Cultivating a thankful heart
1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing, give thanks for this is the will of God.
All things work out good for those who believe in God! Do not just thank him for the good things but for circumstances that are not going well too. Believe that things will eventually turn out well.
Have the right attitude for life – “Do not blame God for creating the tiger, but thank him for not creating the tiger with wings.” It is this attitude that determines whether your workplace becomes a beautiful place or a prison. Change our heart from one that is always grumbling to one that is filled of gratitude.
Never take God and the kindness of people around us for granted.
Keep a journal of all the good things that have been done to you by God. Share these good things as a form of testimony to your friends.
Jacob goes to Egypt (Genesis 46-47)
Jacob was afraid of the long journey to Egypt to meet his son Joseph – fearing that Joseph was not there, that he might not survive the long journey etc. But God spoke to him in a vision at night
3 “I am God, the God of your father,” he said. “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. 4 I will go down to Egypt with you, and I will surely bring you back again. And Joseph’s own hand will close your eyes.”
And because he is of good faith, he obeyed God and began his journey to Egypt.
In Chap 47, Joseph has bought everything the Egyptians own in the name of the Pharaoh using for payment the food supply he had stockpiled. Basically, all Egyptians are slaves of the State, and Joseph moves them to the cities. Everyone in Egypt (except Jacob’s family) become state civil servants working off commission. They receive as wages 80% of their profits with 20% going to Egyptian coffers (verse 24), and verse 25 indicates that the people were happy just to be allowed to live. According to verse 26, this 20% flat tax rate remained in effect for quite some time in Egypt – at least several centuries.
But verse 27 tells us that Israel retained their possessions, and their possessions multiplied exceedingly. So, let’s get the picture here: Virtually no one in Egypt owns anything except Jacob’s people. Glory be to God !
Revelation (2 Kings 6:8-23)
Open eyes = revelation for the now
1. Revelation that God brings awareness to potential dangers and helps us avert them
- a spiritual enemy is trying to steal the treasures that God has in store for us
- note these are not trials that God has for us, but blocks by the Devil to stumble us
2. Revelation that helps inspire faith and confidence in God in us
- e.g. The servant saw things the natural and was afraid of the enemies approaching but Elijah saw things by faith and saw an army that far outnumber the enemy
3. Revelation that is God is with us
- e.g. Hills full of horses and chariots of fire around Elijah -when God is with us, we are in the majority
4. Revelation that God protects
- e.g. Having chariots of fire around us and striking the enemies with blindness
5. Revelation of grace
- they chose to bless their enemies instead of exacting revenge and killing them -God will do the rest
Joseph and his brothers meet again (Genesis 43-45)
Joseph’s brothers came to ask for food due to the severe famine that has hit the land. But Joseph does not hate them for selling him to Egypt, because he has come to see that it is God who has sent him here, and not his brothers, to save the lives of the people. Indeed, this is how God works at times. Your life might seem terrible, that everything is not going your way, but have faith that God has plans for us, good plans to prosper us.
So all is forgiven and Joseph sends his brothers to bring his father to the land of Egypt as well.
Understand and experience God’s love
1. See how great the Benefits are
A. the problem (Eph 1)
- rejection – approval addict: constantly fearing rejection and seeking approval –> chosen and adopted (v 4, 5) – shame –> redeemed and forgiven (v7)
- helpless – insecure, blame game (Adam v Eve) –> sealed and secure (v 13, 14)
2. Cost of gods love
- Jesus died at a young age of 33 yrs old to die for all of our sins – it cost Jesus and his father everything to love us
- he came down to earth, and he stayed on the cross
- my god, my god, why have u forsaken me – God his father cannot bear sins and turned his back on Jesus for the first time and this pained Jesus greatly
3. See how little we deserve it
- 2 Cor 5:21 god madehim who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God – Rom 5:6-8 we are sinners
More dreams interpretation (Genesis 41-42)
Joseph interpreted the dream of the Pharaoh - predicting 7 years of abundance followed by 7 years of famine. His solution to this was simple – to save up the food during the good years in storehouses and to release them during the bad years. Because of the wisdom that he showed, the Pharaoh made him his 2nd-in-command, such that everyone in Egypt must listen to him.
It is also important to note that throughout all this, Joseph does not take any credit for himself but instead in v16 we see that Joseph relied Pharaoh: ” I cannot do it but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.”
