Marriage

"The voice of my beloved! Behold he comes." v8      Song of Solomon 2:8-13      NKJV  

This piece of scripture describes the beauty and peace of a successful marriage which is rooted in Jesus Christ. It can be described as pre-marriage or during marriage itself. It can also be read, as a love poem of our relationship with Jesus.

The husband longs to be with his bride, his lovely wife. The scripture tells us that, he goes leaping upon the mountains and skipping upon the hills, rather like a gazelle or young stag. The reference to the mountains and the hills speak of obstacles that can get in the way of marriage and how the husband will do all he can to skip over them so that they have no lasting affect on the relationship.

The husband speaks of springtime, a lovely time of year. A time of hope and new growth. The winter is past. Note this, the husband should always be the spring in his wife's winter and

 'Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine, in the very heart of your house,'  Psalm 128:3. It takes both partners to fulfil a successful, God-filled marriage. But a message to husbands, 'If you want a "Summer wife", who continues to bear good fruit, don't bring home winter weather. Leave it outside' 

As we have seen, springtime brings new life, so the man should bring new joy to his darling. 'The fig tree puts forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grapes, give a good smell. Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away,'  Song 2:13. 

It may have been a difficult time in your marriage, of late. But this can happen to many couples. But there is success on the horizon! The secret is having the ammunition to blast a way through the bad stuff and reach the good. The winter, with all its troubles, cold, frost and frozen pipes, leave behind; behold, the spring is here and it is time to rise up and leave dross behind. Life is too short for frictions. God intended and still does, for man and wife to dwell together in harmony, and this means, both partners working at the helm.

The voice from heaven is calling, 'It is time to rise up, the winter has gone; spring and a bright future are here. It is time to rejoice and be grateful!

Copyriight 2021 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com 

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

Joseph The Final Part

"But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive."                                                              

                                                                                                       Genesis 50:20     NKJV 

We have seen jealousy, envy, pride, bad parenting skills, abuse, slave trafficking, attempted rape  allegations, imprisonment, hopes dashed and finally major blessing and restoration. Crimewatch has nothing on this family. But who was to blame? Who could we point the finger at for Joseph's suffering. It was not the brothers, they were part of it, yes; but the main culprit behind all of this was Jacob. He was the father and had the responsibility, he should have kept control of the family and most definitely, he should have shared his love and care equally, and not favoured one over the other.

What the brothers saw was learnt behaviour. Jacob had a shady past and had been far from trustworthy in the past. If he knew about all this jealousy, he did nothing to change things and Joseph had to put up with it all. Yes, the brothers acted in an evil manner and when Joseph finally revealed himself to them, he could have paid them back 100 fold, but he didn't. What he did tell them was, 'But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good.' God saved the day and restored this family, but their values were changed they had learned some lessons over all of this.

You may not have been through all Joseph had, but probably you can echo with a part of it. You may have been wronged, abused and treated abysmally but look how Joseph handled it. If you do the same, God will match it and turn evil into good.

To a degree, Joseph handled things the way Jesus would have done. He could have wiped his brothers off the face of the earth and Pharaoh would have turned a blind eye. But he didn't. Forgiveness, promise of care and love was what he offered them all. He knew that vengeance was of God; he knew that He would repay, he didn't have to do a thing. Vengeance is of God, we forgive. Did you get that? We forgive.

Is there someone you need to forgive? If there is, then do it. Even if they have died, you can still forgive them and unhook yourself from the past. If you do, God will turn it into good.

Copyriight 2021 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com 

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

Joseph Part 9

"We are truly guilty concerning our brother, for we saw the anguish of his soul when he pleaded with us; and we would not hear, therefore this distress has come upon us." v21   

                                                                                             Genesis 42:21- 43:24   NKJV

Joseph's brothers had indeed bowed down to him, as he had said. He also recognised them but didn't say so. He listened to them for a while and then accused them of being spies. He had no feelings of revenge but wanted them to feel remorse for what they had done. He placed them in prison for three days and then on the third day, he said that one of them should remain in prison and the others should go back and bring their younger brother, who Joseph knew was Benjamin.

They discussed this in Hebrew, but unbeknown to them, Jospeh could understand. He heard them saying that they were guilty of selling him into slavery and all the distress that they had caused him. He decided that Simeon should be kept in prison while the others took grain to their father and brought Benjamin back to him. They didn't know it but Joseph had restored all of their money as well, and, when they did, they feared him greatly because he would truly feel that they were indeed spies. 

Why was Joseph doing this to them? Well, we know it was not revenge. He had heard them speaking and he had been led to tears.It was more likely that he detained them to allow them to feel what it felt like themselves. Joseph had been detained in a cistern, perhaps Joseph wanted them to feel this anguish too. It was more likely though, that God was using him to drive them to repentance. God would want them to work through all of this, repent and then be restored. They had already shown their guilt in the conversation that Joseph had overheard.

