luke 17:28-30,(MSG) “It was the same in the time of Lot—the people

What the Bible says about regret.

October 31, 2022

We Are Called to Transcend

October 27, 2022

Although the Christian walk is not specifically named a transcendent life in the Bible, I believe the scriptures are clear in defining what kind of life we should lead in order to follow in Jesus’ footsteps. I believe Jesus lived a transcendent life while He walked on the earth. In order to understand what this means let’s look at what the word ‘transcendent’ means. Meaning of “transcend”. Firstly, the word “transcend” is a verb, an action word. The word is taken from the Latin words ”trans” + “scandere”. “Trans” means “across” or “beyond” and “Scandere” means “to climb”. So, one can say to transcend is “to climb across or beyond.” It can also mean to surpass; to surmount; to overstep; to outdo; to escape inclusion in; to lie beyond the scope of something. It is a state of existence above and independent of the usual limits. I think you can already begin to sense what kind of living we are referring to, but let’s explore this concept a little more by looking at how it connects with our walk with God? God the Father is Transcendent God is transcendent in that He is outside of humanity’s full experience, perception or grasp. Isaiah 55:8-9 says, “’For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” This verse is congruent with the concept of God’s transcendence. As humans we have limitations and boundaries, however God is outside of the boundaries of human limitations. His ways and thoughts are higher than that of humanity. Jesus Christ is Transcendent Jesus, God’s son is also transcendent, because he comes from God. John 16:28 says: I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.” 1 Peter 2:4 refers to Jesus when it says: “Come to the Lord, the living stone rejected by people as worthless but chosen by God as valuable. There is no one in the history of mankind that can compare to the person of Jesus Christ. Although he came from God, he felt all the pain and emotions that are part of the human experience. Yet he did not sin. He came to die for our sins, to reconcile us with God, but not only that, he lived to show us an example of how to live in total obedience to God. The idea of total obedience to God, may seem difficult for us to achieve, but God in his wisdom has made provision for our shortcomings. Ps 103: 13-14 As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him . For he knows our frame he is mindful that we are dust. The Holy Spirit is Transcendent The Holy Spirit was sent after Jesus ascended into heaven. The Holy Spirit is a person, separate and yet one with the Father and Jesus. The task of the Holy Spirit is our Comforter and Guide through this life. He helps us navigate this life. John 14:26 (AMP) But the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you. This suggests that with the help of the Holy Spirit we are able to live transcendently just like Jesus did when he walked the earth. How do we live a transcendent life? Our lives are unfolding stories and none of us can say with certainty how those stories will end. Others describe life as a tapestry of many colours that represent the events, challenges and experiences that culminate in an exquisite masterpiece in the end. However, if this is all true, why do we tend to wish that our life stories could be void of the difficult and sometimes devastating events that life throws at us? If we had a choice could we truly say we welcome the hard times that rip at our hearts and drown us in sorrow? I know I would choose only warm and sunny experiences for sure. And yet, this is not how life works. Life is fraught with complexities and obstacles that at times frustrate our efforts when we try to live peaceful and tranquil lives. Even as Christians we sometimes struggle to understand why certain things come our way, even though we seek God and walk in obedience with His Word. Life, it seems, is a constant ebb and flow of challenges and victories. No one on this planet seems to be exempt from this ebb and flow, no matter where they are or how rich or poor they are. We all experience dark days and challenges unique to us. We tend to ask: “How can we avoid these dark days?” The experts suggest we should rather ask: “What skills and tools do we need to acquire to overcome the challenges when they come?” Although this sounds really good, it suggests that challenges are meant to be eliminated and overcome as quickly and effectively as possible, so life can be smooth sailing again. I agree, it is good to learn new skills and grow, but this kind of thinking makes it sound asif life should be smooth sailing all the time. For the longest time I have also subscribed to this way of thinking. I worked hard to pray for deliverance and divine interventions in my struggles and sometimes God gave a way out, but more often than not, my struggles persisted. I would feel desperate and disappointed when it seemed God was not hearing me. Throughout the Bible we read of people who have also faced struggles and seemingly insurmountable obstacles, and many times they were not delivered. Yet,

