Podcasts about Potiphar

Today, we continue to read the life of Joseph, we'll see the roller coaster of good and evil in his life. But most importantly, his response to the injustices done to him and God's response to Joseph's faith.Genesis 39:1-21 NLTWhen Joseph was taken to Egypt by the Ishmaelite traders, he was purchased by Potiphar, an Egyptian officer. Potiphar was captain of the guard for Pharaoh, the king of Egypt.  The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master. … This pleased Potiphar, so he … put him in charge of his entire household and everything he owned. … With Joseph there, he didn't worry about a thing—except what kind of food to eat!Joseph was a very handsome and well-built young man, and Potiphar's wife soon began to look at him lustfully. “Come and sleep with me,” she demanded. But Joseph refused. “Look,” he told her, “My master trusts me with everything in his entire household. … How could I do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God.” She kept putting pressure on Joseph day after day, but he refused to sleep with her … One day … She came and grabbed him by his cloak, demanding, “Come on, sleep with me!” Joseph tore himself away, but he left his cloak in her hand as he ran from the house. Soon all the men came running. “Look!” she said. “… this Hebrew slave … came into my room to rape me, but I screamed.  … Potiphar was furious when he heard his wife's story … So he took Joseph and threw him into the prison …  But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love.Among the evil Joseph had to endure, what were the two phrases that created game changers for him?“The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did …”“But the Lord was with Joseph … and showed him his faithful love.”“The Lord was with” simply means there was a constant, continual relationship between God and Joseph. Like a hybrid of family and friend. No matter what you have been through, are walking through now, or will endure in your life, that “with” is available to you 24/7.These same thoughts are what Paul meant when in Romans 8:31, he stated, “If God is for us, who can ever be against us?”Let's personalize and repeat that phrase right now: “If God is for me, who can ever be against me?” … “If God is for me, who can ever be against me?” … “If God is for me, who can ever be against me?”Let's pray together: “Father, thank You that nothing that can happen to me is bigger, stronger, or greater than You. I want my life to be marked by the “with” of being in a relationship with You. I invite You into my life to experience the same closeness as Joseph had. As above, so below.”

An episode from East River Baptist Church, a conservative, independent body of King James Bible believers located on the Northeast side of Houston, Texas. East River Baptist Church's (ERBC) mission as an assembly is threefold:- To Exalt the Saviour! Eph. 3:21- To Edify the Saints! Eph. 4:16- To Evangelize the Sinners! Lk 24:47 What ERBC believes about the Scriptures: “We believe that the scriptures of both Old and New Testament are verbally inspired of God, that they are the supreme and final authority for faith and practice, and are preserved in the Authorized Version (KJV 1611) of the Bible. 2 Timothy 3:16. Psalm 12:6-7." What ERBC believes about God: “We believe in one God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. That God is supreme in His person, absolute in His attributes, glorious in His perfection, and eternal in His being. 1 John 5:7." What ERBC believes about Jesus: “We believe in the Deity of Jesus Christ. His conception by the Holy Spirit, His virgin birth, His sinless life, His death on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins, His bodily resurrection, His exaltation at God's right hand, and His personal imminent, pre-millennial, and pre-tribulation return. Ephesians 1:7. ” What ERBC believes about man: “We believe that God created man in His image and likeness (a triune being: spirit, soul, and body) in a state of innocence's, but through temptation, he willingly transgressed, became dead in trespasses and sins. As a result, his posterity (all men) inherited a corrupt nature, are born in sin, and are under condemnation. Romans 5:12.” A message from ERBC to you:“If you are looking for a church in the Houston Texas area that preaches the Truth from God's Word, reach out to us at any time. We would love to hear from you at (281) 399-3030 or on our website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://eastriverbaptistchurch.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ You may also write to us at:East River Baptist ChurchP.O. Box 983New Caney, TX 77357 Our video messages are also available for you at the following locations:YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/eastriverbaptistchurchFacebook -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/erbctexas⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Be sure to Subscribe to our channel and/or Like and Follow ERBC on Facebook so that you will be notified the next time we are live.Have A Blessed Day,East River Baptist Church” The KJV Bible Preaching Churches Podcast is directly supported by Doss Metrics LLC | Ministry Services based out of Cleveland Texas. If you have any questions regarding this podcast, or the churches hosted on the podcast, please reach out to us directly at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠dossmetrics@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or write to us at: Doss Metrics | KJV Bible Preaching Churches Podcast1501 McBride Rd.Cleveland, TX 77328 God Bless#KJV #BaptistChurches #BiblePreaching #KJVPreaching #KingJamesBible #ChurchSermons #ChristianPodcasts #BibilicalTeaching #EastRiverBaptistChurch #RogerHoots

The Suffering of the Psalmist      The Psalmist wrote, “Before I was afflicted, I went astray, but now I keep Your word” (Psa 119:67). The word translated “went astray” is שָׁגַג (shāgag). According to HALOT it means “to make a mistake inadvertently, unwittingly…to go astray.”[1] It connotes moral or spiritual deviation (cf. Prov 5:23; Isa 53:6). Ross states, “The verb (שָׁגגַ) is used in Leviticus for unintentional sins; but here it probably includes rationalized, deliberate sins because he was wandering from the way of God. He was not walking by faith in obedience to the word, and so he suffered some affliction at the hands of the wicked; but now he was keeping God's oracle, the word “keep” (שָׁמַר) referring to a meticulous observance of all that God required in his covenant.”[2] The significance is that the psalmist admits he was drifting from obedience, not necessarily into outright rebellion, but into carelessness or neglect of God's Word. The affliction became God's means of correction, turning his wandering into renewed obedience. Thus, the term highlights human tendency to stray and God's faithful use of discipline to restore. A few verses later he states, “It is good for me that I was afflicted, so that I may learn Your statutes” (Psa 119:71). Affliction is seen as a teacher that drives God's people back to His Word. Ross adds, “The psalmist is able to acknowledge that his affliction worked for his good because it forced him to learn more of God's plan revealed in his word. In learning through adversity, he discovered the word God personally revealed in human language was far more valuable than silver or gold [Psa 119:72].”[3] Then, the psalmist states, “I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are righteous, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me” (Psa 119:75). Ross states: "The affliction he has been experiencing came from God, even though it was through arrogant oppressors. The principle was laid down in the experience of Israel in the wilderness: God tested them to see if they would obey or not (Deut 8:16). Those who understand the ways of God know that ultimately it is his plan to exalt the righteous and destroy the wicked, but that in his wisdom he often humbles the righteous before exalting them."[4]      Taken together, these verses trace the movement from wandering, to correction, to obedience, and finally to worshipful recognition of God's faithful purposes. They teach that affliction, far from being wasted, is a tool in God's hand to sanctify His people and anchor them more firmly in His Word. We don't like trials or suffering, and we often ask God to remove them, much like Paul asked God to remove his “thorn in the flesh” (2 Cor 12:7). However, we find that most of the time God chooses not to remove our difficulty, like He did not remove Paul's (2 Cor 12:8-9), and we must learn that what He does not remove, He intends for us to deal with, and this by faith (2 Cor 12:10; cf. 2 Cor 5:7; Heb 10:38; 11:6). The Suffering of Joseph      Joseph's life stands as one of Scripture's clearest demonstrations of how God employs suffering to shape the faith and character of His people. Betrayed by his brothers and cast into a pit, Joseph was sold into slavery and carried away to Egypt (Gen 37:23–28). There he endured the humiliation of serving as a foreigner in Potiphar's house, and though he prospered by God's favor, his integrity in resisting Potiphar's wife led to false accusations and unjust imprisonment (Gen 39:1–20). Even in prison, where he was forgotten by those he had helped (Gen 40:23), Joseph displayed remarkable faithfulness, refusing bitterness and maintaining trust in God's providential hand. Each stage of his trial pressed him deeper into dependence upon the Lord, refining his character for the weighty responsibilities that awaited him. His hardships were not incidental but instrumental in God's design, preparing him to serve as second only to Pharaoh and to become a channel of blessing to countless lives.      Joseph consistently interpreted his life from the perspective of God's providence, not merely in the well-known statement of Genesis 50:20. When he first revealed himself to his brothers, he sought to comfort them with the assurance that their sin, though grievous, was under divine control: “Do not be grieved or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life” (Gen 45:5). He went further, declaring, “God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on the earth, and to keep you alive by a great deliverance. Now, therefore, it was not you who sent me here, but God” (Gen 45:7–8). In both statements, Joseph acknowledged the reality of human betrayal but deliberately framed it within the larger purposes of God. He viewed his sufferings as divine instruments for the preservation of life and the fulfillment of covenantal promises.      Later, after Jacob's death, Joseph's brothers again feared retaliation, but Joseph reaffirmed the same perspective, saying: “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive” (Gen 50:20). This statement serves as the theological climax of his narrative, demonstrating how God overruled human evil for His own purposes. According to Radmacher, “God works His good plan even through the evil plans of evil people. Even the worst events can be used in the hand of kindly Providence for His good.”[5] Even at the end of his life, Joseph's confidence remained fixed on God's providence. Altogether, Joseph voiced this divine perspective at least four times (Gen 45:5; 45:7–8; 50:20; 50:24–25), revealing a mature faith that consistently interpreted suffering through the lens of God's sovereign care. The Suffering of Moses      Moses' life reveals how God employs prolonged suffering and repeated trials to shape His servants into men of spiritual depth and usefulness. After killing the Egyptian, Moses fled into exile, spending forty years in Midian as a shepherd (Ex 2:15–25). This season of obscurity was not wasted but was God's classroom for humility and preparation. Though Moses had been educated in all the wisdom of Egypt (Acts 7:22), he needed the quiet discipline of the desert to unlearn self-reliance and to grow in patience and dependence on God. The Lord used these years of hiddenness to refine his character and to equip him with the endurance necessary for leading Israel. This long exile reminds believers that God often uses seasons of difficulty, waiting, and obscurity as essential training grounds for future service. Moses would later emerge not as the impulsive prince of Egypt but as the meek servant whom God could use to shepherd His people. Wiersbe states: "The man who was “mighty in word and deed” is now in the lowly pastures taking care of stubborn sheep, but that was just the kind of preparation he needed for leading a nation of stubborn people. Israel was God's special flock (Psa 100:3) and Moses His chosen shepherd. Like Joseph's thirteen years as a slave in Egypt and Paul's three years' hiatus after his conversion (Gal 1:16-17), Moses' forty years of waiting and working prepared him for a lifetime of faithful ministry. God doesn't lay hands suddenly on His servants but takes time to equip them for their work."[6]      When God called Moses to return to Egypt, the trials intensified. He faced the hardened opposition of Pharaoh (Ex 5–12), who resisted every divine demand, bringing repeated conflict and mounting pressure. Beyond this, Moses bore the weight of constant complaints from the Israelites themselves, who murmured against him at the Red Sea and in the wilderness over water and food (Ex 14–17). Such trials might have broken a lesser man, but through them God deepened Moses' humility and dependence. Scripture later records that “the man Moses was very humble, more than any man who was on the face of the earth” (Num 12:3). His humility came as he suffered hardship—first in Midian's solitude, then in Pharaoh's defiance, and finally in Israel's stubbornness. Each trial stripped Moses of self-confidence and taught him to rest in God's power and presence. Thus, Moses' life illustrates that suffering, though painful, is God's tool to produce humility, endurance, and spiritual maturity in His people, preparing them for greater responsibility and usefulness in His service. The pathway to spiritual maturity sometimes runs though the valley of hardship and suffering. Steven R. Cook, D.Min., M.Div.   [1] Ludwig Koehler et al., The Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament (Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1994–2000), 1412. [2] Allen P. Ross, A Commentary on the Psalms (90–150): Commentary, vol. 3, 523. [3] Ibid., 524–525. [4] Ibid., 529. [5] Earl D. Radmacher, Ronald Barclay Allen, and H. Wayne House, Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Commentary (Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers, 1999), 83. [6] Warren Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, Vol. 1, 182-183.

Joseph resists the temptations of Potiphar's wife, though he ends up in prison for it, but God is always with him.

Title: The Doctrine of Imputation-Mrs. Potiphar's Testimony Preached 11-10-2025 Text: 2 Cor 5 vs 21 1. Continued to amplify the centrality of the doctrine of imputation to Christian hope and faith. 2. And saying, this is not a new doctrine. 3. Rather God taught in many types and shadows right from the Old Testament. 4. And the story of Mrs. Potiphar is very illustrative of this doctrine in its purity. 5. A lot of scandal her and how she got Joseph in trouble and yet she was not condemned. 6. And this only because of the testimony of the garment that Joseph left her in her hands. 7. And that garment (a picture of the imputed righteousness of Christ) was her only hope and testimony of vindication. WONDERFUL GOSPEL, GOd be be praised!

