Speak up humbly

Genesis 44: ¹⁴ Joseph was still in the house when Judah and his brothers came in, and they threw themselves to the ground before him. ¹⁵ Joseph said to them, “What is this you have done? Don’t you know that a man like me can find things out by divination?”

¹⁶ “What can we say to my lord?” Judah replied. “What can we say? How can we prove our innocence? God has uncovered your servants’ guilt. We are now my lord’s slaves—we ourselves and the one who was found to have the cup.”

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After another friend of mine was released I figured something had to be done.  I scheduled a meeting with the head of the very large department to give him a piece of my mind.  We sat and discussed what was going on.  He seemed cordial listening to my rants.

I later spoke to someone about my approach. They insisted that I had made a terrible mistake and I should do damage control. I had made an enemy because my approach was abrasive.

• Sometimes when I think I’m right I speak up loudly.
• Sometimes when I speak up I forget who I am talking to.
• Sometimes when I forget who I’m talking to I may use words of rage.

Depending on who I am speaking with, common conversation could be words of condemnation. Information has to be worded carefully to convey the right message to be heard rather than repulsed.

Judah did not recognize his brother Joseph but knew he was a man of great stature. Joseph could have Judah thrown in jail or killed instantly so Judah spoke with humble words. He thought about his approach and didn’t blurt out what was on the top of his head.

• GOD wants me to consult HIM before I address people.
• GOD wants me to ask HIM for the message before I respond.
• GOD wants me to humbly deliver messages rather than adding my poison.

Actually I should speak to everyone with tact. Building people up should be top of mind. My humble tongue helps the situation.

• Do you speak to people abrasively?
• Do you have harsh words for people?
• Do you feel people need to hear you or should you humbly request to be heard?
• Can you ask GOD for your words before you speak them?

A story of forgiveness

Genesis 43: ²⁰ “We beg your pardon, our lord,” they said, “we came down here the first time to buy food. ²¹ But at the place where we stopped for the night we opened our sacks and each of us found his silver—the exact weight—in the mouth of his sack. So we have brought it back with us. ²² We have also brought additional silver with us to buy food. We don’t know who put our silver in our sacks.”

²³ “It’s all right,” he said. “Don’t be afraid. Your God, the God of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks; I received your silver.” Then he brought Simeon out to them.

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Frustration was the look on my face as I sat there not knowing what to do. My boss was no help and I felt thoroughly inadequate in my new role. My boss’s boss invited me into his office and invited me to sit down. “Oh boy, here it comes, I’m going to be fired and I haven’t even started.” I thought to myself.

He said “Stop worrying, I’m sending you to a training class. I want you to take on more responsibility.”

• When I mess up I feel lost.
• When I am burdened I feel I am wandering.
• When I face difficult times I feel like I need to justify my every move.

Joseph’s brothers tried to kill him. Now, unknowingly, they had to buy food from him. Joseph was somewhat graceful and gave them food along with their silver but commanded them to bring their brother back. Joseph had forgiven them. They were frightened and thought the worse. I do the same.

I think GOD is looking to punish me more and more so I get scared and brace myself for the next wave of punishment. BUT GOD is different.

• GOD looks for opportunities to show HIS great love to me and others so HE can draw people to HIM.
• GOD looks for times HE can bless me so I can bless others.
• GOD looks for chances where I am willing to listen to HIM and see HIM so HE can show me HIS unfailing love.

It truly takes faith to see GOD working in adverse times. Everyone around may not see what GOD sees so the news may seem dismal. GOD’s plan is awesome so I’m taking HIS advice when HE says “Don’t be afraid.”

• Are you afraid?
• Does the situation seem hopeless?
• Can you keep moving forward with GOD knowing HE is blessing you right now?
• Won’t you be a blessing to someone today to show your faith in HIM?

Punished or Blessed?

Genesis 47: ²¹ They said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that’s why this distress has come on us.”

²² Reuben replied, “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you wouldn’t listen! Now we must give an accounting for his blood.” ²³ They did not realize that Joseph could understand them, since he was using an interpreter.

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“We are eliminating your position” were the devastating words that seemed to rip my soul apart. I had never heard these words, so I had to replay segments of my work history during my sleepless nights. I tried to think about sins I may have fallen into that made GOD so mad that HE would rip my job out of my hands.

Maybe it was the time I flirted with a person a decade before or maybe I was getting too arrogant in my status or maybe it was my lack of giving. Any way it goes I must be getting punished for something.  Maybe I need to quit sinning all together!

• When things go wrong I sometimes think I’m being punished.
• When difficult situations appear I ask “why me” in hopes that things would change.
• When I face adversity in life I immediately think I am being punished, otherwise I would be getting “my way.”

It’s quite amazing how negative I think GOD is sometimes.  I mean when things go wrong I see HIM as this judgmental, goody, goody being who doesn’t understand just how hard it is to follow HIS ways. When things go right I praise HIM. Well… maybe sometimes I praise HIM when I’m not taking credit.

• GOD wants me to see HIS plan no matter how tragic things seem.
• GOD wants me to recognize HIS masterful work in spite of the gloomy hour.
• GOD wants me to acknowledge HIS HOLY SPIRIT to get me through the miry decisions.

GOD does not want me to rely on my intellect rather HE wants me point people to HIM in spite of what is going on.

• Do you have difficulty in your life?
• Do you think there is no way out?
• Can you rely on GOD to bring you out of your situation?
• Didn’t you believe that GOD could do anything at one time?

I can’t take credit for my abilities

Genesis 41: ¹⁵ 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.”

