What God Actually Promises You | Genesis 50

So, let's testify. Where's a point in So, let's testify. Where's a point in your life where you've experienced God your life where you've experienced God your life where you've experienced God that way? that way? that way? >> What a choose. >> What a choose. >> What a choose. >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> That's right. That's right. >> That's right. That's right. >> That's right. That's right. >> I'm going to testify. >> I'm going to testify. >> I'm going to testify. >> This is the Crossroads Daily. No >> This is the Crossroads Daily. No >> This is the Crossroads Daily. No experts, no perfect people, just honest experts, no perfect people, just honest experts, no perfect people, just honest conversations about what happens when conversations about what happens when conversations about what happens when the Bible shows up in real life. Hey, I'm Chuck. Hey, I'm Chuck. >> I'm Alex. >> I'm Alex. >> I'm Alex. >> I'm Chris. >> I'm Chris. >> I'm Chris. >> I'm Sierra. >> I'm Sierra. >> I'm Sierra. >> Genesis 50 has some of the most powerful >> Genesis 50 has some of the most powerful >> Genesis 50 has some of the most powerful words, probably ever spoken in words, probably ever spoken in words, probably ever spoken in scripture, but certainly Joseph. When scripture, but certainly Joseph. When scripture, but certainly Joseph. When Joseph says, "What you meant for harm, Joseph says, "What you meant for harm, Joseph says, "What you meant for harm, God meant for good." God is the ultimate God meant for good." God is the ultimate God meant for good." God is the ultimate alchemist, and he is able to work good alchemist, and he is able to work good alchemist, and he is able to work good out of [snorts] anything in our lives. out of [snorts] anything in our lives. out of [snorts] anything in our lives. And so, I was thinking about growing up And so, I was thinking about growing up And so, I was thinking about growing up in my church, Chicago Revival Temple. I in my church, Chicago Revival Temple. I in my church, Chicago Revival Temple. I love saying the name of my church love saying the name of my church love saying the name of my church growing up cuz it just tells you a lot growing up cuz it just tells you a lot growing up cuz it just tells you a lot about my about my about my >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> my church experience and that was the >> my church experience and that was the >> my church experience and that was the name of my church, Chicago Revival name of my church, Chicago Revival name of my church, Chicago Revival Temple. And every week we would have Temple. And every week we would have Temple. And every week we would have testimony. People would get up and testimony. People would get up and testimony. People would get up and testify. They'd get up and say, "You testify. They'd get up and say, "You testify. They'd get up and say, "You usually start the same way, giving honor usually start the same way, giving honor usually start the same way, giving honor to God, saints, pastors, friends, and I to God, saints, pastors, friends, and I to God, saints, pastors, friends, and I want to tell you about how God has want to tell you about how God has want to tell you about how God has worked in my life."

worked in my life." worked in my life." >> Amen. >> Amen. >> Amen. >> And so, we are going to testify. That's >> And so, we are going to testify. That's >> And so, we are going to testify. That's right, Alex. That's right. We're going right, Alex. That's right. We're going right, Alex. That's right. We're going to testify because I'm sure there are to testify because I'm sure there are to testify because I'm sure there are times in your life where you look back times in your life where you look back times in your life where you look back and it looked like it wasn't going your and it looked like it wasn't going your and it looked like it wasn't going your way, but only in retrospect you see how way, but only in retrospect you see how way, but only in retrospect you see how God was faithful and good. So, let's God was faithful and good. So, let's God was faithful and good. So, let's testify. Where's a point in your life testify. Where's a point in your life testify. Where's a point in your life where you've experienced God that way? where you've experienced God that way? where you've experienced God that way? >> What a choose. >> What a choose. >> What a choose. >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> That's right. That's right. >> That's right. That's right. >> That's right. That's right. >> I'm going to testify. >> I'm going to testify. >> I'm going to testify. Um Um Um gosh, seriously for me it is like what gosh, seriously for me it is like what gosh, seriously for me it is like what to choose. Like I've seen God show up to choose. Like I've seen God show up to choose. Like I've seen God show up and heal my body physically in ways that and heal my body physically in ways that and heal my body physically in ways that are only explained through miracle, are only explained through miracle, are only explained through miracle, through some like scary diagnosis when I through some like scary diagnosis when I through some like scary diagnosis when I was in high school, things said by was in high school, things said by was in high school, things said by doctors like, "You might have to use a doctors like, "You might have to use a doctors like, "You might have to use a walker, be in a wheelchair, or you will walker, be in a wheelchair, or you will walker, be in a wheelchair, or you will never have children." and I have two never have children." and I have two never have children." and I have two children and children and children and >> And you walked in here today. >> And you walked in here today. >> And you walked in here today. >> I walked in >> I walked in >> I walked in >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> here today. >> here today. >> here today. >> Yes, you did. >> Yes, you did. >> Yes, you did. >> I sure did. So, amen.

