Olabode Ososami's Blog, page 69

Controller of Thoughts

Gen 41:9 Then spake the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying, I do remember my faults this day: 10 Pharaoh was wroth with his servants, and put me in ward in the captain of the guard’s house, both me and the chief baker: 11 And we dreamed a dream in one night, I and he; we dreamed each man according to the interpretation of his dream. 12 And there was there with us a young man, an Hebrew, servant to the captain of the guard; and we told him, and he interpreted to us our dreams; to each man according to his dream he did interpret. 13 And it came to pass, as he interpreted to us, so it was; me he restored unto mine office, and him he hanged.

God controls every detail. Even our thoughts and our memories. We can forget because God causes us to forget and we can remember because God causes us to remember. Thoughts are extremely powerful levers. Thoughts can destroy and they can change things radically for good. Every awesome revolution starts with a thought … similarly every act of destruction and shame also starts with thoughts. We are warned not to just entertain any thoughts and to flee immoral thoughts as these shape futures negatively.

The Bible speaks of thoughts that contradict the will and purpose of God … thoughts of discouragement or fears. Thoughts playing with sin in our mind and thoughts that do not enthrone God – are all to be cast down.

2Cor10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Just as God uses thoughts to prosper His plans, the enemy of God also send arrows of thoughts to frustrate them … but to no avail. Even if you have been forgotten and it seems all thoughts have conspired against you. Remember that God is sovereign. God had a reason for Joseph to be forgotten and a good reason for him to be remembered. God’s thoughts are so far from and advanced compared to ours and so we cannot understand His interventions.

God can raise someone somewhere with the thought to elevate you. God can raise someone somewhere with the thought to promote you. God can raise someone somewhere with the thought to help you. God can raise someone somewhere with the thought to give you exactly what you require. But then we must be discerning with our thoughts …

David woke up one day with immoral thoughts and did not cast down these evil imaginations by filling his heart with the desires of God. Before long, he committed adultery with Bathsheba and Urriah was murdered … unleashing so many other painful consequences. What is presently dominating your thoughts? God’s plans to do good or evil lusts? God’s best thoughts are thoughts of thanksgiving and gladness. Are your thoughts dwelling on truth, purity and God’s goodness? Spend more time meditating on God’s word to correct your thought patterns.

Song.

I will enter His gates with thanksgiving in my heart. I will enter His courts with praise

I will say, this is the day that the Lord, has made. I will rejoice for He has made me glad

He has made me glad … I am so glad. I will rejoice for He has made me glad. 2ce

Prayer: O Lord, fill me with thoughts of joy, thanksgiving and gladness. Amen

 

The Songs of Joseph is an integration of encouragement scriptural devotions, prayers and a compendium of songs of mercy, salvation, new beginnings and victory.  We can expect as we trust and obey that our end will indeed be ultimately glorious  because God works His marvellous agenda.   Be blessed as you read and sing along, daily.   Edited by  Bolade Apampa 

Omniscience

Gen 41:9 Then spake the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying, I do remember my faults this day: 10 Pharaoh was wroth with his servants, and put me in ward in the captain of the guard’s house, both me and the chief baker: 11 And we dreamed a dream in one night, I and he; we dreamed each man according to the interpretation of his dream. 12 And there was there with us a young man, an Hebrew, servant to the captain of the guard; and we told him, and he interpreted to us our dreams; to each man according to his dream he did interpret. 13 And it came to pass, as he interpreted to us, so it was; me he restored unto mine office, and him he hanged.

It is one thing to be remembered. It is another to be remembered for great good and at the right time. How we are remembered and the timing and what happens as a result of the memory of our deeds are more important than just only being remembered. Mordecai had also done some laudable acts which were forgotten at the time, and not rewarded until the King Ahaseurus is troubled to seek to reward Mordecai … but at the exact time when Haman was putting finishing touches to his execution. Do you see that the timing of our remembrance and what it achieves is of extreme importance?

God is not man with imperfect memory. He has scheduled events in a different calendar than what we are familiar with. We say He has forgotten, when our calendar suggests God should be moving and He has a different timetable.

