I
read these words from evangelist REINHARD BONNKE, written some time ago, and thought about pastor Paul Daugherty here in Tulsa, and his sermon series on the life of Joseph.“God is not a democrat. He dropped a whole generation which died in the wilderness of doubt and stood with only two men: Joshua and Caleb! This is how serious God takes unbelief. Before Joseph died in Egypt he took an oath from his children that they take his “bones in a coffin” on the day of departure for the Promised Land. (Gen 50:22-26).
Joseph didn’t want to be a mummy in Egypt with a private pyramid. He wanted to be present when God opened the Red Sea. They took his bones when they left Egypt. The bones didn’t rattle in the coffin, they must have laughed and rejoiced… There was more life in those bones then in those who carried them. The bones arrived, but not the bearers. Joseph blew the first trumpet of faith for the return of Israel! He blew it with those not yet born, but who would blow the trumpets to bring down the walls of Jericho. Joseph had died at age 110. A man of faith at 110 is younger than a critical teenager! Want to join Joseph’s battalion?” REINHARD BONNKE
I don’t know about you, but I’m living a life of victorious faith, and this speaks loudly to me. I am reminded of counsel given to my friend and pastor Billy Joe Daughety, by the famous minister Tommy Hicks, when asked how to suceed in the ministry. He succinctly said: “You’ll make it, if you don’t get bitter!’
Every so often, it is good to take time away from the hustle and bustle of life and life more abundantly, to get really quiet before the Lord, and perhaps listen to the audio Bible, and quietly, before God, take time to forgive, on purpose those myriad little offences that would clog the pipes of our hearts from flowing fully in the rive of God.
Sometimes, you gotta slow down to speed up!
Let’s Pray:
‘Father, help me carve time out to get quiet before You. Forgive me my sin, and show me the things that are frustrating me, that I need to forgive, and cast over upon You. Please Sir, protect me from offence and bitterness, that my faith will work freely in Your great love. I ask this, knowing I am heard, for I ask in Your name Lord Jesus, Amen.’