From Slavery To Significance

 “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.” - Genesis 50:20

For several weeks now, I've been writing about difference makers. We are studying about those who were used of God to make a powerful impact for the glory of God. We've already studied the lives of Enoch and Abraham. Today we are concentrating on the life of Joseph.

A lot of people live drab, uneventful lives. That can't be said of Joseph. Joseph was the Old Testament great-grandson of the patriarch, Abraham. He had a great family heritage. However, his life became a series of challenging events that Joseph had little or no control over.

Some think that a man is the victim of his circumstances. Joseph contradicts that belief. In fact, Joseph shows us that circumstances merely reveal the character of a man.

When his brothers carelessly sold Joseph as a slave, Joseph's life went on an incredible journey that only God could orchestrate. Yet every time something positive appeared to happen to Joseph, unexpected events seemed crush it all. He rose to prominence in Potiphar's house --- then was falsely accused of attempted rape and wrongly imprisoned. There in prison, he interpreted dreams for the chief butler and baker. There seemed to be a glimmer of hope for Joseph when the chief butler was restored to his position. Joseph had asked the chief butler to speak on his behalf, hoping that this would get him released. Instead, the chief butler forgot him. Only after a long delay and the occurrence of Pharaoh's dreams would the chief butler remember Joseph. Joseph's interpretation of Pharaoh's dreams and the subsequent advice he gave, brought Joseph to the precise place he needed to be … at the right time.

God used Joseph to make a difference in Egypt. But Joseph was also used to save his own family and the Jewish heritage. Joseph turned out to be one of the greatest difference makers of the Old Testament. Later, after his father's death, Joseph told his brothers, “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.” Rather than retaliating against his brothers, he lovingly showed mercy. The years of loneliness and discouragement were used of God to prepare Joseph for leadership. He went from slavery to significance.

There are four things that made Joseph so special.

1. FAITH

First of all, Joseph was a man of faith. Like his father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Joseph was recognized in Hebrews 11, the Hall of Fame of Faith. It would have been easy to get depressed and give up after all the adversity Joseph endured. Yet his faith kept him going.

2. FIDELITY

Secondly, Joseph was a man of integrity. He had the opportunity to have an affair with Potiphar's wife, but refused. I don't think Potiphar's wife was unattractive. A person of influence and wealth, like Potiphar, would probably have a beautiful wife. In spite of the temptation, Joseph refused to compromise.

3. FORTITUDE

As I wrote before, Joseph persevered in spite of adversity. This character trait is uncommon in our day. Americans tend to be very emotional and swayed easily by events around them. Joseph was steadfast in the storm. Are we?

4. FAITHFULNESS

Joseph seemed to make the best out of every situation he was in. When he worked for Potiphar, his faithfulness brought him advancement. Even when he was imprisoned, Joseph gained the respect of the jail keeper because of his conduct. In this fickle society, we need more faithful men and women.

God used Joseph to make an enormous difference. The journey of his life was planned and fashioned by the Lord. This journey had plenty of deep valleys and dark times. But when it was over, it was obvious that God had brought him to the right place, at the right time. The rest is history.

Joseph's journey to significance required him to spend years in prison. Only God could take him from the prison to the palace. When we read the story of Joseph, we must admit that God was in control.

God is in control. Your life may not involve slavery or a prison, but God has brought you through many experiences. He has uniquely positioned you among family, friends and acquaintances so that He may work through you to impact them.

Yes, we're tempted to brag on Joseph for all he did, but we are really giving credit to the wrong One. God is to be praised for all that happened in and through Joseph's life.

The same is true for us.

The Man Who Believed The Unbelievable

"Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee.” - Genesis 12:1

At first glance, God's call to Abram doesn't seem so spectacular. The Lord told Abram, “Get thee out of thy country … unto a land that I will shew thee.” Like others since him, Abram and his wife were going to move. But Abram's situation was much different from those before or since him. He was not forced to move because of political oppression. Neither was he required to move because of military aggression. He didn't even move because of an economic recession. Neither was his move due to spiritual persecution. Instead, he was going to move because God told him to. Furthermore, his situation was different because God didn't tell him in advance where he was going.

