Witnessing Success Is the Holy Spirit

“These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble.  2 They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service.  3 And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me.  4 But these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them.

And these things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you.

The Work of the Holy Spirit

5 “But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’  6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.  7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.  8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:  9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me;  10 of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more;  11 of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.  13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.  14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.  15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.

Sorrow Will Turn to Joy

16 “A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me, because I go to the Father.”

17 Then some of His disciples said among themselves, “What is this that He says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me’; and, ‘because I go to the Father’?”  18 They said therefore, “What is this that He says, ‘A little while’? We do not know what He is saying.”

19 Now Jesus knew that they desired to ask Him, and He said to them, “Are you inquiring among yourselves about what I said, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me’?  20 Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.  21 A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world.  22 Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.

23 “And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.  24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

Jesus Christ Has Overcome the World

25 “These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; but the time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but I will tell you plainly about the Father.  26 In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you;  27 for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God.  28 I came forth from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father.”

29 His disciples said to Him, “See, now You are speaking plainly, and using no figure of speech!  30 Now we are sure that You know all things, and have no need that anyone should question You. By this we believe that You came forth from God.”

31 Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe?  32 Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.  33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Spiritual Messages

How to Tell a True Prophet is a summary of a sermon by Phillip Sizemore about how many people have rejected Prophets called by God. Click the link below to watch the video by Pastor Sizemore. He begins preaching at the 34:20 mark in the video:

How to Tell a True Prophet

God’s prophets have been rejected by the majority of people since recorded history began. It is interesting how Daniel 2 predicted world history over 500 years before the Kingdom of Babylon ( present day Iraq ) reigned on earth.

Noah, Moses, Jeremiah, John the Baptist and even a woman named Ellen White in the 19th century have all been rejected. The Holy Bible is still valid today as it was written by Inspired Men of God.

The Dead Sea Scrolls uncovered in the 20th century quoted Isaiah on the scrolls exactly as the Book of Isaiah reads in a copy of today’s Bible. Satan attacked God’s Word and so many people are deceived by Satan because they are not reading the Word of God.

Here are six principles on how we can tell whether a prophet is a true or false prophet.

1. In Harmony with the Word of God
Scripture source is Isaiah 8:20

2. Predictions Come to Pass
Scripture source is Jeremiah 28:9

3. Edifies the Church
Scripture source is 1 Corinthians 14:3-4

4. Exalts Jesus Christ
Scripture source is 1 John 4:2

5. Bears Good Fruit
Scripture source is Matthew 7:16-18

6. Will Write about Daniel 8:14
Scripture source says: And he said to me, “For two thousand three hundred days; then the sanctuary shall be cleansed.”

If you have never been shown what the 2,300 year prophecy timeline reveals, here is a great resource to explain it.

Prophecy Resources

There are people that attack Ellen White and her writings and deny that she is a true prophet of God. I am just a Bible Christian and a lay person. I am not paid by any church organization. When I read Ellen White’s writings, I get a deeper understanding of the Bible.

How to Tell a True Prophet Conclusion

Ellen White herself says that she is a lesser light pointing people to the Bible and Jesus Christ. If you are curious, there is a great article in the Adventist World about her being a lesser light.

Adventist World

For more Spiritual Messages, please search our archived messages from Bible Christians from all over the world. Click the link below for those messages.

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Parable Of the Talents Matthew 25 is a message that was given by brother Ben Wolfswinkel on Sabbath 28 August 2021 at Cedar Creek Seventh-day Adventist Christian Church.

You can listen to the audio recording on my Sound Cloud Channel.

Parable Of the Talents Matthew 25

The Parable of the Talents
14 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling into a far country, who called his own servants and entrusted his goods to them. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to every man according to his ability. And immediately he took his journey. 16 He who had received the five talents went and traded with them and made another five talents. 17 So also, he who had received two gained another two. 18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.

19 “After a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 He who had received five talents came and brought the other five talents, saying, ‘Master, you entrusted to me five talents. Look, I have gained five talents more.’

21 “His master said to him, ‘Well done, you good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things. I will make you ruler over many things. Enter the joy of your master.’

22 “He who had received two talents also came and said, ‘Master, you entrusted me with two talents. See, I have gained two more talents besides them.’

23 “His master said to him, ‘Well done, you good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things. I will make you ruler over many things. Enter the joy of your master.’

24 “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Master, I knew that you are a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not winnow. 25 So I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’

26 “His master answered, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not winnowed. 27 Then you ought to have given my money to the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest.

28 “ ‘So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from him who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And throw the unprofitable servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

When Ben shared the Parable Of the Talents Matthew 25, he gave a story of a wealthy business man named Mr. Jones that had three children. Mr. Jones lived in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Jones was having some health problems and his doctor told him that Mr. Jones needed to go away on vacation and take some time off from managing his businesses. Mr. Jones went away and bought an island that was perfect as it had one side that was tropical and the other side had mountains where people could ski.

Mr. Jones children were named Susan, Jack and Richard. Mr. Jones gave all of his children gifts before he went back to his perfect island.

