by Joseph | Apr 11, 2026 | Sharing
“Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” – James 1:2-3 (NASB)
This Scripture was shared with me many times during times when I was dealing and struggling with (what seemed to be) overwhelming difficulties. I must confess, at the time of the struggles I didn’t actually want to be encouraged – rather I preferred to whine and complain about my challenge. Later, I began to really see that the trials and hurts did, in fact, produce wisdom and an endurance that has helped me navigate situations with greater joy. I’m so thankful for that.
Have you ever felt like your life was spiraling downward despite your best efforts to live righteously? Perhaps you’ve wondered why difficulties seem to multiply rather than subside, even as you strive to follow God’s path. If so, you’re not alone. The story of Joseph provides us with one of the most powerful testimonies of maintaining faith, joy, and forgiveness through seemingly endless trials.
Consider Joseph’s journey: A favored son suddenly thrust into slavery through betrayal by his own brothers (Genesis 37:28). Just when he establishes himself in Potiphar’s house, false accusations land him in prison (Genesis 39:20). Even after interpreting dreams for fellow prisoners who promised to help, he is forgotten and left to languish (Genesis 40:23). At any point, Joseph could have surrendered to bitterness, resentment, or despair. Yet he chose a different path.
The Power of Perspective
“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” – Romans 8:28 (NASB)
Joseph’s story teaches us that our perspective in trials matters more than the trials themselves. Despite his circumstances, Scripture repeatedly tells us that “the LORD was with Joseph” (Genesis 39:2, 21). Notice that God’s presence wasn’t manifested by immediate deliverance, but by giving Joseph success within his difficulties. In Potiphar’s house, in prison, and eventually in Pharaoh’s court, Joseph excelled because he chose to serve with excellence rather than wallow in self-pity.
When we face our own valleys, we must remember that God’s presence doesn’t guarantee absence of trouble, but rather purpose within trouble. Joseph’s trials weren’t random acts of misfortune; they were stepping stones to his destiny.
The Choice of Joy
“Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NASB)
Joy in trials seems counterintuitive, perhaps even impossible. Yet Joseph demonstrated that joy isn’t dependent on circumstances but on our connection to God’s bigger picture. Even in prison, Joseph noticed the downcast faces of others and reached out to help (Genesis 40:6-7). This shows a heart not consumed by its own troubles but still capable of serving others.
In our own struggles, choosing joy doesn’t mean denying our pain or putting on a fake smile. Rather, it means anchoring ourselves to the truth that our current chapter isn’t the end of the story. Like Joseph, we can choose to believe that God is weaving something beautiful through our difficulties.
The Freedom of Forgiveness
“But Joseph said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for am I in God’s place? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.'” – Genesis 50:19-20 (NASB)
Perhaps the most powerful aspect of Joseph’s story is his radical forgiveness toward his brothers. When he finally had the power to exact revenge, he chose mercy instead. This wasn’t just a momentary decision but a settled stance of his heart, as evidenced by his reassurance to his brothers even after their father’s death (Genesis 50:21).
Forgiveness freed Joseph from the prison of bitterness that could have trapped him long after his physical imprisonment ended. It allowed him to see God’s sovereign hand in his journey and to participate fully in God’s redemptive plan.
Preparing Without Paralysis
“A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.” – Proverbs 22:3 (NASB)
Joseph’s interpretation of Pharaoh’s dreams led to unprecedented preparation for coming hardship (Genesis 41:34-36). This teaches us an important balance: while we shouldn’t be paralyzed by fear of future difficulties, we should be wise in preparing for them. Joseph’s preparation saved not only Egypt but also the very family that had wronged him.
In our current times, we may see storm clouds gathering on the horizon. Like Joseph, we’re called to:
- Prepare practically while trusting spiritually
- Stay productive without becoming paranoid
- Plan prudently without losing peace
- Store up resources while maintaining generosity
Living in Victory Today
“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 15:57 (NASB)
Joseph’s life reminds us that victory often looks different than we expect. True victory isn’t the absence of battles but the presence of God’s peace and purpose within them. Joseph’s ultimate triumph wasn’t just his elevation to power but his transformation into a vessel of God’s redemptive plan.
