The revchristruelsen’s Podcast

Of the Life Everlasting

Genesis 50 - we've reached the final chapter of Genesis together in this podcast.  

(If you've missed some chapters, you can catch any of them in the previous podcasts.  The chapter is usually listed).  

This is the end of the Epic of Joseph-but the Epic of Israel continues on, and hard times are a comin' for God's people . . . .  

Many peoples have thoughts about what's to come when this life is over, but the reason for that is not wishful thinking, but because God really does have something in store for us.  He has placed eternity in our hearts, and He has given us these lives that we might seek Him and find Him . . . . 

 

Hymn: What Wondrous Love is This

When You Come from the Wrong Side of the Tracks

This week we share Genesis 49.  

We want our parents blessing; we especially want to know that we have God's blessing . . . but what if we come from the wrong family, from the wrong side of the tracks?  We have a Savior that came from the "wrong" place and the "wrong" family . . . . 

 

The Hymn: 

Lord Of Glory, You Have Bought Us 

We Always Knew This Day Would Come

The text for our discussion is Genesis 48 . . . .  The big elephant in the room throughout our days is . . . what's to come when THIS ends?  

For those who believe, we know what's to come through Christ, yet it is more than just a dusty word-it is reality.  Grasp hold of it.  

 

The hymn is: Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus 

The Road from Freedom and Prosperity to Slavery

Genesis 47 is about the incremental spiral of freedom to slavery.  Slavery is a condition that exists in the Fallen world and though it is evil, it will likely not be eradicated from the Fallen world, until the end of time when Christ comes to judge the living and the dead . . . .  Only in Christ will slavery end-including slavery to sin, death, and the devil.  

 

IF YOU HAPPENED TO MISS LAST WEEK'S PODCAST BECAUSE I UPLOADED THE WRONG ONE AT FIRST, PLEASE GO AND TAKE A LISTEN TO LAST WEEK'S AS THE CORRECT ONE HAS BEEN UPLOADED.  

 

The hymn:  Fight the Good Fight 

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Manhandling Fear and Uncertainty

PLEASE NOTE: DUE TO AN OVERSIGHT, THE PODCAST UPLOADED AT FIRST WAS LAST WEEK'S.  I HAVE UPLOADED THE PROPER AUGUST 13 PODCAST NOW-SORRY FOR THE INCONVENIENCE . . . . 

 

These are fearful times.  Fear and uncertainty can keep us from sleeping at night.  We can make bad decisions from the vantage point of fear and uncertainty, and worse, they can sometimes cause us to make sinful decisions.   

But there are ALWAYS fearful times.  Just consider, who is with us?  Who is with you?  No matter what may come, you will one day stand before God face to face.  We are small, but God gives us courage in the face of fear.  

 

This week we discuss Genesis 46 and other passages.  

The hymn: Jesus, Savior Pilot Me.  

Our Prayers are More than Busy Work

If God knows what we are going to pray, why do we pray?  What is the purpose?  

This episode answers that question, and in it we meet up with Joseph as he confronts his brothers . . . . 

Genesis 45 is the topic of discussion.  

 

All Scriptures used come from the ESV translation of Scripture.  

Was It All Rigged?

There are certain events that are fixed in history.  That is what we learn from Joseph's interpretation of Pharaoh's two dreams.  Joseph seemed like he was pulling the strings, but the real one behind everything that was happening was God.  So, certain things are inevitable.  Does that mean that everything we do has been planned out?  Good question.  That is the discussion of this week's podcast, as we focus on Genesis 44.  

 

The hymn: My Soul Now Praise Your Maker  (a public domain hymn) 

Living Under the Rainbow, But Not Over It

Someplace over the rainbow - a hopeful wish for a better place - but truly we live in the world, and we live under the rainbow, but when we have a hard time overcoming the past, in Christ, we live under the cross, and Christ is the light that has overcome the darkness.  

 

Genesis 43 is featured.  

 

Hymn:  Built on the Rock.  #645

Justice is Coming and Not Even the Powerful Can Stop It

A cynical glance at the world may tell us that there is no justice.  Innocent folks are injured and receive no compensation when the truth is inconvenient.  The guilty receive the treatment of the innocent, and are returned to continue their sinful actions.  Yes, a cynical glance at the world may tell us that there is no justice, but that is a lie.  Justice is a thing bigger than the powers that be or the gears of justice in this world.  God sees and knows all, and He hears the prayers of the innocent who look to Him and cry out.  The humble will be lifted up, the mighty will be brought low, and all will receive justice according to the Lord's reckoning.  

And so justice came to Egypt . . . .  God still knows and hears those who believe in Him today . . . .

The discussion is over Genesis 42.  

Hymn: The Night Will Soon be Ending.  

Text (C) 1998 GIA publications

Tune: Public domain.  

 

Victory Over the Darkness

Our battles in life are not just physical troubles; we may not realize it, but we face spiritual battles in life.

Joseph's victory over the darkness of slavery and imprisonment is a reminder of Christ's victory over sin, death and the devil.  

Through Christ we also win victory.  

 

This week we talk about Genesis 41 

 

[In some locations, the player may contain an image:  Raphael - St. George and the dragon - public domain.]