Most of us learn the reality of interpersonal conflicts on the playground as children with our first run-in with the popular kids or the neighborhood bully. Of course, we grow up hoping that everyone will grow out of this destructive behavior. But alas, we have adult bullies everywhere. They are at school and work, and tragically they are in the church too. (Acts 20:28ff) But we must never forget the greatest bully of all; the Devil. How do you deal with a bully? My dad told me to ignore them and walk away. James says, "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." (James 4:7). Look at that! We are told the same thing in the Bible. Resist the Devil, who is actively fighting against you, your marriage, your family, and the church. If resistance does not work, my dad also said to punch a bully in the nose. So how do we do that to the Devil? With the Word of God! We cry out just like Jesus, "It is written." (See Luke 4:1ff; Matthew 4:1ff) We engage in the unseen realm when we read and keep the Word of God, worship, pray, and live a selfless life on behalf of the Kingdom of God and others. We are the wrecking ball to the Devil's house when we love God and others! 

References:

James 4:7

James 3:13–16

Isaiah 53:3

Romans 8:18

Ro 8:16–17

Hebrews. 7:25

Ephesians 6:16

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Just as God promised Abraham he would be a great nation, we see the continued story unfold through Jacob (Israel) as he blesses his sons. We will look at the beauty of the Gospel as we study through this amazing chapter and make our way to the conclusion of Genesis. 

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Most of us are familiar with Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper." Because of this, we often view this text as the end of something. In that, we are at least half correct. Something wonderful and new happened at the last meal of Jesus and His disciples. Jesus inaugurated what we now practice today as "communion" or the "LORD's Supper." We could see it as the "first supper" instead of the last. 

We still celebrate this meal as a fellowship, family, and followers of Jesus until He comes again. Keep in mind, however, that it does signify the end of one covenant, formed from the Law, and the beginning of a new one, created by God's grace, is on the horizon. "So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ." (Colossians 2:16–17) At this Passover meal, Jesus shows us that He is the fulfillment of all things. He is our Passover. 

Therefore, remembering Jesus' death until He returns in His glory is what we faithfully practice. And when He returns, Oh, happy day! I hope and pray Christ's promised return happens soon. But until that culmination of all those promises of God, we joyfully come time and time again to Christ's table and enter into the celebration of Jesus' victory over death, hell, and the grave. The triumph of the Cross is a gift of life to those who call on His name. (Romans 10:13-15) Found in Jesus are a new life and the most excellent second chance of all time.

References:

Colossians 2:16–17

Exodus 12:6

Hebrews 10:1

1 Co 15:49–58

Revelation 19:6–9

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Jacob thought his favored son was dead and lost forever. Not only was their relationship restored, Joseph was given the double portion, and his two sons were adopted by Jacob and elevated to the status of his brothers, taking their place among the tribal patriarchs. So too, the death and resurrection of our elder brother, Jesus, has caused us to be elevated by adoption to the status of sons.

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Have you ever been betrayed by someone close to you? Me too, and too many times for my liking. It is tough when it is someone that you have trusted and have authentic relationships with. Betrayal is why some people are hard to get close to. They have been hurt time and time again. Those who are close to us are loyal, right? We would never expect this kind of hurt and pain to come directly from anyone. Especially those we are in a biblical relationship with. We know them and are known by them, or at least we thought we did, right? Paul had his fair share of this in his life. Paul writes, "Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. Those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech, deceive the hearts of the simple. (Romans 16:17-18) What happens to cause us as Christians to bite and devour one another? (See Galatians 5:15) The simple answer is sin. Many of us have had this heartbreaking experience. Most of the time, we are left wondering why this happened. One thing is for sure, whatever the final catalyst for the betrayal, we can be sure it did not come about overnight. Things have been heating up for a while and have finally boiled over, and we just got burned again. Jesus understands our plight and the pain of betrayal, for He went through the same thing with Judas and the leaders of God's people in Israel. He was with Jesus in the ministry and saw and did the miraculous for years, and yet, His sin fuel heart opened the door for Satan to use him in the most horrific event in history; the mother of all betrayals. 

References:

Ex 20:13

Matthew 10:28

Ephesians 2:1–3

Luke 4:13

Mark 8:33

John 13:2

John 13:27

John 6:70–71

John 12:6

Ephesians 4:25–27

James 4:7

1 Pe 5:8–9

2 Corinthians 2:10–11

Matthew 26:24

Ephesian 5:17-21

Psalm 23:5

Proverbs 3:5–6

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God is faithful to His Word. Through His faithfulness, we see restoration, healing and provision.

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Why do we, as faithful followers of Jesus, fight over the things we should not? Maybe, it's our sinful nature that needs to be crucified again and again. However, I am dumbfounded when the church fights about the right of baptism or communion. Paul writes, "For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! (Galatians 5:14–15) Maybe, we have too much time on our hands and need to get back to preaching the Word. (cf. 2 Timothy 4:2) You see, our little intramural squabbles confuse more people than they help for sure. Consider what Paul again wrote to the churches in Galatia, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such, there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, or envying one another. (Galatians 5:22–26) Baptism is not something we should fight or quarrel about. It is to be embraced by every believer and celebrated together as a gospel community. There is a great blessing in our obedience to Christ in baptism! The New Testament frequently reminds us to think back to our baptism, to recall it when we are under temptation, when we have already sinned, or when we are feeling disheartened. It is a signpost of our fidelity to Jesus as a public declaration of obedience to Christ. (See Romans 6:1-4; 1 Peter 3:21-22)

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After 22 years of not seeing his father, Joseph is reunited with his father and family. As second in command of all of Egypt Joseph uses his position to benefit his family and loved ones. God will use all of the events in Josephs life to fulfill His purposes and promise to Abraham. Joseph ,The son, will be the biggest blessing for all of Israel just as Jesus , The Son, will be the biggest blessing for all of mankind. 

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Have you ever caught yourself, or been caught, daydreaming? You know, lost in your thoughts with your head in the clouds? Me too, a lot! For me, that ability comes from how God made me. I am a creative person and can quickly wander in my thoughts. But not all who wander are lost. Often for me, this is where creativity, vision, and direction are found. Yet, I was told once, "Having your head in the clouds makes you no earthy good." However, it seems to me that if you and I are not heavenly-minded, we are no earthy good. Paul writes, "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:1-3) Our short time here on earth should be governed by the rules of the greater Kingdom of God rather than getting tangled up in the affairs of this short life and the broken kingdoms of this world. Paul tells Timothy, "You, therefore, must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier." (2 Timothy 2:3–4) We are children of God. We are members of God's "now" and "not yet" Kingdom. Our mindset should be on more important things. We may even find that Kingdom Dreaming is a healthy habit to find ourselves practicing.

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MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE! Okay, now, before anyone freaks out, I know that Jesus was not laid in a cradle but in a manger. However, I liked the alliteration better. So, as we celebrate the birth of Jesus, we often can and do forget Jesus is the Christ and Lord over all creation. The moment of His divine incarnation in Bethlehem did not start in a manger; it began on the Throne of grace in Heaven. For in the birth of Jesus, God kept His promise to send a Savior into the world. (Genesis 3:15) “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3:16–17) We are so happy to see the baby Jesus. Why? Babies are cute and not threatening. But let us not miss Jesus’ almighty, benevolent and gracious lordship as our Savior and King.

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