My sister, my brother – be assured that you have not been forgotten. We have heard great prophesies of revival … God has not forgotten. His end-time calendar and the glorious future events that will close this dispensation of time … God has not forgotten. Not a single jot of His word will fail. There will be a great revival.

The butler remembers … but it is more correct to say God opened his memory for Joseph to be brought forward. God is excellent in all His ways. He is not an absent minded doting old man. How can the God who has numbered our hair with precision and knows the numbers even for all of creation in all of time forget anything? I wonder how many billion gigabytes of memory will contain His thoughts. How much of His thoughts can He possibly reveal to man’s limited brain? Only a very tiny fraction.

As you reflect on this journal my prayer is that you will not just be remembered for a handshake or thank you but for a greater good. The word says you will receive double for your trouble. Joseph got more than double for his trials. We should thank God if we think a bit deeper – even for the delays He supervises, for our greater good. Praise God for His omniscience.

Song.

Remember me O Lord 3ce today.

Prayer: O Lord, remember me for good. Amen

 

The Songs of Joseph is an integration of encouragement scriptural devotions, prayers and a compendium of songs of mercy, salvation, new beginnings and victory.  We can expect as we trust and obey that our end will indeed be ultimately glorious  because God works His marvellous agenda.   Be blessed as you read and sing along, daily.   Edited by  Bolade Apampa 

Inaccessible Light

Gen 41:2 And, behold, there came up out of the river seven well favoured kine and fatfleshed; and they fed in a meadow. 3 And, behold, seven other kine came up after them out of the river, ill favoured and leanfleshed; and stood by the other kine upon the brink of the river. 4 And the ill favoured and leanfleshed kine did eat up the seven well favoured and fat kine. So Pharaoh awoke. 5 And he slept and dreamed the second time: and, behold, seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk, rank and good. 6 And, behold, seven thin ears and blasted with the east wind sprung up after them. 7 And the seven thin ears devoured the seven rank and full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and, behold, it was a dream. 8 And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh.

God is the master of all creation. He controls the larger picture that drive the geo-politics, economics and social dynamics in the nations. That is why although He encourages industry, He warns us not to take the work of our hands too seriously and instead trust Him. There are seasons of surprising abundance unrelated to our labor and there are famines that make nonsense of our projections. These are more than economic cycles, but rather ordained events that must occur only as God orders. God is able to make changes that will completely upset the order we are used to. He can turn our cleverest paradigms until we are spinning in confusion. Ask the great thinkers and watch them conclude “we do not know what is going on” . I hear too many gurus on the pulpit claiming answers they do not have. The stock markets, weather and other indicators can appear to be predictable … but time and time again … the surprises have been more compelling. Man does not know how to say “we do not know” … but in reality that is the truth.

God is omniscient. He knows all things and is active in all things. He will show His created beings what He is doing … but we can only see a shadow of far more complex arrangements. Even if we could see it all, how could we ever be able to understand it. Global Recessions, booms and earthquakes are often described as acts of God. But God likes to disclose His secrets to His generals, His children. Magicians, scientists and wise men will wonder at the depth of understanding of he who possesses the mind of Christ. Similarly the fake, who never knew God and is void of any divine insight, borrows ideas from the world view. We ought to praise God, that is still mindful of us … to be even slightly interested in man should cause us to marvel. Still, He shares his secrets with us. We honor the great scientists and their accomplishment but they have not scratched even the fringes of His purposes.

Pharaoh is given a dream so that hidden things of God will be revealed through a prisoner who knows Him – a dream that scientists and wise men will never be able to decipher. Today are there still hidden things that God wants to tell His own? Are there signs that need to be interpreted? Are the press and the intelligentsia giving correct interpretations of the trends and patterns? Do we not see when we look only a little closer that these interpretations are often way off the mark. Praise God for His inaccessible knowledge – His light that only He can give and none can approach.

Song.

Immortal Invisible God only wise

In light inaccessible hid from our eyes

Most blessed Most glorious the Ancient of Days

Almighty Victorious – Thy Great name we praise.

