From the Merton Bobo Archives: Joseph's Schooling

The note below was written by my Dad on November 19, 2010, many years before He went home to be with the LORD (for those of you unchurched people, that's the religious talk way of saying, he passed away). He published it on FaceBook originally, and I am taking the time now to send it around again this time via blog post. My Dad loved the LORD more than anything in the world (which is saying something, because he really loved his family a lot!). He had so much to teach and sadly, and I'm ashamed to admit I didn't always listen as I should. But that is one failing I don't have to regret. So much of his teaching lives on, and we can learn and grow from it still. So without further ado... 

Joseph's Schooling

November 19, 2010 at 2:57pm

Today's triennial Torah Portion is Genesis 39

Joseph has in the past had a prophecy concerning his future in which his brothers and his father and his mother would bow down to him.  His brothers and his father had initiated him into his schooling at that time by his brothers anger at him for his prophecies.  His father had kept what Joseph said in his heart but was angry with him.  (Genesis 37.)

The 2nd part of his schooling was when his brothers sold him into slavery.  Now YHWH had a great job for Joseph but Joseph was not ready.  He is in school as he travelled to Egypt as a slave.

This brings us to today's Triennial Torah Portion. 

We have the 3rd part of Joseph's schooling in chapter 39: 1-6,  Joseph is sold to Potipher.  If you will notice however, this is the important part: YHWH is preparing Joseph for a great work and so he must endure by patience which comes from faith and hope as he learns what he needs to know to do the great work.  Notice that even as a slave, YHWH is with Joseph.  Notice YHWH blesses Joseph even as a slave.  Our testings may seem hard but we must keep trusting the Creator for  we can be blessed in the middle of out testings even as the Master prepares  us for greater works in the future.

The 4th part of Joseph's schooling (Genesis 39: 7-23) comes when he is tempted by Potipher's wife and then falsely accused and thrown in the King's prison.  Most followers of the Creator maybe would begin to doubt. But notice Joseph is not alone for YHWH was still with him.  Who would believe the place of communion with the Creator would be the prison of the King of Egypt.  If Joseph was anywhere else he would not have been where YHWH wanted him.  Once again he is blessed by the Creator.  "Now no testing at this time seems pleasant but in the future it yields the fruit of righteousness."  Hang in there when HaShem is teaching you, there are greater works ahead.

In His Name,

Merton

Come Alive

By Gayle Bragg Johnson

A new wind is blowing. I smell the rain in the air. Rain to refresh us is coming. There has been a shift in the heavenlies. Change is in the air. 

More than a change in the President has happened in the U.S.  There has been a shift in the heavenly realm. The Church, long ago lulled to sleep by the song of seduction by the New Age movement is stirring from it's slumber. Our eyes are being opened and we are stretching, getting ready to face a new day. 

The Armies of God are massing and preparing for war. Christians are tired of being accused of being "haters" because we don't agree with the world's lifestyle. We believe in God's Word. We will follow Gods word. 

God's sons and daughters are strapping on their armor, preparing for battle. I call my brothers to rise up, you mighty men of valor, the way God called up Gideon. 

“When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, “The LORD is with you, mighty warrior.””  Judges‬ ‭6:12‬ ‭

He called up also the mighty warrior Deborah. “Then Deborah said to Barak, “Go! This is the day the LORD has given Sisera into your hands. Has not the LORD gone ahead of you?” So Barak went down Mount Tabor, with ten thousand men following him.”  Judges‬ ‭4:14‬ ‭

God is with you and will go ahead of you. 

"I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses.”  Joshua‬ ‭1:3‬ ‭ 

It's time, Church. Time to rise up and reclaim what we gave away. As Ezekiel prophesied to the dry bones, I call out to God to breathe life back into the Church. 

“Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live.’ ” So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army.”‭‭. Ezekiel‬ ‭37:9-10‬ ‭

Breathe oh breath of God. Breathe. 

Let's Be Holy

By Gayle Bragg Johnson

I was communing with God this morning after reading and praying. I had asked God to speak and I was listening. I always ask what He wants me to say. He started telling me that we are His ambassadors and that we should be holy because He is holy.

But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” Since you call on a Father who judges each personʼs work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

1 Peter 1:15-21 NIV

How is it we REALLY represent The LORD in our daily lives? How do others see Him through us? What kind of ambassadors are we? We need to be holy as He is Holy. Be a great ambassador. Not just an ok one. Or a good one. We represent the King. Let's be holy. 

Let Peace Begin With Me

"Peaceful does not mean easy. Jesus did not promise us easy. He promised us help."
-Kevin Russell

Click here to hear this morning's message on finding peace in our turbulent world.
Kevin Russel preaching, see below for PowerPoint slides not pictured.

Speak Life

By Gayle Bragg Johnson

Did you know you are a prophet? The words you speak will come true. The good, the bad, the ugly. It WILL come to pass.

Satan is a liar. Period. He comes for no other reason but to kill, steal and destroy. (John 10:10). He will attack your mind every chance he gets. He will tell you that you are worthless, not lovable, you can't do it. He is a liar. God says, through His word, that He loved us SO MUCH that He GAVE His only son to die for OUR SINS (John 3:16). We are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). He also says that we can do ALL things through Christ who gives us strength. (Philippians 4:13).

I have 5 wonderful grandchildren. In the last month I have had to speak to 3 of them because they are listening to the lies. Lies they hear in their heads that they are not lovable and must change who they are to fit in. One is being made fun of because she is so smart, another one because he is not as good in school as others in his class. One thinks she is unlovable because her father abandoned her. My heart breaks because I see their worth, and I know God sees their worth. These kids are raised in a good, loving family. Can you imagine the kids who don't have this support????

"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never harm me.' This is a lie. Words can do MORE damage than sticks or stones.

“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭18:21‬ ‭NIV‬‬. You will eat, digest and live the words you speak. They will go into your innermost being and become a part of you. This is true not only about the words you speak to other people, but what you speak to yourself.

In James 3, he speaks of a bit in the mouth of a horse used to guide a horse where it will go, and a small rudder used to steer a large ship. So also the tongue guides our life. It steers us where we will go. He also states that the same mouth we use to praise God, we use to curse people who are made in the image of God! Think of the old adage that people say to someone using a lot of foul language. "Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?"

You want to see a young girl bloom in front of your eyes? Call her beautiful every time you see her. Want your husband to be more helpful around the house? Praise him every time he does. (Everybody likes to be appreciated). Want to see a young man become more compassionate? Tell him you are proud of him when he is giving.

This coming year, speak life. Always. To others and yourself. And watch their lives, and yours, change. "Mountains crumble with every syllable. Hope can live or die. So speak life. Speak life., to the deadest, darkest night, when the sun won't shine and you don't know why. Look into the eyes of the broken hearted, watch em come alive as soon as you speak hope, you speak love you speak...you speak life!" (from 'Speak Life' by Toby Mac.

Another Session from Last Year

Here's another session from last year's retreat, Treasured - this one is taught by Lori
Russell, entitled: Pearl