Podcasts about Potiphar

Garth Heckman The David Alliance TDAgiantSlayer@Gmail.com Gravity  -  You can't beat it. Client lost 265 pounds… Box jump 2 inches… to 20 inches.   You can't beat gravity… but you can improve.   Eph. 3 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.   Look at the dot of an “I” in your bible. That is the sun, it holds 1 million earths Our current earth is the galaxy it lives in THERE ARE PLANETS OUT IN OTHER GALAXIES THAT ARE BIGGER THAN OUR GALAXY.      Paul is essentially praying that his listeners will do the impossible: to intellectually comprehend something that is inherently beyond intellectual comprehension, all so they can be entirely consumed by the divine.   He is telling you to try to beat gravity… you won't but you can experience it greater and greater.      A teacher in bible college put it this way… Describe to someone what the ocean is who has never SEEN THE OCEAN AND NEVER experienced anything liquid.     God calls us to grasp how wide, long, high and deep his love is… knowing we never will fully grasp it.      But the attempt is clear: ALWAYS FOCUS ON GODS LOVE FOR US!        When you focus on Gods love 3 things happen in your life!        - 1. Sin We don't have a sin problem,  we have a knowing God problem.     Knowing His Supreme love keeps us tender and sinless - think of the time you were most whipped in love. I can. Kim and I were dating and she was in the car leaning forward fiddling with the radio. I was outside standing behind my car filling it up with gas. I looked at my buddy Pele and said can you believe that girl loves me? I literally could not fathom it… He looked at me in disbelief and said “it makes no sense”. **But what if he then said “how many times do you think she will let you fool around  with other girls… how many times will she let you smack her around, lie to her, steal from her, gossip about her… etc… I would have had a mental breakdown and sparks shoot from a short circuit in my head… that would make no sense to me. Knowing God's love keeps us from asking how far can I go in the world...     Satan will take your sin, your past, your guilt and try to make you feel like a servant. ITS CALLED SIN CONCIOUS   John 14:31 If you love the father you will obey his commandments. Love God = the fruit is obedience.   *if you focus on the commands you will be religious and guilt ridden and sin conscious.     You will fall into the trap of trying to push yourself away from your sin Using willpower Discipline Rules Accountability    What did Joseph say when he was tempted by Potiphar's wife? He remembers the 7th commandment: Thou shalt not have adultery… NOPE!  

One of the greatest stories ever told was told in the Bible.    It's in Genesis.    A story about a man named Joseph, not Jesus' Earthly Dad, but another Joseph.    A pair of brothers sell their brother Joseph into slavery to a man named Potiphar.    Joseph gains favor with Potiphar and works in the house.    Potiphar's wife asks Joseph to take her to bed, and he refuses.    She rips her clothes and Joseph is taken into custody on her accusation.    Long story short, he interprets a dream for a Pharoah and is liberated.    Out of this story comes my favorite word to this day.    Listen for the lesson.    About the ReWire Podcast   The ReWire Podcast with Ryan Stewman – Dive into powerful insights as Ryan Stewman, the HardCore Closer, breaks down mental barriers and shares actionable steps to rewire your thoughts. Each episode is a fast-paced journey designed to reshape your mindset, align your actions, and guide you toward becoming the best version of yourself. Join in for a daily dose of real talk that empowers you to embrace change and unlock your full potential.    Learn how you can become a member of a powerful community consistently rewiring itself for success at https://www.jointheapex.com/   Rise Above 

