Good morning,
Praise the Lord for the way He brings triumph out of tragedy. He transforms the tears of grief in to the tears of joy. We read in Psalm 30, "Weeping may endure for the night but Joy comes in the morning." The story of Joseph in the Old Testament is the story of tragedy and triumph. When I read that story I am reminded of Jacob and how his sons had brought Joseph's coat to him, dipped in blood, and asked him whose coat it was. Jacob looked at the coat and when he saw the blood his mind went crazy and his imagination went off the scale. Genesis 37:33, "And he knew it, and said, 'It is my son’s coat; an evil beast hath devoured him; Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces.'" For nearly 15 years Jacob played the scene of Joseph’s horrible death in his imagination. But the truth is that Jacob was wrong; Joseph was not dead, but very much alive. Jacob looked at the evidence in front of him and, based on the evidence, he wrote the rest of the story.
We can't judge a book by one chapter. You can't look at one chapter of one life and write the whole story.
In Acts 3:2-6 it is written that there was a lame man, a beggar who had never walked and who was a burden on society. That information is contained in verses 2-6. But in vs 8 He is walking and leaping and praising God. Then, in Vs 9-10, all the people saw him walking and praising God. "And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him."
Jacob looked at the evidence and wrote Joseph off, but while Jacob was grieving over Joseph’s death, Joseph was ruling over Egypt. Jacob, looking at the evidence in front of him which was screaming disaster, death, and hopelessness, assumed the obvious. Yet, the evidence was misleading, Yes it was Joseph's coat, covered in blood, but it was not rent by a wild beast and it was not Joseph's blood.
The enemy wants to provide us with just enough evidence that we will believe what we see in the world more than what we see in the Heart of God through His Word. Joseph was not dead, but out of sight as the Lord God Omnipotent was at work, out of Jacob's sight. He was at work in the life of Joseph, performing His wonders and power. The Lord was restoring the years the locusts had eaten. He is at work even now in destroying the powers of the enemy who comes to steal and destroy.
"But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." 1 Corinthians 2:9
In Christ,
Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkO-D0fatRQ
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Brown's Daily Word 1-12-10
Good morning,
People are attracted to entertainment with dazzling special effects. In our modern culture, we are more prone to be amused than to be saved. Jesus came to the world not to amuse people, not to entertain them. He came to seek and to save the lost. One of the readings for last Sunday was taken from Acts 8. Simon the Sorcerer amazed the people of Samaria with his impressive tricks and dynamic personality. But when Philip and Peter came to the city, Simon encountered real power--unmistakable miraculous healings and speaking in tongues, which caught his attention. The big difference between Simon and the disciples is that they gave Christ the credit and attention, not themselves. Simon boastfully called himself the “Great Power” (vs 10).
Simon wanted to know how to tap into the power of the Spirit, which he recognized as superior to what he possessed. He thought that he could purchase this power. God’s power isn't for sale. We can't “cut a deal” with God. We can not buy love, we can not buy grace, and we can not buy peace. Each is a gift.
Peter confronted Simon using some pretty strong language, “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God” (20-21). J. B. Phillips translates this verse, 'To hell with your money". Simon wanted the Holy Spirit, but not for love of the Lord or the Kingdom of God. The Spirit isn’t a commodity, but a Person.
Primitive religions use magic to try to control or manipulate God and to get what they want. Christian Gospel declares, that God is in control, and He chooses what’s best for us. Faith rests in God’s plan. The Holy Spirit is not a genie that pops out of a bottle awaiting our command. He is Lord and He commands us. Peter called on Simon to repent and the purpose of his confrontation was reconciliation. Simon then asked Peter to pray for him.
John Polhill wrote, “The correct response to God’s gift of salvation is much more than simply a ‘what’s in it for me?’ approach. It involves genuine commitment in response to the work of God’s Spirit.” Superficial faith will be revealed by the test of time. For example, evangelist George Whitefield was once asked how many converts he had after a preaching event in New England. He answered, “Ask me again in five years.”
