Posts with the tag “joseph”

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.(1 P...  Read More

Even without his vibrant coat, Joseph, the son of Jacob and Rachel (Genesis 35:24), is one of the most colorful characters in the Old Testament. On the surface, each chapter of Joseph’s life is filled with one amazing story after the other. Below the surface, Joseph’s life is even more amazing when we consider how his life looks forward to Jesus. There are over 100 parallels between Joseph and Jes...  Read More

The personality and love of Jesus is like the largest and most beautiful diamond one could image with facets that are ever changing and ever increasing. It is impossible to fully grasp Who He is.However, throughout the Old Testament the Father gave hints through the lives of various Jewish people as to the kind of person the Savior would be and what would happen to Him. One of these people was Jos...  Read More

One of the most significant examples of the character of Jesus is the story of Joseph, son of the patriarch Jacob, in the book of Genesis. In fact, like Jesus, if history did not record the phenomenal occurrences in the life of Joseph, the Jewish nation (and lineage of Jesus) would not have happened.First, Joseph and Jesus were committed to lives of unblemished sacrifice and service. Jesus even re...  Read More

Congratulations on making it through the readings on Joseph. For the final week we will shift our focus to Jesus. This week’s devotions all help us to see how the life of Joseph was a powerful foreshadowing to the life of Jesus.  May your faith be strengthened! Hey guys! We serve in kids’ ministry, and Brad contacted us in July to ask us to write a devotional showing some of the connections betwee...  Read More

Finish well your small group semester by having a time to worship together, thanking God for all He has done in us over the past few weeks. Pray with and for one another. Laugh. Cry. Enjoy the fellowship we have in Christ and bless one another to live for the Lord. Make sure everyone is equipped with next step options for growth and service. • What are some connections to Jesus you have seen in th...  Read More

Forgiveness can sometimes feel like one of the hardest things to do. It’s actually harder than you think - it is IMPOSSIBLE without Jesus.In Genesis 44 we see Joseph’s brothers attempting to bargain with Joseph’s steward when it appears Benjamin has stolen a valuable cup. Of course, this was all a setup, but they didn’t know this at the time. Judah offers to take the place as Joseph’s servant if h...  Read More

“An eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind.” - GandhiThen Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, “Have everyone leave my presence!” So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it.(Genesis 45:1-2)Betrayal by those we love brings a ...  Read More

The story of Joseph reminds me so much of some of my life experiences. Joseph endured terrible things in his life, and yet God used it all for good.As a young man I spent many years trapped by drugs. I had a very God-fearing grandfather who taught me well, so I knew what God asked of me, but I chose to run with the wrong crowd. I landed in trouble with the law and was banished from Moultrie for ab...  Read More

If you have ever faced a disagreement with someone close to you that destroyed the relationship you once had, then you know what the “face of anguish” looks like. Every time you see them or think of the disagreement, you feel an inward pain and sorrow or, perhaps, anger. If neither of you makes an attempt at reconciliation, no matter whether the fault was yours, theirs, or both. You surely feel th...  Read More

When you focus on self, worldly factors interfere in your receipt of divine blessings. One such factor is complaining. It happens and is from the world! It is a “self” thing. Honestly, we all do it and often label it as “venting”. While it is acceptable to release your frustrations from time to time with a trusted friend or your spouse, how much is too much? Do you complain to the point of missing...  Read More

As you near the end of your time together, go ahead and start thinking through:1. What is a good way to finish well and celebrate?2. How can I help the people in my group take a next step?   (Refer to the Care Guide below). 3. What is next for me as a leader? Is there more work to be done with this group? • Is there anyone you need to seek out and ask for forgiveness?• Is there anyone you need to ...  Read More

As the parents of five kids, “Close the door!” is a phrase we have probably uttered more than a gazillion times over the years. Whether it’s the front door, the bathroom door, or the refrigerator door, apparently the part of the brain responsible for door closing develops much later in life. But why are doors such a big deal? Obviously, doors keep the bad stuff out (bugs, burglars, South Georgia s...  Read More