Abram, who would later be renamed Abraham, believed the unbelievable. To leave home without any other prompting than God's call was unthinkable. When we read the story, we fail to appreciate what Abram did. Imagine the following conversation:

HUSBAND: Wife, we are moving.

WIFE: Where are we moving to?

HUSBAND: I don't know.

WIFE: You don't know?

HUSBAND: No.

WIFE: Why are we moving? Are we being forced out?

HUSBAND: No, we are moving simply because God told us to.

WIFE: God told you to? And He didn't tell you where we are going?

I think you catch the drift of this conversation. If you were to have the same conversation with your spouse, there would be a great deal of tension wouldn't there? Now you understand how great Abram's faith really was. Consider Abram and his reaction to God's demand.

First of all, Abram was on speaking terms with God. He heard God's call. It was clear. It was unmistakable. It was undeniable. Yet for a human, the call seemed unbelievable. It would not be the last time God would speak to Abram. God still speaks through His Word. Are we listening?

Also, Abram obeyed God. He simply did what God commanded him to do. Think about this for a moment. God commanded him to do something that made no earthly sense. Yet He believed that God knew what He was doing. He believed that God should be obeyed. Later, He believed God for the unbelievable again when he was told that his wife would bear him a son, even when she was past child bearing age. Even later, when this child grew, Abraham would be commanded to offer his only son as a sacrifice. You know what Abraham did? Exactly what God told him to do. It was an unbelievable demand, yet He believed God. At the last moment, God intervened and provided a ram as a sacrifice instead of Isaac. Over and over again, Abraham believed God for the unbelievable.

Abraham was a difference maker whose influence is still being felt today. His legacy is amazing, including millions of decedents. Because Abraham believed the unbelievable, God honored him, including him in the great hall of fame of Faith, Hebrews 11. Abraham was a difference maker because God made a difference through his life.

The journey Abram began in Genesis 12 seemed to have no end. Yet Hebrews 11:10 tells us that Abraham, “... looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” The city that Abraham went looking for was not here on earth. His real home was in heaven. If you are a follower of Christ, we are told that one day we will sit down and dine with Abraham in heaven. Abraham had left behind all worldly possessions in search of something infinitely better. He now enjoys it.

God still requires people to believe the unbelievable. It is unbelievable that a virgin would conceive and have a child. It is unbelievable that this child would be God in the flesh. It is unbelievable that He would grow up to live a perfect life and perform great miracles. It is unbelievable that He loved us so much that He ultimately went to a cross and died, paying our sin debt. It is unbelievable that He'd rise again the third day. It is unbelievable that He'd ascend back to heaven and there would make intercession for us. It is unbelievable that He is coming again for all who believe in Him. It is unbelievable that He will take us to heaven, where we'll abide with Him forever.

God calls us to believe the unbelievable today. Do you believe?

The Man Who Walked With God

 “Enoch walked with God.” - Genesis 5:22, 24

“By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.” - Hebrews 11:5

If you were to ask the average Christian to name a great man from the Bible, few, if any, would respond with the name of Enoch. Yet God saw him as a great man. In fact, God had the legacy of Enoch memorialized in the hall of fame of Faith, Hebrews 11.

In just a few verses, we learn that Enoch was a man that was different from others of his generation. He was singled out in the books of Genesis and Hebrews as a man who had a special relationship with the Lord. What made this man so special? Let me share three things the Bible teaches about Enoch.

1.  HIS TRUST

First of all, we learn that Enoch trusted God. He was a man of God. Hebrews 11:5 states, “By faith, Enoch was translated ...” Enoch lived by faith. He trusted God. Although he did not possess either the Old or New Testaments, he trusted the Lord. What is keeping us from trusting God?

