Feelin' Grateful For You -- Not A Little Bit!

Thanks for the Bible, Lord. (That's His heart-felt love letter to the believer). 

Even though it's not too complicated, I just can't seem to get to the bottom of it. Need wisdom to daily apply.  

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15

-- Why should we read and study the Bible?
-- What is inductive Bible study?
-- Is the Bible truly God's Word?
-- What is a study Bible?
-- What is a Bible concordance, and how do I use it?
-- What are some different methods of Bible study?
-- What is Bibliology?
-- What is the value of doing a word study in understanding the Bible?
-- What is the key to applying the Bible to my life?

Been asked to teach verse by verse for some weeks again in Genesis on Joseph in November at Prestonwood, 6801 W. Park Blvd, Plano TX. November 3, 10 and 17th at 11 am. 

Really wonderful people here. Join us if you can and bring a friend. Askin' the Lord who knows the needs to use -- yep, to make us a blessing. 

I love the story of faithful Joseph! 

He had some dreams, some gifts, but He loved the Giver of gifts the most. Joseph’s path from slavery to success was lined with trouble, testing and injustice. But with God directing each step, Joseph’s journey was a triumph of faith! Take time to examine God’s perfect will and His timing in Joseph’s life. This offers practical tools to help you gain that eternal perspective in your own life. Important. Joe started off with a many colored robe, then a slaves robe, then a prison robe, then the robe from Pharaoh. From age 30 until he was 110 Joseph ruled in Egypt--for 80 years. In prison Joe found out God really loves him. Problems should produce a sense of dependency -- they come to show us how much we daily need God (see Psalm 139). Problems prepare us for real ministry. There is no more beautiful ministry of the serving sufferer like the ministry of this sufferer to others suffering. God can use you--the suffering brings about a heart for hurting people.

Christians have some trials, tribulation, troubles, temptations and tests, and God allows some believers to go to prison. He wants us to grow, learn -- God uses this time so we can be the people He wants us to be. We want Easter without Good Friday, we want the gain without the pain but our Father has another plan.

God broke Joe's heart in prison, and made him a servant. The Bible says, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Joe got the right ring, the right robe, the right babe, the right kids -- look he drives the 2nd chariot. So right! Being a student is more rewarding when you cooperate with the teacher. In the same way, being a believer is more rewarding when you cooperate with God the ultimate teacher. Please consider the importance of accepting God’s training schedule for you, and consider this... how it really helped Joseph in his own rags to riches rise from poverty to that special position of power (Prime "Minister", Vice Regent, the top Administrator, Viser reports directly to the King). 

The promotion and blessings weren't just so Joseph could selfishly swim in the gravy or sit soak and sour, NOPE, they were for him to enjoy as well as be used of God to rescue people (all have ginormous value). Yes, they were freely given and redemptive -- for God's worldwide missionary purpose so to speak. God has you others in mind--He delights to bless, save and use people. He is SO really into..REALLY REALLY INTO.. saving needy, hungry.. even starving people who would die. He wants you and lots of people to one day in heaven with Him. That's why we carefully explain the gospel.

None of God's blessings terminate upon self. Not given for stopping. Zero do. We are blessed to become a blessing for others. Like Joseph have you suffered some loss? Are you hurting now. Don't waste your sorrows as many opt to do, just glorify the Lord!

“The devil, things and people being what they are, it is necessary for God to use the hammer, the file and the furnace in His holy work of preparing a saint for true sainthood. It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until He has hurt him deeply.” ~ A. W. Tozer

The story reminds me of these passages. The Bible says, "His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ 23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord." Matthew 25:21-25 nkjv

"He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own?" Luke 16:10-12

While you're at it on your knees this week.. please pray for Ken Fitzgerald, Jody Wallace (leaders), Christian, Nathan, Stephan, Heath, Nanners, Shiloh, Stephan, and fifteen fantastic Global Media Outreach missionaries that I've been responsible for: Mike, Bob, Henry, Lisa, Gregg, Tony, Elizabeth, Greg, Penny, Cindy, Jay, Susan, Terry, Jimmy, Sandra as well as my wife Liney who has been ministering a lot to youngsters this whole year. I pray that God guides and graces them all! She and I are planning to be in SoCal, DC, Florida, Baltimore and in four places out of the country. 

Perhaps you need some hope? Maybe you too have some prayer requests for us to lift up? Don't be too shy to let us know. 

Why believers wisely put their hope in the Lord. Just think about what we learn in Genesis regarding Joseph's teenage struggles and later on:

• No enemy is really more subtle than passivity.
• No response is more cruel than jealousy. Solomon was right when he said, "Jealousy is cruel as the grave" (Song of Solomon 8:6, RSV). There's no room for the inequality -- I mean favoritism in a fam, church or workplace (all of God's kids are His favorites). What can manifest from jealousy? Cruelty can. Jealousy can manifest in super mean ways..like happened to Joseph. If it's allowed to fester inside, it leads to tragic and devastating consequences. If you don't address it, if it's allow jealousy to rage within your family like between your children, guess what.. you are asking for trouble.
• Since God is all powerful, no action here is more powerful than prayer ...with the right address attached to it. (It's a faith thang. To the Father in the Name of Jesus His Son). God can turn around the worst situations.

If it's so and the right time.. helpful, edifying, inspiring, necessary and Christ-honoring.. I want to say it. If it's His will, I want to do it. Nothing more. Thank you friends for your encouraging words, insights and prayers! 
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