Category: Spiritual

Read Genesis 37:1-4

Before we get better acquainted with Joseph, let’s take a quick glance at some background information. It will help if you remember that his biography falls neatly in three distinct segments.

          Birth to Seventeen Years (Genesis 30:24-37:2) During this time Joseph’s family was in transition – everyone was unsettled, on the move. A low-level antagonism was brewing as his family clashed ans argued in jealousy and hatred.

          Seventeen to Thirty Years (Genesis 37:2-41:46) This second segment occurs as Joseph reaches young manhood. It seems as though his life becomes out of control. Enslavement, unfair accusation, and imprisonment assault him.

          Thirty Years to Death (Genesis 41: 46 – 50:26). Joseph’s last eighty years are years of prosperity and reward under God’s blessing. He had the classic opportunity to get even with his brothers, to ruin them forever, but he refused, Instead, he blessed, protected, and forgave.

          God continually uses the lives of Bible characters to teach us, to encourage us, to warn us. Who can forget the impact of the truths lived out in the lives of David and Esther, of Moses and Elijah, of Peter and Paul? It’s impossible to leave truth in the theoretical realm when you see it revealed in the lives of real – life men and women. That is what these divinely inspired biographers do; they distill truth and weave it into the fabric of everyday living. God’s training manual is full of lives that inspire and instruct.

          Romans 15:4 states, “For whatsoever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, that through perseverance and the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope” (emphasis added). This reference to “earlier times” encompasses all the truths written in the Old Testament. And if I read this verse correctly, there are two basic reasons God has allowed us to have the Old Testament available for study and application: first for present instruction, and second, for future hope. God has given us this information so that our minds can learn the truth about Him and about life, and so that we will be encouraged to persevere in the future. Who knows, perhaps beginning even today?

NEXT UP: Lessons In Adversity. Who better than Joseph?

Reading again thru the 121 chapters of Romans thru Jude as Pastor Bryan suggested for 2025, I was especially impacted and inspired Wed AM when I encountered these verses in my Parallel NIV/The Message Bible from Romans 8: 1-27

With the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, those who enter into Christ’s being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud.

A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death.

God went for the jugular when he sent his own Son. He didn’t deal with the problem as something remote and unimportant. In his Son, Jesus, he personally took on the human condition, entered the disordered mess of struggling humanity in order to set it right once and for all.

The law code, weakened as it always was by fractured human nature, could never have done that. The law always ended up being used as a Band-Aid on sin instead of a deep healing of it.

And now what the law code asked for but we couldn’t deliver is accomplished as we, instead of redoubling our own efforts, simply embrace what the Spirit is doing in us.

Those who think they can do it on their own end up obsessed with measuring their own moral muscle but never get around to exercising it in real life. Those who trust God’s action in them find that God’s Spirit is in them—living and breathing God!

Obsession with self in these matters is a dead end; attention to God leads us out into the open, into a spacious, free life.

It stands to reason, doesn’t it, that if the alive-and-present God who raised Jesus from the dead moves into your life, he’ll do the same thing in you that he did in Jesus, bringing you alive to himself?

When God lives and breathes in you (and he does, as surely as he did in Jesus), you are delivered from that dead life. With his Spirit living in you, your body will be as alive as Christ’s!

So don’t you see that we don’t owe this old do-it-yourself life one red cent. There’s nothing in it for us, nothing at all. The best thing to do is give it a decent burial and get on with your new life.

God’s Spirit beckons. There are things to do and places to go! This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike “What’s next, Papa?” God’s Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who He is, and we know who we are: Father and children.

And we know we are going to get what’s coming to us—an unbelievable inheritance! We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we’re certainly going to go through the good times with him!

That’s why I don’t think there’s any comparison between the present hard times and the coming good times. The created world itself can hardly wait for what’s coming next.
Everything in creation is being more or less held back. God reins it in until both creation and all the creatures are ready and can be released at the same moment into the glorious times ahead.

Meanwhile, the joyful anticipation deepens. All around us we observe a pregnant creation. The difficult times of pain throughout the world are simply birth pangs. But it’s not only around us; it’s within us. The Spirit of God is arousing us within. We’re also feeling the birth pangs.

These sterile and barren bodies of ours are yearning for full deliverance. That is why waiting does not diminish us, any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother. We are enlarged in the waiting. We, of course, don’t see what is enlarging us. But the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy.

Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.

it has not yet been revealed what we shall be… 1 John 3:2

My Utmost For His Highest April 29th

Is it your natural inclination to be so precise that you bug or alienate those about you? Do you gravitate towards trying to forecast accurately what will happen next? Do you view your uncertainties about the facts of past-present-future events as a negative; perhaps even a character flaw?

We may obsessively think that we must reach some predetermined goal or sequence, but that is not the nature of the spiritual life. The nature of the spiritual life is simply that we are certain in our uncertainty.

Consequently, we do not put down roots. Our common sense says, “Well, what if I were in that circumstance?” It is difficult to see ourselves in any circumstance in which we have never been.

Certainty is the mark of the commonsense life– gracious uncertainty is the mark of the spiritual life.

To be certain of God implies that we are uncertain in all our ways, not knowing what tomorrow may bring. This is generally expressed with a sigh of sadness, when it should be an expression of breathless expectation! We may be uncertain of our next step, but we are certain of God! As soon as we abandon ourselves to God and do the task He has placed closest to us, He marvelously begins to fill our lives with surprises, and sometimes, beyond the scope of our imaginations.

When we descend to becoming simply a promoter or a defender of a particular belief, something within us dies. That is not believing God – it is only believing our belief about Him. Jesus said, “…unless you…become as little children…” (Matthew 18:3 ). The spiritual life is the life of a child. Remember your imperfect earthly parents; their love and protection regardless, even with their physical restraints? Well, God’s dimensions far exceed our parents imaginations and potential, and though we are not uncertain one iota of God’s I Am’ness, we do live in the tension of being uncertain of what’s coming next.

BOTTOM LINE TODAY! If our certainty is only in our beliefs, we develop a sense of self–righteousness, become overly critical, and are limited by the view that our beliefs are complete and settled.

INSTEAD, CONSIDER THIS! For when we have the right relationship with God, life is full of spontaneous, joyful uncertainty and expectancy. Jesus said, “…believe also in Me” (John 14:1), not, “Believe certain things about Me”.

GO FORTH TODAY: leaving everything to Him and it will be gloriously and graciously uncertain how He will come in– but you can be certain that He will come. Remain faithful to Him in all things!

NEXT UP: We are now practicing Gracious Uncertainty. Join us before the night comes…

Psalm 55:22 NIV “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you”

Message “Pile your troubles on God’s shoulder’s – he’ll carry your load, he’ll help you out.”

Stimulated by April 13th My Utmost For His Highest

Folks, there are times when we really need to recognize the difference in His assignments that may become burdensome. There are those that are right for us to bear vs. those burdens that are beyond our current gifts and capabilities, much like I’ve heard answers to prayer summarized: yes, no, not yet, maybe even, never! Attractive burdens beyond our reach or grasp require we’re intimately communicating and discerning under the Spirit’s influence.

First, we should never bear the burdens of sin or doubt; they require our immediate attention. However, there are some burdens placed on us by God which He does not intend to lift off. Rather, God wants us to roll them back on Him— to literally “cast your burden,” which He has given you, “on the Lord….” We are simply not aware how devoted Satan is that we totally destroy our very souls, once we’ve set out to serve God and do His bidding while traveling the sanctification interstate highway of bliss or its detour route, Trail of Tears, depending on His placement at the moment in our HisStory.

Either way, because of the sinful roots that the sanctification tears have yet not shaken loose deep within our heart, mind & soul, nor have they yet been purged by the Son’s Light of Truth, thereby allowing Satan’s negativity to cause our instinctual cultural work ethic desire to kick in taking charge of an apparently failing spiritual situation in our life, thereby setting asunder our initial justification desire and passion for His continuing quiet refreshing moments of intimacy and spiritual refueling, while we transition from milk to meat.

Suddenly we realize, as did Adam & Eve in the Garden of Eden, we’ve been snookered by Satan’s deceptions, we’ve lost our intimate closeness with Him. And just as with other Bible characters, such as King David and Peter’s thrice denial, our guilt will be overwhelming and defeating. We’ve been here before. We’ve experienced forgiveness, renewal, & restoration. But next time, let’s pause, reflect, and simply relish the Spirit’s intimacy, and then roll back on God shoulders those burdens He has placed on us, and his desire to train us for greater spiritual competencies, so as to not allow our spiritual immaturity to hijack our sanctification process to date. He will take away that immense fear of failing after accepting an assignment, or responsibility, replacing our fear (false evidence appearing real) with an awareness and understanding of His I AM’NESS and His empowering presence to complete whatever the task that became a burden, by we humbling ourselves and accepting His help.

