AOH CHURCH OF GOD

GOD'S ECONOMY

Gen 50:22-26 And Joseph dwelt in Egypt, he, and his father's house: and Joseph lived an hundred and ten years. 23 And Joseph saw Ephraim's children of the third generation: the children also of Machir the son of Manasseh were brought up upon Joseph's knees. 24 And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die: and God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land unto the land which he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. 25 And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you, and ye shall carry up my bones from hence. 26 So Joseph died, being an hundred and ten years old: and they embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt.

This is the final chapter in this great story. Joseph, the boy who was hated by his own brothers, because he had a dream about his destiny, who plotted to kill him; sold him into slavery to the Ishmaelites; sold to Potapher in Egypt by the Ishmaelites; thrown into prison by Potapher; forgotten about for two years; finally he is promoted from the pit to the palace only to become second in command to Pharaoh himself. He realized his dream; was reunited with his family; preserved all of Egypt and his family from the seven year famine; made Pharaoh a very, very rich man. His family was given Goshen, the richest fertile land in all of Egypt.

His father, Jacob, pronounced a special blessing upon his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, and also upon him. He buried his father like royalty as he requested. Joseph saw his dream come true and his brothers and all of his family enjoyed a prosperous life in Egypt. He lived to be one hundred and ten and was able to enjoy his grandchildren and great grand children.

Now we notice something very interesting here. He spoke prophetically over his family: 24 And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die: and God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land unto the land which he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. Again I can not over emphasize how important it is to hold on to your dream. If God has ever spoken over your life, hold on to that promise. It shall come to pass. Here we see Joseph on his dying bed, yet he reminds the family what God has promised. Never give up hope. This is what drives you. Remember Faith is the substance of things hoped for. If you lose hope, Faith has nothing to work with. Faith without works is dead. It is not enough to talk it, you have to walk it. You must put your faith into action.

AOH CHURCH OF GOD

GOD'S ECONOMY

Gen 50:10-21 And they came to the threshingfloor of Atad, which is beyond Jordan, and there they mourned with a great and very sore lamentation: and he made a mourning for his father seven days. 11 And when the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, saw the mourning in the floor of Atad, they said, This is a grievous mourning to the Egyptians: wherefore the name of it was called Abel-mizraim, which is beyond Jordan. 12 And his sons did unto him according as he commanded them: 13 For his sons carried him into the land of Canaan, and buried him in the cave of the field of Machpelah, which Abraham bought with the field for a possession of a buryingplace of Ephron the Hittite, before Mamre. 14 And Joseph returned into Egypt, he, and his brethren, and all that went up with him to bury his father, after he had buried his father. 15 And when Joseph's brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him. 16 And they sent a messenger unto Joseph, saying, Thy father did command before he died, saying, 17 So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him. 18 And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants. 19 And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? 20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. 21 Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.

Today's lesson is very powerful in that it teaches us another very important principle when operating in God's Economy. After They return from burying their father, Jacob, Joseph's brothers are afraid that he is planning to get revenge for what they did to him. This is the world's system. You get me and I get you back. In some cases, I may get you before you get me. However, in the Word's System, we must forgive and forget. The Word of the Lord declares: Matt 6:14-15 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Matt 18:21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?

Mark 11:25-26 And when ye stand praying, forgive , if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if ye do not forgive , neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

Luke 17:3-4 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. 4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

Forgiveness is a very, very important principle when operating in the Kingdom of God. If you don't forgive a person, you hold them in bondage and you also hold yourself in bondage. You are blocking their blessing and you are blocking your own blessing. You may say, you don't know how bad they treated me, or how deep they hurt me. Yes, I know people can do some low down, evil, nasty things, but Jesus said you must forgive them so He can forgive you, and you both can move forward. Joseph was sold into slavery by his own brothers. This lead to him being sold again into slavery down in Egypt; thrown into prison; and forgotten. But God...delivered him and he was promoted from the pit to the palace in one day. He became the Governor of Egypt, only second in command to Pharaoh, and saved his family from the famine. Note his response to his brothers. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him. 18 And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants. 19 And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? 20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. 21 Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.

Friend I can not over emphasize how important this is in order to move forward. I encourage you to stop today and take inventory and see if there is any unforgiveness in your heart. The Word of the Lord declares: Matt 5:23-24 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

Mark 11:25-26 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

AOH CHURCH OF GOD

GOD'S ECONOMY

Gen 50:1-9 And Joseph fell upon his father's face, and wept upon him, and kissed him. 2 And Joseph commanded his servants the physicians to embalm his father: and the physicians embalmed Israel. 3 And forty days were fulfilled for him; for so are fulfilled the days of those which are embalmed: and the Egyptians mourned for him threescore and ten days. 4 And when the days of his mourning were past, Joseph spake unto the house of Pharaoh, saying, If now I have found grace in your eyes, speak, I pray you, in the ears of Pharaoh, saying, 5 My father made me swear, saying, Lo, I die: in my grave which I have digged for me in the land of Canaan, there shalt thou bury me. Now therefore let me go up, I pray thee, and bury my father, and I will come again. 6 And Pharaoh said, Go up, and bury thy father, according as he made thee swear. 7 And Joseph went up to bury his father: and with him went up all the servants of Pharaoh, the elders of his house, and all the elders of the land of Egypt, 8 And all the house of Joseph, and his brethren, and his father's house: only their little ones, and their flocks, and their herds, they left in the land of Goshen. 9 And there went up with him both chariots and horsemen: and it was a very great company.

Although this is a record of the passing of the great Patriarch, Jacob (Israel), in light of the fact, that we are talking about God's Economy, please note the following very carefully.

-Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers, to the Ishmaelites.
-Joseph was sold into Egypt, by the Ismaelites, as a slave, to Potiphar.
-Joseph was promoted to the Overseer over Potiphar's house.
-Joseph was put into prison because Potiphar's wife lied on him.
-Joseph was promoted to head trustee of the prison.
-Joseph interpreted the baker's dream, but was forgotten for two years.
-Joseph was promoted to Governor of Egypt, by Pharaoh.

Now we note that:
-Joseph is very rich with physicians as his servants.
-Joseph has favor with Pharaoh and is granted permission to go bury his father in Canaan and takes a great entourage with him.
7 And Joseph went up to bury his father: and with him went up all the servants of Pharaoh, the elders of his house, and all the elders of the land of Egypt, 8 And all the house of Joseph, and his brethren, and his father's house: only their little ones, and their flocks, and their herds, they left in the land of Goshen. 9 And there went up with him both chariots and horsemen: and it was a very great company.

Friend, I rest my case. This is a classic example of how we are blessed abundantly when we operate in God's Economy. I strongly urge you today to embrace this principle whole heartedly, and begin to enjoy the blessings of God. The Word of the Lord declares:
John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