TranscriptThis morning, I'd like to start like this.Why don't I start like this?Check this out. What if I started by telling you that I love you? I'm excited to sow the seeds of the Word of God into your life today. I pray that they make a difference. Today, I believe the word of the Lord is going to bring somebody a harvest. I believe somebody came to church today to hear what God is about to say.A couple of things I want to say on our laundry list. If you're missing Pastor Erik and his family—Pastor has been blessed to be called to another assembly today to encourage two churches that are trying to come together. They believe, and we know, that he has a lot to say in that regard. He is insightful. He's anointed to preach to that. So they're trying to come together, and they asked him to come give his insights and his expertise and to bring his anointing. So we're praying for Pastor Erik—that as God uses him, he'll be a blessing to those two congregations who we believe God is trying to make one.Also, additionally, we talked last week about these being hard times for people with regard to food. We have some provisions here at the church. If you know someone who's struggling, we have five bags in the conference room of ready-to-go provisions, and we're willing to do more. We also certainly support The Sharing Place. We have Finn come in—we'll have them back this fall. We've also been in collaboration and conversation with several of the congregations in our community, just seeing what we can do as a united effort to be a blessing in this season. So just know that we're prepared to do that. If you know of a need, we're prepared to do something—not everything—but we're praying, all right?I believe the word's going to bless somebody today. Let me just get this out of the way. Yesterday, or over the weekend, our couples ministry had an event. Do we have a picture of that? What do y'all think of that group? Their example of people who are trying to strengthen their relationships, strengthen their bonds—we thank God for our leadership in that ministry, and that offering continues to come.Now, I know that the Colts are actively playing right now, so let me just address the elephant in the room. I know if I look around, I see you checking the score. They're ahead 13–7, by the way. I'm excited.Do me a favor. God's going to bless us today through the word. Would you invest in it? Would you hold your cup up before the Lord and humbly say, “Fill my cup, Lord, and let it overflow”?It's on the inside. You should know that it was always on the inside. The pearls—particularly the ones from God—are hidden. Something on the inside working on the outside brought about a change in my life. It's on the inside. And that thing that's on the inside—if you connect with it, if you find it, if you touch it, if you believe in it and cultivate it—God has given it an assignment.Our sermon thought today is that your gift will make room for you.Here's what somebody came to church to hear today: Somebody—maybe not everybody—but somebody needs you. Somebody is waiting for you to find you. Something on the inside is what we'll contemplate today with this thought: your gift has been assigned to make room for you.Last week, Pastor Erik took us to Genesis 37 and introduced us to Joseph's coat—the multicolored robe that his father Jacob gave him as a sign of favor, identity, and calling. We learned that your identity is your first garment. It's prerequisite to calling. Nobody will do what they're assigned to do until and unless they find out who they're assigned to be. Identity is the first garment we all wear. No wonder the enemy fights us in that area.Something God clothes you with before the world ever weighs in or gives their opinion. Pastor Erik also helped us see the tension that comes with favor. Joseph's coat made him visible, and the visibility provoked jealousy. By the end of Genesis 37, his brothers stripped him of that coat, dipped it in goat's blood, and threw Joseph in a pit.Here's the question that sets us up for today: What happens when the coat is gone? What happens when the external sign of favor gets stripped away? Does the favor disappear with the coat? Does the calling end? Has God forgotten about you?In Genesis 39 today, we get the answer. The coat was merely external—but the gifts, the pearls—they are internal. The coat was what people could see, but the gifts—the actual anointing, the competence, the presence of God on Joseph's life—those were woven into who he was. Those gifts didn't disappear when the coat was taken. In fact, those gifts were about to be refined, tested, and seasoned in a way that would prepare Joseph for something far greater than what he ever imagined.That's true for somebody who showed up today as well.Today, we're talking about servanthood, gifts, and how God uses obscurity—those seasons when nobody's looking—to add flavor to our favor.Before we jump into Genesis 39, let me ask you something. Has anyone ever had anything ripped away from them? Maybe it was your job that gave you a pink slip, and suddenly the identity you built around your career was gone. Maybe it was a relationship—a spouse who handed you divorce papers—and the life you thought you were building just evaporated. Maybe you went to the doctor like me and had them say something negative about your health. Or maybe it was your mental stability—a diagnosis that brought anxiety or depression.Maybe it's something else, but what happens when the things you identify with get ripped away? You may start wondering: Has God forgotten about you? Are you a has-been? Are you washed up? Did you miss your shot?Some of you—in that pit right now—are wondering if this is it. Maybe you've reached the top of the mountain and thought it would feel better than this. Are your best days behind you? Has God moved on without you?If you don't hear anything else, hear this: The pit is not the end. The pit is preparation. What's being revealed in your season of loss is more valuable than what you lost.Have you ever found anything great about yourself during a season of loss? The Bible says David came to Ziklag, lost his wives, his children, his property, and even the confidence of his men—but it was in that season of great loss that David found strength in the Lord his God.The pit teaches us. If all the pit does is take things away, the pit wins. But if God uses the pit for revelation—if the pit shows you what's truly yours—then the pit becomes a teacher, not a tragedy.Joseph shows us that what gets stripped away in the pit was external, but what gets revealed in the pit was always on the inside.Point number one: the coat was external, but the gift of God was internal. The coat was the visible sign of his father's favor. It got him noticed—but it also got him thrown in a pit and sold into slavery. When the coat was gone, Joseph still had something: the anointing, the favor, and the gifting of God that had not yet been discovered.Joseph went from wearing a coat of many colors to wearing a coat of many blessings. The first was visible but strippable; the second was invisible but unstrippable. Nobody could take off what God had placed within him.We all get this coat. Not everyone has visible markers that make people notice, but all of us—even you—have been given gifts and anointing by the Father.When Pastor Erik was preaching last week, I had a side thought: Joseph's brothers were destroyed because they were consumed by what the Father gave Joseph. They couldn't focus on or be grateful for what the Father had given them.Reuben had authority and inheritance. Judah would become the leader; the kings came through his line. Each brother had blessing, but they couldn't see it.They couldn't see their own gifts because they were too busy resenting Joseph's coat.Proverbs 18:16 says, “A person's gift opens doors for them and brings them before great people.” The question isn't whether you have a gift—it's whether you're stewarding it.Luther Vandross spent years singing backup for other artists. His voice added depth to someone else's spotlight, but those years of faithful service weren't wasted—they were developing a voice that would earn him eight Grammys. The gift was always there—it just needed seasoning.Gifts come without repentance, but gifts without testing are dangerous. Favor needs flavor. Joseph had favor, but he didn't yet have the seasoning that comes from service and testing.Point two: gifts are discovered and refined in the confines of service.Genesis 39:1–6 — Joseph was taken to Egypt. Potiphar bought him. The Lord was with Joseph, and he prospered. Potiphar saw that the Lord was with him. The Lord blessed everything Potiphar had because of Joseph.The pattern is clear: the Lord was with Joseph; others could see it; and blessing overflowed to everyone around him.When the Lord is with someone, things prosper. Success becomes a pattern, not an accident. The blessing overflows.Joseph lost the coat of many colors, but now he wears the coat of many blessings—prosperity, favor, trust, and freedom. Faithfulness made the presence of God undeniable—not because he advertised it, but because God's presence cannot be hidden.Joseph didn't wait for the platform. He didn't sulk in the pit. He served faithfully where he was. Serving is stewarding your gift with excellence in someone else's house while God prepares your own.Joseph made Potiphar's situation better. Potiphar prospered because of Joseph's faithfulness. Sometimes before you can reach your summit, God may require you to help lift someone else to theirs.That's the kingdom principle. The world says, “Focus on your own success first.” But the kingdom says, “Use your gift to make others successful.”The brothers wanted Joseph's position without his process. Serving wasn't a detour to destiny—it was the path.Pastor Ken shares how his father-in-law, who cut grass faithfully for years, built trust and favor through excellent service. When health issues forced him to stop working, those he served kept paying him for years. That's what favor will do—it makes room for you in ways you can't measure.Joseph went from the coat of many colors to the coat of many blessings.Pastor Ken closes with an illustration about Sauce Gardner, the NFL player traded from the Jets to the Colts. Gardner said when he got the call, he ran around his house—because things can change in a day. He didn't ask for a trade; he just stayed faithful where he was. Somebody saw his faithfulness and said, “We need him.”God sees you, too. Even when others don't, He's preparing you. We often think we're ready before we are—but God uses the process to make sure we're seasoned for the blessing.Father, we thank you for this day. Thank you for seasons of loss. Thank you for the pit experience. We wouldn't choose it, but we thank you for what it reveals. Thank you for obscurity, for faithfulness when no one else is looking, for seasons of backup singing and grass-cutting, for the unseen work that builds unseen favor.God, I pray for the one in the pit today—the one who feels stripped and unseen. Remind them that You see them. That what's being refined within them will be exactly what someone else needs.Finish what You've started in us, Lord. Take us from the coat of many colors to the coat of many blessings. In Jesus' name, amen.Come on, everybody, let's give God praise.

What do you do when life doesn't make sense, when the answers don't come, and the waiting seems endless? In this week's message, Pastor Ken Senchal challenges us to build staying power—the kind of faith that stands firm when the storm doesn't pass. Through the powerful story of Joseph, we uncover the four anchors that create real consistency: ⚓ Trust God when life doesn't make sense. Even when Joseph was betrayed, sold, and forgotten, he trusted that God was working behind the scenes. What feels like a detour is often divine direction. ⚓ Guard your integrity when no one's watching. Joseph could have compromised, but instead he honored God in private moments that defined his public destiny. Character under pressure reveals who we truly are. ⚓ Serve faithfully wherever God places you. Whether in Potiphar's house, in prison, or in the palace, Joseph worked with excellence as unto the Lord. God promotes those who stay faithful in the unseen places. ⚓ Choose forgiveness over bitterness. Joseph had every right to get even—but instead, he chose to forgive. Forgiveness freed his heart and positioned him for God's greater purpose. This episode will remind you that consistency isn't built in comfort—it's built in the struggle. When you remain faithful through difficulty, God is shaping the strength you'll need for destiny.

Joseph remains faithful to the Lord despite unwanted and unwelcome advances from Potiphar's wife -- resulting in him being back in prison.In this session, Pastor Tim reminds us that challenging circumstances in our lives help us to walk closer with the Lord in our future.

The Rabbis call Joseph "Yoseph HaTzaddik" because he resists the seduction of Mrs. Potiphar. What can we learn from this story?

There are times when a person may feel that he is being treated, quote-unquote, "unfairly" by Hashem. He tries so hard to do good, but it seems like everything keeps getting thrown back in his face. The natural inclination in those moments is to want to turn away, to give up. But if he does, he will lose out on the greatest possible gain. When Hashem puts a person through these kinds of challenges, they are golden opportunities—doorways that can bring him to unimaginable heights. If instead of turning away, a person continues to serve Hashem with even more love and more passion, he earns merits beyond comprehension. Avraham Avinu spent his life teaching the world about Hashem. His deepest longing was to have a child who would take over that mission and continue spreading Hashem's light. But for decades, it seemed impossible. Avraham and Sarah could not have children. One night, Hashem lifted Avraham above the stars and told him: " הבט נא השמימה וספור הכוכבים… כה יהיה זרעך " ( בראשית ט״ו:ה ). Chazal explain that Hashem was showing him that the Jewish people are above the mazalot—beyond the dictates of nature. Even if something appears impossible, Hashem can change it in an instant. Hashem then promised Avraham that he would indeed have a child who would carry on his mission. Avraham waited patiently, nearly thirty years, for that promise to be fulfilled. Finally, he and Sarah were blessed with Yitzchak. They poured their lives into raising him, nurturing him to become the great tzaddik he was destined to be. And then one day, Hashem issued a command that defied all logic: " קח נא את בנך את יחידך אשר אהבת את יצחק והעלהו שם לעולה " ( בראשית כ״ב:ב )-to bring Yitzchak as a sacrifice. From a human perspective, Avraham could have cried out: "This was my life's mission! This was the child I was promised! Now it's all being taken away?" That would have been understandable. But Avraham took a different path. He rose very early the next morning, eager to fulfill Hashem's will. He even saddled his own donkey—though he had countless servants—because he wanted to show his zealous love for Hashem. He went with passion, not despair. And that single act created merits that still protect us thousands of years later. When the Jewish people were in the desert, Balak and Balaam plotted to destroy them. The Chatam Sofer says this was one of the most dangerous moments in our history. Balaam tried to use the power of zealousness to sway Hashem. He, too, arose early and saddled his donkey to curse the Jewish people. But Hashem replied: "You wicked man, My beloved Avraham has already preceded you! He rose early and saddled his donkey to serve Me out of love. In his merit, you will never harm his children." Avraham had no idea at the time how much he was accomplishing. By serving Hashem with joy even in the face of what seemed like betrayal, he laid down eternal protection for his descendants. We see this pattern again with Yosef HaTzaddik. He was living a holy life, learning Torah every day with his father, Yaakov. Suddenly, his life was turned upside down. He was sold into slavery, torn from his family, and thrust into the moral depravity of Egypt. And then, when he was at his lowest, Yosef faced one of the most difficult challenges in history—the test of Potiphar's wife. He could have said: "This is my reward for living so purely? Why should I keep trying?" But instead, Yosef resisted with all his might. Centuries later, when the Jewish people stood trapped at the Yam Suf with the Egyptians pursuing them, it was Yosef's bones that were carried to the water. In his merit of running away from sin, the sea split. Yosef had no idea that his private moment of self-control, when faced with so many difficulties, would one day save millions of lives. This is what is at stake when we feel tested, when life seems unfair. We cannot imagine what our Emunah and perseverance will bring. If instead of complaining or questioning, we rise to the challenge and serve Hashem with more love, we are not only helping ourselves—we are bringing blessing to our children, grandchildren, and all of Klal Yisrael.

(This podcast was previously recorded and published on November 16, 2020)   Jesus Ministries, Joan Boney  ...   When we are in the midst of a struggle over an issue of this present life, God will often show us what to do by bringing a thought or concept to our mind whereby we can overcome the evil of this present world.  Or God might give us a dream.   Regardless, we always overcome through God, by going HIS way in the situation.   2 Corinthians 2:14  Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of His knowledge by us in every place.   A businessman defrauded me once concerning a defective television unit.  He would not fix the unit although he said he would do so.    I kept trying to tune that TV (a plasma) which had wide streaks on the left side of the screen.   One day, as I was trying to adjust the TV, the following came to my mind:  "You don't have to put up with this."   "That's right."  I reasoned.   And I realized I could afford to replace the TV and just have the unit removed from my house.  (The way of peace in this matter.)   I bought a new TV that same day and when the installers came to my house to set up the TV, I had the installer carry away the defective TV, not wanting to have it in my house to remind me of that bad situation.   When we hear a word from God, we know what to do and we always overcome in the situation by doing what we hear from God, and we rejoice in God who gave us HIS Word on the matter.   Sometimes we win by suffering the loss.   I Corinthians 6:7   Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?   Consider Joseph:   God left Joseph in prison for 2 full years after he was falsely accused by Potiphar's wife!   Joseph submitted to the authority, and God caused Joseph to prosper even in the prison.   Genesis 39   20 And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison.   21 But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.   22 And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it.   23 The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the LORD was with him, and that which he did, the LORD made it to prosper.   These are astounding examples for us!   We could destroy ourselves by the evil they do against us if we puff up and fight that evil in worldly ways and complain and murmur.   Sometimes we must wait quietly until we hear what God wants us to do in the issue.  

