SOULJournal

Do Not Be Angry With Yourselves

SCRIPTURE – “But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and save your life’s by a great deliverance (Genesis 45:11).

- In that moment when Joseph could no longer contain himself he stepped out from behind his worldly façade and revealed his true identity. He then takes aim at the issue of guilt. “Do not be distressed and be angry with yourselves for sellig me . . . . “ This is by no means cheap grace, but a spiritual accounting authorized by the, Holy Spirit, the Third person of the Holy Trinity.

UNDERSTANDING – As Christians the supernatural realm holds as much weight as the natural realm. And, while it is much easier to relate on the natural plane our new life in Christ becomes more and more “real” to us as we grow in the faith. The ministry of the Holy Spirit is summarized in John 16:8, “When He comes, he will convict the world of its sin and of God’s righteousness and of the coming judgement. While it was obvious in the natural realm, how horrific the sin of his brothers i.e.: child endangerment, failure to protect the younger son, physical and mental abuse, to name a few.

LIFE APPLICATION – My guess is Joseph was reminded of is circumstances each and every day. Further, it was at the hands of his own flesh and bones. God’s healing for these shepherds and their families:
Was not saying it did not happen.
Was not saying it did not hurt.
Was not pretending that time heals all things.
God’s healing was based solely on Himself. I am the God who heals you.
Heavenly Father how majestic is your name. There are so many reasons for celebration today. You have overcome this world and that is reason to enough direct constant prayer and praise to you Lord. Thank you for the life of Joseph, not merely for his rags to riches mentality but for the grace extended as we walk and minister in faith.

 

 

Pass The Counterfeit Please

 

"Is not this the [cup] from which my lord drinks and which he indeed uses for divination?  You have done wrong in doing this (Genesis 44:5).

OBSERVATION - By definition the word divination means "to foresee, and be inspired by a god.  (What I call a little g god)  Obviously this is an attempt to usurp what is rightfully due mankind.  The nation of Egypt is walking in the dark as they enjoy a season of power before being gobbled up in the history books.  So, who is in charge?  It looks like they are dominating the surrounding real estate. I'm sure Pharaoh feels pretty confident about recent conquests.  One need only to ask who recently installed the number two man in all of Egypt.

UNDERSTANDING - Joseph’s anchor throughout this whole nightmare of captivity has been the very dreams that got him in this predicament in the first place.  As a youngster Joseph shared God’s dreams with a bit too much bravado.  Throughout the whole desert experience, Joseph was molded into the leader that God had in mind.  Joseph’s story is a classic when it comes to the theme of forgiveness.

LIFE APPLICATION - Real lives, real struggles, real setbacks, real victories.   We serve a real God, whose heart aches for  people and the life of Christ that is available to all who call on Him and the life, truth and way that is uniquely  Christ's.

 

 

 

A Gift, for Me ?

 “Then their father Israel said to them,” If it must be, then do this: Put some of the best products of the land in your bags and take them down to the man as a gift…..” Genesis 43:11).

OBSERVATION - Although we are taking two vastly different cultures, the art of gift giving is known to both.  Not to be confused with a bribe, gift giving is an art, and as we see in this passage Jacob, who as of this verse is now referred to a father Israel, would not think of going down to another country without an appropriate gift to honor their host.  In this case they would round up the best of products, spices, foods, specialty items, etc.  Even in the midst of a nationwide famine they would not leave home empty handed. 

UNDERSTANDING - The nation of Israel was raised on the notion of        “ones best.”  Paul writing to the church in Rome, declared the excellence of God’s gift of his Son compared with the depravity of our sin (Romans 5:8).  Before Nike’s “Just Do it” ad campaign was the notion of ”whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, , (Colossians 3:23).

LIFE APPLICATION – Staying cool in the many opportunities to represent Jesus Christ is a matter of daily spiritual formation.  I would not be too far off the mark if I told you that before this day is done you and I will experience the good, the bad and the ugly of what this world has to offer. The very best of what God has to offer us today is his son Jesus and the opportunity to share him with others.  So, let’s get out  there and Do It…….                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Genesis 41

Who Kept Their Cool?