Joseph (Genesis 38-40)
Joseph was put in charge of everything but framed by Potiphar’s wife (Genesis 39)
God was within Joseph, in everything that he did. And because of that everything that he did prospered. Hence he was put in charge of all his master’s belongings, something like a chief servant of sorts. However, unfortunately because of his good looks and the fact that he rejected his master’s wife seductions, the latter accused him of sexual harassment and he was put into jail by the master.
We can see here that even though Joseph had dreams of superiority over his brothers when he was a child, since then he has only been a slave, house servant and now a prisoner! Hence, the path to success is not always paved.
Josephs interprets dreams (Genesis 40)
In prison, Joseph interpreted the dreams of the King’s cup-bearer and chief baker. For the former, who placed the wine in the hands of the King in his dream, he interpreted that he will be restored to his former position. For the latter, because the birds ate his bread before he had a chance to give them to the King, he interpreted that he will be put to death.
True enough, the dreams were realized just as he has interpreted. However, the cup-bearer whom Joseph has requested to help him out of jail upon his restoration of position has forgotten this little promise. And Joseph stays in jail for a little while more.
Can we change our situation?
Yes! We can change our situation!
1. Prayer
Praying (in a right manner) makes a difference. Luke 11 – Jesus teaches us the Lord’s prayer. He then teaches us about the importance of being persistent (boldness) in prayer (v5). “ask and it shall be given, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you”.
a. Persistent prayer
Ask – call upon God in the face ogre overwhelming circumstances. Have intensity of perseverance. is energetic and persistent. We should get down to the real cause of the problem instead of just solving the surface of the problem.
Don’t pray general prayers – go to the root of the problem that we need help in.
Knock – not something casual, strike the obstacle between you and the provision you need. Asking is energetic and persistent. A vigorous knocking – not timid tapping.
b. Persevering prayer
Luke 18 – don’t give up even if we dont see results immediately !!! Keep on praying. E.g. persistent widow who keeps on coming to see the judge for justice.
2. Power
How do we play for God’s intercession – to chase Satan away? We need to retaliate, to fight back with all the power prayer God has given us.
a. Place of Power encounter
Intercession = to fall upon, to light upon, or to meet by chance. Genesis 28:11 – Jacob did not select this place, necessity dictated the place, but God used this accidental meeting place to transform Jacob’s life.
e.g. When we think about someone, God is bringing them into our thoughts for us to pray for them, but we often miss the chance.
Problems we are facing today can be a situation where God is seeking to meet us.. It is not by accident.
Power = intercession = spiritual warfare against the Lord’s enemies
b) Prayer power will press boundary lines
Draw the line and speak declarations against the Devil. God has established boundaries for us – individuals, families, business, cities.
Stirs up spirit of discernment – obey the prompting of the Holy Spirit.
How do we break the powers of darkness attacking you? Recognize the appoint,ent God has given us.. The power and authority God has given. The ability to resist the Devil.
3. Praying the will of God
Matthew 16:19 Keys – authority, power, privilege. Jesus has given us the keys to his kingdom, we have the right to come in and the authority to break the control of God. What can we do? Our spoken words have the authority to bind.
This authority comes from God, not from us.. Such that we will be bold but never proud. Assertive but always humble.
Guidance from above (Matthew 5-6, Luke 6:17-36)
I love these 2 chapters as it teaches me a lot about how to lead a good spiritual godly life., providing a yardstick in which I can measure myself against. And we also see here how high his standards are, and how it is important to do things just for God, and not to earn the praise and recognition of the people around us – not to give to people just because you want others to know, not to fast as though you are suffering to earn the sympathy of others, not to pray long prayers just to impress the people around you.
The Beatitudes – This offers encouragement and recognition of the things we do that may sometime seem small, unworthy and of no value to the world. But we know that God sees it, and God recognizes it, and God will eventually reward these deeds. I especially like verse 8: “Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God”. It is a huge reminder for me to not follow the ways of the world – chasing after wealth and riches, and fame and recognition, but to remain pure and humble and to follow God’s ways dutifully and obediently.
In Luke, Jesus also speaks about the other side of the coin – of people who enjoy the riches of this world, who are well-fed now, who enjoy the fame and respect of people around them, that these are all the treasures that they will enjoy, that they have already received their comfort. I think it is important to distinguish that these are the people who have done things and obtained these riches not by following the way of God, but by their own deeds, perhaps even unethically and unlawfully. These are people who think that all that they have are by their own works, and does not given any thanks to God, from whom all is given. Yes, indeed it is true that ungodly people do become rich, famous and seem to live a good life, but we must remember that all these are temporal and what is more important is our relationship with God. What is the good of earning big bucks off people (Madoff?) and spending the rest of your life behind bars. Similarly, what is the use of living a good life here on earth and spending an eternity in hell. To me, the choice is clear.