Susan received the Edinburgh, Scotland home and a check for $500.

Jack was mechanically inclined and always admired his father’s Silver Cloud Rolls Royce. Mr. Jones gave Jack the Rolls Royce and a check for $2 million.

Mr. Jones noticed that his son Richard had struggled all his life and gave him all of his diaries and a check for $1 million.

Mr. Jones left to go back to his perfect island and the children all went to see the gifts their father had given them.

After some time, Mr. Jones returned to visit all three of his children. When his private plane landed at the airport, his chauffeur asked Mr. Jones where he wanted to go. Mr. Jones told his driver to take him to the business of Susan Jones.

Susan had gone to the Edinburgh home when she had inherited the home from her father and found a house full of chemistry experiments. She methodically cataloged all of the experiments and organized the home. Mr. Jones had started researching many very successful chemical formulations. Susan built a huge business and with her husband who was an engineer developed a way to help clean the dirty air that was a serious problem at that time in the United Kingdom.

Jack worked on the Rolls Royce and invested the $2 million. Jack was a good steward of his inheritance. He restored the Rolls Royce, started a used auto parts business and then trained his sons how to be successful in the auto parts business.

Richard went and looked at the boxes of his father’s diaries but never read any of the diaries. Richard survived on the $1 million.

When Mr. Jones came to visit Richard and found him just surviving on an office job that paid a meager wage. Richard had never even deposited the $1 million check in the bank to earn interest.

Mr. Jones asked Richard if he had opened the boxes that contained the diaries. Richard replied that he did not want to damage the diaries and never opened them. Mr. Jones took out the first diary and showed Richard a project he was working on but had not had the time to take action on. In the next page of the diary, there was a working diagram of how to harness solar power.

Mr. Jones told Richard that if he had only opened the books, he would have been one of the richest men on earth.

Mr. Jones told Richard to give him the $1 million check and the boxes of diaries. Mr. Jones took them from Richard and went to his daughter Susan’s house and gave her the diaries and the $1 million. Mr. Jones told his daughter to look at the diary that contained the solar power panel project. Within 2 months, Susan’s company had developed working solar panels.

How many of us have libraries full of books? Do we open them? What do we do with what God gives us?

Hope you have enjoyed reading Parable Of the Talents Matthew 25 message. To read more spiritual messages, please visit the Spiritual Archives link below.

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Why Bad Things Happen Message was given by Marcia Plotner at Cedar Creek SDA church  in September 2021. The full audio file is on my Sound Cloud channel.

If you wrote about what you dreaded the most, what would you write about? Most of us would hope that our loved ones would not get sick. We would also hope that we would not come down with a serious illness.

What if Jesus Christ wrote down HIS thoughts? Would HE write about earthly things or eternal life?

Why Bad Things Happen Message

Turn in your Bibles to Matthew 9:1-2

Matthew 9:1-2
Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralytic

So He got into a boat, crossed over, and came to His own city. 2 Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.”

Now turn back to Matthew 6:33

Matthew 6:33
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Now let us look at Matthew 9:3

Matthew 9:3
And at once some of the scribes said within themselves, “This Man blasphemes!”

Now turn to Matthew 9:5-6

Matthew 9:5-6
For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’? 6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—then He said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.”

Now turn forward to 1 John 4:10

1 John 4:10
In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sin.

Now look to your right or left at someone that is not a family member. Would you give up your only son for that person?

Turn to 1 John 4:7-8

1 John 4:7-8
Knowing God Through Love
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

In Isaiah 40:25-26 we read:

Isaiah 40:25-26
“To whom then will you liken Me,
Or to whom shall I be equal?” says the Holy One.
26
Lift up your eyes on high,
And see who has created these things,
Who brings out their host by number;
He calls them all by name,
By the greatness of His might
And the strength of His power;
Not one ismissing.

Our Infinite God created the world with just the right amount of oxygen and natural laws like gravity. We are close enough to the sun to sustain life and just far enough away to not burn up. Why Bad Things Happen Message reveals how much God loves us.

Look at what the Psalmist wrote in Psalm 139:1-6

Psalm 139:1-6
God’s Perfect Knowledge of Man
For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

O Lord, You have searched me and known me.
2
You know my sitting down and my rising up;
You understand my thought afar off.
3
You comprehend my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways.
4
For there is not a word on my tongue,
But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.
5
You have hedged me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.
6
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is high, I cannot attain it.

Let us read about God’s Rescue Plan found in Romans 5:6

Romans 5:6
Christ in Our Place

For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

When did God make this rescue plan? Turn to Ephesians 1:4

Ephesians 1:4
Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.

What motivated God?

Turn to Romans 5:7-8

Romans 5:7-8
For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Now turn ahead to Romans 8:32
He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

Will we have to be alone in our work of saving souls for God’s Kingdom? NO !

John 14:16
And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—

The times we are living in now are very difficult. We have the Father, the Son & the Holy Spirit on our side but you must remember that satan is against us.

Turn to Revelation 12:9

Revelation 12:9
So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Once again, Who Condemns Us?