"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: 15-16)

A recent FB video caught my eye as I scurried through the new stories.  Meet five year old Heavenly Joy Jenkins.   She is standing all alone on a huge stage with a packed auditorium and a row of judges waiting to cast their vote; FOR her or AGAINST her.  It is their responsibility to either send Heavenly Joy packing or on to the next round of competition.   After, a brief time of Q&A by one of the judges (known for his shock Jock style of radio broadcasting) the little girl proceeded to light up the stage with a voice and mannerisms reminiscent of a young Shirley Temple. The place went absolutely bonkers.  Everyone including the high profile judges were on their feet.  As the applause simmers the Q&A Judge remarks, “I think that Shirley Temple is living somewhere inside of you.  To which Heavenly Joy responded, “Not Shirley Temple, Jesus.” She was cool as a cucumber. 

Considering all that Joseph had endured to this point in his life, who would fault him if let’s say, he took a little glory for himself? Imagine the most powerful man in the nation has sent for you.  Verse14 gives you an idea of just how quickly his fortunes changed, “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.  “I cannot do [what you are asking of me], but God will give Pharaoh the answers he desires.” In today’s slang, Joseph “kept his cool.” Little Heavenly Joy didn’t do so bad herself.   Lord of heaven and earth, grant us an anointing to see your glory established.  Not by leaning on our own understanding but by a growing awareness of trust and a renewed sense of your good, perfect and pleasing will.  “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD, is kept safe”.   May this be a week of personal discovery as we continue our study of Genesis chapters 41-45.  For it is in Jesus name we pray, Amen

Genesis 40

In reading today’s chapter, I was reminded of a facet of God’s sovereignty that is often overlooked -  the truth that, along with trials, circumstances and opportunities, God also sovereignly uses people in His redemptive plan for me and through me.

In Chapter 40, once again the plan of God is, from a human perspective, in trouble.  Joseph has been removed from his position of power and influence; and with it his ability to affect the deliverance of his family from the famine that will come. So God arranges to have Joseph imprisoned with men who once served in the courts of power and gives them disturbing dreams by which Joseph, through God given interpretations, is eventually freed and exalted to the second highest positon in Egypt. Natural eyes see this as coincidence but eyes of faith see the hand of God, once again, moving pieces (people) into place to frustrate the plans of evil men (and women) and use them for His pleasure and plans. Consider this:

• If Joseph’s brothers don’t sell him into slavery, he never goes to Egypt.
• If Joseph never goes to Egypt, he is never sold to Potiphar.
• If Joseph is never falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife, he never goes to prison.
• If Joseph never goes to prison, he never meets Pharaoh’s baker and cupbearer.
• If Joseph doesn’t meet the baker and cupbearer, he never gets to interpret their dreams.
• If Joseph doesn’t get to interpret their dreams, he doesn’t get to interpret Pharaoh’s dream.
• If Joseph doesn’t get to interpret Pharaoh’s dream, he is not made prime minister of Egypt.
• If Joseph is never made prime minister, then he does not deliver his family through the famine.
• If the family of Jacob, especially the clan of Judah, perishes in the famine, then the line through which Messiah must come forth (Gen 49:10) is cut off…

…and we are all lost in our sin.   

Yet, I also see that if Joseph were not the extraordinary individual that he was, he very well might have missed the appointment that God had ordained. Remember, Joseph was imprisoned by false accusation and by no fault of his own. If anyone had a right to be bitter, it was Joseph. Bitter people are self-centered people who dwell on the (real or perceived) injustice of their situation and are too busy focusing on their own pity party to notice those around them. But here we see Joseph not only recognizing the downcast faces of his cell mates but also possessing enough genuine concern for their sadness to ask the reason for their “long faces”. In showing concern born out of true compassion Joseph has opened up the emotional and spiritual doors that will eventually lead to the opening of the prison doors.

What a lesson for us to apply to our lives when we allow our world and point of view to grow so small as to only include three people – me, myself and I. I wonder how many divine opportunities I have missed by being spiritually myopic as I walk through the days of my life and amongst people that Jesus loves dearly and for whom He died. ((Shudder)).