Salt and Light – we are not alone in this world, that much is certain. What we do affects not just ourselves, but the people around us. I am determined to lead a good and godly life so that my friends will see what a great God I serve. so that through the small little things I do, they will see that my God is good and wonderful. That He is GOD! The one that created everything – that everything I have and ever will have comes from Him. I want to make a positive difference in their lives. To be the salt and the light. For God to nourish and guide them through me.
Law – Jesus explains very clearly here that he is not here to abolish the law, but instead he is setting a much much higher standard for the world to follow. That it is not sufficient for us to simply follow the ‘form’ of the law, but to look deeper into the ’substance’ of the law – the reasons why the laws are created in the first place.
It is not sufficient that we do not murder - we should not even be angry with the people around us, to not be hot-tempered and to show rage and violence.
It is not sufficient that we do not commit adultery – we should not even look at another woman lustfully.
It is not sufficient that we give our divorced wife a certificate of divorce such that she will be able to remarry – we should never entertain the thought of divorce bar marital unfaithfulness.
It is not sufficient that we keep our oaths – we should not even be swearing by the name of the Lord or any of his creations for that matter for we are demeaning Him and his works.
Instead of ‘an eye for an eye‘, we should even offer the other cheek if a person hits us i.e. to forgive the person and love him still with all our heart. If someone were to request from something for us, go beyond our means – if someones forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.
It is not sufficient that we love our neighbors for even the evil people are as such – doing good to people who does good to them – but instead we should love our enemies as ourselves (i.e. A LOT).
And finally these are the phrases that I love. Matthew 6: 19-21 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. This teaches us that we should not be chasing after the treasures and riches of this world for it is all temporal but instead dedicate our life, heart and soul to the God.
How will we know whether we are storing up treasures in heaven?
Where our treasure is, there our heart is also. And what we do will clearly reflect where our heart is. All our words, all our deeds, all our actions are a reflection of what are our heart desires. Whether it is for God, or for the world. For no-one can serve both God and money/fame at the same time.
So why worry?! God has plans for us, plans to prosper us and not to harm us. If God can feed the birds, and clothe the lilies of the field, how much more can he do for us! So I really shouldn’t worry about whether I can get into HSBC, or whether PwC or GS is more suitable. Whether I will be able to provide for myself and my family in the future. Whether I will be able to do well in my job in the future. Whether or not I will be able to fit in well in social settings. Whether or not I look good in from of people. Banish all these worries!!! Because God knows that we need these things – a good career, good health, wealth, peace of mind, a close family, great friends, a good life. And He promises to provide them.
But seek first his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Thank you God!!!
Jacob, Esau and Joseph (Genesis 35-37)
Jacob rededicates his life (Genesis 35)
Over here we see that God appears to Jacob again, asking him to go to Bethel to settle there and build an altar there to the God. Jacob immediately got up and went. And this time he instructed everyone who was following him to get rid of all their foreign gods. This perhaps represented a re-dedication of his life to the God who has been faithful to him, helping him all his life.
A look at how Esau is going (Genesis 36)
We see here that Esau (father of the Edomites) was made wealthy by the Lord as well – with so much cattle that he had no room to graze them. However, we know that the Edomites will become a great nuisance to Israel as they deny the Israelites passage through their land on the way to Canaan, thus souring both their relationships.
The dreams of Joseph (Genesis 37)
We see that Joseph is the favorite son of Jacob as he was born to him of old age. This already caused his brothers to be jealous of him. When Joseph revealed his dreams to them – that not only will his brothers, but also his father and mother bow down to him, his brothers were so angry and jealous with him that they first decided to abandon him, kill him then eventually sold him off to merchants on the way to Egypt as a slave.
If the brothers had not sold Joseph into slavery, he would not have been in charge of Pharaoh’s food-for-money program in Egypt when the brothers later show up to buy food. They would not have left Canaan, the land of promise, and moved to Egypt under Joseph’s protection. Furthermore, they would not have fallen into captivity under Egyptian rule. So, you might say that the evil deed of the brothers against Joseph resulted in the 430-year stay for their descendants. It should be remembered, however, that God told Abraham that all of this would happen in Genesis 15:13 , “And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years.”
