A Key to Success - 1

Most people if not everyone has a desire for success in life. I tend to think that God built it into us because he desires that we have success. Probably very few actually achieve their dreams.  As I sat to write I was reminded of a young man who had phenomenal success and rose to great heights and I looked again at  his story Genesis 35-45. This is the journey of Joseph.

Recently our nephew shared the starring role of Joseph in the Nelson Youth Theatre's musical of the well known Biblical story of Joseph and his coat of many colours. A story of favouritism, prophetic dreams, jealousy, betrayal, lies, imprisonment, famine, and ultimate honour.  

I love this story of Joseph because it shows me just how much attitude determines what kind of life we lead.  Joseph's older brothers (from another mother) were jealous of Joseph and when he had a dream and (probably unwisely) shared it with them, they became angry.  Their father had showed his favouritism by giving Joseph a wonderful many-coloured coat, so in their jealousy they plotted to get rid of him. This resulted them selling Joseph off to passing slave traders who took him to Egypt.  They then splattered his beautiful coat with animal blood and told their father that Joseph had probably been killed by a wild animal.

In Egypt Joseph was bought by Potiphar who was a military man in Pharoah's army.  God had plans for this young man but they wouldn't come about without much testing of Joseph's character. Because of Joseph, God prospered the household where Joseph served.    Very soon Joseph found himself in charge of Potiphar's whole household and land.  But trouble was brewing.

Potiphar's wife had an eye for this handsome young man and made a play for him.  Joseph was determined not to play her game and refused her advances.  He wanted to be faithful to his master who had put so much trust in him.  This made her so angry that she lied about Joseph saying that he had tried to seduce her.  Joseph was immediately shipped off to prison where the king's servants went when they fell out of favour.

Amazingly even in prison it seems that Joseph kept a good attitude which gained him favour with the prison guard who put him in charge of everything.  God had a plan and even in the prison His plan was being worked out. His presence was with Joseph who continued to serve well, and so he prospered.  He just got on with life.  I believe he had a heart to serve the God who had given him an impossible dream of leadership.  He believed his dream.

How difficult it is to hold onto hope when there is no obvious hope on the horizon.  Eventually Joseph was asked to interpret dreams for the king's cupbearer and the king's baker who were in prison with him.  The dreams were fulfilled exactly as Joseph had predicted, but another 2 years had to pass before God was ready to send Joseph on the ride of his life.

Do you have a dream which seems impossible? Have you become discouraged, disillusioned, disheartened?  Has life taken a turn for the worse?  God had a mission for Joseph which required great preparation, and with God's grace Joseph kept his attitude right.  He waited patiently and suddenly overnight he shot to the second highest rank in the land.  Impossible?  Not for God.

However, a few years down the track Joseph's attitude would be tested again.....next time.....

For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. " Jeremiah 29:11

Prayer:  Lord God, help me to remember that no what happens to me it is part of your purpose to develop my character.  Help me to keep an attitude that will honour Jesus Christ and enable you to bless me as you did Joseph.  Amen

Stability

Over the years I have lived through a number of typhoons... (in Hong Kong) and some big storms in Australia. As I've observed the aftermath of these, especially great fallen trees, I never ceased to be amazed at the shallow root system these big trees have which is why they are so vulnerable to high winds.

There are 2 main types of root systems for plants and for trees.  They are tap root and fibrous roots and most of us have learned about these in our nature study classes in primary school.  The big oak trees that stand for sometimes hundreds of years have tap roots but others like the eucalypts in Australia have shallow fibrous roots that can't withstand a lot of pressure.

So what would make me want to write about them here you may ask.  Because they speak about stability and in our very unstable world I think trees have a lesson we can learn. Unlike trees, we, as people, get to choose what kind of root system (or foundation) we have in our lives.  That will depend upon where we put our confidence and trust.  Many people, probably the majority, put their confidence in their own abilities, knowledge or money.  They feel no need to look elsewhere for strength and support.  Others of us have learned that we cannot trust in ourselves, possessions, knowledge or even people, who can let us down when we most need them; so we have turned to the one who can give us stability in the toughest times and peace in the midst of life's storms.

Listen to what Jeremiah 17:7-8 says....

“But blessed are those who trust in the LORD

and have made the LORD their hope and confidence.

They are like trees planted along a riverbank,

with roots that reach deep into the water.

Such trees are not bothered by the heat

or worried by long months of drought.

Their leaves stay green,

and they never stop producing fruit."

This speaks of a blessing for those who trust in God rather than in themselves or others.

They will have water in drought so won't be bothered when the heat comes.

On the other hand, a person who chooses the fibrous roots system....trusting in many things rather than centering their trust in God alone will not have the same confidence.  In fact the consequence is more dire..... Jeremiah 17: 5-6

This is what the LORD says:

“Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans,

who rely on human strength

and turn their hearts away from the LORD.

They are like stunted shrubs in the desert,

with no hope for the future.

They will live in the barren wilderness,

in an uninhabited salty land.

As we head into this new year I see only an increase in the distress of nations and uncertainty of what the future holds.  When I look at what has happened even in the past 2 months in natural disasters, and what we are told may happen with multiple volcanoes threatening eruption; the mountains of rubbish and floating masses of waste kilometres long and wide in oceans; refugees

numbering millions and the problem of feeding and housing them, I see that only God has an answer to our problems.  I pray that you will decide to put your trust in Him who is the one who gives peace and hope.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Romans 15:13

Prayer:  God forgive me for trusting in my own strength, abilities, assets and people.  Help me to have the wisdom to put my trust in you and grow strong roots to give my life stability and purpose. Amen

A Brand New Year

Happy New Year to you....may 2018 be a year to remember in the very best kind of way. May you live it without regrets, may you have hope, peace and joy as you face the challenges that life will no doubt deal you and me. How?  Let me share with you how I plan to live this year in hope, joy and peace.

Forgetting the things that are past and reaching to what lies ahead. Philippians 3:13.
It is too easy for us to beat up on ourselves for our areas of failure but it brings nothing but condemnation and depression.  I choose to do myself a favour and forget what is negative from the past.  I have brought it to God and asked His forgiveness and now I choose to forgive myself.

And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone,  forgive them, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.   But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses. Matthew 11:25-26 
There will be opportunities this year to either get offended or to forgive people.  If I choose to forgive those who hurt me (whether intentionally or unintentionally) I know I will find peace and joy.

Don't worry about anything; instead pray about everything.  Tell God what you need and thank him for what he has done.  Then you will experience his peace. Philippians 4:6-7

There is so much going on in the world right now to depress, spark fear and bring hopelessness if we choose to dwell on it.  Instead I choose to Fix my thoughts  on things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:7-8

I  can rejoice because Psalm 5:11-12 says But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend (protect) them; Let those who also love Your name be joyful in You.  For you, O Lord, will bless the godly; with favour You will surround them as with a shield.

As you can see God's word is full of everyday wisdom for those who trust their lives to Him. May He be your strength and shield as you walk into this new year.

Prayer:  Thank you Father for a brand new year.  Thank you for your love which is ever present.  Help me to walk in the circle of your love this year and to demonstrate your love as I journey through this year.  Amen