Turn to the next verse in Revelation 12:10

Revelation 12:10
Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.

How does Jesus Christ win for us in the battle of good versus evil? Turn to Romans 8:35 to find out.

Romans 8:35
New King James Version

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

Is it our internal choices that separates us? We are the only one that can separate us from God’s Love. Who gives us the victory over all of these external problems?

Jesus makes us Victors. Turn to Romans 8:37-39

Romans 8:37-39
New King James Version
Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Turn to Jeremiah 29:11.

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Why do bad things happen?

The last verse we will look at in Marcia Plotner’s Why Bad Things Happen Message is John 13:7

John 13:7
Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.”

Hope you have been blessed by reading Why Bad Things Happen Message. For more Spiritual Messages, please visit our archived posts link below.

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Genesis 2 and 3 Message By Alyssa Morauske shows us that God gave us complete freedom including the choice not to obey. You can listen to her message on my Sound Cloud channel by clicking the link below:

Genesis 2 and 3 Message

Genesis 2:16-17

And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

Genesis 2 and 3 Message By Alyssa

God gave complete freedom to Adam to eat of every tree except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Adam was given a choice to obey or not obey. Every single human being born has that choice today.

Satan comes with limited choice. There is power in freedom of choice.

1. Choice
2. Consequence

Parenting style God gave man was there is a consequence to our choices. If we choose to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, the consequence is death.

Let us look at Genesis 2:25:

They were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed. At this point before the fall of man in Genesis 3, Adam and Eve had no knowledge of feeling guilty or feeling ashamed. Adam and Eve were exposed and open.

1. Choice
2. Consequence
3. Freedom

Turn in your Bible to Genesis 3:1.

The Temptation and Fall of Man

Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?”

Satan challenges God’s Authority and Word. Satan was very deceptive as he twisted God’s Word. Eve was by herself. If Adam had been next to Eve during Satan’s temptation, the outcome may have been different.

Satan introduces restriction and limitation. Instead of God’s parenting style of Choice and Consequence, Satan introduces:

1. Manipulation
2. No Consequence

Turn in your Bible to Psalms 16:11.

You will show me the path of life;

In Your presence is fullness of joy;

At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Now let us look at Genesis 3:7.

Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.

Alyssa has been married to Mike for several years. When Alyssa was dating Mike, she shared about some past problems in her life with her then boyfriend Mike.

Genesis 3:6-8

So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.

8 And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.

Alyssa had a deep spiritual experience while she was working at a summer camp that the Seventh-day Adventist church holds each year. Now turn in your Bible to Jeremiah 23:24:

Can anyone hide himself in secret places,

So I shall not see him?” says the Lord;

“Do I not fill heaven and earth?” says the Lord.

Now turn to Psalm 139:7-8:

Where can I go from Your Spirit?

Or where can I flee from Your presence?

If I ascend into heaven, You are there;

If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.

God comes looking and asks, “Where are you?”

Genesis 3:9-10

9 Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?”

10 So he said, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.”

Human beings have been given a fight or flight response when exposed to fear or fearful events. Our brain will make a choice to fight or leave (flight) when we encounter a fearful situation.

Every single one of us has a sin problem. God gives us a choice. Turn to Genesis 3:21 now.

Genesis 3:21

Also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin and clothed them.

Something had to die to cover Adam and Eve’s newly discovered nakedness. It was the first animal sacrifice for sin in the history of humanity.

Is there something in our lives today that we need to give to God?

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God Is A Mother Sermon Was Shared on 15 May 2021 At Cedar Creek Seventh Day Adventist Christian Church By Alyssa Morauske.

God Is Like A Mother Sermon

Listen to God Is Like A Mother Sermon on my Sound Cloud Channel Below:

God Is Like A Mother

Mothers are nurturers. Mothers care for children and other people. When you are a child, mothers make you feel safe and comforted.

Alyssa Morauske studied Psychology and Trauma Exposure. A key principle is how a child builds attachment:

1. Baby Has A Need
2. Baby Cries
3. Baby’s Need Is Met By Care Giver
4. Baby Develops Trust

Turn in your Bible to Isaiah 51:12
Isaiah 51:12

I, even I, am He who comforts you.
Who are you that you should be afraid
Of a man who will die,
And of the son of a man who will be made like grass?

In the Bible, there are verses that show the Building Attachment principle.

1. Matthew 6:8 – Baby Has A Need
Matthew 6:8

Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.
2. Psalm 34:17 – Baby Cries
Psalm 34:17

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears,
And delivers them out of all their troubles.

3. Philippians 4:19 – Need Met By Care Giver
Philippians 4:19

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

4. Psalm 9:10 – Trust Develops
Psalm 9:10

And those who know Your name will put their trust in You;
For You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.

Psalm 23 is one of the most comforting chapters of the Bible.
The Lord the Shepherd of His People
A Psalm of David.

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.

2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.

3 He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.

In Psalm 23, we see what God’s Comfort Is.
Verse 1 is about Provision.
Verse 2 is about Attentive.
Verse 3 is about Being Present.
Verse 4 Part A is about Being Reliable.
Verse 4 Part B is about Trust.
Verse 5 Part A is about Realism Or Reality.
Verse 5 Part B is about Satisfaction.
Verse 6 is about God’s Continual Pursuit Of Us.

