Joseph was in prison, but the prison wasn’t in him!

Joseph had prosperity of heart. Though for much of his story his physical circumstances were very bad indeed, his internal attitude remained one of abundance and overflow. Joseph's brothers hated him because he was Jacob's favorite. They sold him into slavery in Egypt, and then through no fault of his own, Joseph was falsely accused and placed into prison.

The most important thing to realize about this story is that even when Joseph was in prison, the prison wasn't in him! His incredible character and faith kept him from losing his joy and his anointing even when every circumstance seemed to be against him. Prosperity of heart reveals and releases the prosperity of God in other dimensions of life. In all of his trials, Joseph was being developed to have the skills and character that would befit the position God had in store for him to fill as the second most powerful man in Egypt.

Genesis 39:23 says, “The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under [Joseph's] hand; because the LORD was with him and that which he did, the LORD made it to prosper.” Joseph had dreamed big dreams for his future, and he wanted to succeed in life. But you know the story; he faced opposition from those who were closest to him. They mistreated him, and he could have sought revenge when the day came that he had the power of life and death over his brothers.

Instead, he wept with compassion and forgave them. How could Joseph do that? Because in his heart, he understood that God had been at work. He told his brothers, “You thought evil against me, but God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20). Not only did Joseph forgive his brothers, but he saved their families—indeed the entire nation of Israel—from the famine.

If Joseph had not possessed prosperity of heart, he would never have been able to see the power of God displayed in his life. None of his natural abilities would have enabled him to succeed in every sphere of life. Success does not come from gifts, talents, abilities, knowledge, or wisdom but through the attitude of our hearts.

I encourage you to view every circumstance of life—both the good and the bad—as part of God's plan to prepare you for His place. Keep your heart right, and the rest will follow.

God gave Joseph a mission—to be light to his generation, and he was indeed faithful. You and I have a mission—to be light to our generation today. Your prayers and gift  will light a candle of love rather than curse the darkness.

Joseph had no idea when he was blessing Israel that the blessing would come back to him with promotion and supernatural favor...I call you Joseph today and speak that same favor over you.

The Story of 4 Boyfriends

Once upon a time there was a girl who had four boyfriends.

She loved the fourth boyfriend the most and adorned him with rich robes and treated him to the finest of delicacies. She gave him nothing but the best.

She also loved the third boyfriend very much and was always showing him off to neighboring kingdoms. However, she feared that one day he would leave her for another.

She also loved her second boyfriend. He was her confidant and was always kind, considerate and patient with her. Whenever this girl faced a problem, she could confide in him, and he would help her get through the difficult times.

The girl’s first boyfriend was a very loyal partner and had made great contributions in maintaining her wealth and kingdom. However, she did not love the first boyfriend. Although he loved her deeply, she hardly took notice of him!

One day, the girl fell ill and she knew her time was short. She thought of her luxurious life and wondered, ‘I now have four boyfriends with me, but when I die, I’ll be all alone.’

Thus, she asked the fourth boyfriend, ‘I loved you the most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I’m dying, will you follow me and keep me company?’

‘No way!’, replied the fourth boyfriend, and he walked away without another word.

His answer cut like a sharp knife right into her heart.

The sad girl then asked the third boyfriend, ‘I loved you all my life. Now that I’m dying, will you follow me and keep me company?’

‘No!’, replied the third boyfriend. ‘Life is too good! When you die, I’m going to marry someone else!’

Her heart sank and turned cold.

She then asked the second boyfriend, ‘I have always turned to you for help and you’ve always been there for me.  When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?’

‘I’m sorry, I can’t help you out this time!’, replied the second boyfriend. ‘At the very most, I can only walk with you to your grave.’

His answer struck her like a bolt of lightning, and the girl was devastated.

Then a voice called out: ‘I’ll go with you. I’ll follow you no matter where you go.’

The girl looked up, and there was her first boyfriend. He was very skinny as he suffered from malnutrition and neglect.

Greatly grieved, the girl said, ‘I should have taken much better care of you when I had the chance!’

In truth, you have four boyfriends in your life:

Your fourth boyfriend is your body. No matter how much time and effort you lavish in making
it look good, it will leave you when you die.

