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If you grew up in church, you probably heard about Joseph and his coat of many colors. The world is fascinated by the story of Joseph. Genesis chapters 37—50 chronicles the story of Joseph. In summary, as a favored son, his father gave him a special robe that indicated royalty and divine favor. However, his brothers were envious of Joseph, so they sold him into slavery. Joseph then continued to go through mishap after mishap until he became the second in command in the world’s most powerful nation.

What an example for all of us. God allows us to go through a process to prepare us to become His riches and our highest best. But, like Joseph, we must hold on to the dreams and visions that God has given even when times get tough. You may have heard the preacher’s story – God took Joseph from the pit to the palace. In Genesis, you will find this confirmed along with the pitfalls along the way. In Joseph’s story, we learn three crucial keys to Kingdom living. They are (1) trusting the dream, (2) not compromising, and (3) never giving up.

Although Joseph lost the coat, he held on to his dream. Joseph shared a dream that he had during the night with his siblings and parents. In his dream, his family bowed down to him. God gave Joseph the dream, so it was not his choosing. Often, we wrestle with being set apart as God’s chosen people. We do not want others to see us as different, so we suppress our true aspirations. Our dreams may not make sense to ourselves, let alone to other people. Therefore, it is essential not to look at our circumstances to determine the possibility of God manifesting our dreams into reality. 

Compromise is a deterrent to greatness. At any given point, Joseph could have said my dreams were mere fantasy. Eve was fooled in the garden not just by Satan but herself. Compromise comes when we question the dream and choose an alternative route. There is a way that seems right, but it is not righteous or God’s right way. The ultimate end of compromise is destruction. “There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12 NASB) – death to the dream and death to eternity with God.

In the Bible, God seldom shows us where a person gave up on His call, but I think we see a glimpse of this in the story of Abraham. It seems that Abraham’s father, Terah, might have been called first but decided to stop along the way, so God called Abraham. You can read the account in scripture. Terah is mentioned four times in scripture. Genesis 11:26–27, Book of Joshua 24:2, I Chronicles 1:17–27, and Luke 3:34–36. As you research the word, you are free to make your own decision. However, the critical thing to note is that if you give up, you cannot finish. Joseph never gave up regardless of his circumstances. When God instructs us, we must not stop until we have accomplished our assignment. 2 Chronicles 15:7 tells us to “be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” Even when times are trying, we are not to become weary in doing good, for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up (Galatians 6:9). 

We are God’s beloved sons, a chosen generation, and a royal priesthood. We are God’s Josephs with robes of many colors indicating the grace that rests upon our lives. As I reflected on breaking bloodline curses that referenced Joseph as an example, I realized that as Josephs, we stand as beacons of light, reflecting His multifaceted and multidimensional depth. Encoded in our natural and spiritual DNA are keys that unlock strategies and mysteries that answer the groanings of humanity. According to Psalm 48:2 KJV, we are beautiful for situations and the joy of the whole earth. However, we must choose to be His answer and reflect His beauty. Our multicolored robe is His answer to the world, but we must choose the way of Joseph, which requires that we trust the dream and the dream giver.

In Genesis chapters six through nine, God asked Noah to build an Ark of safety for all those who would respond to his warning, including the animals. The problem was that the ark was to protect humanity from rain. Rain, as we understand it, had never been seen or felt before. God calls us to do what has never been done before in our generations, but we must rely on Holy Spirit. Our design specificity is locked in our DNA. Often the humanity glimpses his eternal value and tries to know what only the power and person of the Holy Spirit can reveal. To impact our world, we must stand in our uniqueness and live according to His guidance.

II Timothy 2:1 admonishes us that in the last days, terrible times will come. “For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without [the] love of good, traitorous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power (II Timothy 2:1-3).” We need the power of the Holy Spirit to change lives beginning with our hearts. Through His voice, His gifts, His guidance, and His strength, we impact the world. Daily, we see the hurt and pain in the lives of those around us. Sometimes it is hidden behind a human persona of perfection, while it is gruesome in its manifestation at other times. However, as we read the list in II Timothy 2:1, it becomes apparent that the love of humanity waxes cold (Matthew 24:12) and speaks of a waning love. We see this on social media and in our own lives as we pursue purpose.

“By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith (Hebrews 11:7 KJV).” The Bible teaches us that as it was in the days of Noah, so will be the last days. What was going on during the days of Noah? During the time of Noah, demonic influences filled the earth. Our world, including the United States, is becoming increasingly wicked and open to cultism and occultism. Removed are our values and moral compasses to accommodate lascivious lifestyles lacking Biblical boundaries. Yet, we are called to this generation to impact the kingdom of darkness with the Kingdom of Light.