It is easy for us to idolize others, especially those in the Bible. Yet we must keep in mind that Enoch was just a man. What made him unique was his faith in God. As a man, Enoch was not outstanding, but his God was outstanding. The greatness of Enoch was really found in the greatness of his God. Enoch was a man of faith.

2.  HIS TESTIMONY

Secondly, we see his testimony. The book of Genesis testifies, “Enoch walked with God.” The writer of Hebrews put it this way, “By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.” What a great testimony to have! He walked with God. He pleased God.

What kind of testimony will you leave behind? I find Enoch to be a great example for us. Although he was a family-man, Enoch was known best for his walk with God. Shouldn't that be the same for us?

3.  HIS TRANSLATION

It would be great to have the epitaph written on a tombstone: “He walked with God,” or “He pleased God.” That was not the case for Enoch because he didn't have a tombstone. He never died! The book of Genesis simply says, “And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him." (Genesis 5:24). Hebrews 11:5 states that Enoch was, “... translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him.” In a moment, God took Enoch away. This is similar to the upcoming rapture. God will take His children away in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. Enoch was a unique man who lived a unique life and left this world in a unique way. God translated him.

Could this be the generation that experiences a similar translation? Could it be that Jesus will return in our lifetime? I don't know the answer to this, but I do believe that we are being called to walk with God, just as Enoch did. Such a walk will impact those around us and those who follow us. Enoch left a great legacy that we still read about today. Apart from Jude's reference to Enoch being a prophet, we know little about Enoch's activities. Instead, the Bible seems to concentrate on his godly life.

Although there is a need for Christian activity, there is a greater need for Christian character. This is formed in the prayer closet rather than the mission field. We need more men and women who walk with God. Certainly this will impact our homes, jobs and communities, but this impact is just fruit of a life devoted to God.

It is possible for us to walk with God ourselves. It begins with a salvation experience and matures with ongoing communion with the Lord.

The greatest goal of my life is to have an intimate walk with God. When my life is over, others may praise God for the good deeds He accomplished through my life, but most of all, I want people to honestly say of me, “He walked with God.”

Difference Makers

 “And of some have compassion, making a difference.” - Jude 22

Each year, Indiana Wesleyan University inducts a high-profile Christian into their “Society of World Changers.” The purpose of this event is to spotlight a believer who models Christian character while impacting the world. See https://www.indwes.edu/about/world-changers/. Past inductees include Dr. James Dobson, John Maxwell, Bill & Gloria Gaither, Kirk Cameron and Joni Eareckson Tada, among others. I think most believers would agree that these individuals have certainly impacted the world in various ways.

I believe that there are many who are impacting the world without being famous. It is possible to be a difference maker without having a famous platform. In fact, it is my belief that the greatest difference is being made by people who will never be world-famous or inducted into the Society of World Changers. Instead, these obscure people are known by God and will be rewarded by Him in heaven.

The big question is this: are you a difference maker? You don't need to be famous or rich to make a difference. As a matter of fact, you may be used to make an incredible difference right where you are.

As I ponder history and observe people today, I have found three ingredients in the lives of difference makers:

1.  THEY ARE DARING

First of all, they are daring people. In other words, they act courageously. They live and walk by faith. They realize that only God makes a real difference, but He often makes that difference through the lives of His faithful, obedient children. Difference makers don't conform to the world. Instead, they long for God to change the world and are willing to be used in the process. Difference makers live unique lives. While they are criticized by pagans because of their faith, even the pagans must secretly admit that God is making a difference in and through these individuals. Difference makers tend to go where few go, do what few do and live as few live. They are daring, courageous and obedient to God.