Turn in your Bibles to 2 Corinthians 1:3-4.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Comfort in Suffering

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
God designed humans to share comfort and peace with each other.

Turn in your Bibles to Ephesians 6:15.
Ephesians 6:15

And having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace.
Now turn to Isaiah 52:7.

Isaiah 52:7

How beautiful upon the mountains
Are the feet of him who brings good news,
Who proclaims peace,
Who brings glad tidings of good things,
Who proclaims salvation,
Who says to Zion,
“Your God reigns!”
We can see that God blesses the feet of people that go and share God’s Peace with other people.
Who does God want you to comfort this week?
Is there someone in need where you work?
Is there someone at home that needs help?
Is there a neighbor that is having a difficult time?

Turn in your Bible to Colossians 4:3
Colossians 4:3

Meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains.

Hope you have been blessed by reading the God Is Like A Mother Sermon. You can read many more Spiritual Messages on my Archived Messages Link Below.

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Damaged By the Church is a post where I share my experience of listening to people share about their spiritual walk through this life. Read on to learn what I have experienced from traveling around the world and meeting many diverse people with diverse beliefs!

Damaged By the Church

In my travels around the world, I have noticed in my Christian walk that many people say they have been damaged from a particular denomination or religion. Many people have told me they are recovering Catholics. One man in particular recounted how painful it was when a nun at a Catholic school hit his hand repeatedly with a ruler and caused the man’s hand to bleed.

May I suggest you not give up on Christianity and give Jesus & the Bible a chance? The reason is so evident to me as God’s Word ( Bible ) gives me power to exist in this world filled with natural disasters, earthquakes, fires, floods, war, injustice, conflict and now pestilences with Covid19 ravaging society.

I grew up in a so called Christian home in the southern part of the USA. In the 1960’s and 1970’s, practically every family identified as ‘Christian’. We had a large family Bible but it collected dust instead of being opened and read.

When I became an adult, I did not set foot in a church except to attend a funeral or marriage. My higher power from 1977 until 1994 was wine, women and song.

My life fell apart in 1988 with a serious accident that landed me in the burn center at a major hospital. I was 29 years old and struggled between being homeless and jobless for several years. I hit what some people call rock bottom in February 1994 and God has slowly healed me since.

Ever since Jesus entered my heart in 2007, my life has not been the same. I knew about God intellectually but did not have His peace & love for souls in my heart.

I am still falling short as sometimes I do not love my neighbor as myself. I ask for forgiveness each day to cover my shortcomings.

Look at this powerful scripture that we can pray when we have sinned. Most human beings know when they have done wrong as even an atheist has morals. In 1998, I heard a man that claims atheism as his philosophy share a powerful testimony of how he helps people in a community group. He said he understands how serving his community is his way of understanding the world and his concept of a higher power.

1 John 1:9

If We Confess Our Sins, He Is Faithful and Just to Forgive Us Our Sins, and to Cleanse Us From All Unrighteousness.

Jesus has more to offer than Buddha, Confucius or Muhammad. When we accept Jesus into our hearts, we are promised that He will never leave us and He will come again for us. The promise of eternal life is only available through Jesus. The graves of Buddha, Confucius and Muhammad are all occupied.

According to what the Bible teaches, we only have to die once ( physical death ). When Jesus Christ returns at His Second Coming, the Bible says the Righteous Dead and Righteous Living will rise into the air and be with Him. For me, I cannot wait to see that Super Natural event happen.

Please give the Savior a chance. If you ever doubt He loves you, just look at the Cross at Calvary. Because God is LOVE, we do not have to be Damaged By the Church all our lives.

Hope you have enjoyed reading Damaged By the Church post. For a free one page Ebook titled God’s Five Minute Plan, Contact Me Below!

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Welcome to How to Know the Truth from the Bible post. Truth is the highest form of reality. Truth hurts at times. King Herod asked Jesus Christ in John 18:38: “What Is Truth”?

How to Know the Truth

1. John 7:17
If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority.

2. 1 Corinthians 2:9-12
But as it is written:
“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.

3. Luke 24:27
Beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.
A. We need to be willing to do God’s Will.
B. We need to be in prayer for Guidance.
C. We need to interpret scripture with scripture.

This is how we know we are in God’s truth and seeking His Will. God wants us to live in HIS Will, not ours. Here is a great message from Mark Finley about How to Pray Like Jesus.

Many Christians are preaching humanistic doctrines like God loves the gays, we should just love them and accept them as they are. Yes, God loves them but the Bible says the gay lifestyle is an abomination to God. HE will destroy the sin that many people are living in. He loves the sinner but HATES the sin.

In my own life, the truth has set me free. I struggled with sin in my life and had one foot in the church and one foot in the world. I am not perfect now. I am making progress day by day with the Holy Spirit working in my life to keep revealing more truth to me.

