by Joseph | Apr 27, 2026 | Sharing
The HIDDEN AUTHORITY OF THE SERVANT HEART
“But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong.” – 1 Corinthians 1:27 (NAS)
There is a leadership that is recognized by position, and there is a leadership that is recognized by heaven. One is established by visibility; the other is formed in surrender. Scripture reveals a consistent and holy pattern—when God is ready to preserve lives, confront systems, and redirect history, He does not begin with the exalted. He begins with the lowly. He begins with those who have been shaped in places of suffering, trained in obscurity, and emptied of the need to be seen. Not because they are naturally weak, but because they have learned dependence. They have learned obedience. They have learned to carry responsibility without applause.
Joseph stands as one of the clearest revelations of this divine choice.
He was not raised in a palace but lowered into a pit. He was not trained in courts but in chains. He was not affirmed by men but refined by God. And yet it was this man—betrayed, enslaved, falsely accused, and forgotten—whom God raised to preserve nations.
The Servant Heart Formed in the Pit
Joseph’s journey into authority began in humiliation. When his brothers stripped him of his robe and cast him into the pit, they believed they were ending his future. In reality, God was beginning his formation. The pit is the place where human identity collapses and divine identity begins. It is the place where a person learns that calling is not sustained by recognition, and that purpose does not depend on environment.
“Then they took him and threw him into the pit. Now the pit was empty, without any water in it” (Genesis 37:24 NAS).
In that empty place, Joseph was being introduced to the life of a servant. Servant leadership begins where self-exaltation ends. The dreams he had received from God were still true, but the path to their fulfillment would pass through places where he would have no control, no voice, and no visible progress. God was not delaying Joseph’s destiny; He was deepening his character.
Faithfulness in What Belongs to Another
In Potiphar’s house, Joseph had no personal inheritance, no promise of advancement, and no natural reason to give his best. Yet Scripture records, “The Lord was with Joseph, so he became a successful man” (Genesis 39:2 NAS). His success was not the result of ownership, but of stewardship. He served another man’s house as if it belonged to God.
This is the essence of the servant heart. It does not serve well because it is seen. It serves well because it belongs to the Lord.
Those whom God chooses from low places are often those who have learned to labor without personal reward. They know what it is to build what someone else will benefit from. They know what it is to carry responsibility while remaining unnamed. Through this, they gain a unique authority—the authority of trustworthiness. Heaven entrusts influence to those who have already proven they will not use it for themselves.
“He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much” (Luke 16:10 NAS).
The Compassion Learned Through Suffering
Joseph’s suffering gave him something that power alone could never produce—understanding. When he was placed in the prison, he entered the pain of others. Instead of turning inward in self-pity, he began to serve. He noticed the countenance of the cupbearer and the baker. He asked the question that reveals the heart of a servant: “Why are your faces so sad today?” (Genesis 40:7 NAS).
The one who has suffered and remained tender becomes the one God uses to sustain others.
This is why God so often chooses the lowly. They lead differently. They do not rule from distance; they carry people in their hearts. They do not use authority to protect themselves; they use it to preserve others. Joseph’s ability to feed nations in the time of famine was directly connected to his ability to feel the sorrow of two prisoners in a forgotten place.
“Blessed be… the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction” (2 Corinthians 1:3–4 NAS).
The Presence of God as the Only Credential
When Joseph finally stood before Pharaoh, he carried no visible proof of qualification. He had no title, no recommendation, no status. Yet Pharaoh discerned something greater than credentials: “Can we find a man like this, in whom is a divine spirit?” (Genesis 41:38 NAS).
Joseph’s authority was the presence of God.
This is what the lowly gain that the self-exalted often cannot. They have been with God in places where there was no one else. They have learned to hear His voice without distraction. They have learned to depend on Him without alternatives. Their leadership is not the product of ambition; it is the result of communion.
Like David in the pasture who faced the lion and the bear before he ever saw Goliath, Joseph’s unseen battles produced a visible confidence in God. But unlike the confidence of the world, this confidence did not draw attention to itself. It pointed entirely to the Lord: “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer” (Genesis 41:16 NAS).
Authority That Does Not Forget the Low Place
When God raises the lowly, the true test of the servant heart begins. Joseph was given absolute administrative power over Egypt. He held the future of nations in his hands. Yet the man who once served prisoners did not lose his tenderness when he ruled a nation.
Power did not erase his humility.
When his brothers stood before him—the very ones who had wounded him—Joseph did not respond from the authority of his position but from the compassion formed in his suffering. “God sent me before you to preserve life” (Genesis 45:5 NAS). Only a servant heart can interpret personal pain through the lens of divine purpose.
This is why God chooses the lowly. They can be trusted with influence because they no longer live for themselves.
“Whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant” (Mark 10:43 NAS).
The Wisdom That Silences the Wise
The world looks for strength in visibility, education, status, and control. God looks for hearts that have been broken and remade in His presence. Joseph’s entire life stands as a fulfillment of the word later written by Paul—that God chooses what appears foolish to shame what appears wise.
