Joseph

To Forgive or Not to Forgive, That Is the Question

January 21, 2020 By Marji "Mike" Kruger

Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence. Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. (NIV) Genesis 45:3-5

Joseph was betrayed and sold into slavery by his own brothers. He was falsely accused and imprisoned for what he did not do. He was hurt by those closest to him. Unfortunately, even those who love us will hurt us also. Genuine forgiveness is the first step when you are hurt. Unfortunately, even though Christians have experienced the greatest forgiveness in the world by God, we often fail to extend that forgiveness to others. When you refuse to forgive, you sin (James 4:17). It is that plain and simple!

As a Christian, when you fail to forgive another, you show that:

You have no gratitude for God’s forgiveness of you (Matthew 18:32-33)
You are not following the example of sacrificial love that God demonstrated through Jesus (Ephesians 4:32; 1 John 4:10-11)
You are choosing to disobey God’s Word by holding on to a wrong suffered – or in other words, you are harboring a grudge (1 Corinthians 13:5; Ephesians 4:32).

The consequences of unforgiveness are steep:

For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. (NIV) Matthew 6:14-15
When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world. (NIV) 1 Corinthians 11:32
And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.” . . .No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. (NIV) Hebrews 12:5-6; 11

But, you may be saying, “You don’t know what he or she did to me! I don’t feel like forgiving!” It’s not a matter of how you feel. . .you can and must obey Scripture and forgive others as God has forgiven you (Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13)! It’s not a question of if you feel like it. . . it’s a matter of obedience.

Rejected and Alone

January 18, 2020 By Marji "Mike" Kruger

When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him. (NIV) Genesis 37:4

Jacob loved Joseph more than any of his other 11 sons. Out of love he made a richly ornamented robe for Joseph. But, when his brothers saw that their father loved Joseph more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him. The hate grew. After Joseph told his brothers about a dream he had, they hated him all the more because of his dream and what he had said. On top of the hate, his brothers were jealous of him and they plotted to kill him.

When Joseph came to his brothers in the desert, they stripped him of his richly ornamented robe he was wearing and they took him and threw him into the cistern and sold him as a slave to Midianite merchants that came by. Eventually the Midianites sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s officials.

Imagine what life was like for 17 year old Joseph. His own flesh and blood hated him so intensely that they plotted to kill him. He was rejected by his own family members. Have you experienced being hated. . . shunned. . . betrayed. . .rejected by a family member or close friend or colleague or church member? If so, you know how much it hurts. You know how uncomfortable family gatherings can be. You know the emptiness it leaves in your life. You know the tears you have shed.

Jesus understands your pain.

He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. (NIV) John 1:11
He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. (NIV) John 3:32

His own disciples rejected Him and ran away at the time of His death. He told His disciples just prior to His death: “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.” (John 15:18; 20)

When those closest to you reject you, betray you, shun you or hate you, remember, Jesus understands. Run to Him to find comfort, healing, and protection. And know that you are chosen and very precious to the Father and Son!

As you come to him, the living Stone– rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him– (NIV) 1 Peter 2:4

When Life Suddenly Changes

January 18, 2020 By Marji "Mike" Kruger

The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. (NIV) Genesis 39:2

The last that we left Joseph, he was sold by his brothers to Midianites who in turn sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s officials. Joseph was 17 years old. But, The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered. When Potiphar saw that the LORD was with Joseph and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favor in his eyes. Joseph was put in charge of Potiphar’s household, and was entrusted to care for everything his master owned. As a result, God blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph. The blessing of the LORD was on everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field.

All seemed to be going smoothly until the well-built and handsome young man caught the eye of Potiphar’s wife. As she tried to seduce him, Joseph held firm and did not sin against either God or his master. Eventually, Potiphar’s wife falsely accused Joseph and he was sent to prison. But, God was consistent. While Joseph was there in the prison, the LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. Joseph was put in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because he LORD was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did. (Genesis 39:22-23)

Joseph stood out among many. It was evident to others that God was with him granting him success in all he did. Although Joseph had been betrayed by his family, sold into slavery, and falsely accused and imprisoned, he kept his eyes on God. He entrusted his circumstances to the One he knew was in control.

How do you handle life when you have been betrayed, sold out, falsely accused or “imprisoned” by your circumstances? Do you go through the “woe is me” pity party? Do you chronically complain to all who will listen? Do you get bitter with the life you have been dealt? Or do you like Joseph entrust your life, your circumstances, and your future to the One who is in control? It’s not easy. But, trust the One who sees all. . .who knows all. . .who holds the keys to the future. . .who never wastes any of our experiences. . .who has His Kingdom purposes prevail. . .and who loves you enough that He sent is only Son to die for you so that you can spend eternity with Him. We may never understand our circumstances, but we can choose to trust the One who is in control.

