4 Lessons from Joseph’s Story in Genesis 39

1. When the Lord is with you, you will be prospered (39:2) – Although Joseph was sold as a slave, he had a chance to learn cross-culture and administrative skills as a head of stewards under the Egyptian master. Joseph indirectly impacted his master as a man of God (39:3-4).

2. We have to resist all temptations and must be transparent in all we’re doing with humility and patience (39:7-20) – Sometimes, we can be accused or mistreated wrongfully but we learn to be humble and build character through hardship.

3. When you are honest and transparent in your life, the Lord will be with you to strengthen your vision and characters (honesty, self-control, peace, kindness, patience, wisdom, integrity, responsibility and accountability) (39:21-23) – The Lord will lift you up in a worst situation and will make you successful in whatever you do.

4. Your transparency will make you a person of trustworthiness, creativity, innovation, and servant-leadership. – You’ll become a transformed person with multi-talents, multi-perspetives, effective communication skills, proactive faith and deeper spirituality.

“Transparency is one of very important elements of faith.”

– Pastor Stephen Moon

Related Scriptures:

Create in me a pure heart, O God,
    and renew a steadfast spirit within me. – Psalms 51:10, NIV

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ² through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. ³ Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴ perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵ And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. – Romans 5:1-5, NIV

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. – Romans 12:1-2, NIV

 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! – 2 Corinthians 5:17, NIV

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. – Hebrews 12:1-2, NIV

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© Image pictures credit: http://windowsitpro.com/security/microsoft-launches-home-based-transparency-center-unveils-encryption-onedrive-and-outlookco & The Global Leadership Summit, https://www.facebook.com/wcagls?fref=ts

As I am preparing for the ministry in Davis—city of multiethnic Millennials, God reminds me of two apostles, one is Apostle Peter (Acts 10:9-16) and the other is Apostle Paul (Philippians 3:7-11 & 2 Timothy 2:8-10).

Peter was a fisherman with bold and simple Jewish mindset while Paul was en elite with Hellenistic mindset with dual citizenship. Peter betrayed Jesus while Paul persecuted church. They both repented, humbled and risked their lives for the sake of Christ. They are two pillars of the church who shows us how to pursue the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37-40) and the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20).

My priority is “winning the lost souls” like Peter (within church) and Paul (outside of church), one person at a time.

I take Paul’s confession as mine: “I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” (Acts 20:23-24)

Pastor Stephen Moon

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⁹ About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. ¹⁰ He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. ¹¹ He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. ¹² It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. ¹³ Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”

¹⁴ “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”

¹⁵ The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”

¹⁶ This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven. – Acts 10:9-16

⁷ But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸ What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ ⁹ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. ¹⁰ I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, ¹¹ and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. – Philippians 3:7-11

⁸ Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, ⁹ for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained. ¹⁰ Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. – 2 Timothy 2:8-10

¹⁸ For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, ¹⁹ but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. – 1 Peter 1:18-19

But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. – 1 Timothy 1:16

Jesus Paid It All (O Phraise the One)

“Lead Me To The Cross” by Hillsong

“Calvary” by Hillsong Worship

God has been providing all our needs for the ministry: space for gatherings (through generous support from Davis Community Church), prayers & financial gifts for ministry (through generous gifts from the Mission Agency, Sacramento Presbytery and many donors), and good health for us. Praise the Lord!

During our Holy Week trip to Southern California, our fundraising goal of $15,000 has been met (one month ahead of the deadline) through hands and hearts of our generous supporters. Thank God!

“Meant To Be” by David & JJ Heller

Anyone interested in Korean language, culture, food and music?

All skills levels are welcome. We are gathering Saturday from 3 pm and Sunday from 3:45 pm at our Elk Grove house.

We also have French, Russian, Mandarin Chinese and Guitar classes during weekends. All classes are free to all ages as long as 3 or more people are gathering for each class. Please feel free to explore and enjoy Korean and other ethnic cultures within our group.

http://www.meetup.com/Elk-Grove-Korean-Language-Meetup/

Every Sunday:
3 – 3:45 pm: Snack Fellowship
3:45 – 5 pm: Beginning Korean
5 – 6:30 pm: Guitar Class and 15 min. Inspirational Story-Telling
6:30 – 7:30 pm: Dinner Fellowship

Davis Meetup on Saturday:
http://www.meetup.com/Davis-Intercultural-Language-Meetup/

Please contact Stephen at 916-217-5470 or email: catalyst@nextg.org for more information.

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“I Am Not Alone” by Kari Jobe