Joseph, the slave, became the counselor of kings.
Joseph, the prisoner, became the preserver of nations.
Joseph, the rejected brother, became the source of bread for the very ones who rejected him.
This is the wisdom of God.
And in every generation, He continues to do the same.
The Servant Heart That Carries the Future
In times of shaking, God is not searching for the most visible. He is searching for the most surrendered. He is searching for those who have been trained in hidden faithfulness, refined through suffering, and stripped of the need to promote themselves.
Servant leadership is not weakness. It is the highest form of authority because it is authority that has passed through death to self.
It is the life that can say, not with resignation but with revelation, “God sent me” (Genesis 45:8 NAS).
This is why the lowly are chosen.
So that when they are raised, no one will mistake the source.
So that when they lead, they will preserve life.
So that when they speak, wisdom will silence the systems of men.
And so that the glory will belong to God alone.
by Joseph | Apr 27, 2026 | Preparation, Sharing
Yesterday, a member of my family called me an “Alarmist”. I really was not aware that I am an alarmist, so it came as a bit of a surprise to me. In fact, I didn’t even know what an alarmist was- or what the role consisted of. So, being the good alarmist that I am… I looked it up.
Here’s what the dictionary definition of an alarmist is:
“a person who tends to raise alarms, esp. without sufficient reason, as by exaggerating dangers or prophesying calamities.”
Perhaps my family member knows something about me that I don’t know. Or, maybe it’s possible that my actions and communications have been misinterpreted by those who disagree with my insights. To my knowledge, I haven’t exaggerated the dangers that we face – nor have I prophesied destruction. In fact, by definition the alarmist will raise concerns without sufficient reason. If you have done any research into what is happening on a global scale – there is certainly sufficient reason to be prudent in preparation.
I am not screaming in the streets that we are all doomed, but I do believe we are facing some serious challenges ahead. My call is not to warn people that the end is near, rather to encourage people to prepare for the difficulties that may lie ahead. The Bible is very clear that the King is soon coming – and we need to prepare for His arrival. There will be some difficult events as we get closer to His arrival. If a call to prepare for that is an alarm, well, so be it.
The reference that I was an alarmist came because I referred to the fact my family had just received a shipment of supplies – much of it for our pantry. Here’s a picture of some of our shipments…
The “alarmist” comment speaks more about where we are as a society, and really, the very lack of family discipline that has led us as a society to some of the difficult issues we are facing. We’ve become a spoiled people, who expect immediate gratification and constant entertainment. We have learned that we can squander our resources, and borrow to replace what we’ve depleted.
It is folly to assume that we can continue to live without ultimately paying the debt for our greed and obsessive lifestyle. Make no mistake about it we will reap what we sow. That’s not an alarm, that’s a fact!
by Joseph | Apr 27, 2026 | Preparation, Sharing
I have been focused on preparation for a long time, so any discussion on the topic comes very natural to me. I am finding, however; even as the topic of preparation is becoming more widespread – there are still quite a few people who do not fully understand what is meant by preparation.
I’ve stated before, like with everything people have varying levels of preparation – and certainly different motivations for preparation. Let me share some general insights on preparation, specifically as it relates to an emergency “change” in lifestyle.
The first question that I’d ask someone to gauge their preparation status is: “If there were to be an emergency of any kind, are you adequately prepared?” It may be a tornado, flood or even a hurricane. It could even be a catastrophic event such as a pandemic illness that sweeps through the world. How prepared are you in case of just such an event?
Unfortunately, the answer for most people is that they are not prepared at all. Emergency preparation takes forethought and careful planning. It is not about paranoia or that the world is coming to an end soon (although, you should be prepared for that as well). If you look, you can definitely find many crackpot (some legitimate) websites that are dedicated to driving paranoia and government conspiracies. Our intent is not to fuel fear – rather, to impress upon the need to prepare in the event of an emergency or disaster. This article is designed to help you understand what you can do to be prepared.
How do people prepare for emergencies?
Emergency preparation all starts with a list. You need to really stop and think about the possible emergencies that could happen in your region of the world. If you live near a river, lake or the ocean then you have to worry about flooding. If you live in a tornado prone area, you need to prepare for that. Winter storms can do a terrible amount of damage. Step one is thinking about what you use on a daily basis. Water is the number one resource that must be conserved and kept in case of an emergency. People can survive weeks without food but only a few days without water. And in the case of an emergency you cannot trust the water coming out of your faucet.
The second step is examining your shelter. Should your home be damaged you need to have an alternate place for shelter set up. It may be at a friend, family member or coworker’s home.
The third most important step is making an emergency plan. This plan should detail where all members of the family will meet in case they are separated at the time of the emergency. There are many books that you can purchase to help you learn basic survival skills in case of a disaster. You should consider picking one up and reviewing it just to see how well you would fare. (more…)
by Joseph | Apr 27, 2026 | Preparation, Sharing
The Shaking
Whose voice then shook the earth
Shared by Jeff Rowland.