Manifesting Sonship (1) (Audio) David Eells, 6/7/26 Parable of the Persecuted Man-child David Eells - 01/18/2012 This came to me in the middle of the night of 1/18/12 and I hurried to write it down before I forgot it. Joseph took care of his father's flocks with his brothers before he was anointed to reign. His brothers became jealous of him and hated him and could not speak peaceably to him. The Father's favor was on Joseph, Who gave him a coat of many colors, symbolizing the attributes of light, since a prism breaks down light into the seven main colors. This represents the seven attributes of Jesus in 2 Peter 1:4-8, called divine nature. Joseph had dreams from God of being anointed to be over his brothers. His brothers hated his dreams and slandered them and God Who gave them. The brothers also hated and slandered Joseph. They agreed to throw him in a pit with plans to kill him. As traitors and Judases, they sold him into bondage for personal gain. They also wanted to inherit the flock as their own. They treated him as their own possession, as though God did not see their evil deeds. However, He saw and considered it as evil against His Son: (Mat.25:40) Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of these my brethren, [even] these least, ye did it unto ME. They took Joseph's coat of many colors and tore it between them and put the blood of a goat on it. This symbolizes their slandering his integrity and imputing to him an evil nature. (This was as the Pharisees treated Jesus. These apostate brothers did not know Jesus either, and their beast parted his garments, too.) These leaders of the harlot church proclaimed an evil beast had done this and in this, they were right. In this captivity, Joseph was then slandered by the harlot of Potiphar, the chief executioner, and thrown into a spiritual prison. Joseph was not deterred. His interpretations of dreams fulfilled prophecy as men's fates were decided. As with the butler and baker, some were resurrected from their prisons, and others were eternally destroyed. Because of his gift of understanding dreams and the future, Joseph was promoted and anointed to reign. He taught the people how to store up their treasures in the kingdom so they might be provided for from there. The seven years of plenty came to an end and seven years of famine came, and there was famine all over the world. The Father then sent Joseph's brothers to him so that they might not starve with all the flocks. They did not recognize him because he looked like any worldly Egyptian on the outside. Although all the people came to Joseph for spiritual sustenance, these leaders still did not know the one on the inside. Because of this, they reaped what they had sown and were tried by Joseph's words and falsely accused as they had done to Joseph. (Isa.54:17) No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness which is of me, saith Jehovah. In the fullness of time, Joseph revealed himself to them, and they were greatly saddened for their failures, which had caused them and their families much grief. Joseph comforted them, telling them that they meant evil against him, but God used it for good to save many people alive. All of the types of the Man-child were slandered before and after the anointing came. The Psalms are full of this in David's experience, which was a type of Jesus' experience, which was a type of Jesus in the end-time Man-child ministry's experience. This parable above is in the process of being fulfilled. It is easy to see ‘who is who' in this parable of God just before the seven years of famine begin. Repent while there is still time. Joseph is not in prison alone. Some will end up like the butler and some like the baker, by His Word.   Death of the Davids Eve Brast - 11/25/2012 (David's notes in red) In the dream, David Eells (representing the David/Man-childs) and I (Eve, representing the bride of the last Adam) were in an Army barracks on a base on the second floor. I walked into the room where David was sitting. He was sitting at the doorway, teaching a rebellious man who was sitting at his feet, about not fighting in the flesh because he really wanted to teach his son to rise up and fight the government with guns and weapons. At first, my eyes were focused on the rebellious man, but then I looked up at David and saw the condition of his outward man. He was feeble and old but the voice coming from his inner man was very strong and youthful. (2Co.4:16) Wherefore we faint not; but though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day. (17) For our light affliction, which is for the moment, worketh for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory; (18) while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.) I was shocked when I saw him. He was wearing a long-sleeved white dress shirt, and it was soaked with bloody sweat, just like Christ in the garden just before His crucifixion. He had been laboring in great travail and prayer while teaching this rebellious man who had been sitting at his feet. (I have discovered that teaching the rebellious man is a wonderful way to be crucified of self at his hand.) When I looked at him, he motioned to me with his finger by pointing to his mouth and then pointing to me and indicating to me to read his lips because his old man could not speak anymore. (The tongue is a good indication of whether the old man is dead. (Jas.3:2) For in many things we all stumble. If any stumbleth not in word, the same is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also. A perfect man is one who is dead to self.) When I read his lips, he said without a sound, “It's time.” And then he pointed at R. S., who was his personal secretary/nurse in an office to his right. He wanted me to alert her. I didn't understand what was happening and I became concerned because he looked like he was going to die! (Please read our book, How Shall We Die, to know the way of death to self.) Then he pulled his blood-and sweat-soaked shirt open (like Superman does) and I saw a bright red scar running down his sternum. Then I understood that he had recently had a heart transplant and now it was time for him (the old man) to pass away. (A heart transplant is in effect the death of the old heart and resurrection of the new.) I ran and got R.S., who was a white woman in this dream. She jumped up and ran to catch his body as it slumped in his chair and passed away. She said, “We've been waiting and preparing for this to happen for quite a while now”. She reached David just in time to catch his body and lower it down to the floor. I was sorrowful that he had left us, as the brethren took his body away. I felt the way the disciples felt after their Shepherd, Jesus, had been crucified. (The Davids are going through a crucifixion and death of the old man.) I then went back to another barracks where I also taught the revelations the Father had given David to others, and where we all slept. (The Bride will pass on the Man-child's teachings in the tribulation.) It was dark outside, and on the way back, I heard a radio broadcast in my right ear. The disc jockey was criticizing me and slandering the good news teaching that I had been sharing with others. I didn't realize that anyone knew about me or that I taught the good news to others. I then smiled and said to myself, “I don't care if they don't like me because I know what I've taught is the truth of the Word”. (Persecution will come on the bride, as it did on the Man-child, so the bride too can walk in death to self and share the same gift with the world.) A confirmation: This is a small portion of a dream I had on the morning of 11/26/12, confirming the “death of David.” In one part of the dream, David's voice is heard teaching out of a very large stone fireplace with a blazing fire burning, which was inside a white homeschool convention center. (I have had several dreams with fireplaces, but this is the first one that actually had a fire going in it.) David was sharing a dream from a UBM brother with us then afterward, he was going to share a dream I was given. (Fire represents tribulation, which burns up flesh. The Davids are in the fire, which will purify their Word and make it effectual for many more people, implied by the “white homeschool convention center.”) At another point in the dream, I was out in the foyer of the convention center, in front of the two huge, carved double doors of the entry into the center, when my son, Elijah, who was 10, ran up to me and asked, “Do you think I can have David's ministry when he's dead?” (I am sure that when the Davids manifest death, many will inherit from them their mantle and ministry, especially all of the witnesses, typed by Elijah.) I said, “I don't know. You will have to ask him, but I'm sure it's okay”. I then looked way up high above the double entry doors and saw very large, red music notes, edged in gold, mounted on the wall. I thought, “Enter into His courts with praise!” (The color red represents the “sacrifice of praise.”) (The Davids should complain about the fire less and praise the Lord more, in great appreciation for this unmerited and gifted ministry to come!)   Sonship or Persecutor? Golda Meyer - 05/14/2006 (David's notes in red) Children, carry forth this message, for truly, the time is no more. Hours in the day are crunched. Mercy time is crunched because of My chosen ones. For long you have walked in the wilderness, hoping for more, groaning for more, and crying for more. I have seen your tears, and I know of the cries in your hearts. Children, the time is here. Like Mary accepted the seed of the Holy Spirit in her womb, so did you. But travail came in a terrible way in her young life, but she rejoiced in the Birth of the Sign - Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Sign, but even the Sign had to be fulfilled in the Promise. And this is happening. Children, it is happening still, for the Promise is fulfilled with many sons of God coming into Sonship. Children, this is that time now. It is Sonship time. Now you will see the true Sonship. Men and Women of God on this earth truly walking like Jesus did. By this, you can see who the sons are and who are not. Discernment will be so easy, and the works wrought by their hands in perfection are driven by Love. And this Love is from God; for no man, it does not matter how long and hard they try, can muster this Love up from their own will. These sons are sent by God, and cannot by their own will achieve anything. They have died and given over fully their wills to God. Deep in the river do they abide, knowing only the Love and Strength and Life of their God. You will see them appear - all of them. From the quiet and the secret places are they coming forth, and in great strength, for all in them is from Me. And they shall rule in the way I want them to rule. No tolerance for evil or flesh will they be able to show, for the mere idea stinks with rot to them. For I AM in them, fully employed and in Power. They will not tolerate any mediocrity either, and harsh will be their words sometimes, but it is for healing only, motivated by Love. You shall see their strength and their beauty in the LORD. Only those who abide in the LORD can follow this road. Abiding in the Vine, the Vine of all Life-giving. Only those can move to Sonship, for in the fellowship and intimacy of God, only herein could they grow into maturity. That time of maturity is here. And they will mature simultaneously, in great numbers, to impact this world. This world will know of the Glory of the Lord, for it will be shown in great and splendid public display. How shall this be? Oh, you shall see, for ALL will be healed in the Presence of God, in Mine Glory and ALL shall be delivered in the Presence of God, of those that will accept the LORD Jesus Christ as their Savior. The Healing and Deliverance is for ALL who will receive Me. For ALL. They will walk, talk, and do like Jesus, and even more so. For much splendor will I bestow on this earth, and great is the Glory of God, for My Presence will fill this earth, and even the sinners will know that I AM God. So children, have eyes wide open, for those that will see, shall see, and those that will hear, shall hear. The others shall be veiled, unless My intercessors intercede and stand in the gap for those who are lost. Children, hear your Father's Heart. I will not, that anyone go astray, so stand in for those that you know are not with Me. For I long to feel them in My Heart, for I have created them in Love. Don't let them die, children, but pray for them to Live, and have Life abundantly. You are greatly blessed with the Light; now shine that Light unto others, so they may live. (Joh.6:39 And this is the will of him that sent me, that of all that which he hath given me I should lose nothing, …) Dearest children, this, your Father asks of you today, to be merciful unto others as I AM merciful to you. Pray earnestly for those, and I shall save them, for the prayers of the righteous avail much. Love Me first and love others as you love yourself, and truly, your rewards are great in Christ Jesus. Now then, My beloved, pray for unity, for I want My Church together in great strength, for in unity there can be no division, and if no division, then comes forth great Strength in Christ. Accept them, each other, and do not cuddle dominion loyalty, but be loyal to your God and to each other. As I AM, so you shall be. Now see My sons, for you shall truly say: How long have I been in your midst? See then Me, in My sons, for this is who I AM. ALL in ALL. Dearest ones, be faithful to My commands and be blessed in Christ Jesus, for truly, great is the time upon you. Great is the Grace upon you, and great is the Glory of God upon this earth. So it shall be. AMEN. Rom 8:16 Rom The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are 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 with him. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us-ward. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation waiteth for the revealing of the sons of God. Rom 8:29 For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren: 30 and whom he foreordained, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. Let's look at some scriptures concerning our persecution and the reasons, and if we endure, the rewards. (Mat.5:4) Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.   Obviously, we mourn. The world is full of laughter and enjoying everything that's going on around them, but like Lot (2 Peter 2:7-8), we're grieved in our hearts. When we put the Word of God in our heart, the Jesus Who is in us is grieved at the things that go on around us, is grieved at the advantage that the wicked take of us, is grieved at the persecution that they bring against us. Losing your life can be painful, of course, but if we obey Jesus' commands, He will make it as quick as possible. Thank You, Lord! Needless to say, there is a place of mourning because of the persecutions and the tribulations that come upon us through the wicked people around us. Jesus told us in (Luk.6:21) Blessed [are] ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed [are] ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. (22) Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you [from their company,] and reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. We don't see that as a blessing, but it's listed here as one of God's blessings because when we're hated of the world, that means we're loved of God. If we weep because of what we're giving up in the natural, because of persecutions that we're suffering and enduring for Christ's sake, persecutions that we endure because of the crucified life, this is good.  The Lord is going to bless us for this. (Mat.5:10) Blessed are they that have been persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Another Scripture tells us, (2Ti.3:12) Yea, and all that would live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. If you're going to live Godly, as Jesus walked, you are going to suffer persecution, and it's for the purpose of crucifying that old man. But notice He said, “Blessed are they that have been persecuted for righteousness' sake” because if we suffer for doing evil, we don't receive glory or gain any advantage for that (1 Peter 2:20, 3:17). And many of us do suffer God's chastening for doing things that are contrary to His Will, but that's because He loves us and wants us to turn and go the other way. (Mat.5:11) Blessed are ye when [men] shall reproach you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. We don't like to suffer persecution, or people speaking lies against us, and so on, but God said, “Blessed are you.” This is more of God's humbling process, that we should accept what's being spoken against us. Jesus told His apostles, (Joh.15:20) Remember the word that I said unto you, A servant is not greater than his lord. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. If they did it to our Lord, they'll do it to us, and so we should be rejoicing in our persecution. In fact, look at what the very next verse says in Matthew. (Mat.5:12) Rejoice, and be exceeding glad (Notice that's our command from the Lord.): for great is your reward in heaven… We're going to receive a reward because of all the things that the wicked do; things the wicked Christians and wicked worldly people say against us. We're going to get a reward for that, and so He tells us to rejoice and give thanks to God. I don't believe when we're on the other side of our trial, looking back, brethren, that we're going to think, “Boy, I'm sorry I went through that!” It says in (Heb.12:11) All chastening seemeth for the present to be not joyous but grievous; yet afterward it yieldeth peaceable fruit unto them that have been exercised thereby, even the fruit of righteousness. Obviously, we're going to see the results of God's blessings and the things that He's provided for us because we have gone through that, and because of the peaceable fruit that God is working in our hearts by our going through this. No, I believe we're going to thank God and we will be rejoicing! (Deu.28:7) The Lord will cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thee: they shall come out against thee one way, and shall flee before thee seven ways. In the midst of the trial, “hearken” unto the Word. Accept the good report, and the devil won't know what to do with you, and neither will your physical enemies (Numbers 13:30). Our physical enemies come against us as persecutions and a matter of crucifixion, so the best thing to do is lay down your life. Stop trying to save yourself by man's methods. Put your trust in the Lord and “hearken diligently” unto His Word.   Will You Eat with Chickens or Fly with Eagles? G. W. - 10/06/2008 (David's notes in red) I had a dream that was very clear. I found myself in a school classroom full of students and everybody was there learning. David Eells was teaching about this great event that was going to happen, almost like it had to do with dinosaurs. (Many think the Biblical events of the disciples walking as sons of God to be extinct, but they are coming again now to repeat history.) I was so excited about this event, and I watched and studied everything David did and said. It was as if the rest of the class took it lightly and didn't really pay close attention as much to the things he was saying. I then watched him as he and some students were outside, and one of the students lit a firecracker that went into a tree and exploded. In my mind, I realized that David had the authority to stop this, but he let the student do it anyway. (The tree is America, and some will rebel and fight against her in the flesh, which will separate them from the true disciples. This is a test, like many other things.) Then David and I were in front of the class, and he said, “It's time.” Nobody in the room knew what he was talking about but me, and even I didn't really understand, but I was filled with excitement. In front of the class, he then pulled out this ring that was about the size of a car tire and put it over my head. I then disappeared in front of the class and found myself going up to heaven. (The ring over the head represents the authority of the King manifested through the renewed mind.) I thought to myself the whole time I was floating up to heaven, “Wow, David was right, and I'm so glad that I listened”. (This is the authority to walk above the laws of the earthbound in the kingdom of heaven on earth.) I then realized that I was still on earth and now I had the power to fly. I then began flying around all over the place and around people, but they could not see me. But then I began to think in my mind that flying wasn't as fun as I thought it would be, and I thought there would be more to it. (Overcoming the gravitational draw of the world is not fun or painless for the flesh.) I then flew around a public swimming pool with people in it and the swimming pool pulled me into the water with the people. (The water of the worldly bound represents their carnal teaching. “Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers”. “Be not deceived: Evil companionships corrupt good morals”. “A little leaven leavens the whole lump”.) I tried to fly again, but I could not fly; it felt like the water was kryptonite, and I was powerless to fly. I only had the ability to do what everyone else was doing in the pool. (Their worthless teaching and sometimes faction makes one powerless to overcome the world, and instead, they will walk after the mind and works of the flesh, thinking it to be the normal Christian life.) Then everyone could see me, but they never knew that I could fly before. (Their teaching takes away the power to live like Superman, and the manifestation of Sonship cannot be revealed to them through you because you are just like them.) I then went back to the school to find David. He was there grading papers and talking to a student whose paper he had just graded. I wanted to talk with David, but he was busy grading other papers, and I wondered why he was back there and not in heaven. My whole view of him changed from that which I had in the beginning; it was like now he was just a normal schoolteacher. (When one walks and thinks in the flesh, they are not able to see and associate with those who walk in heavenly places while on earth. The Pharisees didn't recognize Jesus or His disciples as sons of God.) I wanted to speak with David very badly and waited for him to acknowledge me. Then a sixth-grade student, whom I taught when I was an Elementary schoolteacher in real life, said to me with fear, “Everyone saw you disappear in class, and now you're back”. I realized everyone was filled with fear about this, but I was sad that I was back and didn't understand why I returned. (If we fall, we have to start school all over again to learn to be an overcomer by being obedient to the Word. This should put the fear in others not to make this mistake and lose fruit and time to bear it. This is a warning to the body to not mix the worldly teachings and spirits of the apostate church into our life, or we will have no strength to walk in the Spirit as sons of God, as the Man-child and Bride. Sadly this happened and he never flew again.) The Darkness is Closing In So Walk in Jesus' Steps Marie Kelton - 3/27/21 (David's notes in red) I had an open vision a couple of days ago while standing on my front porch. The sky had a reddish-orange color to it. (Representing warning or danger) I was looking in the direction of the stepping stones in the grass. (These stepping stones represent the steps already laid by Jesus, Who is the Word.) 1Jn.2:3-6 And hereby we know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; 5 but whoso keepeth his word, in him verily hath the love of God been perfected. Hereby we know that we are in him: 6 he that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk even as he walked. These stones help us navigate the straight and narrow path, over our flesh nature, that leads to the manifestation of eternal life in Christ.) I was wearing a long, white skirt with a white top and a white head covering. (This is the Leukos or white garment of those invited to the marriage supper. Rev 19:9  And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they that are bidden (invited) to the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are true words of God…14  And the armies which are in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white (leukos) and pure.)  There was a thick darkness (representing demons) coming towards the stairs up to the left of me and a thick darkness (also representing demons) coming to the right of me. Isa.60:1-3 Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of Jehovah is risen upon thee. 2 For, behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the peoples; but Jehovah will arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. 3 And nations shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. So, seek to walk in the light saints and escape the darkness. Then, while standing there, I saw Jesus Who was walking on the stone pathway, but it was no longer a stone pathway but a white light. Psa.119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And light unto my path. He stopped and held out His hand for me to take it. I was standing on the white pathway on my porch. I knew Jesus wanted me to walk with Him on the pathway of light in the midst of the darkness. (Here is an exhortation to those who aspire to be in the bride. Isa.52:1-12 Awake, awake, put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean. 2 Shake thyself from the dust; arise, sit on thy throne, O Jerusalem: loose thyself from the bonds of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion. 3 For thus saith Jehovah, Ye were sold for nought; and ye shall be redeemed without money. 4 For thus saith the Lord Jehovah, My people went down at the first into Egypt to sojourn there: and the Assyrian hath oppressed them without cause. 5 Now therefore, what do I here, saith Jehovah, seeing that my people is taken away for nought? they that rule over them do howl, saith Jehovah, and my name continually all the day is blasphemed. 6 Therefore my people shall know my name: therefore they shall know in that day that I am he that doth speak; behold, it is I. 7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace, that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation, that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! 8 The voice of thy watchmen! they lift up the voice, together do they sing; for they shall see eye to eye, when Jehovah returneth to Zion. 9 Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem; for Jehovah hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem. 10 Jehovah hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. 11 Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; cleanse yourselves, ye that bear the vessels of Jehovah. 12 For ye shall not go out in haste, neither shall ye go by flight: for Jehovah will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rearward.   Your Way Is Marked Sandy Warner - 10/17/2005 I have heard your anxious worries over walking to the tune of My Spirit and walking with others of like minds. I know who and what has been missing in your life, dear one. I understand the pain. You have been sent like a pioneer into non-charted territory and few have walked this way. They have not recognized this great drive that is within you to see what is beyond the next valley. Come walk with Me. Your way is greatly protected and sheltered. I have given you My Word, which you have hidden in your heart. I have covered you and shaded you. Resist carrying too much weight, dear one, for such encumbers your way. Instead, travel light and easy and become so sensitive to My leading that I can lead you with My eye. Look up, change your focus, for it is faith that causes you to rise above all that encumbers you. You belong to Me, My love. I belong to you. Fear not, for your prepared way has an impenetrable fence against the dogs or wolves who devour and bite. I am taking you cross-country and bringing you along the path of laurels, the overcoming ones. Also, you need not fear deception from the wolves, for I have paved the trail before you. Your path is well marked with signs of My Word liberally sprinkled to your right and to your left. I have also sent others before you who have given much in order to leave a trail of breadcrumbs and seeds for you, My precious hungry birds. And even as you have followed the signs and been faithful with what I have given you, you shall be promoted. I will send you into the marketplace to release My Words to those who are starving and, yes, they will listen. In the past, they did not heed My Word and grew hungry while they walked in circles. You are My chosen generation who walked ahead of them. You shall walk out of the wilderness pioneering, leaning upon your Beloved. A great company travels with you, and you shall never be alone again. (SoS.8:5-7 NKJV) Who is this coming up from the wilderness, Leaning upon her beloved? I awakened you under the apple tree. There your mother brought you forth; There she who bore you brought you forth. Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm; for love is as strong as death, jealousy as cruel as the grave; Its flames are flames of fire, a most vehement flame. Many waters cannot quench love, nor can the floods drown it. If a man would give for love all the wealth of his house, it would be utterly despised.   The Mark, Persecution and Refuge I. P. - 03/22/2009 (David's notes in red) I had a dream that the world turned on the Christians. They did not necessarily turn on them because they were Christians, but because they did not receive the mark (of the beast). The war on terror never seemed to cease, and the focus seemed to be on those who did not take the mark. Anyone who refused the mark was considered a terrorist. The whole world had received the mark and even though I did not see it, I knew that everyone had it. Those of us who did not take it had a camp in the woods, hidden away from those in the world. I went into the city one day with my Bible to preach the Word to all those who would listen. After I entered the city, I stepped inside a mall and was taken aback by the strange sight. Everyone in the mall was severely mentally retarded. (The mall represents Babylon's buying and selling with those who have the mark. The mark retards spirituality.) Some of the store owners were outside their storefronts, beckoning people to come into their shop. (Those who seek to sell you their goods or worldly ideas.) Everyone was mentally handicapped, from the shoppers to the owners. (This is the reprobation the Bible promised to those who receive the mark.) Everyone in the mall had severe hatred for me, so I continued walking around until I came to a storefront where normal people were. It was the only shop where the people were not mentally handicapped. I walked to the front counter and they asked, “May I help you?” I said, “No, I am just here to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.” I was surprised because they were happy to see me. I said, “Wow, I thought I would be kicked out of here by now; everyone hates me.” She said, “No, we don't hate you.” They listened to what I had to say. Earlier in the dream, I had sown a blessing to another, and it made sense now that these women gave me more than I had sown before. The Lord met my needs. (These women represent those groups of Christians who do not buy and sell with the world because they are not marked. They also offer in Babylon their truths for those who will receive. Public buying and selling will not last long after the mark is forced. I suggest giving and receiving for which there is a reward.) So I walked back out of the city into the woods where our camp was. My fiancée (who's now my wife) welcomed me there. I walked to a lake that was inside our camp, and I saw David Eells and another man lying in lawn chairs, basking in the sun. (This represents the David/Man-child ministries resting from their own works abiding in the Son.) They were rubbing suntan lotion on and enjoying the day. (Resting in the anointing.) The man who was with David had a mustache that curled upwards; he was also a minister and seemed to be in the same position of authority as David. They were like elders of the community. The other elder was a bit sterner and more old-fashioned, but still in the same spirit as David. (The Man-child ministers will not be carbon-copies but will all walk in the Spirit of the Son.) They asked me about my day, and I proceeded to tell them all that had happened to me.    Christ Manifest in Us  David Let's examine some verses about how Jesus is coming in this matured body of sons. Christ will manifest His life and ministry in these. (2Th.1:10-12) when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be marvelled at in all them that believed (because our testimony unto you was believed) in that day. (We are still coming out of the dark ages but God will reveal the greater works in our day.) (11) To which end we also pray always for you, that our God may count you worthy of your calling, and fulfil every desire of goodness and [every] work of faith, with power; (12) that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. (2Co.3:18) But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit. (Col.3:4) When Christ, [who is] our life, shall be manifested, then shall ye also with him be manifested in glory. (Gal.4:19) My little children, of whom I am again in travail until Christ be formed in you. (Col.1:27) to whom God was pleased to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: (28) whom we proclaim, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ; (2Co.4:10) always bearing about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our body. (11) For we who live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. (Eph.3:14-19) For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father, (15) from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, (16) that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that ye may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man; (17) that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; to the end that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, (18) may be strong to apprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, (19) and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, that ye may be filled unto all the fulness of God. (Eph.4:11-15) And he gave some [to be] apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (12) for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ: (13) till we all attain unto the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a fullgrown man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: (14) that we may be no longer children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error; (15) but speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, [even] Christ; Maturity is having Christ manifest in you. It says in 1Jn2:28 And now my little children, abide in him; that if he shall be manifested (the three most ancient manuscripts of the New Testament, the Nestles text, the A.S.V., the R.V., and the Numeric New Testament agree to this translation) if he shall be manifested we may have boldness, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. This means that “If he shall be manifested” in us, we won't be ashamed when we see him. 1Jn.3:2 “Beloved now are we children of God, and it is not yet made manifest what we shall be. We know that, if he shall be manifested, (Again this means manifested in us 2 Cor 4:10,11) (the three most ancient manuscripts of the New Testament, the Nestles text, the Received Text, the A.S.V., the R.V., and the Numeric New Testament agree on this translation) we shall be like him; for we shall see him even as he is”. Notice that we must see the real Jesus to be like Him. The apostate's ‘Jesus' is nothing like Him and so they do not walk as He walked. 2Co.3:18 ASV But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit. This shows us that if we “see him as he is” in the mirror (by faith) then we will manifest His glory. According to quantum physics or mechanics, we must see what we want and believe we have received it to have it. Christ exchanged His life for ours at the cross. (Col.1:22) yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and without blemish and unreproveable before him: (23) if so be that ye continue in the faith, grounded and stedfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel which ye heard, which was preached in all creation under heaven;) That's why we must see him in the mirror by faith in order to manifest Him. (Gal.2:20) I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me: and that [life] which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, [the faith] which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me. This kind of faith is accounted as righteousness until righteousness is manifested in bearing fruit. He who sees his “natural face in the mirror” will be a hearer but not a doer because they will not have power to obey (James 1:23). (Col.3:4) When Christ, [who is] our life, shall be manifested (in us-same as above), then shall ye also with him be manifested in glory. Now notice the life of Christ is His glory and it is manifested in our “mortal flesh” (2Co.4:11) For we who live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. Notice: mortal flesh on the earth, not glorified bodies. The false prophet has told us that we have to settle for being forgiven sinners in this life instead of overcoming sons of God. For many deceivers are gone forth into the world, [even] they that confess not that Jesus Christ cometh in the flesh. (This means in the true believer's flesh.(2Jn.7). Note: “is come” or “has come in the flesh” has no foundation in the ancient manuscripts, the Received Text, or the Nestles Text or Numerics. Paul prayed in Ephesians 3:18,19 that they “may be strong to apprehend (not comprehend- The ancient manuscripts, Received Text and Nestles Text and Numerics agree) ...the breadth and length and height and depth ...of Christ ...and be filled unto all the fullness of God”. I.e., Apprehend all of Christ. The power to do this is faith in Him. According to Paul in Eph.4:11-15, the five-fold ministry is “for the perfecting of the saints...unto a full-grown man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” Through faith in the promises we “cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2Co.7:1). Be diligent in this faith beloved, till He comes, and you will bear the fruit of His works and have great reward. Most of you know this, but I want to briefly explain that ‘Manifest' in these texts means to appear in the physical realm. When we come to Christ, we accept all of His benefits by faith (faith is the substance of the thing hoped for while the evidence is unseen. Heb.11:1) until the sacrifice is manifest in our lives as fruit. According to the parable of the sower, the seed is sown in the heart, but only one out of the four is good ground and brings forth fruit 30, 60, 100 fold. The fruit here is Christ, not gaining other souls. The fruit of the Spirit. He is the “seed” of the word and each seed brings forth after its own kind; not another Jesus. (Rom.8:24,25) For in hope (Greek = a firm expectation) were we saved. But hope that is seen is not hope: for who hopeth for that which he seeth? (25) But if we hope for that which we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. In other words, we wait for the full manifestation of our salvation. When we come to Christ, we receive a new spirit, but our soul, our mind, will, and emotions need transforming. (Rom.12:2) And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind. and ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God. By faith we say with Paul (Gal.2:20) I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me: and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me. As we make this confession of our faith, it will be continually manifested in us, for we are justified by faith. The Holy Spirit gives power to those who believe. If we don't repent and believe the word, we cannot have what it says. As long as we are walking by faith in the word, we are acceptable to God for “faith is accounted as righteousness” until it is manifested. Jesus told his disciples in (Luk.6:40) The disciple is not above his teacher but every one when he is perfected shall be as his teacher. Christ wants to live and be seen or manifested in us. As we repent, when we see the word we permit this to happen. We give good ground to the seed and bear His fruit. (Luk.9:23,24) And he said unto all, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. (24) For whosoever would save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. (2Pe.1:19) And we have the word of prophecy made more sure; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts. This is the manifested glory. (2Pe.1:9-11) For he that lacketh these things is blind, seeing only what is near, having forgotten the cleansing from his old sins. (10) Wherefore, brethren, give the more diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things ye shall never stumble: (11) For thus shall be richly supplied unto you the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. (Jas.1:23) For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a mirror. If we don't see Jesus in the mirror, then that is not faith and we will not be a doer of the word. A doer of the word is manifesting Christ. I received this objection to my letter “Christ In You” from a brother. I am using the word perfection as the Greek word implies, to be mature, or full-grown. Here is an objection to what the Word clearly says: Dave, are you suggesting that the Word teaches that perfection can be attained in this life? Your quote: “perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Cor 7:1). would seem to indicate strongly that it is an ongoing process (known in Scripture as Sanctification) not accomplished in this life. (Notice here you have added to the Word, which brings the curse of the last four verses of Revelation. This also takes from the Word for you can never arrive at the manifestation with this unbelief.) Paul said, “...not as if I had already attained ...” - Paul continues that he is still pursuing that higher life which is found in Christ, who is “in us”. (Paul believed he could by grace manifest what he already said he believed.) 1 John says that if we say we sin not, we lie. We must be careful to differentiate between the goal we strive for (as close to the life of Jesus as possible) and claiming sinless perfection. Try as you may and believe as much as you wish does not erase the “old man” we must constantly fight against. That fight is by faith, of course, in Christ. Here is my answer: I hope you will read this carefully because, as you can see, it is the Word of God. We can't reject any scripture and still say we have the truth. We cannot pick the verses we like in order to justify our religion. “The sum of thy words is truth”. The whole verse says this: Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. (2Cor.7:1) All we have to do is believe what it says without invoking the curse for adding to the word. We are commanded here to use the word of God to separate from worldly thinking and actions. Look at what the following scriptures say: (1Th.4:3-8) For this is the will of God, [even] your sanctification, that ye abstain from fornication; (4) that each one of you know how to possess himself of his own vessel in sanctification and honor, (5) not in the passion of lust, even as the Gentiles who know not God; (6) that no man transgress, and wrong his brother in the matter: because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as also we forewarned you and testified. (7) For God called us not for uncleanness, but in sanctification. (8) Therefore he that rejecteth, rejecteth not man, but God, who giveth his Holy Spirit unto you. How can sanctification not be attainable in this life when scriptures say, (Heb.12:14,15) Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no man shall see the Lord: (15) looking carefully lest [there be] any man that falleth short of the grace of God. Holiness and sanctification are the same Greek word. A person who does not believe it is attainable cannot receive it because we receive it by faith. (2Co.4:11) For we who live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. (Eph.3:18-20) ....may be strong to apprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, (in other words all of Christ ) (19) and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, that ye may be filled unto all the fullness of God. (20) Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Notice, its not our power but His that accomplishes this by faith. Are you saying He can't do this? (Eph.4:12) for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ: (13) till we all attain unto the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a fullgrown man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: (14) that we may be no longer children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error; (15) but speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, [even] Christ; (Col.1:22,23) yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and without blemish and unreproveable before him: (23) if so be that ye continue in the faith, grounded and stedfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel which ye heard, (1Co.15:1,2) Now I make known unto you brethren, the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye received, wherein also ye stand, (2) by which also ye are saved, if ye hold fast the word which I preached unto you, except ye believed in vain. We are justified by faith in the sanctification given us at the cross and that faith continually brings us into manifest sanctification. Faith is accounted as righteousness until righteousness is manifested in us. In this way a person can continue under the grace of God as he bears fruit. Faith is the “victory that overcomes the world” (1Jn.5:4). Faith is “calling the things that are not as though they were” (Rom.4:17), until they come to pass. We must be “seeing that His divine power hath granted unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness... whereby He hath granted unto us His precious and exceeding great promises that through these you may become partakers of the divine nature having escaped from the corruption that is in the world by lust” (2Pe.1:34). Christ made you “free from sin” (Romans 6:18,22) so why should you “live any longer therein?” (verse 22) for you were “delivered out of the power of darkness” (Colossians 1:13) so “reckon yourselves to be dead unto sin but alive unto God” and “let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body that you should obey the lusts thereof “(Rom.6:11,12). “If you live after the flesh, you must die: but if by the Spirit (God's power) you put to death the deeds of the body, you shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God” (Rom.8:13,14). Believe God's promises and escape the lusts of the flesh. “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God (2Cor. 7:1). (1Jo.2:1-6) My little children, these things write I unto you that ye may not sin. And if any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: (2) and he is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the whole world. (3) And hereby we know that we know him. If we keep his commandments. (4) He that saith. I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar. and the truth is not in him: (5) but whoso keepeth his word, in him verily hath the love of God been perfected. Hereby we know that we are in him: (6) he that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk even as he walked. The religions of this day have turned the grace of God into lasciviousness, which is a license to do what you want to do. As we can see from the verses above, grace delivers from sin, not just covers it up. The blood covers our ignorance until we see the light. (Jas.4:17) To him therefore that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. (Heb.10:26) For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more a sacrifice for sins, (27) but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which shall devour the adversaries. Some sins are done in ignorance and are therefore not willful. These are covered by the Blood through faith. For the other sins, we will obviously get chastening until we hopefully repent. (Rom.5:13) ... for until the law sin was in the world; but sin is not imputed when there is no law. You may have sinned a sin of ignorance (not knowing the law) but under Grace, God does not reckon it as sin. That is why we cannot say, “we have no sin” (1Jo.1:8). We are ignorant of many things that are against His perfect will. When we get light, then we are responsible. When does the Blood not just cover, but wash away the very nature of sin? (1Jo.1:5-7) And this is the message which we have heard from him and announce unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. (6) if we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: (7) but if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanseth us from all sin. This is why the Gospel is the Good News. Now we don't have to be content with forgiveness because Jesus is “the Lamb of God that taketh away, not just covers up the sins of the world”. Many of God's people are still living with Old Testament benefits because they don't believe the Gospel. I hope this answer will benefit you in your walk with Christ.   Chosen to Show God's Glory Mary Clark - 04/26/2007 unthinkable = unimaginable, impossible, fantastic, unbelievable, incredible, improbable, extraordinary Word: I want to talk to you about the unthinkable. What I am going to do is unthinkable. No man on the face of the earth could ever think up, ever even imagine, what I am about to bring forth. No man on the face of the earth could ever think up the wonders that I am about to present. It is utterly impossible, absolutely impossible! Keep this in mind when My mighty forces present the coming scenario. Keep this in mind when you see mind-boggling events. Keep this in mind when you see mankind standing agog, looking as if they have seen a ghost or something equivalent. Yes, keep it in mind that I told you that I was going to do the unthinkable. Keep it in mind that I told you that I was going to surprise you with the most extraordinary. Keep it in mind when you see the most incredible sights you have ever seen, much less experienced. Yes, I want you to remember My words when this fantastic display occurs in your vicinity and remember that I told you in advance. Yes, I always let My beloved children know in advance, and this is the season, beloved, for the unthinkable. It is approaching with great rapidity. It is coming by My hand. Stand back and watch as I present My last day scenario and know deep within your heart that all is coming forth for a reason. All is coming forth for a very good purpose. You will see that purpose arise solidly in lives all across the face of the earth, and you will vow that your God does all things well. Yes, you will vow that it is GOOD, mighty GOOD. In fact, you will say that it is unthinkable, and too good for words, too good to be true, but true, yes, true it will be. Yes, true it will be, and you will know that your Beloved has shown forth His mercy in this final hour to bring forth His glory-filled presence for all to see and to know that He is alive and He lives mightily in His chosen. Yes, I live mightily in those called by My name. My very own chosen are arising with purpose to show forth My glory, and what the world will see will be unthinkable, but it will be true, true to My word, a true to life display of the wonders of the living God, shining forth in vast array for all to see and to know that the eternal King has a purpose and has carried it through. Unthinkable? I think not, beloved. I think not. Did I not think? Did I not bring it into existence? Not so unthinkable. No, not so unthinkable at all. Not for Me, anyway!!!

