As I continue to study Joseph, the Lord continues to reveal things to me. At seventeen years old, Joseph was having dreams, I am almost sure he did not ask for these dreams, and they probably were not always clear to him. But Joseph was a brat, plain and simple. He was one of the youngest, much loved by his father, and his brothers were jealous. But all these things were not Josephs doing. He didn't ask for that position in the family, he was born into it.
When God has ordered our lives, we don't ask before God makes that decision. Our gifts and calling is placed on us in the womb. But often times, our making and molding is during our prison time. Many of us will winch at the thought of being in prison, but lets take a look at what prison really is.
Prisons are normally surrounded by fencing, walls, earthworks, geographical features, or other barriers to prevent escape. Modern prison designs have increasingly sought to restrict and control the movement of prisoners. A prison is not just being behind bars, prison is the inability to move freely, deprived of liberty. A prison confines us, restricts us and puts up barriers that can't be crossed. So even if you are not in a jail, you may still be in a prison.
One way we can be in prison is mentally. We can not move past the hurt and pain of things that were done to us, and when we try to move on, the pain of what was done prevents us from escape.
Another way we are held captive is our physical inability to live the life we want. There may be physical limitations, and it may be hard for us to see ourselves healed and whole.
But I believe for most of us, our prison is our minds. Which is another form of captivity. It may not be past hurt or pain, it may not be physical, but we have locked ourselves in the prison of unforgiveness, jealousy, bitterness, low self esteem and pride.
The most common use of prisons is as part of a criminal justice system, in which individuals officially charged with or convicted of crimes are confined to a jail or prison until they are either brought to trial to determine their guilt or complete the period of incarceration they were sentenced to after being found guilty at their trial.
When I look at this story of Joseph, I see myself so clearly. I am not in a physical prison. I have not allowed mental limitations to keep me down, but what I believe is God took Joseph through a growing, a maturing, a time of building his faith, and getting rid of the pride that somehow took hold of Joseph in the early years. God needed for Joseph to fully relay on him, for God to use Joseph the way he did, he really had to do a work in him and through him. For us to be used for God's glory, we may have to spend some time in prison, the wilderness, the desert or even captive situations. So when we have committed our will to the master of the guard, you will be ready to subdue a nation, command an army or lead a people. Allow God to subdue you, when he is ready, you will be released.
Thursday, March 12, 2015
Saturday, March 7, 2015
Let God pack your bags for the journey!
I am so amazed by God, not only because of the relationship we have, but by the things he shares with me. And I am naive enough to believe that I am the only one he's does this to. but a few days ago he started talking and what he said was so profound, like always. But what he said to me was, Joseph started his journey at a young age. He was the youngest, and during his wilderness times, he was not trained in neogations. But as soon as he gets out of prison, the man not only commanded a city, but a nation. Where did he learn that? Prison? Not only was he wise, but he was able to do business like he had training. He was not a tax collector, he was not a fisherman. But when it came time for him to buy and sell, the wisdom that came from him was astounding! So not only did God equip him for the task with wisdom and knowledge, but he was patient, kind and very astute.
The time eventually came when there was no food anywhere. The famine was very bad. Egypt and Canaan alike were devastated by the famine. Joseph collected all the money that was to be found in Egypt and Canaan to pay for the distribution of food. He banked the money in Pharaoh’s palace. When the money from Egypt and Canaan had run out, the Egyptians came to Joseph. “Food! Give us food! Are you going to watch us die right in front of you? The money is all gone.”
Joseph said, “Bring your livestock. I’ll trade you food for livestock since your money’s run out.” So they brought Joseph their livestock. He traded them food for their horses, sheep, cattle, and donkeys. He got them through that year in exchange for all their livestock.
When that year was over, the next year rolled around and they were back, saying, “Master, it’s no secret to you that we’re broke: our money’s gone and we’ve traded you all our livestock. We’ve nothing left to barter with but our bodies and our farms. What use are our bodies and our land if we stand here and starve to death right in front of you? Trade us food for our bodies and our land. We’ll be slaves to Pharaoh and give up our land—all we ask is seed for survival, just enough to live on and keep the farms alive.”