One last thought. There is no doubt that God has and does speak to his people through dreams (Joel 2:28, 2 Cor 12:1, Hebrews 1:1) as well as through other means (creation, His word, the voice of the Holy Spirit, the Body, circumstances, etc.). Yet, along with this truth, God’s word offers caution when considering dreams as a revelation and communication from God.  Consider these verses of wisdom and warning…

Ecclesiastes 5:3,7
A dream comes when there are many cares, and many words mark the speech of a fool…Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore fear God.

Deuteronomy 13:1-3
If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams, appears among you and announces to you a sign or wonder, and if the sign or wonder spoken of takes place, and the prophet says, “Let us follow other gods” (gods you have not known) “and let us worship them,” you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer.

Jeremiah 23:25-28
“I have heard what the prophets say who prophesy lies in my name. They say, ‘I had a dream! I had a dream!’ How long will this continue in the hearts of these lying prophets, who prophesy the delusions of their own minds? They think the dreams they tell one another will make my people forget my name, just as their ancestors forgot my name through Baal worship. Let the prophet who has a dream recount the dream, but let the one who has my word speak it faithfully.

With dreams and visions, as with any sense of the Lord’s extra-biblical communication, let us boldly accept and follow all that the Lord says to us as long as (and only if) it is in agreement with and confirmed by a correct interpretation of His word and the prayerful confirmation and counsel of trusted elders and leaders.

Genesis 39

Perceptions can be misleading; even with the people of God.

It’s very easy to decide that a person is walking with God, pleasing to Him and in His will based upon outward circumstances. We feel that someone who is experiencing ease of life, financial blessings and peace of mind to be “blessed by God”. We couch our gratitude for the good things that we receive as God blessing us - with a job, house, new car, health, etc. While this certainly is good doctrine, according to James 1:17, it sets us up for a false doctrine if we believe that someone who is not experiencing material, positional or familial success as someone not blessed by God. There is an entire false “prosperity” doctrine that revolves around this corruption of God’s very nature and dealings with His people; and it is a doctrine that, when hard times inevitably confront those caught in this heretical trap, has caused the shipwreck of many a faith. I have sat with more than a few troubled saints as they have decided that the trials and tribulations with which they are confronted are evidence of God’s absence, anger and punishment for some unknown crime or dereliction of duty. Following on the heels of this false assumption comes false accusation as the person who perceives that they have been wrongly cursed by an unfair God raises their fists against God and declare that they ‘re “mad at God” or that He and them are “not on speaking terms” until things change to their liking. Dangerous territory!

Regarding these false assumptions, we can get a fresh, healthy and doctrinally correct perspective as we compare the first part of Chapter 39 with the second. In doing so, we are wise to recognize that God was every bit with Joseph whether he was in the halls of the palace or in a cell of the prison; whether or not he is on the top of the world or at the bottom of the heap. Note the similarities between the following verses:

V. 2-3
The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did

v.21-23
But while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.

Different circumstances, same God!

As it was with Joseph, so it is with the saints. God is as much with us in seasons of prosperity as He is in seasons of suffering. In fact, as I have seen in my own life, God seems to be even more able to bless and prosper and grow my faith in the midst of affliction than He can in affluence – not because He “changes like shifting shadows” - but perhaps because I look to Him and for Him more so in times of trouble.

Nor should we be surprised when living a life of righteousness lands us in trouble. Jesus promised that this would happen, the Apostles and the saints suffered for their faith during the Roman persecution, the history of the martyrs testifies to this truth, as does Pastor Saeed who is currently languishing in an Iranian prison; refusing to renounce his faith in Christ. All of these faced more true persecution for their righteousness than most of us ever will, yet each of them considered it a blessing and received with great joy the fact that they were found worthy to “bear the marks” of persecution for Jesus’ sake. I doubt that anyone could accuse these, and all like them, as being less-blessed by God than someone who enjoys peace, freedom and prosperity.

Our perception of whether or not God is with us or if we are currently being blessed by God should not be dependent on whether or not we are in trouble but, rather, founded on the fact that we are in Christ.

