Hope Today 091 - A Journey with Joseph: Honouring God in all Situations

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:

Paid in Full

Ball Brothers

Revelation

Keith & Kristyn Getty

Latifah Makuyi

Brenton Brown

Mark Gray

Fernando Ortega

Jadon Lavik

Chelsea Moon & the Franz Brothers

Graham Kendrick

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 0:02

Hope Today is a program through which you can find encouragement in faith and inspiration in truth. We are so glad you have tuned in with us over this next hour. The story in Genesis about Joseph tells of a life with many difficult situations. In all of them, we see that this amazing young man continued to honor God. In this program, Pastor Tom Cullen will help us to see how we too can navigate through life and continue in faith. Blessings await as we sit back and enjoy these songs of hope.

SPEAKER_07 1:26

You are need to see his life, his wonderful life. Take time to pray.

SPEAKER_04 1:55

And when you are headed all, he'll show you the way you can walk along.

SPEAKER_07 2:12

You are need alone to sleep with law is wonderful. Take time to pray every day, and when you are headed along, he'll show you the way you can walk alone. You are literally law to see his life his wonderful love if you know. Wondering if God remembers your name. Further down heart a Christian joy's gonna come when the long night of trouble has passed. Just keep trusting, keep on believing in the precious promise we have. Oh, we have such a feeling for all his children. He sees every single teardrop. He's a loving caring, victory sharing, blessing, burden bearing God. When I think of the times God's carried me through, I can never praise him enough. He's been there in sickness, been there through trials. When my road got rocky and rough, I can give testimony to any and all. To the victories wedding ahead. I'll never leave you, I'll never forsake you. This is what my Jesus said. He's a prayer, answering peace and parting, blessing, burden, bearing God. You can come to the storehouse, the doors wide open. He'll meet every need of your heart. Oh, he has such a feeling for all his children. He sees every single teardrop. He's a loving caring, victory sharing. Blessing burden bearing God. Blessing bearing. Blessing, burden bearing. Blessing, burden bearing, God.

Mac 6:40

And this God, the Lord of all, the King of Kings, came to us. And for all he has done, we honor him as King forever. Here's revelation.

SPEAKER_07 6:55

He was empty. The crown was left behind. The angels watched in wonder as the king stepped into time to dwell among us and wear a robe of flesh, living just to die and bear the world's unrighteousness. But death couldn't conquer the land. And now he is seated at the Father's right hand. He is korever in splendor for me. No one can overtake his throne, for he will not be moved, and that he is returning. Worship and magnify.

Tom 11:27

Today we witnessed the young man interpret Pharaoh's dream and be promoted to Prime Minister. It was all God's doing. His hand was guiding, leading, and giving opportunity in the midst of a difficult, stressful time. Surely he is the one who in all things works for the good of those who love him. Here is Keith and Kristen Getty with Crown Him with Many Crowns.

SPEAKER_07 11:55

The Lamb upon his foe.

Tom 14:49

One of them was restored to his position of power and privilege at Pharaoh's side. Joseph had asked him to remember him. But the text tells us that he didn't remember Joseph at all. And for two years, Joseph was left alone in prison. Strong in the fire.

SPEAKER_07 17:00

In your presence there is female eyes, cause I know why. A warrior of face Most beloved daughter. I will stand strong in the fire. I won't be banned by the fire. I'll overcome through the fire. And I'll be singing the praise of my king. I won't be banned by the fire. I'll overcome through the fire. And I be singing the praise of my king. Holy, holy sing the sings to your name. A love so powerfully accepting it. And I know who I am. I know who I am child of a king a warrior of faith. A most beloved daughter. A sinner made us stand strong in the fire. I won't be bad by the fire. I'm overcome through the fire. And I'll be singing the praise you make a king. I won't stand strong in the fire. I won't be banned by the fire. I'm overcome through the fire. And I'll be singing the praise you make. And I know who I know a child of the king. A warrior of faith. A sinner made us say, a child of a king, a warrior of faith, a most beloved daughter, a sinner made us and strong in the fire.

Tom 20:40

After being neglected in prison for more than two years, Joseph is called up by Pharaoh to interpret his dreams. Within the space of a number of hours, Joseph is out of the prison and into the palace and on his way to becoming prime minister over the most powerful nation in the world at that time. In a single step, he went from the dungeon to the steps of the throne. Good for those who love him. Sometimes I think God takes all the crutches out from under us and He takes away everything we depend on so that we are made to depend on Him and realize that He is God and we are not. So Scripture says that God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise. God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things and the things that are not to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. May our one request, our only aim be, that he reign. Here's Brenton Brown.

SPEAKER_07 22:42

Over all the earth, you rain all high, every mountain stream, every star set the sky.