AOH CHURCH OF GOD

Gen 48 1-22 And it came to pass after these things, that one told Joseph, Behold, thy father is sick: and he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. 2 And one told Jacob, and said, Behold, thy son Joseph cometh unto thee: and Israel strengthened himself, and sat upon the bed. 3 And Jacob said unto Joseph, God Almighty appeared unto me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and blessed me, 4 And said unto me, Behold, I will make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, and I will make of thee a multitude of people; and will give this land to thy seed after thee for an everlasting possession. 5 And now thy two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, which were born unto thee in the land of Egypt before I came unto thee into Egypt, are mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine. 6 And thy issue, which thou begettest after them, shall be thine, and shall be called after the name of their brethren in their inheritance. 7 And as for me, when I came from Padan, Rachel died by me in the land of Canaan in the way, when yet there was but a little way to come unto Ephrath: and I buried her there in the way of Ephrath; the same is Bethlehem. 8 And Israel beheld Joseph's sons, and said, Who are these? 9 And Joseph said unto his father, They are my sons, whom God hath given me in this place. And he said, Bring them, I pray thee, unto me, and I will bless them. 10 Now the eyes of Israel were dim for age, so that he could not see. And he brought them near unto him; and he kissed them, and embraced them. 11 And Israel said unto Joseph, I had not thought to see thy face: and, lo, God hath shewed me also thy seed. 12 And Joseph brought them out from between his knees, and he bowed himself with his face to the earth. 13 And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel's left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel's right hand, and brought them near unto him. 14 And Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it upon Ephraim's head, who was the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh's head, guiding his hands wittingly; for Manasseh was the firstborn. 15 And he blessed Joseph, and said, God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God which fed me all my life long unto this day, 16 The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth. 17 And when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand upon the head of Ephraim, it displeased him: and he held up his father's hand, to remove it from Ephraim's head unto Manasseh's head. 18 And Joseph said unto his father, Not so, my father: for this is the firstborn; put thy right hand upon his head. 19 And his father refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know it: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations. 20 And he blessed them that day, saying, In thee shall Israel bless, saying, God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh: and he set Ephraim before Manasseh. 21 And Israel said unto Joseph, Behold, I die: but God shall be with you, and bring you again unto the land of your fathers. 22 Moreover I have given to thee one portion above thy brethren, which I took out of the hand of the Amorite with my sword and with my bow.


-Joseph goes to visit his sick father, Jacob
-Jacob tells Joseph how the Lord promised to bless him and his seed.
-Jacob says he is taking Joseph's twos sons, Manaseh and Ephraim as his very own.
-Jacob Places his right hand upon Ephraim, the youngest and his left hand upon Manaseh, the eldest.
-Joseph becomes upset because it is customary for the first born to get the birthright blessing.
-Jacob acknowledges that he did not make a mistake and proclaim the blessing.
-Jacob also proclaim a blessing over the younger as well.
-Jacob proclaim a very special blessing upon Joseph, who was a younger son as well.

In this illustration, I see how God is sovereign, and always in control. Remember, we do not operate in the World's system, but in the Word's system. Man has his traditions and customs, but God had the first word and he will have the last word.

The word of the Lord declares:
Matt 19:30 But many that are first shall be last ; and the last shall be first.
Matt 20:4 And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard , and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.

Listen, you don't have to play politics and games for promotion. Remember, if man promotes you, man can also demote you. But if God promotes you, no man can take you down. Stop brown nosing and kissing up for positions. Stop seeking validation and approval from man. What God has for you, it's for you. Seek to please God and God alone.

The Word of the Lord declares:
Matt 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

AOH CHURCH OF GOD

GOD'S ECONOMY

Gen 47:27 And Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the country of Goshen; and they had possessions therein, and grew, and multiplied exceedingly. 28 And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years: so the whole age of Jacob was an hundred forty and seven years. 29 And the time drew nigh that Israel must die: and he called his son Joseph, and said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh, and deal kindly and truly with me; bury me not, I pray thee, in Egypt: 30 But I will lie with my fathers, and thou shalt carry me out of Egypt, and bury me in their burying place. And he said, I will do as thou hast said. 31 And he said, Swear unto me. And he sware unto him. And Israel bowed himself upon the bed's head.

-Jacob left home running for his life from his brother Esau.
-Jacob has a dream of God blessing him abundantly.
-Jacob makes a vow to pay his tithes when the Lord blesses him.
-Jacob is richly blessed down at Laban's house for 20 years.
-Jacob returns home, but remembers and keeps his vow to pay his tithes.
-Jacob has another dream and God promises to richly bless him and his seed.

Now we see here in today's lesson how the first part of Jacob's dream has come true. Jacob and his family were richly blessed. Even though there was a great famine in the land, God sent Joseph ahead to prepare the preservation and abundant blessing for Jacob and his entire family.

Gen 47:27 And Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the country of Goshen; and they had possessions therein, and grew, and multiplied exceedingly.

Listen friend, if God said it, that settles it. It shall come to pass. When the famine came, they could have easily said this is it. It's over. Let us prepare to die. There is no food. But Jacob knew that he heard a word from the Lord, that had not yet come to pass. Sure part of it had come to pass, but not all of it. There is something about hearing a word from the Lord. There is something about having a dream or vision from the Lord. It motivates you. It drives you. You can't give up because of circumstances and situations. There is something deep down within you that keeps you going. Continue to operate in God's economy and it shall come to pass!

AOH CHURCH OF GOD

GOD'S ECONOMY

Gen 47:18-26 18 When that year was ended, they came unto him the second year, and said unto him, We will not hide it from my lord, how that our money is spent; my lord also hath our herds of cattle; there is not ought left in the sight of my lord, but our bodies, and our lands: 19 Wherefore shall we die before thine eyes, both we and our land? buy us and our land for bread, and we and our land will be servants unto Pharaoh: and give us seed, that we may live, and not die, that the land be not desolate. 20 And Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh; for the Egyptians sold every man his field, because the famine prevailed over them: so the land became Pharaoh's. 21 And as for the people, he removed them to cities from one end of the borders of Egypt even to the other end thereof. 22 Only the land of the priests bought he not; for the priests had a portion assigned them of Pharaoh, and did eat their portion which Pharaoh gave them: wherefore they sold not their lands. 23 Then Joseph said unto the peoplBehold, I have bought you this day and your land for Pharaoh: lo, here is seed for you, and ye shall sow the land. 24 And it shall come to pass in the increase, that ye shall give the fifth part unto Pharaoh, and four parts shall be your own, for seed of the field, and for your food, and for them of your households, and for food for your little ones. 25 And they said, Thou hast saved our lives: let us find grace in the sight of my lord, and we will be Pharaoh's servants. 26 And Joseph made it a law over the land of Egypt unto this day, that Pharaoh should have the fifth part; except the land of the priests only, which became not Pharaoh's.

Not not only did Joseph make Pharaoh richer with money, but also with ownership of the land, the cattle, and the people as well. Pharaoh literally owned everything and everybody in Egypt, because of Joseph. WOW! Talking about God's Economy in action, this is absolutely incredible!

The next thing we note is that Joseph then turns around and give the people seed, and a fifth of the increase will belong to Pharaoh. This is actually the tithing concept again. But notice the fact that he gave them seed. Many times we think we have the increase, when it is actually the seed. You must sow the seed to get the increase.

AOH CHURCH OF GOD

GOD'S ECONOMY

Gen 47:13-17 And there was no bread in all the land; for the famine was very sore, so that the land of Egypt and all the land of Canaan fainted by reason of the famine. 14 And Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, for the corn which they bought: and Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh's house. 15 And when money failed in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came unto Joseph, and said, Give us bread: for why should we die in thy presence? for the money faileth. 16 And Joseph said, Give your cattle; and I will give you for your cattle, if money fail. 17 And they brought their cattle unto Joseph: and Joseph gave them bread in exchange for horses, and for the flocks, and for the cattle of the herds, and for the asses: and he fed them with bread for all their cattle for that year.

Joseph devised such a clever strategy that Pharaoh became richer, during the famine. Just like Laban was blessed because the blessing was on Jacob, Pharaoh was blessed because the blessing was on Joseph.

The Word of the Lord declares: Gen 12:3 And I will bless them that bless thee , and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

The Word of the Lord also declares:
Prov 13:22 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.


You may not realize it but if you are a citizen of the Kingdom of God, not only are you blessed, but other folk are blessed also. Your job is blessed. Your business is blessed. Your family and friends are all blessed because of you.