So Joseph bought up all the farms in Egypt for Pharaoh. Every Egyptian sold his land—the famine was that bad. That’s how Pharaoh ended up owning all the land and the people ended up slaves; Joseph reduced the people to slavery from one end of Egypt to the other.
Joseph made an exception for the priests. He didn’t buy their land because they received a fixed salary from Pharaoh and were able to live off of that salary. So they didn’t need to sell their land. Joseph then announced to the people: “Here’s how things stand: I’ve bought you and your land for Pharaoh. In exchange I’m giving you seed so you can plant the ground. When the crops are harvested, you must give a fifth to Pharaoh and keep four-fifths for yourselves, for seed for yourselves and your families—you’re going to be able to feed your children!” (Genesis 47:13-24 MSG)facebook.com/alfanettericemays
The time eventually came when there was no food anywhere. The famine was very bad. Egypt and Canaan alike were devastated by the famine. Joseph collected all the money that was to be found in Egypt and Canaan to pay for the distribution of food. He banked the money in Pharaoh’s palace. When the money from Egypt and Canaan had run out, the Egyptians came to Joseph. “Food! Give us food! Are you going to watch us die right in front of you? The money is all gone.”
Joseph said, “Bring your livestock. I’ll trade you food for livestock since your money’s run out.” So they brought Joseph their livestock. He traded them food for their horses, sheep, cattle, and donkeys. He got them through that year in exchange for all their livestock.
When that year was over, the next year rolled around and they were back, saying, “Master, it’s no secret to you that we’re broke: our money’s gone and we’ve traded you all our livestock. We’ve nothing left to barter with but our bodies and our farms. What use are our bodies and our land if we stand here and starve to death right in front of you? Trade us food for our bodies and our land. We’ll be slaves to Pharaoh and give up our land—all we ask is seed for survival, just enough to live on and keep the farms alive.”
So Joseph bought up all the farms in Egypt for Pharaoh. Every Egyptian sold his land—the famine was that bad. That’s how Pharaoh ended up owning all the land and the people ended up slaves; Joseph reduced the people to slavery from one end of Egypt to the other.
Joseph made an exception for the priests. He didn’t buy their land because they received a fixed salary from Pharaoh and were able to live off of that salary. So they didn’t need to sell their land. Joseph then announced to the people: “Here’s how things stand: I’ve bought you and your land for Pharaoh. In exchange I’m giving you seed so you can plant the ground. When the crops are harvested, you must give a fifth to Pharaoh and keep four-fifths for yourselves, for seed for yourselves and your families—you’re going to be able to feed your children!” (Genesis 47:13-24 MSG)facebook.com/alfanettericemays
Saturday, February 28, 2015
Your Journey to Success
As we focus on the destination, let's take a tour to the top of the mountain. So,what is your mountain? Are you ready to meet your future mate? Are you seeking that perfect job? You have your eye on that beautiful house, and after all the tracks you have recorded, your music career is still stalling. I think we spend a lot of time dreaming and pondering what life is going to be like when you finally get what you are dreaming of. I know I do. When I finally saw a glimpse of where I am going and what God has called me to do, I wasn't very scared because he has been preparing me all my life for it. I spent some time in a leadership class and we had to chronicle our lives and walk through things that has brought us to where we are. As I spent time recalling events, looking at the places I had been spiritually, I was able to see the destination according to the journey. Does knowing where you're going make it any easier if you are not quite there yet? No, it really doesn't, because if I'm having the same feelings I have now in the journey, I am going to still have those same feelings. For example, you really want to have a corner office at the best company, you want to have a top notch salary and you want all the comforts of being the best at what you do. As I talk to people that are quote, successful, they are still lonely and there is still some insecurity and having it all doesn't always equate to success. But the journey is about accepting where you are going and learning to love where you have been, so the friends you make, the memories you have and the tools you will need for the mountain, you get while you are in the valley. Success is great, but don't think that it won't have its struggles. I heard someone say that success won't feel like you think it will because you are going to have to work harder or just as hard when you reach the top! Let's learn to Enjoy the Journey, so when you finally reach the top, you will have made great friends, good decisions and you will be able to help others on their journey!