April 25, 2026 - Equipped 2026 - Day 3 - 10:00 AM Session This episode features a heartfelt sermon-style teaching from a pastor/teacher working through Genesis 39, aimed especially at teens, parents, and church leaders. The speaker uses Joseph's encounter with Potiphar's wife to explore how private decisions reveal character and how young people can stand firm in the face of sexual pressure. Topics covered include: the biblical account of Joseph in Genesis 39; three crucial decisions for resisting temptation—deciding who you belong to, deciding how you will respond to temptation before the moment arrives, and deciding what matters more than comfort; the difference between public failure and private character; and the long-term cost of compromise versus the immediate cost of faithfulness. The sermon emphasizes that strength is choosing God in private, and that fleeing temptation is often the right strategy. The speaker illustrates key points with contemporary examples—phone screen-time reports, online temptations and apps, and the marshmallow self-control test—and practical research-backed suggestions such as talking openly about sex and purity, providing a positive home environment, monitoring media, staying busy with good activities, and studying God's design for relationships. The message also includes pastoral encouragement: even when doing right leads to hardship (as it did for Joseph), God's presence and favor remain—"the Lord was with him"—and failure is not final. Listeners can expect candid, practical guidance, clear biblical teaching, and a compassionate call to seek accountability and support from parents, elders, and youth leaders. The episode closes with encouragement to build an identity in Christ, make preemptive decisions about temptation, and accept the cost of faithfulness while trusting God's continued presence and purposes.   Duration 38:32

April 26, 2026 - Equipped 2026 - Day 4 - 9:30 AM Session   The main content of the lecture analyzed Genesis chapters 37 and 38. The first part focused on Genesis 37, detailing Joseph as Jacob's favored son, the intense hatred from his brothers fueled by this favoritism and Joseph's prophetic dreams, and their plot to kill him. This led to Reuben's intervention, Joseph being thrown into a pit, and Judah's proposal to sell him to Ishmaelite/Midianite traders for twenty shekels of silver. Joseph was then taken to Egypt and sold to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh. The second part of the lecture analyzed Genesis 38, shifting focus to Judah and Tamar to explore themes of immorality and hypocrisy. It outlined Judah's family, the deaths of his sons Er and Onan, the unfulfilled Levirate obligation to Tamar, Tamar's desperate act of disguising herself to conceive by Judah, his hypocritical condemnation, and his eventual confession ("She is more righteous than I"). The narrative concluded with the birth of the twins Perez and Zerah. Throughout the session, Kasarjian emphasized practical applications for modern life, including the dangers of parental favoritism, the difficulty of recognizing divine providence as it unfolds, the tendency to judge others' sins more harshly than our own, the untrustworthiness of feelings as a guide for truth, and the biblical principle of reaping what one sows. Duration 40:08

Seasons sits on the front row of Scripture and everyday life. Ecclesiastes says every purpose has a time, so the text insists that nothing down here stays the same and that God sets the clock. Joseph's story then proves it. His coat marks a call. His pit exposes betrayal. Potiphar's house and prison become testing and waiting. Pharaoh's court becomes leadership and restoration. The movement reads like whiplash, yet Joseph does not snap. The coat is not just colors; it points to multiple seasons where favor, identity, and distinction will be pressed and proven. The pattern shows that the believer thrives by acknowledging seasons, discerning what God is doing inside each one, and acting now for the next one. Ecclesiastes 3 promises both change and purpose. So the doctrine of seasons tells the church not to make a permanent call in a temporary chapter, and not to overwork out-of-season fruit. Winter does not grow summer harvest. Faithful discernment asks, what belongs to now, and what belongs to next. Joseph models this. He interprets famine and begins to store. He prepares during lack so provision is ready later. He does not wait until his brothers appear to start forgiving; he prepares forgiveness inside betrayal so mercy is ready on contact. That is how a man stands unbothered at reunion and says, in effect, forget the past, let's provide for the future. God is not an explainer; He is a Father who demands reliance. So the value of a hard season is often hidden until the next one, when hindsight turns pain into seed. The sons of Issachar embody this posture. They know the times and what Israel should do. Their discernment births stability, right-minded peace, and an untroubled heart. Maybe the crisis is not the devil nor the boss nor the past. Maybe it is a season calling for preparation, not panic. Buy winter clothes in summer. Sow now so reaping meets the appointed time.

A king has a nightmare he cannot shake, and a prisoner gets called in to explain it.That is where Genesis 41 gets uncomfortably practical for real life. Joseph tells Pharaoh that God is revealing what is coming, then he lays out a clear plan for how to survive it. We read the passage in both KJV and NIV, slow down over the meaning of the doubled dream, and talk about why spiritual discernment should lead to wise action, not just strong feelings.We also trace the backstory that makes Joseph's moment possible: betrayal by his brothers, slavery in Potiphar's house, relentless temptation, a false accusation, and years in prison that feel like a dead end. The through line is faithfulness; Joseph does not build his life on resentment. He keeps honoring God in the hidden places, and God uses that long preparation to position him for leadership when the stakes are high.If you are in a season where things are delayed, unfair, or confusing, we share a set of questions worth praying:What am I supposed to learn here?Who am I here to influence or be influenced by?What does love, in action, look like right now?This is a conversation about perseverance, God's plan, and hope when you cannot yet see the ending.If it helps you, subscribe, share it with a friend who needs strength, and leave a review.What part of Joseph's story hits closest to home for you?===Genesis 41:25-33, 37-40, 50-52 - King James Version25 And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one: God hath shewed Pharaoh what he is about to do.26 The seven good kine are seven years; and the seven good ears are seven years: the dream is one.27 And the seven thin and ill favoured kine that came up after them are seven years; and the seven empty ears blasted with the east wind shall be seven years of famine.28 This is the thing which I have spoken unto Pharaoh: What God is about to do he sheweth unto Pharaoh.29 Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt:30 And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land;31 And the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine following; for it shall be very grievous.32 And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.33 Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt.37 And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants.38 And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?39 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art:40 Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.50 And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On bare unto him.51 And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house.52 And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.Send us Fan MailSupport the show===Please join my team in spreading The Word around the whole world by donating via CashApp at $TheChristQuarter.  Thank you!

What do you do when the dream God gave you feels completely disconnected from the reality you're living? When life feels unfair, painful, delayed, or deeply disappointing, it can be easy to wonder if God has forgotten you. In this episode, Christine Caine walks through the story of Joseph in Genesis 37–50 — one where betrayal, waiting, setbacks, and suffering aren't the end of the narrative. They're the process. From the pit to Potiphar's house. From prison to the palace. God wasn't absent in Joseph's darkest chapters. He was positioning him. Christine Caine shows that the painful seasons aren't detours from your purpose. They are the preparation for it. If you're in a waiting room right now, wondering whether God has forgotten the dream He placed in you, this message is for you. ✨ If you've ever asked questions like… ✅ Why would God allow painful seasons if He gave me the dream? ✅ What do I do when I feel forgotten or overlooked? ✅ Can God still use my trauma and setbacks for good? ✅ How do I forgive people who have deeply hurt me? ✅ How do I trust God's timing when the wait feels unbearable? ✅ What does faithfulness look like when nothing is going the way I planned? ✅ Is it possible for my story to still turn out the way God intended? ...then listen in!

This message centers on a fundamental question we all face as we step into new chapters of life: how do we move forward successfully in God's way? Drawing from 2 Timothy 2:22, we're given a remarkably simple yet profound formula for spiritual success—run away from the bad, run toward the good, and do it with the right people. The imagery is striking: we're not called to casually stroll away from temptation or politely decline sin's invitation. Instead, we're to flee with the urgency of someone whose life depends on it—because it does. The message reminds us that sin is predatory, actively hunting us like a lion seeking to devour. Through the story of Joseph fleeing Potiphar's wife, we see this principle in action—sometimes the best defense is simply to run. But running from evil is only half the equation. We must also pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with the same intensity. These aren't passive virtues that accidentally happen to us; they require focused, intentional pursuit. What's particularly insightful is the sequential nature of these pursuits: the more we live rightly with God, the better we know Him; the better we know Him, the more we trust Him; the more we trust Him, the more we love Him; and the more we love Him, the more peace we experience. This isn't just good advice for graduates—it's a blueprint for anyone seeking to live the 'with God' life successfully.

Like all Singaporean men, I had to serve in the country’s armed forces when I turned eighteen. To be honest, I approached the conscription, which lasted two-and-a-half years, most reluctantly. Like many other young men, I tried to do the minimum, obeying instructions to the letter—no more, no less. Some, however, threw themselves into their tasks and ultimately gained much from their experience, learning about leadership and endurance. In hindsight, I realize that this type of effort and positive attitude would have pleased God—much like what Joseph showed in Scripture. Despite being sold off as a slave and imprisoned later on, he fulfilled all his assigned responsibilities with the greatest dedication. Instead of resenting his situation, he took his role seriously, so much so that “Potiphar left everything he had in Joseph’s care” (Genesis 39:6). Joseph also ended up in charge of the prison—and, finally, all of Egypt. Centuries later, the apostle Paul would also urge believers in Jesus: “Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Colossians 3:17). While our situations may be far from ideal, may God help us to be faithful in the tasks assigned to us, for we’re working for Him—the one who sees our true heart.

Paul tells Christians to FLEE from sexual immorality. Not many war plans include fleeing, but this one does. DEVOTIONABLES #943 - Flee for Victory 1 Corinthians 6:18 G-365 **For more thoughts on Fleeing, here is Run, Don't Walk! by Paul Cook on Joseph and Potiphar's wife. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCvKZK-kQQ4 Devotionables is a ministry of The Ninth & O Baptist Church in Louisville, KY.  naobc.org

Send us Fan MailBetrayal can make you cynical fast, especially when it comes from your own people. We walk through Joseph's story in Genesis and keep coming back to one word that explains why he doesn't break: integrity. From the coat and the dreams to the cistern and the slave caravan, Joseph's life starts sliding in a direction he never chose, and it raises the question we all feel in our bones: what do you do when life happens to you and it is not your fault?We trace the turning points that test character the hardest. Joseph serves faithfully in Potiphar's house, faces relentless temptation, refuses to compromise, and still gets punished through a false accusation. Then prison becomes another proving ground where he keeps trusting God, interprets dreams, and watches help walk out the door and forget his name. When Pharaoh finally calls, Joseph doesn't chase credit. He points to God, brings clarity, and steps into leadership that prepares Egypt for famine and saves countless lives.The most stunning moment is not the promotion, it is the reunion. Joseph has power to crush the brothers who sold him, yet he chooses provision over vengeance. From there, we zoom out to modern Christian leadership, the headlines that come from small compromises, and the practical cost of living with real boundaries. If you care about faith, obedience, and building a life that holds up under pressure, this conversation is for you. Subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review with the takeaway you want to live this week.

We explore the story of Joseph in Egypt. Despite being enslaved and falsely accused, Joseph remains faithful and thrives due to God's presence. Though being falsely accused of assault by Potiphar's wife, Joseph remains faithful even as he is thrown in prison. God has a greater plan at work, through even these trials of Joseph.Support the showRead along with us in the Bible Brief App! Try the Bible Brief book for an offline experience!Get your free Bible Timeline with the 10 Steps: Timeline LinkSupport the show: Tap here to become a monthly supporter!Review the show: Tap here!Want to go deeper?...Download the Bible Brief App!iPhone: App Store LinkAndroid: Play Store LinkWant a physical book? Check out "Bible Brief" by our founder!Amazon: Amazon LinkWebsite: biblebrief.orgInstagram: @realbiblebriefX: @biblebriefFacebook: @realbiblebriefEmail the Show: biblebrief@biblelit.orgWant to learn the Bible languages (Greek & Hebrew)? Check out our partner Biblingo (and use our link/code for a discount!): https://biblin...

A life of following God does not mean a life free of difficulty, opposition, or pain. What we can be sure of is this: no matter the circumstance or situation, God is with us.

Title: Joseph the Dreamer. Genesis 39.Description: After being sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph rises to responsibility in Potiphar's house. Then he is falsely accused and lands in prison. Main Point(s):1. Joseph's strategy to avoid sexual temptation was to pre-decide, and avoid it. 2. We look for the right position for our dreams. God is looking for the right person. 3. We are focused on our destination, he is focused on our development. 

In this sermon, Chad Kincer show's us that God's plan is not a promise of comfort but of transformation through suffering, and in every circumstance—exile, temptation, and injustice—His constant presence sustains, shapes, and ultimately redeems His people.

In this exploration of Genesis 39, we follow Joseph through a difficult reality many of us face—doing the right thing and still paying a price for it. As a slave in Potiphar's house, Joseph resisted temptation and chose faithfulness, asking, “How could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” His integrity led not to immediate reward, but to false accusation and imprisonment. Yet through every high and low, one truth remained: the Lord was with Joseph. This message challenges us to trust God's presence over our circumstances and choose long-term obedience, even when the path is costly.

In 2026, FPC is celebrating Big Belonging: that we belong to God, we are beloved by Him, and that He delights in us.Message by Doug Bunnell, recorded live April 19, 2026 at First Presbyterian Church of Bellingham. Scripture read by Gini Bunnell.Joe - Part 2Life is not fair, betrayal hurts, so live with integrity.What does it mean that “the Lord was with Joseph”? How is that shown practically?What does Joseph's response to temptation reveal about his character and beliefs?What role does power and authority play in this situation?What does Joseph's example teach about setting boundaries?What does it look like to trust God when your situation doesn't improve?What encouragement can you take from Joseph's life if you are in a season of waiting or hardship?Genesis 39:1-201 Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an Egyptian officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the bodyguard, bought him from the Ishmaelites, who had taken him down there. 2 The Lord was with Joseph, so he became a successful man. And he was in the house of his master, the Egyptian. 3 Now his master saw that the Lord was with him and how the Lord caused all that he did to prosper in his hand. 4 So Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal servant; and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he owned he put in his charge. 5 It came about that from the time he made him overseer in his house and over all that he owned, the Lord blessed the Egyptian's house on account of Joseph; thus the Lord's blessing was upon all that he owned, in the house and in the field. 6 So he left everything he owned in Joseph's charge; and with him there he did not concern himself with anything except the food which he ate.Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance. 7 It came about after these events that his master's wife looked with desire at Joseph, and she said, “Lie with me.” 8 But he refused and said to his master's wife, “Behold, with me here, my master does not concern himself with anything in the house, and he has put all that he owns in my charge. 9 There is no one greater in this house than I, and he has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do this great evil and sin against God?” 10 As she spoke to Joseph day after day, he did not listen to her to lie beside her or be with her. 11 Now it happened one day that he went into the house to do his work, and none of the men of the household was there inside. 12 She caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me!” And he left his garment in her hand and fled, and went outside. 13 When she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and had fled outside, 14 she called to the men of her household and said to them, “See, he has brought in a Hebrew to us to make sport of us; he came in to me to lie with me, and I screamed. 15 When he heard that I raised my voice and screamed, he left his garment beside me and fled and went outside.” 16 So she left his garment beside her until his master came home. 17 Then she spoke to him with these words, “The Hebrew slave, whom you brought to us, came in to me to make sport of me; 18 and as I raised my voice and screamed, he left his garment beside me and fled outside.”19 Now when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spoke to him, saying, “This is what your slave did to me,” his anger burned. 20 So Joseph's master took him and put him into the jail, the place where the king's prisoners were confined; and he was there in the jail.

