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Count Your Blessings

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Do you know that you are blessed?

The first part that we usually long after and want to see in the beginning is for the blessing to help us in the purpose that will eliminate harm or enhance life. Yet while we are so consumed in the miracles benefits we often miss the other purposes that are only realized after the fact.

Exodus 14:19-31

[19] And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them:
[20] And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night.
[21] And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.
[22] And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.
[23] And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen.
[24] And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians,
[25] And took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the LORD fighteth for them against the Egyptians.
[26] And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.
[27] And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea.
[28] And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them.
[29] But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.
[30] Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore.
[31] And Israel saw that great work which the LORD did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD, and his servant Moses.

19 – The lifting of the pillar of cloud from their face represents that temporary moment where we as flesh see our own vulnerabilities prior to the blessing.
20 – The angel came between the   camps, representing how God goes out before us in our battles. The cloud came as darkness for one and light for the other. If you are following the will of God for your life than what is blessing you begins to open up a pathway and puts fear into the enemy.

21- Moses’s hand going out represents what God seeks from us as humans; a willingness to serve by faith and to be what seemingly goes against our sight.

22 – The emphasis of dry ground demonstrates the cleanliness of how the spirit cleanses our soul by salvation and sanctification; the waters as a wall are how the Holy Ghost preserves our salvation to walk in righteousness (dry ground). This also demonstrates Gods love and compassion for the feet that He knew would be weary to walk in moistened ground.

23 – Represents the attempted intimidation and pursuit of the enemy towards us.

24 – God’s host begins to demonstrate his power over the enemy.

25 – God dismantled their mobility so they could not only cease their pursuit of us but not able to retreat for another attack.

26 – The hand over the sea now is a demonstration of God’s authority and power that destroys the enemy as we obey.

27 – The sea returning to its strength shows that if we abide in the perfect obedience of the spirit the Holy Ghost within us goes from a protector to being empowered from within.

28 – We then see the totality of the destruction of the enemy; this also opens up the full completeness of salvation, totally saved, no not one enemy survived.

29 – Speaks to their survival and the truth and proof that God had prevailed.

30 – Seeing them dead shows us today that he who the son sets free is free indeed, not to be attacked with these same specific circumstances again.

31 – The miracle then became a testimony, thus giving something as we move on to the next wilderness that we will have something that we will look back on that will remind us that we have all the attributes that we need to overcome over and over again.

Be A Lively Stone

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John 3:3

[3] Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

The new birth is necessary. Why? When we consider the substance within us that is without Christ it is totally susceptible to the temptations of the enemy. Without salvation our soul is not prepared for what is to come when this vapor of life is over.

John 8:44

[44] Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

We had to be born again from sin and brought into a new life everlasting. We are made into a new creature through Christ, leaving the nature and failures/mistakes of the old creature behind. We no longer have to look at the past with regret and fear; for we have been forgiven and have overcome with the blood of Christ and the spirit of God!

John 1:12

[12] But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

If there is no spiritual birth through Jesus Christ there can be no spiritual life through the Holy Ghost.

1 John 4:9

[9] In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

Life is only come through God’s manifest of the Holy Spirit! Without it our natural lifesource within our bodies will fail and will come short.

1 Peter 2:2

[2] As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

If there is no life there can be no growth.

Ephesians 4:13

[13] Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

Without growth there can be no perfection (maturity) through our trials.

Romans 8:21

[21] Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

If there is no maturity there can be no liberty in the anointing of the spirit!

Romans 8:15-17

[15] For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
[16] The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
[17] And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

With no liberty we are not able to hold the inheritance of maturity through sanctification of the spirit on a consistent basis.

In other words…same old trial ups and downs, etc.

Without using the opportunities in our lives to grow by surrendering to God in the hard times we will find defeat in repetition.

Be Glad For God With Us

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Matthew 1:20-23

[20] But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

[21] And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

[22] Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

[23] Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

I praise God for the meaning of Christ, which is Emmanuel, which is God with us!

Luke 2:11

[11] For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

When we are lost we look to Jesus as our savior

Being guilty, we now through Christ sacrifice have our high priest, our all in all

Hebrews 1:3

[3] Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

Hebrews 4:15

[15] For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

sometimes when i pray i just thank God that He hears me, God with us

Hebrews 13:6

[6] So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

When we are weak and are facing difficult times we can look to Christ as our help, God with us

John 14:18

[18] I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

When we are lonely, He is our greatest comforter, God with us

Christ’s mission to all of us

His mission to the devil:

1 John 3:8

[8] He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

His mission to the angels:

Hebrews 1:6

[6] And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.

His mission to the prophets:

Matthew 5:17

[17] Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

His mission to God:

Hebrews 10:9

[9] Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.

His mission to the Lost:

Luke 19:10

[10] For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

His mission to sinners:

Matthew 9:13

[17] Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

His mission to those that are dead in sin

John 10:10

[10] The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

His mission to believers

John 12:46

[46] I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

What We Can Find In Christ

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Matthew 11:28

[28] Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

There is rest for the weary!

John 14:27

[27] Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

There is peace for the troubled!

John 15:11

[11] These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

There is joy for the sorrowful, remaining joy!

John 10:10

[10] The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

There is life for those that may feel spiritually dried up or dead. Through Christ there is life!

John 15:9-10

[9] As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
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10] If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.

There is love for the forsaken, continuing love of Christ!

John 14:2

[2] In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

There is a heaven for those lost without a home for their soul!

Luke 12:32

[32] Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

There is a throne in glory for the lost!

Real Life Fruits Of The Spirit

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Galatians 2:20

[20] I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

We are crucified with Christ, yet we live!

Galatians 3:13

[13] Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

If crucified with Christ we are then dead to the law.

Galatians 2:19

[19] For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.

If dead to the law we have been made alive unto God.

Galatians 5:1,13

[1] Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

[13] For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

If made alive unto God we have liberty through the access that was by with the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Galatians 5:16

[16] This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

If we have liberty from the bondage of the flesh we will live in the spirit.

Galatians 5:22-23

[22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
[23] Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

If we live in the spirit we will bear the fruit of the spirit.

Galatians 6:14

[14] But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

If we bear of the fruit of the spirit we will have what we need to rejoice.

Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh

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Matthew 2:7-12

[7] Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
[8] And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
[9] When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
[10] When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
[11] And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
[12] And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

Many would have you pass through this passage, but let us take a closer look at the significance of the visit of the wise men. Isn’t it amazing how wonderful the feeling is when God provides the light, the star, the word of God to provide the direction to be closer with Christ, it should cause us to rejoice.

1) The gift of gold was given to symbolize that He was God in the flesh. Sometimes people refuse to see the value and worth of the gold, and accept fool’s gold (or their own ideals instead).
It is given first to represent obtaining salvation.

Job 23:10

[10] But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

2) The frankincense was given to Jesus as a symbol of His holiness.Frankincense was the resin from a tree. It was obtained by cutting the bark of the tree and letting it harden, followed by it being ground to powder.

Exodus 30:34-36

[34] And the LORD said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight:
[35] And thou shalt make it a perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary, tempered together, pure and holy:
[36] And thou shalt beat some of it very small, and put of it before the testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation, where I will meet with thee: it shall be unto you most holy.

It was placed on the altar of incense to be a sweet odor to the Lord. It was given after the gold because holiness before salvation would attempt to be used for self-righteousness. Holiness destroys the unsaved, like wood or hay, but it begins to purify gold!

3) Myrrh is different, as it represents suffering, trials, tribulations:

Hebrews 5:8

[8] Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;

Jesus never escaped the myrrh throughout His entire life. As Jesus received these gifts, we too also receive the gift of gold (salvation), frankincense (holiness), and myrrh (suffering) from our wise and almighty creator. Suffering is not to destroy us, but to teach us obedience.

2 Timothy 3:12

[12] Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

Why is myrrh the only gift mentioned at the end of Jesus life? Gold (salvation) is a one-time gift, Once it is given it cannot be revoked

Romans 11:29

[29] For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

Frankincense (holiness) is something you clothe yourself with. You clothe yourself with Christ and become separate from what the world wears.

1 Peter 5:10

[10] But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

The Gift Of Compassion

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Matthew 9:35-38

[35] And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
[36] But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
[37] Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
[38] Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

Let’s break it down a bit to the perspective of compassion:

The harvest, or the potential for the hope of the lost to be helped

Is plenteous, or more than enough (running over even)

But the laborers, or the cultivators of a harvest

Are few, or not enough

If there is anything that we need to have (and promote) to the lost and dying world, it is compassion. It is the one thing that you cannot have without having a selfless love; it is the one thing that God had for man so that we can go free from sin, and even as a man Christ had compassion for us!

Zechariah 11:17

[17] Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened.

One must be careful to not allow themselves to fall into a state of idleness; for by doing this you can hurt other people that need you to help but have you do nothing.

Galatians 6:1-10

[1] Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
[2] Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
[3] For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
[4] But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
[5] For every man shall bear his own burden.
[6] Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
[7] Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
[8] For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
[9] And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
[10] As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Exercise compassion by having an understanding of others’ burdens and learn to bear them together so that you will be strong enough to overcome your own.

