Steven Garofalo
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PLEASE PREPARE-A Biblically Grounded Message to My Followers
(Daily Devotional) By Steven Garofalo, March 23, 2023
March 23, 2023

In today's devotional, I would like to ask you to read Genesis 41 in it's entirety for yourself. Here is a the passage I will mostly focus on today:

28 “It is just as I said to Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do. 29 Seven years of great abundance are coming throughout the land of Egypt,30 but seven years of famine will follow them. Then all the abundance in Egypt will be forgotten, and the famine will ravage the land. 31 The abundance in the land will not be remembered, because the famine that follows it will be so severe. 32 The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been firmly decided by God, and God will do it soon.

33 “And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt." (Genesis 41:28-33)

Here are some take aways that we ought to ponder, accept, and prepare for:

  • THE PLENTY WILL BE FORGOTTEN (41:29-30): The famine in Joseph's time would be so severe that everyone would forget the years of plenty. For us today in the United States especially, most of us cannot understand this becasue we grew up into plenty for the most part. The world's default currency, meaning the U.S. dollar was weaponized with the Russia-Ukraine war. As a result, this put into fast motion the rapid growth of the BRICKS Nations. Google that (The Bricks Nations) as you need to understand what BRICKS is. In a nutshel, is a group of growing nations that started over 20 years ago to trade within their group as trade partners. The Bricks nations now include Russia, China, India, Brazil, and many, many other countries. Their default currency will be based on a basket of currencies anchored on the gold standard. Their goal to begin to use their own basket of currencies as opposed to continuing their dependency on the U.S. dollar. For most of us, we only know times of good and a world that revolves around the United States and the U.S. dollar.
  • By the plenty will be forgotten, we must understand that most everything we buy is cheap/inexpensive due to the simple fact that we are the worlds currency. Ten years ago, a 25K Toyota Camry cost 75K in most any other country. Why only 25K? Because the United States was the worlds currency. The point is this: What we have, we have if we can hold onto it: A house, a car, a boat, etc. But, those days will be forgotten as times of famine and trials begin. This is not designed to be a doom and gloom devotion, but a biblical wake up call to look at God's Word in light of the fact that nothing is new under the sun. God's people have become soft and failed to be salt and light in a materialistic world. I feel like an old man saying that. Let's now jump into some application, bridging Genesis 41 and 2023.
  • In applicaiton, I will make some observations and application to this entire chapter due to the fact that this chapter is very pertinent and very applicable to where the West, especially the United States is today. I am not a prophet, as prophet's no longer exist in our modern age. I have the spiritual gift of "Discernment", a desire to understand God's Word, and to share it with others. It's within that context that I enter today's devotional. At this point in the history of the United States, there are many probabilities, but in most cases, no certainties. That being said, with God, there are certainties. One thing that is certain is that the U.S. dollar is beginning to fail more rapidly than we have ever seen in our lift time. As a result, the quality of life will be downgraded for many if not most Americans. Many will be wiped out, most will be vastly negatively affected, but for those who follow old fashion biblical principles, they will prevail, even prosper in times plague and famine. God commands us to read His Word and to "PREPARE" when we see storm clouds on the horizon. When I speak with many (if not most) Christians in Charlotte and around the United States. In America, it seems that most Christians are not preparing for times of famine, which is at our door step. It seems that many people think that things can get back to normal. I am baffled as to the differences between the Christian of 20-30 years ago and the Christian of today (2023), which by the way are the same Christians in many cases. We have just become complacent and off track. In today's modern age, I see paralysis, confusion, and fear in the body of Christ. Yes, we are called not to worry about tomorrow, but to worry about today. But the Bible is clear that we as well are to wisely prepare like the ant for times yet come. As a result, this causes Christians to get stressed out because we simply don't know where to go or what to do. This is understandable but unacceptable. In Genesis 41, God raised us Joseph to speak to the Pharoah regarding the impending famine that was about to come upon Egypt. God did what God most always does: He instructs His people, or in this case Joseph, to help others through God's wisdom and help. In reading this chapter, you will see that Joseph says this: "
  • SOME OBSERVATIONS: "...God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about do" (vs. 25). Notice that Joseph did not take credit for this himself but gave all credit and glory to God. LED by the Spirit of God, Joseph revealed that the "DREAMS" have the same meaning (22:15). "GOD HAS SHOWN PHAROAH": Again Joseph testified to the living God in a pagan court (39:3). Joseph emphasized his reference to the true God as he witnessed to the reality of the only true God. He made it clear that he was speaking about the one God, not the numerous false gods that filled the Egyptian court, or even Pharoah himself who was believed to be god (22:1; 42:18). We too, in applications should be equipped biblically, emotionally and spiritually to share the truth of Jesus Christ with a hurting world. We as believers are called to be the rock, the strong adult in the room to a lost and dying world. Times of trial will bring a harvest of opportunities to share the Christian faith with our neighbors as never seen before in history I believe. 
  • Verse 33 makes clear that it was God who sent Joseph, "a discerning and wise man". God sent the dreams; God enabled Joseph to understand them; and ultimately. God controlled and will control all things. For us today, God gives us the same wisdom, warning and ability to prepare through his Word, the Bible. There are many episodes on "preparation" on the Reason For Truth Podcast. Please check those out.
  • IN CLOSING: I want to be clear that I am not a "prepper". But I believe in being prepared. This is no small thing and I did not have plans for today's devotion before I read today's passage. The good news is that God provides, protects and even prospers those who look to Him for guidance in preparing for the famine(s) yet to come in life. With that said, I want to encourage you to read Genesis 41 for yourself in light of what I have said today. Then take some time in prayer, asking God, how He might have you prepare for the upcoming days. Why do this? For your sake, for your children's sakes, your grandchildren and your neighbors sake. If we as God's people are prepared, we can help others in need and be a witness for Jesus Christ just as Joseph was a witness to the true biblical God of the universe in a pagan society void of God.
  • Thank you for hearing me on this one. Should anyone want to discuss this or do a livestream or video chat, please let me know. I am happy to share with my community some of what I know, what I see and think, and how we might as believers in Jesus Christ better prepare, just as Joseph did thousands of years ago.

