Hope Today 087 - A Journey With Joseph : The Danger of Jealousy

A program of word and music featuring an eclectic mix of Christian music and teaching by Pastor Tom Cullen and Brian Evans.  Mac Wigfield starts the program with southern gospel classics.,

Produced in Uxbridge Ontario, Canada.

Christian Artists featured are:

Carolina Boys

HisSong

Thurstons

Infinitely More

John Waller

Jonathan McReynolds

The Lower Lights

Laura Story

Andrea Vestby

Andrew Abbott

Avalon

Thank you for listening to HOPE TODAY. This is a program developed at Light & Life Programming, a registered charity. We are listener supported. If you would like to help with this ministry, donations can be made through our website at www.lightnlife.ca.

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:05

Thank you for joining us again for this program of Hope Today. A time of joy and hope. May you sense God's blessing as we also anticipate over this next hour. In the journey we are on with the Bible character of Joseph, Pastor Tom Cullen will help us learn the danger of jealousy and how Jesus enables us to overcome. Pastor Tom will be along shortly. First, though, we are so glad to invite Mac Winkfield to come to bring us some encouraging gospel music. May your hearts be lifted in these next few moments.

Mac 0:49

Here are the Carolina Boys.

SPEAKER_04 1:55

Lead me alone. Lead me, guide me along the way. For if you leave me, I cannot strain, Lord, just high that may see. Won't you leave me? I am lost if you take your hand from me. I am lying without thy light to see Lord just always let me serve me and leave me alone. Won't you leave me? Alone away so if you cannot stray or just a man that me along won't you leave me? Won't you leave me?

Mac 4:14

Life has been known to throw the odd curveball, hasn't it? Well, his song will tell us, I am going to trust you even in the trials.

SPEAKER_15 4:24

I cannot believe the desert I see. A hair is waiting for me. I just crossed the canyon, rocky and steam, waited a river so deep, the sun hot and burning tells me I am learning. I haven't much drink of my own Though I dread this trial, I know all the why your presence to me will be known I trust you in the tree Influencer The Milton Sorha And the Sorry, the old stream and trust you in the danger awaiting, yet I'm anticipating the end of this hot desert sand. My heart is longing to find an oasis. I'm looking for green pasture land. Some trials last longer to make me stronger, and I believe they're meant to be.

Tom 11:33

Today we examine the events found in Genesis 37. The details read like a daytime soap opera with intrigue, backbiting, but especially jealousy. It's a story written to warn us, to show us the dangers of that attitude that Shakespeare called a green-eyed monster. Stay with us as we examine God's word and think about the dangers of jealousy. Here is infinitely more with Towards Your Breaking Light.

SPEAKER_02 12:08

This world is not enough.

SPEAKER_06 12:34

When we think we know more than the one who knows all.

Tom 15:41

In the Old Testament book of Genesis, we read of a young man named Joseph who had eleven brothers. Chapter 37 tells us that ten of them were jealous of him. And we are to stand for everything that is pure, holy, and just the world may hate you for it. They may even be jealous of your principles, but don't be conformed to their ways. Stand firm for all that brings delight to your Lord. John Waller sings of a steadfast faith and character in While I'm Waiting.

SPEAKER_17 17:44

I'm waiting. I'm waiting on you, Lord, and I am hopeful. I'm waiting on you, Lord, for it is painful, but patiently I will wait. Taking every step in a beauty while I'm waiting for I'm waiting. I am peaceful. I'm waiting on you, Lord. No, it's not easy. No, but faithfully I will wait. Take every step in a beautiful way.

Tom 20:38

If you've read the story or seeing the Broadway musical, you know that Joseph's father leave him a code of many colors. It was a kind of road. That all he had was given to him as a gift from God. My mom had a small plaque over her kitchen sink that read, Bloom where you're planted. In other words, don't be going to God saying, I deserve better. I want more. I was given the short end of the stick. I deserve. I deserve. Instead, bloom where you're planted. Jonathan McRunneld sings the truth in Comparison Kill.