Thursday, February 26, 2015
How long have you been on your journey?
As I looked at my posts, my published works and my journals, I have been on this journey of becoming a writer for quite some time. This is a story that was published in a daily devotion I did back in 2010. As I read this I realize how much I love reading the scriptures and telling the story from my point of view which usually means my life. Take a look at this entry:
October 16, 2011 Scripture: Genesis 16: 7- 8
And now an "Angel of the Lord" found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, by the spring on the way to Shur, and he said to Hagar, [Sarai's maid] " where have you come from, and where are you going?"
Where are you going?
I love it when I read in the scriptures when the Lord asks a question, he already knows the answer but he ask us the question not because he doesn't know, but because we don't know? Have you ever been in the wilderness and you look to the right and left, you look in front and behind and you just don't know where you are going? There was a period of time when I lost everything, I had no place to live, I lost my car and it seemed my security had diminished and my way was not clear. I had to trust in the Lord for everything, where to stay on a daily basis, he had to provide food everyday for me and my son. I can say now that it wasn't hard, it was just very uncomfortable. When you are in the wilderness, you don't know the destination, you know you are on a journey, but you are not quite sure where you will end up. God knows the exact day and how long you will be there. Allow God to minister to you there. There are times when you may be in the wilderness, not really sure how long you would be there, or even how you got there, but the wilderness is not always a bad place, we can gain strength in the wilderness, we can gain wisdom and insight. Allow your wilderness situation to grow your faith, activate your trust and belief in God our provider. Sometimes we will not know where we are going, but God does. Stop looking at the destination but Learn to Enjoy the Journey.
Prayer: Father I thank you that it is written, you will never leave me or forsake me, you hand is forever upon me. I thank you Lord, I don't have to be afraid, you are with me.
October 16, 2011 Scripture: Genesis 16: 7- 8
And now an "Angel of the Lord" found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, by the spring on the way to Shur, and he said to Hagar, [Sarai's maid] " where have you come from, and where are you going?"
Where are you going?
I love it when I read in the scriptures when the Lord asks a question, he already knows the answer but he ask us the question not because he doesn't know, but because we don't know? Have you ever been in the wilderness and you look to the right and left, you look in front and behind and you just don't know where you are going? There was a period of time when I lost everything, I had no place to live, I lost my car and it seemed my security had diminished and my way was not clear. I had to trust in the Lord for everything, where to stay on a daily basis, he had to provide food everyday for me and my son. I can say now that it wasn't hard, it was just very uncomfortable. When you are in the wilderness, you don't know the destination, you know you are on a journey, but you are not quite sure where you will end up. God knows the exact day and how long you will be there. Allow God to minister to you there. There are times when you may be in the wilderness, not really sure how long you would be there, or even how you got there, but the wilderness is not always a bad place, we can gain strength in the wilderness, we can gain wisdom and insight. Allow your wilderness situation to grow your faith, activate your trust and belief in God our provider. Sometimes we will not know where we are going, but God does. Stop looking at the destination but Learn to Enjoy the Journey.
Prayer: Father I thank you that it is written, you will never leave me or forsake me, you hand is forever upon me. I thank you Lord, I don't have to be afraid, you are with me.
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Lord, I'm ready!
Have you ever approached a door and as soon as you get to the doors, they open automatically? And if you are really cool, as you continue to walk the automatic doors continue to precede you and you just keep on walking! And there are some doors that if you aren't paying attention, you push and push on the door and then you realize the door says "Pull"! I have been asking God when. And I know that I shouldn't ask him when will I see the vision you've given me? When will I get to the top of the mountain? When will? When will? And then you top it off with, " I'm ready"! So you are telling the maker of Heaven & earth, the one who designed you, formed you, saved you, delivered you and set you free. You are telling the one who gave you the vision, the dream, the passion and the desire in the first place that you are ready to fulfill the Destiny he has set before you. You don't even know what you are ready for, but you tell him, "I'm ready"! When God opens those doors for you to walk through, when they are automatic and not forced or coerced, when they open as you approach, then you will be ready! Until those doors swing open, open wide upon you're arrival, until he gives the the "okay" stop trying to push the door that says pull!