Genesis 39 tells a powerful and painful truth: sometimes doing the right thing still leads to unfair outcomes. Joseph is faithful in Potiphar's house, resists temptation, and honors God—yet he is falsely accused and thrown into prison. Justice seems absent, and the situation feels deeply unfair. But Scripture repeatedly says, “The Lord was with Joseph.” -Do you want to be an active member of 21c Moses? Then, consider becoming a 21c Moses Patreon! Click the link for more info: https://patreon.com/user?u=45306220&utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link -If you want to donate to 21c Moses Ministry, please click the link: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=P4LC3BE2S3JGA -Please check our website: https://21cmoses.com ©2026 21c Moses #21cMoses #BibleTeaching #DailyBibleStudy

Todaywe are continuing to look at Philippians 1:12–18. Paul is talking about hiscircumstances here. Paul had other plans, no doubt, for what he thought Godwanted him to do. Yet the Holy Spirit of God had other plans for him. God hashim in prison for a purpose. We are talking about what happens when life doesnot go as we planned it. Yesterdaywe began telling the story about Joseph. Joseph was thrown into a pit by hisbrothers. Then he went to Potiphar's house in Egypt as a slave. Then he endedup in a prison in Egypt. But the next thing you know, God reveals and unveilsthe vision that Joseph had for himself. He becomes next to Pharaoh, ruler overall of Egypt, and saves not only the land of Egypt from a great famine but alsohis family. Nowwe are looking at Philippians 1:12, where Paul says, “But I want you toknow, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned outfor the furtherance of the gospel.” Paul is in prison. He is in chains. Heis chained between guards, but there he has the opportunity to share the goodnews of Jesus Christ. So even in our setbacks, even in our disappointments,even in situations we never would choose, God is working. God can use it allfor His glory to bring about the furtherance of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Anothergreat story after the book of Genesis is in Exodus—the story of Moses. Moses,when he is 40 years old and has been trained in all the arts and military waysof the Egyptians, thinks he is going to deliver the people of Israel. Thishappens some 400 years, after Joseph and Moses now is going to deliver them. Hestarts that process and kills an Egyptian. Then he ends up running for hislife. For the next 40 years of his life he lives in a desert. He thought Godwas going to use him earlier. He had all the equipment. He had all theknowledge. He had all the background—everything. Yet God wanted to put him outthere in a desert, watching smelly sheep. Moses would have never planned that.But God had a plan in preparing Moses to become the great leader of the nationof Israel, to bring them out of bondage, to be their deliverer, to take them tothe promised land, and to lead them for the next 40 years through thewilderness. Ohmy friend, it is awesome how God works in our lives through the strangestsituations and circumstances that we would never choose. Thenyou think of David—little David, maybe 12 or 13 years old—out playing his harpon a hillside, praising God, worshiping, and getting to know Him. He is lookingat creation, watching God's sheep, and thinking, “Man, it is awesome takingcare of these sheep.” He begins to dream about what God might want to use himfor. He ends up being anointed king by Samuel when he was around 15 years old.He has no idea what that means, but wow, something good is happening. The nextthing you know, he kills Goliath, and everybody is excited about David. Butthen Saul gets jealous. For the next 12 to 15 years, David is fleeing for hislife—something he would never choose. But he gathers a band of men to followhim. He begins to learn how to trust God as his life is at risk every day. Godis preparing him to be the great King David of Israel for the next 40 yearsafter he becomes king at 30 years of age. Sometimesthings happen that we think are bad, but God is preparing us. God is working inour lives. So do not throw in the towel. Do not quit. Keep on keeping on. Godwill continue to do something that will amaze you. Paul says, “Here I am inprison, but it has turned out for the furtherance of the gospel.” We will talkmore about that in the next few days. Today,think about what God might be doing in your life today, despite yourcircumstances.

Todaywe are continuing in Philippians 1and we will be looking at verses 12–18 overthe next few days. Here in verse 12 we are talking about when life does notgo as planned—when your plans fall apart and it seems like nothing ishappening the way you dreamed or thought God intended for your life. You mayfind yourself wondering, “What is this all about?” TheApostle Paul could have asked that same question, but he looked at it in adifferent light. He begins talking about his circumstances here in verse 12. “But I want you to know, brethren, that thethings which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of thegospel" Thinkabout it—Paul is in prison. He is in chains. He is restricted. His plans havebeen interrupted. If I remember correctly, he had even planned to go on toSpain, but now he is in a prison in Rome. He is writing to his beloved friendsthere at Philippi. Yet he says that what has happened to him, as he sits in aRoman prison, has actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel. It hashelped move the gospel forward. Youknow, my friend, life does not always go as we plan it. The truth is, God isstill on the throne. God is still at work. Even in our setbacks, even in ourdisappointments, even in situations we would never choose for ourselves, Godcan use it all. What looks like a detour to us is often part of God's designand God's plan. Oneof the best stories in the Bible that illustrates this is the story of Joseph.God had a plan for Joseph to save his family. Even as a child, he began to havevisions and dreams of how God was going to use him in a special way. One day,he went to check on his ten brothers. What he saw was not good. He returned andgave his father, Jacob, an honest report about them, but it was not a good one.As a result, his brothers—already envious of him because he seemed to be theirfather's favorite—grew to hate him. Later,when they had the opportunity at Dothan, they threw him into a pit. At first,they even considered killing him, but instead they sold him into slavery andmade money on him. Joseph ended up in Egypt. Now obviously things were notgoing according to Joseph's plans. He had seen visions and dreams ofgreatness—of the stars and even his family bowing before him. Yet now he was aslave in Potiphar's house. Fora time, things went well. But then Potiphar's wife tried to seduce him. Herefused, and she falsely accused him. As a result, he was thrown into prison.Again, things did not seem to be going well. Yet even there, the hand of theLord was with him, and he made the best of his situation. Eventually, as youknow, he was brought before Pharaoh. He interpreted Pharaoh's dreams and waselevated to a position of authority—second only to Pharaoh in all of Egypt.  Yearslater—about twenty-two years later—his brothers came to Egypt to buy foodduring the famine. Joseph recognized them, and instead of seeking revenge, hehelped them. He provided for them and eventually brought his entire family toEgypt. After their father Jacob died, his brothers feared that Joseph mightfinally take revenge. They came to him and pleaded for forgiveness. But Josephsaid, “No, no. You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.”(Genesis 50:19-20) Myfriend, when your plans fall apart and life does not go as expected, rememberthis: God still has a plan. God is still at work. He can use you right whereyou are, no matter what your circumstances may be. As you think about thesethings today, be encouraged—God is still on the throne. Godbless and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day!

Try the BibleACTS app!: ⁠https://bibleacts.goodbarber.app/subscribe⁠ In this episode, we continue the story of Joseph son of Jacob in Genesis 39, where he is taken to Egypt and serves in the house of Potiphar. Even in slavery, Joseph remains faithful—and God's presence is clearly with him. In this verse-by-verse Bible study, we explore: How God's favor was with Joseph even in difficult circumstances Joseph's rise to leadership in Potiphar's house The temptation from Potiphar's wife and Joseph's response What it means to flee from sin and remain faithful to God False accusation and Joseph's unjust imprisonment How God continues to work even when life seems unfair This chapter powerfully shows that faithfulness to God is not dependent on your circumstances. Even in betrayal, temptation, and injustice, God is still present and working behind the scenes. Joseph's story reminds us that integrity matters, obedience matters, and God honors those who remain faithful—even when no one else sees. Watch, listen, and grow in your faith — and subscribe for more verse-by-verse Bible commentary and podcast episodes.

Even as Joseph serves as a slave in the house of an Egyptian official, the LORD remains with him and brings him success. Joseph's faithfulness to the LORD blesses Potiphar, who puts Joseph in charge of the household. Joseph remains faithful to God even when Potiphar's wife tempts him to adultery. Her jealousy leads her to deceive her husband, who believes her false accusation against Joseph. Even as Joseph is sent to Egyptian prison, the LORD continues to be with Joseph and grant him success.   Rev. Carl Roth, pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Elgin, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Genesis 39:1-23. To learn more about Grace Lutheran, visit graceelgin.org. “In the Beginning” is a series on Sharper Iron that studies Genesis. The first book of Moses sets the stage for God's entire story of salvation. As we learn the beginning of the story, God prepares us to receive the fulfillment of the story: Jesus Christ, the Offspring of the woman who has crushed our enemy's head.  Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org

When Jacob sent Joseph to check on his brothers in Shechem, Joseph eventually found them in a different place. The brothers saw Joseph well before he arrived, and so they plotted to kill him. Reuben, seeking to get back into his father's good graces, convinced his other brothers only to throw Joseph into a pit. As traveling traders passed by, Judah suggested that they sell their own brother into slavery. They covered up their evil deed by covering Joseph's robe with goat's blood so that their father would think Joseph had been killed by a wild animal. While Joseph's brothers worked evil, however, the LORD was working for good as He sent Joseph to Potiphar's house in Egypt.  Rev. Shawn Linnell, pastor at King of Glory Lutheran Church in Williamsburg, VA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Genesis 37:12-36.  To learn more about King of Glory, visit kogva.org. “In the Beginning” is a series on Sharper Iron that studies Genesis. The first book of Moses sets the stage for God's entire story of salvation. As we learn the beginning of the story, God prepares us to receive the fulfillment of the story: Jesus Christ, the Offspring of the woman who has crushed our enemy's head.  Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org

In Genesis 45, after twenty-two years of slavery, false accusation, imprisonment, and silence, Joseph stands before the very brothers who stripped him, sold him, and let their father believe he was dead - and instead of exacting the revenge he had every right to demand, he clears the room, breaks open in tears, and pulls them close with the words "come near to me, please." He names what they did without softening it - you sold me - but in the same breath refuses to let that truth be the final word, because somewhere across those two decades of dungeons and delays, Joseph had learned to read his own suffering inside a larger story: God sent me before you to preserve life. That re-narration - holding what his brothers did and what God was doing in the same hand without collapsing either one - is the quiet miracle at the center of the Joseph narrative. It did not happen overnight. It happened in the pit, in Potiphar's house, in the prison, in the forgotten years - slowly, painfully, through a faithfulness that had nowhere to go but God. And what it produced, in the end, was not merely a man who managed his bitterness well, but a man so softened by the promise that reconciliation - costly, true, unrushed, and real - was the only thing left in him to give.

This sermon explores the story of Joseph from Genesis to demonstrate that God remains with His people regardless of their circumstances. Through Joseph's journey from being sold into slavery by his brothers, serving in Potiphar's house, resisting sexual temptation, and enduring false imprisonment, the message emphasizes that God's presence and favor transcend location and situation. The sermon challenges believers to maintain integrity and faithfulness even when facing injustice, temptation, or pain, reminding them that God's silence does not equal His absence. The ultimate connection is made to Jesus Christ, who also experienced unfair, tempting, and painful places so that believers could have an eternal relationship with God that begins now, not just in heaven.

This sermon explores the story of Joseph from Genesis to demonstrate that God remains with His people regardless of their circumstances. Through Joseph's journey from being sold into slavery by his brothers, serving in Potiphar's house, resisting sexual temptation, and enduring false imprisonment, the message emphasizes that God's presence and favor transcend location and situation. The sermon challenges believers to maintain integrity and faithfulness even when facing injustice, temptation, or pain, reminding them that God's silence does not equal His absence. The ultimate connection is made to Jesus Christ, who also experienced unfair, tempting, and painful places so that believers could have an eternal relationship with God that begins now, not just in heaven.

He was the favorite son, destined for greatness, until his own brothers stripped him of his coat and sold him into slavery. If you've ever felt betrayed by those closest to you or wondered where God is in your darkest "pit," Joseph's story is the roadmap you need. Summary: In this deep dive into Genesis 37–41, we follow Joseph from the fields of Hebron to the dungeons of Egypt. We look past the colorful fabric of his coat to see the resilient character of a man who refused to let his circumstances dictate his relationship with God. The Coat of Many Colors: We analyze the Hebrew "Ketonet Passim" and discover why this wasn't just a colorful garment, but a royal birthright robe that signaled Joseph's future role as the provider for his family. The Pit and the Prison: We explore the "descending" steps of Joseph's life and how his presence changed every environment he entered, from Potiphar's house to the king's prison. Integrity Under Pressure: We study Joseph's encounter with Potiphar's wife. How do we flee temptation when it seems like "no one is watching"? Joseph shows us that our primary accountability is always to God. The Power of Interpretation: We look at Joseph's ability to see God's hand in dreams—both his own and Pharaoh's—and how he maintained his spiritual "vision" even when his physical sight was limited to prison walls. Christ in Joseph: We conclude by highlighting the stunning parallels between Joseph and Jesus Christ—both rejected by their own, sold for silver, and ultimately becoming the "Saviors" of the world. Call-to-Action: Are you in a "pit" or a "palace" right now? Regardless of where you are, how can you make sure "the Lord is with you" today? Share your thoughts in the comments! To keep your faith "Unshaken" through every season of life, please like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell. Chapter Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction 1:58 The Birth of Benjamin 15:06 Joseph's Birthright 19:25 The Coat of Many Colors 29:19 Joseph's Dreams 36:20 Selling Joseph into Egypt 53:05 Potiphar: Setting the Stage 56:57 Judah & Tamar 1:16:58 Tamar's Twins & Connections to Christ 1:27:16 Joseph & Potiphar 1:32:13 Joseph & Potiphar's Wife 2:02:57 Attitude in Adversity 2:09:53 Interpreting Dreams 2:21:21 Joseph before Pharaoh 2:40:38 Laying Up in Store 2:56:15 The Hymn of the Pearl

Sermon by Fr. Bob Fabey4th Sunday of LentPut to Death SeriesDiscussion QuestionsWhen did you first notice Lust?How do you relate to Romans 7?15 For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate… For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing…Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?If Lust is objectification and requires people to be objects of either sexual desire or emotional fantasy, how does a biblical view of humanity help fight it?David and Bathsheba, Joseph and Potiphar's wife, and Jesus at the well with the Samaritan woman all give insight into Lust, our response, and how God might want us to seek him. Which story impacts you the most?One act of obedience—one moment of chastity—can become the beginning of a story telling us of God's goodness and faithfulness.We rarely see the full fruit of obedience in the moment. But when we choose faithfulness over temptation, God is often doing far more with that obedience than we could ever see.How might God use one act of obedience (vs. one act of disobedience) in your life? How might that lead to freedom, healing, and beauty?What is something you can do to allow God to transform our thirst into His abundance?Renewal of mind, fast, confess? Other?Remember and spend time with this scripture, and allow God to give you what you need.“Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.2 Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.6 “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; 7 let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him. — Genesis 40:23 Joseph's experience in Egypt took many twists and turns. One moment he was trusted by Potiphar, one of the king's officials, and the next moment he was imprisoned because of false accusations from Potiphar's wife (Genesis 39).In prison Joseph found favor with the warden. But would there ever be a way out?One day Joseph met the king's cupbearer and baker, who were sent to prison for making the king angry, and one night both of those men had strange dreams. The next day, the cupbearer and the baker were confused and burdened by their dreams, and Joseph asked why they looked so sad. When they shared their dreams with him, Joseph was able to help, explaining that “interpretations belong to God.” Joseph the dreamer was now wiser, recognizing that God was always helping him (Genesis 39:23).Both good news and bad news were in those dreams. Soon the cupbearer was restored to Pharaoh's court, just as Joseph had said in his interpretation, and Joseph likely wondered what would happen next. But the cupbearer forgot about Joseph— for quite a while.In that prison, however, God was still watching over Joseph and providing for him. As we often find in our own and others' lives, there is always more to the story that God is working out. Dear God, thank you for working in our lives even when we face struggles and it's hard for us to see or understand what you are doing. Help us to know that even in our times of waiting you are still at work. Amen.

In this episode, we discuss Joseph being tempted to immorality with Potiphar's wife and see how Joseph is virtuous where Judah was scandalous. We then discuss how even when doing what is right, we can face unjust consequences as we see that Joseph is then wrongfully accused and put in prison. #biblestudy #temptation #theology

Donny Osmond joins the "Follow Him" podcast to discuss the biblical figure Joseph of Egypt, a character he famously portrayed for over 2,000 shows in the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical. Osmond shares the spiritual promptings that led him to audition for and win the role, and he details the profound personal and spiritual connection he developed with the character. He discusses the powerful lessons he learned from Joseph's life about maintaining faith through extreme adversity, the importance of staying true to one's covenants, and the process of forgiveness and reconciliation. Osmond relates Joseph's trials and triumphs to his own experiences in his life and career, emphasizing the need to trust in God's plan and timing.YOUTUBE:https://youtu.be/k4GB3_BcALsFREE PDF DOWNLOADS OF followHIM QUOTE BOOKSNew Testament: https://tinyurl.com/PodcastNTBookOld Testament: https://tinyurl.com/PodcastOTBookBook of Mormon: https://tinyurl.com/PodcastBMBook  WEEKLY NEWSLETTER https://tinyurl.com/followHIMnewsletter  SOCIAL MEDIA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/followHIMpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/followhimpodcastTimecode:0:00 Introduction and Welcome1:29 Donny's history with Joseph - 2,000 shows over 6 years14:16 Who is Donny Osmond? - Background and bio16:40 How Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat was created21:09 Donny's audition story - "You're my Joseph"23:57 The famous high note story with Andrew Lloyd Webber27:09 Meeting his wife Debbie - stealing her from his brother Jay29:41 Is Joseph one of the greatest stories ever told?32:12 Joseph's integrity with Potiphar's wife35:00 Donny's dark times and criticism in his career39:44 The coat, armor, and cup.45:10 Elvis Presley calling the Osmond home45:43 Family betrayal and forgiveness themes53:52 Living the character every night - "Close Every Door"59:09 Meeting prophets - President Kimball and President Hinckley1:00:26 Representing the church around the world1:02:30 Music's power to convey scripture and emotion1:05:10 Andrew Lloyd Webber's inspiration1:11:11 Personal stories and friendship1:13:19 The Masked Singer as the Peacock1:17:08 Joseph's complete forgiveness of his brothers1:22:31 Never compromising standards - performing for General Authorities1:23:44 Family activity suggestion - watch and discuss principles1:27:49 Final message - faith in turbulent times1:29:47 Closing thoughts on forgiveness and the AtonementThanks to the follow HIM team:Steve & Shannon Sorensen: Cofounder, Executive Producer, SponsorDavid & Verla Sorensen: SponsorsDr. Hank Smith: Co-hostJohn Bytheway: Co-hostDavid Perry: ProducerKyle Nelson: Marketing, SponsorLisa Spice: Client Relations, Editor, Show NotesJamie Neilson: Social Media, Graphic DesignWill Stoughton: Video EditorKrystal Roberts: Translation Team, English & French Transcripts, WebsiteAriel Cuadra: Spanish Transcripts"Let Zion in Her Beauty Rise" by Marshall McDonaldhttps://www.marshallmcdonaldmusic.com