As you face your own trials today, remember:
- Your current circumstances don’t define your destiny
- Joy is a choice that becomes a strength
- Forgiveness frees you to fulfill your purpose
- Preparation is an act of faith, not fear
- God’s presence is more valuable than immediate deliverance
Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father, like Joseph, we face battles that sometimes seem endless. Help us to choose joy even when we don’t feel it, to forgive even when it’s difficult, and to trust Your sovereign plan even when we can’t see it. Give us wisdom to prepare for future challenges while maintaining peace in our hearts. Help us to see our trials not as obstacles to our purpose but as preparation for it. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
“For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” – 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (NASB)
by Joseph | Apr 11, 2026 | Sharing
In an era where uncertainty seems to be our constant companion, where global challenges emerge with startling frequency, and where leadership often appears to falter, the biblical account of Joseph speaks with remarkable relevance. His story isn’t just about colorful coats and dramatic family reconciliations—it’s a masterclass in divinely appointed leadership during times of unprecedented crisis.
Joseph’s journey from the pit to the palace wasn’t a simple rags-to-riches tale. It was God’s strategic positioning of a leader who would save not only Egypt but the known world from catastrophic famine. “Now do not be grieved or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life” (Genesis 45:5). This profound understanding that God had orchestrated his path, despite its painful twists and turns, became the foundation of his leadership approach. Have you questioned the difficulties you face and wondered if God was using the tough times to prepare you for something unique and important?
Consider the modern parallels: We face potential food insecurity, economic instability, climate challenges, and social upheaval. Like the seven years of plenty and seven years of famine in Joseph’s time, we see cycles of abundance and scarcity. The question isn’t whether challenges will come—it’s whether we have leaders positioned and prepared to navigate through them.
What set Joseph apart was his divine appointment. “Can we find a man like this, in whom is the Spirit of God?” Pharaoh asked his servants (Genesis 41:38). Joseph’s leadership wasn’t born from political maneuvering or social climbing. It came from God’s sovereign placement and the spiritual wisdom that accompanied it. When Pharaoh sought understanding for his troubling dreams, Joseph’s response was telling: “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer” (Genesis 41:16).
This humility, combined with divine enabling, became the cornerstone of Joseph’s administrative genius. He implemented a systematic approach to resource management that would make modern economists take note: “Let Pharaoh take action to appoint overseers in charge of the land, and let him exact a fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt in the seven years of abundance” (Genesis 41:34).
Today’s leaders would do well to note that Joseph’s preparation wasn’t reactive—it was proactive. He didn’t wait for the crisis to hit before developing solutions. During the years of plenty, he was already building infrastructure for the years of lack. “Joseph gathered all the food of these seven years which occurred in the land of Egypt and placed the food in the cities” (Genesis 41:48).
But here’s where Joseph’s story becomes particularly relevant for our times: His leadership wasn’t just about stockpiling resources—it was about creating systems that would sustain communities through crisis. The distribution system he established wasn’t based on favoritism or political allegiance but on need and wise stewardship. “The people of all the earth came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph, because the famine was severe in all the earth” (Genesis 41:57).
Consider the implications for modern leadership. We need leaders who:
- Recognize Divine Appointment: “And those whom He predestined, He also called” (Romans 8:30). True leadership begins with understanding that our position is a divine trust, not a personal achievement.
- Lead with Spiritual Wisdom: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach” (James 1:5). Joseph’s interpretation of dreams wasn’t mere intuition—it was divine insight applied to practical problems.
- Plan Systematically: The seven years of abundance required as much leadership as the seven years of famine. “Prepare your work outside and make it ready for yourself in the field; afterwards, then, build your house” (Proverbs 24:27).
- Build Sustainable Systems: Joseph’s leadership created structures that outlasted the immediate crisis. “The land became Pharaoh’s. As for the people, he removed them to the cities from one end of Egypt’s border to the other” (Genesis 47:20-21).
The application for today’s world is clear: We need leaders who can see beyond the immediate horizon. The challenges we face—whether environmental, economic, or social—require Joseph-like wisdom to build sustainable solutions. This isn’t about fearful hoarding or panic-driven responses. It’s about wise stewardship and divine preparation.
Joseph’s story reminds us that true leadership isn’t about personal advancement but about being positioned by God to serve others through crisis. His elevation to leadership wasn’t for personal glory but for preservation of life. “For God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant in the earth, and to keep you alive by a great deliverance” (Genesis 45:7).
What’s particularly striking about Joseph’s leadership is how he maintained his spiritual integrity while operating in a secular environment. He didn’t compromise his faith while serving in Pharaoh’s court. Instead, he allowed his faith to inform his administrative decisions. This is a crucial lesson for believers in leadership positions today—one can serve in secular institutions while remaining true to godly principles.
