Oops! Uh, sorry I left you in jail!

Gen 32 - 50

There's so much forgivness in the last half of Genesis - specifically with Joseph - he forgave his brother's for selling him and he forgave the kings cup bearer for forgetting about him in prison - for TWO years!


Imagine! The cup bearer - "Oops! Sorry! I guess I kind of forgot you were down here rotting in your prison cell. Awkward. But hey! The good news is I remembered, right? It's only been two years. Man! ...I knew there was something I was forgetting... they do say the mind is the first to go. Forgive me? I like your beard."


Actually, I don't even think he asked for Joseph's forgivenss. I'd have to go back and look.

and his brothers?  Really?  I mean who does that?  Who sells their brother?  "Yes, but at least we didn't kill him."  Oh that's real good of ya....

But seriously, what is the biggest thing I've had to forgive someone for?

What is the biggest thing I could forgive someone for?


I pray that I will be like Joseph and extend the same grace that God has shown me, to others. Over and over again.


In chapter 50 verses 19 and 20, we are given a little glimpse inside Joseph's head.


God first shows us an amazing example of forgivness, with Joseph's story, and He doesn't leave us hanging. He uses Joseph's words to teach us how to forgive, and more importantly - one of the reasons why we should forgive.


"Am I a God, to judge and punish you? As far as I'm concerned, God turned into good, what you meant for evil."


That statement made me think about how many times that I have felt I need to "punish" someone that has offended or hurt me.


"Give 'em the silent treatment. That'll teach 'em!"

...or perhaps talk about them behind their back. You know, tell someone else how that person has done me wrong so they, too, will see their "true colours".


It's not like I set out to do these things on purpose. It just kind of happens.


I also love the way Joseph dealt with temptation!


"He kept out of her way as much as possible."
- Gen 39:10


When Potiphar's wife wanted to sleep with Joseph - he kept out of her way.


Can it really be that S.I.M.P.L.E? When something is tempting us - keep out of it's way. Let God do the rest. He can work with our hearts and the Holy Spirit helps us with self-control but we have to do our part.


There so much to learn from Joseph's story.


I guess God didn't just put him there so I could pick pretty crayons for his "coat of many colours" in Sunday School!

Trying not to sleep with Hagar!

Genesis 10 - 32


I read more than usual this morning. I couldn't help it, I felt like I had picked up this novel that I just couldn't put down!  As I was reading, I couldn't help but think of something I heard a few days ago that seems to just "fit" with my passage today.


God has a way of doing that. :)


Someone asked me, "Do you feel like you are learning lessons today, that will help you handle tests God has for you tomorrow?"


I shared with that person that I have felt for quite some time that God is preparing my heart for something big.  I've felt it even more so in the last two weeks.


It's like I'm cramming for some huge exam and I just can't get enough moments with God, soaking in all of His wisdom!


Abraham had many faith stretching experiences before "the big one".  When it came time, he was faithful to God and chose to obey, even if it cost him his son.


I pray for faith like Abraham...


...and I especially pray God never asks me to sacrifice my son!


Chapter 15 verse 6:


"Abraham believed and the Lord declared him righteous because of his faith."


I am a firm believer that that verse is for me too. God says I'm righteous simply because I believe! Once again I've been let go of STRIVING for perfection!


Looking back though, Abraham didn't always trust God. In fact, he ran ahead of God and decided to fulfill a promise that God was responsible to fulfill. God told him that he would be a father of a great nation!  When it didn't happen in the time frame that Abraham thought it should happen, he went so far as to sleep with Hagar (NOT his wife) to ensure he became a father!


I'm not sure if he didn't believe God, or perhaps thought God was taking His good ol' time, but whatever the reason, he took it upon himself to do God's work. ...and ended up causing more problems, which often happens when we try to jump ahead of God. (whenever I read this story, I always end up feeling bad for Hagar!)