2.  THEY ARE CARING

Difference makers are known for their love and concern. They do not seek the acclaim of men. They do not labor to be praised or rewarded by their peers. Instead, their compassion flows from an inner source. God puts that love within them. Difference makers have a mighty love for God, which compels them to love others in His Name. While others talk about love, difference makers demonstrate love in tangible ways. They don't brag or seek to be noticed for their contributions. Love is the reason they serve and show compassion.

3.  THEY ARE SHARING

Finally, difference makers are led of God to make their time, treasures and talents be used to help others in the Name of the Lord. They do more than occupy a church pew on Sunday. Through their lives, others are ministered to, helped and encouraged. They are willing to get their hands dirty and serve others. They are not ashamed to serve in menial ways. They will serve in obscurity with zeal. The only prize they wish to receive is the ultimate reward from the Lord. Just as they have received abundant grace from their Savior, they seek to be ambassadors of His grace to others, especially those that are overlooked or treated woefully by society. Often, such difference makers are not recognized until they are gone. Their absence leaves many unmet needs.

Lest I be misinterpreted, I want to make it clear that the real difference maker is the Lord Himself. He made the difference by daring to do the unthinkable. He cared enough to send His Son to die for lost men. Through His grace, He lovingly shares the bounty of heaven with repentance souls who come to Him through Jesus Christ. Yes, He dares, He cares and He shares. Those who've been impacted by His miraculous grace are often used of Him to be difference makers here on earth. Yet make no mistake about it, if a difference is made, it is really Christ accomplishing this work through His servant.

If you are a born-again believer, God has made a difference in you. Now He can make a difference through you. It is possible to be a difference maker right now, where you are, but God has to make that difference. Dare to believe and obey Him, regardless of the cost. Care for others, especially those forsaken by the world. Reach out and make the love of God know to others daily.

Being used by God as a difference maker may not result in respect, awards or praise of men. Those things should not be our motivation. Instead, seek to please God alone for your acts of kindness and ministry of grace. He will reward you for the secret deeds you performed in His Name.

Our world needs to be changed. Don't look to Washington or the United Nations for these changes. Instead, look up.

Lasting change can only come from God above.

Have A Happy New Year: Walk With God

 “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” - Micah 6:8

What's the most important thing you can do in the year to come? Certainly, there are many things you may be led to do, but I don't know of anything that is more important than walking with God daily.

There may be many things the Lord will use you to accomplish while walking with God, but there won't be anything more important that your spiritual walk itself.

As you are probably aware, there is a great deal of opposition to this. The enemy is bringing so many things your way to distract you and drain your time in an effort to keep you from spending time with the Lord. Your walk with God is vital. You must be very intentional about maintaining your fellowship with the Lord.

The Old Testament prophet wrote, “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” We must do right, treat others right and walk with God.

Those of us in ministry need to carefully protect our private time with God. Leonard Ravenhill once said that no man is greater than his prayer life. Today I read a blog by Pastor Steve Gaines entitled, “We Need Praying Preachers.” I think the title says it all. It is possible to generate good sermon titles, compelling outlines and applicable illustrations, and still not be the man of God you should be. The preacher needs the touch of God more than he needs an impressive sermon. The people he addresses needs this as well.

May this year be a year in which we walk with God.

1.  WALK WITH GOD IN PRAYER

First of all, walk with God in prayer. Let's make prayer a priority. Be intentional about scheduling an uninterrupted time with God daily. Pray dependently, trusting that God will hear and answer you. Pray with intensity. Realize that so many need help that only God can provide.

2.  WALK WITH GOD IN HIS PRECEPTS

Secondly, spend time in God's Word daily. Find an easy-to-read Bible and use it. Highlight and mark the Scriptures. Memorize verses. Stand on the promises of God's Word. Take God at His Word.

3.  WALK WITH GOD WITH PURPOSE

Finally, obey the Lord. Obey the Great Commission. Obey the Great Commandments. Obey the Scriptures.

If God blesses me to see the end of 2022, I want to look back and acknowledge that I have walked with Him all year.

What about you?