The power of the voice of God is unmatched by anything the earth has ever seen or come in contact with. One word from the lips of God can destroy with more devastation than any bomb ever created. One word from the lips of God can breathe life into anything or anyone.
(1Ki 19:12) And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.
Even though our God’s voice is so powerful, He can speak with such still softness as to gently urge the hearts of all who will listen. Could it be that the gentleness of our God is often why we so disregard and refuse Him that speaks? Could it be that our God is speaking louder so as to get our attention to the times we are living in now?
I believe that we are now living in the middle of Hebrews 12:25-29. I also believe that God is speaking to the earth and its time that we begin to pay attention. There is always purpose and reason to the voice of God being released.
Verse 26 says, “Whose voice then shook the earth.” We need to consider the events that are taking place now at such a rapid rate of speed. The earthquakes that are ravaging the earth all over must be given heed to. Jesus foretold of things to come as a sign of the end of the age in Matthew 24.
(Mat 24:7) For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
This was the response of Jesus after being asked the question what is the sign of thy coming and of the end of the world? We are now seeing these signs. Even a casual student of the Word of God can see these things are upon us.
(more…)
by Joseph | Apr 27, 2026 | Preparation, Sharing
I’ve shared on this blog, that I believe we are headed for great difficulties. It is important that we prepare for the chaos that will impact our lives.
Many who are now engaged in the “Prepper” movement, are pushing action based on fear. That fear is significantly adding to the problems, and creating all sorts of conspiracies. It seems that everywhere you go now, you can hear someone speaking about some outlandish conspiracy theory. The worst part is, the conspiracies and fear grow exponentially. The fear captures many people, destroys hope, and ultimately becomes bondage. Society becomes unstable, which obviously, will create more need for preparation.
So, with difficulties surrounding us from every side what can we do? I mean, there are wars and rumors of wars, famines, and earthquakes in various places – and that’s just the beginning. It seems that all over the planet, you hear of devastation. For many people there seems to be nowhere to turn.
I’ve often thought about the scenarios that we face, and wonder to myself : Where can I go to be safe? I’ve thought about underground, heading into seclusion, and even other Countries. The reality is, there is potential difficulty with any place you go.
Some who are reading this article will be frustrated with my ultimate resolution, but it’s the only safe place that I can offer with absolute certainty. The only place that I know of where you can have safe refuge, is in God. He will never leave us or forsake us.
“It is better to trust and take refuge in the Lord than to put confidence in man.” Psalm 118:8
God is your refuge. He is the only one who knows the answer to your present difficulties and fears. Take refuge in Him and the answer will quickly come on how you should prepare.
In the refuge of the Lord, the enemy cannot touch you, taunt you, or discourage you. You are safe under the shadow of His wings. Find the secret place every day. There you can find rest for your soul and strength to overcome the trials of these difficult days.
Psalm 112:7, “He shall not be afraid of evil tidings, his heart is firmly fixed.”
by Joseph | Apr 27, 2026 | Sharing
Overcoming Adversity During Difficult Times – How David Conquered Goliath
In a time when life’s pressures and uncertainties seem to weigh heavier than ever, there is something we can gain from studying how David overcame seemingly insurmountable odds to defeat Goliath. Taking to heart the lesson of David’s courage bolstered by faith in God can prepare us to conquer our own modern-day giants. In this article, we’ll explore the story of David and Goliath and see how the lessons therein can be an invaluable tool in our lives today.
The story of David and Goliath is well known, but today it has more resonance than ever before. After all, we can all relate to the fear of facing daunting obstacles and times of adversity which might seem to be too much to bear. In 1 Samuel 17, we learn that Israel was in a desperate situation as the Philistine champion Goliath had come to confront the nation. With his intimidating stature, fearsome armor and pronounced challenge, the entire nation was terrified and succumbed to fear and hopelessness.
It was not until David confidently stepped forward that the nation was able to find hope. As David proclaimed, “for the battle is the Lord’s” and went out in faith, he displayed that no matter how great a giant may seem, no challenge or obstacle is too great if we are rooted and grounded in our faith in God (2 Timothy 1:7). With one small stone, he mustered strength and was rewarded with victory.
Although we may not be facing physical giants like David did, life’s many challenges can sometimes be just as daunting. However, we can take his example as a sign that even in the face of insurmountable odds, God can provide us the strength to overcome and succeed. By trusting in God and relying on him, no problem is too large. Furthermore, with His help, we can find the courage to stand up to our modern-day giants, whatever they may be.
Ultimately, if we take courage and trust in the Lord during times of adversity, we can find hope that no challenge can be too great and no obstacle impossible to overcome. Let us draw strength and courage from David’s example and experience the hope and victory that comes with relying on God. As it is written in Psalm 46:1, God is our “refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