THE Christmas Story

December 23, 2019 By Marji "Mike" Kruger

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (NIV) Luke 2:6-7

2700 years ago, the prophet Isaiah said, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given…he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (NIV) Isaiah 9:2, 6

700 years later, “. . .there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.Â Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.'” (NIV Luke 2:8-11; 14)

You know the message God sent telling of the Good News of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” (NIV Colossians 1:19-20) “. . . he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” (NIV Isaiah 53:5) “Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation. . .” (NIV Colossians 1:21-22)

Therefore, since those of us who have been justified through faith have peace with God through Jesus Christ. . . a peace which transcends all understanding. . . a peace from Jesus Himself. . . from Him who is, who was and who is to come. . . from the One who overcame the world! May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him. . . may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way.

Written by Marji “Mike” Kruger

Appearances or Reality?

December 5, 2019 By Marji "Mike" Kruger

. . . an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. (NIV) Matthew 1:20-21; 24

The appearance: Mary, who is pledged to be married to Joseph, is pregnant before their marriage.
The options: Joseph could confess that he is not the father and allow Mary to be condemned as an adultress and possibly face death. Or, he could lie and say he was the father.
The reality: Mary was pregnant in a unique and miraculous way – Jesus was virgin born, supernaturally conceived, fulfilling Isaiah 7:14.

The appearance: Mary and Joseph had a illegitimate child. Jesus would have been disqualified from normal worship in the synagogues.
The reality: Jesus is the One who was, who is, and who is to come. . . He alone is worthy of our worship!

Often appearances are the opposite of reality and thus require faith. Joseph demonstrated his faith by believing the reality of what God had said to him rather than believing in the appearance of the situation.

For us today, the appearance is that another holiday season has approached. We’ve been taught to say: “Happy Holidays”, not “Merry Christmas”. We plan to spend extra time and money buying gifts. We sing Christmas carols and feel good. But, the reality is that Jesus was indeed the Son of God. He was supernaturally conceived by the Holy Spirit. He lived a sinless life and thus was qualified to become the sin-bearer for the sins of men. Are you celebrating Christmas – are you living your life – according to appearances or reality?

Written by Marji “Mike” Kruger

God’s Grace and Power is Sufficient

October 8, 2012 By Marji "Mike" Kruger

God’s grace and power was sufficient…

For Noah living in a corrupt society to persevere in building the ark and was saved from the flood.
For Moses, insecure in his speaking abilities, to speak up to the Pharaoh on behalf of the Israelites.
For Elijah to stand firm while all the other religious “experts” of his time said he was wrong.
For Daniel to live a life of integrity in the fast lane of his era.
For David to defeat Goliath, who was bigger, meaner, and a better warrior.
For Queen Esther to rescue her people from destruction.
For Joseph to fight the temptations of the world while he waited to be promoted.
For Gideon to lead his small army in victory over a massive enemy army.
For Josiah at the age of 7, to become a king who led his country back to worshiping God.
For Nehemiah against great odds, to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem in just 52 days.
For Job to not renounce his faith when stricken with calamity and his health taken away.
And for hundreds of thousands more who have lived their lives not for their own comfort, but to honor the God who created them!

Is God’s grace and power sufficient for you?

The Race Is On!

August 10, 2012 By Marji "Mike" Kruger

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. (NIV) Hebrews 12:1

Who are these witnesses? They are our encouragers, those who have gone before us who have had an experiential knowledge of the faith. Their type of faith honors God. They are the great men and women of faith that are written about in Hebrews 11. These are the great heroes of the past that say to us today, “I made it, you can too.”

Men like . . .

Noah, who warned the people that God’s judgment was coming. In holy fear he built an ark to save his family. Noah would say, “Be bold, speak the Truth in love.”

Abraham, who was called to go to a place that he would later receive as his inheritance. He obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going! Abraham would say, “Trust God even when you can not see the way.” Or he would tell us “Believe God will do the impossible.” Abraham should know. God enabled him to become a father at 100 years old.

Joseph, who when circumstances did not look like they would ever get better, would tell us, “Believe God will work all things out for His purposes.”

Moses would tell us when we are tired and weary, “Persevere. Look to God. Look ahead to His promises.”

Joshua was confronted with leading a people in a way that defied all logic. Joshua would say, “God is true to His Word. Trust Him and watch Him work in incredible ways.”

Hebrews 11 tells us about men and women who were all commended for their faith. Now they have been “ushered” off the track and into the stands, figuratively cheering you and me on. Their stories encourage us. In this case, they have already received their “trophy.” They have finished the race. These great men and women of the faith are the spectators so to speak.

Now it is our turn to carry on the tradition of enduring faith. Christianity is not a spectator sport. It is the active participants who receive the trophy, not the spectators. How are you running the race?

Joseph

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