Prayer: O Lord, who dwells in light inaccessible – I praise you Amen

The Songs of Joseph is an integration of encouragement scriptural devotions, prayers and a compendium of songs of mercy, salvation, new beginnings and victory.  We can expect as we trust and obey that our end will indeed be ultimately glorious  because God works His marvellous agenda.   Be blessed as you read and sing along, daily.   Edited by  Bolade Apampa 

God Moves

Gen 41:2 And, behold, there came up out of the river seven well favoured kine and fatfleshed; and they fed in a meadow. 3 And, behold, seven other kine came up after them out of the river, ill favoured and lean fleshed; and stood by the other kine upon the brink of the river. 4 And the ill favoured and leanfleshed kine did eat up the seven well favoured and fat kine. So Pharaoh awoke. 5 And he slept and dreamed the second time: and, behold, seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk, rank and good. 6 And, behold, seven thin ears and blasted with the east wind sprung up after them. 7 And the seven thin ears devoured the seven rank and full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and, behold, it was a dream. 8 And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh.

Money, fame and power can do a lot for us, but there are many things that are not for sale. We can have the most luxurious beddings but a minute of sleep is not for sale. We can put everything in order and plan and budget to the last cent … but financial peace cannot be bought. Indeed, the best hospitals, doctors and health advise may be available to us … still we find health priceless even for the wealthiest of men. I read recently of a great inventor who had become one of the globe’s richest men, but an incurable cancer reduces him quickly to nothing. Pharaoh shakes off the first dream and decides to sleep again … only to be troubled again. Can you ever escape God? Even if you do not want to see a preacher … God can come to you when you cannot stop whatever he wants to paint in your memory. There are many truths, we consider too troubling and we do not want to hear them. But God can force whatever impression He so determines upon us. When God moves, nothing can shut him out.

All the magicians in your life will be disgraced and God proven true. All the wise men are only wise to the extent that God helps them to see. Only God can interpret His own dream and no other intelligence. Someone in contact with God is required to bring that interpretation. Are you troubled? Go to God. Find where God speaks … through His word, anointed preacher or prophet. Every trouble has an interpretation. God only moves through our troubled mind to make us seek Him knowing that when we seek Him and do so with all our hearts we will find Him. It is time to seek the face of the Lord. God is moving. Seek Him and find out what to do. Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit speaking to your heart concerning the events troubling your rest. All your troubles will soon be revealed as steps to much greater grounds and mighty revivals.

This is to thank God for our Overseer, Pastor E.A. Adeboye as he celebrates his birthday. Sir, God will surprise you with His great moves for good in your life, in your family, in the Church and in the nations.

Song.

There’s no place I can hide from Your love

I can only survive through Your love

Show me somewhere to go a place You don’t know To cover my soul

On the wings of the dawn I might fly

To the ends of the earth beyond the sky

I can go anywhere But You’ll always be there Wherever I go

You know where I sit and where I stand

Each moment I live I’m in Your hands

I can’t get away from Your sweet Spirit

Lord, you’re never sleeping.

Prayer: O Lord, keep leading me to always seek your face. Amen

 

The Songs of Joseph is an integration of encouragement scriptural devotions, prayers and a compendium of songs of mercy, salvation, new beginnings and victory.  We can expect as we trust and obey that our end will indeed be ultimately glorious  because God works His marvellous agenda.   Be blessed as you read and sing along, daily.   Edited by  Bolade Apampa 

Dreams of Pharaoh

Gen 41:1 And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river

There are many great dreams that have been dreamt, but there are few who are able to position things to bring the good and avoid the evil associated with our dreams. Pharaoh, the great ruler has dreamed, but he has no understanding on what to do concerning the dreams. God humbles us by giving great visions and dreams but ensuring someone  preordained seeks His face to know the interpretation.

Imagine what would have happened if there was no one to interpret the dreams of Pharaoh. God forbid, the famine would have cost the lives of millions all over the world. Imagine what would have happened if no one remembered Joseph … everyone would have perhaps perished with hunger … the brothers, father, … Potiphar’s household, … the prisoners and maybe even Joseph himself. A child of destiny has an important role to play … and there is a heavy cost to many if that important part is not played. God has a unique and important part for you to play, do not despise destiny.  Small or big … discover and stay in your role.