The challenges of our time call for Joseph-like leaders who can:
- Interpret the signs of the times with divine wisdom
- Implement systematic solutions with practical application
- Maintain spiritual integrity while serving in secular contexts
- Build systems that serve the common good
- Lead with both compassion and competence
As we face our own seasons of plenty and scarcity, the call to leadership remains the same. God is still in the business of positioning people strategically for times of crisis. The question is: Will we recognize our divine appointments and step into them with the same wisdom, courage, and systematic approach that Joseph demonstrated?
“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise from another place… And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14). Though spoken in a different context, these words echo the truth of Joseph’s story—God positions leaders strategically for times of crisis.
As we close, consider this: Joseph’s preparation for crisis didn’t begin when he interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams. It began in the pit, continued in Potiphar’s house, and was refined in prison. Each stage was preparation for the leadership role that lay ahead. Similarly, our current challenges and positions might be God’s preparation for greater responsibility in times of crisis.
The call to leadership in times of crisis isn’t just for those in high positions. Like Joseph, we may find ourselves positioned “for such a time as this”—whether in business, government, education, or community leadership. The question is: Will we recognize God’s positioning, embrace His wisdom, and implement systematic solutions for the challenges ahead?
by Joseph | Apr 11, 2026 | Preparation, Sharing
Shared by: Jeff Rowland
John 1:29, “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” Very often we find ourselves talking to a friend who is going through a difficult time in their life and can only say one thing. “Well just trust the Lord.” Sometimes there is nothing else you can say. Even though we know from the Word of God that every trial has purpose which is to bring us more into the image of God’s Son, we still don’t have answers that can bring comfort.
In Mark chapter 9 Jesus said to the father of a demon possessed boy, “If thou wilt believe, all things are possible.” The father said to Christ, “I believe, help thou mine unbelief.” The man was saying, “I have faith, but my faith is weak.” How many can relate to this time in our lives? How many times have we all felt this way? How often does are faith weaken in a situation that last for a long period of time? The bottom line to this thought is that it is possible to believe and doubt at the same time.
Consider for a moment the man John the Baptist. The courage of this man is recorded in the Bible in many different ways. In Matthew 3:2 we hear the message of John ring out with passion and conviction saying, “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” This was the message that was to prepare the way for the coming of the Lord.
In Matthew 3:7 it is recorded who this message is going out too. “But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” We find John calling the religious leaders of that day a generation of snakes. Later in Matthew’s account of the life of John the Baptist we find John calling out the sins of the political leader of that day. John had declared that Herod the governor was in adultery with his brother Phillips wife. This kind of bold courageous preaching is what we need in our day today.
In John 1:29 we have John’s confession of who Jesus was. By his confession John is embracing his calling and purpose in ministry. John was sent to prepare the way. John was to bear witness of the light, he was not the light. In John’s confession he declares 3 things;
- Who Jesus was- He said, “Behold the lamb of God.” John gave understanding beyond what he even knew. He signifies that this Jesus was the God’s lamb of sacrifice.
- What he came to do- He said, “Which taketh away the sin.” John was looking forward to the ultimate aim of God which was to remove man from his sin.
- Who it would involve- He said, “Behold the lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.” John is inferring that Jesus was the Savior not just of the Jews, but also to the world. This philosophy was not even heard of at that time, however John was speaking it forth. Johns commitment to Jesus was seen when his crowds were going away and following Jesus. John responded to this by saying, “He must increase but I must decrease.” (more…)
by Joseph | Apr 11, 2026 | Preparation, Sharing
Offered by Jeff Rowland
Understanding that Elijah’s life was marked by miracles, there are certain principles drawn that we can apply to our lives today.
- In order to appreciate the flood of the Spirit we must go through many dry times. We can all agree that there have been some dry times for the church. However, we need to understand that God can sustain us even when we are alone. Though a corporate move of God may not be happening where you are, we can enjoy the flood of the Holy Spirit in our own life. How often has all of us heard the call of the Spirit to come away from among the crowds and simply be alone with Him, that we may be refreshed in the things of God. During the drought Elijah was kept by the brook Cherith where water was in abundance. Indeed God can prepare a table before us in the presence of our enemies.
- To be sustained it takes more than human ability – it takes supernatural intervention. Nothing in the experience of Elijah could be understood as coming from his own power. Supernatural intervention comes when all natural sources are exhausted. It is not a question of IF we will face things we have no answers for, it is WHEN we face things we have no answer for that we are perfectly set up for an intervention on a supernatural and divine level. Elijah did not know how God would provide, he had to walk by faith facing situation that only God could deal with.