When Doing What's Right Brings Pain by Autumn Dickson It is no question that Joseph went through some tough stuff despite trying to do what's right. Being betrayed by your brothers and sold into slavery, thrown into prison, being forgotten after helping someone. None of these things should be skimmed over or treated lightly. Those are the kinds of things that can really take a toll on a person, especially when it all happened because they were trying to do what's right. I think that's key here as well. These things didn't happen despite doing what's right; some of these things happened because Joseph was doing what's right. I can imagine that would be frustrating. Let's talk about a couple of these roadblocks. The first roadblock was when his brothers betrayed him and sold him into slavery. His brothers didn't just betray him; they betrayed Joseph because Joseph had received revelation from God that they would honor him. It was one of the reasons they chose to sell him (though their original plan was to kill him). Genesis 37:19-20 19 And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer cometh. 20 Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams. He did what was right and was punished for it. Then there was Potiphar's wife. Joseph found himself in an honorable position in Potiphar's home when Potiphar's wife came and tried to seduce him. He rejected her, she lied about him, and he was thrown into prison. He did what was right and was punished for it. There are a couple of tender mercies that happened along the way before Joseph is truly lifted out of this dark era. His brothers could have killed him but didn't. Under normal circumstances, Potiphar would have killed Joseph for the accusation alone but didn't. Joseph's life was spared both times. There were tender mercies, but I imagine that for most people, it would have been hard to see the tender mercies amidst everything else that was going on. So it begs the question…why do you do what's right? When Joseph is tempted to sin by Potiphar's wife, he responds in this epic way. Genesis 39:9 There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? How can I sin against God? Potiphar gave him so much, but Joseph rightly asks how he could possibly sin against God. Choosing righteously is certainly an act of faith, but that act of faith is fragile without doing it for the right reasons. If Joseph had refused Potiphar's wife for lesser reasons, how would his loyalty have measured up against prison? Probably not favorably. Joseph's concern was about being loyal to God, regardless of how things played out. This is so powerful. Choosing to do what's right for the right reasons makes you powerful because it grants you access to God in a way that you can't get by any other means. Let me elaborate by zooming out. We came down here to be tested. We came down here to grow and that requires pain. Honest, eternal truth right there. True growth is impossible without difficulty. So what happens when difficulty gives us the opposite result? What happens when our mind assumes that blessings immediately come from loyalty? First of all, it's not true loyalty if you fold with difficulty. Second of all, you are completely destroying the Plan of Salvation in your own life. You are making it impossible for God to bring about His purposes in your life. Let me describe it in this way with Joseph's example. Imagine if Joseph had said, “What the heck? You sent me a dream that my brothers would honor me and because of my dream, I find myself a slave. How does that work? I'm done. I'm not serving you anymore.” The irony here is that the slavery (the difficulty) is what enabled him to save his brothers and receive that honor. Would they have ever honored Joseph otherwise? Would he have always been the favorite child, and therefore, the most resented brother? The difficulty made the blessing possible. If we fold after the difficulty, we miss the true blessing. Folding after difficulty is the epitome of irony. God is trying to make us marvelous. He is trying to make us amazing. The only way He can do that is by sending difficulty. If we get annoyed and turn on Him the second we face difficulty, it makes it impossible for Him to bring about the Plan of Salvation in our lives. He doesn't give us difficulty=We don't grow. We don't become amazing. He gives us difficulty=We turn on Him, and we still don't become amazing. Embrace the hard. You don't have to love it, but lean into it. He is delivering on the promises He made to you before you came here. Let Him. Stand by Him through it, and He will stand by you. I testify that the Lord loves you and is trying to bless you. I also testify that blessings often come in the form of tests and opposition. Those are some of the biggest blessings because they deliver the hoped-for purposes of the Plan of Salvation. I testify that loyalty to God through whatever He gives you is powerful. It's life-changing. It helps you become all you were meant to be. Doing what's right for the right purposes is the only way we become all we were meant to become. Autumn Dickson was born and raised in a small town in Texas. She served a mission in the Indianapolis Indiana mission. She studied elementary education but has found a particular passion in teaching the gospel. Her desire for her content is to inspire people to feel confident, peaceful, and joyful about their relationship with Jesus Christ and to allow that relationship to touch every aspect of their lives. Autumn was the recipient of FAIR's 2024 John Taylor Defender of the Faith Award. The post Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Genesis 37–41 – Part 1 – Autumn Dickson appeared first on FAIR.

Text: Genesis 37-41 Supplemental Text: The Third Thousand Years chapters 5-6 BYU Lecture 13: Joseph spent his youth in Beersheba. He was a devoted son to Jacob and to God. When he witnessed evil doings by his brothers, Joseph faithfully reported it to his father. This created a trusted bond between father and son, but caused hatred between Joseph and his brothers. At the age of 17, Joseph receives revelations from the Lord through dreams, prophesying that Jacob and Joseph's brothers will bow down to Joseph. This angers his brothers and they plot to kill him. They throw Joseph into a dry well and he is inadvertently captured and sold into slavery for 20 pieces of silver and taken to Egypt. Jacob is told that Joseph is dead and he mourns terribly. Adding to the tragedy, Jacob's father Isaac dies. Joseph is sold to Potiphar, Egypt's chief executioner, but after 11 years in faithful servitude he is imprisoned after being falsely accused by Potiphar's wife. Joseph interprets the dreams of 2 fellow prisoners, a butcher and a baker. He later interprets the dream of Pharoah, who is so impressed with Joseph, he promotes him to be Prime Minister of all Egypt.

