Why Did Joseph Weep?

The story of Joseph is a moving reminder of God's love.  He went from favored son and hated brother, to successful slave, prime prisoner, to prime minister!

There is one particularly poignant portion. Joseph had been in Egypt over 20 years and his brethren came to buy food.  They didn't realize that this hard "Egyptian" leader was actually their brother.  When Joseph mentions "I fear God" it seems to jog their conscience.  Their dirty deed of 20 years ago comes bubbling up from their guilty consciences.  They had ignored the pitiful (pit-full :-) ) cries of their brother and sold him into slavery.  As they are conversing among themselves, Reuben says

(Gen 42:22) And Reuben answered them, saying, Spake I not unto you, saying, Do not sin against the child; and ye would not hear? therefore, behold, also his blood is required.

Through the years, I imagine that Joseph lamented the fact that ALL of his brethren had so turned against him and that no one had cared about him.  Now, as he hears Reuben, he understands that at least one had cared and tried to help him!  He is overcome with emotion and leaves their presence to weep.

Knowing that someone cares is a powerful incentive to continue on in our journey for God.

Yet even if you feel you are all alone, we are never alone. He will never leave us nor forsake us.

(Exo 34:5) And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD.

God will stand with us, if we stand for Him! Follow @ddevonshire

Why Worship? Why Praise?

Worship and praise are important because they remind us that we are the created and not the Creator. We place our worth (worship) on Him. When we don't worship and praise and magnify Him, we begin to get out of place and elevate ourselves above what we ought to be. We forget our neediness, our infinite smallness. Our ego edges us up higher and we depend on what we can do and know etc.

Romans 1:21 KJV

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

John understood when he said I must decrease, He must increase. Magnify Him, make Him bigger and us smaller. Follow @ddevonshire

What kind of church would it be...???

What kind of church would it be, if all the Christians were just like you? just as dedicated, just as generous. just as prayerful? Would it be strong and energetic, or weak and powerless? Follow @ddevonshire