How do we do it? By using our time, talent, and treasure, we can build the Kingdom based on the leading of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was given to us as a governor or instructor as promised by Jesus in John 14 verses 16 through 18. The Holy Spirit came to provide us with the power to be witnesses in our sphere of influence.

What were you created to do? Colossians 3:23 tells us to do everything as if we are doing it for the Lord. We are his representatives. The world is looking to see Jesus, and born-again believers are his representatives. Through the divine enablement Holy Spirit, we demonstrate His power and build an ark of safety for our loved ones and those looking to spend now through eternity in the protection of His presence.

When you are used to fighting to exist, it is easy to be blind-sighted. When times are the most difficult, we try to find a place in ourselves that will give us the strength we need to overcome our circumstances. Our strength may well be our greatest weakness. It might be keeping us from making an exchange and resting in the one who has already gone before us and won the battle.

There are times that we hear sermons about God’s grace given to us through Christ Jesus. We listen to sermons defining grace as God freely granting to us His unmerited favor. Through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus man secured eternal salvation. However, grace is so much more. Strong’s Greek Lexicon defines grace as the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues.

God is always operating in our lives to bring us to His expected end (Jeremiah 29:11). How is this done? Grace grants us mercy (Hebrews 4:16). In addition, grace positionally allows us to sit with Christ above the chatter and the conditions of our old life (Colossians 3:1 – 3:25). It is a gateway to peace (Romans 5:1 – 5:21) and love (1 John 4:19), a door of freedom that can only know through salvation. It is by grace that we become sons of God (John 1:12). God has given us grace through the redemption granted through salvation that we might live His abundant life.

Remove the boxing gloves and enter His rest. It is time to accept all that grace has contributed to you. It is time to make an exchange. His grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9 KJV). Today, make an exchange. Therefore, be strong in the Lord and the power of His might and be strengthened by the grace given in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 2:1 KJV).

Reference

G5485 – charis – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (kjv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g5485/kjv/tr/0-1/

Have you been bewitched? You were running so well. Who has hindered you from obeying the truth Galatians 3:12, Galatians 5:1). Remember Lot’s wife, with her heart entangled with her past; she looked back (Luke 17:23). If I were the author of Luke, I would have reminded the reader of Lot because, unfortunately, he stopped short of complete transformation and ended in sin.

There are things in our past that we consider significant but in the dealings of God are minuscule. We have a choice. We can either hold on to the past or press forward and apprehend what Christ has apprehended for us. God requires a new wineskin for new wine. It is not enough to escape destruction, but their story reminds us not to look back, reach back, nor settle for something short of the new place God has called us to occupy. According to Haggai 2:9, “The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts.”

The Apostle Paul is a great example, he had one of the highest pedigrees for his day and age, yet he counted it as dung for the excellency in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:8). What about you? Are you still holding on to your glory days, or will you allow Holy Spirit to move you into the new place that he has prepared for you? Driven by Holy Spirit into the wilderness, the devil tested Jesus in preparation for his new place as the Savior and our mighty deliverer.

We go through a process after we are born again. God often shows us our potential in him then allows us to go through tests of the heart. Remember Lot and his wife. She became a pillar of salt and he decided that he would stop short of completing his journey. We do not know what might have happened but we know the results. The past years have been trying for many of us, but we must have the determination to press forward and allow Holy Spirit to have His perfect work in us. As we seek the heart of God, not only do we find that the world has changed (meta), but we have changed. Therefore, do not look back nor stop at a place of comfort. God has hope and a future that we have yet to obtain.

According to Merriam-Webster (n.d.), kairos refers to a time when conditions are suitable for accomplishing a crucial action: the opportune decisive moment. Many of us are living our kairos moment. We have stepped into the moment determined to use our time, treasures, and talents to accomplish the purpose for which we were created.

“And God said, let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night, and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years” (Gen 1:14 KJV). When God separated day from night, chronological time was created. Our world is driven by chronological time. Chronological time is sequential time. When we refer to the years from birth to death, we are referring to chronological time. It refers to days, times, years, or a measurable time such as 24 hours or the year.

Chronological time is referred to 2287 times in scripture, so we do not consider it insignificant. In fact, scripture tells us that we should number our days (Psalm 90:12). Why, because our days on the earth have been numbered or limited (Job 7:1). We go about our days, not realizing that any night, within a week or before the year ends, our life could be over (Luke 12:20). It is appointed to every man a time to live and a time to die (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). How disappointing to God to see us live our lives as if He does not exist by ignoring the plans that he has for us that will bring us hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). Although chronos speaks of the concept of time that is quantitative, kairos refers to the qualitative aspect of time.