You have never seen the headline, “Psychic Wins the Lottery”. Nonetheless, so-called psychics still enjoy a thriving business. Today, Simon would have his own TV special. Slight of hand tricks entertain us, yet here’s a more sinister form of magic that many people get involved with--occult practices that are rooted in dark forces. People have an unhealthy fascination with the paranormal, which Paul describes as the “spiritual forces of evil” (Ephesians 6:12). Mediums, psychics, channelers, palm readers, and witches are the devil’s counterfeits. We have no business engaging in séances, playing with Ouija boards or Tarot cards, consulting horoscopes, or other occult practices. These may seem harmless, yet they open the door to the “dark side”; it’s like inviting a conversation with the devil.
We may be tempted to call a psychic hotline, but doing so shows that we are not trusting God. Let us recognize that the power of God is something He controls. We do not control Him.
In Jesus Christ our Lord,
Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uzDJ6yQVPw
People are attracted to entertainment with dazzling special effects. In our modern culture, we are more prone to be amused than to be saved. Jesus came to the world not to amuse people, not to entertain them. He came to seek and to save the lost. One of the readings for last Sunday was taken from Acts 8. Simon the Sorcerer amazed the people of Samaria with his impressive tricks and dynamic personality. But when Philip and Peter came to the city, Simon encountered real power--unmistakable miraculous healings and speaking in tongues, which caught his attention. The big difference between Simon and the disciples is that they gave Christ the credit and attention, not themselves. Simon boastfully called himself the “Great Power” (vs 10).
Simon wanted to know how to tap into the power of the Spirit, which he recognized as superior to what he possessed. He thought that he could purchase this power. God’s power isn't for sale. We can't “cut a deal” with God. We can not buy love, we can not buy grace, and we can not buy peace. Each is a gift.
Peter confronted Simon using some pretty strong language, “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God” (20-21). J. B. Phillips translates this verse, 'To hell with your money". Simon wanted the Holy Spirit, but not for love of the Lord or the Kingdom of God. The Spirit isn’t a commodity, but a Person.
Primitive religions use magic to try to control or manipulate God and to get what they want. Christian Gospel declares, that God is in control, and He chooses what’s best for us. Faith rests in God’s plan. The Holy Spirit is not a genie that pops out of a bottle awaiting our command. He is Lord and He commands us. Peter called on Simon to repent and the purpose of his confrontation was reconciliation. Simon then asked Peter to pray for him.
John Polhill wrote, “The correct response to God’s gift of salvation is much more than simply a ‘what’s in it for me?’ approach. It involves genuine commitment in response to the work of God’s Spirit.” Superficial faith will be revealed by the test of time. For example, evangelist George Whitefield was once asked how many converts he had after a preaching event in New England. He answered, “Ask me again in five years.”
You have never seen the headline, “Psychic Wins the Lottery”. Nonetheless, so-called psychics still enjoy a thriving business. Today, Simon would have his own TV special. Slight of hand tricks entertain us, yet here’s a more sinister form of magic that many people get involved with--occult practices that are rooted in dark forces. People have an unhealthy fascination with the paranormal, which Paul describes as the “spiritual forces of evil” (Ephesians 6:12). Mediums, psychics, channelers, palm readers, and witches are the devil’s counterfeits. We have no business engaging in séances, playing with Ouija boards or Tarot cards, consulting horoscopes, or other occult practices. These may seem harmless, yet they open the door to the “dark side”; it’s like inviting a conversation with the devil.
We may be tempted to call a psychic hotline, but doing so shows that we are not trusting God. Let us recognize that the power of God is something He controls. We do not control Him.
In Jesus Christ our Lord,
Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uzDJ6yQVPw
Monday, January 11, 2010
Brown's Daily Word 1-11-10
The Lord blessed us with a wonderful weekend. Laureen, Janice, and Sunita, along with their mom, gave a bridal shower for Jess our youngest daughter, who is getting married on February 14, 2010. It was a great time of celebration and joy and the table settings were beautiful. Some who came said that it looked like something out of the magazines - now, that's a compliment. Family and friends came to bless Jess, including Tom's mother, who drove in from near Philadelphia with a friend of hers. Tom's Mom, along with the family and friends are also planning for another Bridal shower for Jess in Philadelphia this coming Saturday. Alice and Laureen will be driving down this weekend to Philly to share the joy and the blessing. One of the added blessings for our weekend was to have Micah and Simeon along with their parents to spend a few days with us. It has been a very frigid weekend, but the Lord gave us a very blessed and brilliant weekend. Sunita was able drive up from Washington for the weekend, and returned safely yesterday.