Every Christian wrestles with temptation, but the Bible outlines a clear plan for victory.By submitting to God, fleeing from sin, and choosing holiness daily, we can live in freedom and strength. In this episode, Pastor Jeff and Tiffany explore why we face temptation and how believers can overcome it. They unpack practical steps from Scripture to stay steadfast in faith and restore fellowship with God when we fall short.What We Discussed[00:00] Introduction: Spiritual Victory and TemptationPastor Jeff and Tiffany continue their series on practical theology, turning to the topic of temptation and how believers can live in victory through Christ.[01:18] The Story of José RiveraPastor Jeff shares a humorous story originally told by Ravi Zacharias that illustrates how easily temptation can win when we give in to selfish desires.[04:30] What Is Temptation?Temptation is the invitation to act against God's will. It can come from the sin nature within us, from Satan, or from the world around us.[05:19] Step 1: Decide Not to YieldVictory begins with a firm choice to resist. James 4:7 reminds us to “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”[06:33] Step 2: Submit to God ImmediatelyThe first move in any moment of temptation is to surrender control to God. Submission gives Him command of our hearts and strength to resist.[07:21] Step 3: Resist in God's StrengthWe cannot fight temptation in our own power. We must rely on God's strength and, when possible, remove ourselves from the situation, just as Joseph fled from Potiphar's wife in Genesis 39.[08:16] Step 4: Do the Holy AlternativeInstead of focusing only on what to avoid, believers are called to do the holy alternative, to obey God and walk in His will.[10:16] Step 5: Avoid What Tempts YouPaul's words in 2 Corinthians 6:17 call believers to “come out from among them and be separate.” Avoid people, places, and influences that stir temptation.[13:00] Step 6: Deal with Sin ImmediatelyWhen we fall, we must confess and repent quickly. Sin breaks fellowship with God, but confession restores intimacy and peace.[14:04] What Happens When Fellowship BreaksSin doesn't destroy salvation, but it creates a barrier in our relationship with God. Like conflict in a family, the bond remains, but the closeness is lost until forgiveness is sought.[16:00] Restoring Fellowship through RepentanceRepentance is turning 180 degrees back toward God. 1 John 1:9 assures us that when we confess, He is faithful to forgive and cleanse us. Even after failure, repentance brings victory.[17:37] The Real VictoryNo victory over temptation is permanent in this life, but every defeat can become victory when it leads us back to repentance and renewal in Christ.“Defeat can become victory when repentance leads us back to God.” – Pastor Jeff CranstonWe love your feedback! If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a review. If you have any questions or comments on today's episode, email me at pastorjeff@lowcountrycc.orgVisit my website https://www.jeffcranston.com and subscribe to my newsletter. Join me on Sunday mornings at LowCountry Community Church. Check in with us on Facebook or Instagram @pastorjeffcranstonRemember, the real power of theology is not only knowing it but applying it. Thanks for listening!

Joseph's career was going along fairly well. He'd risen from servanthood to becoming, in a sense, the Chief Operating Officer of a huge estate. And then sex came. He wasn't even looking for it, but it came at him. Things may be going very well for you, but sex will come—and it's such a powerful force that how you handle it can make or break you. From Genesis 39, we can learn about what we're going to call lust. We learn something from what we see Potiphar's wife doing, we learn something from what we see Joseph doing, and we learn from what we see God doing.  Let's look at 1) how to understand lust, 2) how to handle it, and 3) how to heal it. This sermon was preached by Dr. Timothy Keller at Redeemer Presbyterian Church on March 12, 1995. Series: The Seven Deadly Sins. Scripture: Genesis 39:4-21. Today's podcast is brought to you by Gospel in Life, the site for all sermons, books, study guides and resources from Timothy Keller and Redeemer Presbyterian Church. If you've enjoyed listening to this podcast and would like to support the ongoing efforts of this ministry, you can do so by visiting https://gospelinlife.com/give and making a one-time or recurring donation.

Show notes:SummaryI know what it feels like when a God-dream stalls and you start wondering, “Did I miss it?” In this episode, I walk you through Joseph's journey to show how what feels like punishment is actually preparation. Together we'll learn to pause and pray, stay faithful when success slips, and see your setback as the setup for your next level-up.TakeawaysThe pit is a sacred pause, not a panic zone—pray before you pivot.Stillness with Father calms fear and restores clarity.Favor isn't proven by outcomes but by faithfulness when outcomes wobble.Joseph's journey (pit, Potiphar's house, prison) shows preparation in every season.Resilience grows through consistent, steady action.Hidden work builds public capacity.Deliberate practice (focused reps + feedback) accelerates mastery.Choose one small commitment to keep this week.Use Plan–Do–Review to improve fast without burnout.Your setback is a setup for the next level—stay in the game.Quotes“The pit isn't punishment. It's the place you pause so Father can refill your courage.”“When success ghosts you, faithfulness forms you.”“Hidden seasons aren't wasted seasons—they're where mastery is made.”“Don't aim for perfection. Aim for reflection: plan, do, review, tweak.”Courageous Action1️⃣ Pause & Pray – Before you plan or pivot, stop and sit with Father. Take 5–10 minutes of quiet to breathe, pray, and ask, “What are You forming in me right now?” Let stillness calm your thoughts and let His wisdom rise to the surface. Jot down what He shows you—don't overthink it.2️⃣ Stay Faithful in the Middle – Look at your to-do list and calendar. What actually matters most right now? Choose one small, specific commitment you can keep this week—a client touchpoint, one post, one follow-up. Follow through even if emotions dip. Consistency retrains your brain for resilience.3️⃣ Practice with Purpose – Pick one skill Father's highlighting—maybe communication, leadership, tech, or social posts. Do a short daily “Plan–Do–Review.”• Plan: Decide exactly what you'll practice today.• Do: Try it, without chasing perfection.• Review: Reflect—what worked, what needs tweaking?Then adjust and repeat. Small, intentional reps build mastery faster than big bursts of hustle.Your job this week: pick the one area you most need—pause, faithfulness, or practice—and start there. Real transformation happens when you partner with Father in the pause, stay steady in the middle, and keep practicing with purpose until it becomes your new normal.Chapters00:09 — When your dream stalls: did I miss God?04:57 — My setback story: when the dream looked dead09:38 — Joseph's journey: what looked like punishment was preparation12:05 — Step 1: Pit → Pause & Pray16:51 — Step 2: Potiphar's House → Stay Faithful24:03 — Step 3: Prison → Keep Practicing31:22 — Courageous Action: your setup for the next levelWho Am I?Hey friend, I'm Heather—your Courageous Coach. I'm a certified life & Enneagram coach, speaker, and author of Hello Courageous. I help Christian women entrepreneurs go from feeling stuck, not-enough, and fearful to taking focused, confident, and courageous action. Together we go from dreamers to courageous action takers.I also love helping fellow coaches, speakers, and authors take the ideas swirling in their heads and turn them into signature systems and books that create real income and impact.Links

Joseph is falsely accused and thrown into prison. While there, he is just as faithful and fruitful as he was in the house of Potiphar. We all face days of waiting and unknowns. Can we be just a faithful in our lives, as Joseph was in his?

Every Sunday morning, in the daily psalm, Psalm 24, we praise consistent, steady, disciplined ethical behavior:           Who may ascend the mountain of Adonai?          Who may rise in God's sanctuary?          One who has clean hands and a pure heart. Unlike the teaching from Berakhot, that the penitent stands in a place the Tzadik cannot stand, the Sunday psalm exalts consistency, discipline and self-restraint, not struggle and growth. Tomorrow we will examine two biblical characters who embody these models. King David, who commits adultery with Bathsheba, and has her husband Uriah killed, and is chastised by the prophet Nathan. David authors Psalm 51, the words of a penitent heart. Joseph, young and single, is propositioned by his boss Potiphar's wife, and says no repeatedly. In today's context Joseph would be seen as a victim of repeated sexual harassment by an employer who has power over him,  but he never succumbs. The Talmud's only question is whether he was tempted or not. Two rabbis disagree on that. But all agree he did the right thing. As we emerge from Yom Kippur to our new year, how do we assess the models presented to us by King David and Joseph? Is it possible to say yes to both? Is it possible to hold out as an ideal both the growth and struggle that come from falling and getting up; and also self-restraint, self-discipline, and consistent moral excellence? Our sacred canon contains both models. Do we?

Today, we'll discuss Joseph and Potiphar's wife. We'll read how Joseph interprets dreams while in prison. We'll watch Joseph interprets Pharaoh's dreams, and see Joseph given power and authority in Egypt. Gen 39:1-19, 20-23, Gen 40:1-15, 16-23, Gen 41:1-14, 22-43 #everydaychristians

Have you ever felt trapped between doing what's right and what's easy? Pastor Jason unpacks Joseph's journey through Potiphar's house—a masterclass in character development through life's toughest tests. Through vivid examples of attitude, temptation, and consistency, we see how Joseph's unwavering faith and moral courage not only preserved his integrity but positioned him for greater purpose. Whether facing workplace challenges or personal temptations, this message offers practical wisdom for staying faithful when tested. Discover how passing life's character tests, especially regarding purity and integrity, leads to God's promises and positions us to impact others. Don't miss this powerful teaching on becoming who God has called you to be!Thank you for tuning into today's message at Bold City Church! We pray it encourages you in your faith. Share with a friend who could use these words, too! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @boldcitychurchDownload our app on iOS and Android

Have you ever felt trapped between doing what's right and what's easy? Pastor Jason unpacks Joseph's journey through Potiphar's house—a masterclass in character development through life's toughest tests. Through vivid examples of attitude, temptation, and consistency, we see how Joseph's unwavering faith and moral courage not only preserved his integrity but positioned him for greater purpose. Whether facing workplace challenges or personal temptations, this message offers practical wisdom for staying faithful when tested. Discover how passing life's character tests, especially regarding purity and integrity, leads to God's promises and positions us to impact others. Don't miss this powerful teaching on becoming who God has called you to be!Thank you for tuning into today's message at Bold City Church! We pray it encourages you in your faith. Share with a friend who could use these words, too! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @boldcitychurchDownload our app on iOS and Android

This weekend our worship service is going to discuss faith. Christians and non-Christians alike talk about faith often. But there are often misunderstandings about what faith is, or whose work it it. Faith is a gift from God, and it is the means by which we become recipients of Christ's work for us. True faith rests in the promises of God and His strength, and not our own.  This weekend we are studying a hymn which prays for the kind of faith that will help us in the troubles of life. William Bathurst wrote the familiar hymn "Oh, for a faith that will not shrink" which is hymn 396 in The Lutheran Hymnal. Bathurst was a priest in the Church on England for most of his life and this is probably his best known hymn. The first 5 stanza develop a prayer for a faith that stands firm against the enemies of our God, and in the pain, storms, and afflictions of life in a sinful world. As we sing these stanzas many Biblical examples will come to mind. David as he faced the mighty Goliath. The widow who was about to prepare her last meal, but whose jar of oil did not run out. The disciples in the storm on the Sea of Galilee. Joseph facing the temptation of Potiphar's wife. Daniel as he was thrown into the Lion's Den. The Children of Israel in the wilderness. The Apostle Paul as he faced death.  The Apostle John writes:  "And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith" (1 John 5:4-5). Jesus has already won the victory over our greatest enemies. He is greater than any storm, trial or persecution we will face. We are "More than conquerors in Christ." May the LORD bless your worship this weekend, as we pray for a faith that trusts in the LORD, whatever difficulty we face!

Many Christians have a fairly optimistic expectation when it comes to life and ministry, feeling that with enough prayer and hard work they can change the world. Others have a more pessimistic view, with little expectation of fruit or of God using them. But Scripture offers a more nuanced option, a realism that knows that God is with us to work through us even in the hard spots and difficult times in life. Listen as Pastor Luke Herche preaches on Genesis 39:1–20, the account of Joseph and Potiphar's wife, showing in this passage God's continuing plan to bless the nations through the offspring of Abraham. Pastor Luke focuses on four main points: —God is with his people, to bless the nations through his people. —Temptation and persecution make it seem as if God is absent and his blessing has failed. —Jesus faced God's curse and absence that we might know his presence and blessing. —Jesus is with you; trust God in your calling, whatever may come, confident in his resurrection power. Part of a series on the book of Genesis. From Sunday Worship, September 21, 2025. ------------------------------- Want to go deeper? Take some time to reflect on the sermon with the following questions: If you were retelling Joseph's story in this passage to a friend, which moments would you highlight most vividly, and why do they stand out to you? This passage raises a big question: when life unravels through temptation or injustice, where is God? How do you wrestle with that in your own story? Joseph's life reminds us that blessing isn't about circumstances but about God's presence. What makes it hard to believe that God is with us in our difficulty? What would help remind you of that reality in difficult times? God blesses “the nations” through his people. What might living as a bearer of Christ's blessing look like in your work, home, or community this week? ------------------------------- allsoulspca.org All Souls (Urbana, IL) is a part of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), a Christian, Reformed denomination with historic and theological roots in the Protestant Reformation.