>> I sure did. So, amen. >> I sure did. So, amen. >> Amen. Praise God. >> Amen. Praise God. >> Amen. Praise God. >> And I also think about the next one that >> And I also think about the next one that >> And I also think about the next one that came to mind, even though there are a came to mind, even though there are a came to mind, even though there are a million, is my marriage, too. And I have million, is my marriage, too. And I have million, is my marriage, too. And I have been married for 7 years and there were been married for 7 years and there were been married for 7 years and there were multiple times where that didn't seem multiple times where that didn't seem multiple times where that didn't seem possible at all. Like the next day of possible at all. Like the next day of possible at all. Like the next day of marriage didn't seem like maybe it would marriage didn't seem like maybe it would marriage didn't seem like maybe it would be a thing. And man, the way that I have be a thing. And man, the way that I have be a thing. And man, the way that I have seen God redeem seen God redeem seen God redeem both both Cameron and I as individuals, both both Cameron and I as individuals, both both Cameron and I as individuals, but also together to where now we're at but also together to where now we're at but also together to where now we're at the point where it's not even like is the point where it's not even like is the point where it's not even like is tomorrow will we still be married? tomorrow will we still be married? tomorrow will we still be married? [laughter] [laughter] [laughter] But we're actually able to like walk But we're actually able to like walk But we're actually able to like walk alongside other couples who are alongside other couples who are alongside other couples who are struggling in their marriage to tell struggling in their marriage to tell struggling in their marriage to tell them, "Hey, it is possible when today them, "Hey, it is possible when today them, "Hey, it is possible when today you don't think tomorrow might be you don't think tomorrow might be you don't think tomorrow might be possible for your marriage. It is and it possible for your marriage. It is and it possible for your marriage. It is and it is through the power of is through the power of is through the power of >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> the Lord and the conviction of the Holy >> the Lord and the conviction of the Holy >> the Lord and the conviction of the Holy Spirit, but it can be possible for you."