I'm so thankful for Abraham's story because I'm able to see how much his faith grew. He went from not believing God will do what He says, to trusting God so much that he was willing to sacrifice his son. No questions asked!


I'm encouraged to know that God never gave up on him! God is faithful even when we're not.


God know's we won't have "the faith of Abraham" right from the get go. Heck, Abraham didn't start out with "the faith of Abraham"!


Baby steps. It's about learning to trust him in the little things, so that when the "big one" comes along - it's a no brainer! "Of course I will trust that God will work this out. I don't know how, but I know it's no problem for God!"


I am so thankful for what He's teaching me and how He is changing me. I know I have far to go, but I can't believe how far I have already come.


...and I know He's is pleased with me. :)

Who's fault is it anyway?

Genesis 1 - 9


Isn't it typical that Adam blamed everyone BUT himself when he was caught sinning? But the woman you gave me made me do it!"

Was he blaming the woman for giving him the apple or was he blaming God for giving him the woman? Perhaps both? (...and YES, I realize Eve did her own share of blaming too!)

It's funny how we hear the same ol' story from our children!
"But Mom, if you hadn't put that plant there, I wouldn't have knocked it over!", or my favorite, "It's my brothers fault I hit him...he was bugging me!"
Ah, silly children. ...and then we grow up into mature adults who would never blame anyone for mistakes we make...right?


Really though, I don't know why we even bother to make excuses. God knows why we did it. He knew were were going to sin before we did! He's probably just like we are with our children, shaking our head saying, "Just clean it up and try to not do it again, OK?" Sheesh.


You know, I really don't think it matters to God so much why we sin but that we acknowledge it for what it is and ask for forgiveness when it does happen. Ideally, we go even one step further and try to resist it in the first place. God gave us the power to do so! He's given us authority over the enemy!!


"Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy..." - Luke 10:19


So..I have power over the enemy - after letting that truth sink in for a moment I come to a realization. Shoot! Does that mean I can't even blame satan? But how in the world does God expect me to resist temptation?


After digging a little, I found instruction.


"Humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." - James 4:7


"Run from anything that stimulates youthful desires. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts" 2 - Tim 2:22


It's awesome for me to understand that I have a Father that doesn't just command me to resist temptation but He gives me instruction on how to do it! Even when I do mess up (and that's often) He forgives me over and over again - so patiently.


I wonder, how many people see God as someone "up there watching, just waiting for me to mess up so he can punish me? Disappointed in me...once again..."


Nothing could be further from the truth!


When our children are learning to walk and they fall down (over and over again) we don't shake our head, call them a screw up, start planning on how we are going to punish them this time and walk away! We don't say, "I can't believe they fell down again! I'm done with them! They will NEVER learn how to walk!!"


No, we help them up and we lovingly send them on their way again. At times, we even hold their hand for as long as they need us too.


Why would I expect anything different from my heavenly Father?


Something that surprised me (and caused me look at my sin in a whole different way) in Genesis, Chapter 6 was when God said that He was sorry He even made mankind and that their wickedness "broke His heart".
Wow. God's heart breaks. MY thoughts and actions break God's heart. The creator of the universe. He, who made the tiny little legs on a centipede and commands the sun to rise, is grieved when I sin.


It's humbling to know that God loves me that much. There are so many times I disregard His love by sinning (on purpose) because I know he will forgive me. Isn't that taking advantage of God?


"Yeah, I'm gossiping but God knows my heart. He knows I would never hurt any one's feelings on purpose. I'm only doing it to be funny or fit in."


"I'm just going to download this one movie, God knows I'm broke. I'll buy a membership on payday and that will make up for it."


"God knew how frustrated when I used that language. He forgives me."
He does forgive....but it still grieves Him. There's not a lot I can do for God. He doesn't "need" anything from little ol' me. How then, can I prove to Him that I love Him? I can obey.


I heard a quote the other day and I love it....


"We don't obey God so he will love us. We do it to show we love Him."