In this powerful exploration of Joseph's encounter with Potiphar's wife, we're reminded that temptation is an inevitable part of our human experience. However, the story teaches us that resistance is not only possible but essential for our spiritual growth.

In this powerful exploration of Joseph's encounter with Potiphar's wife, we're reminded that temptation is an inevitable part of our human experience. However, the story teaches us that resistance is not only possible but essential for our spiritual growth.

Send us a textWhen you look at the story of Joseph and Potiphar's wife in Genesis 39 and then  you look at the title of this episode, Squandered Blessings, you might immediately ask, "Joseph didn't sin; how did he squander his blessing??".Andrew and Robert take a look at this story from a different view point. Even though Joseph ended up spending 3 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit he ended up well in the end. Who then ultimately lost their blessing? Listen along to find out.Support the showQuestions or Comments? Please reach out to us through email at questions@truewisdom.info or on Twitter/X @truewisdom_podGive instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. Proverbs 9:9-10The Key Principles of Effective Bible Study is a resource that we reference in many of our episodes. It is explained in a series of podcasts found at BibleStudy.ASBzone.com/357512/8572886.God's Precious Word is a condensed, 9-part series, based on the same document. Other Resources:— e-Sword Bible Software— MySword Bible Software— Blue Letter Bible Study Site— "Knowing the Bible" Bible Maps We pray that these resources will be very helpful to you in your Bible Studies overall.

In this episode we see the growth and development of Joseph's character as he is transformed from a self-centered teenager into a prototype of a righteous saint and a moral role model.

Sexual sin isn't something to manage, it's something to run from. In this episode of The Pursuit, Pastor James Griffin, Brad Chandler, and Matt Moody unpack why the Bible says to flee sexual sin, not flirt with it.From Joseph running out of Potiphar's house to Paul's warning in 1 Corinthians 6, the guys get real about temptation, porn, dating, marriage, and raising kids in a culture obsessed with sex. You'll learn why sexual sin is uniquely destructive, how boundaries protect freedom, and how the Holy Spirit gives power to walk in purity.If you've ever wrestled with lust, porn, or brokenness in relationships, this conversation will encourage you with truth, hope, and practical steps toward freedom in Christ.SHOW NOTESThese notes are packed with key insights and scripture to help you know and follow Jesus – https://mycpcc.com/notes146To submit a question, send us a DM on Instagram or Facebook.Crosspoint City Church exists to relentlessly pursue those far from God to help them know and follow Jesus. To help support this mission and work, visit https://www.mycpcc.com/giveTo learn more about all of our locations or what is coming up at Crosspoint City, check out https://www.crosspointcity.com/ or follow us on your favorite social platform ‪@CrosspointCity

