Genesis 43:1-34
Today we read about Joseph's brothers' second trip back to Egypt. Did you take note of the circumstances? Jacob only decided to have his sons return because their food supply ran out and there was no other real option. Jacob's actions (or maybe I should say lack of action) kind of reminds me of me. There have been a number of times when I was unwilling to move--I was afraid, or unsure--even though I knew God was leading me in that direction. In some of those instances I eventually moved voluntarily, but in a couple of others, I didn't and then God took matters into His own hands and forced me to move.
So how can we do a better job at being in tune with God and moving when He calls? Tami W.
"The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth labourers into His harvest" KJV(Matthew 9:37-38) - Jesus spoke these words to His disciples. This past Sunday we celebrated harvest at our Church. We decorated the Church on Saturday and my prayer Saturday night and Sunday morning was that our Church will be filled with people and that the message will be one that will really have us going out and doing God's work.
The Church was full and the message was taken from Matthew 9 with emphasis on the above verses. The people were happy and His message was "right on".
As I sat in the pew I gave God thanks and for answering my prayer. Since Sunday, everything that comes to me is about going out and sharing God's Word and so starting this Saturday we will be going into the communities to meet people and share His blessings. So Tami when He calls we must just get up and go praying all the time that He will send forth labourers into the harvest. Your blog, the devotions and Bible studis are also a "meaningful" way of reaching out to others. To God be the glory. Please pray for us as we go out and ask the Lord to strengthen us and to "let the words of our mouth and the meditation of our heart be acceptable to Him". Thank you all for your prayers and love. (Sorry to have taken up so much space.
The only way we can be intuned with God is devote time with him and read his word, and then obey the word. The bible teaches us how to behave and how to react to daily life.
When I read the scripture which I have read several times, it struct me for the first time is how Jacob like his farther played favorites. This passage on how joseph was treated by his brothers was born out of jellousey cause the way jacob favor is more on one child at a time. His farther did the same thing. We should be mindfull not to repeat the same mistake. The behavoir was passed down. Joseph actions of love and forgivness is one to emulate. I think he broke the cycle. When he gave benjamin doubel in the amount of food and where he seated him at the tabel was to show his brothers that he didnt forget the treatment but he forgave them by not doing harm to them. God soften Joseph's heart that is why he left and wept.God knows us and our flaws and he used the flaws for his own good too. I find it amazing how God can use our imperfections and turn around and forgive and make us perfect. All we have to do is ask and open ourselves to see.
Many times I move and it turns out I should have stayed still. Sometimes it is better to stay in tuned and wait upon the Lord.
Most of all it is best to pray for His Will to be done.
I have to agree with Wanda's comment. If you want to get to know God and His heart, you have to spend time with Him and His word.
I have also experienced situations where I just had to say "God you're in control." Then I allowed God to soften my heart which got me ready to "move" for Him.
Although the question is simple, the answer is not. Case and point: God spoke to me to leave a particular church because I was not growing and neither was my son. I was very involved with the service and was "comfortable" there. I was reading and studying on my own, but the growth from service wasn't there and many times I left the building feeling empty.
I started seeking another Church during Lent. It was because the pastor spoke to us about doing something different, not giving up something, but being different and doing more. I feel that God nudged me right then and I took it and ran. I visited several churches. Of course everyone tells you to visit their church when you are seeking a new "home". Each place I visited, except one, was teaching a doctrine that was not in line with God's Word. I love my new home and I am ever thankful to that service which got me moving.
We have to trust Our Lord and Savior with every aspect of our lives. We have to pray and wait for the answer. We also have to remember that sometimes the answer is "No". When we are willing to step out on faith, we will see that God (if we are working according to His Will), will guide us through everything. We are here to praise Him and spread His word. Let's start small and keep moving from there. P4 is a great start at sharing His word with other believers and then we will be more comfortable sharing with those we come in contact with and so on and so on and so on.
I have been out of tune with god before, so I know how lost in this world you can find yourself. So being in tune is somthing I have been driven to do. One of my favorite songs is East to west by Casting Crowns. The man is crying out to God don't let me become the man I was. East to West is one scared hand to the other. Jesus wants our best, so I place his ways in my heart.Sometimes I feel he is holding on to me. I dream of the day I walk by his side. I find my in tune is best in quiet meditation. I don"t read many other books any more. The bible has all the knowledge I need. So trust in the bible and your tune will be about Jesus and you will not ever want anything else.
I think how to be in tune with what God wants of us to do is by prayer utmost. Then as others have said reading his word. I think this blogging will help me to know His word more fully and also get others input as to what it means :). Then when we felt lead to follow. I think the more one follows what he is told to do the easier it gets. I imagine or could see how scared the family of Joseph was. They did not do what was right and so doing they were floundering in a sea of guilt and self condemnation. That scued their thoughts and triggered their fears. I thought about the money being there as I was reading yesterday. And could you imagine that. I think it would be awesome if they had opened the bags and instead of fear them saying praise God in heaven He has given us our money back! Instead like most people they were not in tune. I pray God will keep us all in tune as we read these lessons and bless each one of us in the way we need. Amen