Grace, Marvelous Grace

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Romans 3:9-24

[9] What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;
[10] As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
[11] There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
[12] They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
[13] Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:
[14] Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:
[15] Their feet are swift to shed blood:
[16] Destruction and misery are in their ways:
[17] And the way of peace have they not known:
[18] There is no fear of God before their eyes.
[19] Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
[20] Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
[21] But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
[22] Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
[23] For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
[24] Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

1 – a blessed change comes to pass in a sinners state when we become a true believer, regardless of whatever we were before. God cannot be at peace with a sinner while we are under the guilt of sin. A justification takes away the guilt, and through our justified faith in the peacemaker Jesus Christ our sins are forgiven.

2 – We were and are led into this grace, something we did not have before, and by our justified faith and undeserving grace…something happens…we stand! It creates a posture that causes us to rejoice.

3-5 – tribulation worketh patience, suffering produces endurance
and patience experience, endurance produces character
and experience hope, character produces hope

hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Ghost

Romans 5:1-20

[1] Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
[2] By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
[3] And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
[4] And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
[5] And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
[6] For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
[7] For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
[8] But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
[9] Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
[10] For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
[11] And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
[12] Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
[13] (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
[14] Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.
[15] But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
[16] And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.
[17] For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
[18] Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
[19] For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
[20] Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

Thank God we have the peace, freely given, that goes beyond what we can understand or comprehend. Thank God for the amazing grace and access to it!

Romans 6:1-7

[1] What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
[2] God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
[3] Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
[4] Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
[5] For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
[6] Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
[7] For he that is dead is freed from sin.

Paul was speaking to those that have oftentimes taken advantage of God’s grace and was saying that not only the sin must die but the man’s carnal nature.

Romans 8:35-39

[35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
[36] As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
[37] Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
[38] For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
[39] Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

When we come into the almighty grace of God in true submitted unity we come to the revelation that there is nothing formed in the earth, whether carnal or sinful that could conquer or come against what grace performs to the soul. This passage means the world to me: it is one of the most powerful and empowering verses that encourages mankind to look within them and use the grace of God to overcome everything that would try to destroy them. Praise the most high for the abundant, undeserving and mercy-given grace for each and every one.

God Is With You

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Genesis 37:5-11

[5] And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more.
[6] And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed:
[7] For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf.
[8] And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words.
[9] And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me.
[10] And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?
[11] And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying.

Sometimes we often want to go straight from God’s love and favor to being in riches and reward…and at times in your obedience there will be direct and indirect types of persecution from those that would be envious or jealous of the anointing in your life! Be careful and be aware of the first steps that must be taken for the blessing.

Genesis 39:1-4

[1] And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither.
[2] And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.
[3] And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand.
[4] And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.

Even after being sold into slavery Joseph still had favor. He still had some proving and testing to do by enduring suffering and resisting the temptations of the enemy.

Genesis 39:19-23

[19] And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled.
[20] And Joseph’s master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison.
[21] But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.
[22] And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it.
[23] The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the LORD was with him, and that which he did, the LORD made it to prosper.

Joseph had no family for any comfort. Potiphar chose Joseph’s prison to be the best of the worst…the prison of the king. However this was just another step in the process.

Always remember: a person living for God will live for God no matter where they are in life, and will be blessed in bondage and banishment. Let us never forget that through Joseph to see Jesus, who suffered being tempted, yet without sin; who was slandered, and persecuted and imprisoned, but without cause. Who by the cross ascended to the throne! Let us be able to follow the path of suffering to glory!

Loose Him And Let Him Go

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John 11:34-45

[34] And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.
[35] Jesus wept.
[36] Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!
[37] And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?
[38] Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.
[39] Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.
[40] Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
[41] Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.
[42] And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.
[43] And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
[44] And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
[45] Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.

34-35 – Jesus was concerned and wept because He loved him, just like that same love is representative to His love for us

36-38 – All the reasons in the world to give up, yet Jesus pressed on into God’s will, even in the face of death and the voices of doubt around him.

39 – When Jesus came to the stone being rolled away, He was standing in the very presence of death.

40 – By saying this, something amazing was about to happen!

41-42 – Jesus speaks out to God and gives glory for understanding what is about to come to pass.

43 – What a boldness, what a power, and what a miracle!

44 – Death (or as we know as sin) tried to prevail once more by what Lazarus was bound to: graveclothes (justification for sin) and a napkin (the belief that one cannot change and they are finished). By the power of Christ sin had no hold and that which was dead came alive! This miracle was a prophetic word of the future sufferings Christ would endure for you and I!

Death! Turn loose and never have a grip again!

John 12:2-9

[2] There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.
[3] Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.
[4] Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him,
[5] Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?
[6] This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.
[7] Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.
[8] For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.
[9] Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.

2- Lazarus stayed with Christ, leaning on Him in this time of coming from present death and danger.

9 – and oh how the enemy is bold enough to attempt to put the same death (temptation) on Lazarus; thus being the same way we are tempted to fall into our old ways. But through Jesus Christ’s command and as we know through the word of God, we were made free and can stay free through Him.