“When Jacob learned that there was grain for sale in Egypt, he said to his sons, ‘Why do you look at one another?’ And he said, ‘Behold, I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down and buy grain for us there, that we may live and not die.’”(Genesis 42:1-2)Jacob’s words in Genesis 42:1-2 hold great significance. It wasn’t just about buying grain. It was an invaluable lesson about the danger ...  Read More

So much of our success, fulfillment, and effectiveness hinges on the health & well-being of our mind. We’ve all heard the phrase, “The battle starts in the mind.” It’s so true, and the enemy of our souls knows it all too well! One of his main tactics is to present us with a lie, coated in a thin layer of truth.Imagine a cake, filled with poison, and frosted with beautiful, white, delicious frostin...  Read More

“But those who trust in the LORD will be blessed. They know that the LORD will do what He says. They will be strong like trees planted near a stream that send out roots to the water. They have nothing to fear when the days get hot. Their leaves are always green. They never worry, even in a year that has no rain. They always produce fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:7-8 ERV)In this passage God is speaking to th...  Read More

Read Psalm 105:1-22.God gave Joseph an incredible dream of ruling over those around him, yet his life appeared far from it. As the favored son sat in a stinky prison cell, feet shackled in iron, his vision seemed to be lost, God’s plan doomed. Sound familiar? Joseph’s circumstances thundered DEFEATED and ABANDONED, yet the Lord God was working out His plan, remaining faithful to His covenant promi...  Read More

Don’t feel like you have to make it through every question. Find the few that the Lord is clearly using to speak to the group. Don’t be afraid of silence, and encourage everyone to share if they are willing. A great group leader is a great listener. • Can you think of a lie you have been telling yourself about your life, your family, or your future? If so, put to memory a verse from the Bible that...  Read More

We can not look at the life of Joseph without talking about dreams. It is my favorite part!Often in scripture we see divine dreams guiding people toward God’s ultimate will. Dreams would play a significant role in guiding Joseph’s life as they did for his father Jacob. If we look back in Genesis 28 and 31, we can see that God spoke promises to Jacob through his dreams. I have no doubt Joseph learn...  Read More

We live among Muslims in the Middle East. Typically, Eastern culture is more accepting of dreams than the West. Eastern culture, as we have experienced, feels less analytical, less critical, less in need of control. They lean more into relationship over productivity. In many ways, the Muslim view of God lets God be God. He cannot be understood by the human mind. He is in control. He speaks how He ...  Read More

“And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions and also on My menservants and on My maidservants, I will pour out My Spirit in those days.”(Joel 2:28-32)For as long as I can remember, I have been a dreamer. I just thought everyone had an active dream lif...  Read More

I’ve had significant dreams of all kinds since before I was a nine years old. I was saved at the age of nine, but my dreams were often scary as a child - or what you’d call night terrors or nightmares, in part because I was plagued by the spirit of fear most of my life.Fast forward into my young adult years. I noticed my dreams were beginning to change the more I pursued the Lord.  Instead of nigh...  Read More

“Here comes the dreamer!” they said.  “Come on, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns. We can tell our father, ‘A wild animal has eaten him.’ Then we’ll see what becomes of his dreams!”(Genesis 37:19-20)As I have read over the story of Joseph multiple times in the last few months, this portion of scripture continues to impact me in a powerful way. I believe that God fills everyon...  Read More

We ask small group leaders at Heritage to pray regularly for the participants in their group. Take time now to call each group member by name and intercede for them and their needs. • Have you been hesitant to share your dreams with others in a desire to help each other decipher the message God wants you to hear? I encourage you to take a chance - you might be surprised to hear how God is speaking...  Read More

“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”(John 16:33)We are not promised a smooth ride in this world. In fact, Jesus prepares us for the opposite. He has sent us into a world like sheep among wolves (Matthew 10:16) and reminds us that this is not our home (Hebrews 13:14). But He also promises to...  Read More

After years of enslavement, Joseph is unfairly sent to prison, further isolating him after being apart from his family for a decade. We can only imagine how lonely this season of his life must have been and yet Scripture tells us, “But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him His faithful love” (Genesis 39:21a).We will all likely walk through seasons of loneliness and isolation. These...  Read More

There are several characteristics Joseph possessed that showed who God was in his life. Joseph was submitted to God for the decision laid out before him by his master. He didn’t fight the judgment. Even though Joseph was falsely accused, he went without running away or trying to change the events that were happening to him. By his submission to God, Joseph was able to honor the keeper of the priso...  Read More