Genesis 38

In Chapter 38 of Genesis, we find a strange, and some feel out of place, interlude chronicling the events resulting from the relationship between, among others, Judah and Tamar.

There are so many issues involved here (and with them the attendant practical and spiritual applications) that the challenge is not to find a topic for study but, rather, which one to highlight.

In this chapter, through the shirking of familial duties and the manipulations of selfish, self-righteous, and sinful men, the line of Judah is in peril of being cut off and with it the line through which Messiah must  come (Genesis 49:10) .  Yet, as we have discovered in past devotions, God’s sovereignty will always trump man’s sinfulness and His purposes will be accomplished, Here again we see the redemptive plans of God being accomplished despite the plans and motivations of mankind to do all that they can to, albeit unwittingly, thwart those plans.

Which brings us to a thorny question.

 If the sovereignty of God is so all-powerful and will compensate for any sin, rebellion and disobedience on my part, then what is the incentive for me to live a righteous life? Am I not simply a pawn in God’s great chess game and, as He is several steps ahead of my moves - aware of, anticipating and compensating for my transgressions - does neither my obedience nor my sin affect His will and purposes at all?  

It is a dangerous thing to let God’s sovereignty lull me into complacency, Perhaps that is why God inspired Paul to addressed this very problem in his letter to the Romans (5:19-6:23). In answer to this very question, Paul’s answer is an emphatic, “God forbid!” Even though Paul teaches that, “where sin abounds, grace does abound even more” (Romans 5:20), we are warned not to use either the freedom that we have in the Lord or His grace and sovereignty as license to sin (Romans 6:1-2).

Perhaps the answer is in understanding that we exist not merely as inanimate objects on some great playing field or cosmic game board who’s actions matter not but, rather, we are the highest order of God’s creation; the only ones who bear His image and carry His very Spirit within us and the only beings in His creation upon which He bestowed purpose and destiny. We humans, above all creation, have been lavished with His love and invited into special relationship with Him and, when that relationship was destroyed by sin, God did not even spare His only beloved Son in order to draw us back to Him and restore us to original design and purpose. Now redeemed, we have been entrusted with the gospel of Jesus Christ and commissioned as ambassadors of the Kingdom of God.

We will begin to see our choices, attitudes and actions in their eternal and spiritual importance when we remember that we were created to bring glory to our beloved God – not as our sin exalts and magnifies His amazing and never-ending grace – but as our lives, lived in grateful, humble, joyful and willing surrender, obedience and worship – bring Him all of the praise, honor and glory that He and he alone deserves.  

Genesis 37

As we continue our reading through the Book of Genesis, we encounter one of the most popular, exciting and profitable sections of the Bible as we begin to look at the life of Joseph. There is so much of God’s faithfulness revealed within the story of Joseph’s life as well as many practical lessons and applications to be gleaned from this life of faith.

Perhaps one of the reasons why Joseph is such a beloved character of the Bible is because we are encouraged as we watch him persevere through many of the trials and injustices that we ourselves often face. In the weeks to come, I hope that we will all be strengthened in the faith as we learn how to keep our eyes on the promises and sovereignty of God even in the midst of pain and adversity and, especially, when it seems that God’s promises to us have gone awry.

As we begin to look at this extraordinary life, perhaps it is a good time for a gentle reminder.

Although Joseph, as a personage, looms large throughout this section of scripture it might do us well to remind ourselves of one important truth - that no matter what character or chronicle we are currently reading in the Bible, the main character is God himself. The only reason that the spotlight is cast upon any person or narrative is because it highlights something of God’s character and shows the unbroken and perfect march of His redemptive plan for mankind throughout history and through individual lives. Before we ever begin to search the scripture to find out “what it means to me”, we must first discover what it says about God.  Our studies of scripture should always begin with Him; pass through historical and cultural contexts, next considering the passage in view of the audience to whom it was intended and then look for the application to, first, the universal Church of the ages, and then finally discovering a personal application for my life and circumstance. To study (not just read) the word in this manner is to truly be a disciplined learner of (and from) the Word of God.