Welcome back to another episode of the unSeminary podcast. We're talking with Dr. Allen Holmes, Senior Pastor of Definition Church. Allen has served at Definition for 25 years, leading it from a congregation of 30 people to one of the fastest-growing churches in the country. But in this conversation, we don't start with strategy—we start with the soul. Allen shares how a personal marriage crisis early in ministry exposed deep character issues and launched him on a decades-long journey of spiritual formation that has shaped both his leadership and his church. Is it possible that the greatest lid on your ministry isn't your strategy—but your inner life? Allen challenges leaders to rethink success, crisis, and longevity through the lens of character formation. Pressure reveals who you really are. // Leadership rarely collapses because of incompetence—it collapses because pressure exposes unaddressed character issues. Early in seminary and marriage, Allen's wife told him she didn't love him and didn't want to remain in ministry. The crisis shattered his sense of calling and identity. Allen—by God's grace—was able to ask: What in me has produced this? That shift from defensiveness to humility marked the beginning of deep transformation. From gifted producer to formed leader. // Allen explains that many leaders are rewarded for production, not formation. A gifted communicator can build a crowd while remaining insecure, defensive, and relationally immature. You can be a great producer and a poor leader. True leadership requires learning to lead yourself. For Allen, that meant confronting independence, insecurity, and relational blind spots—issues rooted in his upbringing that were sabotaging both marriage and ministry. Prioritizing presence over performance. // The turning point in Allen's growth was deceptively simple: he began prioritizing his relationship with Jesus. Guided by a mentor, he learned to read Scripture for formation rather than information and to cultivate rhythms of prayer, worship, and dependence on the Holy Spirit. Ministry leaders face an occupational hazard—handling Scripture transactionally for sermons while neglecting personal communion with Christ. For Allen, consistent morning surrender became the foundation for long-term sustainability. Marriage as spiritual formation. // Allen describes marriage as God's primary classroom for sanctification. Drawing from the biblical metaphor of Christ and the Church, he explains how learning to live in the presence of his wife taught him how to live in the presence of God. Simple daily rhythms—morning prayer, consistent check-ins, shared meals, evening walks, praying together—have sustained their relationship for decades. Rather than competing with ministry, his marriage strengthens it. What God forms privately shapes what leaders produce publicly. Culture flows from character. // Over 25 years, Allen's commitment to personal formation has shaped Definition Church's culture. Every staff member has a “rule of life” and an intentional growth plan. Personal development is written into job descriptions as the number-one responsibility. Staff are given monthly retreat days to spend extended time alone with Jesus. Spiritual practices are embedded into the life of the church. Allen believes you reproduce who and what you are—so the greatest contribution a leader can make is becoming more like Christ. The power of staying. // Allen notes that lasting impact often requires long tenure. His senior leadership team has served together for decades, building trust and shared formation. In a skeptical culture, credibility grows through consistency. But longevity without formation is dangerous. The process prepares leaders for the purpose; bypassing the process risks collapse. Like Joseph's journey from entitlement to anointing in the Old Testament, leaders must pass through refining seasons before they can steward influence well. To learn more about Definition Church, explore their resources, and connect with Allen, visit definition.church. Thank You for Tuning In! There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, but you chose unSeminary, and I'm grateful for that. If you enjoyed today's show, please share it by using the social media buttons you see at the left hand side of this page. Also, kindly consider taking the 60-seconds it takes to leave an honest review and rating for the podcast on iTunes, they're extremely helpful when it comes to the ranking of the show and you can bet that I read every single one of them personally! Lastly, don't forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live! Thank You to This Episode’s Sponsor: Portable Church Your church is doing really well right now, and your leadership team is looking for solutions to keep momentum going! It could be time to start a new location. Maybe you have hesitated in the past few years, but you know it's time to step out in faith again and launch that next location. Portable Church has assembled a bundle of resources to help you leverage your growing momentum into a new location by sending a part of your congregation back to their neighborhood on Mission. This bundle of resources will give you a step-by-step plan to launch that new or next location, and a 5 minute readiness tool that will help you know your church is ready to do it! Click here to watch the free webinar “Launch a New Location in 150 Days or Less” and grab the bundle of resources for your church! Episode Transcript Rich Birch — Hey friends, welcome to the unSeminary podcast. So glad that you have decided to tune in. Today’s going to be a really good conversation. It’s one of those conversations that I think we all need to have, looked carefully at, think about ourselves, think about the teams we lead. I really do think it’s one of those make or break kind of conversations. And so you’ll be rewarded for tuning in today. Rich Birch — Excited to have Dr. Allen Holmes with us. He’s a senior pastor of a church called Definition Church. He’s been there since 2000, so a few years. They’re located in North Carolina and is one of the fastest growing churches in the country. They have a residency program as well that’s called to train and develop next generation of mission-minded ministry leaders. And believing that generosity is a privilege, Definition Church also partners with a number of other ministries, churches, and organizations to really serve their community. Dr. Allen, so glad you’re here. Thanks for being here today.Allen Holmes — Wow. Well, I’m so excited to be here, Rich, and appreciate the invitation.Rich Birch — Oh, this is going to be a fun conversation. Why don’t you kind of fill out the picture?Allen Holmes — Yeah.Rich Birch — Tell us a little bit about Definition. Kind of tell us the story. Give us a sense of the church.Allen Holmes — Well, my wife and I, we grew up down in Wilmington, which is on the coast of North Carolina. In 2000, we were finishing seminary and looking for a church, really looking for a city where we could plant our life and stay in one place kind of forever. And we were in a small town. Our first church was in a small town of about 1500. And Greensboro was one of the cities we visited, and there was a church here that had lost their pastor. They only had about 30 people.Allen Holmes — And the truth is that was safe and kind of gave us a a lot of freedom to make mistakes and learn and grow as leaders and as a man and a woman, as a married couple, as parents, you know, all the things without mistakes, really the pressure of a big church and a lot of expectations. And that was perfect for us. And and we fell in love with the city and it’s been 25 years now. It’s hard to believe that. And and but we love it here. Greensboro’s home now and and Definition’s been great to us.Rich Birch — So good. Well, I want to take advantage of the fact that you’ve been at your location, at your church for a number of years. When you look back over two and a half decades of ministry, and you know you’ve seen a lot of churches in your community, and then just even wider you know across the country, that sort of thing. Where have you seen leadership fall apart in churches? We’ll start with the negative to start.Allen Holmes — Yeah.Rich Birch — When’s it break down most often? Why does, you know, why do the wheels come off? Where have you seen that happen?Allen Holmes — You know, I think generally it’s just anything that creates pressure. So I think we have a tendency to train and prepare as leaders when there’s no pressure.Rich Birch — Right.Allen Holmes — And then all of a sudden we find ourselves in a situation where there’s a tremendous amount of pressure. And in those moments, it’s not what we know that matters, but who we are. Rich Birch — So true.Allen Holmes — It kind of gets it gets exposed. And this happened for me the first time I was in seminary. It was my second semester. My wife, Tina, and I had just gotten married. So we were five months into marriage. I was living my dream. I mean, seminary for, you know, somebody who wants to be a pastor is like Disney World, right? I mean, I’m in class every day studying the Bible, surrounded by all these people that love Jesus. I’ve got this vision for changing the world. I mean, it was just wonderful.Allen Holmes — And in month five, towards the end of that second semester, I came home and and my wife wasn’t doing well. I didn’t realize, you know, how bad it was. But that day I came home and she said, I don’t love you. Rich Birch — Wow.Allen Holmes — And I don’t want to be married. I will never be in the ministry. I'm going home.Rich Birch — Wow.Allen Holmes — And it’s like, all of a sudden, my whole world just began to fall apart. You know, at that stage of life, the only thing that really mattered to me was ministry. You know I had this call, this sense of calling. And my marriage.Allen Holmes — I really I grew up in a broken home, really didn’t have any family. And my wife and actually her family were family to me.Rich Birch — Right.Allen Holmes — And so in that moment, it felt like I was losing everything that mattered. Rich Birch — Wow. Allen Holmes — And I realized that despite all of my gifts and my zeal and my passion and my good intentions, beneath the surface, I had all of this on all of these unaddressed issues from my life story that were now coming to the surface and creating a mess in my marriage. And that crisis, that pressure exposed those things and created an opportunity for me to learn and grow. And by God’s grace, we dropped out of seminary, we moved back home. And I met Dr. Bennett, who became a mentor to me. He was a retired pastor.Allen Holmes — And I just started this journey of instead of being focused on just what I do and what I could produce, which is all I knew up until that moment, to really asking some deeper questions about who am I? And what’s driving all of this behavior and what’s creating this problem in my marriage? And how do I invite Christ to really do a deeper work in my heart and life and character? And and I’ve been on that journey now for almost 30 years.Rich Birch — Wow. That’s incredibly compelling. One of my mentors, he talks about how he burnt out early and he had kind of, you know, ended up on the side of the road and, you know, in a really bad spot in life. And he says, he looks back on that and says, wow, by by God’s grace, that happened. Allen Holmes — Right. Rich Birch — You know, and, and wow, that, you know, his whole, it changed the whole trajectory of you know his life and he made a whole bunch of changes. And he feels really, in a weird sort of way, thankful for for that, if even though you’re thankful, it feels like a weird emotion to have around such a crisis you know in you know in your life. Allen Holmes — Right.Rich Birch — Now, so many leaders, we’re so focused on the mission. We’re so focused on leading others. We’re so focused on pushing forward. We miss this stuff. There's there are these things bubbling under the surface. And and we haven’t had the grace of a wife who would raise her hand and say, hey, this enough is enough. Why do you think that gap is so common in ministry? Why is this just like a thing we see all the time?Allen Holmes — Well, I think to your point, in ministry, just like not just in ministry, but any organizational leadership, you’re rewarded and celebrated for what you produce. And the truth is that’s all most people can see. I mean, when my marriage blew up, if you would have gone around and interviewed my friends, my family, Tina’s family, my professors, if you would have asked anybody about me, they would have said, Allen's a rising star. He loves God. I mean, he he’s doing all the stuff. He’s checking all the boxes. This guy’s going to really be somebody one day.Allen Holmes — But what you couldn’t see is that beneath the surface, I didn’t know who I was. And I was insecure. I was defensive. I was independent. I really didn’t know how to do relationships well. I was insensitive.Allen Holmes — I didn’t have like a bad, ugly heart. I mean, I loved and cared about people. I just had all of these unaddressed, unfinished issues in my life. But my giftedness would allow me to produce despite that.Allen Holmes — You know, I think sometimes people um wonder why are leaders great at leading, but, you know, they struggle to lead themselves. I’m not sure that’s really a real thing. What leaders are good at doing is they’re great at producing. They’re not great at leading if they're not great at leading themselves. In other words, I can be a great producer and a bad leader.Rich Birch — Right. Right.Allen Holmes — I can be great on stage and draw a crowd and kind of be a slave-driving leader. And it might, from a numbers perspective and people that aren’t close, they look at it and think, wow, this is wildly successful. But the people on the inner circle know better, that the culture is unhealthy and and this person’s, you know, shallow or he’s a tyrant or whatever the, you know, whatever the case might be.Allen Holmes — There’s all kinds of ways to build a crowd in American culture today that have very little to do with Jesus. And we’ve seen that over and over and over again. So I think in order to be a great leader, you have to be able and willing to lead yourself.Rich Birch — So what did that process look like for you the kind of internal journey of trying to name what your wife had or or define maybe what your wife had named to really get clarity on that? Maybe unpack that step a little bit first before we get on to what changed. You know, how how did you, what did that look like? How, what kind of space did you have to create? What, what, did where did that, what did that part of the journey take you?Allen Holmes — Yeah, that’s a great question. You know, when I look back on all this, I’m, you know, I’m just so grateful for God’s grace because I didn’t even understand the process I was in. I mean, you know, I was just in it and trying to navigate it. But by God’s grace, I decided to ask the question, what in my character has produced this in my marriage. And what’s really shocking about that is all of my seminary buddies were saying, what is wrong with your wife? Rich Birch — Right.Allen Holmes — And I, by God’s grace, was saying, what’s wrong with me?I had enough humility to look at my wife and go, you know, I married this woman because she was so full of grace and kind and gentle, this beautiful soul, this beautiful person. So if she’s reacting this way, chances are she’s not the problem. You know, sometimes.Rich Birch — Wow. Wow.Allen Holmes — Something about our relationship is producing that. And actually, so what it was is, my wife grew up in this really great, healthy family, parent, two-parent home, siblings, people in her house all the time. Her mom cooked every night. I ate at their house five nights a week. I mean, it’s like their family became my family.Rich Birch — Right.Allen Holmes — Well, I grew up with none of that. I grew up with a single mom, basically all by myself, raising myself. And those two worlds just collided. So when we went seminary, I was doing school full-time and working full-time, and she was working full-time. And I thought, well, that was normal. That’s what I’d been doing for years and years. I’d worked my way through college. I’d been and on my own since I was 18.Allen Holmes — And so that seemed normal. But for Tina, it’s like she went from living in this beautiful community to being all by herself at seminary, and I’m not even there. Rich Birch — Right, right. Wow.Allen Holmes — And she’s and so she was relationally just dying, and I didn’t know how to be sensitive to that. You know, I wanted to just say, you know, get over it. Life’s hard…Rich Birch — Right.Allen Holmes — …which would not have worked. Rich Birch — Right. Yes. Allen Holmes — You know But I just had enough grace to begin asking, God, what are you trying to do in my heart? And and like you were saying earlier about your buddy, the thing I would say today, if I would have married a woman strong enough to tolerate that moment, I would have been I would have never survived in ministry because I would have been a driven, legalistic, judgmental, demanding kind of pastor that that really, I think, used the Bible to beat people up.Allen Holmes — And I mean, instead of being a man who really actually experienced, I guess, an inner this inner, deeper work and can invite people into something that is deeply spiritual and transformational and life-giving, you know, I would have just been this ugly, difficult pastor to be with. And so I’m so grateful. I mean, that that really began this journey that just changed and has literally touched everything about my life and ministry and our marriage today. I mean, it’s amazing.Rich Birch — Yeah. So what, what changed? What, how did you change your, you know, approach to making decisions, to dealing with the pressure, dealing with the pace? You know, obviously we were kind of at the point in the journey where you took a pause and made some changes, but eventually, you know, you ended up back on that path and back into ministry and have been leading and the ministry has been flourishing. So what were some of the, the kind of shifts that you made that were that, in hindsight seemed like that was, those were keystone decisions.Allen Holmes — Well, this sounds so silly to even say it, especially to Christian leaders, but I had to prioritize my relationship with Jesus.Rich Birch — Right, right.Allen Holmes — Well, there’s a good idea.Rich Birch — Right. Yeah, exactly. Write that down. What did he say? No but that’s true, though. Lean in on that because you know that there are…Allen Holmes — Yes.Rich Birch — Listen, we all know we go, we all go through seasons where that our relationship goes colder. Some of us, we, you know, we just, it’s been like years, decades since we feel like we’ve had a thriving relationship. So lean in on that.Allen Holmes — Well, you know, it’s interesting when I when we moved back to Wilmington and I started spending time with Dr. Bennett, he just he just pressed me on that all the time. Give your mornings to Jesus. Give your mornings to Jesus. And I just began learning how do I develop a meaningful time with Jesus every day? How do I read the Bible for formation instead of information.Rich Birch — That’s good.Allen Holmes — And how, you know, how do I worship for formation? How do I what is my relationship to the Holy Spirit and inviting him into those moments to help me see and to understand, to teach and to heal and to counsel me into healing, wholeness, growth, all those things.Allen Holmes — You know, how do I press into community? You know, I was so independent. And the truth is, I mean, 30 years later, I’m still working on this.Rich Birch — Right.Allen Holmes — I was so trained to be independent and I liked being independent. I wasn’t unhappy independent… Rich Birch — Right. Allen Holmes — …but independence allows you to hold on to your immaturity because nobody’s challenging it.Rich Birch — Nobody’s in your business.Allen Holmes — Nobody’s confronted. That’s right. And so I just began really developing that time with Jesus and just fell in love with spending time with Jesus. And again, that that changed everything. And again, as silly as that sounds, I’ve been in so many groups. It’s kind of shocking how often I’m with pastors and they just say, I just, I don’t have time to read my Bible.Rich Birch — Right.Allen Holmes — I don’t have time to worship. I can’t give 15 or 20 minutes in the mornings to the Lord. And it’s like, if that if that’s true, then something is just so out of order about our life and ministry. And we’ve not learned to juggle all of that. And because we’re not handling that well, so many pastors, they don’t finish in ministry. Rich Birch —Right.Allen Holmes — Ministry chews them up and spits them out. And so we have to make that the priority. So important. So important.Rich Birch — Yeah, I really appreciate that. I appreciate you leaning in on that. And this is an area where it’s an occupational hazard in what we’ve picked to do…Allen Holmes — Oh, yeah. That’s right.Rich Birch — …because our our job is to produce that in other people. And so we have to handle the scripture in in a way, you know, it’s like a part of what we do to produce the content we produce or whatever that is. And it can become very transactional if we don’t watch. And so I really appreciate you leaning in on that.Allen Holmes — That’s exactly right.Rich Birch — What about on the married side? What advice would you give? Again, you’ve, you’ve are happily married today and you know, all these years later.Allen Holmes — Yeah, that’s right.Rich Birch — And, what, what rhythms have you found that have worked well for you and your wife, for you to continue to lead and to lead, you know, at a high level. The reason why we’re talking is because you’re leading a fast-growing church.Allen Holmes — Yeah.Rich Birch — But, you know, you’re doing that and keeping your marriage. What are some of the rhythms that you, that you help coach other, maybe younger leaders to, to really instill on that side, to, to, to be, to be whole on that side?Allen Holmes — One of the things that was so helpful early on is recognizing that my marriage was God’s gift to me to learn, not just to grow and to mature as a man, but even to learn to walk with God.Allen Holmes — And one of the things you see in Scripture over and over and over again is the primary metaphor God uses to describe our relationship with Him as a husband and a wife, that we’re the bride of Christ.Allen Holmes — And what I found is that my marriage and my relationship with Jesus were running in parallel. So if I learned something with Tina, it strengthened my relationship with Jesus. And when I would learn something with Jesus, it would actually strengthen my relationship with Tina, that they were you know playing off of each other that way.Allen Holmes — And so as Tina and I started working on our marriage, I mean, it was it was as simple like even when I think about giving my mornings to God. When I wake up every day, the first thing I do is I roll over on my knees. I acknowledge Jesus, you are my king, king of my heart and life.Allen Holmes — I invite the Holy Spirit to fill me fresh for that day. And I probably pray there three to five minutes, and then I roll over on my back and put my hand on my sleeping wife. And I just take a minute and begin praying and and blessing my wife.Allen Holmes — And then I’ll get up and I’ll I’ll kind of have of usually a couple hours where I can just be in the Word, I can worship, I can be in so have silence and solitude and just allow God to minister to my soul. And then i don’t ever leave the house without giving my wife a kiss, telling her I love her, embracing her.Allen Holmes — During the day, I’m going to check in two or three times. How’s your day going? What’s going on with you? You know, if I’m driving somewhere or between meetings, you know, little quick touches. Rich Birch — That's good.Allen Holmes — When I get home, I’m going to walk in the house. The first thing I’m going do is I’m going to find Tina. We’re going to eat dinner together that night. At the end of the day, we’re going to maybe go on a walk that night. We may get in bed and just both be reading a book for a little bit. We might talk about our day or what’s going on with our kids or life.Allen Holmes — Before we go to bed, before we go to sleep, we’ll pray together. And again, I want to make sure that I’m affirming my love for… When I describe all of that to people and what I try to tell them is have a response. The Christian life is learning to live in the presence of God. And marriage is learning to live in the presence of your wife.Allen Holmes — And so I know throughout the day what’s going on in the heart of my wife and how to love and serve her well, even when I’m here at work. And as a Christian, I’ve got to learn how do I live in the presence of God and recognize he’s always with me. And I want to bring Jesus into every moment, every meeting, every decision. And versus I have devotional time and I leave God at home. And then I come to work and do my work.Allen Holmes — So that’s just one example. As I learned how to do that with Tina, I saw how to apply to my relationship with God and vice versa.Rich Birch — That's so good. Yeah, that’s so helpful. Let’s talk about how your internal life and your own growth and your own staying close to him, what impact has that had on the church, on your team, on the people you lead? How do you see those two, you know, working together?Allen Holmes — Yeah, that’s a great question. So part of it is you reproduce who and what you are. Rich Birch — True. Allen Holmes — So what we’re describing, and of course, I’ve got 25 years of this, and so that gives me a little bit of an advantage in that regard because this takes time to build. You know, it doesn’t happen overnight. But when this has been kind of the direction of your life for over 25 years, then it becomes the direction of the organization and the people that you lead. And so on our on our church staff and our church and the way we do ministry, the way our we you know our mission is all affected by what we’re talking about.Allen Holmes — And so our staff, that you know, they all have a rule of life. They all have a very intentional plan a plan for their spiritual and personal and leadership growth in their life. And and we work as a team to to facilitate that. In fact, in our job descriptions, their number one responsibility is their personal growth and development. And we tell them all the time, the greatest thing you can do for everyone in your life is to learn and grow as a leader. That’s the greatest contribution you can make. When you do that, you everybody comes up. you You bless everybody. So work harder on who you are than what you’re building.Allen Holmes — And so we just emphasize that. And and then we do little things like, you know, in our in our church culture, we once a month, they have a retreat day where they’re required to go and be alone with Jesus for a whole day. And they’re being paid to do it. Rich Birch — Right.Allen Holmes — It’s their, you know, it’s part of their job. We emphasize a spiritual practice every month, and we’re doing that in all of our groups, and we model that as a staff. Like in January, our spiritual practice is fasting, and we’re about to begin you know a season of prayer and fasting like a lot of churches do in January. And so that’s integrated into everything that we’re doing as a church and to our staff. They’re encouraged to do that, and so we’re just constantly making sure that they’re learning and growing. And then that begins to shape the culture your church. It shapes your ability to actually make disciples in your church. I mean, at the end of the day, if on a scale of 1 to 10, as a follower of Christ, if I’m a five, I can only lead three and fours… Rich Birch — Right. Allen Holmes — …and I can only attract twos.Rich Birch — Right.Allen Holmes — And then there’s nobody that I can help, right?Rich Birch — Right. Yes. Yes.Allen Holmes — Because I’m already at the bottom.Rich Birch — Right. Right. Yeah.Allen Holmes — But if I can be an eight and lead sixes and sevens and attract four and fives, then we can reach down and help the two and threes get up, you know. So my what God is doing in me, and that’s true for everybody on our team, is the greatest contribution they can make, and it brings everybody up. And so that’s just really worked into our culture.Rich Birch — Think at like from a diagnostic point of view. A church calls you up and they feel stuck organizationally. They feel like, man, things are just, they’re not going well. When you take a call like that, is your reflex to go towards, well, where are things with the with the leadership team internally?Rich Birch — Or you know do we start organizationally? Hey, let’s fix a couple of things. Help us talk think Help us think through um how do you handle that kind of conversation? Or how does this conversation inform a conversation like that when it comes your way?Allen Holmes — That’s a great question. I mean, generally my response will be, I’ll tell people really, if you need organizational, just kind of practical, how do I do it information, I just give them some resources, you know, so I’ll send them, go to the Grow Conference. They’re probably the best in the world at it. Rich Birch — Yeah, they're so good.Allen Holmes — They can tell you how to do these different things. But then I want to come back to the thing I think we can help you with is really the soul of your organization, which is a reflection of what God’s doing in you. So let’s talk about who you are as a leader, the way you live your life, the way you lead your staff, the culture that you’re building and creating. Because ultimately, if you get all these systems, but you don’t have culture, culture trumps systems every single time.Rich Birch — Right.Allen Holmes — And when you get the systems and the culture right, you begin, everybody’s attracted to that. In fact, I think maybe one of the big problems in Western culture, and this is hard to admit, but I think the church has to admit this, is that people, people are not going to church. Church attendance is on decline, but it’s not because people don’t want God. They’re just not convinced they can find him at church.Rich Birch — Right. Yeah, that’s so true. Yeah.Allen Holmes — I mean, they’re they’re spiritually hungry, but the cultures of our church, people come into that culture and what they kind of intuitively know is that this doesn’t feel healthy or spiritual. So you can create all the systems you want and send out flyers and do all kinds of things. But if people show up at your church and what they intuitively know is that this isn’t healthy and spiritual, you can’t grow your church. So you have to begin there.Allen Holmes —It’s also true if it is healthy and spiritual, even if your systems are a little suspect, people will tolerate a lot of a lot of that because they’re so spiritually hungry. And I think that’s more true than ever before.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s very true. Yeah. Well, yeah, my good friend, Carey Nieuwhof, he says like, man, it would be so sad if people came to our churches and all they found was us, right? You know, at the end of the day, right? Like we were trying to point them to Jesus and as as kind of elementary as it sounds, but it’s just so true.Rich Birch — If there isn’t something happening there that’s bigger than just what they can get anywhere else, why would they come to us? Why would they engage in our churches? Yeah, that’s that’s…Allen Holmes — You know, we just came through Christmas, and and one of the things that I think Protestants miss is is when we think about Christmas, we think about Emmanuel, God with us. We think about the incarnation, God became flesh, and we think that’s something that happened 2,000 years ago. And the truth is, that’s supposed to be true of the church today. We are the body of Christ.Rich Birch — Yes.Allen Holmes — God in us. And when that’s true, people, when they show up at our churches or show up at our dinner table, they should experience Jesus when they’re with us because we’re becoming more and more like him.Rich Birch — Yes. Yeah, it’s good.Allen Holmes — And then our life gives validity to our message.Rich Birch — Well, one of the things I’m working on a book for for churches about breaking the 2,000 barrier. And one of the interesting stats that we’ve bumped into is that oftentimes the, when a church breaks the 2,000 barrier, the senior leader and often the senior leadership team have been there for going on two decades, 18 years, 19 years, 22 years. Like it’s just a really common pattern you see.Rich Birch — Now that’s not the perception. Our perception is like, oh, there’s like the just add water mega fast church that just explodes and it all happens. But that actually isn’t the normative pattern. the Normative pattern is it’s it takes a long time. You’ve been at your church for 25 years. Talk us through how longevity, how does that tie into this conversation? How does it tie into the impact you’re seeing, you know, at Definition? Talk us through that.Allen Holmes — Yeah. You know, it’s interesting when I, one of the other real key moments for me is I went back to do my doctorate of ministry degree at Gordon-Conwell in redemptive leadership. And so much of what we were studying is how God works in the crisis, in these pressure moments to, you know, expose the unfinished places in our character so that we can grow and become more like Jesus and therefore maximize our kingdom impact in the world.Allen Holmes — And one of my professors, Dr. Powers, he actually wrote a book called Redemptive Leadership. It’s a simple little book, but profound, where he describes leadership development in five stages. And stage one is is a skilled leader where you get a leadership role just based on your skill. So maybe the ability to preach. And so they call you to be the pastor. That’s how I became the pastor of my first church. I could preach. I hadn’t done anything else. But they let me be a pastor because I can preach.Allen Holmes — And then the second stage is a principal leader where you begin to understand why you do what you do. But the third stage, which is so important, is the character stage. And in order for a leader to go through the character stage, God always uses a crisis to bring him into that stage. But when he comes into that stage, he has a choice.Allen Holmes — In that stage, he can open his heart and allow God to do that deeper work, or he can go back and hide behind his skills and principle. And that’s what pastors do a lot of times. The reason you see this turnover every, you know, depending on what statistic you read, every two to four years, pastors are leaving churches is because they come into a church and they have this honeymoon season, and then all of a sudden there’s a crisis that exposes some things, and they start floating their resume and hiding behind their skill, rather than allowing God to deal with their character so that they can advance and become a transformative, redemptive leader. Rich Birch — That’s so good.Allen Holmes — So I think one of the things that’s been so true for us is we’ve just tried to say to people, when there’s a crisis, don’t panic, don’t run away, see it as an opportunity.Rich Birch — Right.Allen Holmes — In fact, I ended up doing my dissertation on the idea that if we could teach this model to leaders, that it would cause them to respond differently in the crisis. Instead of running from it, they would run to it and open their heart, and God could use that to really propel them into their redemptive future. And the research said that was true.Allen Holmes — And so we’ve tried to really work that in our culture to understand when something goes wrong, don’t run away and don’t hide.Rich Birch — Right.Allen Holmes — Let’s run into it and trust God to meet us there so that this thing, God works redemptively to use it for your benefit and to launch you into your future. And because that’s been our culture, people have stuck around. I mean, my lead team, Rick has been here 25 years. He’s actually here two Sundays longer than I’ve been here. Rich Birch — Love it.Allen Holmes — Eric’s been here 24 years. Jonathan’s been here 19 years. Steve’s been Chelsea’s been here almost this year will be 14 years. Steve’s been here 10 years. I mean, so they’ve just been here a long, long, long time, and that but that’s why, is that they’ve seen these moments and we’ve helped them to find God in it so that actually works for us instead of against us.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s that’s great. I love that. You know, I think if more churches, if more leaders had the mindset, even as we led our people that like, hey, if they come to us and it feels like there’s a crisis brewing here, I do feel like our culture is so bent towards like, it’s not just them leaving, it’s us leaving them. It’s like, okay, time’s up, you’re done, like move on. We would never say it that way because we’re better Christians and we know, but but that’s the vibe we give people.Allen Holmes — Right.Rich Birch — And And I do think it’s been interesting as we’ve been looking really from a church growth point of view, this is a really sticky trend that we see that it’s like you, the key leaders have to be here for a long time. And it makes sense on lots of levels. Allen Holmes — Right. Rich Birch — This level, it makes sense. It makes sense on just like community influence. Like you you have to be around for a long time. People are super suspicious of the church and they’re not You know, they don’t come like that maybe 30 years ago, people trusted the church. Well, that’s just not true anymore. Allen Holmes — Right. Rich Birch — And so when you’re around for a long time that, you know, that makes a difference. And it’s hard to, it’s not like a really pithy bullet point because it’s like, well, just stick around. But it is, it’s critically important to the, you know, to the overall mix.Allen Holmes — Yeah, you know, that make that reminds me of a couple of things. One, one of the, think, things we have to be careful about today is I think we are doing such a good job of planting churches. We’re all for church planting. We just help the church in our city plant. We’re about to launch somebody out next year to plant under the church. I mean, that’s a fantastic thing, but we’ve gotten so good at it.Allen Holmes — If you’re a 30-year-old and you plant a church and you start with 500 on day one, it could be detrimental to your spiritual journey. And we just have to kind of recognize that.Rich Birch — Talk more about that. Why would that be?Allen Holmes — Well, like when I think about myself, when I came to Definition, we had about 30 people, and we did not average 100 for an entire year until my seventh year here.Rich Birch — Right. Right.Allen Holmes — Now, during those seven years, I thought it was the greatest church in America. I mean, we were having a good time, and we were basically a college ministry more than a church back then. When I came, we had an older congregation, but my first Sunday, 15 college students showed up.Rich Birch — Okay.Allen Holmes — And, of course, I was only 26, and so I naturally gravitated towards them. We kind of became this college ministry, and it wasn’t until several years later that they were old enough to get married and start having babies that we actually became a real church. And, uh, but during that time, the truth is God, I just believe God was in that because I was still so young and inexperienced and immature as a man and leader that the last thing I needed was any more success.Allen Holmes — It would have really, success can really blind you to your areas of, you know, where you need really need to grow. In fact, one of the things that you see in several places in Scripture, and one of the things that we tell our church all that time, that the Christian life is a lifelong, transformational journey with Christ. Rich Birch — Yep.Allen Holmes — And you see this in several places in Scripture. Let me give you a couple examples. You think about Joseph. I don’t if you’ve ever thought about this story, but I was preaching on it a couple of years ago, and I realized in this story, there are three times that Joseph has a coat. His first coat as a child is a coat of entitlement, and it needs to be ripped off.Rich Birch — Yes.Allen Holmes — His next coat was given by Pharaoh. It’s a coat of self-sufficiency. It needs to be ripped off, and Potiphar’s wife took it off. And then third, there’s a coat of anointing where he’s come through this crucible. He’s come through these seasons of pain and struggle and wrestling and and suffering that has produced this character. And now God can elevate him and give him almost unlimited power and authority without the threat of him abusing it.Allen Holmes — Well, without that process, God could never. If God puts any man in that position without that process, it destroys you. I mean, you you’re not prepared. You can’t handle that. You know, tell people all the time that one of the reasons God doesn’t just tell us our future, you know, people are always wanting to know, you know, what’s God going to do?Allen Holmes — And the truth is, if God told us what we were going to be doing in 10 years, we’d try to go there tomorrow. And the process prepares us for our purpose. You cannot bypass the process… Rich Birch — That’s good. Allen Holmes — …and still fulfill your purpose.Rich Birch — That’s so good.Allen Holmes — And so God works in that that challenge. I think about Psalm 23, and I think Psalm 23 describes three stages. First stage is that I’m this child. I’m very young and immature in my faith. And then I become this warrior. And then I eventually become friend. But I have to go through the valley of the shadow of death to get up that mountain in order to be a friend of God. Allen Holmes — And there’s no way to bypass that. it’s seeing you You see this over and over and over again in scripture. And it’s just part of our sanctification. It’s the way God works in our lives.Rich Birch — It’s so good.Allen Holmes — Now, one of the things that sometimes somebody might hear all this and they go, well, I know so-and-so. I’ll give you a great example, classic example of this. Chris Hodges is one of the most respected pastors in America.Rich Birch — Yeah, for sure.Allen Holmes — And he he has pastored one of the fastest growing churches in in America. But there is a reason he has been so fruitful. And the reason is before he ever became a pastor, he didn’t start that church until he was 40.Allen Holmes — And before becoming that pastor, he’d served under two of the best pastors and two of the strongest churches in America. So he was so much more mature than the average church planter when he started. And I’m 53, I don’t think I’m where Chris was at 40 when he started that church.Rich Birch — Right. Right.Allen Holmes — So that was a big advantage in why they’ve been able to be so consistently fruitful for such a long period of time. And we just have to recognize that. And again, that’s why it’s so important that we’re focused on what God is doing in us… Rich Birch — So good. Allen Holmes — …because over time, that’s what produces the best results. It’s just a mature man or woman of God.Rich Birch — Yeah, it’s so good. Love it. Well, Allen, thank you so much for today’s conversation. This has been a great, it’s been really rich conversation. There’s a lot more we could we could talk about, but I really appreciate you giving us the time today. As we wrap up today’s episode, what any kind of final words you’d give to a leader, as they’re thinking about reflecting on this kind of inner life, leading themselves, you know, trying to align who they are outside with who they are inside. Help us Help us with the kind of final word as we kind of wrap up today’s call.Allen Holmes — Yeah, you know, I was reading a book recently, and and this quote, I’ve just been meditating on it the last couple of weeks, and it the quote is, God loves us as we are, not as we should be, for none of us are as we should be.Rich Birch — It’s good. Oh wow that's good.Allen Holmes — And I say that just to say I think so many pastors are trying so hard like the older brother in the prodigal story. They’re trying so hard to work for God and to prove something. And I just think we got to begin with falling in love with him and trust he’s better at producing than we are. And if we just fall in love with Jesus and allow him to make us more like that father, his kids will come running home.Rich Birch — That’s so good.Allen Holmes — because they’re looking for fathers. They’re they’re looking for that place of grace and life and hope. And so that characterizes who we are in our soul. And people are just so attracted to that. So I would just say to all the pastors and leaders listening, God is crazy about you. You can’t do anything about that. You don’t have to earn it and none of us deserve it. And if we can learn to really receive that and fall in love with Jesus again, it just changes everything.Rich Birch — So good. Well, sir, I appreciate you being on today’s episode. If people want, if we want to send people online somewhere to track with you or with definition, where do we want to send them so they they could connect with you?Allen Holmes — Yeah, they can just Google Definition Church. And I do have a website. There’s not much on it yet. There’s probably not anything there that’s going to help them. But I need to do a better job of developing some content and getting it out there. But the best place to look would be just to go to our website. There are some resources there for churches.Rich Birch — That’s great.Allen Holmes — And of course, you know, we’d love to hear from them. And we really appreciate you just letting us, inviting us to be on the show today and to get to encourage leaders is such a such a privilege.Rich Birch — No, I appreciate you. I just want to honor you. You know, publicly. We reach out to churches like this, frankly, because you end up on the fastest growing church list. And we’re like, hey, what’s God using? And I love where this conversation went today. I think super helpful for people. So thanks so much, Allen. Appreciate being on today.Allen Holmes — Thanks, Rich. Have a great day.

