“…the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had, in house and field.”  (Gen. 39:5)

When we look at the story of Joseph in Genesis 38-41, we see that “the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had, in house and field.” This was true no matter what others did to him or where he was. Even though he had been sold into slavery by his own brothers, falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife and imprisoned, yet he was blessed. He prospered and was successful in everything he put his hand to because God was with him. Even though he faced great problems and challenges, God’s presence and blessing made the difference. Eventually he went from the pit to the palace and to a position of great power and authority. And all of this didn’t happen over night, but it took years of faithfulness to God to achieve as he navigated through the long process. Today, we as born again Christians under the new covenant have even a closer relationship with God than what Joseph had. We have the Holy Spirit within us as well as the Word of God with its thousands of promises available to us. We just need to find them in the Bible, mix faith with them, and apply them.

Our new covenant blessings

“And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” (John 1:16 ESV)

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places…” (Eph. 1:3 ESV)

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” (2 Cor. 9:8-9 ESV)

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Eph. 2:8-9 ESV)

“Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matt. 6:31:33 ESV)

“For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.” (Rom. 6:14 ESV)

Therefore…

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4:13 ESV)

“And to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (Eph. 3:19-21 ESV)

“Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. (Acts 10:34 ESV)

He is not partial

“For there is no partiality with God.”(Rom. 2:11 NKJV)

“For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe.” (Deut. 10:17 ESV)

“Who shows no partiality to princes, nor regards the rich more than the poor, for they are all the work of his hands?” (Job. 34:19 ESV)

You are all one in Christ Jesus

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Gal. 3:28 ESV)

Therefore, you too, must be impartial

“Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.” (Eph. 6:9 ESV)

“My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?” (James 2:1-4 ESV)

“In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality.” (1 Tim. 5:21 ESV)

“Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6 NIV)

Recently I was speaking to a friend at a coffee shop about knowing God. He said he took great exception to the statement that Jesus is the only way to God. He said this leaves out too many in the world who have never heard of Him such as tribes in Africa and many other people groups around the world. I told him that God is righteous and His ways and judgements are far above our understanding. God is God and we’re not. He is the creator. He knows what we don’t know. And He always judges perfectly. The Bible has a lot to say on the subject.

Salvation is through Jesus only

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

“I am the gate. If anyone enters through Me, he will be saved.” (John 10:9)

“For through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.” (Eph. 2:18)

What about people who have never heard about Jesus?

“For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.” (Rom. 1:20 NLT)

“And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true--in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.” (1 John 5:20)

All will acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father

“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Phil. 2:9-11 NIV)

Therefore…

“For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes.” (John 5:21 NASB)

“For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.” (Heb. 4:2 KJV)

The above passage tells how “the Word” was preached to two different groups, but it only profited the one that mixed it with faith. Notice that the problem was a faith failure not a Word failure.

The Word of God

The Bible says that the Word of God is shaper than a two edged sword (Heb. 4:12). It is breathed out by God and profitable (2 Tim. 3:16). It is a lamp to your feet and a light to your path (Psalm 119:105). It makes you wise for salvation (2 Tim. 3:15). It cleans you (John 15:3). It keeps you from sin (Psalm 119:11). It is like fire and a hammer (Jer. 23:29). It gives understanding to the simple (Psa 119:130), and it became flesh and dwelled among men as Jesus Christ (John 1:1). But, without mixing in faith, it won’t accomplish what it is meant to accomplish. Even Jesus (the Word that became flesh) was limited by the lack of faith of others: “And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.” (Matt. 13:58 NIV).  Faith is the critical ingredient that must be added to Bible promises in the Word of God to make them work!

Without faith you will receive nothing

“But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” (James 1:6-8 ESV

You will get what you ask “if you have faith”

“And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” (Matt. 21:22 ESV)

Your faith must rest in the power of God

“That your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” (1 Cor. 2:5 ESV)

Therefore…

“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” (1 Cor. 16:13 ESV)

“Do not call to mind the former things, Or ponder things of the past.” (Isa. 43:18)

It’s very easy to beat yourself up over past mistakes, about things you can’t fix or do anything about to change. And the enemy will constantly remind you of your failures to discourage and hinder you in your daily walk with God. But pondering on the past is a fruitless exercise and certainly a waste of valuable time.

When the enemy accuses you, remember God’s Word

• God has purified you - “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
  
• God has forgiven and forgotten your sin - “Then he adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.” (Heb. 10:17)  “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.” (Isa. 43:25)

Therefore…

• Forget what is behind

“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 3:13-14)

• Remember that you’re a new person in Jesus

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (  2 Cor. 5:17)

• Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes

“Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God–truly righteous and holy.” (Eph. 4:23-24)

• Be strong and courageous

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Josh. 1:9)

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” (2 Peter 3:18 ESV)

Grow up in the fullness of Christ so you won’t be tossed to and fro

“Until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” (Eph. 4:13-16 ESV)

Immerse yourself in these things and practice them

“Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress.” (1 Tim. 4:15 ESV)

You ought to be teachers

“For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.” (Heb. 5:12-14 ESV)

Therefore…

“And though your beginning was small, your latter days will be very great.”(Job 8:7 ESV)

“And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment…” (Phil. 1:9 ESV)

“Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints…” (Eph. 6:18 ESV)

Worship in Spirit

“God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:24 ESV)

Pray in the Spirit

“But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit…” (Jude 1:20 ESV)

“What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also.” (1 Cor. 14:15 ESV)

“For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful.” (1 Cor. 14:14 ESV)

The Spirit intercedes for us

“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” (Rom. 8:26-27 ESV)

Not to men but to God

“For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit.” (1 Cor. 14:2 ESV)

“No weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall confute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the Lord.”” (Isa. 54:17 ESV)

Be strong because God goes with you

“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” (Isa. 41:6 ESV)

God will guard you

“But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.” (2 Thess. 3:3 ESV)

God stretches out His hand

“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me.” (Psalm 138:7 ESV)

Therefore…

“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” (Deut. 31:6 ESV)

“But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you.” (Psalm 5:11 ESV)

“But I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more.” (Psalm 71:14 ESV)

 You must have HOPE!

Recently I heard someone say, “ Don’t get your hopes up!” When I asked them, “Why not?” They said, ”Because, if you get your hopes up, you could be disappointed!” I strongly disagreed with them, because we must have hope.  It’s a crucial part of faith. With it we are saved! Without it there is no joy!  Without it, the heart is sick (Prov. 13:12).

Faith is the assurance of things HOPED for

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Heb. 11:1 ESV)

In HOPE we are saved

“For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.” (Rom. 8:24-25 ESV

“So that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:7 ESV)

“But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.” (1 Thess. 5:8 ESV)

HOPE brings joy

“The hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish.” (Prov. 10:28 ESV)

HOPE abides with faith and love

“So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” (1 Cor. 13:13 ESV)

HOPE in His Word

“You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word.” (Psalm 118:114 ESV)

Rejoice in HOPE

“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” (Rom. 12:12 ESV)

Therefore…

“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” (Lam. 3:24 ESV)

“But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect…”. (1 Peter 3:15 ESV)