Spirit, but it can be possible for you." Spirit, but it can be possible for you." >> That's great. Yes. >> That's great. Yes. >> That's great. Yes. >> What do you What do people at your >> What do you What do people at your >> What do you What do people at your church say at the end of church say at the end of church say at the end of >> They would say praise God. >> They would say praise God. >> They would say praise God. >> Praise God. Hallelujah. >> Praise God. Hallelujah. >> Praise God. Hallelujah. >> Hallelujah. Amen. >> I just think about my family. Like I >> I just think about my family. Like I think think think when I got first graduated college, when I got first graduated college, when I got first graduated college, there was this summer where it was just there was this summer where it was just there was this summer where it was just like this exposing that happened. like this exposing that happened. like this exposing that happened. [clears throat] [clears throat] [clears throat] And there was so much grief and hurt and And there was so much grief and hurt and And there was so much grief and hurt and loss, loss, loss, but out of that has come so much but out of that has come so much but out of that has come so much vulnerability and intimacy vulnerability and intimacy vulnerability and intimacy and depth of relationship that I don't and depth of relationship that I don't and depth of relationship that I don't think we would have ever gotten to had think we would have ever gotten to had think we would have ever gotten to had any of that happened. any of that happened. any of that happened. So, it's just been good. Like my family So, it's just been good. Like my family So, it's just been good. Like my family is redeemed. We're great. We are is redeemed. We're great. We are is redeemed. We're great. We are healthy. healthy. healthy. >> Awesome. >> Awesome. >> Awesome. >> Got a a child a grandson for my parents >> Got a a child a grandson for my parents >> Got a a child a grandson for my parents on like we're just on like we're just on like we're just >> did. >> did. >> did. >> We're good. >> We're good. >> We're good. We're good. We're good. We're good. >> We're good. [laughter] Yeah. >> We're good. [laughter] Yeah. >> We're good. [laughter] Yeah. >> So. >> So. >> So. >> That's [clears throat] awesome. >> That's [clears throat] awesome. >> That's [clears throat] awesome. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Oh, man. I told this story a few weeks >> Oh, man. I told this story a few weeks >> Oh, man. I told this story a few weeks ago of uh ago of uh ago of uh we had someone watching our daughter uh we had someone watching our daughter uh we had someone watching our daughter uh when she was about 9 or 10 months and when she was about 9 or 10 months and when she was about 9 or 10 months and our daughter fell our daughter fell our daughter fell uh uh uh fractured skull was in the emergency fractured skull was in the emergency fractured skull was in the emergency room like room like room like blood like just outside of her skull we blood like just outside of her skull we blood like just outside of her skull we didn't know if it was going to go into didn't know if it was going to go into didn't know if it was going to go into her brain and really scary moment her brain and really scary moment her brain and really scary moment obviously she's okay now but like uh obviously she's okay now but like uh obviously she's okay now but like uh everything about that was like why would everything about that was like why would everything about that was like why would God allow something like this to happen God allow something like this to happen God allow something like this to happen and then and then and then looking back now I see in the weeks looking back now I see in the weeks looking back now I see in the weeks following like the vulnerability and uh following like the vulnerability and uh following like the vulnerability and uh that my wife and I got to have with each that my wife and I got to have with each that my wife and I got to have with each other of like other of like other of like just letting ourselves emotionally just letting ourselves emotionally just letting ourselves emotionally process stuff where like we her and I

process stuff where like we her and I process stuff where like we her and I are notorious for like just not feeling are notorious for like just not feeling are notorious for like just not feeling things like just in some way like things like just in some way like things like just in some way like distracting or numbing or suppressing distracting or numbing or suppressing distracting or numbing or suppressing and and and I just remember going on a walk like the I just remember going on a walk like the I just remember going on a walk like the day after like our daughter's asleep in day after like our daughter's asleep in day after like our daughter's asleep in the stroller like her head's like the stroller like her head's like the stroller like her head's like swelled like this and we're just like I swelled like this and we're just like I swelled like this and we're just like I just turned to her and I would just felt just turned to her and I would just felt just turned to her and I would just felt God prompting to be like hey what do we God prompting to be like hey what do we God prompting to be like hey what do we just like unfiltered just say whatever just like unfiltered just say whatever just like unfiltered just say whatever we're feeling right now and I feel like we're feeling right now and I feel like we're feeling right now and I feel like I look back and see like in the past I look back and see like in the past I look back and see like in the past year how much more honest and vulnerable year how much more honest and vulnerable year how much more honest and vulnerable we've been and just unfiltered with how we've been and just unfiltered with how we've been and just unfiltered with how we're feeling because of a moment like we're feeling because of a moment like we're feeling because of a moment like that and it's like that and it's like that and it's like >> know, did God >> know, did God >> know, did God make that happen so that we'd be more make that happen so that we'd be more make that happen so that we'd be more emotionally it's I don't know like God emotionally it's I don't know like God emotionally it's I don't know like God knows what he's doing at the end of the knows what he's doing at the end of the knows what he's doing at the end of the day and like he can turn anything like day and like he can turn anything like day and like he can turn anything like God works all things together for those God works all things together for those God works all things together for those who love him and those who call it who love him and those who call it who love him and those who call it according to his purpose. So like according to his purpose. So like according to his purpose. So like at the end of the day at the end of the day at the end of the day something can be intended for evil or something can be intended for evil or something can be intended for evil or just just just life happens and God can still life happens and God can still life happens and God can still find moments of redemption. Um so I feel find moments of redemption. Um so I feel find moments of redemption. Um so I feel like we're more emotionally healthy and like we're more emotionally healthy and like we're more emotionally healthy and closer. closer. closer. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> And my daughter's okay so it's like you >> And my daughter's okay so it's like you >> And my daughter's okay so it's like you know know know >> Praise God. >> Praise God. >> Praise God. >> Praise God. Hallelujah.