AOH CHURCH OF GOD

Ge 47:1-12 Then Joseph came and told Pharaoh, and said, My father and my brethren, and their flocks, and their herds, and all that they have, are come out of the land of Canaan; and, behold, they are in the land of Goshen. 2 And he took some of his brethren, even five men, and presented them unto Pharaoh. 3 And Pharaoh said unto his brethren, What is your occupation? And they said unto Pharaoh, Thy servants are shepherds, both we, and also our fathers. 4 They said moreover unto Pharaoh, For to sojourn in the land are we come; for thy servants have no pasture for their flocks; for the famine is sore in the land of Canaan: now therefore, we pray thee, let thy servants dwell in the land of Goshen. 5 And Pharaoh spake unto Joseph, saying, Thy father and thy brethren are come unto thee: 6 The land of Egypt is before thee; in the best of the land make thy father and brethren to dwell; in the land of Goshen let them dwell: and if thou knowest any men of activity among them, then make them rulers over my cattle. 7 And Joseph brought in Jacob his father, and set him before Pharaoh: and Jacob blessed Pharaoh. 8 And Pharaoh said unto Jacob, How old art thou? 9 And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, The days of the years of my pilgrimage are an hundred and thirty years: few and evil have the days of the years of my life been, and have not attained unto the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage. 10 And Jacob blessed Pharaoh, and went out from before Pharaoh. 11 And Joseph placed his father and his brethren, and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded. 12 And Joseph nourished his father, and his brethren, and all his father's household, with bread, according to their families.

Not only does Jacob come into Egypt, from a land with not enough to a land with more than enough, he and his family are given Goshen, the best land in all of Egypt. Somebody say Increase! The world is celebrating recession, but the Kingdom of God is celebrating Increase!

AOH CHURCH OF GOD

GOD'S ECONOMY


Ge 46:26-34 All the souls that came with Jacob into Egypt, which came out of his loins, besides Jacob's sons' wives, all the souls were threescore and six; 27 And the sons of Joseph, which were born him in Egypt, were two souls: all the souls of the house of Jacob, which came into Egypt, were threescore and ten. 28 And he sent Judah before him unto Joseph, to direct his face unto Goshen; and they came into the land of Goshen. 29 And Joseph made ready his chariot, and went up to meet Israel his father, to Goshen, and presented himself unto him; and he fell on his neck, and wept on his neck a good while. 30 And Israel said unto Joseph, Now let me die, since I have seen thy face, because thou art yet alive. 31 And Joseph said unto his brethren, and unto his father's house, I will go up, and shew Pharaoh, and say unto him, My brethren, and my father's house, which were in the land of Canaan, are come unto me; 32 And the men are shepherds, for their trade hath been to feed cattle; and they have brought their flocks, and their herds, and all that they have. 33 And it shall come to pass, when Pharaoh shall call you, and shall say, What is your occupation? 34 That ye shall say, Thy servants' trade hath been about cattle from our youth even until now, both we, and also our fathers: that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians.

Here we see Jacob (Israel), has come into Egypt, as Joseph's family, which is really royalty. They went from living in Canaan, where there was a great famine, or not enough, to Goshen, where there is more than enough. This is God's Economy in action.

AOH CHURCH OF GOD

GOD'S ECONOMY

Ge 46:1-7 And Israel took his journey with all that he had, and came to Beer-sheba, and offered sacrifices unto the God of his father Isaac. 2 And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I. 3 And he said, I am God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation: 4 I will go down with thee into Egypt; and I will also surely bring thee up again: and Joseph shall put his hand upon thine eyes. 5 And Jacob rose up from Beer-sheba: and the sons of Israel carried Jacob their father, and their little ones, and their wives, in the wagons which Pharaoh had sent to carry him. 6 And they took their cattle, and their goods, which they had gotten in the land of Canaan, and came into Egypt, Jacob, and all his seed with him: 7 His sons, and his sons' sons with him, his daughters, and his sons' daughters, and all his seed brought he with him into Egypt.

We can very well see hear that Jacob was true worshiper. He goes on his journey to Egypt, but he stopped at Beer-sheba and offers God a sacrifice and worship and God speaks into his life once again. Jesus told the woman at the well: John 4:23-24 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit : and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

This verse suggest that there are true worshipers and there are false worshipers. True worshipers understand that it is necessary to have a relationship with God and that God is a Spirit and that they must worship Him in the spirit and with the spirit. Anybody can praise God buyt you must have a relationship with him to worship Him.

AOH CHURCH OF GOD

GOD'S ECONOMY

THIS LESSON SPEAKS FOR ITSELF:
Ge 45:1-28 Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren. 2 And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard. 3 And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence.4 And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. 5 Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life. 6 For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest. 7 And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. 8 So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt. 9 Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt: come down unto me, tarry not: 10 And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, and thou shalt be near unto me, thou, and thy children, and thy children's children, and thy flocks, and thy herds, and all that thou hast: 11 And there will I nourish thee; for yet there are five years of famine; lest thou, and thy household, and all that thou hast, come to poverty. 12 And, behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my mouth that speaketh unto you. 13 And ye shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that ye have seen; and ye shall haste and bring down my father hither. 14 And he fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck, and wept; and Benjamin wept upon his neck. 15 Moreover he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his brethren talked with him. 16 And the fame thereof was heard in Pharaoh's house, saying, Joseph's brethren are come: and it pleased Pharaoh well, and his servants. 17 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Say unto thy brethren, This do ye; lade your beasts, and go, get you unto the land of Canaan; 18 And take your father and your households, and come unto me: and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and ye shall eat the fat of the land. 19 Now thou art commanded, this do ye; take you wagons out of the land of Egypt for your little ones, and for your wives, and bring your father, and come. 20 Also regard not your stuff; for the good of all the land of Egypt is yours. 21 And the children of Israel did so: and Joseph gave them wagons, according to the commandment of Pharaoh, and gave them provision for the way. 22 To all of them he gave each man changes of raiment; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver, and five changes of raiment. 23 And to his father he sent after this manner; ten asses laden with the good things of Egypt, and ten she asses laden with corn and bread and meat for his father by the way. 24 So he sent his brethren away, and they departed: and he said unto them, See that ye fall not out by the way. 25 And they went up out of Egypt, and came into the land of Canaan unto Jacob their father, 26 And told him, saying, Joseph is yet alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt. And Jacob's heart fainted, for he believed them not. 27 And they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said unto them: and when he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived: 28 And Israel said, It is enough; Joseph my son is yet alive: I will go and see him before I die.

AOH CHURCH OF GOD

GOD'S ECONOMY

Joseph was promoted to Governor of all of Egypt. Only Pharaoh was higher than him. He was elevated from the pit to the palace in one day. Pharaoh gave him a Royal Ring; a Royal Robe; a Royal Chariot; and a Royal Wife. WOW! He went from living in a dark, dismal, dirty dungeon, to a luxurious palace in one day. That's how fast God can turn a situation around. He has no respect of person, and he will do the same thing for you. Just don't give up on your dream; your vision; your promise.

Now we see the famine has not only hit Egypt, but also Canaan, where his father and brothers live. Jacob hears that there is food in Egypt and he send his sons there. It's amazing to me how God is so in control. Joseph's brothers are now bowing before him, just like God showed him in his dream, many years ago. WOW! This is so awesome! This is so encouraging to me. I am looking, with great expectation, everyday, for my promise from God. If God said it, that settles it! Hold on to your promise. Hold on to your dream. Hold on to your vision. It shall come to pass.