In pre-incarnate scripture, God has included many foreshadows, allegories, types, anthropomorphisms (examples from natural phenomena and physical anatomy  to describe attributes of an invisible God)  and symbols to represent His plan of salvation through Jesus Christ (Remember Melchizedek from Genesis 14?).  Joseph is one of the most important of these. There been exhaustive studies (sometimes too speculative, in my humble opinion) and comparisons made between the life of Joseph and that of Jesus. In detailing the events that God sovereignly used to place Joseph in a position to deliver his family, I picture the hand of God, ever so slightly, pulling back the curtain of redemptive history and prophecy to give mankind a glimpse of the mission and character of the Redeemer that is to come.

Here are just a few examples of Joseph as a Christ-type:

• Both were falsely accused (Genesis 39:14-19; Mark 14:57-58)
• Both resisted temptation and sin (Genesis 39:7-12; Matthew 4:1-11)
• Both were separated from their fathers (Genesis 39:31-25; John 20:21)
• Both were sold for the price of a slave (Genesis 37:28; Matthew 26:15)
• Both overcame the enemy’s plan (Genesis 50:20; Colossians 2:15)
• Both offered pardon (Genesis 45:15; Luke 3:34)
• Both redeemed their brethren (45:7; Galatians 4:4-5)

I hope that as we continue to search the scriptures together, we would prayerfully ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to us the people, places and events that God has used to reveal Himself, Christ and His redemptive plan of salvation for mankind.

Genesis 36

Genealogies. Ugh! Kinda like reading a phone book written in another language. Because of this, we tend to skip over them. Do they really matter? In their historical context, they were important social and legal documents regarding possessions, inheritances and boundaries. Additionally, they serve as an important reminder of God's faithfulness to the nation portion of the Abrahamic covenant and to the various families to whom the promise was made and through whom the Seed promise of the Messiah was to flow. Ultimately, they are there and important in keeping with the reminder of 2 Timothy 3:16. We do well not to skip ahead past the difficulties in gleaning truth, wisdom and insight from them (or any other difficult biblical passage or concept), rather, we should commit ourselves to whatever additional study and research might be necessary for us to not only understand them but to appreciate them and learn from them. There are several applications contained within Esau's genealogy. It chronicles a family of great size, possession and wealth, yet void of spiritual foundations. Esau and his descendants succeeded in this world but failed terribly in light of eternity, which points out two truths for us to be aware of in our lives. First, material prosperity does not equal spiritual prosperity. In verses 6-8, Moses writes about Esau’s relocation: "Then Esau took his wives and his sons and his daughters and all his household, and his livestock and all his cattle and all his goods which he had acquired in the land of Canaan, and went to another land away from his brother Jacob. For their property had become too great for them to live together, and the land where they sojourned could not sustain them because of their livestock" Despite Esau's 's great wealth, the consequences of his spiritual weakness would have ramifications for generations to come. The family of Esau would become the nation know as Edom and would be a thorn in Israel's side as Israel sought to take hold of and live out the Abrahamic promise. Despite Esau's great wealth, his epitaph is a sad one... "See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears, he could not change what he had done." (Heb 12:15-17) Second, Esau's failed spiritual headship impacted generations to follow. Esau's marriages produced five sons. Esau’s kids were born leaders—talented and strong; a few even identified as kings. Yet, there is no indication that Esau raised them to know the Lord. In this chapter, there are 81 names listed, yet only two names hint at a belief in the true God: “Reuel” Esau’s son by Basemath, means “friend of God”; and “Jeush”, Oholibamah’s son, means “the Lord helps.” Esau was a successful man whose sons and grandsons after him were successful men, by worldly standards. But they all failed at what matters most because they left God out of their lives. The most important thing we can impart to our kids is not how to be a worldly success. It’s easy to encourage our children to succeed in the wrong ways. They may make the soccer or basketball team or be the homecoming queen. They may score well on the SAT and go to the best colleges and get the best paying jobs. But if they fail with God, all that stuff doesn’t matter. We need to instill in our children what it means to succeed with God. We must encourage our kids spiritually. Do our kids enjoy attending church? Are they involved in youth or GROW group? Do they have personal devotions? Are they observing us, as parents, setting an example before them as we do these things? Spiritual legacies are caught, not taught. "Do as I say and not as I do" is a recipe for spiritual disaster. As we lead and observe our children in their pursuit of God, let's show them how proud of them we are. Let's encourage them and inspire them toward spiritual desires; support them in every way we can with their spiritual endeavors; and look for creative ways that we can stimulate them to love and good deeds (Heb 10:25); for, "What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?" (Mark 8:36) Within Esau's genealogy is the reminder that if we succeed by worldly standards but fail with God, we have failed where it really matters. Whether we fail or succeed by worldly standards, if we succeed with God, we will have true and lasting success. Every day we live, the choices we make, the things we say, and the actions we take impact those around us (one way or the other). How we conduct ourselves in our marriage, with our children, in our work, and in the community is incredibly important and God wants to use our lives as the means by which He draws lost and hurting people to salvation. We are leaving a legacy for those who will follow in our steps (Prov 20:7). Let's live our life with eternity in mind (Eph 5:15-16).