It takes divine insight to understand God’s agenda coded in the dreams he has given, but more so it also takes the wisdom that only God gives to bring to pass what God ordains. God is also in control of events and knows how to initiate the next phase of events in your life … God does not need your pushing to bring His great plans concerning you to fruition … but remain obedient and shine as you were created to do. Someone reading this devotional may have forgotten about a unique destiny revealed through visions and dreams. You have said how can it be? Joseph will occasionally remember the dreams of his brothers bowing and concluded it cannot come to pass … but God is at work in His eternal laboratory arranging all that must be arranged … completely beyond our grasp. The time comes for Pharaoh to be given the dreams connected to Joseph’s role. It is time to rise up from the darkness of the pit. Get ready.

Song.

Blessed be the Holy God Jesus Christ,

His Son, our Lord

died and rose again for love.

By His blood we live assured.

Joy Unspeakable and full of glory

that the world can never take away.

Yet believing – joyfully receiving

Even Salvation – the end of our faith.

His power kept us through all the years

In temptations His presence near

Tried our faith and made it dear

Praise and glory as He appears

Amazing Grace, shall always be my song of praise.

For it was grace that bought my liberty.

I do not know just why He came to love me so;

He looked beyond my fault and saw my need.

I shall forever lift my eyes to Calvary,

To view the cross where Jesus died for me.

How marvellous the grace that caught my falling soul;

He looked beyond my fault and saw my need.

Prayer: O Lord, as you work your great works . Let my eyes be lifted to Calvary for grace that brings me out of the pit. Look beyond my faults and see my needs … make haste to help me. Amen

 

The Songs of Joseph is an integration of encouragement scriptural devotions, prayers and a compendium of songs of mercy, salvation, new beginnings and victory.  We can expect as we trust and obey that our end will indeed be ultimately glorious  because God works His marvellous agenda.   Be blessed as you read and sing along, daily.   Edited by  Bolade Apampa 

The Day Star

Gen 41:1 And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river

Joseph is not alone in those two years. Even in the dungeon the Day Star is with him.  God’s love shines through the thickest walls with uncommon warmth. It is brighter than in the best lit palaces. Soon it will be dawn.

2 Peter 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

Just when you think God is ready to move, then comes two full years of absolute silence. Can God put your life on “pause” for two full years … to fit into His purpose? We were created for His pleasure and not vice-versa you know. May we not be noisy when God is silent. I see this as the most complex and mysterious of tests. The Bible does say that they that wait upon the Lord shall be strong, mounting on wings as eagles and soaring higher and higher beyond their dreams. Wait means holding on and enjoying the silent periods with God. Nothing changes for two years. Joseph has been trained in a pit before and knows this two years shall pass and once again he will yet praise his God in freedom. He does not grumble as the time passes and eventually it all comes to an end.

Do you know that it is often when we think all is over and lost that God now moves into a completely unexpected high gear. This time it is Pharaoh that is troubled in his sleep with a dream. But before we consider Pharaoh, focus on the expression “full” . The years had to be completed … every last day and every last minute. Do not permit yourself to be cheated by those who sell you shortcuts. Shortcuts will cut your destiny, future and glory short. Many characters like Gehazi, Judas, Demas and the destroyed sons of Aaron, Nadab and Abihu and many more wanted shortcuts. Every deception of hell must offer a shorter, smoother and wider route that will lead ultimately to damnation. Why can we not learn precept upon precept and line upon line? Why can we not grow like all things in nature grow? Slowly but surely.

In summary, do remember that what you are going through will come to pass. What matters is if you have passed the test of times of silence. I see someone reading this devotional moving up … I see someone who thinks surely the end has come suddenly entering a completely new era and phase of glory.

God says it is time for Pharaoh’s peace to be arrested until you are repositioned for God’s harvest. Why is all this happening? Not for Egypt surely but to preserve the Hebrews. It is all for God, by God and to God. Everything God is doing is towards Revival of His own and taking them to Himself in eternal glory. You can wait on Him or just do your own thing. Those who waited will be glad they did. Enjoy the Day Star.

Song.

I will wait on you, Almighty God in the beauty of your holiness

I will worship you Almighty God in the beauty of your holiness.