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Joseph's Destination
As I continue studying the life of Joseph I ask God to show me something
new that I can hold onto. Something I have not seen before, something
that will make my waiting bearable. So as I was reading Genesis 41
today, this is what I saw:
Pharaoh at once sent for Joseph. They brought him on the run from the jail cell. He cut his hair, put on clean clothes, and came to Pharaoh. “I dreamed a dream,” Pharaoh told Joseph. “Nobody can interpret it. But I’ve heard that just by hearing a dream you can interpret it.” Joseph answered, “Not I, but God. God will set Pharaoh’s mind at ease.” (Genesis 41:14-16 MSG)
In this passage, first when God is ready to bless you, it is quick. They brought Joseph running to Pharaoh. I believe that when its your time, it will happen suddenly, quick and in a hurry. Then something God showed me that I never saw before. Pharaoh was not saved, God used a man that didn't even believe in him to exalt a man that did. God can use your boss or your great uncle Fred, he will use whoever he needs to to get you to the place he has for you to go.
I believe that God prefers for us to wait well, but there may be times in your life where you are tired of waiting, you are anxious, and ready to be at the destination, but like Joseph, when its our time to be exalted to that place of promotion, it doesn't matter how much you complained, how much you fell down, all that matters is that God is there to lift you back up, scrap off your knees and set you on the path that was designed especially for you.
My prayer: Father, I know you have an awesome job, calling, future for me. You tell me that a lot, but father, I have fallen down again. I really just want to sit here because I don't have the strength to keep going. My circumstances are far greater than me, but not for you. So Father please help me back up. Please take a soothing cloth and clean off my knees where I have fallen, and help me get back in the race. Please wipe away the tears so I can see the track again. Please give me the desire to keep on going. Even though I can't see the finish line, I know that you have designed me to win. Thank you Lord for believing in me, trusting me and loving me, in Jesus Name, Amen
Pharaoh at once sent for Joseph. They brought him on the run from the jail cell. He cut his hair, put on clean clothes, and came to Pharaoh. “I dreamed a dream,” Pharaoh told Joseph. “Nobody can interpret it. But I’ve heard that just by hearing a dream you can interpret it.” Joseph answered, “Not I, but God. God will set Pharaoh’s mind at ease.” (Genesis 41:14-16 MSG)
In this passage, first when God is ready to bless you, it is quick. They brought Joseph running to Pharaoh. I believe that when its your time, it will happen suddenly, quick and in a hurry. Then something God showed me that I never saw before. Pharaoh was not saved, God used a man that didn't even believe in him to exalt a man that did. God can use your boss or your great uncle Fred, he will use whoever he needs to to get you to the place he has for you to go.
I believe that God prefers for us to wait well, but there may be times in your life where you are tired of waiting, you are anxious, and ready to be at the destination, but like Joseph, when its our time to be exalted to that place of promotion, it doesn't matter how much you complained, how much you fell down, all that matters is that God is there to lift you back up, scrap off your knees and set you on the path that was designed especially for you.
My prayer: Father, I know you have an awesome job, calling, future for me. You tell me that a lot, but father, I have fallen down again. I really just want to sit here because I don't have the strength to keep going. My circumstances are far greater than me, but not for you. So Father please help me back up. Please take a soothing cloth and clean off my knees where I have fallen, and help me get back in the race. Please wipe away the tears so I can see the track again. Please give me the desire to keep on going. Even though I can't see the finish line, I know that you have designed me to win. Thank you Lord for believing in me, trusting me and loving me, in Jesus Name, Amen
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)