Hope you have enjoyed reading How to Know the Truth. For more spiritual messages, please visit my archived messages link below. There are hundreds of messages from all over the world waiting for you.

Spiritual Archives

How to Offer Hope to an Atheist

Gerry began his message with the message about Repentance from the Prophet Joel.

If atheism and macro evolution is true, we are here on this earth for a short time and then turn back into ashes eventually. There would be no need of an Infinite God. Creation theory would just be a fairy tale.

Oh taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man that trusts in HIM. Psalms 34:8

Spiritual Archives

Prophecies About Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of over 300 prophecies concerning the first coming of the promised Messiah. The Book of Daniel contains prophetic time prophecies about the second coming of Jesus Christ. Jesus was crucified at the exact time it was prophesied in the Holy Bible. The temple curtain was rent in two from top to bottom as recorded in Matthew 27:51.

Prophecies About Jesus Christ

In Acts 7, Stephen was stoned to death in the year 34 AD. This act was the end of the 7 Years and the 70th Week since Jesus Christ was baptized by John the Baptist. After Stephen’s death, the Gospel Was Preached to the Gentiles.

In the 1800’s there were two groups of people. One group believed in Biblical Authority and the other was based on Emotional Authority. The Bible is meant to be bread for Daily Use, not cake for special occasions.

Second Great Awakening happened when farmer William Miller started preaching the Prophecy Message of the Book of Daniel. The message went viral. Revival came to North America. The Second Coming of Christ was most important thing in life.

The day of disappointment happened on 23 October 1844 when Jesus did not come in the clouds of glory. A great question to ask yourself is would you have been a part of the Advent movement or would you have mocked the believers like many people did?

The Advent movement had the right time but the wrong event. Instead of Jesus returning to take His believers with Him, the Investigative Judgment had begun in heaven.

God is leading people from all over the world to join His Church. The Advent Movement is all about studying God’s Word in the Bible.

There are three reasons that people do not take the Baptism Step after attending an Evangelism Series.

1. Moral Issue – could be any secret activity like alcohol use, cigarette smoking, drug use, pornography issue, etc. These people cannot see themselves living the Christian Life.
2. Negotiating with God – need a job or healing or some other request
3. No Connection with People – looking to establish friendships

Be supportive of people that have not taken the baptism step. A good question to ask is: “Could it be that God wants to show you something?” I have learned much about how to evangelize people I meet from my wife Patricia. She has served Jesus Christ faithfully by becoming friends with people and then ask them if they want to study the Bible.

Remember that Abraham obeyed God without wavering. He knew God always provided.

Hope you have enjoyed reading the Prophecies About Jesus Christ post,

For an excellent study about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, please visit my Bible Marking post below:

Second Coming of Jesus Christ

How Should We React to the New Normal is the message given by Pastor John Bryson at Cedar Creek Seventh Day Adventist Christian Church on Sabbath, 14 November 2020. You can listen to the audio recording and hear the complete message on my Sound Cloud Account.

John Bryson Audio Message

How Should We React to the New Normal

The year 2020 has been full of challenges. Early in the year COVID19 shut down the world. The death of George Floyd in the summer caused violent protests all over the United States. There is social unrest all over the world now.

Wildfires have burned in many of the Western States. In November, the United States Presidential Election has still not been officially decided because there are states recounting ballots and there is evidence of improper conduct in several states.

Should you stay home and be bored or stay home and be nervous. People emptied store shelves. There have already been two periods of hoarding of toilet paper. People buy way more than they need and stockpile supplies. Just how should we be reacting to the new normal?

The church has been holding Evangelism Meetings. It appears that the timing was a Gift from God because the 21 meetings were held while the State of Washington still allowed churches to be open. A new lockdown is being implemented on Wednesday 18 November 2020 as I write this article.

There have been many baptisms from the recent series of meetings done by Pastor Brian McMahon. You can watch the entire series on my You Tube Channel Playlist.

In Matthew 24, we know when prophecies are fulfilled, and Jesus comes back. Every single prophecy has come true and the last one is the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

In Daniel 12, we are told of a coming time of trouble that we have never seen before.

Revelation 13:15-17 is another prophecy of the end time.

15 He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. 16 He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, 17 and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

All around us we have experienced in Washington State Fires, Riots, and the Pandemic. Violence and chaos are happening daily in cities around North America. How Should We React to the New Normal?

Look at Luke 21:25-26.

The Coming of the Son of Man

25 And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; 26 men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

Many people are living in fear. Pastor John Bryson grew up in the Seventh-day Adventist church in San Diego. His parents took him to church. John admitted that he grew up in fear of what Matthew 24 said about Jesus Christ Second Coming.

People are living in fear of the coming time of trouble. Is it God’s Will that we be scared out of our minds? Is there a better way?

Forgotten testimonies are in the Bible. In Matthew 20:17-19, the Disciples shared.

Jesus a Third Time Predicts His Death and Resurrection

17 Now Jesus, going up to Jerusalem, took the twelve disciples aside on the road and said to them, 18 Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death, 19 and deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify. And the third day He will rise again.