The Old Testament reading for yesterday was taken from Isaiah 42. I was reading from today(Isaiah 43:2) today. "When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression (A feeling of being heavily weighed down in mind or body), you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you." In other words, God promises to be with us in whatever trouble we go through in life.
Dave Dravecky lost not only a game but a career, a livelihood, his pitching arm, and his shoulder, when he was stricken with cancer many years ago. He has energetically rebuilt his life and looks forward to whatever tomorrow might bring. He now runs Outreach of Hope non-profit organization to help people that are suffering.
Is it possible for someone to be physically, emotionally, or financially abused and come out as an extraordinary person? Is it possible for someone to have wealth, popularity, and power and be miserable? (Romans 5:3-5) states, "We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us--they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation. And this expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love."
(James 1:2-4) "Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything."
Some of the world’s greatest men and women have been saddled with various disabilities and adversities, but have managed to overcome them. Cripple him, and you may have a Sir Walter Scott. Lock him in a prison cell, and you may have a John Bunyan. Deafen a genius composer, and you may have a Ludwig von Beethoven. Have him born of parents who survived a Nazi concentration camp, paralyze him from the waist down when he is four, and you may have an incomparable concert violinist, such as Itzhak Perlman. Call him a slow learner, even "retarded," and write him off as uneducable, and you have may have an Albert Einstein.
(2 Corinthians 4:17-18) For our present troubles are quite small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever."
When spring came to England after the devastating bombing raids of 1941 by Nazi Germany, a strange thing occurred. It brought a beautiful, botanical resurrection. The explosions brought to the surface seeds of plants which were thought to be extinct. Some 95 different flowers and shrubs were found suddenly growing and blooming in the bomb-pocked landscape of England. Likewise, adversity in life often turns up unexpected and undeveloped parts of our lives. The bombs of adversity and suffering often resurrect long-dormant flowers.
(Joel 2:25a) The LORD says, "I will give you back what you lost to the stripping locusts, the cutting locusts, the swarming locusts, and the hopping locusts."
(Isaiah 26:3) "You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, whose thoughts are fixed on you!"
In Grace and Peace,
Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jEXDPzqo2g
The Old Testament reading for yesterday was taken from Isaiah 42. I was reading from today(Isaiah 43:2) today. "When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression (A feeling of being heavily weighed down in mind or body), you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you." In other words, God promises to be with us in whatever trouble we go through in life.
Dave Dravecky lost not only a game but a career, a livelihood, his pitching arm, and his shoulder, when he was stricken with cancer many years ago. He has energetically rebuilt his life and looks forward to whatever tomorrow might bring. He now runs Outreach of Hope non-profit organization to help people that are suffering.
Is it possible for someone to be physically, emotionally, or financially abused and come out as an extraordinary person? Is it possible for someone to have wealth, popularity, and power and be miserable? (Romans 5:3-5) states, "We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us--they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation. And this expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love."
(James 1:2-4) "Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything."
Some of the world’s greatest men and women have been saddled with various disabilities and adversities, but have managed to overcome them. Cripple him, and you may have a Sir Walter Scott. Lock him in a prison cell, and you may have a John Bunyan. Deafen a genius composer, and you may have a Ludwig von Beethoven. Have him born of parents who survived a Nazi concentration camp, paralyze him from the waist down when he is four, and you may have an incomparable concert violinist, such as Itzhak Perlman. Call him a slow learner, even "retarded," and write him off as uneducable, and you have may have an Albert Einstein.
(2 Corinthians 4:17-18) For our present troubles are quite small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever."
When spring came to England after the devastating bombing raids of 1941 by Nazi Germany, a strange thing occurred. It brought a beautiful, botanical resurrection. The explosions brought to the surface seeds of plants which were thought to be extinct. Some 95 different flowers and shrubs were found suddenly growing and blooming in the bomb-pocked landscape of England. Likewise, adversity in life often turns up unexpected and undeveloped parts of our lives. The bombs of adversity and suffering often resurrect long-dormant flowers.
(Joel 2:25a) The LORD says, "I will give you back what you lost to the stripping locusts, the cutting locusts, the swarming locusts, and the hopping locusts."
(Isaiah 26:3) "You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, whose thoughts are fixed on you!"
In Grace and Peace,
Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jEXDPzqo2g
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
