Don’t Forget To Remember…

One of the situations we have today, not only affecting and infecting the United States but also across the world is the remembrance of history. The remembrance of how we got to the point of where we are. We have lost sight of connection and human brotherhood. Yes, our past has many injustices and atrocities that cannot be ignored, but when we choose to learn from them, we can garner added benefits.

Exodus chapter 1 gives us an example of how this ignorance of history can lead to the downfall of a nation. Exodus 1:6-8 speaks of the death of Joseph, of his brother and their generation. It speaks of the fruitfulness of the children of Israel and the prosperity of the Egyptian nation but there is a problem. The passage states that a “new king” arose which knew not Joseph. Joseph’s name means “Jehovah was added”. In other words increase, exceeding and continued abundance was added just because of the presence of Joseph. The reason that the nations of Egypt prospered was because of the children of Israel who lived and operated under the covering of Joseph. Yet all the “new king” of Egypt could see was a growing immigrant culture of people who were infiltrating his land while completely ignoring the benefits and fruitfulness that they were producing not only for themselves but the nation of Egypt as a whole. The unlearned “new king” instilled into the nation of Egypt a mindset of being overran by the “immigrant” enemy. The “new king” knew not Joseph. He did not know that Jehovah adds. Don’t forget to remember where all your blessings come from. How is it that the “new king” knew not Joseph? How do you not know your history. When the “new king” issued edicts to undercut and enslave the very people that contributed to the success of the nation, things began to falter. Where were the “new king’s” advisors? Were they also ignorant of Joseph? We sometimes tend to believe that new is better so we ignore the wisdom, the taste, the aroma of that which has been aged by time. When you as “new king”, fail to see the hand of God on your nation and how He through His own sovereignty is blessing you, you then begin to negate and forget Joseph. Soon you drift into a state of tribalism. It becomes an us against them, even within the same community. We forget it was the “us” along with “them which was added” that made the nation great, prosperous and fruitful.

Understand, in the seven Jehovah titles there is not one that illustrates that He brings division. It is the nature of Satan to bring the opposite of what the Father desires. Always with the addition of Jehovah connotation there is peace. The Father delights in adding, that it might be even more fruitful. Herbs, spices and salts adds to the flavor of the original food . How is it that we miss that concept in community, governance and yes even ministry? Wake up world. A house divided against itself cannot stand. Across the globe division seems to be the preeminent call for today. The word diversity does not mean division, it means variety, assortment, mixture, range and multiplicity. The nation  is strengthen when we remember Joseph, Jehovah was added. Jesus prays to the Father in John 17 His desire for us to be a s one even as He and the Father are one. If the message is division and “us against them” then we have failed to remember Joseph.  Don’t forget to remember…

 

 

What Is On Your Agenda Today?

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” – Jeremiah 29:11

There are times when it is both good and appropriate to take stock in our lives and part of that process involves making plans for the future. Proverbs 16:9 – A man’s heart deviseth his way. We have a responsibility to plan and make decisions. In fact, decision making is unavoidable for us as creatures made in the image of God. God has given us the ability to think and to create. There is not one cognitive person who is not able to make a decision. There are however indecisive people around who deliberately exercise their wills to refrain from making a decision but that is too a conscious decision for which they will answer to God. Decision-making is inescapable and God expects us to make the wisest decisions that we can, based on the knowledge that He provides us. The mind of man (a man’s heart) plans his way. But we must not forget the second part of Proverbs 16:9. A man’s heart devises his way, but the Lord directs his steps. We must not fall into the trap of thinking that God is distant from the decisions and the choices that we make in life. We are busy planning our way, but it is God who directs our steps in accordance with the plans that he makes for us. Nothing catches God by surprise. It is not that in our lives there is a whole host of possibilities and God has to wait until He finds out what decision we are going to make and then alter His plan accordingly. No. The wonder of God’s sovereign providence is that His plan embraces the decisions that He knows we will make. At times He will take us along the path of our perceived choice and at times, He will take us in another direction entirely. God makes plans for me and for you. We ought to commit our plans to God and strive to follow His revealed will, always. Valley experiences and mountainside experiences both test your maturity and determination. Many of us want the mountaintop, rising above the cares of the world but I have learn so much more of God in my valley experiences. It is in the valley where we find the lilies and the cooling brooks. Even though it seems like trouble is on every side like the mountains presenting seeming barriers against our life’s progress, yet the father will direct us. Indeed, our steps are ordered by the Lord. We might not comprehend or agree with the direction and duration but He is the GOOD SHEPHERD. Trust Him! It can feel lonely at times but know you are NEVER alone. What you see today, may not reveal your tomorrow but keep walking, keep following Him. And like the sun rising above the distance horizon, His glorious plan will be revealed from the veil of darkness. Hopes and dreams you have given up on and do not see how they can come to pass, if He has ordained it, planned it, He will present it, keep walking.

“As for God His way is perfect”(Psalms 18:30). Once one decides to do the call and purpose of their life that God has ordained, not only saying ‘yes’ but actively pursuing the ‘yes’, the chains of doubt have a way of magically (if I might use that term) falling off of our lives, as He gives our expectation. What has the Father put on your agenda this day? What are His thoughts that He thinks towards you?

I pray that on your journey your constant companion is – Peace, Paco, Shalom, Beke, Paix, Rauha, Paz, Frede, Mir