 

 

 

 

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His answer was short but the animals not having souls maybe up for debate.

We can use general biblical principles to develop some clarity on the subject though Housman wrote. The Bible states that both man (Genesis 2:7) and animals (Genesis 1:30; 6:17; 7:15 and 22) have the “BREATH OF LIFE” that is, both man and animals are living beings. Furthermore, the primary difference between human beings and animals is that humanity is made in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27), while animals are not.

Being made in the image and likeness of God means that human beings are like God in some ways; they are capable of spirituality; they have a mind, emotion, and “will”; and part of their “being” continues after death.

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AN ETHICAL ECONOMY IS GOOD FOR ALL
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The Vanity of Wealth and Honor is an interesting subject in light of wealth, corruption, and the human heart. This subject effects many things, including what makes a good economy. 

In the Book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 5, verses eight to nine, Solomon says the following:

Ecclesiastes 5:8-9
“8 If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and righteousness, do not be amazed at the matter, for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them. 9 But this is gain for a land in every way: a king committed to cultivated fields.”

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BREAK DOWN
Ecclesiastes 5:8-9

THE ABUSE OF AUTHORITY & WEALTH
 “8 If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and righteousness, do not be amazed at the matter, for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them." 

COMMENTARY: Verse 8 clearly illustrates that there is a corruption at every level of government, with higher level oppressors plundering the equally oppressive lower-level magistrates. This perhaps explains the st state of America and the world. With blackmail running. Rampant and the public sector unchecked, they have been robbing the everyday citizen of their hard earned money. As a result, the system became insulated and division between the haves and have nots became more defined. When the high level government officials rob and abuse those below them, someone above that person robs and abuses the higher level person himself.

In America, where we print money out of thin air for the world, in this short period of history, there is little need to plunder those under one authority because there is so much to steal that those in authority can simply pay them off or blackmail them; whichever is most convenient. Either way, Solomon makes abundantly clear that when there is nobody minding the ship, evil perpetuates to the point of overtaking the government in whole. As a result, we end up with a 2024 government, riddles with corruption, immorality, blackmail, lawlessness, and all other things evil due to the lack of God-ness which equates to “goodness”. 

Economically speaking, when this happens to a country, its own economy begins to decline into debt due to their insatiable desire and emotional need for more money and resources. When resources are stripped and money is squandered, the elite few are smart enough to collect those resources and money and we end up with a U.S. Stock Market where only 5% holds up to 80%  of the entire market wealth. 

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The answer and solution is to keep to return to the system we created in the first place which is free market capitalism that allows those who desire to work hard, to have a fair chance at success, making money and turning a fair profit. This is called “honor for everyone”.

HONOR FOR EVERYONE
"9 But this is gain for a land in every way: a king committed to cultivated fields.”

CONCLUSION:

Government corruption comes to the advantage of a few-but at the expense of many if not all the rest of society. Vanity and wealth, if not kept accountable, devours one’s honor and the honor or the nation in whole. Solomon (Qohelet) considered goverment to be frustrating becuase it was a necessary evil, something deply flawed but indespsnsible. On the one hand people sould "not be shocked" when they see OPPRESSION and injustice in a governmental province (v.8). After all, bloated government bureaucracy tends to frustrate justice (v.8b). On the other hand, government has it advantages (v.9). Many hold to the belief that this verse continues the negeative assessment of government. Others see this passage better understood more positively since it fits with Qohelet's normal pattern of "on the one hand, on the other.." way of teaching. 

Even a corrupt government is better than anarchy, which devastates a country, it's culture and in Solomon's time, an agrarian economy that would lead to starvation. Keeping to God's ways is the only solution to man's sinful nature; especially in governmental rule. In the end, a king who devotes himself to developing the resources of the land ushers in a systems that brings the opportunity for profit to all, not just the corrupt few.

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A Protestant & Catholic View Comparison

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A major difference is the issue of sufficiency and authority of Scripture. While Protestants believe that the Bible alone is the source of God's special revelation to mankind, it also speaks to everything we need to understand as necessary for our salvation from sin.

Protestants view the Bible as the STANDARD for Christian morality and ethics which governs our behavior. This is called sola scripture and is one of the five Solas in Christianity. (Solas meaning "alone" in Latin. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 makes clear that "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (ESV).

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Catholics do not believe in sola scriptura hence do not believe that the Bible alone is sufficient. They see both the Bible and sacred Roman Catholic tradition as equally authoritative and binding on the Christian. While not all Catholics hold to doctrines such as purgatory, praying to the saints, worship or veneration of Mary, etc., the Catholic doctrine hold to them even though they have little or no mention or basis in the Bible. In truth, these doctrines are based on Roman Catholic traditions based on the Catholic Church's insistence that the Bible and tradition are equal in authority. The problem with this is that it undermines the sufficiency, authority, and completeness of the Bible. The view of Scripture is at the root of many, if not all, of the differences between Catholics and Protestants.

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