Rewards of Giving and Receiving (audio) David Eells – 8/17/25 Father, we thank you so much for being in our midst. We are so privileged, Lord. The overwhelming majority of the world doesn't know You and we'd certainly like to be Your vessels through whom You reveal Yourself to them, and we pray toward that end earnestly. Lord, forgive us of our sins and our foolishness. Give us Your grace. Please rise up in us and do Your wonderful work in these days. Please anoint us and give us wisdom. Lord, we want to return to what You gave the early church and even go beyond that. We want You to teach us, Lord; show us how to walk in Your steps. We just ask for Your mercy and grace today. We see old world crumbling around us and we need Your wisdom now. We want to come out of this world and totally into Your kingdom. We want to know the difference and know Your principles. Lord, we've been reading them and studying them, and we ask You to help us put them into effect in our lives and in our midst. We just need You, Lord. We need You now more than ever. Come, Lord Jesus. Amen. So we're hidden in Christ. Most people never think to pray about those kinds of things, to be hidden from the Beast and take our name out of their system. There is a new Beast in town that is much more favorable to Christians. I believe the Lord is getting ready to prepare us to separate somewhat from this new system soon because it's rising only to fall again as history repeats. There's no use in us continuing to hemorrhage Kingdom supplies to the Beast. As I've said, we're headed back to the Book of Acts. We know we're going there, and you need to be prepared. Failure doesn't have to happen for us because we live in a different Kingdom, and we need to be living according to that Kingdom and according to the Word of God. We have a precedent in the scriptures to follow, and we know from the scriptures that it's important for us to work. I had a lady ask me years ago, “Was I supposed to be working in a secular job?” I said, “Well, why don't you go ask the Lord that?” And so she did. And she came back and said, “No, the Lord told me you were doing exactly what He told you to do”. And I said, “Well, that's right”. But it wasn't always that way with me. I worked for a long time, enjoyed it, and I had a very fruitful ministry when I was doing what the world calls a part-time ministry. But it really wasn't part-time ministry because I got to minister to a lot of people I never would have touched otherwise. Toward the end of that kind of a ministry, I was working for Exxon, and we had gatherings every day of men and women from across the plant. It was a very large plant, which took up a good portion of downtown Baton Rouge on the river. When Christians around the place heard that we were having Bible studies, they would flock from every corner of that plant and join in. We started having two meetings like that -- one in the field and one in the central mechanical building, and we had a large church assembled out there, and lots of miracles were happening. Multitudes of religious people were finding out that God was bigger than they originally thought. They were coming out of their structured churches and fellowshipping with other Christians and learning that there was more to Christianity than what they thought in their little sheltered clique that they were in. I believe the same thing is going to happen soon. I really believe that there are many people for us to reach, and that's going to happen. I think one way it's going to happen is that we will have something in common with them, with other Christians, and that is, we're coming into tribulation soon. Even before The Tribulation, we're coming into tribulation, and that kind of draws people together. It causes them to drop their sectarianism for the sake of survival. I'm not worried about survival. I don't know about you, but I'm not doing this because of survival; I'm doing it because it's scriptural. I believe that if we seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, all these other things will be added unto us. We won't have to worry about a thing. But if we're seeking God and His righteousness, let's face it, we're going to be doing some things that those first disciples did. If we get what they got, we'll do what they did, as I've said so often. And if we do what they did, we'll get what they got. And so we have a precedent here in the scriptures. The apostle Paul worked for many years in a fruitful ministry, tent making, which led him from city to city with other people in the same business. He didn't like relying on people; he didn't like being a burden on people; he said so. And I felt the same way. I mean, I didn't get out of my ministry at Exxon, and having Bible studies. I didn't get out of that and start into what they call the full-time ministry because I wanted to wait on the Lord and this was bearing fruit. I just told the Lord, 'Hey, Lord, I need more time to study; I'd like to have more time to share,' but I waited. And I waited for a few years until the Lord told me, Okay, it's time. I didn't choose that for myself; the Lord is the one Who has to open the doors. As many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. We have to be led of the Lord. We shouldn't be making steps on our own. Now we know from Paul's testimony that he did this, and we know it's scriptural. We'd all like to just live by our faith and sit out there and meditate on God and let Him drop manna out of heaven, and there's no doubt we'll get into situations where He's going to do just exactly that. But the Lord has multiplied food for me and even put it in my stomach when it wasn't there, so I know God's a mighty God. And Jesus multiplied the fishes and the loaves, and we're going to do the exact same thing. But where did the fishes and the loaves come from? Have you ever thought about that? Well, somebody had those fishes and loaves before Jesus multiplied them. So, I believe that it's scriptural for us to be effectively working, according to the scriptures. I'll just share a few with you. (1Th.4:11) And that you study to be quiet and to do your own business and to work with your hands even as we charged you... You think there's any difference today? I don't think so. Now, we know that we're in the process of easing ourselves out of this worldly business and into the King's business all the time, and that's good. Ultimately, that's all we're going to be doing because soon the world is not going to accept us doing any business with them anymore, and so God's going to use that to put us totally in the wilderness. But there's no reason not to be walking out a little into that wilderness right now because we're going to need to prepare for what's coming. I believe it's good and right and proper for people who have good-paying jobs to continue to work because, if we're successful in doing what they did, a lot more of our finances are going to stay with us and a lot less of it is going to go out into the world. And for people who have jobs, there is still a need for money to pay monthly bills, etc.. I mean, be useful where you are until God moves you. I found a very useful, very fruitful ministry while working at Exxon and I was enjoying that, and when I went into what they call the full-time ministry and God moved me to Florida. I was there a little while when I said, 'Lord, I think I was bearing more fruit there doing that than I am now.' But I was studying the Word and digging in the Word, and I asked, “Lord, do You want me to go out and knock on doors?” He said, “No, I want you to do just what you're doing now, except a lot more of it”. I said, Okay. There is a very fruitful ministry out there among the people who won't come into a church; they won't listen to a preacher. You know, you can talk to them where you are. So I'm not talking about departing from that yet, but I am saying this: Some of us have some time on our hands that we could fulfill some other things that we see in the scriptures. (1Th.4:12) ... that you may walk becomingly towards them that are without and may have need of nothing. So he says to work with your hands so you won't have any needs. Well, we can pray it all down out of heaven, can't we? Yes, but it's scriptural. You still have to obey these principles. And certainly, when we get into a spot, and we will get into spots where we need a miracle, a creative miracle, praise the Lord, these creative miracles are going to convert a lot of people. I received many of them in my wilderness before the Lord moved us to TN. I believed we could have good association with the people around this area too. There are a lot of Christians here and there are some innocent people here. Some of them might be ignorant, but that doesn't make them evil because, if you're walking where you know to walk and you're walking as close to the Lord as you understand, you are innocent and the Lord looks upon them that way and we should look upon them that way, too. We're supposed to be making friends by means of the mammon of unrighteousness so that they can receive us into eternal tabernacles, right? (Luk.16:9) So we're supposed to use everything around us, to have associations with these people, not to go into the corrupt lifestyles that some Christians are in or into the apostasy that they're in, but we still have to love them, and we still have to share with them graciously. We're going to be close together in the end times and I believe that when we start living the way we see in the scriptures, we'll be able to associate with them and they will see some things in us and they will want some things we have.  We'll be able to share, not just how to bake bread with them or how to raise chickens with them, but more about the Gospel. You'll have something in common. We all have a need, right? So I think what he says right here is very plain: “So we can walk becomingly towards them that are without and have need of nothing.” (Eph.4:27) Neither give place to the devil. But let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing that is good, that he may have whereof to give to him that hath need. So, one reason we work is not just for ourselves, but to give to people who have needs, which I did for many years. There are a lot of people who won't know where we're going right now, and they're going to have needs because they haven't been prepared, and that's going to put them at the mercy of God and, in some cases, at our mercy. So we work in order to be prepared to give to those who have need. There will be many Christians and many neighbors who have needs. We are about to have great abundance and we can give. This world is going to persecute Christians and do what they have done in the past; they're going to separate them, and they're going to plunder them. The further we separate from the dependency upon this system, the better. We don't need to be dependent upon this system; we need to be dependent upon God. That's what the wilderness was about. Now, we've been studying faith and that is good; you'll need that all the way through the Tribulation, but there are some things I believe we can do to be more like the early church and less dependent upon this world. You know how often you need to go to the grocery store, right? You know how often you need what they have. Well, I believe we ought to come to the place where we need a whole lot less of what they have and not be dependent upon them because the powers that be are using that dependency to bring you under their thumb. There are a lot of ignorant people out there who are walking with God where they are, who are going to take the mark of the Beast because they don't know God supplies. They don't know that they don't have to because they haven't been taught the Truth of the Gospel. They don't know that God supplies. They don't know how a Christian community works because they go to church, as a spectator, they get up, and they go home. They don't know that God still does these things because they've been lied to. So, when we rub elbows with them, we share with them the Good News that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. So, he says, “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing that is good, that he may have whereof to give to him that hath need.” (2Th.3:6) Now we commend you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly... I might say, there are some people who judge saying, “they just have to have faith”; I've run into them. It's not an evil in them, necessarily. Many don't see examples of people who live by faith in their churches. They want to serve Jesus, and all true Christians want to serve Jesus. But they're imbalanced. They need some help; they need some wisdom from those who are older in the Lord, because we can serve Jesus anywhere. Anywhere we are, we ought to be serving Jesus. We work as unto the Lord. As the Bible says, we are to work like we work for the Lord. We're not here to be men pleasers, right? We're here to work for the Lord, in whatever ways we can serve His Kingdom. We either work in ministry or at a secular job while we minister. (6) ...Withdraw yourselves from every brother that walks disorderly and not after the tradition which they received of us. (7) For yourselves know how you ought to imitate us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; (8) neither did we eat bread for nought at any man's hand, but in labor and travail, working night and day, that we might not burden any of you. (9) Not because we have not the right, but to make ourselves an example unto you that you should imitate us. (10) For even when we were with you this we commanded you: If any will not work, neither let him eat. Some tough love there, isn't it? And, of course, sometimes people don't have jobs and they don't think they can work, but I really believe that can change. And I think some ideas are going to come from each of us that are going to show us a way to do this. (11) For we hear of some that walk among you disorderly, that work not at all, but are busy-bodies. (12) Now, them that are such we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work and eat their own bread. (13) But ye, brethren, be not weary in well-doing. (14) And if any man obeyeth not our word by this epistle, note that man that you have no company with him, to the end that he may be ashamed. You know, there is something almost anybody can do to serve in the Kingdom and to be able to meet the needs of other people. I believe we're about to see a lot of needs presented before us very soon. The dollar is dying very fast. It's going to crumble. The whole system they have is going to crumble. They know it, they're forcing it, they're doing it on purpose. They want a New World Order. They have set up the NESARA and QFS plan, and soon there will be the new world currency and then total digital. All will have to work who can work to receive their income. They know that if we are totally dependent upon them, we'll be at their mercy. But we're not totally dependent upon them and we need to get prepared to live in the Kingdom like a body would. We know that the world doesn't know anything about this. But a body meets its own needs. We are all built for some service in God. Praise be to God! Our ministry is even now supporting missionaries on other continents and we are about to be able to do much more. I can see  that God's going to bring all we need into this ministry in order to meet people's needs so the Gospel can be sent to the World. He showed us that very plainly. We're waiting for that to come and it's on the way now; but at the same time, we still have to obey the scriptures and every one of us ought to be giving and receiving. You know, there is no reward in the scriptures for buying and selling whatsoever. The reward in the scriptures is for giving and we can be doing that weekly or daily. Some will work at secular jobs and others will have their hands free to bring the Gospel to the world and some will do both. He's promised a great reward multiplied many times over in the Kingdom forever, so He wants us to do it. Let's do it. Giving brings an eternal reward. Some people could supply milk, some could raise beef. We will inherit cows for meat and milk and fields. We will have Tesla free energy. Some could supply feed, some could supply corn and some other vegetables. Some could supply chickens and eggs. Some could be butchers and some could be mechanics. Some could be cooks. Some would say, “Thank you for your milk.”  Another would say, “I have something to give you.” Or “I'll meet your needs in some other way.”  We're going to get equipment to plow those fields. We're going to get equipment to plant and harvest those fields. I think all of this is coming, but again, we are learning how to live differently. We're learning how to fellowship with one another about this work and to have more in common with one another than we do just coming to what people call ‘church'. Some people know how to make bread; they're very good at it. They can teach others. There are some people who have poultry, eggs, turkeys, chickens, rabbits and so on and so forth. Just some ideas here. If anyone feels led to go in any direction, that's what I'm asking. What do you feel led to do? Everything you do, you need to be led of the Lord. I'm just putting these ideas out there to share so you can think about it, because the Lord spoke it to me a few nights ago in the middle of the night, and I don't want Him to talk to me again about this in the middle of the night, so I'm going to share it with you. I like talking to the Lord in the middle of the night, but not having to repeat the same things. Some people are good at vegetable growing. I was telling somebody the other day that the house I moved into several weeks before my family moved here, I found one tomato plant on my property that somebody had forgotten about. It was behind a wood pile, and nobody had ever staked up the plant; it was just lying up on the ground, growing this way and that way. And I got to walking around behind this wood pile, and I saw there were tomatoes all over the place down there, so I had been eating tomatoes every day ever since then. That's just one tomato vine. Then the frost got them one night. I decided that I had better go out and gather what tomatoes were still there. So I got them; however, the frost had gotten a few of them, but I was able to gather a few tomatoes from it. I just placed them on the windowsill. But I sure enjoyed being able to eat plenty of tomatoes from one vine that somebody forgot about. The landlord was telling me, “Hey, you can eat the fruit off that tree over there”, and I said, “Hey, I've been eating your tomatoes ever since you left here”. I was watching some brethren make some soap the other day. That was pretty neat. I said, “Hey, you need a machine to grind that”. They were hand-grinding. I believe some people can make soap in order to have soap for their neighbors. You've been paying way too much for soap, and it doesn't work nearly as well as these folks' soap would. And some people would be good at distributing the products to the people. There are people good at doing taxes; there are people good at law. They can offer their services to the brethren and vice versa. Carpentry, mechanics and electricians, handymen, techies, etc. You can think of a lot of things, all kinds of services you can give to others, and they can give to you. And this giving and sharing is just part of being a Christian. In some cases we will hire the world to be laborers while we will be priests and ministers of the Lord. Isa 61:5  And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and foreigners shall be your plowmen and your vine-dressers. 6  But ye shall be named the priests of Jehovah; men shall call you the ministers of our God: ye shall eat the wealth of the nations, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.  These are all part time jobs. No one is going to have to slave to stay alive for God has given abundantly and the ministry will make sure all needs are met as it was in Acts. Our main job will be to put the word and gifts of the Spirit in our hearts so we can give this to others. The world is buying and selling. God kept complaining about the buying and selling and the marrying and giving in marriage, and we see that that's the way of the world. Suretyship is the way of the world. Borrowing and mortgaging and guaranteeing to pay back -- that's the way of the world. The Bible teaches against “suretyship.” (Pro.11:15) He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it; But he that hateth suretyship is secure. The Hebrew word there actually means “to be a guarantor of an agreement; to give or to be security”; in other words, “to mortgage.” It's making a guarantee to pay back what has been borrowed, but we can't even guarantee that we'll be here tomorrow. The Bible also warns us against making promises, pledges, or guarantees of any sort. I think the Amish have something to teach us there. They all gathered together and built the house. Okay, we'll build you the house, and you won't be going into debt either. We can gather together and build a few chicken coops and rabbit coops, and whatever. We can do these things. The ministry can help some of you get started in what some people have called a cottage industry. We can give you something that will, for example, get you a grinder that will grind soap all by itself. Just some ideas. We already have Telsa free energy here waiting to be turned on. we've received several prophecies about a virus that's going to shut down the Internet and the grid but that may be out in the world. The worldly church has no way to know this is going to happen because they're not led by the Spirit, and they're not aware of these warnings in dreams and prophesies. We don't have to stop; we've been warned. We can listen to God and ask, “Hey, God, what do you want me to do about this?” Well, He's giving us some ideas. But we know the Lord is going to supply all our needs according to His riches in glory. That's what He said, right? But we just need to believe and obey Him to receive all needs. We also know there's small earthquakes coming through here to separate the land from the mainland. The Lord showed us that. That's going to run people off and make this a peninsula. But we know it's going to happen and we just need to be ready. Even bartering is taxable, so giving freely and receiving freely is the best policy and has heavenly rewards. We're headed toward the mark. Some people are going to take the mark because they don't know that they have a choice. And we can show them not only some supernatural choices, but we can also show them some natural choices because we live the way we're supposed to live toward one another scripturally by meeting one another's needs and working to make sure everybody's needs are met, making sure that there is equality. And the Lord spoke in 2 Corinthians about equality. He wants equality in His church. He wants all of His people to have their needs met. And the way of the world is, I'm in a race with my neighbor: I gotta have the biggest car, the biggest house, swimming pool, etc.; but that's not us. We're here to serve and to lift up our neighbors and to be a community, a body, in order to make sure that everybody's needs are met through giving and receiving, right? The idea of gaining from your neighbor is less important to us than making sure our neighbors' needs are met and our needs are met. It's a control thing with the DS. They think that if they bring down the economy, we will be under their control. And it's true; for an awful lot of Christians, it's true. We can give them a choice here. I believe that if we do a little bit of specializing and less duplicating, we can get this thing up and going pretty fast. Everybody does not need a lawnmower. Some are already set up to do this. Our trips to the store will be for almost no staples and pay their exorbitant prices, and that money will go to feed the Beast; we don't care about that. Whatever we make, we would like it to totally serve the Kingdom. That's the way. I'm not talking about names and storefronts and things like that. These are things we have to avoid. We want to have a low profile where we're going. We want to avoid open rebellion against the system because they'll come to get you. They'll figure out a way to do it. We know we're protected by God and hidden in Christ, but we don't want to dare them, right? And we can do a lot of things just the way we normally do them, just naturally. The way of the world, of opening a big storefront, saying, 'We're not buying and selling, we're bartering'; they'll tax you and figure a way to shut you down. They want control and they don't want anybody to be independent. We can be very independent if we give and receive individually, and we can bring in a lot of Christians who don't know what's coming. We'll enjoy fellowshipping with them too, and not just around these things, but around the Word of God. So we can share with others this way. In Acts 6:1-4, there were some people complaining about their system not working very well, so they chose and ordained some deacons to make sure that the widows weren't missing out. We have lots of deacons in our ministry. “Deacon” just means “servant” in the Word of God. We have servants who do all kinds of things in our ministry. People have many different gifts and talents with backgrounds and training in several areas. This is one we need to move toward, too: People whose whole concern is to make sure that everybody's needs are met, that the system is working, it's not breaking down somewhere. So we'll be thinking about this, and you be thinking about this, too, because it's definitely going to be needed. As the apostle said, they did it at that time so that they could continue in prayer, be able to study in the Word of God and teaching, and these ordained brothers can handle this. Many Man-child families are coming here. Man-child reformers will teach and minister in our bible schools that the Lord has given us. Other specialty teachers will be here too. Let me also say this: Because you're a deacon does not negate you from being an elder or being one of the two-witnesses or being in the Man-child. It doesn't negate that at all. Remember, Jesus was called a deacon, too. In the scriptures, in every way people served others, the word diakonos was used; it just wasn't always translated that way. So, if we translated it the same way every time, we would find out that Jesus was a deacon, all of His disciples were deacons, and everybody was a servant in one form or another. But deacons do not have to be elders. And our ministry has lots of servants. Many people are coming together here to serve the Word of God to people and to make sure it's prepared properly. I'm not bringing this up for any other reason than I feel like the Lord brought it up to me, and I'm not bringing it up in desperation because I'm worried about what's coming. I'm not in the slightest bit worried about what's coming. I am eager to get the Gospel out to the world and we shall. We can be giving and receiving. We can receive the benefits of the eternal kingdom. God's already taken care of all of this. I'm doing this because we can offer blessings to the people by just learning to give to them and making sure their spiritual and physical needs are met. And as we read in the Scriptures, they worked for more than just me, my, and mine; it was for the purpose of giving to other people who were in need. We're going to see multitudes in need. God's giving us property, schools, meeting places and houses here. There are going to be many people, refugees from all over this country and from other countries coming here, and we want to be hospitable. We want to be able to take care of them and help them to move into something that, even if they don't have a secular job, the ministry can meet their needs and meet the needs of people around them. Now, we're not trying to build what the world would call a commune here. You won't see anybody in our ministry running around giving orders. It's a little different than a lot of ministries you've been involved in, or heard about, I'm sure. Most of the people in this ministry who are deacons in this ministry, they have that because it was in their heart to do it, and they came to us and said, 'Hey, I'd like to do this', or ‘I can do this', and so praise God. We want people to be free to do these things from the heart. If you give from your heart, that's a good sacrifice before the Lord, according to 2 Corinthians. From the very beginning of our ministry, we've never charged for anything; we just give it. If people want to give back, that's fine; if they don't, they still receive what they ask for, so we can't really call it bartering when you're not demanding anything in return. We're not talking about hoarding either; we're just talking about meeting needs. Well, we can do some workshops here, people showing other people how to do things, and people gathering together to get these things started in a really good way. And, as I said, I felt the Lord told me that the ministry could also contribute money toward things that people need to get started in this way. Everyone does not belong here for God has not called them to a refuge but tribulation. We can take a lesson from the Amish. They gather together and do something in a group that they could never do individually, or at least, it would take a lot longer time. We don't have a long time. We are not needing to build houses or many buildings that are already provided. I know that we have people to fill every specialty and we can get up and going quickly. And of course, this is all voluntary, whatever a person feels their gift is or the Lord is guiding them to do. The funny thing is, I'm visiting people's houses, and the house I'm living in now, and they are all electric and we have free electricity. One of the Bible colleges has natural gas. There is a rich deposit of gas right here, and that's free energy. We had a brother whose family came down and visited us, who was just north of us, and he has a gas well in his backyard, and I'm thinking, why aren't more people punching holes in the ground around here? That's free heat; that's energy. Well, if you have a community of people who aren't far apart, or if you want to, use it to pressurize it and run vehicles. When I was young, we used gas tractors, gas trucks, and we had the old International Harvester trucks that were converted to run on gas because it was readily available, so you can do the same thing today. People are talking about all different kinds of ways to keep your car running when gasoline becomes hard to find, which it will. Not necessarily here, but it will. But certainly, if you have the availability of a gas well you can buy the converter kits for tractors. We will have electric cars. Birds are hand-to-mouth, aren't they? They don't worry about storing it up; they just eat it. Well, I think you got the idea, so really just pray and ask the Lord if He wants you to do something and, if so, what, and just be ready and willing for Him to use you. You can train people in what you know, and you can be trained by others, and we can all come together with what we each know the Lord is leading us to do. And the ministry would be glad to contribute to anybody who wants to get a start, so you all think about it and pray about it, and we'll see where it takes us. But only consider coming if God says so. Lord, we just ask you, Father, in the name of Jesus, to give us all wisdom. You know what's coming down the road. You see the end from the beginning. We see nothing, Lord; we just trust in You. We want to be led by Your Spirit. We are the sons of God by faith, and we're asking You to lead us and guide us into something that will be very useful, not only to us, but to the people around us and to get the Gospel out. Lord, we thank You for Your mercy toward us, and we know that we have nothing to worry about; we just put all of our faith in You. We know that You are an absolute miracle-working God and You will multiply the fishes and the loaves. And You will bring us manna out of heaven, and You'll do everything that's necessary to provide for Your people. So we just trust in You and we just want to be useful to serve. And we thank You for it, Lord, in Jesus' name. Amen.   Greed and the Tithe (by David Eells) Paul gave Timothy a revelation of the false prophets and those who follow them in the “last days”. (2Ti.3:1) But know this, that in the last days grievous times shall come. (2) For men shall be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, railers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, (3) without natural affection, implacable, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, no lovers of good, (4) traitors, headstrong, puffed up, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; (5) holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power thereof: from these also turn away. These men, who are identified by their egotistical appetite for money, prestige, pleasure, and position, love their religious “form of godliness”. Among these are the false prophets who lead captive the like-minded apostate religious sects. (6) For of these are they that creep into houses (of worship), and take captive silly women (sects of God's people - Isa.4:1, 32:9) laden with sins, led away by divers lusts, (7) ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Those who love to justify their own sinful ways respect these “impostors” and their “form of godliness”. (13) But evil men and impostors shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. These false prophets are identified as “lovers of money”. These are the merchants of religious Babylon (Rev.18). They make “Father's house a house of merchandise” (Joh.2:16). Since God will not support their personal kingdom-building, they peddle books, tapes, trinkets, chicken dinners, tours, etc. This is the way of the world, and for those who have an impoverished God. Why would anyone who was sent by God and believed the promises of our provision through Christ do this? Our examples in the early leadership of the Church certainly did not. (Joh.2:13) ...Jesus went up to Jerusalem. (14) And he found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: (15) and he made a scourge of cords, and cast all out of the temple, both the sheep and the oxen; and he poured out the changers' money, and overthrew their tables; (16) and to them that sold the doves he said, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house a house of merchandise. They peddle the promises of God's provision to those who give to their ministry. They make “merchandise of the word of God” (2Co.2:17 [in Greek]). They peddle the Word for salaries like hirelings. When a person is not sent by God, he does not have faith that “God shall supply every need” (Php.4:19). Where God sends, He supplies. Without God's supernatural supply, people have to resort to other tactics to support “their” ministry. The Lord has not changed His mind, “the righteous shall live by faith”, not salaries. He commanded His ministers, “Freely ye received, Freely give. Get you no gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses”. A man who lives by faith has to walk with God because “if our heart condemn us not, we have boldness toward God; and whatsoever we ask we receive of him, because we keep his commandments and do the things that are pleasing in his sight” (1Jn.3:21,22). God's command that His leaders walk by faith ensures righteous leadership. The early Church leadership was not in the habit of taking up collections, but when they did, it was not for themselves but for the saints in persecution and had needs, as it was with Jerusalem. (1Co.16:1) Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I gave order to the churches of Galatia, so also do ye. (2) Upon the first day of the week let each one of you lay by him in store, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come. (3) And when I arrive, whomsoever ye shall approve, them will I send with letters to carry your bounty unto Jerusalem. Notice that Paul didn't handle the money, but approved brethren did. He preferred to not even be present when the collection for the saints was received, so that there would be no extortion involved, as it was with the Macedonian collection. He also didn't use the Macedonians' presence to shame and extort the Corinthians. (2Co.9:3) But I have sent the brethren, that our glorying on your behalf may not be made void in this respect; that, even as I said, ye may be prepared: (4) lest by any means, if there come with me any of Macedonia and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be put to shame in this confidence. (5) I thought it necessary therefore to entreat the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your aforepromised bounty, that the same might be ready as a matter of bounty, and not of extortion. Ministers received free will offerings and did not demand their rights through condemnation or legalism. (1Co.9:11) If we sowed unto you spiritual things, is it a great matter if we shall reap your carnal things? (12) If others partake of [this] right over you, do not we yet more? Nevertheless we did not use this right; but we bear all things, that we may cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ. (13) Know ye not that they that minister about sacred things eat [of] the things of the temple, [and] they that wait upon the altar have their portion with the altar? (14) Even so did the Lord ordain that they that proclaim the gospel should live of the gospel. (15) But I have used none of these things: and I write not these things that it may be so done in my case; for [it were] good for me rather to die, than that any man should make my glorifying void. Paul said, “we did not use this right...that we may cause no hindrance to the gospel”. Even the world sees through the “gimmee gospel” and its con men, and they disrespect the true Gospel because of it. In obeying the command “freely ye received, freely give” we leave no room for suspicion. (2Pe.2:1) But there arose false prophets also among the people, as among you also there shall be false teachers, who shall privily bring in destructive heresies.... (3) And in covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you. One way they “make merchandise of you” is to put God's people under the Law to support them when the Scripture clearly states that our giving is “not of necessity” (2Co.9:7). “[Let] each man [do] according as he has purposed in his heart; not grudgingly, or of necessity (this is not according to the law of tithing): for God loveth a cheerful giver”. In the New Covenant, God wants an offering from the heart from those born of His Spirit. God made the Old Covenant with natural Israel and refused the Gentiles. (Psa.147:19) He showeth his word unto Jacob, His statutes and his ordinances unto Israel. (20) He hath not dealt so with any nation; And as for his ordinances, they have not known them. Now the New Covenant is made only with the Church and is refused to those under the Law. If a doctrine like tithing is not in the New Covenant, then it was never made with you! It will only separate you from Christ and grace. (Gal.5:4) Ye are severed from Christ, ye who would be justified by the law; ye are fallen away from grace. Jesus rebuked the false prophets of His day saying, “Woe unto you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye tithe mint and anise and cummin (even their seasoning), and have left undone the weightier matters of the law, justice, and mercy, and faith: but these you ought to have done (this is past tense in all ancient manuscripts, Numerics, and the Received Text), and not to have left the other undone” (Mat 23:23). Jesus clearly said here that tithing was both in the past and under the Law. Some say tithing was before the Law. Yes, circumcision and animal sacrifice were before the Law, too, but they were included in the law and we are not under Law to do them anymore either. Paul also said tithing was of the Law in Hebrews 7:5-11. There is no New Covenant command or request to tithe because we are no longer stewards of ten percent. Jesus taught that we have to renounce ownership of the other ninety percent, or we cannot be His disciples. (Luk.14:33) So therefore whosoever he be of you that renounceth not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. “All” here means all possessions, rights, and will. Those who claim possession of the other ninety percent are thieves. The Holy Spirit and the New Covenant commands were given to establish where, how much, and to whom we give. We are merely stewards of what He has put in our hands. The church's system of tithing is extortion and graft. It is not even righteous when compared to the Old Covenant tithe. Under the type and shadow of the tithe, ten percent was taken from eleven tribes and given to one tribe, the Levites ([ministers] Num.18:24). Then the Levites gave one ten percent (tithe) to the high priest (25-28). This left the Levites with ten percent from ten tribes. That is an average of what the other eleven tribes had to live on. Even when Israel's economy grew, they still lived on an average income. Today, with a larger percentage of the people doing the supporting, coupled with the fact that the pastors have usurped the authority of the rest of the five-fold ministry (Eph.4:11), ministers have become fat and filthy rich. This is a great stumbling block to both the world that sees through this and to the ministers. This also makes the people of God bad stewards. We have made God's house a “den of robbers” (Mat.21:13). (Eze.34:2) Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, even to the shepherds, Thus saith the Lord: Woe unto the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the sheep? (3) Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill the fatlings; but ye feed not the sheep. These men make it plain that we are not under the Law except when there is a profit involved and then we are told to “bring ye the whole tithe into the storehouse”, which is a command of the Old Covenant. Of course, they falsely claim to be the storehouse. In Old Covenant type and shadow, tithes were cast into the treasury, which was in the midst of the temple (1Ki.7:51; Mar.12:41). In the New Covenant, the temple is God's people, and Jesus said that we would be judged by whether we meet the needs of His people (Mat.25:31-46; 1Jn.3:16,17). This is how we store up treasure in heaven (Luk.12:33,34). We are taught to not store up our treasures on earth (Mat.6:19-21) but to meet the needs of the brethren so “that there may be equality” (2Co.8:14). Those who will not renounce ownership and become stewards of one hundred percent are not being disciples for “we were bought with a price”. We are now bondservants of Christ. The Holy Spirit now tells the disciples of Christ how much, to whom, where, and when to give. Amen. Now, the Bible specifically says you get a reward for giving, and the interest is much better. The interest is “good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over.” I've tried God on this and it works. He is faithful — consistently faithful. He is our surety. I learned that you just give and meet the needs of the brethren around you, and not worry about what you have left because God is never going to fail you. Never. From the time the Lord showed me about faith and how He forbade debt to His people, I haven't stored up or borrowed any money, and the Lord has never failed to make sure we had a good car, a good house, and all our needs met. The world says that you have to store up the money until you have enough, or even more commonly, borrow it from the bank, which is debt. But you don't need to go the way of the world, because God can bring it in a lump sum. He did it for us many times. Men serve insurance companies, H.M.O.s, banks and store up their treasures on earth for the security they think it gives them. But we are told in (Mat.6:19) Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal. Y2K revealed the paranoia and lack of trust in those who stored up their treasures on earth contrary to our Lord's command. Quite a few people that I showed these principles to went home to give their store away and found it full of bugs, just as Jesus said, “thieves break through and steal.” Jesus told of a man who found peace in the insurance of storing up his goods in greater barns (Luk.12:18). He said to himself, (Luk.12:19)… Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, be merry. (His misplaced trust brought judgment.) (20) But God said unto him, Thou foolish one, this night is thy soul required (Greek: “they require thy soul”) of thee; and the things which thou hast prepared, whose shall they be? (21) So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. Notice that it was his stored-up treasures that required his soul. Jesus promised the unfailing kingdom provisions to those who would store up their treasures in heaven by giving. (32) Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom (33) Sell that which ye have, and give alms; make for yourselves purses which wax not old (That means you're not storing it up or keeping it for a long time.), a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief draweth near, neither moth destroyeth. Give alms. Meet the needs of people around you. That's what He calls “a treasure in the heavens that faileth not.” Any treasure you store up on earth is going to fail. The world is going to plunder you, folks, and, if not the world, the devil is going to plunder you by the curse, but you're going to be plundered. Let me tell you how not to get plundered: Give! Meet the needs of the brethren around you. Give and then it will be coming the other way because it says in (Luk.6:38) Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, shall they give into your bosom. For with what measure ye mete it shall be measured to you again. That's how it works. You can make a living by giving. It works. (Luk.12:34) For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Some people tell me, “It's okay to have it. Just don't set your heart on it.” That's not what Jesus said. He said, “If you have it, your heart will be on it.” “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” If you're thinking, “Well, David, doesn't it say that Joseph stored up for the years of plenty so that he could give it back in the years of famine?” Yes, but let me point out to you who Joseph very clearly represents in type and shadow. Joseph was among the elders of Israel, but his own brethren sold him into bondage to the Gentiles for silver, just like Jesus. Joseph was lied about by the harlot, Potiphar's wife, just like Jesus. Joseph was persecuted by them and he was cast into prison, just like Jesus. Jesus went and preached to the souls in prison after He was crucified and what did Jesus do to the souls in prison? He decided who went to Abraham's Bosom and who went to Hades; in other words, He judged between the good souls and bad souls. The same thing happened to Joseph when he was cast into prison. He decided between the butler, who came out of prison and went up to serve Pharaoh, and the baker, who lost his head. When Joseph came out of prison, he was ruler over all of the earth, second only to Pharaoh, who was worshipped as a god. And when Jesus came out of prison, He was ruler over all of creation, second only to God. The types and shadows are all there to show that Joseph represented Jesus. If you store up on this earth, you are disobeying Jesus. It's only good for spending, and then you learn to walk by faith. (Jas.2:5) Hearken, my beloved brethren; did not God choose them that are poor as to the world to be rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he promised to them that love him? God chose those who are poor of the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the Kingdom. A person who is rich in faith will never go without. God always provides for them. So how do you store up under the hand of “Joseph”? How do you store up your treasures in Heaven under Jesus? You do that by giving alms, by making yourselves purses that wax not old, by meeting the needs of the brethren. You give and it will be given unto you. When you get out in that wilderness, don't you want to have something stored up in the Bank of Heaven? He said, “A treasure in the heavens that faileth not.” If you pack food out there into that wilderness, it will fail you. If you pack gold out into that wilderness, the world will plunder you. But if you store it up by giving, God said He will give unto you. Now I'm not asking for anything; I'm just telling you how to get prepared for what's coming because a lot of you have been hearing a bunch of baloney from apostate preachers. That is not how you get prepared for the wilderness. If you want to be prepared, you store up your treasures under the hand of Jesus in the Kingdom of Heaven, and then you can get it back when you need it. “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, shall they give into your bosom.” The way to make money in the world is not to store up, it's not to bring people under the Law, it's not to tell everybody your needs. Those are the methods of Egypt, but God wants you to stay in the wilderness. The Israelites cried out to go back to Egypt. They didn't like the trials of their faith and they wanted to go back to the ways of the world. The way of God is to give what you have and then God will multiply it back. It's happened to me many, many times that when I did not have enough money to take care of my needs, I would just go and give it. And you know what? God has never failed me, not once. I walked by faith and raised five children, and God always met our needs. Now, one time we were forced into a fast as a trial of our faith, and that's the only time we were ever put in that position, but we got in a position many times where God literally multiplied food, multiplied money and even multiplied gas in our tank. We got to see wondrous miracles from God and we're still seeing them! God sees to it that His Word is fulfilled. (Jer.1:12) Then said the Lord unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I watch over my word to perform it. He stands behind His Word, and He will never fail you. He cannot fail. One thing I've learned about God is that He can do everything but fail. He will supply your every need according to His riches in glory. Our brother, Curt Bryan, had always given sacrificially to our ministry. He had given testimony several times where he had written checks to pay his own bills without the money in the bank to cover them, believing God to have the money there in time. In his business, many of his customers were walk-ins, so income was hard to predict. Whenever he had stepped out by faith in this way, God would always come through. A sudden rush of customers would come in, or a generous tip would be given to him. (2Co.9:6)… He that soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he that soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. An opportunity to give can also be an opportunity to sit on, or eat the seed. We can only reap to the extent we sow. God multiplies it back, not to make us rich but to make us channels of His blessing to the needy. He multiplies our seed for sowing, not hoarding. (10) And he that supplieth seed to the sower and bread for food, shall supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness. God's promise to those who are faithful in giving is here. (8) And God is able to make all grace abound unto you; that ye having always all sufficiency in everything, may abound unto every good work. This is one of the most powerful, all-encompassing promises of provision in all of the Scriptures. Here are a few other testimonies from our site of how the Lord miraculously provided financially when people acted in faith.   Give and It Will Be Given Gideon Smith - 03/08/2012 My wife and I had a medical bill we couldn't afford to pay, so we told them we couldn't afford it. We then gave some money to a ministry that helps our brothers and sisters who are persecuted. The next day, my wife was contacted by the medical people and was told that the bill was cleared, and we owed them nothing. God blessed us five times the amount that we gave by taking care of that debt. When my wife told me this, I was amazed and said, “Wow! Since we had some of that money set aside to pay the bill from our income tax, we should give again.” So right at the table tonight, l prayed, “Lord, if You want us to give again, You will send someone to us in need. Well, I went to the grocery store and had to get some stuff, but I forgot to get everything, so I had to go back. When I went back, I first began to murmur, but instead I praised God. When I left the store, a man approached me with an empty gas container, asking if I could help him. I said, “Sorry, I don't have any cash.” But then I remembered the prayer I prayed. At this point, I said, “Give me the tank. I will fill it up for you. I filled the container up and went to the ATM to get him some cash. When I got back to him, I told him about my prayer and let him know that it was Christ Who just showed him and me this miracle. I am so in awe of God's direction and all His works. Praise the Lord, in Jesus name! You want proof of Christ, there you go. Hallelujah!   Trusting God for Finances Anna Higareda - 04/28/2010 Hello, Brother Eells. This is the first time I have written you. The Lord has put it on my heart to send you a great THANK YOU, as I am sitting here listening to your teaching, Wilderness Living Now. My husband, Jon, has written an email to you once before regarding a dream he had, and you actually spoke about it in one of your teachings. My husband and I have been listening and learning from your teachings and reading your books now for about two years, and we have recently been brought to a point of weakness and have been forced to live in the “wilderness”, as you speak of in your teachings. I wanted to send you a great THANK YOU; it is because of the good Lord and your teachings that we have learned to live by pure faith, and we have also been able to teach our kids to look to God and thank HIM every day. Your stories of faith and your life experiences have really inspired us and given us all the more faith to trust in the Lord for everything we need. As a matter of fact, besides your ministry, my husband received word to be faithful to one other ministry here in Campbell, CA. He was helping at that ministry last Thursday evening (he helps set up and take down all the technical stuff) and when they were taking down and putting things away, one of the elders told him, “I just had a vision, out of nowhere, that you were putting on your coat and it was made of money”. So my husband said, “Hmm, wow, that's pretty neat!” Then he continued on with putting things away, and the elder said to him, “Jon, well ...?!” So my husband looked dumbfounded, and the elder motioned for him to feel his pockets. So he put his hands back in his coat, and he felt paper; it was a $100 bill in his coat pocket! My husband was shocked and in disbelief because it wasn't too long before that, he had had his hands in his pockets and his pockets were empty. My brother-in-law was also there that night, and my husband asked him, “Did you do this?” He said, “No way. I couldn't have done that. I only brought $4 with me tonight”. Then my husband asked the elder the same question, and the response was, “I didn't do that; I guarantee!” This was truly amazing, Brother Eells, because no one knew we had been going through any type of financial struggle. We kept it all to ourselves and that morning I got my paycheck, and my entire check went towards the bills. What was left over after paying bills was $266 and I thought to myself, “That's funny. I thought we would have $366 left over yesterday after bills. There is no way we could make it with this amount until the next time I get paid”. I ended up with $100 less than I thought I would have after bills. Then I talked to God at my work desk and told him, “Lord, I know you have provided many times before and I have faith you will provide again for my family, so I am not going to worry; it's in your hands!” I thanked God and moved forward with my day, and then that night, the Lord put that extra $100 in my husband's pocket at the ministry. I saw my brother-in-law two days later, and he asked, “Did Jon tell you about what happened at the ministry with his jacket?!” I replied, “Yes, isn't that amazing!” Then he said, “I know! Jon asked if one of us had put it in his pocket, but I am telling you, Anna, there is no possible way that anyone put that money in his pocket that night”. I then told him and his wife about the rest of the testimony, and they said, “Thank you, Jesus!” :) God is amazing! So I want to say thank you so very much for all the hard work you do for HIS kingdom; it is truly inspiring! My family and I have been abundantly blessed to have come across your ministry two years ago! Thank you and I wish you and your family all the best! So, Saints, don't fear the wilderness. God designed this wilderness. He's ordained this wilderness. He's even ordained the Beast that's going to cause this wilderness. He's ordained Pharaoh's army to get behind God's people and force them out there into that wilderness. God is not going to fail you. Learn to walk by faith because the wilderness will be nothing for the people who walk by faith (2 Corinthians 5:7). But for those who are fearful and murmur and complain and walk by sight (Numbers 11:1; 1 Corinthians 10:10; Jude 16; Revelation 21:8; etc.), they are not going to make it through. Why is God doing this? He's doing this because He's raising up believers. (Heb.10:38) But my righteous one shall live by faith: And if he shrink back, my soul hath no pleasure in him.