5 Keys to Transcend The Pain of Regret

September 22, 2022

Feeling regret for past decisions or actions is part of the human experience. There is not one person in the world that has not felt or will not feel the pain of regret at some point in their life. It is very human for us to make mistakes as a result of our fallen nature. As God’s children, though, regretting the mistakes of the past is not enough. God is merciful and He wants to save us but we need to repent and allow Him to change our lives so we can become more like Him. When we receive Jesus in our lives, we are transformed and ‘the old passes away and ALL things become new’. That means the life you used to live has passed away the moment you accepted Jesus. However, sometimes feelings of regret will still plague you and hold you hostage in the past and prevent you from living your life to its full potential. God Understands Regret: Even God had regrets. He regretted that He made man, not because of what He intended for them, but because they abused and neglected their relationship with Him and grieved Him through their actions. “I greatly regret that I have set up Saul as king, for he has turned back from following Me, and has not performed My commandments.” And it grieved Samuel, and he cried out to the LORD all night. 1 Samuel 15:11 NKJV “When the LORD saw that human wickedness was widespread on the earth and that every inclination of the human mind was nothing but evil all the time, the LORD regretted that he had made man on the earth, and he was deeply grieved. Then the LORD said, “I will wipe mankind, whom I created, off the face of the earth, together with the animals, creatures that crawl, and birds of the sky — for I regret that I made them.” Genesis 6:5-7 CSB If God had regrets then He knows and understands the pain that accompanies those feelings. He has compassion when you share your regrets with Him. Just like Him, you do not have to stay in that place of regret, but with His grace and mercy you can move beyond it and live your life in a way that honours Him. Another example of someone who had regrets: King David’s sin of murdering Uriah, the husband of the woman he commited adultery with made him regret that his actions were against God. “I have sinned against the Lord” (2 Samuel 12:13) “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving kindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. … “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.” Psalm 51 Jeremiah regretted turning away from God. “After my return, I felt regret; After I was instructed, I struck my thigh in grief. I was ashamed and humiliated because I bore the disgrace of my youth.” Jeremiah 31:19 CSB 5 Ways you can overcome and transcend the burden of past regret? 1. Repentance for sin and walking with God go hand in hand. David repented before God in a spirit of humility and genuine remorse for grieving God with his actions. He submitted himself completely to the mercy and grace of God and through faith received forgiveness. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1John 1:9 2. Silence the accuser When feelings of regret over past mistakes keep plaguing you then you can be sure the enemy of your soul is intent on stealing the peace you have received from God. Satan, which means ‘accuser’ or ‘adversary’ in Hebrew, your fiercest enemy, will stop at nothing to trip you up in your daily walk with God. He will remind you of past sins in an attempt to frustrate your life in Christ. Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. Revelation 12:10 Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross secured your redemption and as a result the accuser has been cast down and no longer has power over you when you stay in Christ. “…they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die. Rev 12: 10 3. Remember there is no condemnation when we are in Christ When we have repented of our sins and have received God’s forgiveness by faith, we have the assurance that we are in right standing with God. But if we [really] walk in the Light [that is, live each and every day in conformity with the precepts of God], as He Himself is in the Light, we have [true, unbroken] fellowship with one another [He with us, and we with Him], and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin [by erasing the stain of sin, keeping us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations]. 1John 1:7 AMP 4. Forget the past True faith is knowing that when God washed away your sins through the blood of Jesus, you are free from your past. When you hold on to regret, you’re actually holding on to the very things that used to separate you from God. God has forgotten your past and so should you. “I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.” Isaiah 43: 25