SPEAKER_01 26:30

These words inspired Benjamin Mansoul Ramsey to write the words in our hymn today, and the music for it, known as Kamacha. Benjamin was born in August 1849. He was an organist and an amateur composer. He was a teacher at the Bournemouth Grammar School, the secretary of the Bournemouth Musical Association, conductor of the amateur orchestra in the 1880s, and helped to establish the Bournemouth Municipal Orchestra in 1893. His daughter was the writer Lillian F. Ramsey. In Scripture, we are assured that God's ways are higher than our ways. So often we seek to know God's path, but we believe the timing is for us to determine. If we patiently wait for his timing, we will find it to be perfect. To ask God to teach us his way means that we are accepting the course he wants us to take, the path that will best discharge our duty, and the direction that will save us from ruin. Maybe Benjamin Ramsey was in a place like King David, where he needed to submit to God's way and continue to mature in his faith and character in every situation while patiently waiting for God's right schedule of events. And so Ramsay is inspired to write Help me to walk aright, more by faith, less by sight. Lead me with heavenly light. Teach me thy way. Make this your prayer of commitment today, as Mark Gray presents his rendition of Teach Me Thy Way, O Lord.

SPEAKER_04 28:15

Teach me thy way, O Lord. Teach me thy way, thy guiding grace afore. Teach me thy way. Help me to walk aright, or by faith, my sight, lead me with heavenly light, teach me the way. When I am sad heart, teach me the way when earthly joys depart. Teach me the highway in hours of loneliness, in times of time distress and failure or success. Teach me the highway. When doubts and fears arise, teach me the highway. When storms are spread the skies, teach me the highway. Shine through the cloud and rain. Through some toil and pain. Make the highway. Teach me the way shall last. Teach me the way. When my cast teach me the way until the race is run, until the journey's done. Until the town is won. Teach me.

Tom 30:49

Joseph is brought before Pharaoh to interpret his two dreams. They both have the same subject, both contain different images. Essentially, as Joseph tells Pharaoh, the experience of seven years of prosperity followed by seven years of famine. But in a much more reliable way. He wrote it. And so his word is alive with his spirit and is able to transform your life, guide your life, and give you life. You want to hear from God? Read the Bible, and he will speak to you. True, all scripture is God breathed. So Fernando Ortiga reminds us how firm a foundation is laid for your faith in his excellent word.

SPEAKER_06 32:33

How firm a foundation ye saints of the Lord is laid for your faith in his excellent word. What more can he say? Then to you he had stayed. Do you go for refuge? Do Jesus have friend? If not, I am the O be not dismayed, for I am thy God, and will still give thee a strength and thee, and cause thee to stand upheld by my righteous on I retrice, thy pathway shall lie. My greatest also fish shall be thy supply. Shall not hurt thee. And thy goal to be fine. No never forsake. That's all hell. Shouldn't I ever forsake?

Tom 35:18

Joseph's story in the book of Genesis is one of sudden reversals, and all of them are quite shocking. One day he was his father's favored son, destined to inherit the family fortune. The next day he was thrown into the bottom of a well, threatened with death, and sold into slavery. In Egypt, Joseph rose to a place of responsibility in Potiphar's house, but in an instant he was falsely accused and thrown into prison. In jail he had the hope of deliverance. And then in chapter 41, he was taken from the hell. Keep your eyes on God and live for Him alone. Jaden Lavic sings Turn your eyes upon Jesus.

SPEAKER_07 37:12

No light in the darkness, you see. Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in his wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strange with them in the light of his glory and grace through death into life everlasting. He passed and we fallen there over us in no more dominion from all the conquerors we are and turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look for in his wonderful face, and the things of earth will go strange in the light of his glory his grace, and his glory, his words shall not fail you, he promised. Leave him and all will be well, and go to a world that is dying, his perfect salvation detail. Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in his wonderful face, and the things earth will grow strangely dear in the light of his glory, in the light of his glory.

Tom 40:14

It's been said that the Christian life can be summed up with two words trust and obey. We are to trust who God is and obey what God says. So Chelsea Moon and the Friends brothers remind us.

SPEAKER_03 40:54

Trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey. So sweet. Trust and obey for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey. Trust and obey. Trust and obey for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey so sweet tis so sweet Tis so sweet so sweet.

Tom 44:18

God says that he will honor those who honor him. As we read through the story of Joseph, we witness a man who honored God at every turn. When he was forgotten in jail, he honored God. When he was brought before the most powerful man in the ancient world, he honored God. When his life situation was reversed again and again, he honored God. So in your life, God is at work in ways that you may not be able to comprehend. But all the while he is seeking to create in you his character and bring about circumstances in which he can be glorified in you and through you. So resolve in your heart that whatever situation you face today, you will honor God. You'll praise him. You'll make his name known. You will do what is right and holy. You will not allow the trials you face to dim your faith or shake your determination to live for him. This is how Joseph lived. This is how Jesus lived. This is how we are called to live. Here's Graham Kendrick with Meekness and Majesty.

SPEAKER_05 45:34

In perfect harmony, the man who is God, Lord of Eternity, dwells in humanity, kneels in humility and washes a free. Yet learns obedience to death on a cross. Suffering to give us life, conquering through sacrifice, and as they crucify, praise Father forgive.

SPEAKER_01 47:09

May every challenge and difficult situation only cause our faith and trust in you to grow. Thank you, Eternal God, that in you our hope is sure. 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 Path Studio. We look forward to being with you and your friends next time for another program of Hope. Until then, keep looking up. Jesus is coming again.