After thirty years of ministry, I’ve accepted the painful reality that any public occupation comes with criticism - some of it justified, some of it not. It should come as no surprise as Jesus loved the world with a perfect love and was rejected, betrayed, persecuted, and even put to death.This week we have been following Joseph during his YEARS in prison as a result of slander. He was falsely acc...  Read More

Obedience is hard anytime, but especially during dark or difficult seasons. Think about Joseph in that prison day after day, month after month, year after year when all he had to hold on to was God’s promises from boyhood stories and dreams. How did he remain faithful to God in that dark place? Remember Saul in 1 Samuel 15.Saul was not in a prison. He was the king. He was told by the Lord to wait ...  Read More

There are likely members of your group who are facing tough situations. Consider taking time as a group to share prayer requests for things you are facing, and take the time to pray for one another.For more serious situations, please refer to our Care Guide found on our Small Groups website for good next step options. • Think back to a dark season of life in your past. Can you now see how God was ...  Read More

“Accountability” is a common saying in the church world, and for many people it is a dirty word. I believe we view it negatively because deep down we view God as an angry judge who is generally disappointed in us. This past year, I have grown to view accountability differently - and now see it as such a gift! Let me explain...Michelle and I have always been passionate about fitness, but the older ...  Read More

When reading the story of Joseph, God’s favor on his life is evident. Let’s look!In Genesis 37, we learn that Joseph was favored by his father Jacob, who gave him a coat of many colors. When his brothers noticed that their father favored Joseph, they became jealous. Joseph’s brothers were so jealous that they ambushed him and sold him to traders coming by.Joseph was then sold to an important man n...  Read More

“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him...” (2 Chronicles 16:9)In Genesis 39, we see the integrity of Joseph on full display. After being sold by his brothers, Joseph ends up serving under one of Pharaoh’s officials named Potiphar. Joseph was clearly a hard worker and a great leader. He possessed a lot of exceptional qualitie...  Read More

This chapter brings us back into the roller coaster ride of Joseph’s life. In verses 7-12, he gives a masterclass in confronting, resisting, and fleeing temptation. Today we will focus on Joseph’s rhetorical question to Potiphar’s wife in verse 9: “How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?”Joseph recognized that to give in to sin in this way would be “great wickedness.” He did n...  Read More

Rejection, at its core, is a feeling of being unwelcome by the people we long to be with. They consent to our presence, but we feel our presence at best is a burden and at worst unwanted. This causes an emotional pain much like physical pain. But the difference is, left unhealed, emotional pain can be re-lived and re-experienced much more vividly over the years of our lives.When my daughter Jessic...  Read More

At Heritage we try to take attendance once per semester to know who is involved in each small group. We realize that attendance-taking is a little tedious and maybe inconvenient, but it means so much to our efforts to know who in our church is connected and cared for. As some pastors like to say, “we count people because people count”. You should receive a link to provide your group names, and we ...  Read More

We now reach a part of the Joseph story that takes a very odd turn. In fact, the next chapter in the story doesn’t even mention Joseph. Instead, we read about his brother, Judah - the one who proposed selling Joseph into slavery. And it gets really messy - one of those chapters in the Bible that would be Rated R if portrayed on the big screen.Judah’s family life takes a very dark and destructive t...  Read More

Have you ever told a “little white lie”? Well, actually there is no such thing as a “little white lie” because all lying is sin and all sin is a big deal to the heart of God because of its destructive nature toward mankind. Lying to each other disrupts unity by creating conflict and destroying trust, which ultimately tears down relationships. So, it is easy for us to see why the Lord says in Prove...  Read More

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?... You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”  (Matthew 7: 3,5)How many times have we fallen into this trap? In Genesis 38, we have an inside look at Judah as he struggles with the same issue. How...  Read More

Have you ever found yourself staring at a multi-colored, messy picture, trying to find that kid wearing the red hat and striped shirt? Before you realize it, you have spent countless minutes searching through all the distractions that look like Waldo, only to find, there he is! He was right in front of your face, smiling, just waiting to be found. Eureka!Oftentimes I found myself searching through...  Read More