Prayer: O Lord, teach me to wait on you in the beauty of your holiness. Amen

 

The Songs of Joseph is an integration of encouragement scriptural devotions, prayers and a compendium of songs of mercy, salvation, new beginnings and victory.  We can expect as we trust and obey that our end will indeed be ultimately glorious  because God works His marvellous agenda.   Be blessed as you read and sing along, daily.   Edited by  Bolade Apampa 

God needs no Sponsor

Gen 40:23 Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him.

Many zealots make great exaggerated claims for God, most of which only prove their self-righteousness. Many promise heaven and earth. God must often wait till all the glory is completely His before He makes His greatest moves. He therefore needs the defeated Moses in the wilderness, the forgotten Joseph in the dungeon and a wandering wanted man – David.  God commands us to do many things His way for our own benefit  – delaying obedience or outright disobedience has painful immediate and future consequences … eternal damnation is not fun.  God does not direct specific action because God can have a need or can be deficient or dented in anyway if we rebel.  God needs no encouragement; He needs no campaign, no advice, no comfort and no sponsors. He is never short of resources of any kind. He is never late and never too early. He is always on time. Never compare God to the best of men … well meaning as they may be. They will have to be first proven as only men, for you to be delivered from idolatry for many have become vain idols …  self being the most common idol of all.  Lord help me to look up to you. Be warned. Men (most especially self) you trust to help or protect you will only end up being a snare to you. Learn this lesson and move forward.

Joseph expects that his troubles are over but he must still wait for two uneventful quiet and lonely years. Joseph imagines that he will be freed to go back home, perhaps helped by the butler to be reunited with his brethren or to start a new life in Egypt. Either way, his vision was far too limited. God had far greater plans than Joseph could ever imagine and God was sponsoring His plan Himself. All the resources and enablement to realize God’s plans are with God – to be released in the time He also appoints.

Joseph is forgotten by the butler, forgotten by his Hebrew family, forgotten by the household of Potiphar but God had not forgotten him.

Isa 49:15 Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.

We have hardly seen a woman forget her sucking child, but the prophet says this is even possible. Children born and unborn have been forgotten and sacrificed for convenience and financial gratification. Many sell their own into slavery. But God will not forget His own. The attachment of God to His word and His promises to His children cannot be appreciated with human parallel, because there are no illustrations we can use to portray the faithfulness of God. It has never been even remotely stretched.

The full force of the gates of hell can never prevail against the Church of the living God who commands us to patiently love and forgive.  God is Holy and commands us to be holy, but He forgave and offered Judas another chance. Judas was deaf to His plea on the cross, rejected the offering of forgiveness and instead obeyed satan’s directive to go away and hang himself.  God’s Church is not a political party, human government or cause or interest association.  His Church can never be brought down by any harsh criticism of any kind, mistake, betrayal, scandal, attack, error or missile of any form … our own well-meaning inventions can and will because they need to.  To wait on God is to trust Him to uphold Himself.  God needs no sponsor. He is His own Sponsor … the only sponsor who fears no barrier or plots against His purposes.

Job 22:2 – 4 Can a man be profitable unto God, as he that is wise may be profitable unto himself?   Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? or is it gain to him, that thou makest thy ways perfect?  Will he reprove thee for fear of thee? will he enter with thee into judgment?

God causes men to forget us or they will mar his work plan … moving too quickly to take us off course. Today, as you reflect on this verse, let it not surprise you when sometimes men (including yourself) are not able to keep their word. It may be God behind their folly. Instead, see no man or flesh as the appointed sponsor of God’s benevolence – no matter how low or high. Look to God’s great faithfulness always to keep you and bring you to a glorious expected end.  Be strong in Him. Take courage from Him. Have an attitude of thanksgiving and praise.

Song.

Great is thy faithfulness O God my father.

There is no shadow of turning with thee

Thou changeth not thy compassion they fail not

As thou hast been thou forever will be

Prayer: O Lord, I praise you … Great indeed is thy faithfulness. Amen

 

The Songs of Joseph is an integration of encouragement scriptural devotions, prayers and a compendium of songs of mercy, salvation, new beginnings and victory.  We can expect as we trust and obey that our end will indeed be ultimately glorious  because God works His marvellous agenda.   Be blessed as you read and sing along, daily.   Edited by  Bolade Apampa 

Yet …

Gen 40:23 Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him.

