dearth (the drought)

53 ¶And the seven years of plenteousness, that was in the land of Egypt, were ended.

 54 And the seven years of ^adearth 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 ^asold unto the Egyptians; and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt.

Genesis 41

For those of you that have been under a rock this year, the Midwest has seen the worst drought in 80 years.  Crop production has been low, river channels are closed, and food prices going up.  This will have a ripple affect on the global economy.

Imagine Joseph for a minute.  In his day, the bible says there was 7 years of drought.  Drought all over the face of the earth.  In those days drought equalled famine.  Could our modern world survive such a terrible natural disaster?

The only thing I know for sure is that only God could save you from that kind of devistation.  I am not prepared for anything like that and neither are you.  My friend, total reliance on God is the only answer to that question.  Who do you rely on?   

its been awhile

Mark 4:29

New International Version (NIV)

²⁹ As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”

     So, it's been awhile, I've truly missed you.  One of my many excuses is the  harvest.  When I talk to my customers about harvest the since of urgency is high.  The window of opportunity is small to get the crop out of the field.  There is too much risk to leave the bounty even a day longer.  The phone call goes something like this:  "Scotty, can you send someone out here in the next few minutes to get my combine going?"  
     Jesus has urgency in his voice during this parable.  Do you know why?  It's time for harvest of His people.  It's time for you to tell that person the combine is coming.  That person is a valuable crop and there is too much risk to leave them in the field even a day longer.

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.  Proverbs 17:17

It's not often that I quote a bible verse 2 days in a row, then hear it preached in the sermon Sunday.  Somebody tryin to tell me something or what?  When I was young I always wanted a sibling.  I always swore that my children would never be "onlys" too.  Since that time i have learned that the bible is always right on.  I seldom see brothers or sisters that are close but I see friends that will give anything for each other.  Friends call each other all the time, go to dinner, sometimes live together, and always share their burdens.  Frindships don't collapse when there is a death in the family, they grow stronger.  Many sibling relationships end when the matriarch or patriarch of the family passes which is sad.  As for me... I have been so blessed with many solid friendships.  Friends from all walks of life that will stand by me no matter what.  Many are reading this article.  To you my friend... I love you and appreciate you.  I will stand by you as you have for me.    Now, who do you need to tell?

wither

¹⁸ Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. ¹⁹ Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered.
²⁰ When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked.
²¹ Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. ²² If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”          Matthew 21

We often hear about "faith the size of a mustard seed."  But, what about this passage on faith?  There are several good lessons here:
1)     Jesus went to the tree to harvest its fruit.  The fruit wasn't there.  So he cursed the tree and it died instantly.  Sound familiar?  He's going to to the same thing when he returns to earth in the end times.  Remember though, it's not a tree he will look for fruit on it's you and me.  Will you wither?
                        
                   

2)     Faith and do not doubt?  Really?  I can tell the mountain to get up and be thrown into the sea??
Yes.  Today I saw amazing footage of a tornado in the Dallas area.  The funnel cloud was picking up tractor trailers and tossing them around like leaves in the wind.  I cannot wrap my simple mind around moving a moutain?  Or can I?  Jesus said it and it's true!  The bible gives several examples of ordinary people doing extrordinary things with God's power.  It may not be a moutain literally in your life but remember God's power and love are infinate, and both are available to you.

equip

Hebrews 13:20-21

New International Version (NIV)

Benediction and Final Greetings

²⁰ Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, ²¹ equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

 

Equip... I love that word.  Short, simple, and important.  God has equipped me very well to do His work.  He has given me wisdom to discern right from wrong, a hard heart when evil confronts my emotions, a soft heart when compassion for my brothers and sisters is needed, broad, strong shoulders when I need to carry a burden for another, a soft shoulder so you can lean on me and cry, hands like iron that are skilled to work all day all and night, a strong backbone to confront evil and not back down, a sharp tounge to lash wrong with the Word, a soft tounge for encouragement and praise, fast legs to flee from immorality, He has equipped me with love which might me the most most important thing to be equipped with, love.  I love you, and God has equipped you too.  (see above list)

I've got ears

21 Hear this, you foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear:22 Should you not fear me?" declares the LORD.  Jeremiah 5:21-22

The verse explains itself but it reminds me of this morning.  My wife wakes up and calls me to ask, "Did you not hear that noise in the living room?"  Me- what noise?  Her-that annoying buzzing humming noise.  Me-no.  Her-its driving me crazy!  So I drive 20 miles and was late to work to check the mystery noise in fear that something might catch on fire.  I still can't hear it.  Too many years of heavy equipment, gunshots, loud music has left me tone deaf.
Tonight we came home and the kids said, "What's that noise Dad."  Me-idk but find it before Ladawn goes completely over the edge!  After much searching they found and old battery power clock that was buzzing, buried in a sack, in the living room!
Its like that with God sometimes.  We have ears and can hear but can't always hear what really needs to be heard.  Sometimes we need those extra set of ears to help us discern.  What have you not been hearing?  If you are bold enough, ask someone.

the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth

John 8:32

New International Version (NIV)

³² Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

 

This verse is quoted alot in our society.  Who said it?  Well, it should be in red letters because Jesus said it.  And no, He's not talking about honesty.  He's talking about the truth of Himself, the Christ.  He will set you free from the bondage of sin.  Have you heard the truth lately?  Or more importantly, because I think most of my readers are Christians, have you told the truth lately to someone that needs to hear it?