Counted Worthy

The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.

Acts 5:41-42 NIV

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 

1 Peter 4:12-14 NIV

You Can't but God Can

   Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.”

   “I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.”

Genesis 41:15-16 NIV

This is giving God the glory. If you have ever wondered how to give God the glory, there you have it.

After Pharaoh told Joseph his dreams, Joseph explains the meaning. He didn't put on a show, he didn't make a spectacle of seeking the Lord for the interpretation, he just listened and spoke with the wisdom and authority God had given him. 

Now, we must remember the hardship and discipline the Lord had worked in Joseph's life up to this point. He was thrown in a cistern by his brothers and sold into slavery. As a slave he was falsely accused and further imprisoned. He went from a his father's favorite to servant, to prisoner serving other prisoners. When he was younger he had dreams of his family bowing down to him. In chapter 41 he listens to Pharaoh's dream and bows to God by as the one who gives the dreams, firmly decides the matter, and gives the answers Pharaoh wants to hear. 

I think he became humble. Joseph learned that the gifts and abilities he had were given by God and the wisdom he was given was God working in and through him. Joseph knew exactly who he was before God. Knowing who he was before God enabled him to stand before Pharaoh and boldly speak the truth. We may not be called to speak before Pharaoh, a president or king, but, when we are called upon to speak the wisdom God has given us, we can speak it in humility and confidence, giving God the glory. 

What Do They See?

When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned.

Genesis 39:3-4 NIV

What do people see when they observe when they observe us going about our daily life? If we are just doing what we should be doing as servants of Christ, people should see someone acting righteously, serving others. 

A few years ago I attended a funeral of long time friend of the family. One thing that I was impressed with was that nearly ever person who worked with him said that he would always take the time to help others. No matter what he was doing he would help them with whatever they were dealing with. As a Christian he left a powerful impression on those around him. That is a good legacy.

The Apostle Paul instructed us to, "Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each of one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free" (Ephesians 6:7-8). Do what you do as if you are working directly for Jesus and trust him to be glorified in your efforts. He will use you in some way. If we concern ourselves with what God sees, he will take care of what others see as we serve him.

Out of the Pit, Into the Pot

The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. 

Genesis 39:2 NIV

Joseph was thrown into a cistern, sold into slavery and ended up as a slave to the captain of Pharaoh's guard. And the Bible says, "The Lord was with Joseph." I have to tell you, it would be very difficult for me to be thrown into a cistern and sold into slavery, by my brothers, and think that God was with me. 

I think that it is interesting that we are not told what Joseph thought and felt during that whole experience. What we are shown is that the Lord was with him, sovereignly moving, directing Joseph's path, even though it just seemed he was moving from bad to worse. He went from the pit into slavery in Potiphar's house. Yet, the Lord was with Joseph. The Lord is with you.

Maybe you haven't been thrown into a cistern, literally, but, you have been taken out of a good situation and placed into a bad one. So often, in every kind of working environment office politics wreak havoc on peoples lives. It can be very confusing and disheartening. But, we as Christians belong to God and he is Sovereign over all things, even little people trying to build and defend their little kingdoms. God is with you. He will work what he wants in and through your life. He is faithful and will do it. 

A Prayer for You

For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Ephesians 1:15 NIV

Because He Loves

I will sing of your love and justice;

   to you, Lord, I will sing praise.

I will be careful to lead a blameless life—   
when will you come to me? 

I will conduct the affairs of my house 
   with a blameless heart.

Psalms 101:1-2 NIV

I really love the Psalms because they show me someone's interaction with God. It's not so much teaching as a demonstration. In the Psalms we see the inner reaction of someone seeking God. 

David praises God for his love and justice, two attributes of God that to our modern world seem in conflict, but in God they coalesce. David's response was to seek to be blameless. And he asks, "when will you come to me?"  He knew God was Lord over his life and he recognized God's love and justice around him. 

Knowing that God was in his life made David long to be in the Lord's presence. I think this is what we desire when we recognize God's presence in our lives and naturally just want to literally hear his voice, to be in his presence, to literally touch his robe... 

Father, thank you for you love and justice. Help us to be blameless. We long to be in your presence. Reveal yourself to us. Open our eyes to see you in our lives today. Praise you for your love and justice 

His Faithfulness Continues

Psalm 100:4-5

The faithfulness of God continues. It does not stop. Paul teaches us that, "if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself" (II Timothy 2:13). Our salvation, our relationship with God is not based on our faithfulness, it is based on God's faithfulness. 

In a marriage we think of faithfulness as part of the strength our quality of a good marriage. If you know your spouse is faithful, you have a surety that brings strength. God is always faithful. He will never not continue to be faithful. Knowing that God will always be faithful to love you, provide for you, teach you and work all things for the good for you, is a very powerful truth. 

This faithfulness is not based upon our faithfulness but God's. So, what are you facing right now that you need to know that God is faithful to bring you through it? Have you been a little flaky in your faithfulness? Have you sinned? Turn to God and remember his faithfulness is continuing even now.