In John 11, Lazarus of Bethany was sick. He was the brother of Mary that anointed Jesus feet with expensive oil. Lazarus was told not to go to Samaria, he lived in dread.

The Disciples missed what Jesus told them on several occasions that: “He will be raised up on the third day”.  Disciples had a hard time because they did not remember. Have we forgotten also?

How Should We React to the New Normal?

Turn Back to Luke 21:25-28 and let us read again about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

The Coming of the Son of Man

25 And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; 26 men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.

Have you ever been discouraged? Stand up straight, lift our heads and walk with the knowledge that Jesus is coming soon.

Turn to Daniel 12:1-3.

Prophecy of the End Time

12 At that time Michael shall stand up,
The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people;
And there shall be a time of trouble,
Such as never was since there was a nation,
Even to that time.
And at that time your people shall be delivered,
Every one who is found written in the book.
2
And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake,
Some to everlasting life,
Some to shame and everlasting contempt.
3
Those who are wise shall shine
Like the brightness of the firmament,
And those who turn many to righteousness
Like the stars forever and ever.

When we get scared of events happening in life, we need to remember what the Bible says. Soon we will be on Mt. Zion.

John finished his message How Should We React to the New Normal with this poem.

“There are days I know when you get so discouraged, it seems that all hope is gone, but there is only one who can give you courage and strength to carry on. Never give up, Jesus Is Coming. It is darkest just before dawn. Never give up, Jesus Is Coming. Never give up, keep holding on.

This old world I know cannot last much longer and sin will soon pass away. But my faith in God simply keeps growing stronger for Jesus Is Coming someday.

Never give up, Jesus Is Coming, it is the darkest just before dawn. Never give up, Jesus Is Coming. Never give up, keep holding on.”

Hope you have enjoyed reading the sermon How Should We React to the New Normal message. If you want to read more messages, we have a large number in my Spiritual Category on the link below.

Spiritual Messages

God Wants Us to Be Happy is the sermon given by Marcia Plotner on Sabbath, 26 September 2020 at Cedar Creek Seventh-day Adventist Christian Church. You can listen to the message on my Sound Cloud Account:

Marcia Plotner Message 26 September 2020

God Wants Us to Be Happy, Healthy and Wealthy

Turn in your Bible to Malachi 3:10.

Malachi 3:10

Bring all the tithes into the storehouse,

That there may be food in My house,

And try Me now in this,”

Says the Lord of hosts,

“If I will not open for you the windows of heaven

And pour out for you such blessing

That there will not be room enough to receive it.

Now look at Deuteronomy 8:18.

Deuteronomy 8:18

And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.

Another powerful scripture where God shows us His desire for us to live life in abundance is found in John 10:10.

John 10:10

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

Now turn to 3 John 1:2.

3 John 1:2

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.

Have you heard about the prosperity gospel? In the 1950’s, denominations across North America were having many camp meetings. Many people were healed at these meetings.

In the 1980’s, the mega church movement grew rapidly. Joel Osteen has a church that has attendance of over 53,000 people each week. In most evangelical mega churches, you will only hear about the good that is in the Bible.

Marcia’s niece Laurie has a friend named Collette. Collette was brain dead. Laurie had prayed incessantly for her friend. Laurie struggled with the loss of her good friend. We can imagine it must have been hard for Laurie to believe that God Wants Us to Be Happy when her friend died. Every human will experience loss and pain in this life.

Marcia met Captain Charles Plumb of the United States Navy. Captain Plumb was in the same Prisoner of War camp as the late Senator John McCain.

Captain Plumb flew 74 successful missions in Vietnam but was shot down on the 75^th mission. He endured 8 years of torture at the hands of his captors.

Captain Plumb and the other prisoners of war worked on a secret communication system between prisoners to give each other hope during their confinement.

After Captain Plumb and the other prisoners were rescued, Charles Plumb wrote a book: “I Am No Hero” and told of all his struggles. He felt fear, loneliness and realized that Adversity is a terrible thing to waste. Turn to Hebrews 12.

Hebrews 12:1-2

The Race of Faith

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Exodus 14:5-7

Now it was told the king of Egypt that the people had fled, and the heart of Pharaoh and his servants was turned against the people; and they said, “Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us?” 6  So he made ready his chariot and took his people with him. 7 Also, he took six hundred choice chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt with captains over every one of them.

People of Israel were scared. In Exodus 13:11-12, the people were speaking to Moses: Moses, what have you done to us? Moses answered and told the nation of Israel to not be afraid.

In Exodus 14:14, Moses answers.

Exodus 14:14

The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.

God lit up the sky at night and kept the nation of Israel safe from the Egyptians. Jesus has several ways to answer prayers. Jesus answers either yes, no or wait.

In Exodus 14:21, God said it was time to move. Turn to Exodus 14:26-27

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the waters may come back upon the Egyptians, on their chariots, and on their horsemen.” 27 And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and when the morning appeared, the sea returned to its full depth, while the Egyptians were fleeing into it. So, the Lord overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea.