Most of us understand the quantitative aspect of time, but how do we live in such a way that the quality of our lives reflects the richness that God created and expects us to enjoy. Kairos comes from the Greek word kairos (καιρός) and is an ancient Greek word that speaks of an opportune critical moment that must be taken advantage of to be impactful. It was used in describing when John the Baptist was born in Luke 12:20. We are not accidents; we were born at an opportune time. Now the question remains, what are we planning to do in this moment that God has given us. This is our Kairos moment. We must step into the moment bold and confident in the God we serve and trusting Him for the sufficiency of His grace.

Scripture References;

2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

2 Timothy 1:7 – For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Romans 12:2 – And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Ephesians 6:10 – Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

References

Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Kairos. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved October 18, 2021, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kairos

Merriam-Webster (n.d.) defines neutrality as “the quality or state of being neutral especially refusal to take part in a war between other powers.” My beloved, you may have missed the small print that indicated that salvation enlisted you in the strategic military warfare of the Captain of the Host, Jehovah (Yhwh) Sabaoth. You could have read the small print but thought that the army inferences were metaphorical. No, my beloved, we are in a battle, and the confrontation may be invisible, but it is genuine. You were in a struggle before giving your life to the Lord but were unaware of the consequences. Yes, someone may have told you about heaven versus hell, but it did not compel you to make different choices in your everyday life without an understanding. Apostle Paul warns us in II Timothy 2:3-4 that as soldiers, we are not to approach our circumstances as if we were civilians (neutral). Still, we are to be actively engaged in warfare. Unfortunately, God’s soldiers, like the children of Israel, are looking for a neutral stance that gives them the option to do things their way.

God’s mercies are new every morning, and daily we can choose. The choice is who we are going to serve with our time, treasure, and talents. There is not a neutral stance. In the light of scripture, a neutral stance is a choice to serve the kingdom of darkness. The prophet Elijah challenged the people to decide in I Kings 18:21 (KJV). When we try to find a neutral ground, this option defaults to choosing the enemy. When Elijah spoke to God’s people, he said, “How long halt ye between two opinions? If the LORD [be] God, follow him: but if Baal, [then] follow him. And the people answered him not a word.” Notice that the people only had two options, but they did not respond; it indicates that they were contemplating a third choice or a neutral stance.

In Deuteronomy 30:19, God gives Israel a choice, His way, which is life, or the course of his enemy, which is death. Daily we must commit to choosing life. We have an option to live God’s way, whether in our homes, meeting rooms, classrooms, or community. What would happen in our world if more of us would choose to live a life reflective of our Heavenly Father. Keep in mind a neutral stance is not an option.

Daily Prayer

 For a prayer boost in this area, check out Power up Morning Prayer Surge at https://www.talkshoe.com/episode/16589541.

Daily Scripture

II Timothy 2:3-4 Thou, therefore, endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of [this] life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier (KJV).

I Kings 18:21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, how long halt ye between two opinions? If the LORD [be] God, follow him: but if Baal, [then] follow him. And the people answered him not a word (KJV).

Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, [that] I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore, choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live (KJV).

References

Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Neutrality. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved September 17, 2021, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/neutrality

When we read the encounter of Jesus walking on water, our logical response is, how could this be.  How can a human being walk on water?  Throughout our lifetimes, we learned that gravity would not allow a person to walk on water.  You might say that Jesus was not a mere man.  You are correct, but he was the son of God in an earth suit like the one we wear given to mortality – even death.

The fact that Jesus Christ was still wearing mortality leads me to believe God’s objective is to teach us a different principle. At this point, scripture does not give us any indication that the disciples fully grasped the identity of Jesus. To reinforce, my suspicion Peter, one of the disciples, joined him on the water and proceeded to walk on water with Jesus. To the degree that Peter had faith in Jesus, he too walked on water.

After a day of ministry, Jesus compelled his disciples to leave him with the crowd that had just seen the miraculous feeding of over 5,000 persons from a small lunch that a young boy offered to the disciples. Instead of joining them, he told them that he would join them later as they traveled to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. In the meantime, Jesus followed his often documented routine.  He climbed the mountain to meet with his father. 

Jesus appeared between the hours of 3 am, and 6 am walking on water.  Peter sees him and, in fear, asks him to prove that He was Jesus. Jesus said, “Come.” Peter responds by immediately leaving the eleven and joins Jesus as he, Peter, walks on water towards him.