>> Praise God. Hallelujah. >> Praise God. Hallelujah. >> That's right. That's right. >> That's right. That's right. >> That's right. That's right. >> Chuck. >> Chuck. >> Chuck. >> Gosh, I mean there's so many like you >> Gosh, I mean there's so many like you >> Gosh, I mean there's so many like you guys said there's so many um the thing guys said there's so many um the thing guys said there's so many um the thing that's on my heart to to share is that's on my heart to to share is that's on my heart to to share is um, I have two siblings who were um, I have two siblings who were um, I have two siblings who were addicted to crack cocaine. addicted to crack cocaine. addicted to crack cocaine. >> Mhm. Wow. >> Mhm. Wow. >> Mhm. Wow. >> And, you know, I grew up in kind of >> And, you know, I grew up in kind of >> And, you know, I grew up in kind of Philly in a time where that was that was Philly in a time where that was that was Philly in a time where that was that was common. I had lots of people in my life common. I had lots of people in my life common. I had lots of people in my life that were impacted by that. that were impacted by that. that were impacted by that. And just to look back at God's And just to look back at God's And just to look back at God's faithfulness to my brother and my faithfulness to my brother and my faithfulness to my brother and my sister, sister, sister, the freedom that they live in today from the freedom that they live in today from the freedom that they live in today from that, um, how God is even used them in that, um, how God is even used them in that, um, how God is even used them in some ways to help other people come out some ways to help other people come out some ways to help other people come out of that. Like it's it's only God's of that. Like it's it's only God's of that. Like it's it's only God's goodness and it's only God's goodness and it's only God's goodness and it's only God's faithfulness. I think about my own faithfulness. I think about my own faithfulness. I think about my own recovery story, same thing. Like it's recovery story, same thing. Like it's recovery story, same thing. Like it's only God's goodness and his only God's goodness and his only God's goodness and his faithfulness. And faithfulness. And faithfulness. And um, there's dark times when you're um, there's dark times when you're um, there's dark times when you're dealing with an addiction that you just dealing with an addiction that you just dealing with an addiction that you just think like you're trapped think like you're trapped think like you're trapped and you're never going to get out. It's and you're never going to get out. It's and you're never going to get out. It's the umpteenth time you try. Whatever it the umpteenth time you try. Whatever it the umpteenth time you try. Whatever it may be. And just to know that God is may be. And just to know that God is may be. And just to know that God is faithful for the long haul, man, I'm faithful for the long haul, man, I'm faithful for the long haul, man, I'm just so glad. So, yeah, that'd be my just so glad. So, yeah, that'd be my just so glad. So, yeah, that'd be my testimony as well. testimony as well. testimony as well. >> Amen. Praise God. >> Amen. Praise God. >> Amen. Praise God. >> Amen.