Joseph, From Trash to Treasure

June 21, 2022

The story of Joseph is a compelling one and there are many lessons for the Christian to learn from it. It’s a story of lies, intrigue and inspiration when the beloved son of Jacob was sold as a slave to Ishmaelite merchants by his own brothers (Genesis 37: 12 – 36). Joseph’s Story Joseph was born into a family of 12 sons and his mother was Jacob, his father’s, most beloved wife. He was favoured by his father for this reason, but also because he was born in his father’s old age. When Joseph was young, he had dreams that earned him the name “Dreamer” from his brothers, however this was not meant to be complimentary. In his dreams his family bowed down before him in submission. Joseph, a mere sapling, had no clue what the dreams meant, nor did he have the good sense to consider that his family may not be as thrilled by his dreams as he was. Even his father was annoyed when he realised the sun and moon in Joseph’s dream referred to himself and his wife. In addition, there was the case of the bespoke technicolor coat that the doting Jacob had gifted his spoiled young one. This must’ve caused quite a jealous stir in the Jacob’s family. Jealousy and envy This theme of jealousy and envy has also played out in Joseph’s father’s life for as long as he could remember. Born as a twin, he had always felt the sting of jealousy whenever he saw Isaac, his father, dote on his tough and athletic twin brother Esau. Jacob, the gentle homebody, would’ve done anything to have the affection of his father. It’s amazing how Jacob, knowing how deprived he felt as a youngster, went about and created the same environment he grew up in in his own household. Aimless and without understanding his purpose: The older brothers often traveled together to far away fields to graze their father’s flocks. The fact that Joseph didn’t travel with them even when he was old enough, emphasizes the deep divide there was between him and his brothers. Jacob asked Joseph to go to Shechem to visit his 10 brothers in the field. Upon his arrival in Shechem however, “ a man found him wandering around in the fields and asked him, “What are you looking for?” Genesis 37:15 Joseph may as well have answered the man by saying: “I’m looking for my purpose and destiny in this life. At that point in Joseph’s life he never had to do much for himself. His father was rich and he was the apple of his father’s eye. He didn’t have to work the way his brothers had to. His future was secure as he would’ve inherited quite handsomely being his father’s favourite son. One may be tempted to imagine an alternative ending here. For example, Joseph could’ve told his father that he couldn’t find his brothers and therefore returned home and that would be the end of it. But the story goes, when Joseph told the man he was looking for his brothers, the man replied that he just happened to see the brothers move on to the greener pastures of Dotham and so an excited Joseph took off with speed to find them. Unknown to Joseph, was the fate that awaited him as his brothers saw him approach in the distance. They devised a hurried plan to kill him and instead of the heartwarming welcome Joseph expected from his siblings, they grabbed him and threw him in a dried up pit. God’s plan for Joseph’s life: Joseph had gone from being his father’s treasure to being his brothers’ trash; a nuisance to be discarded. The only reason he was still alive at that point was because Reuben, the eldest, suggested they throw him in a pit so he could later turn on his brothers and secretly rescue the lad. There was clearly no loyalty in this family. Ultimately, God needed Joseph alive for the plan he had for his life and therefore didn’t allow the murder to go ahead. 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. Jeremiah 29:11 The brothers changed their minds, pulled a disgruntled Joseph out of the pit and instead of apologizing to him, they sold him as a slave to a caravan of merchants who were en route to Egypt. Deception as a family curse When the brothers returned home carrying the blood stained coat of his beloved son, Jacob was beside himself with grief and desperately cried that he would die as well and join his young son. Although the brothers witnessed their father’s anguish, none felt moved to repent and tell the truth of their little brothers’ fate. They continued their deception for many years, knowing their father had never recovered from Joseph’s ‘death’. Was this the price Joseph paid for deceiving his own father Isaac many years before when he stole the birthright of the first born from Esau? (Genesis 27) Joseph prospers in God’s plan: In the meantime, once in Egypt, Joseph was sold to Potiphar, an official and captain of the guards of Pharaoh. Here his talent for leadership was first spotted and he was put in charge over all the others slaves. His good looks also managed to gain him the unwanted attention of Potiphar’s wife who eventually accused him of molesting her when Joseph didn’t welcome her advances. He was thrown in jail as the testimony of a mere servant meant nothing against the more powerful one of Potiphar’s wife. This time Joseph went from favored to being discarded again. While a prisoner, Joseph again rose to prominence when he was put in charge over all the other prisoners. When Pharaoh’s dreaming wine steward and chief baker were jailed for offending him, Joseph accurately interpreted their dreams, citing that it was God