Joseph's Storehouse is blessed with large truck loads of food each month to be a blessing to many in the community.
Cars begin lining up early before our gates open at 8:30 on giveaway day, which last until 11:30. There is plenty of food for everyone who comes during those times.
FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK - Romans 12:1 says, “...present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service”. What is a “living sacrifice”? This is not a common phrase in the 21st century Western society. It is however what is asked of us as Christ followers. To be a sacrifice means that we deny the desires of the sinful nature and surrender to God’s will. This is no easy task. It radically goes against our culture of self-promotion and individualism. It means laying down our own dreams, ambitions, gifts, and fears, and letting God know, “I am your servant. Do whatever you want with my life.”
Verse 2 gives us direction as to how we can become the living sacrifices that God desires. “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” First, we are told that a living sacrifice is not conformed to this world and its values. We must reject anything in our culture or society that does not line up with the Word of God. Christ followers must have the courage to reject practices and ideas that are not right in the eyes of God.
Second, a living sacrifice is transformed inwardly by the renewing of the mind. We do this primarily by the power of God’s Word. We must read, study, memorize and meditate on Scripture. It is the only power that can transform our hearts from worldliness to true spirituality. Finally, a living sacrifice learns be able to discern the will of God. The thought is that as the Holy Spirit works in us, we will grow in our understanding of who God is. By gaining this understanding, we will develop the ability to determine what God’s will is for our lives. A living sacrifice is one of total and complete surrender. Surrender is being conformed to His likeness, transformed by His Word, and yielding to who He is and His direction. May this be a focused obsession for us all. ~ God’s blessings, protection, and favor to all.
FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK - My son was engaged in a vehicle accident a few years ago. At no fault of his own, his SUV was totaled. He then started the process to purchase another vehicle of like kind. After searching for a few weeks, he had to settle on a different kind of vehicle. He was unable to purchase an SUV, a vehicle of like kind, and bought a truck, a vehicle of a different kind.
The word “another” is the most important word in the above account. Another can mean “another of a like kind” or “another of a different kind.” Jesus promised His disciples in John 14:16, “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter to be with you forever.” Another in this verse means “another of a like kind.” The Comforter that Jesus is referring to is the Holy Spirit. As Jesus fellowshipped with His disciples in the Upper Room, He taught at length about the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Jesus was sending a clear message to them that when the Father would send the Holy Spirit, the Spirit would be just like Him. The Holy Spirit would perfectly represent Jesus in every way and duplicate His life and ministry. He would mirror Jesus to such a degree, in fact, that whatever Jesus would say is exactly what He would say, and whatever Jesus would do is exactly what He would do. With Jesus soon to leave the disciples, this must have been very encouraging because it let them know that the Holy Spirit’s presence would make it seem as if Jesus was still there among them.
Jesus taught that if the Holy Spirit lives in us, it is the same as having Jesus here with us. It would be as if we had lived 2,000 years ago when Jesus walked the earth with His disciples. The Holy Spirit exactly mirrors Jesus’ own character, power, and actions that we find in the four gospels. This should inspire us to study the gospels to become more familiar with the character of the Holy Spirit. This will help us know that whatever Jesus did is exactly what the Holy Spirit will lead us to do in every situation of life as we lean on His guidance and direction from within. ~ God’s blessings, protection, and favor to all.
When God created everything, it was designed to function and flourish in a specific determined environment. The conditions were such that all that was created met certain specifications to see that they had the ability to grow and multiply. Thus, everything that was created was placed in a state to reach its full potential. Even man was placed in his perfect environment, the Garden of Eden. Unfortunately, Adam and Eve made a decision to disrupt this perfect setting that God had created for them. We all make decisions that affect our circumstances that can foster our success or hinder our progress.
Jesus also was challenged with life that caused Him to consider making changes in His environment. In Matthew 9:18-25 we read of the account of Jairus’s daughter. Jesus had to change the setting when He arrived at the man’s house before He could answer his request. He changed the environment by putting the noisy disorderly crowd out before He raised the little girl from the dead. Changes had to be made as the places that He sometimes found Himself did not meet the surroundings needed for Him to perform miracles or minister to those in need. He even had to change His environment to have intimate time with His Heavenly Father. He would often go to the mountains, the wilderness, or any solitary place to pray and seek guidance.
What does this say to us about controlling our environment? If Jesus had to do so, how much more should we? We all may need to change our circumstances periodically to fulfill the things that God wants us to do. This may mean we need to separate ourselves from certain individuals as Jesus did. We may need to occasionally close our computers and ignore social media. Practice restraint in checking our cell phones every time it rings or vibrates. We may need to spend more time in our quiet place as we seek guidance and direction from our Heavenly Father. We all can control our environment, if we choose, to see that we can be more available for His use and purpose. God’s blessings, protection, and favor to all.