Your third boyfriend is your possessions, status and wealth. When you die, it will all go to others.

Your second boyfriend is your family and friends. No matter how much they have been there for you, the furthest they can stay by you is up to the grave.

And your first boyfriend is your spirit. Often neglected in pursuit of wealth, power and pleasures of the world.

However, your spirit is the only thing that will follow you where ever you go. Cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now, for it is the only part of you that will follow you to the throne of God and continue with you throughout Eternity.

The Coal Basket

The story is told of an old man who lived on a farm in the mountains of eastern Kentucky with his young grandson.

Each morning, Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen tablereading from his old worn-out Bible.His grandson who wanted to be just like him tried to imitate him in any way he could.

One day the grandson asked, "Papa, I try to read the Bible just like you but I don't understand it,
and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book.

What good does reading the Bible do?"
The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and said, "Take this coal basket down to the river and bring back a basket of water."

The boy did as he was told, even though all the water leaked out before he could get back to the house.

The grandfather laughed and said, "You will have to move a little faster next time," and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again.

This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home.
Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was "impossible to carry water in a basket," and he went to get a bucket instead. The old man said, "I don't want a bucket of water.
I want a basket of water. You can do this. You're just not trying hard enough," and he went out the door to watch the boy try again.

At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got far at all.
The boy scooped the water and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty.

Out of breath, he said, "See Papa, it's useless!"

The old man said, "So you think it is useless? Look at the basket."

The boy looked at the basket and for the first time he realized that the basket looked different.
Instead of a dirty old coal basket, it was clean.

"Son, that's what happens when you read the Bible.
You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, it will change you from the inside out."

That is the work of God in our lives . . .
to change us from the inside out and to slowly transform us into the image of His Son.

For the word of God is living and active.
Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow;
it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight.
Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Hebrews 4:12 - 13

Father's Love Letter

The Cry Of A Father's Heart From Genesis To Revelation

My Child…

You may not know me, but I know everything about you…Psalm 139:1
I know when you sit down and when you rise up
…Psalm 139:2
I am familiar with all your ways
…Psalm 139:3
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered…Matthew 10:29-31
For you were made in my image
…Genesis 1:27
In me you live and move and have your being
…Acts 17:28
For you are my offspring
…Acts 17:28
I knew you even before you were conceived
…Jeremiah 1:4-5
I chose you when I planned creation
…Ephesians 1:11-12
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book…Psalm 139:15-16
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live
…Acts 17:26
You are fearfully and wonderfully made
…Psalm 139:14
I knit you together in your mother's womb
…Psalm 139:13
And brought you forth on the day you were born
…Psalm 71:6
I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me
…John 8:41-44
I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love…1 John 4:16
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you
…1 John 3:1
Simply because you are my child and I am your Father
…1 John 3:1
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could
…Matthew 7:11
For I am the perfect father
…Matthew 5:48
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand…James 1:17
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs
…Matthew 6:31-33
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope
…Jeremiah 29:11
Because I love you with an everlasting love
…Jeremiah 31:3
My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore
...Psalms 139:17-18
And I rejoice over you with singing
…Zephaniah 3:17
I will never stop doing good to you
…Jeremiah 32:40
For you are my treasured possession
…Exodus 19:5
I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul
…Jeremiah 32:41
And I want to show you great and marvelous things
…Jeremiah 33:3
If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me
…Deuteronomy 4:29
Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart
…Psalm 37:4
For it is I who gave you those desires
…Philippians 2:13
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine
…Ephesians 3:20
For I am your greatest encourager
…2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles
…2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you
…Psalm 34:18
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart
…Isaiah 40:11
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes
…Revelation 21:3-4
And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth
…Revelation 21:3-4
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus
…John 17:23
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed
…John 17:26
He is the exact representation of my being
…Hebrews 1:3
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you…Romans 8:31
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins
…2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled
…2 Corinthians 5:18-19
His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you…1 John 4:10
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love
…Romans 8:31-32
If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me
…1 John 2:23
And nothing will ever separate you from my love again
…Romans 8:38-39
Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen
…Luke 15:7
I have always been Father, and will always be Father
…Ephesians 3:14-15
My question is…Will you be my child?
…John 1:12-13
I am waiting for you
…Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad. Almighty God