the narrative shows Joseph and Judah’s lives paralleled. Just as Joseph was physically enslaved and imprisoned, Judah was emotionally and spiritually enslaved and imprisoned. As Joseph is finding freedom physically, so is Judah spiritually. As Joseph is working to save his family, so is Judah. As Joseph is finding redemption, so is Judah.
It’s never too late for the unrighteous to become righteous – no matter what evil you’ve done. There is always the opportunity for redemption. Sometimes it’s just a long road there.
The trials you’re encountering today are most likely squeezing you into tough decisions. You get to choose one of two things: God is in the middle of this, or God has nothing to do with this at all.
You find freedom when you tell the truth. You equally find freedom when you believe the truth. The truth sets us free – even when painful.
Somehow, even in his early years, Joseph recognized the importance of the presence of God and learning new skills. Those 15 years weren’t lost but an opportunity for development.
I know this in my head, but I’m still learning in my heart how God operates outside of time and space. He speaks, and it is done. Yet for me (within time and space), times continues to pass. I still must wait.
As a young man, I believed God promised me success. I heard God, but I misunderstood what He was saying. He promised me Himself – which leads to success.
Shame is a cycle, and if it’s not broken, it will lead to destruction. But this is exactly what God specializes in…redemption. God sees more in Judah than he sees in himself, so God pursues Judah with an unlikely person – a prostitute who is actually his daughter-in-law.
Last month I read through the story of Joseph in the Bible (Genesis 37-50). Each day I was challenged to share what I learned. Here was my insight for Genesis 37.
Close your eyes… No seriously, participate in this little action with me. You can’t close your eyes (and still read this) but imagine nothing. Okay, I know that’s hard, but as best you can imagine empty space, no creation, vast blankness. Now to this empty space, add a light (someplace, somewhere, somehow). Now add a […]
With over 15 years of ministry experience in urban and suburban worlds, Andy is a pastor at Cross Points Church in Shawnee, Kansas.
Andy also worked in the professional photography industry with his wife Kia. Along with Kia's family they founded several businesses for photographers specializing in high school senior portraits. Currently, Kia owns and operates a portrait photography studio in Shawnee.
Together, Andy and Kia are parents to 4 incredible children in the Kansas City area.
Andy writes on a regular basis both here and elsewhere in the internet about life and leadership.
