August 2012
Matthew 4:19
“Chummin’ for Saints…until the nets are full”
Dear family,
I send blessings to you from behind the walls. I have had the Phish Bowl family on my heart this month more than most. I have been thinking and praying for any hardships which you might be going through. Being blessed to do ministry in prison allows me not to worry about food, car payments, or rent. I get the privilege to walk a path reserved for few. I’m seldom apart from listening, speaking and walking a Christian life although some days are better than others.
I was thinking the other day of what a fried said at a visit. That I talk of the street, that is, leaving prison, almost like it was the Rapture itself. In some ways you can say that this is true. However, for me, the street is going to be (God willing) just a move to a different season of His work. I am looking forward to what our Lord has in the works!
When we are in the middle of things, it is hard to hold to the hope we have in Jesus, but it is this hope of things to come. The street, problems or heaven itself, we know that we have and can trust that our Father loves us.
Over the past year of studying the book of Acts, we have covered: The Early Church, Peter’s Great Calling, and now as we continue our study, we are looking at Stephen’s witness to the leaders of the Sanhedrin. First he talked about Abraham and his faith and then Stephen moves on to discuss Jacob and Joseph. Next month we will look at Moses which I hope to cover in one teaching.
(Acts 7:8) "Then He gave him the covenant of circumcision; and so Abraham begot Isaac and circumcised him on the eighth day; and Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot the twelve patriarchs.
The covenant of circumcision was the symbol given to Abraham that he might never forget that God had promised to bless him. Abraham was saved by faith (Gen 15:6) and circumcision was only an outward sign demonstrating this faith in God. Now,Abraham begot Isaac (Genesis 20-28), Isaac begot twins Jacob and Esau (Genesis 25-35, 46-49), and Jacob begot the twelve patriarchs and then we have Joseph. “The Patriarchs” refer to Jacob, the grandson of Abraham and his twelve sons. Jacob’s name which means “Usurper” was changed by God to the name “Israel” meaning something like “God’s Defender”. His twelve sons were the founders of the twelve tribes of Israel.
(Acts 7:9a) "And the patriarchs, becoming envious, sold Joseph into Egypt.
Joseph’s brothers were jealous of Joseph for a number of things. First their father’s obvious favor for this first born son of his beloved wife, Rachel (Genesis 35:24; 37:3). Joseph received a valuable gift from his father, a coat of many colors. It seems that Joseph’s brothers hated him because of this and had a hard time even saying something good about him (Genesis 37:5-11).
(Acts 7:9b-10) “But God was with him "and delivered him out of all his troubles, and gave him favor and wisdom in the presence of Pharaoh, king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.
I really love when I read this in the NLT: “But God”, “God gave”, and “God also”.
“God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea and rides upon the storm.
Deep in unfathomable mines of never failing skill,
He treasures up His bright designs and works His sovereign will.”
~~~William Cowper
God was indeed with Joseph. See Genesis 39-50 for the records of Joseph’s rollercoaster ride in Egypt and to see how he remained faithful to God.
• God gave him favor before Pharaoh
• God gave him unusual wisdom
• God was working in an unusual way and in an unusual place-outside of Israel.
• Pharaoh appointed him governor.
• Pharaoh gave him charge of his palace.
(Acts 7:11-13) "Now a famine and great trouble came over all the land of Egypt and Canaan, and our fathers found no sustenance.”But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent out our fathers first. "And the second time Joseph was made known to his brothers, and Joseph's family became known to the Pharaoh.
One of the first things I picked up on was “Our Fathers”. Stephen is still building a bridge between him and them. Please don’t miss God at work in this from the beginning to the end. The “famine” proved a way of reconciling the family and more importantly that Israel would continue. When the famine struck, Egypt was not caught off guard. Pharaoh had a dream given by God, which God gave Joseph the ability to interpret. Because of this Joseph was able to come up with a plan to store up food in the good years to have in the bad years (Genesis 41). Sidebar: Do you think that this is something we should do, or maybe even in Washington? This is just something to think on. In Genesis 41-45, we can read all about the two visits and how God restored the family. This was all part of God’s sovereign plan to get Israel to Egypt and that will bring us to Moses next month.
(Acts 7:14-16) "Then Joseph sent and called his father Jacob and all his relatives to him, seventy-five people.”So Jacob went down to Egypt; and he died, he and our fathers. "And they were carried back to Shechem and laid in the tomb that Abraham bought for a sum of money from the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem.
There are two things to point out here. Stephen said that 75 people in all went to Egypt. Genesis says 66 people accompanied Jacob to Egypt. Stephen seems to be more at ease using the Greek Septuagint translation of the Old Testament; in it the translation added nine wives. Why nine? Judah and Simeon’s wives had died and Joseph’s wife was already in Egypt. Secondly, why did Stephen make the point that the patriarchs were buried in Shechem? Shechem was the center of Samaritan life which was the area of Mt. Gerizim, a site of another temple (John 4:20). Stephen was charged with talking against the temple in Jerusalem as if this was speaking against God Himself. So, he is pointing out God’s work in and out side of Jerusalem. Even a little mountain called Mount Sinai which is nowhere near Jerusalem.
From Observing the Clues: Stephen recognized the amazing way in which Joseph’s life paralleled and pointed ahead to the life of Christ. The similarities are startling: both were loved by their father, hated by their brother, taken to Egypt, falsely accused, exalted after suffering, forgave the ones who wronged them, and saved their nation. Because God wants us to know Him, He has left evidence of His existence, activity and plan throughout the universe and in our lives.
Ask yourself this… Are we like the religious leaders who listened to Stephen? Are we so caught up in our prideful self beliefs that we are missing the Divine clues all around us? Please open your eyes and see that God is still working around us for His Divine plan for history.
* God is in control and nothing surprises Him.
• This world is not all there is; it will pass away, but God is eternal.
• God is just and He will make things right.
• God wants to use you, just as he used Joseph, to a make a difference in the world.
Next month….Moses.
Updates:
• July 1st was my daughter Brontë’s 17th birthday. Please pray for her and my son Bishop and for God to restore our family in His love.
• The time of rest is over and God is working around me again. Pray for the men that He is drawing near to me. Pray that I convey the love of Christ to them.
• For those who know, I have received a partial plate, so I have teeth!
• And last, D.O.C. approved me to see a hand doctor. Pray for His guidance.
To the Phish Bowl family, thanks for all of your help in this work of love for our King and His saints.
My fellow saints, I pray for you and love you. Remember that it is a Spirit filled life journey to understand God’s way. There is soul healing in God’s loving Word and in the church of the Messiah’s Misfits. Remember my chains as I remember yours. Watch! Hold fast in the faith. Be brave and be strong to the end. Let all you do, be done in love.
Semper Fidelis!
I Corinthians 16: 13-14
Phish Bowl Coffee House/Ministries
276 E. 29th St
Loveland, CO 80538
http://inthephishbowl.blogspot.com/
An outreach of Calvary Chapel Loveland
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