Ge 42:1-9 Now when Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt, Jacob said unto his sons, Why do ye look one upon another? 2 And he said, Behold, I have heard that there is corn in Egypt: get you down thither, and buy for us from thence; that we may live, and not die. 3 And Joseph's ten brethren went down to buy corn in Egypt. 4 But Benjamin, Joseph's brother, Jacob sent not with his brethren; for he said, Lest peradventure mischief befall him. 5 And the sons of Israel came to buy corn among those that came: for the famine was in the land of Canaan. 6 And Joseph was the governor over the land, and he it was that sold to all the people of the land: and Joseph's brethren came, and bowed down themselves before him with their faces to the earth. 7 And Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew them, but made himself strange unto them, and spake roughly unto them; and he said unto them, Whence come ye? And they said, From the land of Canaan to buy food. 8 And Joseph knew his brethren, but they knew not him. 9 And Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed of them, and said unto them, Ye are spies; to see the nakedness of the land ye are come.

AOH CHURCH OF GOD

GOD'S ECONOMY

I really love this beautiful story of Joseph. So many of us can identify with it. Joseph was unassuming. He did not buck for power or position. He did not promote himself. He did brag about his gift to interpret dreams. He simply loved and honored God, and walked in the Spirit of Excellence. This is another component of operating in God's Economy. The word of the Lord declares, "It's better to be asked up, than to be asked down."

Ge 41:38-42 And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is? 39 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: 40 Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou. 41 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. 42 And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck; 43 And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt. 44 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt. 45 And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnath-paaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Poti-pherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt. 46 And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt. 47 And in the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth by handfuls. 48 And he gathered up all the food of the seven years, which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities: the food of the field, which was round about every city, laid he up in the same. 49 And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left numbering; for it was without number. 50 And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, which Asenath the daughter of Poti-pherah priest of On bare unto him. 51 And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house. 52 And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction. 53 And the seven years of plenteousness, that was in the land of Egypt, were ended. 54 And the seven years of dearth began to come, according as Joseph had said: and the dearth was in all lands; but in all the land of Egypt there was bread. 55 And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread: and Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians, Go unto Joseph; what he saith to you, do. 56 And the famine was over all the face of the earth: and Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians; and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt. 57 And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because that the famine was so sore in all lands.

AOH CHURCH OF GOD

GOD'S ECONOMY

We have established that although Joseph had every reason to complain and be depressed, he was just the opposite. He was concerned about others. This is because he had heard a word from the Lord when he was a boy. There is something very reassuring about hearing a word from the Lord. I know because I too heard a word from the Lord over thirty years ago, that has not yet come to pass. This keeps me encouraged during my down times. You have to have a strategy to stay up, even when you should be down; to be positive when you should be negative; to laugh when you should be crying. Pray without ceasing. Meditate in the word day and night. Sing praises unto God. Help someone less fortunate than you.

Ge 41:1-45 AFTER TWO full years, Pharaoh dreamed that he stood by the river [Nile]. 2 And behold, there came up out of the river [Nile] seven well-favored cows, sleek and handsome and fat; and they grazed in the reed grass [in a marshy pasture]. 3 And behold, seven other cows came up after them out of the river [Nile], ill favored and gaunt and ugly, and stood by the fat cows on the bank of the river [Nile]. 4 And the ill-favored, gaunt, and ugly cows ate up the seven well-favored and fat cows. Then Pharaoh awoke. 5 But he slept and dreamed the second time; and behold, seven ears of grain came out on one stalk, plump and good. 6 And behold, after them seven ears [of grain] sprouted, thin and blighted by the east wind. 7 And the seven thin ears [of grain] devoured the seven plump and full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and behold, it was a dream. 8 So when morning came his spirit was troubled, and he sent and called for all the magicians and all the wise men of Egypt. And Pharaoh told them his dreams, but not one could interpret them to [him]. 9 Then the chief butler said to Pharaoh, I remember my faults today. 10 When Pharaoh was angry with his servants and put me in custody in the captain of the guard's house, both me and the chief baker, 11 We dreamed a dream in the same night, he and I; we dreamed each of us according to [the significance of] the interpretation of his dream. 12 And there was there with us a young man, a Hebrew, servant to the captain of the guard and chief executioner; and we told him our dreams, and he interpreted them to us, to each man according to the significance of his dream. 13 And as he interpreted to us, so it came to pass; I was restored to my office [as chief butler], and the baker was hanged. 14 Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon. But Joseph [first] shaved himself, changed his clothes, and made himself presentable; then he came into Pharaoh's presence. 15 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it; and I have heard it said of you that you can understand a dream and interpret it. 16 Joseph answered Pharaoh, It is not in me; God [not I] will give Pharaoh a [favorable] answer of peace. 17 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, In my dream, behold, I stood on the bank of the river [Nile]; 18 And behold, there came up out of the river [Nile] seven fat, sleek, and handsome cows, and they grazed in the reed grass [of a marshy pasture]. 19 And behold, seven other cows came up after them, undernourished, gaunt, and ugly [just skin and bones; such emaciated animals] as I have never seen in all of Egypt. 20 And the lean and ill favored cows ate up the seven fat cows that had come first. 21 And when they had eaten them up, it could not be detected and known that they had eaten them, for they were still as thin and emaciated as at the beginning. Then I awoke. [But again I fell asleep and dreamed.]22 And I saw in my dream, and behold, seven ears [of grain] growing on one stalk, plump and good. 23 And behold, seven [other] ears, withered, thin, and blighted by the east wind, sprouted after them. 24 And the thin ears devoured the seven good ears. Now I told this to the magicians, but there was no one who could tell me what it meant. 25 Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, The [two] dreams are one; God has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do. 26 The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good ears [of grain] are seven years; the [two] dreams are one [in their meaning]. 27 And the seven thin and ill favored cows that came up after them are seven years, and also the seven empty ears [of grain], blighted and shriveled by the east wind; they are seven years of hunger and famine. 28 This is the message just as I have told Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do. 29 Take note! Seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt are coming. 30 Then there will come seven years of hunger and famine, and [there will be so much want that] all the great abundance of the previous years will be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and hunger (destitution, starvation) will exhaust (consume, finish) the land. 31 And the plenty will become quite unknown in the land because of that following famine, for it will be very woefully severe. 32 That the dream was sent twice to Pharaoh and in two forms indicates that this thing which God will very soon bring to pass is fully prepared and established by God. 33 So now let Pharaoh seek out and provide a man discreet, understanding, proficient, and wise and set him over the land of Egypt [as governor]. 34 Let Pharaoh do this; then let him select and appoint officers over the land, and take one-fifth [of the produce] of the [whole] land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years [year by year]. 35 And let them gather all the food of these good years that are coming and lay up grain under the direction and authority of Pharaoh, and let them retain food [in fortified granaries] in the cities. 36 And that food shall be put in store for the country against the seven years of hunger and famine that are to come upon the land of Egypt, so that the land may not be ruined and cut off by the famine. 37 And the plan seemed good in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of all his servants. 38 And Pharaoh said to his servants, Can we find this man's equal, a man in whom is the spirit of God? 39 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, Forasmuch as [your] God has shown you all this, there is nobody as intelligent and discreet and understanding and wise as you are. 40 You shall have charge over my house, and all my people shall be governed according to your word [with reverence, submission, and obedience]. Only in matters of the throne will I be greater than you are. 41 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt. 42 And Pharaoh took off his [signet] ring from his hand and put it on Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in [official] vestments of fine linen and put a gold chain about his neck; 43 He made him to ride in the second chariot which he had, and [officials] cried before him, Bow the knee! And he set him over all the land of Egypt. 44 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without you shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt. 45 And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphenath-paneah and he gave him Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, to be his wife. And Joseph made an [inspection] tour of all the land of Egypt.