According to the dictionary, a pledge is a solemn promise or undertaking. Today we are familiar with several different types of pledges. We pledge allegiance to the American flag, to the Christian flag, to the Bible, and a less known pledge, our state flag. The business world has incorporated new ones as well. Safety, respect, and equality pledges just to name a few. All of these are a deep sincere commitment to a statement or action that binds someone to its content and purpose. We find an opportunity in the Word to make a pledge to God as we surrender to Him. “And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again” ~ 2 Corinthians 5:15.
What truths from His death can we see that will solidify our commitment to this pledge of surrender? (1) His death was a sacrifice for once and for all; (2) His death was not for himself, but for you and me; (3) His death was to satisfy the penalty of and make amends for sin; (4) His death satisfied God’s righteous nature; (5) His death completed God’s redemptive work, and (6) His death was one of victory over death, hell, and the grave. The actions of Jesus death and resurrection on our behalf should compel us to take this pledge of surrender: “He died for me; I’ll live for Him.”
What can we do to live for Him? We must put our relationship with God first, live by faith, spend time in prayer, study and believe God’s Word, get involved in a local body of believers, give time in serving others, and share God’s love with those that we meet. This is not an exhaustive list of what we can do, but one that we all can continue to do or begin. Living for Christ is the way that we give Him praise and honor for what He has done for us. Today, let us all with confidence and commitment take this pledge of surrender: “He died for me; I’ll live for Him.” ~ God’s blessings, protection, and favor to all.
This thought and action of “Burn the ships!” has been considered significant by several military strategists for over 2,000 years. Alexander the Great in 334B.C. on the invasion of Persia and Cortes in 1519 on the Spanish conquest of Mexico just to name a couple. Both leaders were victorious in this action by telling their men that they were not going back. This kept the troops focus of moving forward in battle. They did not have the option of looking or turning back.
As we enter this New Year, let us consider this thought of “Burn the ships!” as we leave behind 2021. Spending time looking back prevents us from moving forward with what lies ahead. Let us “Burn the ships!” of past failures and successes, that of bad habits, that of regret and disappointment, that of guilt and condemnation, and that of past mistakes. Our focus must be to “Burn the ships!” of anything in our past that would hinder us from accomplishing what God has called us to do. That’s exactly what Elisha did when Elijah placed his mantle upon him (1 Kings 19:19-21). Elisha used the wood from his plow to barbeque his oxen to feed his family and neighbors. Elisha literally “burned the ships” (his farming tools and livestock) of being a farmer to move forward in accepting God’s call to be a prophet.
The apostle Paul wrote to the Philippian Church, “this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead” ~ Phil. 3:13. Let this be our approach as we embark on this year of tremendous possibilities. God has many good plans for us to walk in and to experience. One of the main things that can prevent us from seeing this happen is to continue to look back. When we are tempted to look back, it does not allow us to see the wonderful opportunities that are right in front of us. Romans 8:25 says “But if we hope and look forward to something we don’t have, we must wait patiently and confidently.” May we all wait patiently and confidently in hope looking forward to what God has planned for each of us in this New Year. ~ God’s blessings, protection, and favor to all.
Every year for Christmas Christians around the world celebrate the birth of the baby Jesus. He left His heavenly home and took upon Himself human flesh to dwell among us. As He did so, we do not need to just think of a baby in a manger at Christmastime. Christmas is so much more than that. He came that He could die on the Cross to pay for our salvation and destroy the works of the evil one. That is what Christmas is all about for those know Him.
It is very rarely that people think of the Cross at Christmastime because it is the time set aside to celebrate Jesus’ birth. But in Philippians 2, Paul connects the two thoughts as he writes about God coming to Earth as a man. Paul says in verse 8 regarding Christ Jesus, “And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross.” For the sake of our redemption, God came as a baby and took upon Himself the appearance and likeness of man to be our atoning sacrifice.
As Rick Renner has stated, “Out of His deep love for us, Jesus was willing to leave His majestic realms of glory to enter the realm of humanity. Shedding all His visible attributes that were too much for man’s flesh to endure, He dressed Himself in the clothing of a human being and was manifested in the flesh. That little Baby in Bethlehem was the eternal, ever-existent God Almighty, who came to us in the human flesh so that He could dwell among men and purchase our salvation. He was and is the only constant in this world of chaos and confusion.”
The Board of Directors and staff of Joseph’s Storehouse would like to wish you and your loved ones a Merry Christ-Centered Christmas. May you all experience “The Real Reason For The Christmas Season” as you stay well and safe this holy holiday time. ~ God’s blessings, protection, and favor to all.
Being thankful is a choice. We must dwell on the good things in our lives and away from the disappoints, mistakes, failures, and heartaches that try to hold our focus. We need to make a conscious effort to choose to be thankful. It’s not that we are pretending that bad things have not happened to us; we’re simply obeying the Lord as we focus on the good and display an attitude of thanksgiving. Paul said, “In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Paul’s words could not be any more direct or clearer! God wants us all to give thanks – not be resentful, not be ungrateful, not be discouraged, but thankful. When we consider all the terrible things that could have come about in our lives but didn’t, we can find many reasons to be grateful. God has spared us from so much – and it is His will that we maintain a consistent, thankful attitude for the goodness that He has shown to us all.
