Coffee With The Lord

CREEPING COMPETITIVENESS

When the Lord uses or blesses someone else more than you, there is always the temptation I refer to as “CREEPING COMPETITIVENESS.”

In Matthew 11:1-6, John the Baptist had heard the reports of all the wonderful things Jesus was doing and the crowds he was attracting. It appears perhaps, that just a “smidgen” of misunderstanding and jealousy crept in (is that possible?)… After all, John had faithfully, as forerunner, announced the coming of “The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” Now the One he had announced was performing miracles, casting out devils, and cleansing lepers… and he, John, was in prison…figure!!!

The message Jesus sent back to John, is one that rebukes us all when we begin to experience “CREEPING COMPETITIVENESS” with fellow Christian brothers and sisters when God blesses and uses them… “Blessed is the one who is not offended by Me!”

The lesson? BEWARE OF “CREEPING COMPETITIVENESS! (Check out 1 Corinthians 12:26; Romans 12:15)

Who’s in Charge Around Here Anyway?

“Providence” is God’s sovereignty + His love!

I was very impressed by the following during my Bible reading today of Genesis 41… The story of Joseph in prison in Egypt, the interpretation of several dreams (including Pharaoh’s), his meteoric (and providential) rise to power to ultimately bring provision to the people of Egypt (and ultimately to the people of Israel) in famine. You really need to read this chapter!!!

Here are the evidences of God’s “Providence”…

1) His concern for the people of Egypt

2) God’s communication through Pharoah with two dreams

3) God’s positioning of a righteous and godly person (Joseph), unjustly accused, in prison who was able to interpret God’s purposes and give wisdom about what to do to face a national crisis

4) God favor upon Joseph that resulted in his incredible rise from prison to palace, and his great significance to a needy nation as it faced a crisis

5) God’s ultimate plan to save His people

And there are probably more sovereign, providential acts of God that could be identified…

My opinion? God is ultimately capable! He knows what He is doing! His purposes are beyond our human understanding! HE CAN BE TRUSTED TO “WORK ALL THINGS TOGETHER FOR GOOD FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM AND ARE THE CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE! (Romans 8:28) Ask Joseph!!!

I read the story of Joseph again this morning and his experiences in Potiphar’s house and in Prison – as a slave and as a prisoner – a person was treated unfairly and accused unjustly (Genesis 39). Here is person who illustrates “YOU CANNOT KEEP A GOOD MAN OR WOMAN DOWN!” Here is someone who shows us what it means to live with integrity and enjoy “THE FAVOR OF THE LORD”!! Here are some of the key phrases in the story…

“The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did… Potiphar noticed this and realized that the Lord was with Joseph, giving him success in everything he did… From the day Joseph was put in charge of his master’s household and property, the Lord began to bless Potiphar’s household for Joseph’s sake…

“But the Lord was with Joseph in prison and showed him His faithful love… The Lord was with Joseph and caused everything he did to succeed.” (From Genesis 39 in the New Living Translation)

I want to live that way!! I want to deal with whatever life brings (just or unjust) with such devotion to God and integrity that “THE LORD MAKES ME TO PROSPER” AND I ENJOY “THE FAVOR OF THE LORD”!! I want to live my life daily in such a way that not only I am blessed but that others are blessed because of me… don’t you?