Christian Prime Timers supplied by Rev. E. Anderson

May 7, 2008 at 10:48 pm (Christian Prime Timers)

                                                

Rev. E. Anderson

PRIMED AND TIMED FOR GREATNESS

 

Reading     Genesis 37

 

Introduction

One cannot fail to be impressed when the life, character and Joseph, the beloved son of Jacob is studied. Reading between the lines and the incidents that took place, it is obvious that he was divinely primed and timed by God in order to attain true greatness and to set up an example for all time for others to emulate.

 

From the earliest of days to their climax, he was an individual who was different and made great contribution to his generation because he knew what it was to have the hand of God upon his life and affairs. It was how he desired it and willingly consecrated and complied with all what was required of him by God. He allowed God to lead, inspire and work things out even when things were extremely difficult and dark at times to understand.

 

It is possible to trace how he was brought to the place of greatness and what things contributed in the process.

 

1/.   HE WAS REARED UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF A GOD-FEARING FATHER – Genesis 30: 22-24; 37: 1-3

         There is little doubt that this aged, spiritual patriarch had some worthy and noble inspiration to impart to this son that he loved. One of the reasons why he had a strong bond and affection for him must have been due to the spiritual attitude that this son had. He seemed to have a real bent towards God and the things of God, and possibly his best conversations were with this lad who had a real openness to spiritual reality. Jacob was able to prime him and set aspirations in his heart of a holy character.

 

2/.   HE APPARENTLY SOUGHT TO LIVE THE KIND OF LIFE THAT PLEASED GOD – Genesis 37: 2

       Although he maybe regrettably seemed to be a tale bearer it does reflect the fact that he   was different to his brothers and there was a wholesome rectitude about his conduct. So early he is demonstrating the fact that he had a quality standard of behaviour that must have drawn the attention of heaven. There was a healthy motivation of being where he sensed he must be committed to righteousness – see John 8: 29.

 

3/.  HE WAS THE RECIPIENT OF DIVINE REVELATION THAT WAS TO PREDICT TO HIS DESTINY – Genesis 37: 5-10

        It must be recognised that it was God who gave him the two dreams in his youth and would suggest that the favour of God was upon him. There was something about him so early in life that commanded the attention of heaven. In his teens God decides to prime him with supernatural knowledge that was to have great bearing and influence upon his future. This somehow would never leave him but be a source of comfort, strength and expectancy.

 

4/.   HE WAS READY TO ACCEPT HIS CHANGE OF CIRCUMSTANCES AND SOUGHT TO UTILIZE HIS TIME AND TALENTS – Genesis 37: 18-36; 39: 1-6

         He could easily have thought that things had gone off track when he finds himself a victim of incredible conditions. Suddenly he is a slave and finds himself in a slave market in Egypt. This was the opposite end to his dreams. They now appeared to turn into a nightmare but he does not allow his new surroundings to frustrate and make a failure of him and his destiny. He knuckles down and sets about his fresh situation with faith, wisdom and vigour and so rises to a place of prominence. The slave is primed and timed to govern an important home. He is learning the ropes of being a true and good administrator.

 

 

5/.   HE WAS ABLE TO REACT RIGHTLY TO THE SEVERE TEMPTATION THAT WAS ASSAILED  HIM – Genesis 37: 7-12

         In the furnace of temptation, allurement and seduction he manages to express a strong, moral commitment both Godward and manward. He could have failed and fallen for the trap set for him but he was morally and spiritually primed to reject the overtures of a charming seductress. There was no way that he was going to forfeit his ethical rectitude and lose the favour and smile of God whatever the cost. He must have regretted that this should take place and that this woman would sell herself for some temporary lust. He was not taken in by her advances.

 

6/.    HE TRULY SHOWED HIS CHARACTER WHEN DEMOTED AND MADE A PRISONER – Genesis 39: 13- -23

         Instead of griping and groaning in prison over a lost position he sees a new role that he must give himself to. Rather than sulk and complain to God over his new, untoward and painful lot, He primes himself to make use of his time and talents in uncongenial circumstances. There is a job that can and ought to be done that would benefit others and help in the time at his disposal. Because of this, God’s favour is towards him and so is the keeper of the prison. Even in those hard conditions he is ready to serve the butler and baker. He is still up to spiritual exercise – Genesis 40.

 

7/.   HE WAS DIVINELY PROVEN AND READY WHEN HIS MOMENT OF EXALTATION ARRIVED – Genesis 41

         Although the time is seemingly protracted in prison it would seem he learns to await God’s timing – see Psalm 105: 17-22. The fact that he was spiritually in tune when Pharoah sent for him indicates that he had learned to rest in God. He did not know how events would turn in his favour but he must have known deep within his spirit that being in Egypt was no accident. What was essential? It was important to be toned up and prepared for the next step and stage. Later he was able to tell his brothers that it was God who had worked everything out – Genesis 45: 7, 8.

 

CONCLUSION

God knows how to plan and schedule all for those who He would promote and use to serve His purposes and have a heart towards Him. It can happily commence early in one’s life and be the inspiration throughout. The vital factor is o be committed to Him and whatever He has designed and being sure that ‘all things work together for good to those who love God’ – Romans 8: 28.

 

 

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Word for the week composed by Rev. E. Anderson

May 7, 2008 at 10:44 pm (Word for the Week)

                                     

Rev. E. Anderson

REMEMBRANCE

It stems from the word remember which simply means to be mindful. Within the mind is the memory section that it is able to store information with regard to people, things, situations, events and experiences that has occurred within life. The mind is a tremendous factor in this respect that is able to contain and retain an enormous amount of knowledge and data that has been acquired through all kinds of means. It is treasury of facts that are not lost but recorded and can be brought to be used to advantage in a person’s life. In the mid is this beautiful retrieval system where people can go and look again at things that have happened, people they have met, lessons they have learned, etc., and benefit from the act of remembrance.