- God will operate and provide through people you never thought he would use. Could Elijah have known that a little widow would be used of God to provide for him the food he would need? The reason we miss so much in our spiritual journey, is because we have so devalued one another that we cannot receive but from certain ones that fits the image of what we think God will use. (more…)
by Joseph | Apr 11, 2026 | Preparation, Sharing
I’ve been talking about preparation for a LONG TIME – far longer than most people even considered preparing. Like many of the current preppers, I’ve been called an “alarmist”, fearmonger, ignorant, silly, and a few other choice words.
Today, “preparation” is a very common discussion – and there is actually a whole movement of people called – “preppers”. I’m finding out that preppers consider themselves different from survivalist – kindof a survivalist lite.
Many people are now saying they received a “call” to prepare. I felt that same call many years ago, and actually was one of the first to coin the term “Preparation Call” – as I believed that God was preparing some people for an important time. There are now tens of millions of references to the term “Preparation Call” on the web.
Today, there a millions of people who assume preparation is all about “storing up food, buying a grain mill, and getting a cow”. While those things are important, unfortunately, most people still COMPLETELY miss the point.
There are people who assume they are getting prepared because they put a closet together provisions in anticipation of a chaotic event in the future. Certainly, it is VERY important to get provisions in place, but that is only the surface – and most people are still falling dangerously short of what is really needed.
What I see many people doing right now is almost as dangerous than if they didn’t do anything. They operate with an “Intellectual Faith”, and call it preparation. Their provisions have in some ways become their security and have given them some measure of comfort for their fears – as they ready themselves for the coming storm. Again, I contend they are missing the point.
In my humble view, if I carry preparation too far and assume that my efforts will somehow control an outcome, then I am likely putting my faith in my works. I am personally trying bring keep the boat stable in the storm, rather than rely on the only One who can truly calm the storm.
Bottom line is – preparation is not at all what most people think. People are on-edge, fearful, and are wound pretty tight as they anticipate a coming calamity.
Consider this…
When the quake hit Japan and then the subsequent concern about nuclear fallout, within a few days – the shelves in NC were completely depleted of Potassium Iodide. I live some 6,700 miles away from the catastrophe, but people in my town rushed to protect themselves from the fallout. Do you think people are a little bit on edge?
Even as the government said there are no health risks for people in the US, droves of individuals ignored those hollow statement and ran to get protection. You think people anticipate our government as being too untrustworthy?
Now, I submit to you… those who have been in preparation were the main people who ran to get the Potassium Iodide. Oops… they must have forgotten to get that one on the list of items they were supposed to have as part of their prepping.
So, what if a major radiation leak happened at one of the facilities in your area? (Please don’t call me an alarmist or assume that I am suggesting that is coming – it is a hypothetical question). Do you think all of the preparations and food storage would be safe from such an event?
Preparation is FAR more than just storing food and provisions. If you store a closet full of food, and a disaster wipes out your home – what do you have now to be prepared with?
“Martha, Martha, you worry and fret about so many things and yet few are needed, indeed only one. It is Mary who has chosen the better part and it shall not be taken from her.” (Luke 10:41-42)
I believe Yah wants us to be preparing so that we might be better able to share with others. For me, the first step in preparation is to strengthen my Faith in HE who is able to calm the storm. Right now, it is vital that we strengthen our relationship with Him as well as bonding stronger with those we love and serve every day.
by Joseph | Apr 11, 2026 | Preparation, Sharing
Preparation is now taking on a new and vital importance. For those doubters who have scoffed at the need or call for preparation, I hope you will soon arise from your sleep.
Many people never thought that the world and domestic events would push things to the point of where we now find ourselves. It is an amazing time to be alive! Prepare to meet thy God!
World events are changing very quickly with daily reports of wars and upheaval all over the globe. Everything is becoming more intense and will continue to intensify as we draw ever closer to the end of the age.
As I look over the events of the day, there are some amazing things that are happening – yet, most people do not seem to take notice (or perhaps prefer to ignore them).
Economies all over the world are failing (especially in the West) and people are taking to the streets in protest. Countries are selling their assets just to stay afloat and perhaps survive a few more months. Are we so ignorant to believe that a few changes will suddenly and effectively change the ultimate outcome? I am not an economist, but I just believe it is folly to assume we can continue “economy kiting” with more bailouts.
The more I see that is happening, the more I am convinced that people must expedite preparations. The world economy is in peril, and many leaders believe the best way to stimulate the economy is for war to emerge. When you look at the events all over the globe, it’s not a stretch to see that the US and other Countries are positioning and preparing for war.
Within the next six months it will likely not shock many people to see the US expanding operations and engaged in Syria, Libya, Yemen, Sudan, or Pakistan. In addition, it seems highly likely that Israel will be pressed on its borders, with significant new rocket terror from all fronts. (more…)