SPEAKER_13 22:27

I can only speak for my world. For almost everyone has one big me. Other nations live with the sickness. But over here we die from jealousy. Cause it makes you chase what's not meant to be changed. Cause you possessed it all alone. It comes to steal and hide what is real comparison. You spend all night admiring pictures. And how long it took to make it good. It makes you consider shoes you don't like. But when that shoe doesn't fit, well what you will, despite how they feel, comparison kills. Now you're believing that you fell behind. But why try to match what should be one of a kind? You one of a kind. Waste your time just making copies. You'll see you did not accomplish much. Pressure gets high and with heat commandes. So you think it's cool over there. Your thirst is real, but water can feel what comparison kill. He feels what you feel. So ask God to heal what comparison kill.

SPEAKER_01 25:21

History has referred to these times as periods of spiritual revival, and these times have always been accompanied by outbursts of song. In the late 17th century, the church once again had become cold and non-evangelistic, having lost its given purpose and path. This time, God lit the fires of revival in Germany. Similar to previous movements in England, Caterina von Schlegel was one of the outstanding women of this moment. Little is known of her, except that she was a Lutheran and may have been the canoness of Evangelical Women's Seminary. She contributed a number of lyrics to a collection of songs published in 1752. Not all of the verses to our hymn today were translated. In fact, Jane Worthwick only translated three verses into English. Our hymn today is Be Still My Soul. In times of persecution and jealousy, often experienced personally, the words of Katrina's composition will bring us an important reminder of God's faithfulness. Listen now to the lower lights with their rendition of Be Still My Soul.

SPEAKER_09 26:58

Leave to thy God to order and provide in every change, he faithful will remain. Through thorny ways leads to a joyful life.

SPEAKER_05 27:49

When we sort of fuck up spoon, those choice are still Beast My South When change and tears or pest are safe and blessed.

SPEAKER_16 28:39

Then shall thou be no ruin thy feast.

Tom 29:58

Joseph's brothers were jealous of his firm principles, his family position, and thirdly, of his future power. Joseph has some dreams in which God tells the future. The first dream is about shaves of grain, and it depends on Joseph and his brothers working in a field, binding shaves, when suddenly arose and hairs gathered around his and bowed down. The second dream was about a dark and it was similar to the first one at that time. Obviously, including his parents. Jealousy would have rooted in their hearts and wrong to light and war rooted in our vicious hours. It would be wonderful if we could say that such actions take place only in the Old Testament. But unfortunately, we can all fall prey to the snare of jealousy. If it's true for you, can I encourage you to read the story of Joseph and his brothers? It's a warning from God to you. Beware of allowing jealousy to take root in your life. It will not bear good fruit. It will only bring heartache and more pain. Instead, give thanks to God for the many blessings he's given you, and celebrate what you have rather than what you don't have. Rejoice in the deep love of God for you and rest in his constant provision. Here's one of my favorites: Laura's story singing blessings.

SPEAKER_06 31:39

We pray for blessing. We pray for peace. Comfort for family, protection while we sleep. For prosperity. We pray for almighty hand to ease our suffering. Yet love is way too much to give us lesser things. What if a thousand sleepless nights or what it takes to know your need? What if trials of this life are your mercies in disguise? We pray for wisdom, your voice to hear. We cry in anger when we cannot feel you need. What if trust of his life? Oh your mercies in disguise. This is not what if your blessings come to drops? What if your healing comes to tears? What if it was a sleepless nights what it takes to your near? What if my greatest disappointments are the aching of this life? Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy? And what if trials of this life the rain that storms the heart as eyes? All your mercies in disguise.

