A humble spirit always ends up winning with God

The real world is no place for dreams." This is the view of many people in today's society. Many people may have childhood dreams but when the heat's on and you've got to decide between dream life or take care of today, many people settle somewhere outside the parameters of what they long to become. It's not easy to experience the pain and despair of rejection, isolation, betrayal, uncertainty, and other negative emotions that are associated with the road of pursuing dreams. Most people give in to the "real world" syndrome and find a paying gig that gets them through life and feeds the kids, while their dream lies shattered in their hearts.

"And it came to pass after these things that his master's wife cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said, "Lie with me." But he refused and said to his master's wife, "Look, my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand-How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" Genesis 39: 7-8

Joseph was given a dream by God as a young man and he embraced that dream. His first reward for being a dreamer was being sold into slavery by his brothers who were jealous of his lofty dreams. While he was in slavery, his master's wife became strongly attracted to him but when he refused to commit adultery with her, she made a claim that Joseph tried to rape her and he ended up in prison for not sleeping with his boss's wife. How ridiculous is that!

We learn that making the right choices and living a life of integrity will produce a great life for us but here we see the hard truth of where integrity and righteousness lands you on your road to living your dreams. Joseph is being tested here by God. Joseph was not on trial because of his actions with Potiphar's wife, he was on trial against his accuser, Satan, who questioned Joseph's loyalties and commitment just as he did with Job. Satan poses the question to every single dreamer out there; "Will you serve God even if you are punished for it?" But God also has a question that He poses in your unfair suffering, "Do you love your dream more than you love Me?"

You will come face to face with these questions if you plan on pursuing your dreams in life. So many people take short cuts to their dream when the temptation arises. People wake up one day and see that they've become a mutated version of what they originally hoped to become. You know the story- a young lady moves to the 'city of dreams' in hopes of becoming a big movie star just like her role model. After a couple of years of hard rejection and broken hope she begins to notice other 'opportunities' of making some fast cash in front of the cameras. She says that she's only doing this to get her through.

Most people start out with good intentions but the pain that is associated with the road of success either makes you or it breaks you. The road to success never leaves anyone the same way they came in to it. You will either grow bitter or you will grow better. You will either become a master of your experiences or you will become a monster on the road that leads to your dreams.

Joseph became a master of his experiences because he learned to master his thoughts, his feelings, and his emotions on a daily basis. Joseph learned 2 great things that helped him win in life. 1. Joseph overcame bitterness. He didn't get bitter because of his unjust treatment. He didn't seek to get even and get revenge on people. He didn't play negative scenes in his head every night like we sometimes do. I'm sure that he grieved over what is brothers had done and over what Potiphar's wife had done but he didn't dwell on these things.

He forgave these people and embraced mercy and love. We see Joseph's forgiveness when he finally makes it to the top and his brothers are in need of him. He embraced them with love and said "But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here..." Genesis 45: 5

Joseph remained humble to God. While he was the master of Potiphar's house he didn't get cocky like others would have and say, "Why shouldn't I have my boss's wife, I run everything else here?" When some people get authority and temptation presents itself, they indulge, believing their own hype. Joseph didn't, we see that Joseph was actually humbled by his master trusting him with authority.

A humble spirit always ends up winning with God even if it doesn't win at the first. God always exalts those who humble themselves to His will even when it looks like you're being set up for failure.

If you can learn to overcome the bitterness that the road to your dreams will undoubtedly produce and can avoid pride, but instead choose to walk in humility when you are exalted, then you will be setting yourself up for real victory in life. If you can bite down and remain faithful to God and trust in His word even when you're suffering for following Him, you will be setting yourself up to achieve every dream of your heart and beyond.

Peace in the Midst of Persecution

The persecution of Christians is something very real in many parts of our world, and the following article is the testimony of someone from China who has experienced persecution first hand. This is the story of Ming; someone I knew sometime ago. The story goes in her very own words….

“I was at an underground house church worshipping, when four officers barged in and stood before me. Though I was frightened for a moment, my heart soon calmed. One of them struck me in the face, knocked me down, and then beat me with his baton. He did not stop until a woman of the church bravely intervened.

Then the officers cuffed me, confiscated my Bible, hymnbook, and notebook, and asked me many questions. I answered with wisdom from God, as promised in Matthew 10.19 & 20. But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

They took me to the police station and cuffed me to a chair with a guard standing by. Through all their atrocities, I was not the least bit afraid, for I knew the Lord was with me. I prayed, Lord, I thank you because you are using this experience to make me feel more of your presence and witness your mighty works.