Genesis 35

Unfinished Business...

A look back at Genesis 28 reminds us that Jacob had made a vow to God at Bethel; a vow he had yet to fulfill. Much has occurred since he made that vow. As happens all too frequently, vows made in seasons of trouble and distress are often forgotten as the urgency of the moment fades through the lapse of time. Even if they are remembered upon the return of health and prosperity, there does not seem to be the same feeling of eagerness and sense of obligation to fulfil them. This is where we find Jacob. He had fallen into spiritual laziness. It was now eight or ten years since his return to Canaan. He had amassed wealth and possessions and had obtained a comfortable existence. He even acknowledged the divine grace and provision by which he attained all these things. But for some reason, his early promise at Bethel, made with all sincerity during a great crisis of his life, remained unperformed. Jacob seems to have forgotten the vow; God hadn't.

Now, after Jacob’s (and his son’s) attitudes and actions threaten God’s redemptive plan - even to the point at which, without the divine terror visited upon the surrounding nations – Jacob’s clan could well be wiped out - the Lord appears again to remind him of his neglected duty. No doubt motivated by the imminent danger of staying at Shechem, but also by God’s gentle reminder of the vow, Jacob assembles his household and instructs them to make immediate preparations to return to Bethel. These preparations include ridding the camp of idols (Hebrew – “gods of the stranger” or “of foreign nations”); and personal consecration. Not only was Jacob, as leader of his family, charged with putting his house in order, but each member of his house was responsible for his or her own individual sanctification.

Perhaps we, as well, have some unfinished business to which we must tend. Is it possible that, in the past, we made vows and promises to God; promises of personal conduct; a call to ministry accepted; commitment to daily reading and prayer; a proclamation to live a life set apart unto God that we have left neglected or unfulfilled? Can we recognize that time, circumstance, comfort and our own apathy has caused the memory and attention to these vows to fade, as had happened in Jacob's life?. If so, the Lord calls us back to Bethel.

However, before we can renew our vows to the Lord, we must renew our commitment to Him. We cannot serve God while still in possession of, and tempted by, the “strange gods” acquired during our wanderings We must take spiritual inventory and cleanse our tents of those influences, attitudes, possessions, habits and activities that we, or our children (Gen 31:19), have picked up from this foreign land through which we sojourn and re-establish our households as places where the Word of God is exalted and valued; where we experience intimate and transforming times with God in prayer and where He is worshipped in Spirit and truth and with obedience.

Once this is done, then let each one of us, as an individual and special child of God, be newly consecrated – set apart – to those things that God has spoken and called us to in the past. Let us return to our Bethel and once again erect altars – places of remembrance and worship – that remind us of God’s grace and mercy in such a way as to inspire us to live lives of gratitude, surrender and obedience to Him who delivered us and sustains us. As God did with Jacob, may He remind us that we are people of The Covenant so that we may live in light of that powerful and transformational identity.

“Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.”
                                                                                                                                                                Joshua 3:5