The most puzzling thing for many to deal with is when they believe God is about to move and He does not. There is perhaps none that has not been humbled by God’s strategic intelligence … His ways are not remotely ours. Even if He explained His ways … how could we understand an intelligence that created and masters the entire universe. Even Joseph may have been disappointed and so will the best of men. But God has not asked us to be God because we can never.

What do we do when God suspends everything and does nothing for years? How do we deal with God not backing up our understanding of things? These are opportunities for us to be humble and do nothing.

What do you do when you have waited, expected and things just seem to be getting worse and there is no help in sight. The answer is … nothing. Watch, wait … pray then watch, wait and then pray then watch again … There are things we should not do. We should not go around defending self or canvassing those who already will not listen … we should not stop praising God. Me must wait on God till things become clear.

Watching, waiting and praying implies we trust God. In His time, He will come through at the appointed time. God did not help Daniel until He was faced with lions in the den … many will fairly expect that God should have moved earlier but God had already planned a script which ended with the crushing of his enemies. Daniel simply watched for what God will do … He prayed and kept praising God and waited for God to do it. It is pointless moving ahead of God even when it is obvious … we still need the Holy Spirit to tell us to move in a specific direction. Lord teach us to wait as we should … teach us to pray … learning to commune and enjoy the communion with God and then show us how to watch … to be careful not to do something wrong … teach us to watch … to watch our tongues, watch our hearts, watch our eyes and watch our actions. Help us to watch and not be provoked by our disappointments and help us not to be baited to act foolishly. Help us to do … nothing, when that is what is required. To just endure a little longer.

Song.

Christian, seek not yet repose, Hear thy gracious Savior say;

Thou art in the midst of foes: Watch and pray.

Principalities and powers, Mustering their unseen array,

Wait for thy unguarded hours: Watch and pray.

Gird thy Heavenly armor on, Wear it ever night and day;

Ambushed lies the evil one: Watch and pray.

Hear the victors who o’ercame, Still they mark each warrior’s way;

All with one sweet voice exclaim, Watch and pray.

Hear, above all, hear thy Lord, Him thou lovest to obey;

Hide within thy heart His word: Watch and pray.

Watch, as if on that alone hung the issue of the day;

Pray, that help may be sent down: Watch and pray.

Prayer: O Lord, help us to watch, wait and pray when that is all we can do. Amen

 

The Songs of Joseph is an integration of encouragement scriptural devotions, prayers and a compendium of songs of mercy, salvation, new beginnings and victory.  We can expect as we trust and obey that our end will indeed be ultimately glorious  because God works His marvellous agenda.   Be blessed as you read and sing along, daily.   Edited by  Bolade Apampa 

God is His own Interpreter

Gen 40:20 And it came to pass the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, that he made a feast unto all his servants: and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants. 21 And he restored the chief butler unto his butlership again; and he gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand: 22 But he hanged the chief baker: as Joseph had interpreted to them

We need answers and we read the Bible. But there are now many interpreters and many false comforts. We are in an era where so many different Bibles have been written to make the Bible easy to read … this is good, but the Bible still needs to be interpreted. We are sad … and in need of comfort to combat the world views from all the religions, people and nations who go to the same Bible but come up with different answers. Joseph’s interpretation came true. The Bible tells us of the Comforter who will explain our situations and what will happen to us … the Comforter tells us of the future and sometimes it’s a word that is encouraging and easy to digest like it was for the butler … but there are times when it isn’t. God’s interpreter is God Himself – the Holy Spirit.

Psa 51:11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me

Joh 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Both the Butler and Baker were sad … Joseph provided the correct interpretation just as the Holy Spirit comforts us. We need the comfort of the Holy Spirit because our dreams will only find accurate interpretation if the Holy Spirit helps us to see the way and know what God is asking of us, the corrections He is demanding and the insights He wants us to pick. Many faiths play down the role of the Holy Spirit and play up the intellect of men – the result is more sadness and well-meaning errors. Many interpretations today are based on the perspectives of the prevailing culture, human wisdom and the world view but not always on the comfort of the Holy Spirit. There is nothing – past, present and future that surprises the Holy Spirit. Be filled by the Holy Spirit … and guard that relationship as the most important you will ever have. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit by disobedience or refusing His comfort. There are times when the Holy Spirit is saying something unexpected or unpopular. Learn to hearken and obey even in those times. Pray with the assistance of the Holy Spirit.