¹⁶ “I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.”

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Don’t ask me why I did this but I prayed that I would be successful in my career. I had stopped praying or it was seldom and now I was out in the real world. Amazing things happened over the years and I saw GOD working.

Then I started taking credit for my abilities. “I deserve that promotion!” I thought to myself. “Maybe I should quit and show them they can’t function without me!”

When I think I did something on my own I get arrogant.

When I think my abilities are from my hard work I become blind.

When I think I have talent that is superior I am highly mistaken.

I love the term Joseph used “I cannot do it, BUT GOD will…” Joseph recognized his limitations and acknowledged GOD’s power. He had no expectations of GOD rather he pointed his faith toward HIS power.

When I give GOD credit for giving me talent, I use them for HIS purposes.

When I give GOD credit for making me who I am then I will be thankful for where HE takes me.

When I give GOD credit for my abilities then I won’t squander them.

I cannot do anything without GOD.  HE is my power and my guide. No plan will prosper without HIS blessing.

Do you think you acquired your talent on your own?

Do you believe you have raw talent?

Can you recognize where your talents come from?

Won’t you give GOD credit for blessing you with abilities that you alone possess for HIS purpose?

GOD is with me

Genesis 39: ² The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. ³ When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, ⁴ 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. 

⁵ From the time he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, the Lord blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph. The blessing of the Lord was on everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field.

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All seemed lost as my interviews hadn’t gone so well, then a recruiter appeared and I was hired for my first job out of college. I was lost on my new job and my boss’s boss took me under his wing. Lost in my work, a recruiter reached out to me with a wonderful job that I took back in my home town.

Other positions and opportunities followed all because of the right person was put in front of me when I was lost.

• Sometimes I feel lost especially when I’m not getting my way.
• There are times when I feel lost and don’t have a path to travel.
• Many times I have felt lost and despair sets in.

Joseph was thrown in a hole by his brothers who hated him. Sold into slavery, his plans and dreams seemed impossible. BUT GOD was with him. I must admit, this piece of history seemed a little too convenient. Can this happen to me?

• GOD said “I AM with you” when HE gave me HIS SON.
• GOD said “I will never leave you or forsake you.”
• GOD said “No one can take you out of my hands.”

When GOD connected with me there is no human, no demon, no situation or circumstance that can separate me from HIS love. HE is the glue that sticks to me even through sin and shame. HE gives me comfort knowing HE is with me even until the end of this age and beyond!

• Do you feel lost?
• Are you feeling a bit down?
• Can you recognize that GOD is with you?
• Won’t you let HIM take control of the situation and watch HIS power?

Time to “Break Out!”

Genesis 38: ²⁷ When the time came for her to give birth, there were twin boys in her womb. ²⁸ As she was giving birth, one of them put out his hand; so the midwife took a scarlet thread and tied it on his wrist and said, “This one came out first.”²⁹ But when he drew back his hand, his brother came out, and she said, “So this is how you have broken out!” And he was named Perez.

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Sitting at my desk I broke out a book trying to teach myself the skill I was hired for.  Sneers of disappointment came from my supervisor as I fumbled my assignments. I spent hours teaching myself skills. Soon I learned more than my boss, in fact I learned more than most in the department. It took some time but it was finally my time to “break out!”

• It takes perseverance to get to the point of breaking out.
• It takes steadfast drive to get to the point of breaking out.
• It takes determination to get to the point of breaking out.

Perez literally means “Breaking out!” He was determined to be first and his determination gave him a will to succeed. What about obstacles in life? Won’t they cause me to stumble and possibly fail? Yes, but obstacles don’t mean I should give up, it means persevere with GOD.

• When I’m on the same side with GOD, I cannot fail.
• When I include GOD in my plans, I cannot fail.
• When I ask GOD “what do YOU want me to do” I cannot fail.

GOD is the only one who can make plans succeed.  HE gives me strength to keep my drive. He gives me faith to keep my determination. HE gives me protection to keep moving ahead.

• Are you facing obstacles?
• Have you written your obstacles down and asked GOD about them?
• Can you persevere to reach the point where you will break out?
• Won’t you let GOD continue to prepare you for the greatness HE has for you?

Jealousy doesn’t make me right

Genesis 37: ³ Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made an ornate robe for him. ⁴ When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.

⁵ Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more.

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Studying hard had paid off. My coworker and I were at the top of our class and became highly sought after in our office. That all fell apart when this smooth talking guy was hired.  He didn’t know all the information that my coworker and I knew yet he was getting the glamorous assignments.  I didn’t like that guy.  I wonder if we should have plotted against him.

Jealousy blinds me to my own abilities.

Jealousy makes me think I am inadequate.

Jealousy causes me to see things that aren’t there.

When I look at the fortune someone else has I get jealous and turn into a pouter. Instead of being happy for the person and celebrating, my jealousy kicks in and I say, “Why isn’t that happening to me?” or “Why is ‘that’ creepy person making it and I’m not?”

Celebrating with others actually helps me grow.

Congratulating others puts me in a mindset of gratitude rather than one of despair.

Complimenting others forces me to find the good in the person rather than seeing their flaws.

Instead of being jealous, envious and spiteful, GOD wants me to be gracious enough to actually enjoy what other people are accomplishing in spite of where I’m at. GOD wants me to show love as an example to draw mankind to HIM.

Can you recognize jealousy in yourself?

Are you focusing on what you don’t have and what others have?

Are you “half” complimenting GOD by giving thanks to HIM and turning around and complaining about what you don’t have?

Can you turn your jealousy and envy into compliments and gratitude?