The next morning they asked me more questions, but could not find any fault in my answers. The officers then left me alone. During their absence, I was able to recover my Bible, hymnbook, and notebook. I was so glad to regain my most important possessions! Around noon two women of the church came to visit me. They requested my release, saying they were willing to take my place. I was greatly moved by their gesture. Around three o clock the officers took me for more interrogation before releasing me.

Back at the meeting place, I learned how my church family was praying for me. My heart was extremely grateful to the Lord for pouring His great love. I knew for the first time how much He cares. I can now join Job in saying, My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.”

This is just one story that occurs on a daily basis in many countries around the world. We do not always hear about this because in many cases the media and information outlets are carefully controlled by the authorities. I was moved by her story of faith, and I hope it might just move you too.

RESTORATION

We all know the parable of the prodigal son and how many sermons have been preached about repentance, from that parable. We are told that 'he came to himself and said, I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and in thy sight.' In preaching, we speak of this as the first step in a changed life-as conversion, as repentance, confession, returning to God. But, as this is the first step for the prodigal, we must remember that this is also the step to be taken by His erring children-by all the ninety-nine 'who need non-repentance ,' or think they do not. Those Christians who do not understand how wrong their low religious life is must be taught that this is sin-unbelief; and that it is as necessary that they should be brought to repentance as the prodigal. You have heard a great deal of preaching repentance to the unconverted; but I want to try to preach it to God's children. We have a picture of so many of God's children in that elder brother. What the father told him, to bring about a consideration of the love that He bore him, just as he loved the prodigal brother, thus does God tell to us in our contentedness with such a low life: -'You must repent and believe that I love you, and all that I have is thine .' He says, 'By your unbelief, you have dishonored me, living for ten, twenty, or thirty years, and never believing what it was to live in the blessedness of My love. You must confess the wrong you have done Me in this, and be broken down in contrition of heart just as truly as the prodigal.'

There are many children of God who need to confess, that though they are His children, they have never believed that God's promises are true, that He is willing to fill their hearts all the day long with His blessed presence. Have you believed this? If you have not, all our teaching will be of no profit to you. Will you not say, 'By the help of God, I will begin now a new life of faith, and will not rest until I know what such a life means. I will believe that I am every moment in the Father's presence, and all that He has is mine?'

May the Lord God work this conviction in the hearts of all cold believers. Have you ever heard the expression, 'a conviction for sanctification?' You know, the unconverted man needs a conviction before conversion. So does the dark-minded Christian need conviction before, and in order for sanctification, before he comes to a real insight to spiritual blessedness. He must be convicted a second time because of his sinful life of doubt, and temper, and un-lovingness . He must be broken down under that conviction; then there is hope for him. May the Father of mercy grant all such that deep contrition, so that they may be led into the blessedness of His presence, and enjoy the fullness of His power and love!

OUR ATTITUDES… CREATE OUR FUTURE

Do you have a glad heart? Or, do you consistently worry? Are your thoughts filled with negative anticipation and worthless fears of tomorrow? Or do you wake up each day with a grateful heart that you are still alive and enjoying the grace of God?

Do you realize you are creating your future by the very attitude you posses?

In Proverbs 15:15: it says it this way, "All the days of despondence and affliction are made evil by anxious thoughts but he who has a glad heart has a continual feast regardless of circumstances."

We have an "either - or" situation here. Have a glad heart and a continual feast, or have your days made evil by "negative thinking." It's all an attitude.

Your attitude is supported by your beliefs and your beliefs are vital to your success or failure in life.

Jesus said, "As you have believed, let it be done unto you" (Matthew 8:13).

Whatever emotion you experience at any given time is supported by a particular belief. If you are experiencing joy, there is an underlying belief that supports that emotion. If you are experiencing discouragement, there is an underlying belief supporting that too.

If you know God is taking care of you and watching out for your best interest, then relax. Have a glad heart and know He is in control, for the peace of God surpasses all understanding.

If, for some reason, you are experiencing some negative emotion, your believing in something that is causing it.

So, the next time you're exuding a poor demeanor; slumped shoulders, shallow breathing, a sagging facial expression, just stop and ask yourself, "What is the belief that is supporting this behavior?" Once you recognize it, you can change it. It's just a decision.

Notice the phrase, "despondence and affliction." The word "despondence" means losing hope. As long as God is alive, there is no reason to lose hope. "He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.

This power that works in us is our faith. Jesus said, "According to your faith let it be done unto you" (Matthew 9:29). God gives us the “grace of abundance in anything”, but we were also given the freewill to believe or not to believe.

Remember, we create our future by the very attitudes we posses, so we need to remember this and always be careful to not worry and keep trusting in God.

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