>> Amen. >> Amen. >> So, >> So, >> So, I mean, part of the reason I loved I mean, part of the reason I loved I mean, part of the reason I loved growing up in the church where we would growing up in the church where we would growing up in the church where we would give testimony is because when you're in give testimony is because when you're in give testimony is because when you're in the middle of a thing, it's hard. the middle of a thing, it's hard. the middle of a thing, it's hard. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> It's hard. And so, what do you think >> It's hard. And so, what do you think >> It's hard. And so, what do you think makes it difficult? Even though we've makes it difficult? Even though we've makes it difficult? Even though we've got all these examples, right? We didn't got all these examples, right? We didn't got all these examples, right? We didn't name all the examples. And yet, I don't name all the examples. And yet, I don't name all the examples. And yet, I don't know, maybe I'm the only person around know, maybe I'm the only person around know, maybe I'm the only person around this circle that the next time I'm in this circle that the next time I'm in this circle that the next time I'm in something hard, I might doubt. I know something hard, I might doubt. I know something hard, I might doubt. I know you guys probably don't do that anymore, you guys probably don't do that anymore, you guys probably don't do that anymore, but I might [laughter] doubt. but I might [laughter] doubt. but I might [laughter] doubt. >> Never doubt. >> Never doubt. >> Never doubt. >> Um, why is it so hard to trust God in >> Um, why is it so hard to trust God in >> Um, why is it so hard to trust God in the middle of a thing? the middle of a thing? the middle of a thing? >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> I think it's just because you're in the >> I think it's just because you're in the >> I think it's just because you're in the middle. Like you're not at the middle. Like you're not at the middle. Like you're not at the beginning, you're not at the end. You beginning, you're not at the end. You beginning, you're not at the end. You know that you have to get out of it some know that you have to get out of it some know that you have to get out of it some way or another. And knowing like you way or another. And knowing like you way or another. And knowing like you have no idea what that looks like. have no idea what that looks like. have no idea what that looks like. What's next? Like is it flower fields? What's next? Like is it flower fields? What's next? Like is it flower fields? Is it a dirt road? Like where am I going Is it a dirt road? Like where am I going Is it a dirt road? Like where am I going to end up next? And then it's just like to end up next? And then it's just like to end up next? And then it's just like complete and total surrender complete and total surrender complete and total surrender that you just have to forfeit. that you just have to forfeit. that you just have to forfeit. >> Yeah. Yeah, I I think you're on to >> Yeah. Yeah, I I think you're on to >> Yeah. Yeah, I I think you're on to something there. I think it's the loss something there. I think it's the loss something there. I think it's the loss of control of control of control that we really struggle with. that we really struggle with. that we really struggle with. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> And I really struggle with I use ice >> And I really struggle with I use ice >> And I really struggle with I use ice cream that I really struggle with cream that I really struggle with cream that I really struggle with [laughter] is the loss of control.

[laughter] is the loss of control. [laughter] is the loss of control. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> I think for me it's that I forget that >> I think for me it's that I forget that >> I think for me it's that I forget that the ultimate promise is that God will be the ultimate promise is that God will be the ultimate promise is that God will be with me no matter what and I try to tack with me no matter what and I try to tack with me no matter what and I try to tack on these other promises like well, what on these other promises like well, what on these other promises like well, what if this [snorts] falls through and what if this [snorts] falls through and what if this [snorts] falls through and what if this happens and if this happens and if this happens and it's like that might happen it's like that might happen it's like that might happen but the one thing that won't get taken but the one thing that won't get taken but the one thing that won't get taken away is that God is with me. away is that God is with me. away is that God is with me. >> That's good. >> That's good. >> That's good. >> And I think my nervousness about >> And I think my nervousness about >> And I think my nervousness about everything else causes me to distrust everything else causes me to distrust everything else causes me to distrust and doubt and be fearful and doubt and be fearful and doubt and be fearful and just forget. It's like no, there's and just forget. It's like no, there's and just forget. It's like no, there's only one thing that's never going to go only one thing that's never going to go only one thing that's never going to go away and he's with me. away and he's with me. away and he's with me. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> So. >> So. >> So. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. That's good. I love what you said about That's good. I love what you said about That's good. I love what you said about tacking on these extra promises. tacking on these extra promises. tacking on these extra promises. I make those bargains with God all the I make those bargains with God all the I make those bargains with God all the time. time. time. >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> God, I know you said this but this is >> God, I know you said this but this is >> God, I know you said this but this is the three things I really want. the three things I really want. the three things I really want. >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> Right. And if I think it's like well, >> Right. And if I think it's like well, >> Right. And if I think it's like well, I've been I've been going to church. I've been I've been going to church. I've been I've been going to church. I've been reading my Bible. I'm doing I've been reading my Bible. I'm doing I've been reading my Bible. I'm doing the right thing. So doesn't that A plus the right thing. So doesn't that A plus the right thing. So doesn't that A plus B means you're going to do C and I'm B means you're going to do C and I'm B means you're going to do C and I'm going to have all these great other going to have all these great other going to have all these great other outcomes. Like yes, you're with me but outcomes. Like yes, you're with me but outcomes. Like yes, you're with me but all these other things, right? That's all these other things, right? That's all these other things, right? That's like I don't know that. like I don't know that. like I don't know that. >> That's right. Well, even thinking about >> That's right. Well, even thinking about >> That's right. Well, even thinking about Joseph's words, right? I mean Joseph Joseph's words, right? I mean Joseph Joseph's words, right? I mean Joseph isn't saying that in the middle of isn't saying that in the middle of isn't saying that in the middle of prison.