 God calls us to be like Peter. Once assured that it is Christ, our immediate response should be to leave the others and pursue Christ.  It does not matter the tumultuous of the terrain.  It only matters that Jesus said, “Come.”  Peter had the faith to go beyond his comfort zone and pursue the vision that Christ presented to him.  The possibility of the miraculous – walking on water, overcoming the logical and the predictable to do something that he had never experienced.

Are there situations in life that seem impossible for you, yet you hear God calling you to leave the boat and walk with him?  Once you get out of the boat, learn from Peter.  No matter how stormy the wind is, if you have faith to keep your eyes on Jesus and not become afraid, you can walk on water.  Do not let fear, shame, or pride keep you from crying out to Jesus if you lose focus.  He is there waiting to lift you out so that together to can fulfill your purpose. For with Jesus, all things are possible to them that believe (Mark 9:23).

Daily Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, you have called each of us to a particular assignment based on our uniqueness and the specificity of your plan and your purposes (Jeremiah 29:11). We hear you as you bid us come.  Today, we respond in trust to your will for our lives.  We thank you, heavenly Father, that you will never leave us or forsake us, and you created us to join you on the waters of life no matter how turbulent the wind as long as we keep our faith in you, we will not sink but if we do thank you for picking us up so that we can begin anew. Amen.

Daily Scripture

Matthew 4: 22-32 (NKJV)And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.  And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.  And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.

Training is not about us as much as it is about the individual being trained. Whether a parent, a leader in a corporation, or a pastor of a church, we need to lead with this principle as well. It is not about us. It is about serving those we are responsible for in our leadership capacity. When we “train up”, everyone succeeds.

I often hear the scripture Proverbs 22:6 used to justify punishment or correction.

Train up a child in the way he should go [teaching him to seek God’s wisdom and will for his abilities and talents], Even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 AMP

As a parent we have the responsibility is to correct a child’s misbehavior and establish proper boundaries for the sake of the child.  This is foundational for the future of our children. Yet, this scripture is not as much about punishment or correction as it is about personal development.

We often try to mold our children into preconceived notions of what we need from them. However, each person is created with a unique set of attributes. God has entrusted us with the responsibility as a parent to train our children in the way intended for them to grow. Children come with a their personality, gifts, and abilities. Parents must seek to understand who they have been entrusted with in order to mold the child into his designed purpose.

We need to understand the giftings and personality of every life we have been entrusted with in order to provide the proper training and nurturing needed for growth. If everyone is living their riches and highest best then we have created the best environment for everyone’s success and infused the bottomline with creativity and expansion.

Yes, there will be those who refuse to be their best selves. Through our willingness to serve them as leaders when they are old or come to understand,  they will have the training or blueprint for future success. It may not be beneficial to us in short term but impactful to a life for eternity.

For the Lord God helps Me, Therefore, I have not been ashamed or humiliated. Therefore, I have made My face like flint, And I know that I shall not be put to shame.
Isaiah 50:7 AMP

According to some theologiansIsaiah 50:4–11 is considered one of four “Servant Songs” in Isaiah where the prophet Isaiah references the suffering of the Messiah, Jesus the Christ. Since I am not a theologian but I am a servant of the Lord, I see myself in this passage of scripture along with my savior. God has a plan for each of his children (Jeremiah 29:11-13). My mission is my created purpose. To fulfill my mission requires that I find my focus and set my face like flint.

According to Smith’s Bible Dictionary, flint was a “well-known stone, a variety of quartz. It is extremely hard, and strikes fire. It was very abundant in and about Palestine.” For my face to be set like flint means that my drawing back is not an option. If I am to fulfill my mission, I have to “set my face like flint.” I must be as firm as a horses hoofs (Isaiah 5:28) willing to face what seems impossible (Deuteronomy 8:15; Psalm 114:80).

I want to strike fire and blaze a trail that others might follow.  This requires absolute obedience such as Hesus modeled. I have learned that partial obedience is not obedience at all. What hope would we have if Jesus only did a portion of His mission? Even if you are not a believer, I am sure you see the folly in not finishing as assignment. It is one thing to fail, another to quit, and worse yet never to start.

God puts destiny in our hearts. According to Ephesians 1:11:

Through our union with Christ we too have been claimed by God as his own inheritance.  Before we were even born, he gave us our destiny; that we would fulfill the plan of God who always accomplishes every purpose and plan in his heart (TPT).

He never intended for us to do it alone but instead we are to walk in union with Christ. We see now that the Suffering Servant came to free us so that we could be empowered by His presence. Find your focus. You may face obstacles that seem overwhelming but when you stay focused you will not be put to shame. God always wins.