When they had returned to their father, Jacob refused to send Benjamin back with them. He didn't want to lose another son but as the grain ran out and the fear mounted that they had their money restored to them, he relented, and they set off again to Egypt, this time with Benjamin.

The results of our past sins follow us around and their comes a time when we need to put them right. If we've confessed them to Jesus, then they are forgiven and will not be mentioned again. They are under the blood. However, if they haven't, they will surface from time to time and may just resurface when we least expect them to. It is always best to confess all of our sin. This way, God can then begin to help us build a new life and restore us to Himself.

Copyriight 2021 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com 

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

Joseph Part 8

"Joseph gathered very much grain, as the sand of the sea, until he stopped counting, for it was immeasurable.'   v49                                                     Genesis 41:46-57   NKJV 

The 30 year old Joseph had stood before Pharaoh and given him the meaning of his dreams. Now he stood in front of the whole of Egypt as Prime Minister, second in charge to Pharaoh himself. What a change and what a transformation. Where he once had no power, he now had it all. He could do with it what he felt necessary.

However, Joseph never forgot his roots. He belonged to God and although he had been through so much, he knew that God had been with him and honoured him; and it was not over yet! From his marriage to Asenath, the daughter of Poti-Pherath priest of On, he had two sons. He honoured God by giving them the names, Manasseh, which means, He causes me to forget, and Ephraim which means, Fruitful land - God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction. God had not forgotten Joseph and Joseph had not forgotten God. This is why he gave them Theocentric names - God-centred.

Joseph became an industrious and creative manager and created a thriving business. He gathered so much grain and stored it carefully, that it was immeasurable. As the famine struck, people who went to Pharaoh for help, were directed back to Joseph with the words, 'Go to Joseph; whatever, he says to you, do.' This reminds us of Mary at the wedding in Cana, where she told the servants, 'Whatever He says to you, do it.' John 2:5. 

This should be uppermost. in our minds, whatever He tells us to do, we need to carry it out and quickly. At times we are so busy or full of pity party feelings, that we fail to carry out God's directions. We need to change this and quickly because the word has the power to get us out of the situation. To dilly-dally, means we may muss out. This is why we need to spend more time with Him. To fail to do so, is a recipe for a dry spiritual life.

Joseph had prophesied to his brothers, and later to his father, that they would come and bow down before him. Genesis 37:10-11. They had been very angry with him. But don't forget, Jacob had kept the matter in mind. v11. Joseph's word was about to come true; they were about to bow the knee to their brother.

You know, God will always have His way no matter how much we may struggle or refuse Him. He'll wait until we're ready. But while we are waiting, time is going on. God has all the time in the world, we don't. We need to make the most of it while we can. Is there something you need to do? If it is Godly directed, then do it.

Copyriight 2021 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com 

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

 

Joseph Part 7

"Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?" v38   

                                                                                                          Genesis 41    NKJV 

It was now two years since the chief butler had been released and returned to work for Pharaoh, and Joseph had heard nothing. We all have to wait for things and it can be very difficult, but in Joseph's situation, it would have been devastating. He had entered the prison when he was 17; and he is now 30 years old and he has no future to look forward to.

And then, Pharaoh had a couple of dreams and no one could interpret them for him. The professionals tried - Pharaoh's magicians, and failed and Pharaoh was far from pleased. All of a sudden, the chief butler remembered Joseph and told Pharaoh how he had interpreted his dream. Joseph was sent for straightaway. You know, God waits for the appropriate time. When we're waiting, it can feel like God has forgotten us. Not so, He waits for the right time and then moves. This may be where you are at this time. be confident, God will work for you at the most perfect time.

Now we all talk about wearing our 'Sunday best.' Well in a way, this is what Joseph did. He shaved and put on some different clothing. It would have to do because this was all he had. He stood before Pharaoh and he explained the dreams that he had had, expecting Joseph to work some magic. Joseph was quick to reply, 'It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.' Joseph said this to show Pharaoh that it was God, not him that could do such a thing. 

Joseph explained the dream and told him that there would be 7 years of plenty and 7 years of famine. Pharaoh knew at once that he needed a man who would be wise and intelligent enough to work through these two time slots. He promoted Joseph right there and then. He was given Pharaoh's signet ring - a symbol of power and authority; a wardrobe of beautiful clothes and his very own chariot. Joseph had become a somebody. In fact, he had been transformed from an unwanted sibling sold into slavery, an attempted rapist, a prisoner and now the Prime Minister of Egypt.

