Andy and Alison Fry
We recapped James 1:2 – 4 again. “….Let patience have its perfect work…” The principle is learning to have patience. We looked at gift versus character and said the enemy will never attack the gift because it is given by God. But, the enemy will attack our character – our areas of weakness. God however, is very interested in our character.
This morning we are looking at the life of Joseph from Genesis 37: 5 – 10. Joseph was well-loved by his father. He had lots of brothers and he was a dreamer. He had fantastic dreams and when he told his brothers, they hated him even more. However much the brothers hated Joseph and however annoying or bad Joseph seemed to them, the dream is a gift from God. It’s only with patience and allowing God to open the doors that the dream will come to fruition. Like Mary, we need to ponder and treasure things in our hearts.
Sharing the dreams prematurely got Joseph into trouble. His immaturity propels him into events that God uses to mature him. He is thrown into a pit, sold into slavery, falsely accused and thrown into prison for 13 years. Joseph didn’t know what the outcome of his life would be. Through all the “mess”, God weaves through humanity his purposes. Through all of this something was happening to Joseph. Psalm 105:17 – 19, God was testing and proving Joseph. For Joseph to become a ruler, he had to become more than an immature dreamer. The issue was character, not gift. Through circumstances, God moved him and positioned him to a place of authority and responsibility. What the brothers intended for evil, God turned it around for good.
What brings eternal reward is patience and obedience – having an intimate relationship with God.
Deception is very subtle. The irony of it is that “if I knew I was being deceived, I wouldn’t want to be”. We have an intuition about people’s hearts and attitude and this intuition cuts across culture. We need people around us who will give us a reality check and touch base - People who know us and can be honest with us.
We are encouraged to be wise, to know Jesus. It’s more important than doing stuff. We shouldn’t confuse role and calling. Any church, team, organization etc can ask the vital question, “What is the reason for our existence?” We are all part of the body and we need each other. Christ is the head.
This morning we are looking at the life of Joseph from Genesis 37: 5 – 10. Joseph was well-loved by his father. He had lots of brothers and he was a dreamer. He had fantastic dreams and when he told his brothers, they hated him even more. However much the brothers hated Joseph and however annoying or bad Joseph seemed to them, the dream is a gift from God. It’s only with patience and allowing God to open the doors that the dream will come to fruition. Like Mary, we need to ponder and treasure things in our hearts.
Sharing the dreams prematurely got Joseph into trouble. His immaturity propels him into events that God uses to mature him. He is thrown into a pit, sold into slavery, falsely accused and thrown into prison for 13 years. Joseph didn’t know what the outcome of his life would be. Through all the “mess”, God weaves through humanity his purposes. Through all of this something was happening to Joseph. Psalm 105:17 – 19, God was testing and proving Joseph. For Joseph to become a ruler, he had to become more than an immature dreamer. The issue was character, not gift. Through circumstances, God moved him and positioned him to a place of authority and responsibility. What the brothers intended for evil, God turned it around for good.
What brings eternal reward is patience and obedience – having an intimate relationship with God.
Deception is very subtle. The irony of it is that “if I knew I was being deceived, I wouldn’t want to be”. We have an intuition about people’s hearts and attitude and this intuition cuts across culture. We need people around us who will give us a reality check and touch base - People who know us and can be honest with us.
We are encouraged to be wise, to know Jesus. It’s more important than doing stuff. We shouldn’t confuse role and calling. Any church, team, organization etc can ask the vital question, “What is the reason for our existence?” We are all part of the body and we need each other. Christ is the head.
Andy and Alison with the 2nd years
Compiled by Molly Manhanga
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