The secret of power is the secret of character, says Griffith Thomas, and the secret of character is the indwelling of God. Though Pharaoh was a pagan he recognized in Joseph a man who communed with a high and mighty divine being. When we live with God, people know it! When we live with God, our whole being is affected. Because he lived with God, Joseph became a person who could git-r-done! We can be that person too.
Those who hear without doing, deceive themselves. Those who listen without acting, remain themselves. Those who enjoy the sermon without making application, cheat themselves.
When God gets ready to open a door no one can stand in His way, not even the most powerful potentate in the world. God walked right into the most private and intimate place of this Pharoah’s life and accomplished His will. You and I may be locked away in a prison somewhere, but God knows no boundaries. In His perfect timing, He performs His work on our behalf.
James presented to his readers an essay on how God works in a believer’s life when facing the onslaught of hardships, difficulties, persecutions, weaknesses and insults. Yet – what about us? Do we have any responsibility when hardships and difficulties, come upon us? Of course, we do – but what are those responsibilities? What does God expect from us in times of great adversity? Stick around to discover precisely what is under our column. You just may find mental and emotional healing for your psyche.
Griffith Thomas wrote: Even the smallest circumstance in life has its meaning, and it may be said, literally, that we do not know the profound significance of many of the simplest details of daily life. Happy is the person whose eyes are open to see the hand of God in everyday events. To that person, life always possesses a marvelous joy and glory. Though a circumstantial case could be made that God had deserted him, Joseph kept himself free from fret, strain, hardness, and despair. Consciousness of God made all the difference.
Could you summarize Christianity in one simple sentence, 15 words or less? Here’s my simple sentence: The heart and life of Christianity is confessing Jesus as Lord. Romans 10:9a is usually discussed in an evangelistic context due to the second part of the verse. However, Romans 10:9a impacts, not just the moment of conversion, but all of life. Confessing Jesus as Lord is a daily exercise for the believer, an exercise that keeps us perennially connected to the presence and power of God.
Paul had a problem. His tendency toward arrogance could easily get in the way of his kingdom usefulness. So, what did God do? God gave Paul a gift, actually, several gifts. What were those gifts? Here’s the answer: weaknesses, insults, distresses, persecutions and difficulties. If that seems unacceptable, stop here and go no farther. The weaknesses, insults, distresses, persecutions and difficulties will not go away. However, if you proceed, what has been a gut-wrenching grind just may be transformed into a life-changing, energy-charged gift.
According to the Weather Channel, Hurricane Ian was headed straight for Tampa Bay, but then turned more eastward and moved through Florida to the south Clearwater and the surrounding area. Why? Why not here instead of there? Why were we spared and others weren’t? Does the Bible have anything to say about such catastrophes? The answer is a resounding, Yes!
As a ten-year-old child, I loved cars, especially the 1987 Lamborghini Countach. I once saw a Lamborghini Countach in the garage of a neighbor who lived next to my dad’s parents. That car met all the expectations of my heart and mind. However, the man who owned it rarely drove it. For all practical purposes, that car was only for show.
Then it occurred to me that many believers go at Christianity like that Lamborghini Countach. They never get their Christianity out on the road of life, but treat it as a show car only.
What are our expectations for the future, and in particular, what are our expectations for the future of the Countryside Baptist family with God at work among us? Whatever our future may be, if we have great expectations, we cannot accomplish those expectations on our own, but with the involvement of God there is nothing we cannot accomplish. Expect great things from God; Do great things for God.