When God is setting something up, He won't let human wisdom come up with the answer. He is God and only He, has the answers.

You may not end up as the Prime Minister but, God can transform you in the blink of an eye. He can turn you from a nobody into a somebody. Get ready, a blessing is coming your way!

Copyriight 2021 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com 

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

Joseph Part 6

"But remember me when it is well with you and please show kindness to me; make mention of me to Pharaoh, and get me out of this house." v14                                      

                                                                                                      Genesis 40:1-23     NKJV 

Have you ever been falsely accused? If you have, then you will know the anguish and frustration it causes to both yourself and those around you. Joseph was totally innocent. He had been rejected by his brothers and sold into slavery. After getting a good position in Potiphar's house, he is falsely accused of attempted rape by Potiphar's wife and then placed inside prison. Sometimes it can seem that everyone is against you. These false accusations can ruin our reputations and follow people around all their lives. People hear about it and most, believe it to be true. 

Fortunately for Joseph, God was with him and raised him up in the prison to be in charge, under the prison keeper. The keeper would have been only too pleased to take a back seat and let Joseph take the responsibility. It is possible, but not recorded, that Potiphar, who placed Jospeh in prison, had given a good word about him to the keeper, thus giving him an elevated position. This would have proved that he mistrusted his wife.

Joseph got on with his prison work and one day, two new people turned up, the chief butler and the chief baker, again by the captain of the guard, which could well have been Potiphar. They had angered Pharaoh and were now paying the penalty for this.

After a while, Joseph noticed that they looked very sad and they said that they had both had dreams, but no one could give them the meaning of them. Joseph, who was a dreamer and had the gift of interpreting them, gave them both the meanings. Joseph told the chief butler that he would be freed in 3 days and reinstated to his position. However, in 3 days time, the chief baker would be hanged. Joseph pleaded with the chief butler to mention Him to Pharaoh, but he forgot. v23.

It must have been agony for Joseph, waiting to see if the chief butler had spoken of him to Pharaoh. He could well have been having mind games, thinking he would soon be freed and allowed to go back to his home. Agony after agony, but it didn't come at that time.

When we are mistreated, falsely accused and generally treated very unfairly, we often wait for the perpetuators to be punished. Revenge can be rife if we allow it. The thing is though, God cannot work on our behalf when our attitudes are like this. We need to trust in verses such as, 'Casting all your care upon Him for He cares for you' 1 Peter 5:7. If you don't hang on to these life verses, then you are sunk. God's word to you today, is to hang in there. He is setting things in place for your release from this bad time. He has not forgotten you. You are very much on His mind.

Copyriight 2021 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com 

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

Joseph Part 5

"Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance"  v6                

                                                                                                      Genesis 39:6-23     NKJV 

Scripture tells us that Joseph was a handsome young man; probably bronzed and full of muscles. This was a great attraction to Potiphar's wife, who probably didn't have a lot to do around the place. When she saw Joseph she wanted to sleep with him and told him openly. Now this gives me the impression this may not have been the first time she had done such a thing to a man working in the house. She was definitely full of confidence and out for a good time.

Joseph flatly refused the temptation. 'How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God,' he told her v9. At this time, his resistance was quite high and he would have recognised the trap that she was trying to bring him in to. She did this several times until one day, there was no one in the house except her and Joseph. 'Lie with me,' she said, catching him by his garment. The seduction was so strong that Joseph ran. Why was this? My guess is that, her charm was so irresistible that if he had stayed a moment longer, adultery would have taken place and he would have been hooked and drawn into her daily power.

We should always run from sin; in fact, if we can, don't even go near it. God gives us wisdom and at times we don't have to be rocket scientists to know that it would be unwise to go to a certain place or be with someone who could be a temptation. Sometimes, sin is subtle, and this is why Joseph ran. The problem is, she still had his garment in her hand and because she  had been spurned, she was on the attack. She falsely accused him of attempted rape.

She told Potiphar, who was furious that this had happened. Now, he was a captain in Pharaoh's guards. He had the power to have Joseph executed but, he didn't. In stead, he had him thrown into prison. This may well be because, he knew about his wife's flirtations; it may have happened before. Therefore, he had Joseph imprisoned.

The great thing about this, is that, no matter what happened, no one can change God's plan. He had brought Joseph favour at the house, He would now bring him favour and success in prison. This is why, we should always trust God with our lives. He knows best and when we are in His will, no matter what happens to us, God will always bring glory out of it. Joseph was thrown into prison, but the prison keeper was so impressed with him, that he placed him in charge of the whole place.

Isn't it great when God is at work? You see, whatever someone may try to do to you, or say about you, if you leave it with God, you will always be on the winning side.

Copyriight 2021 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com 

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE