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November Issue 2011 new copy_June 2011.qxd 11/29/2011 2:57 PM Page 33
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The Great Restoration.
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polygamy: marriage to more than one spouse at a time. Children born to several different women can bring about unnecessary competition and mistrust in the home; especially if those with pronounced gifts and talents are singled out for affection and care. It breeds envy and insecurity in the neglected ones. The spirit of envy is a bedfellow of hatred. And it's deadly. It can break up even closely knit families and ruin talents, more so if the insecure children fall into bad companies. Avoid that, stick to one woman.
In the field alone with Joseph, his older siblings green with envy, planned and took away his covering, his glory; the coat of many colors his father made for him, the only tangible of his fathers love. He lost it and Rev. Kwabby Adom-Fosu reminder descended into years of servitude in a foreign Tel: 703-498-5133 land. But God’s plan for his life was on "For indeed I was stolen away out of the land course. He resigned to fate. The prince and heir to the Abrahamic estate found himself in of the Hebrews: and here also have I done nothing that they should put the service of an Egyptian general by name Potiphar. He did not give up. By dent of hard me into the dungeon.” work and the favor of God, he rebuilt the (Gen. 40:15) glory. Taking inspiration from the Eternal Voice that spoke to his spirit man even before The guy was desperate. That was Joseph he had the wisdom to understand. He was tried pleading for his freedom from an Egyptian prison. He tried to tell his story to whoever he in the furnace of affliction but never found reasoned could influence the powers that be to wanting; (Is. 48:10; Ps 105: 19; Mal. 3; 3) He passed. let him breathe the air of freedom. It was not his fault, for twice this man of character and wisdom lost his covering; his glory. Joseph had been born to his daddy (Jacob) in his old age, by his beloved wife, Rachel; the girl whom Jacob had served 14 years in order to win her hand in marriage. Jacob pampered Joseph. And had singled him out for affection and love. He had a coat of many colors made for him. This did not sit well with his brothers, they hated him for that. Unlike Mary -the mother of Jesus -- who kept her angelic visitations to herself, Joseph amplified the hatred by blabbing about his God-given dreams to his brothers. He told them how he would one day become their leader and they would all worship him. They made up their minds to kill the dream. Be reminded, keep your secrets secret.
The realization of every dream is two dimensional: physical and spiritual. Dreams first form in the spirit realm before they manifest in the physical. If the enemy tries in the spirit realm and fails he turns onto the physical. So be admonished, do not fight physical battles. Launch a divine offensive and fight spiritual battles; do not miss prayer gatherings and your efforts will be met with success. In Joseph's case the enemy first attacked his dream in the physical realm using his brothers. When he failed he launched another one in the spirit realm, using Potiphar's wife, again he failed. Why? Joseph did not break God's moral law; as a result His Presence did not leave him.
The jealous spirit of Joseph's siblings became wounded and restless, when they thought about his dream of becoming their leader. As a result they conspired to kill him so as to abort the dream. . This brings into sharp focus the evil effects of
His master’s wife full of lust cast her adulterous eyes on him. Her desire for him became an obsession. Once again the dream killer was at work; the old serpent raised his ugly head but Joseph resisted. A post-modern young man would probably have jumped on it. After all she offered. But he said “how can I do this wickedness and sin against God” (Gen. 39:9). The guy had the courage of his convictions; he said he will not sin against God. Taking cognizance of the fact that God is the final arbiter, He alone enthrones and dethrones. He decides the destiny of nations and people everywhere. Not ready to let the adulterous woman deny his destiny or defer his hope he controlled his emotions. He resisted. For the second time he lost his covering, his glory. This time a self made one.
Portiphar’s wife ripped-off his garment (Gen. 39:12) as evidence that Joseph had wanted to rape her and she lied through her teeth that she had screamed him away .Though Mrs. Potiphar lied, she gave the blue print for resisting rape: if your life is not in immediate danger, shout for help. This can prove that you are not a willing accomplice.
Joseph cared about his character. Character is the foundation of a life well lived. Character is not only shaped by crisis it is revealed in crisis. Joseph's character was revealed in this crisis. Character is a product of good choices.
