Burning Hearts -January 19

Written by Bill Grandi on January 17th, 2025

One of the most beloved OT characters is Joseph. His life challenges seem daunting, even to us in 2025. But the lessons we can learn! Oh WOW!!

The coach has reached the point of exasperation: “Losing five games in a row is bad enough. But what really frustrates me is that we keep making the same mistakes over and over. We just aren’t learning anything!” Been there done that! 🙂  I read of a man who had been at a company 25 years but was passed over for a promotion. When he went to see his boss he asked why after 25 years of experience he could be passed over. The boss looked at him and said, “You haven’t had 25 years of experience. You have had one year experience 25 times.”

The story of Joseph is a story of highs and lows, love and hate, conviction and punishment, forgotten but not alone, then rewarded far beyond his wildest dreams. All in God’s stunning plan. The lessons we can learn are unforgettable and monumental. In direct line of sight is God’s sovereign leading and ability to take ugly events and turn them into good.

I will be preaching on Joseph’s life this week (Genesis 38-Exodus 3) as we continue our study from the Everyday Gospel Devotional by Paul David Tripp. Starting with the foundation Jacob laid with making and showing Joseph as his favorite to Joseph’s death, it will be a fun and interesting ride. (Exodus 1-3 will introduce next week’s message).  The second part of the message will see Joseph’s life like a play in 4 acts:

  1. Treachery (37:18-36
  2. Temptation (39:1-18)
  3. Disappointment (39:19-40:23
  4. Forgiveness or Bitterness?  (41:1-45:15)

Please join us in person if you are able. I  will see you at 9:00 and 10:45. If you can’t be here is person, you can watch our live stream. You can send a request to join our Facebook Group at Owen Valley Christian Fellowship or view our public page at Owen Valley Christian Fellowship-Spencer, In. Or you watch via YouTube at Owen Valley Christian Fellowship.

Here’s to hoping there is NO SNOW!  🙂

 

4 Comments so far ↓

  1. What a fantastic series you are presenting, Bill! Joseph’s story stands the test of time and can teach us so much. Of course, I can’t be there in person, but I’ll try to catch you later on YouTube.
    Blessings!

  2. gail says:

    Joseph’s life is a great reminder to us that God is always with us, even when we feel like we have been abandoned or that life is unfair. Joseph’s life teaches us that we do not think like God, see like God, or understand His plans, and honestly may not like God’s plans and want our own plans. However, ultimately God’s plan will completely blow our minds and of course God’s timing and His plans will always be the correct course.

    • Bill Grandi says:

      There is no doubt to the truth of your comment Gail. Things may seem unfair but in the end God’s timing and God’s plans are right.

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