It took two more years before the butler remembered Joseph, but finally he did. Pharaoh was so impressed with Joseph's devotion to his God that he promoted him from the pit to the palace immediately. I want to encourage you today. It doesn't matter where you are, what you are going through, or who you are dealing with, God is able to promote you from the pit to the palace right now! You were created with a purpose in mind. You are not a mistake. If God has ever spoken into your life, it shall come to pass. Who would have ever thought that Joseph, who was sold into slavery by his own brothers, because of jealousy; sold again to Potiphar down in Egypt by the Ishmaelites; thrown into prison by Potiphar, because of a lie his wife told; would eventually become the Governor of all of Egypt. Second only to Pharaoh himself. Stay focused, on fire, and full, and you will have the favor of God on you. The blessing is on you!

AOH CHURCH OF GOD

GOD'S ECONOMY

The blessing was on Joseph even in the prison. One day, because of an offence, Pharaoh put his chief butler and chief baker in prison, and they were assigned to Joseph. One night they both had dreams. Joseph noticed the next day that they were troubled, and he inquired as to their sad countenance. They said they had dreams and didn't know the interpretation. Joseph said, God is the interpreter, and asked them to share the dreams and he would pray to God for the interpretation.

Ge 40:1-41:1
40:1 And it came to pass after these things, that the butler of the king of Egypt and his baker had offended their lord the king of Egypt.
2 And Pharaoh was wroth against two of his officers, against the chief of the butlers, and against the chief of the bakers.
3 And he put them in ward in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph was bound.
4 And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them: and they continued a season in ward.
5 And they dreamed a dream both of them, each man his dream in one night, each man according to the interpretation of his dream, the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt, which were bound in the prison.
6 And Joseph came in unto them in the morning, and looked upon them, and, behold, they were sad.
7 And he asked Pharaoh's officers that were with him in the ward of his lord's house, saying, Wherefore look ye so sadly to day?
8 And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to God? tell me them, I pray you.
9 And the chief butler told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, In my dream, behold, a vine was before me;
10 And in the vine were three branches: and it was as though it budded, and her blossoms shot forth; and the clusters thereof brought forth ripe grapes:
11 And Pharaoh's cup was in my hand: and I took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh's cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand.
12 And Joseph said unto him, This is the interpretation of it: The three branches are three days:
13 Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thine head, and restore thee unto thy place: and thou shalt deliver Pharaoh's cup into his hand, after the former manner when thou wast his butler.
14 But think on me when it shall be well with thee, and shew kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house:
15 For indeed I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews: and here also have I done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon.
16 When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he said unto Joseph, I also was in my dream, and, behold, I had three white baskets on my head:
17 And in the uppermost basket there was of all manner of bakemeats for Pharaoh; and the birds did eat them out of the basket upon my head.
18 And Joseph answered and said, This is the interpretation thereof: The three baskets are three days:
19 Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thy head from off thee, and shall hang thee on a tree; and the birds shall eat thy flesh from off thee.
20 And it came to pass the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, that he made a feast unto all his servants: and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants.
21 And he restored the chief butler unto his butlership again; and he gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand:
22 But he hanged the chief baker: as Joseph had interpreted to them.
23 Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him.

As you can see, the blessing was on Joseph, even in the prison. This should encourage you today. No matter where you are, if the blessing is on you, God will use you for his glory. Joseph acknowledged God as being the one who gives interpretations of dreams. He took no credit for himself. He prayed to God for the interpretation and God gave it to him. He was concerned about the sad condition of others, and demonstrated a genuine attitude of concern by inquiring of their situation. Although Joseph had every reason to be sad, ungrateful, and pitiful, he was just the opposite. He was positive, motivated, and inspired to minister to others. I believe that this is another component of operating in God's Economy. You see God had given Joseph a glimpse of his destiny in his dreams while he was a boy, and he never gave up on his dreams. He never gave up on his promise. He never gave up on God.

AOH CHURCH OF GOD

GOD'S ECONOMY

We have already established that the concept of tithing was introduced by God before the law was given. Jacob had twelve sons, but God chose one, Joseph, for his own glory. He was sold into slavery by his brothers, and ends up in Egypt, at Potiphar's house. Potiphar saw the blessing on him and promoted him as overseer over his entire household. Potiphar's wife tried to seduce him, but he refused and ran away. She told her husband that he tried to seduce her and Potiphar got angry and put him in prison. Nevertheless, we see the blessing was on him, even in the prison.

Ge 39:19-23 And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled. 20 And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison. 21 But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison. 22 And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it. 23 The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the LORD was with him, and that which he did, the LORD made it to prosper.

I find it interesting that he was not just placed in any old prison, but the prison where the king's prisoner's were bound. God was setting him up for his destiny. Many times we find ourselves in situations that appear to be unfavorable, but in actuality, God is positioning us for His favor. Many times we are seeking the promotion from man, but remember, promotion comes from God. If man promotes you, man can also demote you, but if God promotes you, no man can demote you. When the blessing is on you, you will be successful, no matter what you undertake. The Lord gave him favor with the keeper of the prison and he promoted Joseph over all the other prisoners, and whatever Joseph did, the Lord made it to prosper. I am reminded of two of my favorite scriptures:

Jos 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Ps 1:1-3 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

AOH CHURCH OF GOD

GOD'S ECONOMY

Joseph was one of Jacob's twelve sons. He was very special to Jacob because he was Rachel's child. He loved Rachel more than any of his other wives. He met her when first coming to Mesopotamia. It was love at first sight. He asked Laban for her hand in marriage and he agreed to work for seven years for her. However, Laban tricked him and he ended up with Leah. Isn't it interesting how we reap what we sow. Remember how Jacob tricked his brother, Esau, out of his birthright? Now it comes back on him. He loved Rachel so much he agreed to work another seven years for her. She was unable to give him children at first, but finally the Lord blessed them to have children together. Joseph was the first born with Rachel, so he had a very special love for Joseph. Then, unfortunately, Rachel died during child birth when she had their second child, Benjamin.

Jacob favored Joseph over his other brothers. He gave him a special coat of many colors. He kept him very close to him. He sent Joseph to spy on his brothers. Joseph would bring back evil reports on his brothers. They developed a hate towards him and plotted to kill him. But God...had another plan and purpose for his life. His brothers ended up selling him into slavery and ended up in Egypt, at Potiphar's house. Potiphar was a very wealthy, prominant man in Egypt. He was an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard. He immediately recognized the blessing that was on Joseph, so he placed him over his entire household. Then Potiphar's wife begin to lust after Joseph, but Joseph was a true man of God.

Ge 39:7-10 And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. 8 But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; 9 There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? 10 And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.

This is a very important part of operating in God's Economy. Note that Joseph said, "how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" He not only saw this sin as being against Potiphar, but also against God. We must understand that God is omniscient, which means he knows all. The Word of the Lord declares:

Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart

I think we should take this even further. We should do it out of love and not out of the law. Remember, this was all before the law, so Joseph was operating out of love and not the law. When Jesus was asked which law was the greatest, he said:

Mt 22:33-40 And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine. 34 But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. 35 Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, 36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Ro 13:8-10 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. 9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

So you see, we should do whatever we do out of love and not the law.

I don't steal, because I love God.
I don't kill, because I love God.
I don't lie, because I love God.
I pay my tithes, because I love God.

AOH CHURCH OF GOD

Today I want to discuss how God's Economy flows from generation to generation as long as we are operating in it. We have established that Jacob was richly blessed because he made a vow to pay God a tenth of all he would bless him with. We have also established how the concept of tithing shows up even with Jacob's sons. He had twelve sons, but there was one, Joseph, that God used for his glory. Although Joseph's brothers hated him, because of preferential treatment, God had a special purpose for him. His brothers plotted against him and sold him into slavery. He ended up in Egypt, at Potiphar's house.

Ge 39:1-6 And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither. 2 And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. 3 And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand. 4 And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand. 5 And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field. 6 And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured.

