Sin. Betrayal. Evil. Joseph’s brothers’ evil intentions to kill him shaped his life forever. The consequences from their actions are part of his history. Joseph doesn’t excuse their behavior or act as if it never happened. BUT he sees God’s hand in his brothers’ treachery. He believes that God was working His purpose out through their sinful … More Joseph’s story: God’s plan, providence and purposes
The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, (Acts 11:22-23 ESV) John Piper preached a sermon, “He Saw … More The grace of God in spreading the good news through persecution
A few comments on Matthew 8:18-20 “Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go”: After witnessing the miracles of Jesus, many folks thought following Him might be more “glamorous” than it really was. I imagine that Jesus may have received many spontaneous offers like this. We, too, tend to buy in to the prosperity gospel … More Piper: Why I Abominate the Prosperity Gospel
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the … More The heavens declare the glory of God
The brothers of Joseph had committed great sins. They knew this, were no doubt plagued with guilt, but thought they had gotten away with it. Now, after obtaining life-saving grain in Egypt from Joseph (NOT knowing who he really was) they discover the payment for the grain was back in their sacks. Their immediate response? … More Our Sovereign God Summons and Saves
But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, … More A rare and precious faith
Genesis 41:56 So when the famine had spread over all the land, Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe in the land of Egypt. Henry Law, at “Grace Gems!”, challenged me to re-read Genesis 41 with eyes to see JESUS: The Scripture before us is precious, because every view … More The name is Joseph. The true image is Jesus.
John Piper, in a sermon, “Exalting Jesus so the Spirit Falls”– gives many ways in which Peter exalted Jesus in Acts 10:24-48, our reading today. Here is just one point: Peter lifts up Jesus as the Lord of all. Verse 36 (at the end): “You know the word which he sent to Israel, preaching good … More Lord of all
A very sobering passage from Matthew today: Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out … More J.C. Ryle: Rottenness of religion exposed
“The Lord is my rock and my fortress.” C. H Spurgeon on Psalm 18:2 Dwelling among the crags and mountain fastnesses of Judea David had escaped the malice of Saul, and here he compares his God to such a place of concealment and security. Believers are often hidden in their God from the strife of … More Spurgeon: The clefts of the Rock of Ages are safe abodes.