In this episode, we discuss Joseph being tempted to immorality with Potiphar's wife and see how Joseph is virtuous where Judah was scandalous. We then discuss how even when doing what is right, we can face unjust consequences as we see that Joseph is then wrongfully accused and put in prison.

How do you stay faithful when life is unfair, lonely, and full of temptation? Dr. Brad Wilcox shows how Joseph of Egypt overcame betrayal and adversity by understanding his birthright and covenant mission, and why modern disciples share that same calling.YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/ES14-iPll10ALL EPISODES/SHOW NOTESfollowHIM website: https://www.followHIM.coFREE PDF DOWNLOADS OF followHIM QUOTE BOOKSNew Testament: https://tinyurl.com/PodcastNTBookOld Testament: https://tinyurl.com/PodcastOTBookBook of Mormon: https://tinyurl.com/PodcastBMBook  WEEKLY NEWSLETTER https://tinyurl.com/followHIMnewsletter  SOCIAL MEDIA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/followHIMpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/followhimpodcastTIMECODE:00:00 Part 1 - Dr. Brad Wilcox01:56 Teaser02:48 Joseph is type of Jesus Christ04:22 Bio07:47 Joseph's background11:44 What is the birthright?16:02 Jacob sleeps on a rock19:45 A covenant relationship began21:43 Mt. Moriah and a “wrestle”28:50 Four mothers and 13 children33:25 A preparatory law35:59 A young Elder Russell M. Nelson41:09 Ephraim and Manassah45:18 Born to Change the World and a special guest51:22 Women's Conference 50th Anniversary53:32 Elder Bednar's question55:10 Big picture help59:01 President Nelson reminds about identity1:00:11 Potiphar's wife1:02:58 End of Part 1 - Dr. Brad WilcoxThanks to the followHIM team:Steve & Shannon Sorensen: Cofounder, Executive Producer, SponsorDavid & Verla Sorensen: SponsorsDr. Hank Smith: Co-hostJohn Bytheway: Co-hostDavid Perry: ProducerKyle Nelson: Marketing, SponsorLisa Spice: Client Relations, Editor, Show NotesWill Stoughton: Video EditorKrystal Roberts: Translation Team, English & French Transcripts, WebsiteAriel Cuadra: Spanish TranscriptsAmelia Kabwika: Portuguese TranscriptsHeather Barlow: Communications DirectorSydney Smith: Social Media, Graphic Design "Let Zion in Her Beauty Rise" by Marshall McDonaldhttps://www.marshallmcdonaldmusic.com

Don't Bow to the Beast (1) (audio) David Eells 3/4/26  I want to talk to you about refusing to bow to the Beast, but we will first go over a little background.  Many Christians are deceived about the Bride and the leadership of the church. We know God is raising up a new leadership, a Man-child ministry in these days that's going to be the first fruits of those to walk in the steps of Jesus Christ. Jesus said in John 16 that He was going to come again as a baby, a Man-child, born to a woman. We read in Revelation 12 that the Man-child is born at the beginning of the Tribulation Period and that the Man-child leads the woman through the wilderness. In studying the Book of Esther, we've learned that “Mordecai” in Hebrew means “little man” and in Persian means “little boy.” Persia was the Beast kingdom that he was under at the time. Both of those mean “Manchild.” In Esther 2:5, it says that Mordecai was in Shushan, the palace. He wasn't just a commoner; he was a ruler, somebody under the king who probably had to do with ruling over God's people. In Esther 2:19-20, it says that he also sat in the “king's gate,” which was the place of government, where the rulers of the conquered nations gathered before the king. Mordecai raised up Esther as the Bride and he “nourished her,” the original word says. He prepared her for this time and he continued to guide her steps all the way through the Book of Esther, all the way through their tribulation. Also, Hegai, the king's chamberlain, was very pleased with Esther, and she required nothing but what Hegai provided. And we need nothing but what the Holy Spirit provides us with. (Rom.8:14) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. This Bride and Man-child are the “sons of God” for whom the creation has been awaiting, the fullness of the sonship of Jesus Christ manifested in His people. In fact, the Shulamite in the Song of Solomon, the Bride who was chosen from among all the fair virgins of the kingdom, was called his “perfect one” (Song of Solomon 5:2). God is going to perfect, to mature His people. Esther was chosen out of all the fair virgins of the kingdom “because the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained favor and kindness in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her Queen” (Est.2:17). But even then she was under the guidance of Mordecai and in verse (20) … Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him. So we see that the job of the Man-child is to raise up the Bride and guide her. The Man-child is the head of the Bride, much like the False Prophet is the head of the Harlot. There is a corporate body of apostate people, called the Harlot, and the head of that body is its so-called Christian leadership, which is leading it astray. The Bride is Jerusalem and David was the head of Jerusalem. When Jesus came, He sat upon the throne of David and He was the head of the Bride. John the Baptist said, He that hath the bride is the bridegroom (Joh.3:29), as he saw Jesus leading the disciples. That's a short background, somewhat, and there's much more to the Book of Esther. (Est.3:1) After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him. These princes were the people who ruled over the kingdoms over which Ahasuerus ruled, and among those princes was Mordecai, who was over the people of God. Now we see that Mordecai and Esther are two entities whom God uses to save the rest of the people of God from destruction by the Beast. The Beast that was to destroy them is represented here by Haman, who is a corporate body, just as Mordecai represents a corporate body of people. Why would God advance Haman above the other princes? Because throughout history, God has raised up a Beast kingdom over His people in times when His people were in apostasy. Why is God calling His people out of the Harlot? (Rev.18:4) … Come forth, my people, out of her…. It's because there is such an apostasy in the Church, and they've turned away from the Word; they've gone after religions. They are in apostasy and God is calling His people out of that.  This is what the Tribulation is for. Every time God's people have become a harlot, He raised up a Beast to come against them: from Egypt, to Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome, and now the end-time Rome. We're seeing a worldwide revived Roman Empire being raised up again for the purpose of sanctifying His people and bringing them to repentance. The raising up of Haman, with his authority to destroy the people of God, is what brings God's people to repentance. (Est.3:2) And all the king's servants, that were in the king's gate (That's the place where government was, where all the representatives of the nations saw the face of the King.), bowed down, and did reverence to Haman (the Beast); for the king had so commanded concerning him. In Rom 13 we are told to submit to the powers that be. He had given Haman authority over God's people. People don't think that the Lord gives authority to evil in the earth, but He does, and it's for the purpose of bringing repentance. (Job2:10) … What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil… God does bring evil against His people as a chastening and a method to bring them to repentance.  So all the King's servants who were in the King's gate bowed down to the Beast, But Mordecai bowed not down, nor did him reverence (Est.3:2). I would say bowing down with reverence should be given nly to God. However, submitting to man's kingdoms is necessary to obey the Lord.  This is something we find all through the Scriptures. Mordecai, as a type of the man-child, refused to bow down to the Beast. We see the example of Joseph, who was sold into bondage by the Harlot, Potiphar's wife, and came to the position of authority like Mordecai. We see the example of Jesus, who didn't bow down to the Beast; and Moses, who didn't bow down; and Daniel – all these are types of the Man-child, who refused to bow down to the Beast.  (3) Then the king's servants, that were in the king's gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king's commandment? (4) Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai's matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew. Who is this accusing Mordecai to the Beast? You remember throughout history how the apostate brethren of Joseph persecuted and came against him and sold him into the hand of the Beast; and the apostate brethren of Jesus, the leadership of apostate Israel, accused Him to the Beast. We're seeing the same thing here; history keeps on repeating. We're not talking about rebellion against Constitutional, political authority here. We're talking about rebellion in terms of not bowing down religiously, of not worshipping the Beast as God. Today, there is a spirit of worship of the Beast by Christians, and there has been for many centuries. Patriotism, pledging allegiance, all these things that saints in past days would never have thought of doing, God's people today think nothing of. They don't understand that there's only one Kingdom – the Kingdom of God – which we should be representing. (5) And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not down, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath. (6) But he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had made known to him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai. Notice that the head over all God's true people is represented here by Mordecai.  In the rest of the story, Mordecai and Esther save all of these Jews from the Beast. Does that mean that all of what we loosely call Christians are going to be saved from the Beast? No, but the true Jews, those who are circumcised in heart, not in flesh, are all going to be saved. All Israel (Romans 11:26) is going to be saved – everybody who is grafted into the olive tree called “all Israel.” They'll be saved from the Beast in one form or another. We see here that Mordecai is one of the princes who sat in the king's gate to represent his people. He was among the other princes who were accusing him. In Ezekiel 17, I've shared a revelation the Lord gave me concerning the Beast of D.S. Babylon, who has brought God's people into bondage. We know that when Babylon conquered the nations, it not only brought apostate Israel into bondage, but they brought people like Daniel and the Hebrews, who were appointed people of God in their time, under the thumb of the Beast kingdom. When we talk about Mordecai, we're talking about the good leadership, but what about the bad leadership that accused him? (Eze.17:2) Son of man, put forth a riddle, and speak a parable unto the house of Israel; (3) and say, Thus saith the Lord God: A great eagle with great wings and long pinions, full of feathers, which had divers colors, came unto Lebanon, and took the top of the cedar: (4) he cropped off the topmost of the young twigs thereof, and carried it unto a land of traffic; he set it in a city of merchants. This represents the Great Eagle of America which is the head of D.S. Babylon, bringing the leadership of God's people into bondage. In the natural, it's happening; natural Israel is more and more under Kazarian D.S. dominion. Something else is also happening, and that is, that spiritual new testament Israel said to be circumcised in heart is being brought more and more under the dominion of the latest Beast government. Media-Persia of Cyrus/Trump is conquering Babylon, thank God. In fact, as we keep reading, it says (11) Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, (12) Say now to the rebellious house…. Why is it that God is permitting  Beast governments to bring under their authority the spiritual people of God and the “letter” people of God, the natural Jews? It is because they are rebellious houses. The letter Israel is a type and shadow for spiritual Israel. They've rebelled against the covenant that God has given. (12) Say now to the rebellious house, Know ye not what these things mean? tell them, Behold, the king of Babylon came to Jerusalem, and took the king thereof, and the princes thereof, and brought them to him to Babylon. So the king and the princes of both spiritual and natural Israel have been under the dominion of Babylon. What makes a beast a beast? The flesh is in control over the spiritual. The Alliance of nations under Cyrus/Trump is about to be a GESARA covenant. Although we will benefit from this covenant to rebuild the Kingdom of God, it will not last. The next seven verses go on to talk about a covenant that was broken in the middle, exactly as we would expect if it were Daniel's 70th-week covenant of the end-time broken in the middle. God also rebukes them for breaking His covenant and then He talks about another leadership that He's raising up. We just saw the apostate leadership, the king and the princes, brought under the dominion of Babylon, but He talks about a new leadership here. (22) Thus saith the Lord God: I will also take of the l7ofty top of the cedar (An evergreen type of eternal life), and will set it; I will crop off from the topmost of its young twigs a tender one, and I will plant it upon a high and lofty mountain. That's referring to the mountain representing the Kingdom of God, spiritual Mount Zion. This was the same description (cropping off the topmost twigs) that God gave in verse four here, referring to the apostate leadership of Israel/Church, but now the Lord speaks of a type of the Israel/Church's new leadership. So, once again, He is talking about a new leadership, “the topmost twig.” (23) In the mountain of the height of Israel will I plant it; and it shall bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a goodly cedar: and under it shall dwell all birds of every wing; in the shade of the branches thereof shall they dwell. (24) And all the trees of the field shall know that I, the Lord, have brought down the high tree, have exalted the low tree, have dried up the green tree, and have made the dry tree to flourish: I, the Lord, have spoken and have done it. God is bringing down a false leadership over the true people of God, and He's raising up a new leadership. This is just as it was in the days of Jesus and Moses, when the apostate leadership persecuted the Man-child Jesus and then His disciples. In the same way, in the end-time, God is going to bring down the high and the lofty and raise up the lowly to take that position who will walk in the steps of the Lord Jesus, the Man-child of Revelation 12. He came as a Lamb but now as a Lion. We just had a prophecy of the coming Lion, who come manifested in His Man-child body.  So we see here two groups in captivity. In the time of Esther, there were two groups in captivity, and the one persecuted the other, just as the False Prophet in Israel, the Sanhedrin, persecuted the Man-child ministry of Jesus. We see the same thing with Mordecai and these servants of the king who accused him to the Beast. Jesus was accused to the Beast by the corporate False Prophet of Israel. Also, we can go to Daniel and see that when Babylon took God's people into captivity, there was the good thrown in with the bad. (Dan.1:1) In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon (the “Great Eagle” in Eze 17.) unto Jerusalem, and besieged it. (2) And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God; and he carried them into the land of Shinar to the house of his god: and he brought the vessels into the treasure-house of his god. (3) And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring in [certain] of the children of Israel, even of the seed royal and of the nobles; (4) youths in whom was no blemish, but well-favored, and skilful in all wisdom, and endued with knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability to stand in the king's palace…. There it is! These are people whom God is raising up who are spotless and blemishless, and they're not equated with the Jewish king and his princes, who were also taken captive. That's the way it was with Daniel. (6) Now among these were, of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. (7) And the prince of the eunuchs gave names unto them: unto Daniel he gave [the name of] Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, [of] Shadrach; and to Mishael, [of] Meshach; and to Azariah, [of] Abednego. Next, these four had to be proven because they wouldn't be defiled by eating the king's food. They wouldn't partake of the Babylonish king's dainties and, since they wouldn't be defiled, they also didn't bow down to the image of the Beast. It's important to know that what we eat is what we are, and if we partake of a beastly doctrine that enables our flesh to rule, we will become a member of the Beast. Our flesh is a member of the Beast kingdom – it is an enemy of God; it's at enmity with your spirit. Partaking of fleshly doctrines is partaking of the Beast's dainties. Anyway, there was nothing but good said about these four Hebrews. (17) Now as for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. … (20) And in every matter of wisdom and understanding, concerning which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his realm. (21) And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus. What we see in the Book of Daniel – twice, in chapters 3 and 6 – is exactly what we see concerning the accusations against Mordecai, the Man-child, by the other leaders. What happened in Jesus' day, when He was accused by the other rabbis, the apostates (and accused to the Roman Beast, too, by the way), we see also in Daniel. The three Hebrews represented the people who would not bow down. Daniel was obviously in leadership, but the three Hebrews refused to bow down to the image of the Beast in Daniel chapter three. It was the image of the Beast because it had the number of the Beast. (Dan.3:1) Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore (60 - there's “6”) cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits (there's “6-6”): he set it up in the plain of Dura…. “Dura” means “a circle,” which reminds us of the earth, and the Gematria for “the earth” or “the world” is 600. So there you have a representation of the world adding up to 666. We're talking about the image of the Beast, and it's made up of, if we look carefully in chapter two, all the peoples and all the kingdoms, one right after another.  Now notice who was commanding the people to bow down to this image: (4) Then the herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages…. The word “herald” is the only Greek word in this text, and it's the New Testament word for “preacher.” So we have apostate preachers over the people of God, commanding them to bow down to the image of the Beast. This is like pledging allegiance. Not everybody bowed down, just as we saw with Mordecai. The other servants of the king who stood in the king's gate bowed down. This was the leadership of the apostate people of God, or the False Prophet. They bowed down to Haman, but Mordecai, the Man-child, refused. We see that they commanded them to bow down, and the people all bowed down, except for the three Hebrews. (8) Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and brought accusation against the Jews. They were accused because they refused to bow down to the image of the Beast. Now, God saved them and brought a witness through them of His power to save, even in the fiery furnace that was heated seven times hotter, as in the seven years of the Tribulation Period. “Times” is used in Revelation 12:14, for instance, as in “a time, times, and half a time,” speaking of years. So “seven times” in this text speaks of the Tribulation Period. The three Hebrews refused to bow down. They served the king, obeyed and submitted to the government of the king, but when it came to bowing down, they refused. The world is going to demand this; they're going to make their generic god, and everyone is going to have to serve it and be at peace with others and not witness to others and so on. We have another witness of Daniel himself, who was a type of the Man-child. Daniel refused to bow down, and the same situation happened. There were others with him, who were leaders, who accused him before the Beast: (Dan.6:1) It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom a hundred and twenty satraps, who should be throughout the whole kingdom; (2) and over them three presidents, of whom Daniel was one (“Throughout the whole kingdom” could be an application of what we loosely call “the Kingdom of God.”); that these satraps might give account unto them, and that the king should have no damage. (3) Then this Daniel was distinguished above the presidents and the satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. (4) Then the presidents and the satraps sought to find occasion against Daniel as touching the kingdom; but they could find no occasion nor fault, forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. Praise God! Those were the false prophets who corresponded to the false prophets in Jesus' day, who sought occasion for false witness against Jesus, and since He had committed no sin, they had to falsely accuse Him. It was the same with Daniel here. The head of the Harlot was the false prophets and false leaders who were accusing Jesus, How is the faithful city become a harlot! … (Isa.1:21). God's people had become a harlot because they had apostatized and were committing fornication with the world. They were receiving the seed of the world, the seed of the Beast kingdom. (Dan.6:5) Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God. (6) Then these presidents and satraps assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever. (7) All the presidents of the kingdom, the deputies and the satraps, the counsellors and the governors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a strong interdict, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any god or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions. Daniel only bowed down to his God; he only asked of his God; he wasn't going to treat the king or the Beast as a god. (8) Now, O king, establish the interdict, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. (9) Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the interdict. (10) And when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house (now his windows were open in his chamber toward Jerusalem;) and he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. So he only knelt down to the God of Israel. He refused to bow down to the image of the Beast.  (11) Then these men assembled together, and found Daniel making petition and supplication before his God. (12) Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's interdict: Hast thou not signed an interdict, that every man that shall make petition unto any god or man within thirty days, save unto thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. (13) Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, who is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the interdict that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day. (14) Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he labored till the going down of the sun to rescue him. Notice that it wasn't the Beast that wanted to destroy the Man-child; it was his own brothers. Joseph's brothers were the ones who sold him into bondage to the Gentiles. And, accordingly, Pilate wanted nothing to do with crucifying what he called Jesus, this righteous man (Mat.27:24).  The apostates twisted his arm, exactly as they are doing here. We are headed to the exact same time, when the false leadership over God's people is going to be used to persecute the true leadership. Although all of them are going to be under the same Beast government rule, the leadership of the apostate people of God, just as we saw with Mordecai, is going to bow down to the Beast. Amazingly, people whom you and I have called Christians and thought were Christians will be part of a great falling away. The 10 northern tribes worshipped the image of the beast and were part of a great falling away. They bowed down to the golden calf, or the image of a beast. Now the same thing is happening to what we loosely call Christianity; they have built and bowed down to their golden calf. It's a work of man's hands. It has nothing to do with God or His Word that He created in the very beginning, as far as Christianity is concerned. It's something that they have made themselves, and because it's their own, they're going to want to protect it and defend it and their livelihood along with it. The Man-child ministry is going to be a threat to that because of the truths that will come forth, just as they came out of Jesus. The Bible spoke about Jesus, how He opened His mouth, and things that were hidden from the foundation of the world were revealed. Things that have been hidden are going to be revealed, but also, things that have been hidden in God's people are going to be revealed by this great falling away and by the apostates' siding with the Beast against their brethren. They are Judases, sons of perdition, false prophets. The point here in Daniel is that he still refused to do anything but bow down only to the real, true God, not to just any ruler or generic god, not even to any god that they might call “Jesus.” Many religious images of Jesus are not Him at all. When we read the Bible, we see the true Jesus and His crucified life. That contrasts with what we see now in Christianity. Will the current leadership continue to bring a reproach on Christianity by living so lavishly and fleecing so many people? That's not walking in the steps of Jesus; that's not the crucified life. These people defend that lifestyle as spiritual, and it's a shame. How many airplanes can a person use? God is sending the Beast not only because of the leadership, but also because of the people who don't understand that they should not support people who do such things. The crucified life that Jesus and His disciples walked was a simple life without all the accoutrements of Babylon. They didn't have the fancy temple and the big synagogues, but they had the truth. That was part of the trial. There is a great apostasy, a rebellion, in the church. They're in love with the world, and the things of the world, and the Bible says, If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him (1Jn.2:15). God is proving just who it is who loves Him. The Bride, in the Song of Solomon, ran fanatically after the Bridegroom, so much so that she surprised the other queens, virgins, and concubines. They thought that one Jesus was just as good as another. But the other Jesus' are made by man. They give Jesus a character that's contrary to Scripture, a contrary doctrine, and so on.  Well, Daniel wouldn't bow down, so he had to be thrown into the lion's den and, as you know, God preserved him. God sent His angel. (Dan.6:18) Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting; neither were instruments of music brought before him: and his sleep fled from him. (19) Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions. (20) And when he came near unto the den to Daniel, he cried with a lamentable voice; the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? (21) Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever. (22) My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, and they have not hurt me; forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt. (23) Then was the king exceeding glad, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he had trusted in his God. (24) And the king commanded, and they brought those men that had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces, before they came to the bottom of the den. That's very similar to Revelation 17:16, where the Beast devours the Harlot.  The apostate leaders who accused Jesus were then destroyed, and as we know, there's a great and terrible Day of the Lord coming, when that's exactly what's going to happen. The Beast is going to devour and destroy the Harlot and burn her flesh with fire. So the Beast was basically made a believer in the God of Daniel, just as in the time of Nebuchadnezzar; and, by the way, Daniel chapter seven speaks of the end-time. We know the timing of Daniel's Tribulation because he gets a revelation of the four Beasts, and from his time, which was the time of Babylon onward, is when his revelation started. His vision didn't start with the Egyptian and Assyrian Beasts, which were two that came before Babylon. The Beasts of Revelation, however, start with those two that came before Babylon. Daniel mentions the four Beasts that lead up to the end-time Beast. There was the lion with eagle's wings (Babylon) that was conquered by the Media-Persian bear, then by Greece, then Rome. He was prophesying again of the image of the Beast.  In today's end-times, these entities are still with us. The Lion with Eagle's wings is the British Empire, and the Eagle's wings are the present head of the British Empire and America. This is the Great Eagle, which was then and will be today conquered by the Medo-Persian Bear. So not only were these historic, from Daniel's day on, but they're also an end-time revelation of what's going to happen. We find that this last Beast that he talks about, which was Rome, devours the whole earth. The last Beast, he tells us, was headed up by 10 horns, exactly like Revelation 17. The 10 horns are the ten kings that rule over the Beast kingdom. Among those 10 horns comes up a little horn (Daniel 7:8) that's different, it says, from the rest of the horns. That little horn is a ruler among rulers that will be diverse from all of the 10, and it is the corporate False Prophet. (Dan.7:21) … The same horn made war with the saints…. There it is again! They'll make war on the Man-child and the saints, which is exactly what we see in the rest of the Book of Esther. (Dan.7:23) Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all the kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth…. We have had the United Nations, whose place is being taken by the Alliance of nations. The whole earth is inside the body of the last Beast. GESARA Law was signed unanimously by all 209 countries in 2015. Remember that in Daniel's vision of the legs of the image of the beast, Rome lasted from the thighs all the way down to the toes – the iron that was mixed with the clay. It is different in these days because now it has covered; it has devoured, the whole earth. And among those 10 kings is the little horn that comes up to make war on the saints. (Dan.7:20) ... Before which three fell, even that [horn] that had eyes, and a mouth that spake great things, whose look was more stout than its fellows. (21) I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; (22) until the ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the Most High, and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.  So we see the Beast has been given authority to crucify Christ once more. It says that he “prevailed against them.” This False Prophet and the Harlot beneath the False Prophet have been given authority to crucify the flesh of the saints. It doesn't necessarily mean that all will die; that's not the point here. The point is the crucifixion of the flesh of the saints. The Church is in rebellion because the flesh rules. The Beast, in a spiritual way, is ruling over them already because their flesh rules over them already. There has to be a crucifixion for us to bear fruit and come into the Kingdom; therefore, God is raising up this whole worldwide kingdom to come against His people. The little horn represents a religious entity because it's different from the other horns. They are corporate bodies of secular rulers, but the little horn is a corporate body of religious rulers who will bring God's people to their cross, much like they did to Jesus in His day. This is the seed of that same Sanhedrin that's being raised up in our day, no different from the earlier one. The Sanhedrin in natural Israel has been raised up again, and the Sanhedrin in spiritual Israel has been raised up again, too, to crucify the body of Christ again. God just repeats history in larger and larger ways. The spiritual man is not going to be conquered, and the quicker we learn to submit, the more we will be like Daniel, in that the lions' mouths will be closed. The Beast will not be able to devour Daniel. The fire of the fiery furnace, heated seven times hotter, will not be able to devour the three Hebrews because they have refused to eat the king's dainties and they refused to bow down to the image of the Beast, just like Daniel. What we see in Esther is clearly a prophecy of the end-time. The persecution that was raised up against Mordecai, who was over all God's people of the kingdom, will be repeated in our day. Remember, the Beast decided to kill the people of Mordecai. The people of Mordecai, of whom we are speaking, include the Bride, but just as Jerusalem is only part of the Kingdom, the Bride is only part of the people of Mordecai. Not everybody in the Church is going to follow the Man-child. All the righteous Jews in the rest of the kingdom will be delivered from the Beast through the righteous leadership of Mordecai, the Man-child, and Esther, the Bride – a leadership that refused to bow down and a people that refused to bow down, respectively. The true people of God will not bow down. The rest will worship the image of the Beast; they will bow down. God is sending a separation in the form of this image of the Beast. The people who have no faith in their God, no commitment to their God, will find it easier to justify themselves and bow down to the image of the Beast, even change their doctrines, if necessary, and submit to the Beast kingdom. The true people of God are represented by the people of Mordecai, who discover that this leadership is truly the right leadership, like the people who followed Jesus in His day. This represented a people from among natural Israel who were a first fruits to follow Jesus diligently, just as it will be in our day. (Joh.3:29) He that hath the bride is the bridegroom…. Even if a person didn't come up to the standard of the Bride which Jesus raised up, He sent them forth unto every place He was about to go to fulfill the Great Commission. The apostles raised up the five-fold ministry as the leadership for the rest of spiritual Israel, just as the latter-day apostles will for the Church. We have some great days coming, some wondrous days. In Esther 3:7-8, it is also revealed that God's people had been rebellious, and that's the reason this is coming today. The best thing we can do is learn to serve the true and living God. Don't bow down to the Beast.

