Sin is sin. Betrayal is betrayal. Evil is 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 … More God’s sovereignty, purpose, providence and human responsibility
John Piper preached a sermon, “He Saw the Grace of God and Was Glad,” from Acts 11:23. Here is an excerpt; please read or listen to the entire sermon at DesiringGod.org The Grace of God Uses Suffering In other words, the good news about Jesus Christ came to Antioch because of persecution. Barnabas saw this … More John Piper: The Grace of God Uses Suffering
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 Would you follow a homeless guy?
Sam Storms on Psalm 19 (from Enjoying God Ministries): The power of the Word of God is perhaps nowhere better seen than in Psalm 19. There we find six declarations that tell us what the Bible IS and DOES: 6 nouns, 6 adjectives, 6 verbs. The focus is on the identity, the quality, and the … More Sam Storms: The identity, the quality, and the function of Scripture.
The brothers of Joseph had committed great sins. They knew this, perhaps were 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? At … More Sovereign God summons and saves
Acts 11:17-18 If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?” 18 When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance … More Who am I to stand in God’s way?
J.C. Ryle comments on Matthew 8:5-13 We know little about the centurion described in these verses. His name, his nation, his past history, are all hidden from us. But one thing we know, and that is, that he believed. “Lord,” he says, “I’m not worthy for you to come under my roof. Just say the … More J.C. Ryle: Faith is a rare and precious gift.
This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him. Psalm 18:30 Charles H Spurgeon comments in The Treasury of David: Far past all fault and error are God’s dealings with his people; all his actions are resplendent with justice, truth, tenderness, mercy, … More This God—his way is perfect!
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.
Sunday afternoon (January 16, 2011) Mark Driscoll posted this on Facebook: Met a gal today who doesn’t believe in Jesus but had a pastor tell her she’s going to heaven. Ever wonder how many pastors will be in hell? This goes right along with the passage that we read today in Matthew 7:21-23. Here is … More Mark Driscoll and J. C. Ryle agree: The Rottenness of Religion
