Abraham understood that spiritual sojourners and heaven-bound pilgrims must stay away from earth-bound cravings that undermine one's godly quest. "And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had the opportunity to return." Abraham and his seed had many tests and trials in their pilgrimage with the Lord.
The baptism of the Holy Spirit is the only baptism that can place us in the body of Christ. No man can do that for us. No amount of water will make that happen. Just as a lack of water won't prevent it. Our faith and trust must be placed in Jesus alone as our Lord and Savior.
Joseph's journey to leadership in Egypt was marked by alternating battles and blessings. His brothers had betrayed him and sold him into slavery. "Midianite traders passed by; so the brothers…sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. And they took Joseph to Egypt" (Genesis 37:28). Soon, Joseph found blessing under the care of Potiphar, an Egyptian captain who purchased him. "And his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD made all he did to prosper in his hand. So Joseph found favor in his sight and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put in his hand" (Genesis 39:3-4).
Yet, another battle arose. Joseph was imprisoned when Potiphar's wife lied. She resented Joseph's refusal of her sensual advances. "'He came into me to lie with me, and I cried out with a loud voice'…Then Joseph's master took him and put him into the prison" (Genesis 39:14, 20). But, more blessings came as the Lord granted Joseph favor with the prison keeper. "And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners…because the LORD was with him; and whatever he did, the LORD made it prosper" (Genesis 39:22-23). Another spiritual battle ensued, as one of Pharoah's servants forgot Joseph's kindness to him in prison. "The chief butler did not remember Joseph, but forgot him. Then it came to pass, at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh had a dream" (Genesis 40:23-41:1). Joseph's interpretation of Pharoah's dream would bring Joseph to his position of authority in Egypt. "You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you" (Genesis 41:40).
Faith in the Lord certainly sustained Joseph and brought him to God's desired place of service and opportunity.
The natural tendency of humanity is to desire privilege and pleasure. These two were certainly available to Moses in Egypt. Yet, he refused Egypt and chose God's people, demonstrating the far-reaching impact of trusting in the Lord.
“Repentance" is a hatred of sin; it is a turning from sin and a determination in the strength of God to forsake it.
~C.H. Spurgeon~
Some people will hear the Word of God, and their hearts will remain hardened, others will be cut––pierced through––and ask the same question, “What shall we do?” The answer is simple––repent of your sin and, by faith, receive Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior.
Os Guinness writes, “Calling is the truth that God calls us to Himself so decisively that everything we are, everything we do, and everything we have is invested with a special devotion, dynamism, and direction lived out as a response to His summons and service.”
The world today is still a wilderness and God is still directing His people—but the first destination will always be back into fellowship with Him.
...the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.
~C. H. Spurgeon~
Jesus Christ knows the worst about you. Nonetheless, He is the One who loves you the most.
~A. W. Tozer~
When granted many years of life, growing old in age is natural, but growing old with grace is a choice. Growing older with grace is possible for all who will set their hearts and minds on the Giver of grace, the Lord Jesus Christ.
~Billy Graham~
“He who can tell men what God has done for his soul is the likeliest to bring their souls to God.” —Robert Leighton
Bless God that there is in us resurrection life and that there awaits us a resurrection.
~J.J. Bonar~
Rest time is not a waste of time. It is wise to gather fresh strength.
~C. H. Spurgeon~
Nothing but cursed obstinacy in sin and unbelief can suggest a thought unto our minds that he is not willing to receive us when we come unto him. -
John Owen
Beware of no man more than of yourself; we carry our worst enemies within us.
Charles Spurgeon
"If I had three hundred men who feared nothing but God, hated nothing but sin, and were determined to know nothing among men but Jesus Christ and Him crucified, I would set the world on fire." -John Wesley.
God doth continue to forgive the sins of those that are justified; and, although they can never fall from the state of justification, yet they may, by their sins, fall under God's fatherly displeasure. —Westminster Confession, XI.V
The world’s idea of greatness is to rule, but Christian greatness consists of serving. -
JC Ryle
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