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The Ebb & Flow Of Life
Contributed by Josh Foster on Mar 12, 2014 (message contributor)
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1. Toying Or Feasting?
Contributed on Mar 18, 2014
What if you took a step beyond privately forgiving those who’ve hurt, betrayed, caused you suffering? What if you prepared a feast on their behalf and showed them love and mercy ~ whether it was done in secret, or whether it was done personally? What if
God in the Ebb & Flow of Life: Toying or Feasting? Scripture Text: Genesis 43.19-34 INTRODUCTION Have you ever-been “toyed” with? [INSERT YOUR OWN STORY OF A TIME IN WHICH SOMEONE ‘TOYED’ WITH YOU OR PLAYED A PRANK ON YOU… KEEP IT LIGHT-HEARTED!] It raises-the-question: Have you ...read more
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2. God Is Whispering
Contributed on Mar 12, 2014
God has plans. God is at work. And sometimes we’re called upon to help others see and to hear from God.
God in the Ebb & Flow of Life: God Is Whispering Scripture Text: Genesis 41.1-32 INTRODUCTION In today’s Bible-story, Pharaoh is confused. Although he has not-been sleep-walking, …he has been dreaming! Problem-was, …he didn’t know what the dreams ...read more
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3. The Work Of God
Contributed on Mar 18, 2014
Forgiveness. Real forgiveness. What’s done is done; but God works to restore and to heal and to bring good out of it all.
God in the Ebb & Flow of Life: The Work of God Scripture Text: Genesis 50.14-21 INTRODUCTION This week I read a story about former-basketball-coach Bob Knight. Bobby Knight became a stand-out coach with the University-of-Indiana ~ …coaching almost 3-decades, …winning 3 ...read more
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4. Dysfunction, Division, & Dreams
Contributed on Mar 12, 2014
Healing the dysfunction; restoring the relationships that are divided (even, deeply divided) ~ God will take care of this as we seek Him, follow Him, pursue Him.
God in the Ebb & Flow of Life: Dysfunction, Division & Dreams Scripture Text: Genesis 37.2-11 INTRODUCTION Do you every wonder where-in-the-world God is? ~ …Events unfold and stuff happens, …and sometimes we just can’t see God in any-of-it! Have you ever wondered where ...read more
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5. Betrayal & Burlap
Contributed on Mar 12, 2014
In the wrinkles of this tragedy, God is present and working. He’s working to bring about His good and see His plans realized. It may not be a pretty picture at this point. But that just goes to show how broken our world is - and how persistent God is.
God in the Ebb & Flow of Life: Betrayal and Burlap Scripture Text: Genesis 37.18-35 INTRODUCTION Last-week, I tried to lay the ground-work so that we would have a realistic picture of Joseph’s family-life. It isn’t pretty!... ...read more
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6. Temptation, Testimony, Trials
Contributed on Mar 12, 2014
The story of Joseph and Potiphar’s wife is about about moral choices and so much more! There's times when we suffer for taking a stand for what’s right and refusing to choose the path that looks attractive. But the Lord will be with us and bless us!
God in the Ebb & Flow of Life: Temptation, Testimony & Trials Scripture Text: Genesis 39.1-21 INTRODUCTION [Begin by using a contemporary illustration of a natural disaster/catastrophe in a distant place…] Just because it’s hard for me to imagine how such-an-isolated-event ...read more
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7. Opportunities, Assistance & Amnesia
Contributed on Mar 12, 2014
Sometimes we let our life-circumstances shift our focus away from God’s commands. Circumstances aren’t the prerequisite to letting God's Light shine. We can’t let others’ choices become an excuse for us, as-to-why we don’t let God’s light shine.
God in the Ebb & Flow of Life: Opportunities, Assistance & Amnesia Scripture Text: Genesis 40.5-23 INTRODUCTION Good ole Joseph has been through a lot, hasn’t he!?! When we left him last-week, …he was sitting in the pit-of-prison!... Have you ever been behind ...read more
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8. Power And Responsibility
Contributed on Mar 18, 2014
How does God want to change the “landscape” of your life? ?) How are you handling the blessings of added authority and/or privilege? Do you approach your current station in life with a purpose of integrity and a sense of stewardship?
God in the Ebb & Flow of Life: Power & Responsibility Scripture Text: Genesis 41.37-57 INTRODUCTION It was a day like no-other… A day in-which the circumstances of a man changed about-as-dramatically as-ever they could! As we’ve followed Joseph’s life, ...read more
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9. Healing Old Wounds
Contributed on Mar 18, 2014
What old-wounds… What broken-relationships does God want to heal in you?
God in the Ebb & Flow of Life: Healing Old Wounds Scripture Text: Genesis 45.1-15 INTRODUCTION Last week we were left with loose-ends. The brothers sat at the table, …feasting and drinking with Joseph ~ …although they had no-idea who he really-was, …and they ...read more