Potiphar saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hands. Sounds familiar? That's exactly what happened to his father, Jacob, when he went to Laban's house. Laban saw that the Lord was with him. He knew that the blessing was on him. I believe that this is how God's Economy works, and I believe it still works today. You don't have to resort to playing worldly games to get ahead. You don't have to lie, cheat, steal, back stab, connive and scheme to be successful. Just operate in God's Economy. If you get something dishonestly, you will have to continue to be dishonest to keep it. The Word of Lord declares:

Mt 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

AOH CHURCH OF GOD

Jacob was richly blessed.

Ge 31:17-18 Then Jacob rose up, and set his sons and his wives upon camels; 18 And he carried away all his cattle, and all his goods which he had gotten, the cattle of his getting, which he had gotten in Padan-aram, for to go to Isaac his father in the land of Canaan

Ge 32:1-5 And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. 2 And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God's host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim. 3 And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother unto the land of Seir, the country of Edom. 4 And he commanded them, saying, Thus shall ye speak unto my lord Esau; Thy servant Jacob saith thus, I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed there until now: 5 And I have oxen, and asses, flocks, and menservants, and womenservants: and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find grace in thy sight.

Ge 32:13-15 And he lodged there that same night; and took of that which came to his hand a present for Esau his brother; 14 Two hundred she goats, and twenty he goats, two hundred ewes, and twenty rams, 15 Thirty milch camels with their colts, forty kine, and ten bulls, twenty she asses, and ten foals.

Ge 36:6-7 And Esau took his wives, and his sons, and his daughters, and all the persons of his house, and his cattle, and all his beasts, and all his substance, which he had got in the land of Canaan; and went into the country from the face of his brother Jacob. 7 For their riches were more than that they might dwell together; and the land wherein they were strangers could not bear them because of their cattle.

As you can see, Jacob was richly blessed, all because he operated in God's Economy. He honored God by paying his tithe. You too can be richly blessed, even during this world economic down turn. God always provide for his people. He will always bless his people. He will always honor His Word. He promised that he would open the flood gates of Heaven and pour you out a blessing, that you won't have room enough to receive, if you pay your tithes. I urge you to do it today and watch God move!

AOH CHURCH OF GOD

God's Economy:

Ge 30:25-30 And it came to pass, when Rachel had born Joseph, that Jacob said unto Laban, Send me away, that I may go unto mine own place, and to my country. 26 Give me my wives and my children, for whom I have served thee, and let me go: for thou knowest my service which I have done thee. 27 And Laban said unto him, I pray thee, if I have found favour in thine eyes, tarry: for I have learned by experience that the LORD hath blessed me for thy sake. 28 And he said, Appoint me thy wages, and I will give it. 29 And he said unto him, Thou knowest how I have served thee, and how thy cattle was with me. 30 For it was little which thou hadst before I came, and it is now increased unto a multitude; and the LORD hath blessed thee since my coming: and now when shall I provide for mine own house also?

So you see Laban knew that the blessing was on Jacob all alone. Now Jacob has finally figured it out. Many are seeking the approval of man. Some are brown nosing and kissing up for a position. The Word of the Lord declares:

Ps 75:6-7 For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. 7 But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.

If man promotes you, he can also demote you. Stop trying to get validation and approval from man. Stop playing politics in the ministry. Stop bucking for a promotion and position from man. Let God elevate you, and no man can take you down.

AOH CHURCH OF GOD

As we continue to discuss, "God's Economy", please note how blessed Jacob was. First of all, when he went to his uncle Laban, he really didn't have anything. He left home, running for his dear life, because he had tricked his brother, Esau, out of his birthright. Esau swore that he would kill him.

Ge 27:41-45 And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob. 42 And these words of Esau her elder son were told to Rebekah: and she sent and called Jacob her younger son, and said unto him, Behold, thy brother Esau, as touching thee, doth comfort himself, purposing to kill thee. 43 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice; and arise, flee thou to Laban my brother to Haran; 44 And tarry with him a few days, until thy brother's fury turn away; 45 Until thy brother's anger turn away from thee, and he forget that which thou hast done to him: then I will send, and fetch thee from thence: why should I be deprived also of you both in one day?

However, when he finally gets to Laban, God begins to richly bless. Now this was all because of the vow he made to honor God and pay a tenth of all he would bless him with.

Ge 28:18-22 And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it. 19 And he called the name of that place Bethel: but the name of that city was called Luz at the first. 20 And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, 21 So that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God: 22 And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.


Jacob stayed and worked for Laban for twenty years, when he was only suppose to be there for a few days, or until his brother cooled off. Isn't it interesting how we have our life plans all mapped out, but God has other plans for us, and our plans get discarded. This is because God is sovereign and in complete control. Even though many times it looks like things are out of control, you must always remember that God is in control. The Word of the Lord declares:

Jer 1:5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

You are not an accident. You are not a second thought. Don't let anyone tell you that you are not suppose to be here. God had a purpose in mind when He created you. It is up to you to discover what that purpose is and pursue it. The reason Laban wouldn't let Jacob go is because he knew that Jacob was blessed, and that he was blessed because of the blessing that was on Jacob. Many times other people can recognize the blessing on you and you don't realize it yourself. This is just how God's Economy works. God said, "I will bless them that bless you, and curse them that curse you." Many businesses are doing well because of you. Many communities are thriving because of you. Many organizations are growing because of you. The blessing is on you because you are operating in God's Economy. You are operating in it but you don't really completely understand how it all works. This is what was happening to Jacob, he really didn't completely understand how it worked. He knew that he was blessed and that Laban was being blessed as a result of him being blessed, but it took him twenty years to figure it out.

AOH CHURCH OF GOD

Today we continue with the discussion of God's Economy from a different prospective. So far we have established:

1. The concept of tithing was introduced by God before the law. (Gen. 2:15-17)
2. Abraham was a tither. (Gen. 14:20) Abraham was very rich. (Gen. 13:2)
3. Jacob was a tither. (Gen. 28:22) Jacob was very rich. (Gen. 30:25-30)
4. God rebuked the devourer. (Gen. 31:1-3; 31:24)
5. Jesus is our High Priest after the order of Melchisedec. (Heb. 5:6;10;6:20)

Jacob had twelve sons.
Ge 35:23-26
23 The sons of Leah; Reuben, Jacob's firstborn, and Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Zebulun:
24 The sons of Rachel; Joseph, and Benjamin:
25 And the sons of Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid; Dan, and Naphtali:
26 And the sons of Zilpah, Leah's handmaid; Gad, and Asher: these are the sons of Jacob, which were born to him in Padan-aram.

Jacob wrestled with the angel all night long, and received his blessing, which was his name changed form Jacob (supplanter, deceiver, con artist), to Israel (Prince of God). His children became the children of Israel or the Israelites.
God chose one of his sons, Joseph, to preserve his entire family, (The Israelites).
I see this as a tithing concept. Jacob had twelve sons, but one belonged to God. You can see this pattern on many other biblical senarios. For example, Samson, Samuel, David, Solomon, and many others. As you can see, God has a very unique way of doing things. The Word of the Lord declares:

Isa 55:8-9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways , saith the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways , and my thoughts than your thoughts.

And so it goes with God's Economy. Listen, God is the creator. He designed the whole system. He knows exactly how things are suppose to work. We don't have to reinvent the wheel. All we have to do is follow His system. He has a proven track record. He always get results. Start paying your tithes today and be blessed!