Many servants set out to serve God with great courage and the right motives. We disciples, however innocently we’ve become disconnected from the Vine, once derailed and without daily intimate fellowship with Jesus Christ and His body of disciples, are very soon defeated producing a fatal overwhelming weariness in our lives. Other disciples may see this and say, “What a sad end to someone that had such a great `beginning!”

“Cast your burden on the Lord….” You have been bearing it all, but you need to deliberately place one end on God’s shoulder. “…the government (perhaps even confused Anabaptist lone rangers) will not merely accept, but will seek the help of His shoulder” (Isaiah 9:6) my paraphrase). Commit to God whatever burden He has placed on you. Don’t ever just cast it aside, but put it over onto Him and place yourself there with it. You will see that your burden is then lightened by the sense and innate strength of His intimate companionship. Neither should you ever try to separate yourself from your burden. He is trusting you, even training you by opportunity, and will reward you, or not, just as in the parable of the talents.

And that my friend, is another subject for another day.

NEXT UP: No idea. The fact is though, this blog may be suspended until fall because of prior commitments back in Ohio. The next month(s) may well reveal much to all of us.

Until next time and even far beyond, always remain vigilant in His spirit, never internalizing any hypocrisy, fervent in both scripture and prayer, continually watching His fruits (love, joy, peace patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control) being formed, tasted, distributed and intimately shared from His orchard (see Galatians 5:22 The Message) by His disciples as encouraged in I & II Peter, and specifically in 1 Peter 3:15-16 (MSG) “Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you’re living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy. Keep a clear conscience before God so that when people throw mud at you, none of it will stick. They’ll end up realizing that they’re the ones who need a bath.”

My Utmost For His Highest Mar 27

Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place… Revelation 4:1

A higher state of mind and spiritual vision can only be achieved through the higher practice of personal character.

If you live up to the highest and best that you know in the outer level of your life, God will continually say to you, “Friend, come up even higher.” There is also a continuing rule in temptation which calls you to go higher; but when you do, you only encounter other temptations and character traits.

Both God and Satan use the strategy of elevation, but Satan uses it in temptation, and the effect is quite different.

For example, when the devil elevates you to a certain place, he causes you to fasten your idea of what holiness is far beyond what flesh and blood could ever bear or achieve. Your life becomes a spiritual acrobatic performance high atop a steeple. You cling to it, trying to maintain your balance and daring not to move. (Anyone relate?)

But when God elevates you by His grace into heavenly places, you find a vast plateau where you can move about with ease. (What a joy to be so thus surrounded with such freedom?)

I suggest you invest a few minutes today sometime to reflect and compare your spiritual acuity, depth, and satisfaction this Holy Week with your Holy Week memories of last year, to see how God now has called you to a higher level, enjoying a broad spacious plateau in which to operate. We are all continually being encouraged to elevate His perspective through us beyond our comfort zone, and incidentally, never allow God to show you a truth which you do not instantly begin to live up to, applying it to your life. Always work through it, staying in its light.

I’m recalling Carl’s 4 D’s this past Sunday; our destination, its distance, our decision, and of course, all without a doubt, OUR (it’s gotta be our, His & I, otherwise I’ll surely fail!) all-out DETERMINATION, in order to vibrantly declare, IT IS FINISHED after which we’ll hear, “well done thou good and faithful servant.” Perhaps use a Post-It Note to remember your 4-D’s?

Your growth in grace is not measured by the fact that you haven’t yet turned back, but that you have an insight and understanding into where you are today spiritually! We’re not merely performing or increasing our workout repetitions in the gym here! Have you heard God say, “Come up higher,” not audibly on the outer level, but to the innermost part of your character? “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing…?” (Genesis 18:17). Understand here, God has to hide from us what He does, until, due to the growth of our personal character, we get to the level where He is then able to reveal it. Oh, the wonder of it all! Praise His Holy Name!

Sustaining Encouragement for Further Reflection: Colossians 2:6-23 NIV

[6]So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him,

[7] rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

[8] See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.

[9] For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,

[10] and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.

[11] In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ,

[12] having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.

[13] When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,

[14] having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; He has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.

[15] And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

[16] Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.

[17] These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.

[18] Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind.

[19] They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.

[20] Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules:

[21] “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”?

[22] These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings.

[23] Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

NEXT UP: You’re on your own to personally reflect on your spiritual journey to date, as encouraged in this and prior posts. Happy Easter my friend!