Scripture Reading and Interpretation (Psalm 42) Reading of Psalm 42, focusing on the soul's thirst for God and the experience of being taunted by others questioning God's presence. "As the heart panteth after the water brook, so panteth my soul after thee, O God." Recalling past experiences and pouring out one's soul. Acknowledging feelings of being cast down and disquieted, but encouraged to hope in God. Remembering God from the land of Jordan and the hill of Bazaar. Acknowledging the depth calling unto depth amidst life's overwhelming challenges. Trusting in God's loving-kindness and song, even in the darkest nights. Questioning God in times of oppression but ultimately finding hope and praise in Him. Prayer and Invocation Seeking God's unction and will, asking for divine guidance in speaking and delivering the message. Expressing gratitude for the day, the place, and the people present. Personal Testimony and Reflection Reflecting on past hard times and tears, now seen as a source of nourishment and strength. Hardships and difficult situations were challenging at the time. Looking back, one can see God's faithfulness. Sharing personal experiences of bondage and torment before finding salvation in Jesus Christ on September 28, 2014. Experiencing torment and not even realizing it. Jesus Christ was sent to die for an unworthy soul. The importance of returning to the "old altar" where tears were shed, symbolizing a return to the foundational experience of faith. The enemy tries to undermine faith and make one feel inadequate. Recalling past experiences of God's faithfulness to combat doubt. Recalling a Monday night when feeling defeated and questioning the call to preach. Questioning salvation and feeling overwhelmed. Hearing a message from the pulpit about God finishing the good work He started. Experiencing multiple messages reinforcing this theme, leading to a powerful prayer experience. Finding strength and sustenance in past tears and struggles, using them as a reminder of God's faithfulness when facing current doubts. The tears cried on that Monday night now provide sustenance. Using past experiences to combat doubts about salvation. God's Faithfulness and Provision Reflecting on God's goodness to oneself, family, and church, urging others to recognize God's faithfulness in their own lives. Acknowledging seasons of hardship but emphasizing God's promise and faithfulness to His people. Enduring hardships and trials. God is not slack concerning His promises. Sharing anecdotes of Valerie and Kinsey as examples of God's faithfulness in their lives. Valerie's story of questioning God but later recognizing His faithfulness. Kinsey's healing and recovery, providing encouragement for future trials. Recognizing that personal shortcomings are the only barriers to God's faithfulness. God never lets anyone down. The only way God's faithfulness fails is if we let Him down. The Story of Joseph Referring to the story of Joseph in Genesis 37 as an example of enduring hardship and God's ultimate plan. Joseph's brothers were jealous and sold him into slavery. Asking where God was in that situation. Highlighting Joseph's journey through slavery, imprisonment, and eventual rise to power in Egypt. Joseph was sold into slavery and ended up in Potiphar's house. He was falsely accused by Potiphar's wife and imprisoned. Reflecting on Joseph's potential feelings of abandonment and questioning God's plan during his trials. Wondering why God was allowing these things to happen. Recognizing the difference between oneself and men of God who trust in God's faithfulness. Emphasizing that Joseph's hardships were necessary for him to be in a position to save his family from famine. Joseph interpreted the dreams of the butler and baker in pr...

"The Non-Microwaved Truth" is on microwave time, so we'll have a quick message today. If you are human, you'll face temptation in your life. How are you handling it? Let's learn how we can handle it, where we can run to, and how temptation is usually presented to us.

I greet you in Jesus' precious name! It is Tuesday morning, the 12th of August, 2025, and this is your friend, Angus Buchan, with a thought for today. We start in the Book of Genesis 39:3:”And his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand.” Then we go straight to 1 Corinthians 10:12:”Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” What had happened was Joseph had found favour with Potiphar, Pharaoh's officer.The Bible tells us that Joseph was a very handsome young man and everything he did, he succeeded in and Potiphar gave him control over his whole household, but there was problem. There was Potiphar's wife who looked at Joseph and wanted to sleep with Joseph. Joseph did not yield to the temptation, but it got him into big trouble.I want to say to you today, be careful how you stand lest you fall - that's what the Lord says! You know, the most dangerous place to be is really in a place where you are succeeding. When you are taking strain and you're down on you knees, you can't fall any further, can you? But when you succeed the devil will try everything to tempt you to fall. When your business is going well and you, all of a sudden, start throwing caution to the wind, as they say. You start taking chances because you think you can't fail and that is when you overstep your mark and you end up getting into big financial trouble. We really need to be careful.You know, I heard a very sad story about a young golf professional. He was a rookie, he had just started. A very big club employed him, the people loved him, he was a good looking man, he was a very good golfer. He had great prospects, and after he had played his 18 holes, the older guys in the club would invite him up to come and have a drink with them. He said, ”Sir, I don't drink, but thank you for the kind offer.” But they persisted. You see, just like Potiphar's wife persisted with Joseph, but unlike Joseph, this young man eventually said he would go up to the club and have a few drinks. Of course, he continued to do that and eventually he started to have a drinking problem. The tragedy is, the very same men who persuaded him to come and have a drink with them said, “Let's get this youngster out of the club because he's become a drunkard and he's an embarrassment to us.” The very same people! Be careful how you stand today, lest you fall. Do not let success cause you to be tempted to compromise your stand for God.Jesus bless you and have a wonderful day,Goodbye.

This is the second devotional study in our series about the Bible principles for interpersonal relations between men and women -- especially husbands and wives.  This week, we will find some of these principles in the story of Potiphar's wife, as reported in Genesis 39.Genesis 39:7-10 KJVAnd it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, “Lie with me.”  But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, “Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand;  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?”  And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.Related Podcasts:— God's Perspective on Gender Roles— Male/Female Dynamics, Part 1— The Weaker Vessel— Every Wise WomanRelated Podcasts at TrueWisdom:— A Woman of Action— True Valor— In the Beginning— The Bride of Christ— Joseph and His ConflictsText UsSupport the showSend questions or comments to: BibleQuestions@ASBzone.comThe Key Principles of Effective Bible Study is a resource which outlines core concepts shown in the Scriptures that will help you to better understand many Biblical themes and doctrines. We have a whole podcast series on these principles at BibleStudy.ASBzone.com/357512/8572886.God's Precious Word is a condensed, 9-part series based on the same resource. Check out these awesome Bible Maps! Lastly, we recommend that you check out https://TrueWisdom.buzzsprout.com for a related Bible Study podcast, in a different format, co-hosted with Robert Baker.We pray that all of these resources will be very helpful to you in your Bible Studies.

“Ayyy, Jordan!” He turned. He turned. It was Paris—19, popular, confident, and the daughter of the gym's owner. She came in often, usually just to scroll on her phone at the juice bar or flirt with the trainers. Jordan had always been polite to her but kept things light. He could sense she liked attention, and he didn't want drama. “You're still here,” she said, leaning on the doorframe. “It's basically just us.” Jordan smiled politely. “Yeah—closing shift. Just about done.” Paris stepped inside slowly, letting the door swing shut behind her. Her eyes lingered on him. “You work hard,” she said, walking closer. “Too hard. Don't you ever... get bored of being the good guy?” Jordan chuckled nervously. “Not really. Someone's gotta be.” She moved closer, lowering her voice. “Come on, Jordan. You're always so serious. You could relax a little... just this once.” Her hand touched his arm. His heart jumped. He stepped back gently. “Paris, I don't think this is a good idea.” “Why not?” she asked, raising an eyebrow. “No one's here. I won't tell.” He paused. Everything in the room suddenly felt heavy. Quiet. Still.                        Join us as we dive into the story of Jordan and Paris - the modernised story of Joseph and Mrs. Potiphar found in Genesis 39. ALSO We did a mic roam and asked girls and guys your age about facing temptation. What did they say?  Tune in to find out.                                    ___________________________________ READ STORY ON THE BLOG Contact us to sign up Visit our website Artist of the month: Casting Crowns Keep in the loop by signing to our GIGI Notes HERE DON'T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE  Hosts: Esther & Steph Mix & effects: Stephanie Giselle Purple Planet Music https://www.purple-planet.com/ email us: writegigi5@gmail.com Write by post GIGI Teen Radio PO BOX 6505 Upper Mt Gravatt QLD 4122 music credit: Purple planet music All music played on the podcast radio is covered under the APRA AMCOS Online Mini Licence.  

Yahweh's Presence in InjusticeGenesis 39IntroductionBig Idea: Recognize that Yahweh's presence brings blessing, so turn away from evil, no matter the outcome.1. Yahweh is with Joseph in Potiphar's house. (1–6)2. Joseph turns away from evil. (7–12)3. An evil report turns Joseph toward prison. (13–20)4. Yahweh is with Joseph in the king's prison. (21–23)Conclusion:

Different spirit I. Cain II. Potiphar's wife III. Nabal IV. James & John V. Paul & Silas

Series: Lessons from the Life of JosephService: Sun ClassType: Bible ClassSpeaker: Mark Cook

Thank you for joining us! If you have any questions please don't hesitate to call the church office at 661-833-2800 or check out our website www.laurelglen.org.Scripture Reference: Genesis 39:1-23

Temptation sometimes feels unbelievably strong and you feel very alone. In the story of Joseph and Potiphar's wife, Joseph stand up under an intense temptation, which is impressive enough—but the question is how? The answer is that the Lord was with him. In this message, we learn that that we are not on our own in the face of temptation, but that our strong Savior stands with us. And because He Himself has withstood the most persistent temptations, He is able to help us in times of need, even in the face of serious sexual temptation.