AOH CHURCH OF GOD

We have established that tithes was introduced before the Law:

1. The concept of tithing was introduced by God Himself from the beginning when he created the garden of Eden, placed man in the garden, told him to dress and keep it; then told him that he could eat freely of any tree in the garden, except for one, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.(Gen 2:15-18)

2. Abraham paid tithes. (Gen 14:20) Abraham was very rich. (Gen 13:2)

3. Jacob paid tithes. (Gen 28:22) Jacob was very rich. (Gen 30:25-30)
Ge 30:25-30 And it came to pass, when Rachel had born Joseph, that Jacob said unto Laban, Send me away, that I may go unto mine own place, and to my country. 26 Give me my wives and my children, for whom I have served thee, and let me go: for thou knowest my service which I have done thee. 27 And Laban said unto him, I pray thee, if I have found favour in thine eyes, tarry: for I have learned by experience that the LORD hath blessed me for thy sake. 28 And he said, Appoint me thy wages, and I will give it. 29 And he said unto him, Thou knowest how I have served thee, and how thy cattle was with me. 30 For it was little which thou hadst before I came, and it is now increased unto a multitude; and the LORD hath blessed thee since my coming: and now when shall I provide for mine own house also?

Ge 30:43 And the man increased exceedingly, and had much cattle, and maidservants, and menservants, and camels, and asses.

God reminds Jacob of his vow to pay tithes at Bethel:
Ge 31:13 I am the God of Bethel, where thou anointedst the pillar, and where thou vowedst a vow unto me: now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy kindred.

Ge 28:19-29:1 And he called the name of that place Bethel: but the name of that city was called Luz at the first. 20 And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, 21 So that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God: 22 And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.

God said he would rebuke the devourer:
Ge 31:1-3 And he heard the words of Laban's sons, saying, Jacob hath taken away all that was our father's; and of that which was our father's hath he gotten all this glory. 2 And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold, it was not toward him as before. 3 And the LORD said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred; and I will be with thee.

Ge 31:24 And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said unto him, Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.

This is another classic example of how God established covenant with a man and as a result, the man became very rich and made a vow to pay tithes (or a tenth) of his increase back to God. This was before the law so this was done out of love, respect, honor, and gratitude, and not the law. Not only was he blessed, but everyone connected to him was blessed. God said, "I will bless those who bless you, and curse those who curse you." This is how God's Economy works.

1. Make a covenant with God.
2. Keep your vow to God.
3. Pay your tithes and offering.
4. Sow seed into the Kingdom of God.
5. Bless others because you are blessed to be a blessing.

Now watch God move. He will open up the Flood Gates of Heaven. He will rebuke the devourer for your sakes. All nations will call you blessed.

AOH CHURCH OF GOD

Many say they do not believe in tithing because it was given under the law. However, the concept of tithing was actually introduced before the law. The Word of the Lord:
Gen 2:15-17 And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. God created the Garden of Eden, took the man and put him in the garden, and told the man to dress it and keep it. Then he commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you shall not eat of it. Why? Because it belonged to God. I mention before that Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek. This was all before the law.

Jacob was a Tither:
Gen 28:20-22 And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, 21 So that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God: 22 And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.

Where did this concept come from? How did they know to pay tithes? It came from God. It was their love for God. It was their respect for God. It was their appreciation to God. It was priviledge and opportunity to thank God for all of His manifold blessings.

Jesus became our High Priest after the order of Melchisedec, not Aaron, because Aaron was a High Priest after the order of the Law. Jesus was the fulfillment of the Law. Matt 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law , or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. Tithing should not be something we do because it's the law, but it should be done out of love, respect, and gratitude.

Heb 5:6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec

Heb 5:10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.

Heb 6:20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

Melchizedek represents the blessing, not a car, house, clothes, or any other material thing. What would you rather have, the car or the blessing? The blessing, of course. The Word of the Lord declares, "I will pour you out a blessing." I want the blessing, because if I have the blessing, I can get the car, house, clothes, or anything else I want or need. When you pay your tithes, the blessing is on you. God said the blessing would come on you and overtake you. Now that's the kind of blessing I want in my life, the blessing that comes on me and overtakes me. I can have that and so can you, if you pay your tithes!

AOH CHURCH OF GOD

I am beginning a new series today, "God's Economy." While the world is celebrating recession, the Kingdom of God is celebrating increase. Over the next few days we will share how so many citizens of the Kingdom of God are being abundantly blessed, while so many people in the world are being cursed.

The first thing we must understand is the tithing system.
Mal 3:8-12 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. 9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. 10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. 11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts. 12 And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.

Whatever and however the Lord bless you, if it can be considered increase, you owe Him 10 percent. That's what the word tithe mean, ten. The bible declares:
Ps 24:1 The earth is the LORD's, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. This mean that it all belongs to God. He owns 100 percent of everything. However, he says, you can have 90 percent, but bring me 10 percent. Then he says he will open up the "Flood Gates of Heaven" and pour you out a blessing, you won't have room enough to receive it. And he will rebuke the devourer for your sakes. And all nations shall call you blessed! WOW! If you can get a grasp on this alone, you will be so far ahead of the rest. Now I know what some are thinking, how can I afford to tithe? Actually, you can't afford not to tithe, because the tithe belong to God. It is not yours, it belongs to God. He simply allow you to be a steward over his money. The blessing is not the amount, but the obedience. Remember, you are in a blood covenant with God. When you keep your oath, God keeps his. That goes both ways. When you obey, there are blessings. When you disobey, there are curses. This is a Spiritual Law. It has already been established. It is the Word of God. He can not go back on his Word Jesus declared:
Matt 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
Matt 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

Abraham was a Tither:
Gen 14:18-20 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. 19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: 20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.

Abraham became rich:
Gen 13:2 And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.

Abraham was in a Covenat with God:
Gen 15:18-21 In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram , saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates: 19 The Kenites, and the Kenizzites, and the Kadmonites, 20 And the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Rephaims, 21 And the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.

If you have not been tithing, you need to start today! Put God first in your life.
Matt 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Get the curse removed today. Pay your tithes and be blessed!

AOH CHURCH OF GOD

1. Please join my Bible Class tonight and every Tuesday at 7:30pm, pst.
"GOD'S ARMORBEARER"
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2. Use your microphone and speakers (VoIP) - a headset is recommended. Or, call in using your telephone.

Dial 646-558-2104
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AOH CHURCH OF GOD

The FTC 53rd Anniversary Celebration was absolutely awesome yesterday. Dr Carlos Dixon, from Mobile, AL preached a good word yesterday morning, "Church Membership". Then we broke for lunch in the fellowship hall. The food was literally finger licking good! Barbecue ribs by Mother Delores Ayers were so good it made you want to slap somebody! The afternoon celebration at 4pm was an awesome parade of talent. We were serenaded by Nakia Rooks from Birmingham, AL, Dr Helen White from Los Angeles, CA, and Mack Rankin from Richmond, CA. Overseer Reginald Davis from Mobile AL, preached a powerful word, "Lord Send The Rain." Congrats Bishop & Dr Ayers & the FTC Family.

AOH CHURCH OF GOD

Yesterday was the final day of the NYC and the Mother Ship has finally landed. I did not attend the day session, due to being so exhausted from the night before. However, the night session and gran finale was absolutely incredible. The NYC President, Rev. LaBron Smith, from Leeds, AL preached a power word, "Fan Your Own Flame." He did a masterful job with content and delivery. I know Rev. Smith personally, and I was very proud of him. I remember when he was a little boy, about 2 or 3 years old. His mother, the late Gaitha Smith, was the President of the Southern region Youth Dept. and I was the Vice President, and our families were close. I have watched his development over the years and he has matured into a very fine young man of God. I tip my hat to Rev. Smith and the entire NYC staff for a job well done.

AOH CHURCH OF GOD

The second day of the NYC in Richmond, CA was even better than the first. Minister Jonathan Bumpus form Birmingham, AL preached a powerful word. Then we broke for the various workshops for all ages. I attended Part 2 of the "Abuse" Workshop, by Bishop Lawrence Williams. It was so good. Then we broke for the Bible Bowl and Skit Competitions. They were excellent. Afterwards we broke for lunch in the fellowship hall, which was very delicious.