 

To remember implies that you are recalling to mind, recollecting something of worth that can serve to useful purpose in the present. What has happened in the past has some relevance to the immediate circumstance and need and so can be considered in connection with it. All that has taken place does have some bearing upon what is actually occurring in the now.

 

The word remember is repeatedly used in Scripture thus showing its importance in the experience of those who profess to know God. Having given this fantastic gift to man, He expects it to be employed in a profitable manner. There has to be constant acts of remembrance in those who have relationship with Him and such serves to establish greater bonds with Him.

 

God’s Word declares in no uncertain terms that the Lord is the One that should occupy the thoughts of all men right from the earliest period of life. The exhortation is – “Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh when you will say, ‘I have no pleasure in them’” – Ecclesiastes 12: 1. The best time to get God into your mind and life is in the teenage years so that many pleasant and worthwhile things can take place in relationship with Him that will have a profitable bearing on life and will not be forgotten. They will be worth recording and recalling for all posterity.

 

The Lord spoke to His ancient people of all with regard to this, having shown in grace and power in delivering them from Egypt and guiding them to the Promised Land of Canaan. He said: “Only take heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things which your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life: but teach them your sons, and your sons’ sons” – Deuteronomy 4: 9.  Not only had the events and experiences of the past with regard to God’s bountiful dealings be etched on their memories but also on their children and grandchildren! There had to be a constant recollection of the past with all the goodness and providences, it had to be stored up in the minds of their offspring.

 

One of the important things that must be lodged and constantly pondered on in life and never forgotten is God’s Word. In that long psalm there is special emphasis by the penman in this respect. He says: ‘I will not forget your Word – I will never forget your precepts – O how I love your law! It is my mediation all the day’ – Psalm 119: 16, 93; 97. If we are to believe and obey His Word then we must never forget but always be calling it to mind. Of old, the Israelites had to have God’s Word recorded on the doorposts and gateposts so there would be the likelihood of forgetting! – Deuteronomy 6: 9 The Decalogue was written indelibly on two tablets not to be forgotten and constantly referred to.

 

For the Christian Church and believer, Christ set up a memorial that must never be forgotten – Luke 22: 14- 20. Paul also endorsed and emphasised this in his letter to a church – 1 Corinthians 11: 23-34. This special communion service should be attended by all professing Christian saints because the death of Christ and all that was accomplished by it should not be forgotten. Regularly all true Christians should seize the opportunity and privilege of performing this act of remembrance. They should also make sure that they regularly meet together with other Christians in fellowship not forgetting God’s Word on the matter – ‘Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is’ – Hebrews 10: 25.

Spend time this week recalling and meditation on the Lord and all that He has done for you so that you will be spiritually quickened in your relationship with Him. Take time out to recollect vital things that have happened in your experience and see whether you are achieving the high expectations of God on your life.

 

‘This I recall to min, therefore I have hope. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is your faithfulness’ – Lamentations 3: 21-23.

 

PRAYER

Lord give me the alacrity and facility of mind that will always be thinking about You, Your Word and all Your grace!

 

 

 

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A Time to Laugh served by Rev. E. Anderson

May 7, 2008 at 10:38 pm (A Time to Laugh)

                                                   

Rev. E. Anderson

HUMOROUS STORIES

 

One Day, a little boy visited a nurse for a vaccination. After the nurse gave him the injection, she tried to bandage the boy’s arm.

 

‘I think you’d better bandage the other arm,’ he said.

 

‘But, why? I’m supposed to bandage the injected part of your arm to let your friends know not to touch it’.

 

‘You really don’t know anything about my friends, do you?’

 

PRODIGAL SON

 

A minister was telling the story of the Prodigal Son and wishing to emphasise the disagreeable attitude of the elder brother on that occasion.

 

After describing the rejoicing of the household over the return of the prodigal son, he spoke of one who, in the midst of the festivities, failed to share in the joy of the occasion.

 

‘Can anybody,’ he asked, ‘tell me who this was?’

 

A small boy, who had been listening intently to the story, put up his hand.

 

‘I know,’ he beamed. ‘It was the fatted calf’.

 

TOOTHBRUSH

 

David, aged four, came screaming out of the bathroom to tell his mum he’d dropped his toothbrush in the toilet. So she fished it out and threw it into the bin.

 

David stood there for a moment, then ran to the bathroom and came out with his mum’s toothbrush. He held it up and said with a charming little smile, ‘We better throw this one out too then, because it fell in the toilet a few days ago’.

 

RIBS

 

At Sunday School they were teaching how \god created everything, including human beings. A young boy seemed especially intent when they told him how Eve was created out of one of Adam’s ribs.

 

Later in the week his mother noticed him lying down as though he were ill, and said, ‘What is the matter?’

 

The boy responded, ‘I have a pain in my side, I think I am going to have a wife’.

 

 

WHISTLE

 

During the minister’s prayer one Sunday, there was a loud whistle from one of the back pews. Gary’s mother was horrified. She pinched him into silence, and after church asked, ‘Gary, whatever made you do such a thing?’  Gary answered soberly, ‘I asked God to teach me to whistle . . . . and He did!’

 

PRAYER

 

One night Mike’s parents overheard this prayer:

 

‘Now I lay me down to rest, and hope to pass tomorrow’s test,

If I should die before I wake,  That’s one less test I have to take’.

 

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