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I Am Your Brother

I Am Your Brother 

Genesis 45 

Joseph, lesson 29 

Last time I asked the question, Can People change? Really change? Finally, we see the transformation of the motley crew of Jacob’s sons. Led now by the heir to the Messiah, Judah, the brothers pass the rigorous tests that Joseph has given. 

Most people live lives that have an external sense of morality and conscience upon them. In other words, they know they should do good things, but it is from an external force, not from the heart. They respond to an external sense of right and wrong and do their best.  

But God can change people by taking the eternal law of God (Old Covenant) and making it internal, (New Covenant). He does this by placing His law within their heart, Jeremiah 31:31-33. This is what happens when one repents of their sin and by faith receives Christ.  Read more

by Larry Shaffer

Final Test, part 2

Congrats to my brother-in-law Jim and Ellie!

Final Test, part 2 

Genesis 44 

Joseph, lesson 28 

Can People change? Really change? 

Let’s flash back to the beginning of the Joseph story before he was sold into slavery. Remember this? 

His (Joseph’s) brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers; and so, they hated him and could not speak to him on friendly terms. 37:4 

Then Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him even more...Then his brothers said to him, ‘Are you actually going to reign over us? Are you really going to reign over us?’ So, they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words. 37:5,8 

Judah said to his brothers, ‘what profit is it for us to kill our brother and cover up his blood?’ 37:26. 

Our God is a God who transforms lives. He uses events, trials and difficulties, influences of others and a myriad of situations, perfectly orchestrated to transform Individuals. Transformations from lost to found; from dead to alive; from condemned to redeemed; from orphan to sons and daughters of God. Read more

by Larry Shaffer

Final Test

'Meet and Greet' with Alex Rodriquez at ACG Intergrowth Conference.

Final Test

Genesis 44 

Joseph, lesson 27 

Then he commanded his house steward, saying, ‘Fill the men’s sack with food, as much as they can carry, and put each man’s money in the mouth of his sack. Put my cup, the silver cup, in the mouth of the sack of the youngest, and his money for the grain.’  

And he did as Joseph had told him. As soon as it was light, the men were sent away, they with their donkeys. They had just gone out of the city, and were not far off, when Joseph said to his house steward, ‘Up, follow the men; and when you overtake them, say to them, ‘Why have you repaid evil for good? 

My grade school best-friend, Rick, taught me how to steal candy bars from the store. Well, not so much taught me as dared me. We didn’t really have a well-thought out strategy or effective diversion tactic. Basically, I would walk to the candy aisle, look around nervously, stick a candy bar down my pants and walk out. The whole scenario made me nauseous. I was scared to death.  Read more

by Larry Shaffer

Dreams Fulfilled

A visitor in our front yard

Dreams Fulfilled 

Genesis 43 

Joseph, lesson 26 

When Joseph came home, they brought into the house to him the present which was in their hand and bowed to the ground before him. Then he asked them about their welfare, and said, ‘Is your old father well, of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?’ They said, ‘Your servant our father is well; he is still alive.’ They bowed down in homage. 

As he lifted his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s sons, he said, ‘Is this your youngest brother, of whom you spoke to me?’ And he (Joseph) said, ‘May God be gracious to you, my son.’  

Joseph hurried out for he was deeply stirred over his brother, and he sought a place to weep; and he entered his chamber and wept there. Then he washed his face and came out; and he controlled himself and said, ‘Serve the meal.’ Read more

by Larry Shaffer

Courage, part 2

No matter where they live in the world, Nate and Ryker are Warriors fans!

Courage, part 2 

Genesis 43 

Joseph, lesson 25 

“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” Victor Frankl 

Last post I said, 

I believe the source of true moral excellence and courage is God!  And, I believe God was certainly the source of strength for Victor Frankl as he made fearless choices and exhibited godly courage and moral excellence while in a Nazi prison camp. 

The context: The brothers brought Benjamin with them to Egypt and instead of the ill treatment they expected, they were welcomed into the house of Joseph and treated like special guests. When the brothers asked the steward about the situation and pledged their sincerity, the steward responded, Read more

by Larry Shaffer

Courage

Courage!

Genesis 43 

Joseph, lesson 24 

“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” Victor Frankl 

“One can choose to go back toward safety or forward toward growth. Growth must be chosen again and again; fear must be overcome again and again.” Abraham Maslow 

“If we are to measure and monitor and improve anything, let it be our story, our character, and our conduct.” Brendon Burchard 

Judah has taken the lead among the brothers. He takes Benjamin and the others, as well as gifts and money, to go see the lord of Egypt, Joseph. They are completely unsure of the situation they are walking into. But Judah knows they must go. It is their only chance to survive. Jacob is mortified with fear that he might lose Benjamin but he has no choice but to let Judah take him. Read more

by Larry Shaffer

Moral Courage, part 3 

Moral Courage, part 3 

Judah Emerges 

Genesis 43 

Joseph, lesson 23 

The brothers are at a stalemate with their father, Jacob. The brothers were forced to leave Simeon behind in prison in Egypt until they return with their younger brother, Benjamin. Joseph insisted they bring Benjamin as the next step in validating their word and then Simeon would be released. Then they would also have access to the storehouse of grain in Egypt to take back to their families.  The stalemate was that Jacob would not allow them to take his favorite son, Benjamin. Read more

by Larry Shaffer

Moral Courage, part 2 

Moral Courage, part 2 

Genesis 42 

Joseph, lesson 22 

Kendrick Castillo, 18, was the sole person killed at the recent Stem School Highland Ranch shooting, days before he was to graduate. He was called the ‘best kid in the world.’ He died a hero after lunging at the shooter, giving the others time to get underneath the desks or run to safety and escape the room. Another student stated, others joined Kendrick in his initial heroic action and she said, they ‘were brave enough to bring him down so that all of us could escape and all of us could be reunited with our families. I can’t thank them enough.” 

Kendrick is an example of doing the right thing under the most morally challenging situation. 

The ten brothers, now in their 40’s to 50’s, have never grown into God fearing, morally principled men. Perhaps the vile act of selling Joseph and faking his death had stunted their growth. They never dealt with the sin and it chipped away, year after year, at any fear of God that they might have had. On the other hand, under the most demanding of situations over the last 20 years, Joseph had acted noble and brave in most situations. Read more

by Larry Shaffer