Now turn to Psalm 136:15

Psalm 136:15

But overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea,

For His mercy endures forever. Now turn back to Exodus 14:31.

Exodus 14:31

Thus, Israel saw the great work which the Lord had done in Egypt; so, the people feared the Lord, and believed the Lord and His servant Moses.

Adversity has its place in our walk with God. The children of Israel were complaining and asked Moses: “What have you done?”

Adversity either draws you closer to or further away from God. Strength comes from Adversity. What God brings us is much better than what we want. God has taken all of us through Adversity.

James 1:2-4

Profiting from Trials

2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

Now look at 1 Peter 1:6

1 Peter 1:6

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials.

Romans 8:28

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Remember the story of Joseph. Turn to Genesis 50:20.

Genesis 50:20

But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.

When your struggles come, put your life on Jesus shoulders. Jesus will hold you and keep you.

Hope you have enjoyed reading God Wants Us to Be Happy post. For more Spiritual Messages, please visit my Spiritual Archives.

Spiritual Messages

God Nice Sermon is a message that was given by Don Anderson at Cedar Creek Seventh-day Adventist Christian Church. You can listen to the message on my Sound Cloud Account.

God Nice Sermon

Don asked the church two questions:

1. Are You Afraid Of God?
2. How Does Our View Of God Influence Our Lives?

Mark 4:35-41

Wind and Wave Obey Jesus

35 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” 36 Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”

Jesus never forces His Way into our lives. Jesus waits for us to allow Him to come into our hearts.

There are two sides of Fear of the Lord.

1. Reverence
2. Terror

Satan creates separation between man and God.

Mark 5:1-20

A Demon-Possessed Man Healed

Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes. 2 And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, 3 who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, 4 because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. 5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones.

6 When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him. 7 And he cried out with a loud voice and said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me.”

8 For He said to him, “Come out of the man, unclean spirit!” 9 Then He asked him, “What is your name?”

And he answered, saying, “My name is Legion; for we are many.” 10 Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country.

11 Now a large herd of swine was feeding there near the mountains. 12 So all the demons begged Him, saying, “Send us to the swine, that we may enter them.” 13 And at once Jesus gave them permission. Then the unclean spirits went out and entered the swine (there were about two thousand); and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea.

14 So those who fed the swine fled, and they told it in the city and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that had happened. 15 Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. 16 And those who saw it told them how it happened to him who had been demon-possessed, and about the swine. 17 Then they began to plead with Him to depart from their region.

18 And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him. 19 However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.” 20 And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled.

In Mark 5, the demon possessed man is healed. He went to Jesus. He had not confessed or repented. Being able to plead our need to Jesus is a blessing from God.

Many people that are wealthy do not recognize their need. Many people in North America do not have needs. Satan’s plan is to gain control of our lives through lusts.

Satan only wants to cause pain because he hates God. The pig herd owners wanted Jesus to leave because they just lost 2000 pigs. People can identify when someone is worried about their material possessions.

Let us take another look at verse 19. The demoniac wanted to be with Jesus. How we view Jesus determines our relationship with Him. Do we need Jesus in our lives?

The safest place to hide from Jesus is in the church. We need to recognize God Is Love. God Is Nice.

Satan sends a conflicting message. Ever since Eve took the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, we have had to deal with conflict. Turn to Genesis 3.

Genesis 3:1-15

The Temptation and Fall of Man

Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?”

2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; 3 but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’ ”

4 Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.

8 And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.

9 Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?”

10 So he said, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.”

11 And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?”

12 Then the man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.”

13 And the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?”

The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

14 So the Lord God said to the serpent:

“Because you have done this,

You are cursed more than all cattle,

And more than every beast of the field;

On your belly you shall go,

And you shall eat dust

All the days of your life.

15 And I will put enmity

Between you and the woman,

And between your seed and her Seed;

He shall bruise your head,

And you shall bruise His heel.”

Do not let any barrier keep you from Jesus. Recognize that Jesus is nice. Look at what HE did for us. The demon possessed man found comfort in God’s presence. We can as well.

Hope you have enjoyed reading God Nice Sermon by Don Anderson. For more Spiritual Messages, please visit my archived messages:

Spiritual Messages

Welcome to the Joseph’s Good Life post. This message was given by Alyssa Morauske at Cedar Creek Seventh-day Adventist Christian Church on Sabbath, 8 August 2020. Alyssa said the main point is that times of crisis will happen in this life that we cannot control. We can only control our response to the crisis. You can listen to Alyssa’s message on my Sound Cloud channel.

Sermon By Alyssa Morauske

Joseph’s Good Life

Joseph’s father Jacob had 12 sons. Jacob’s favorite son was Joseph. Joseph got special privileges, attention and gifts. Joseph was blessed by God. Joseph’s Good Life was all about to change. Joseph experienced five different crisis in his life.

Five Crisis In Joseph’s Good Life

Identity Crisis

Genesis 37:18-20

Now when they saw him afar off, even before he came near them, they conspired against him to kill him. 19 Then they said to one another, “Look, this dreamer is coming! 20 Come therefore, let us now kill him and cast him into some pit; and we shall say, ‘Some wild beast has devoured him.’ We shall see what will become of his dreams!

Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers. The betrayal made Joseph question if he even has a family. The persons who would care believe that Joseph is dead.

Genesis 37:23-36

So it came to pass, when Joseph had come to his brothers, that they stripped Joseph of his tunic, the tunic of many colors that was on him. 24 Then they took him and cast him into a pit. And the pit was empty; there was no water in it.

25 And they sat down to eat a meal. Then they lifted their eyes and looked, and there was a company of Ishmaelites, coming from Gilead with their camels, bearing spices, balm, and myrrh, on their way to carry them down to Egypt. 26 So Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is there if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? 27 Come and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother and our flesh.” And his brothers listened. 28 Then Midianite traders passed by; so the brothers pulled Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. And they took Joseph to Egypt.

29 Then Reuben returned to the pit, and indeed Joseph was not in the pit; and he tore his clothes. 30 And he returned to his brothers and said, “The lad is no more; and I, where shall I go?”

31 So they took Joseph’s tunic, killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the tunic in the blood. 32 Then they sent the tunic of many colors, and they brought it to their father and said, “We have found this. Do you know whether it is your son’s tunic or not?”

33 And he recognized it and said, “It is my son’s tunic. A wild beast has devoured him. Without doubt Joseph is torn to pieces.” 34 Then Jacob tore his clothes, put sackcloth on his waist, and mourned for his son many days. 35 And all his sons and all his daughters arose to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted, and he said, “For I shall go down into the grave to my son in mourning.” Thus his father wept for him.

36 Now the Midianites had sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard.

Joseph’s response to being sold into slavery is he surrendered to God. He asked God to be his God. Alyssa shared about a beautiful woman named Stephanie Nielson. Stephanie was burned over 80 percent of her body in a 2008 plane crash. Her burns were so bad that she was placed in a coma.

Stephanie’s physical beauty was restored to her over time by plastic surgeons. Her inner beauty arose during her crisis time in her life.

Moral Crisis

Genesis 39:1

Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. And Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him down there.

In verse 5, Joseph has transitioned into a position of responsibility. God blessed him there. Now Joseph’s Moral Crisis is when he is caught up in a scandal with  Potiphar’s Lying Wife.

Genesis 39:7-10

And it came to pass after these things that his master’s wife cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said, “Lie with me.”

8 But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “Look, my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand. 9 There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”

10 So it was, as she spoke to Joseph day by day, that he did not heed her, to lie with her or to be with her.

Potiphar must have believed Joseph because Joseph is kept alive and sent to the King’s Prison. Joseph once again was surrendered to God’s Will.

Abandonment Crisis

Genesis 39:21

But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.

God once again blesses Joseph as he is put in charge of the prison. The King’s butler and baker are sent to prison. Joseph interprets dreams and asks the butler to remember him.

Genesis 40:14

But remember me when it is well with you, and please show kindness to me; make mention of me to Pharaoh, and get me out of this house.

Genesis 41:1

Then it came to pass, at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh had a dream; and behold, he stood by the river.

Let us review the Five Stages of Grief.

1. Shock: “What Happened?” Not sure what to feel
2. Bargaining: “What Could I Have Done?” Blames self
3. Depression: “What Happened?” Tired of feeling
4. Anger: “Why Did This Happen?” Blames others
5. Acceptance: “This Happened” Balance of feelings and thoughts

Natural Disaster Crisis

Genesis 41:16

So Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.”
Seven years of famine are predicted. Joseph is again given a position of authority and God blesses him again.

Genesis 41:39-41

Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. 40 You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you.” 41 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.”

Family Crisis

Genesis 42:3

So Joseph’s ten brothers went down to buy grain in Egypt.

Genesis 42:7

Joseph saw his brothers and recognized them, but he acted as a stranger to them and spoke roughly to them. Then he said to them, “Where do you come from?”

And they said, “From the land of Canaan to buy food.”

Joseph’s brothers are now standing before him. His brothers started a domino effect of crisis in his life. Look at Joseph’s response:

Genesis 45:5

But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life.

Joseph comforts his brothers. He tells them to move past the grief and points them to a bigger picture.

Genesis 45:7

And God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

Joseph’s response to the crisis revealed his understanding of God.

One of the most powerful verses in the Holy Bible is Romans 8:28:

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Joseph’s Good Life involved Five Crisis.

Samuel Brengle was a worker with the Salvation Army in Boston. As he passed by a saloon, a man threw a brick at his head. The man’s aim was good as Brengle nearly died. As it was, he spent eighteen months in recovery. During that time, he wrote a little book entitled Helps to Holiness. Thousands of copies were published.

After Brengle was able to begin preaching again, people would often thank him for the book. He would respond by saying: “If there had been no little brick, there would be no little book.”

Brengle’s wife saved the brick and had Genesis 50:20 engraved on it:

But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.

The good life is not good because of us, but because of God. Sin always brings crisis. What makes our life good is our response and acceptance of a Good God. It is an attitude that says this does not feel good, but you are good, and I know you can bring good out of this.

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