Tom 36:13

Mark, the younger, would scamper to the top of the mound and tease his older brother, saying, I'm the king of the castle, and you're the dirty rascal! At which point John would run to the top of the mound and rustle his brother to the ground and take him to the bottom unheard of. And then John would take the top of the mound and begin to talk to Mark. I'm the king of the castle and you're the dirty rascal! And then Marky would run to the top of the mound and well, you know how the game goes. It's a living illustration of what jealousy is. Not from the king's point of view, but from the one at the bottom of the hill. When he sees the king sitting pretty on the hill, he's not content, and he wants more than anything to be king. Even if he has to be throwing the ruler himself. I know it's not a perfect illustration. I don't want to be called a dirty rattle. But it is a picture of jealousy. It is an enemy desire to have what another has, or whether it be wealth, or popularity, whatever it is, we don't want others to have it, and we don't even think that they don't deserve it. And certainly who we are. Is it any wonder that the richer sees envy as the very opposite of love and a picture of life without God? My friends, too many of us are playing King of the Hill as adults. We're seeking to dethrone those around us because we want what they have. Love that comes from God, on the other hand, celebrates the success of others and seeks to build them up. If you're wrestling with jealousy today, give yourself to God and ask him to fill you with his self-giving love. So Andrea Vespe sings, Run to You.

SPEAKER_06 37:56

I've been in a wild sea. Waves crash the show with shame and grief when life has gotten the better of me. I've been like a cloud in the sky. Blown by the wind. Strong and hard. Straight. Square some wings. To win all the blackest of lights. Wandering stars fall from the light. Lost in darkness. So I'm on a tree with so many friends. Lost all my life. Some want to fail your life. I am reaching. I am calling. I am reaching. I am calling. Tristy win all the two. Find strength in your goodness. Grace in my weakness. In the darkness and hope when it's hard. Tristy win all the two. Strength in your goodness. Grace in the weakness. Twist you win all the high gold.

Tom 41:41

It's true. Our Lord is waiting for you to turn from your sin and the things of this world and return to Him. So Andrew Abbott sings, I will wait. It's at times when you tire.

SPEAKER_07 41:59

You run from my arm. The hands that once held you are empty again.

SPEAKER_08 42:14

But wait for you to come home. Be for my feet they are drifting slightly off coal. That way is so easy to walk, but you walk in for you.

SPEAKER_06 43:29

The first star you see was I hope that you find me.

SPEAKER_07 44:01

My heart breaks for you.

SPEAKER_08 44:06

Please come back to my loving home so I can hold you 'cause I wait for you. I wave for you to come home, be for my ways. Wait for you to come home, be forever my fees the first star you see.

SPEAKER_06 45:12

Oh my feelings.

Tom 45:36

At the beginning of the program, I said how much I admired John the Baptist. There isn't a jealous bone in his body. When faced with the truth that his ministry and importance were shrinking, and Jesus' ministry was growing, he said, He must become greater. And I must become less. We realized that we wouldn't let everyone die one of his children. We become air with Christ. How can we possibly be jealous of? Blessed with all the promises that were given to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Their names forever remembered as patriarchs of their tribes. They forgot that. And jealousy took root. Weed out jealousy from your life by believing in Jesus Christ and living for Him. And if you've already done that, remember. Remember all the blessings that belong to you simply because you're a child of God. Here's Avalon with the Solid Rock.

SPEAKER_12 47:18

But holy lean on Jesus.

SPEAKER_03 47:32

Here's a lovely face. I rest on here's unchanging grace.

SPEAKER_06 47:45

Within the stop it's gone.

SPEAKER_11 49:23

Just all alone.

SPEAKER_01 49:38

This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Regardless of what the day brings upon us. Thank you, Pastor Tom. You may want to hear this program or a previous one again. Or you may want to share a program with a friend. You can do all that by visiting www.lightandlife.ca. Through the website, you can also send Pastor Tom and our team a note. We would love to hear your story. Hope today is produced at Straight Past Studio. We look forward to being with you and your friends next time for another program of Hope. Until then, keep looking ahead. Jesus is coming again.