In this episode of Handmaidens, Harems, and Heroines, Lynne Hilton Wilson explores the rich and often complicated stories of women in Genesis 37–41, shining a thoughtful Latter-day Saint lens on narratives that are frequently overshadowed by the story of Joseph. Dr. Wilson brings depth and cultural insight to the account of Dinah, whose story in Genesis 34 echoes into the later family tensions surrounding Joseph; Tamar, whose courageous and calculated actions in Genesis 38 preserve covenant lineage; and Potiphar's wife, a powerful yet unnamed Egyptian woman whose encounter with Joseph in Genesis 39 raises questions about power, agency, morality, and voice. With careful attention to ancient Near Eastern context and covenant theology, this episode highlights how these women—whether victims, heroines, or antagonists—play essential roles in moving the Abrahamic story forward. Dr. Wilson invites viewers to look beyond surface readings and consider issues of honor, inheritance, justice, and faith in a patriarchal world. As Joseph rises from slavery to leadership in Egypt, the stories of these women remind us that God's purposes unfold through complex human experiences—and that even the most difficult narratives in Genesis offer profound spiritual lessons for modern disciples.

In Joseph's story, we see a man who has set his heart to choose the Lord over sin. We see that conviction played out when Joseph is confronted with his master's wife. Pastor Dan Rude explains how the story of Joseph helps us understand what it looks like to live with sexual integrity.

Thursday February 26, 2026I Week Of LentToday's readings remind us that integrity, maturity, and mercy are formed under pressure.In Genesis 39:1–23, Joseph rises in Potiphar's house because “the Lord was with him.” Even when falsely accused and thrown into prison, that same phrase is repeated—*the Lord was with Joseph. Favor does not prevent hardship, and faithfulness does not always yield immediate reward. But God's presence remains steady in both promotion and prison.In 1 Corinthians 2:14–3:15, Paul contrasts spiritual maturity with spiritual infancy. The natural mind cannot grasp the things of the Spirit, and believers are urged to grow beyond jealousy and division. We are builders on a foundation already laid—Jesus Christ. What we construct with our lives will be tested, and only what is built on Him will endure.And in Mark 2:1–12, four friends lower a paralyzed man through a roof to reach Jesus. Before healing the body, Jesus forgives the man's sins—revealing that His deepest authority is over the human heart. The scribes question Him, but the crowd leaves glorifying God.This episode invites us to remain faithful when unseen, to build wisely on Christ as our foundation, and to trust the Son who not only heals—but forgives and restores from the inside out.

Joseph's story takes another sharp turn as betrayal gives way to temptation. Rising from slave to trusted servant in Potiphar's house, everything seems to stabilize—until he's pressured to compromise his integrity. In a moment where disappointment could have justified disobedience, Joseph chooses honor over impulse, faithfulness over feeling. Even when doing the right thing lands him in prison instead of promotion, he refuses to sin against God. This part of the story reminds us that adversity often tests not just our endurance, but our character. When life feels unfair, will you still choose obedience?Pursuing God with Gene Appel is a weekday podcast designed to help you pursue God, build community, and unleash compassion. Grounded in Scripture and shaped by Eastside's conviction that God's grace is for everyone, each episode invites you to discover God's presence and activity in your life.Pursuing God with Gene Appel is designed to help you pursue God, build community, and unleash compassion. Grounded in Scripture and shaped by Eastside's conviction that God's grace is for everyone, each episode invites you to discover God's presence and activity in your life.

Send a textDownload study notes for this chapter.Download study notes for this entire book.**********Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version ®, NIV ® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used with permission. All rights reserved worldwide.The “NIV”, “New International Version”, “Biblica”, “International Bible Society” and the Biblica Logo are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.  Used with permission.BIBLICA, THE INTERNATIONAL BIBLE SOCIETY, provides God's Word to people through Bible translation & Bible publishing, and Bible engagement in Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and North America. Through its worldwide reach, Biblica engages people with God's Word so that their lives are transformed through a relationship with Jesus Christ.Support the show

On two occasions in this chapter Moses tells us that the Lord "prospered" Joseph: first, as a slave in Potiphar's house (vs 2,3) and, second, as a prisoner in the royal jail (v 23). In view of what most of us consider the word "prosperity" to mean, it might strike us as strange or even humorous to apply that word to a slave or a prisoner. But Moses doesn't seem to see any conflict between God "prospering" Joseph and the harsh circumstances under which he was living. So we'll look more closely at this period of Joseph's life in order to discover how God defines prosperity. Then we'll try to identify why God prospered him. And finally, we'll apply this lesson to ourselves by asking the question, "What must I do so the Lord will prosper me?" To receive a free copy of Dr. Steve Schell's newest book Study Verse by Verse: Revelation, email us at info@lifelessonspublishing.com and ask for your copy at no charge!  Also check out our website at lifelessonspublishing.com for additional resources for pastors and leaders. We have recorded classes and other materials offered at no charge.    

Today we will focus on a very important aspect of human relationships, especially as it applies to marriage: our mental habits. If we look behind the main events of this chapter, we observe a marriage in trouble. Potiphar's wife has grown disloyal and disrespectful toward her husband to the point that she is aggressively pursuing other men. She has fallen into some negative mental habits which will produce greater unhappiness for both of them. Has he earned her contempt? Maybe, but whether he has or hasn't, her response can only make their marriage worse, not better. After observing Potiphar's marriage, we will turn to Philippians 4:6-9 in order to allow Paul to teach us the power of positive mental attitudes on our marriage and other important relationships.

In this Bible Story, Everything Joseph does succeeds and thrives. So much so, that he becomes the overseer of Potiphar’s household. But then, Joseph is accused of wrongdoing by Potiphar’s wife and is thrown in prison. This story is inspired by Genesis 39:20-41:57. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is Genesis 39:7 from the King James Version.Episode 27: Though sold into slavery, Joseph found himself serving in the house of an Egyptian official named Potiphar. While serving there, God blessed Joseph and made everything he did successful. Potiphar recognized this blessing was coming from Joseph, but Potiphar’s wife did not, and by her wicked accusations, Joseph went from palace to prison. But even in this dark prison, God continued to bless him and those he served.Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world’s greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd HaberkornSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever considered what would have happened to Joseph in Potiphar's house if he had yielded to the temptation of Potiphar's wife? In this episode we'll focus closely on character and why it's so important as it relates to Joseph and our lives. We'll also discuss how Joseph responded to temptation to learn how we can respond too.  To receive a free copy of Dr. Steve Schell's newest book Study Verse by Verse: Revelation, email us at info@lifelessonspublishing.com and ask for your copy at no charge!  Also check out our website at lifelessonspublishing.com for additional resources for pastors and leaders. We have recorded classes and other materials offered at no charge.    

Today's Scripture passages are Genesis 39 - 40 | Matthew 3:13-17 | Mark 1:9-13 | Luke 3:21-22.Read by Christina Edmondson. Get in The Word with Truth's Table is a production of InterVarsity Press. For 75 years, IVP has published and created thoughtful Christian books for the university, church, and the world. Our Bible reading plan is adapted from Bible Study Together, and the Bible version is the New English Translation, used by permission.SPECIAL OFFER | As a listener of this podcast, use the code IVPWORD40 for 40% off and free shipping on any IVP resource mentioned in this episode at ivpress.com.Additional Credits:Song production: Seaux ChillSong lyrics written by: Seaux Chill, Ekemini Uwan, and Christina EdmondsonPodcast art: Kate LillardPhotography: Shelly EveBible consultant: JM SmithSound engineering: Podastery StudiosCreative producers: Ekemini Uwan and Christina EdmondsonAssistant producer: Christine Pelliccio MeloExecutive producer: Helen LeeTo reach the IVP podcast team, please use this form.Disclaimer: The comments, views, and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and/or the guests featured on the podcast and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of InterVarsity Press or InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.