The night session was awesome! The talent program was very good, with selections by the NYC Mass Choir. We were blessed with a solo by Nikia Rooks, from Birmingham, AL. The power of God fell in the place and we went to another level of praise and worship. We were blessed with another solo by Debbie Dixon, from mobile, AL. The power of God fell again and we went to another level. Finally,we were fed the Word by Overseer Reginald Davis, "There Is Something In The Struggle", and the power of God fell, and we went to another dimension.

We were blessed with words of wisdom by our International Prelate, Bishop G.W. Ayers, and just when we thought everything was over and we were ready for the benediction, we had remarks by Mother Curtis, from Mobile, AL, and she wrecked the house with her stirring testimony of her coming Spiritual Birthday, July 12th. The power of God fell again, and we were caught up for at least another hour. Where do we go from here?

Today is the last day. You need to get here if you can.

Location:
Faith Tabernacle
3501 MacDonald Ave.
Richmond, CA 94804

Date:
July 9-11

AOH CHURCH OF GOD

The first day session of the National Youth Convention(NYC)was awesome! Minister Kevin Williams from Everett, WA preached a dynamic message, "When you could, you didn't, now you want to, but you can't." We also had some wonderful workshops for all ages. I attended the Minister's workshop, "Abuse", by Bishop Lawrence Williams, from Seattle, WA. It was really good and I look forward to part 2 today. The first night session was like the "Day of Pentecost." Minister Nerrisa Salter, from Pensacola, FL, preached a moving message, "Back To The Altar." God really came in and showered his anointing in the place. The altar was full. The power of God destroyed yokes. A shout of praise shook the city!

We have young people here from all over the USA. There is a Mass Choir, Praise Team, Band, and much more, all made up of Youth from all over the USA. You should make your way here to the NYC and be blessed.

Location:
Faith Tabernacle
3501 MacDonald Ave.
Richmond, CA 94804

Date:
July 9-11, 2009

AOH CHURCH OF GOD

The AOH Church Of God National Youth Convention begins today. People have gathered from all over the United States to Richmond, CA, a city located near the San Francisco Bay area. There will be seminars and workshops for all ages. There will be anointed preaching. There will be uplifting praise and worship. There will be enlightening and revelatory teaching on the end time. Services are scheduled daily at 10am and nightly at 7pm. There will be a talent program during each night service. There will also be a picnic in the park on Saturday. Make your plans now to attend this exciting, educational, spiritual renewing and invigorating event.



Location: Faith Tabernacle AOH Church of God,
3501 Macdonald Ave,
Richmond, CA, 94804.

Date: July 9-11, 2009

AOH CHURCH OF GOD

Ac 28:11-16 And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux. 12 And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days. 13 And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli: 14 Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome. 15 And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appiiforum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage. 16 And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.

Paul finally makes it to Rome. He went through great persecution. He was falsely accused. He was criticized. He was arrested and thrown in prison. He went before Govenors and Kings. He was plotted against. He survived a cyclops. He survived a ship wreck. He survived a poisonous snake bite. What the devil meant for evil, God turned into good. He received a Royal escort with foot soldiers, soldiers on horseback, and on chariots. He was the guest of the chief man of the Island of Melitus. Now he finally reach Rome and all of the other prisoners are taken to prison, but Paul has his own personally body guard. This is all because of his relationship with God, and his divine assignment. You should be encouraged today, because you are divine assignment. God is with you. He will protect you. He will provide for you. He will make a way for you. Remember, whatever God starts, He finishes. Stay focused, on fire, and full and you will have the favor of God!

AOH CHURCH OF GOD

Acts 28:7-10 In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously.8 And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him. 9 So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed: 10 Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary.

God gave Paul favor with Publius, the chief man of the Island. His father was sick and Paul prayed, laid hands on him, and God healed him. After this, others, with deceases came, and were healed. As a result, the people honored them with many honors, and when they departed, they gave them whatever they needed. This is so awesome. Remember, Paul was a prisoner, but he was being honored like Royalty. I am so encouraged by this. We are, indeed, King's kids. The bible declares that we are a Royal Priesthood. I thank God for the Kingdom of God. Whatever your divine assignment is, do it to the glory of God. He is with you. You shall make it to your destination. You will complete your mission. He will never leave you or forsake you. You already have the victory!

AOH CHURCH OF GOD

Ac 28:1-62 And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita. 2 And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold. 3 And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand. 4 And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live. 5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm. 6 Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.

It was raining and cold from the storm. They had escaped death, some swam, some on boards, some on broken pieces. They had been out to sea for a very long time. They had gone without food, in the dark, for two weeks. This had to be the most awful, traumatic experiences of a lifetime. However, because of Paul, they all survived. Although the centurions did not respect or regard the warning that Paul had given them before starting this voyage, they eventually had great respect for his advice. They realized was not just another common prisoner, but a great man of God. This was someone who had a true relationship with God. Because the first warning was that not only would this be a dangerous voyage, but cargo and lives would be lost. However, I believe, because of Paul's relationship with God and his divine assignment, God changed or intervened and changed the course of time.

Now we see that they have all escaped to land, it is cold and Paul gathers a bundle of wood for the fire, and is bitten by a poisonous snake. Paul doesn't holler or scream. Nor does he jump and run. He simply shakes it off and continue to make the fire. The people were whispering that this had to be a terrible criminal, because after all he had just been in a terrible storm at sea and barely escaped to land, only to be bitten by a poisonous snake. But nothing happened. After a while they changed their whispering from this must be a murderer to this has to be a god. Paul was neither a murderer or a god, but he was a man of God on a mission from God. This is so encouraging to me, because this let's me know that nothing can stop me as long as I am in relationship with God and on my mission from God. I am not afraid of the hurricane or tornado because I am the righteous of God. I am in blood covenant with God. When I pray I don't doubt in my heart, but I believe I have whatever I say. Just like Paul knew that he had to go to Rome because God spoke to him. I too have heard a word from the Lord, and I am determined to make it to my destination.

AOH CHURCH OF GOD

Acts 27:37-44 And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls. 38 And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea. 39 And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship. 40 And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoised up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore. 41 And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves. 42 And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape. 43 But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land: 44 And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.

God always has a way for our escape.
1 Cor 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape , that ye may be able to bear it.

If God gives you a word, he will bring it to pass. Whatever He starts, He will finish it. The key word is, did God start it? Or did God say it? God told Paul that he had to go before Caesar. That meant that no matter what obstacle, circumstance, challenge, or problem that he would face, he would be victorious, because he had to go before Caesar in Rome. This is so encouraging and this is what keeps me going. There are some things that God has spoken over my life that have not yet come to pass, so I know I have the victory in every situation, before I go into it. The airplane can't go down because I'm on it. The earthquake can not destroy me. The drive by can't harm me. Do you understand what I'm saying. I'm not moved by the economic down turn or anything else because of what God said!

AOH CHURCH OF GOD

Acts 27:27-36

27 But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country;

28 And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms.

29 Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day.

30 And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship,

31 Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.

32 Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off.

33 And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing.

34 Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.

35 And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat.

36 Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat.
KJV

AOH CHURCH OF GOD

Acts 27:1-26
27:1 And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus' band.
2 And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.
3 And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself.
4 And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.
5 And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia.
6 And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us therein.
7 And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone;
8 And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The fair havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea.
9 Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them,
10 And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.
11 Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.
12 And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the south west and north west.
13 And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete.
14 But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon.
15 And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive.
16 And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat:
17 Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven.
18 And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship;
19 And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship.
20 And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.
21 But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.
22 And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship.
23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,
24 Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.
25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.
2
KJV