prison. prison. He's not saying that in the middle of, He's not saying that in the middle of, He's not saying that in the middle of, you know, being arrested or being a you know, being arrested or being a you know, being arrested or being a slave at Potiphar's house. He's not slave at Potiphar's house. He's not slave at Potiphar's house. He's not saying that in the middle of that. It's saying that in the middle of that. It's saying that in the middle of that. It's the long view that allows him to say the long view that allows him to say the long view that allows him to say that, you know? What God meant for evil that, you know? What God meant for evil that, you know? What God meant for evil felt like evil to Joseph for probably 30 felt like evil to Joseph for probably 30 felt like evil to Joseph for probably 30 plus years, however long it was from the plus years, however long it was from the plus years, however long it was from the time where he was sold to the time that time where he was sold to the time that time where he was sold to the time that he was, you know, reunited and seeing he was, you know, reunited and seeing he was, you know, reunited and seeing this. So yeah, there's a long view this. So yeah, there's a long view this. So yeah, there's a long view that Joseph is speaking with. that Joseph is speaking with. that Joseph is speaking with. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> That's why it's so important. I just >> That's why it's so important. I just >> That's why it's so important. I just want to affirm like if you're an older want to affirm like if you're an older want to affirm like if you're an older person, if you are a senior, like we person, if you are a senior, like we person, if you are a senior, like we need you need you need you vitally in our lives and community and I vitally in our lives and community and I vitally in our lives and community and I say we, I'm now we. I mean I'm say we, I'm now we. I mean I'm say we, I'm now we. I mean I'm I'm a senior in this circle, right? I'm a senior in this circle, right? I'm a senior in this circle, right? But it's so important to have people who But it's so important to have people who But it's so important to have people who have walked with God much longer than have walked with God much longer than have walked with God much longer than you. Yeah. Who can give you that kind of you. Yeah. Who can give you that kind of you. Yeah. Who can give you that kind of perspective. That's one of the ways I perspective. That's one of the ways I perspective. That's one of the ways I think we make it over. So, uh today I think we make it over. So, uh today I think we make it over. So, uh today I guess whatever I if I had an guess whatever I if I had an guess whatever I if I had an encouragement for you today it would be encouragement for you today it would be encouragement for you today it would be this. It would be take a time to this. It would be take a time to this. It would be take a time to testify. Take a moment to think about testify. Take a moment to think about testify. Take a moment to think about God's faithfulness in your life and take God's faithfulness in your life and take God's faithfulness in your life and take the opportunity maybe to testify to the opportunity maybe to testify to the opportunity maybe to testify to others because you never know what God others because you never know what God others because you never know what God has brought you through might be exactly has brought you through might be exactly has brought you through might be exactly where someone finds themselves and you where someone finds themselves and you where someone finds themselves and you might be the reason that they have the might be the reason that they have the might be the reason that they have the courage and the resilience to keep courage and the resilience to keep courage and the resilience to keep moving forward.

moving forward. moving forward. >> [music]