One late afternoon, as the shadows stretched long and the palace began to cool, Joseph passed through the inner hallways of the house carrying scrolls. The wind blew softly through the open windows, rustling linen curtains. A voice called gently, “Joseph.” He turned, and there stood Potiphar's wife, dressed in fine silk, her eyes fixed intently on him. “Yes, mistress?” he asked politely, lowering his gaze respectfully. Her voice was smooth like honey. “Come and lie with me.” Joseph's heart pounded. He froze. The silence between them thickened like desert heat. He took a step back. “No, my lady. My master has placed everything in this house under my care. He trusts me completely. How could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” But she didn't give up. Today's story can be found in Genesis 39.                                                            ___________________________________ Read story on the blog Visit our website Artist of the month: Casting Crowns Keep in the loop by signing to our GIGI Notes HERE DON'T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE  Hosts: Esther & Steph Mix & effects: Stephanie Giselle Purple Planet Music https://www.purple-planet.com/ email us: writegigi5@gmail.com Write by post GIGI Teen Radio PO BOX 6505 Upper Mt Gravatt QLD 4122 music credit: Purple planet music All music played on the podcast radio is covered under the APRA AMCOS Online Mini Licence.  

After being sold into slavery, Joseph sees a series of highs and lows in his life. But the overarching theme is that God is with Him. What can we learn from Joseph's time in Potiphar's house? Genesis 39

God is a second mile God — and He's raising up a second mile church. In this message, Pastor Marcus unpacks what it means to go beyond what's expected, just like Jacob, Joseph, and Rebekah.When others mistreat you… when life feels unfair… God sees your faithfulness. And He blesses those who go further when no one's watching. Don't settle for average. The first mile is law — the second mile is love.

Joseph's life in Egypt begins in forced servitude, yet even in a foreign land and in the house of Potiphar, an Egyptian official, something extraordinary happens: “The Lord was with Joseph.” His integrity, skill, and God-given favor cause him to rise, and things are going well until temptation strikes. Potiphar's wife tries to seduce him, and when Joseph refuses her advances out of fear of sinning against God, she falsely accuses him. Thrown into prison for doing the right thing, Joseph could have given in to despair. But once again, Scripture reminds us: “The Lord was with him.” The Rev. Robert Smith, pastor emeritus in Ft. Wayne, IN, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Genesis 39. Genesis isn't just the start of the Bible; it's the foundation of everything. Creation, sin, judgment, grace, covenant, and promise all take root in this remarkable book. The stories are ancient, but their truths are eternal. In this new series from Thy Strong Word, Pastor Phil Booe and his guests walk verse by verse through Genesis, exploring how God reveals Himself as Creator, Judge, and Redeemer. From the grandeur of the cosmos to the struggles of ordinary families, Genesis introduces us to a God who speaks, acts, and keeps His promises. So, whether you've read it a hundred times or are just now cracking it open for a serious look, this series will help you see Genesis with fresh eyes—and a deeper faith.

Scripture: Genesis 39In this message, we explore the life of Joseph and how God remained present even in the darkest seasons of his life. Though sold into slavery and falsely imprisoned, Joseph's story reminds us that God's silence is not His absence.Key Points:Family dysfunction doesn't disqualify God's purpose – Joseph's trials began with generational brokenness, yet God still had a plan.God's presence changes everything – Genesis 39:2-6 shows that the Lord was with Joseph and caused all he did to succeed, even in slavery.Favor follows faithfulness – Joseph excelled because of his integrity and diligence, not because of ideal circumstances.Temptation is relentless, but God provides a way out – Joseph resisted the advances of Potiphar's wife, modeling obedience even when it cost him.Sin undersells its consequences – Disobedience in the palace could have cost Joseph everything. Instead, he chose the hard path of righteousness.Victory begins with vigilance – Proverbs 14:16 and 22:3 remind us that wisdom avoids evil and takes refuge in God's truth.God is working even in waiting – Psalm 27:14, Psalm 130:5-6, and James 5:7-8 encourage us to trust God's timing.There are no coincidences in God's plan – What may look like setbacks were divinely orchestrated setups for Joseph's future role in saving a nation (Psalm 105:16-17).Main Truth: God is present in your prison, and His plan is unfolding—even when it feels like you're going backward.

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

Ever notice how nobody plans to wreck their life? We don't wake up intending to damage our health, finances, or relationships – yet many of us make choices that lead exactly there. The crucial difference between staying on track and derailing comes down to one powerful practice: pre-decision.When temptation strikes, our willpower is often already depleted by decision fatigue. Those countless choices we make throughout the day wear us down, leaving us vulnerable precisely when we need strength most. That's why relying on willpower alone is a losing strategy. We're simply not as strong as we think we are – something psychologists call "restraint bias" – and there's a spiritual enemy constantly studying our weaknesses.This episode offers three practical strategies for fighting temptation before it overwhelms you. First, move the line – create distance between yourself and potential compromise instead of seeing how close you can get without crossing over. Second, magnify the costs by honestly confronting what you'd lose if you gave in. And third, plan your escape route in advance, just like Joseph did when fleeing Potiphar's wife rather than compromising his integrity.The beautiful truth is that God always provides a way out of temptation, but we must be ready to take it. By identifying your specific vulnerabilities and pre-deciding your response strategy, you position yourself to experience the incredible life God has planned for you. Don't let unplanned moments of weakness derail God's best for your future. Pre-decide today to live in freedom tomorrow.Support the showMade a decision to follow Jesus? We want to know about it! Fill out our connect card here: https://local.churchcenter.com/people/forms/115766Thank you for your generosity. For information on how to give, visit https://localvineyard.church/give.

We can practice righteousness when being treated unfairly because we have been justified by Christ. Genesis 39:1–22 (ESV): 39 Now Joseph had been brought down to Egypt, and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, had bought him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him down there. 2 The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 His master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD caused all that he did to succeed in his hands. 4 So Joseph found favor in his sight and attended him, and he made him overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had. 5 From the time that he made him overseer in his house and over all that he had, the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; the blessing of the LORD was on all that he had, in house and field. 6 So he left all that he had in Joseph's charge, and because of him he had no concern about anything but the food he ate. Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance. 7 And after a time his master's wife cast her eyes on Joseph and said, “Lie with me.” 8 But he refused and said to his master's wife, “Behold, because of me my master has no concern about anything in the house, and he has put everything that he has in my charge. 9 He is not greater in this house than I am, nor has he kept back anything from me except you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” 10 And as she spoke to Joseph day after day, he would not listen to her, to lie beside her or to be with her. 11 But one day, when he went into the house to do his work and none of the men of the house was there in the house, 12 she caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me.” But he left his garment in her hand and fled and got out of the house. 13 And as soon as she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and had fled out of the house, 14 she called to the men of her household and said to them, “See, he has brought among us a Hebrew to laugh at us. He came in to me to lie with me, and I cried out with a loud voice. 15 And as soon as he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried out, he left his garment beside me and fled and got out of the house.” 16 Then she laid up his garment by her until his master came home, 17 and she told him the same story, saying, “The Hebrew servant, whom you have brought among us, came in to me to laugh at me. 18 But as soon as I lifted up my voice and cried, he left his garment beside me and fled out of the house.” 19 As soon as his master heard the words that his wife spoke to him, “This is the way your servant treated me,” his anger was kindled. 20 And Joseph's master took him and put him into the prison, the place where the king's prisoners were confined, and he was there in prison. 21 But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. 22 And the keeper of the prison put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners who were in the prison. Whatever was done there, he was the one who did it.

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: @biblelitTwitter: @bible_litFacebook: @biblelitEmail the Show: biblebrief@biblelit.org Want to learn the Bible languages (Greek & Hebrew)? Check out ou...

Temptation is as constant and real as gravity—a daily battle that every believer faces. Ray, E.Z., Mark, and Oscar remind Christians that they are never alone in this struggle, and the enemy wants them to believe otherwise. Isolation is one of Satan's strongest tools, but God calls believers to live in the light and walk in community. When one believer confesses a struggle, another can offer encouragement, reminding them that being tempted is part of the Christian journey. A fear of the Lord becomes a shield against compromise. Every time Jesus was tempted, He responded with Scripture. In the same way, when believers store the Word in their hearts, the Holy Spirit brings it to mind at crucial moments, arming them with truth that weakens the power of temptation.Prayer is to be ongoing. Even Elijah, who shared the same human nature, prayed earnestly and witnessed the power of God. The model of praying to be delivered from temptation and evil is not optional—it is essential. Spiritual discipline plays a critical role in a believer's strength. Fasting, once a common practice in the early church, has been overlooked by many today. In avoiding legalism, many have also rejected discipline, but Scripture teaches that while salvation is a gift of grace, Christians are created for good works. Discipline, when motivated by love for God, helps conform believers to the image of Christ.Resisting temptation is not about earning favor, but about growing in Christlikeness. God has predestined His people to be conformed to His Son, and resistance is a part of that transformation. Humility is key—recognizing that apart from God, nothing is deserved but judgment. Gratitude flows from this awareness. The best way to flee temptation is to have somewhere better to run. Redirecting desires toward Christ changes the battle entirely. Believers are the reward of Jesus's obedience, and understanding His love is stronger than any willpower.Standing strong also means running with the right people. Christians grow when they walk with others who are running the race well. Community, scripture, prayer, evangelism, and fellowship all strengthen the soul. Ephesians teaches that the real battle is spiritual and that the armor of God is essential. Believers must be aware of their weaknesses, seek counsel, pursue repentance, and embrace accountability. Like Joseph before Potiphar's wife, believers must refuse, reason, resist—and then run. Those who believe they cannot fall are often the first to do so. Temptation is real, but so is the strength found in Christ.Send us a textThanks for listening! If you've been helped by this podcast, we'd be grateful if you'd consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating! Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources!You can find helpful counseling resources at biblicalcounseling.com.Check out The Evidence Study Bible and the Basic Training Course.You can connect with us at podcast@livingwaters.com. We're thankful for your input!Learn more about the hosts of this podcast.Ray ComfortEmeal (“E.Z.”) ZwayneMark SpenceOscar Navarro

The guys discuss how temptation is a constant and unavoidable part of the Christian life, but believers are not alone in the fight. Through Scripture, prayer, spiritual discipline, and community, Christians are equipped to resist temptation and grow in Christlikeness. The fear of the Lord acts as a shield, and memorizing Scripture allows the Holy Spirit to bring truth to mind in moments of weakness. Practices like fasting and consistent prayer strengthen believers spiritually, while humility and gratitude keep their hearts aligned with God. Standing strong also means walking with others who are pursuing Christ, staying aware of personal weaknesses, and embracing accountability. Like Joseph fleeing from Potiphar's wife, Christians must be ready to refuse, reason, resist, and run—trusting that God's strength is greater than any temptation they face.Send us a textThanks for listening! If you've been helped by this podcast, we'd be grateful if you'd consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating! Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources!You can find helpful counseling resources at biblicalcounseling.com.Check out The Evidence Study Bible and the Basic Training Course.You can connect with us at podcast@livingwaters.com. We're thankful for your input!Learn more about the hosts of this podcast.Ray ComfortEmeal (“E.Z.”) ZwayneMark SpenceOscar Navarro

Potiphar's Wife: The Vatican's Secret and Child Sexual AbuseThe ‘cover-up' of child sexual abuse by the Catholic  Church has been occurring under the pontificate of six popes since 1922.  For 1500 years, the Catholic Church accepted that clergy who sexually  abused children deserved to be stripped of their status as priests and  then imprisoned. A series of papal and Council decrees from the twelfth  century required such priests to be dismissed from the priesthood, and  then handed over to the civil authorities for further punishment.That  all changed in 1922 when Pope Pius XI issued his decree Crimen  Sollicitationis that created a de facto ‘privilege of clergy' by  imposing the ‘secret of the Holy Office' on all information obtained  through the Church's canonical investigations. If the State did not know  about these crimes, then there would be no State trials, and the matter  could be treated as a purely canonical crime to be dealt with in secret  in the Church courts. Pope Pius XII continued the decree. Pope John  XXIII reissued it in 1962. Pope Paul VI in 1974 extended the reach of  ‘pontifical secrecy' to the allegation itself. Pope John Paul II  confirmed the application of pontifical secrecy in 2001, and in 2010,  Benedict XVI even extended it to allegations about priests sexually  abusing intellectually disabled adults. In 2010, Pope Benedict gave a  dispensation to pontifical secrecy to allow reporting to the police  where the local civil law required it, that is, just enough to keep  bishops out of jail. Most countries in the world do not have any such  reporting laws for the vast majority of complaints about the sexual  abuse of children. Pontifical secrecy, the cornerstone of the cover up  continues. The effect on the lives of children by the imposition of the  Church's Top Secret classification on clergy sex abuse allegations may  not have been so bad if canon law had a decent disciplinary system to  dismiss these priests. The 1983 Code of Canon Law imposed a five year  limitation period which virtually ensured there would be no canonical  trials. It required bishops to try to reform these priests before  putting them on trial. When they were on trial, the priest could plead  the Vatican ‘Catch 22' defence—he should not be dismissed because he  couldn't control himself. The Church claims that all of this has  changed. Very little has changed. It has fiddled around the edges of  pontifical secrecy and the disciplinary canons. The Church has been  moonwalking.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-opperman-report--1198501/support.