With an excellent sense of judgment, Joseph rejected Mrs. Portiphar’s offer and it cost him his freedom. He descended into the pit of shame and reproach. Though he was not tried in any court of law, he went to prison on rape charges. Think about it, in this day and age Joseph would have been on the sex offender’s registry and responsible parents would have
steered away from his neighborhood. Yes, his reputation was in tatters, but his character was intact and God had a plan. He was preparing the young guy for a higher office. In the school of affliction he developed the two most important traits for leadership: judgment and character, which are often times developed in the valley not on the mountain top. Character is paramount; your giftings can take you where your character cannot. But it will take character to maintain the height your giftings take you. The giftings without character is a recipe for self destruct. That is why God takes time to prepare his servants. Daniel, Moses, David among others went through the crucible before God found them fit for His service. According to Dr. Myles Monroe, the quality of tomorrow’s leaders is determined by the character of today’s followers. Republican presidential aspirant, Herman Cain may not deny this assertion.
Educational Opportunities November 2011
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1. Wake Forest University has an opportunity for minority students to attend its MBA program for FREE, and so far, the response has been very poor. Please pass along this opportunity to your friends, families. This is a great school and a tremendous opportunity to attend a top graduate school. See the details below, the contact person is: Derrick S. Boone, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Marketing, Rm. 3139 Worrell Professional Center, Babcock Graduate School of Management - Wake Forest University_ WINSTON_SALEM N.C 27109-8738 email:derrick.boone@mba.wfu.edu or visit www.wfu.edu <http://www.wfu.edu/> phone# toll free (866) 925-3622
2. Black Male Teachers needed. Do you know any Black Males who are seniors in high school who want to go to college out of state for FREE? The Joseph in prison had the favor of God, yet he had CALL ME MISTER program offered by 4 historithe prison suit on. He provided leadership still he had the garment of shame on. You might be tempt- cally black colleges in South Carolina, Benedict ed to think your situation cannot get the attention of College, Chaflin University, Morris College, and South Carolina State University - visit the God. It can, so do not give up. Your issue is not www.callmemister.clemson.edu/index.htl beyond the sovereignty of God. For, He, God, can <http://www.callmemister.clemson.edu/index.htl> use reverses in life to move you forward (Roman 8:28). Joseph was sent to prison to be introduced to details online application or call 1.800.640.2657 friends in high places. 3. Harvard University is offering free tuition to famThe minister – the Cup Bearer – Joseph befriended ilies of HONOR STUDENTS whose income is less in prison became his advocate at the right time than $125,000 per year. Visit when Pharaoh had a dream that needed interpretawww.fao.fas.harvard.edc or call 617.495.1581. tion. Then he remembered the young guy with exceptional insight and understanding into the 4. Syracuse University School of Architecture is visions and oracles of God. The young guy was desperately seeking young women and men of color summoned before the King. He put away the prison interested in pursuing a 5 yr. professional degree in clothes – the garment of shame. His long preparaArchitecture. Contact: Mark Robbins, Dean School tion was coming to a climax. For 13 years he had of Architecture, 201 Slocum Hall, Syracuse , NY lived in the backwaters of Egypt as a slave and a 13244-1250 (315) 443-256 prisoner, in leadership training. Waiting for his day www.soa.syr.edu/indes.php of favor. Favor is when preparation meets opportu- <http://www.soa.syr.edu/indes.php> nity. Yes, one day of favor is better than a lifetime of labor. Joseph had gone through trials and tribula- 5. A free pair of eyeglasses from Target for any tions. But his day of favor did come. child ages 12 and under brings a valid prescription for glasses from their doctor. You can find stores In life it does not matter what you go through, but with optical departments atwww.target.com how you go through it. Like the Lord Jesus, Who for the glory set before Him endured the cross 6. APPLY NOW - If you have/know young adults despising the shame, and as a result has been given between the ages of 18-31 with a High School a Name above every name. (Heb. 12:2; Phil 2:9Diploma. Can earn up to $100,000 and earn bene11). If you let what you are going to; your target, fits. The Federal Aviation Association is taking your goal be in clear focus, you will be fine. What application for Air Traffic Controller School visit you are going to; destination, matters more than the website www.faa.gov/jobs_opportunities/airtrafwhat you are going through, the journey. ficcontroller/ <http://www.faa.gov/jobs_opportunities/airtrafficcontroller/> Joseph was rewarded for his wisdom and understanding. Your gift can make room for you and bring you before great men (Prov. 18:16).Whatever giftings God has freely given you, develop them for they could set you on the path to greatness. After Joseph had solved Pharaoh’s mystery, he exchanged the prison garment -- the garment of shame -- for the kingly garment of Pharaoh's fine linen; the garment of glory. He stepped into the office of the Prime Minister of Egypt. It lasted Joseph’s lifetime. Nobody took it away from him. Character also makes possible longevity of service/ministry. Think about it.