Song.

For Thy Gift of God the Spirit, With us, in us, e’er to be,

Pledge of life and Hope of glory, Savior, we would worship Thee.

He who in Creation’s dawning, Brooded o’er the pathless deep,

Still across our nature’s darkness – Moves to wake our souls from sleep.

Moves to stir, to draw, to quicken; Thrusts us thro’ with sense of sin;

Then, Himself, the Pledge, He seals us— Saving Advocate within.

He, the mighty God, indwells us: His to strengthen, help, empow’r;

His to overcome the Tempter—Ours to call in danger’s hour.

He it is, the Living Author, Wakes to life the sacred Word;

Reads with us its holy pages, And reveals our risen Lord.

Prayer: Come Holy Spirit … reveal the true interpretations that answer and comfort my daily questions. Amen

 

The Songs of Joseph is an integration of encouragement scriptural devotions, prayers and a compendium of songs of mercy, salvation, new beginnings and victory.  We can expect as we trust and obey that our end will indeed be ultimately glorious  because God works His marvellous agenda.   Be blessed as you read and sing along, daily.   Edited by  Bolade Apampa 

Happy Birthday

Gen 40:20 And it came to pass the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, that he made a feast unto all his servants: and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants. 21 And he restored the chief butler unto his butlership again; and he gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand: 22 But he hanged the chief baker: as Joseph had interpreted to them

One is uncomfortable to discover that there are two birthday celebrations mentioned in the Bible. That of Pharaoh and that of Herod. We joyfully celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus on the appointed third day. For some the resurrection of Christ is bad news, a horrible judgment … those who will not surrender to Christ. God lifts up one and puts down another. Our birthday is a good day to reflect on our lives, to number them, noting a future accounting is coming at the appointed time.

John was imprisoned and martyred from celebrations from Herod’s birthday. Christ Himself described John as greater than all the prophets before him. Although we have no record of the saints in the Bible celebrating their birthday, we see nothing to suggest this is wrong. We are foolish to use it like other things for vain consumption and exhibitions. Unwise to place ourselves on a huge podium as though we are more than grass. One fact to know is that with every passing birthday, we approach an appointed day. The day of the Lord. Even if celebration of birthdays have heathen origin, we can lift up the crucified and risen Lord and take advantage of coming together as family and with friends to share the good news of salvation and celebrate our victory in Christ.

Men give gifts to men which they take can also away. Pharaoh must have received many beautiful presents … a few may still be found in a museum somewhere. Joseph received divine confirmation of the gift of interpretation of dreams as the interpretation of Joseph came to pass. Joseph knows the gifts of the best men will one day be taken – as he reflected on his beautiful coat of many colors … now stained in blood and discarded. God can give you a gift that men will not take from you. Ask Him for a special gift, that will be used for His glory .

There was no celebration for Joseph though the Bible confirms a great gift that God will one day use. In the palace Pharaoh received several masterpieces of art and treasures fashioned by men. In the dungeon, Joseph knows he has God. The butler and the baker move forward into different destinies. Laughter and dancing and entertainment continue in the palace. Joseph is not invited but he is hopeful that in the butler he has found a sponsor. But things sometimes do not go as we plan and hope. The sweet wines are enjoyed in the palace of Pharaoh, but for Joseph in a dungeon – only the bitter taste of the prisoner’s meal. But if the bud has a bitter taste, sweet will be the flower. May your birthday celebrations be always days of joy.

Song.

His purpose will ripen fast. Unfolding every hour

The bud may have a bitter taste. But sweet will be the flower.

Prayer: O Lord, Help me to trust you in the winter season. Amen

The Songs of Joseph is an integration of encouragement scriptural devotions, prayers and a compendium of songs of mercy, salvation, new beginnings and victory.  We can expect as we trust and obey that our end will indeed be ultimately glorious  because God works His marvellous agenda.   Be blessed as you read and sing along, daily.   Edited by  Bolade Apampa