We should be encouraged to make the decision today to start purposefully focusing on the good things God has done in our lives. Even if we think life has been tough, we can be assured that it has not been as tough as it could have been. God has been good to all of us. The best thing we can do when someone asks us how we are doing, instead of saying “I’m good or I’m fine”, respond by saying “I’m thankful!” This conscious verbal response will not only change our attitude, but it also transforms the environment around us. This
practice will change the way that we see our lives and how we relate to others.
Joseph’s Storehouse Board of Directors and staff want to express our thankfulness and gratitude for those of you who have volunteered, prayed, or given financially to this ministry. It would be impossible for us meet the needs of so many without your commitment and support. ~ God’s blessings, protection and favor to all.
Many of us, as Christ followers, have heard “we are Jesus hands and feet.” The scripture in 1 John 4:17 confirms those words by instructing us that “as He is, so are we in this world.” When we consider this confirmation, we must meditate on this truth to ponder our responsibility in having this manifested in our lives. This truth is contained in this passage that focuses on God’s love for us and the importance of our love for Him and others.
It is affirmed here that “God is love” and that the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. God also instructs us that if He loves us, we ought to love one another. We discover the characteristics of love in 1 Corinthians 13 in which the writer refers this to the most excellent way. “Love is patient, love is kind, love does not envy, it is not boastful, it is not arrogant, it is not rude, it does not seek its own way, it is not easily angered, and it does not keep a record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”
These are some of the characteristics of our Heavenly Father. He is patient, kind, He does not envy, He does not boast or is arrogant, He is not rude or easily angered, He delights in the truth, He protects, trusts, hope and perseveres. God will never fail. Paul continues to say, “follow the way of love.” As God is love, so are we to be in this world. Our lives that others can see must reflect the God (who is love) that others cannot see. This reflection is accomplished by how we love Him and how we love one another. By this, love is perfected in us so that we have confidence in the day of judgement, because, “as He is, so are we in this world”. ~ God’s blessings, protection and favor to all.
“What is the Fear of God?” Many have given different answers to this complex question. One that seems to resonate with me the most is that the fear of God is to have a reverent awe and a healthy submissive fear of who He is. It seems to be easier for me to comprehend the reverent awe than it is the submissive fear. You see, I am amazed and stand in wonder of God and what He has done in this world as well as what He has done in my own personal life. It is a little harder for me to describe and understand the healthy fear admonished. Dr. Tony Evans gave an analogy that helped me understand this second part of the fear of God. He gave the example that when we are driving and we see a police car, what do we do? Most of us slow down. We understand the emblem on the car is representative of authority. It arrests us to change our actions to adhere to the speed limit that is safer and within the rules of the road. A healthy submissive fear has been created. It is the same for us when we know God. As we recognize His authority in our lives, it arrests us to change our actions to adhere to His commands. By doing so, we are more likely to make decisions and conduct ourselves in a manner that honors Him. Our submission to God’s rule and guidance creates a healthy submissive fear in us that He will bless.
God’s Word tells of many rewards He will bestow on those who fear Him. Knowledge, wisdom, mercy, goodness, prolonged life, blessings, instruction, and understanding just to name a few. Many more are listed throughout scripture. The last verses in the Book of Ecclesiastes written by Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, proclaims, “When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: fear God and keep His commands, for this is for all humanity.” May we all have a sincere desire to fear God and to walk in His ways. ~ God’s blessings, protection, and favor to all.
Most fathers give advice to their children as they are growing up. Some is very profound advice that is a lifelong benefit and other is more casual in nature. Regardless, it is an opportunity for the father to speak wisdom and direction into his children’s lives.
2 Timothy 2:1-7 contains fatherly advice from the apostle Paul who was a spiritual father figure to Timothy. He gives him five rules for life. The rules are so simple Timothy could have memorized them in short order. These simple rules provide a track for an abundant life, even in difficult times.
1) Be strong. Timothy is instructed to be strong in the “grace that is in Christ Jesus.” We can be strong in His promises, in His presence within us, in the privilege of prayer, in His perfect love, mercy and forgiveness.
2) Teach others. We are to teach others. This is one of the best scriptures on discipleship in the entire Bible. We must all strive to be qualified to teach others. As others are taught, it has a multiplying effect in the growth of God’s kingdom.
3) Endure hardship. If we are true followers of Christ, there will be hardships in this life. We must keep our eyes of Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, and His promises as we face trials of many kinds.
4) Stay disciplined. As an athlete, who must follow the rules to win the prize, we cannot win our prize unless we follow the rules found in the Bible. We must realize its promises, commands, truths, insights, encouragement, and instruction will help lead us to our heavenly reward.
5) Work hard. We must work hard in the kingdom of God as the farmer works hard in the fields. As the hardworking farmer is first to receive a share of the crops, so it will be for us in receiving our eternal home.
This fatherly advice was written by Paul to Timothy over 2000 years ago, but truth be told, this could be our Heavenly Father’s advice to His children today
