FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK ~ In Greek and Roman times if a package was to be dispatched to another location, it first went through a series of investigations to make sure the contents were not flawed, broken, or shattered. The sender would examine every single piece of the contents to make sure each one was whole and intact. If everything was whole and intact, the sender would pour hot wax on the crease of the package and then carefully push the insignia of the owner into the wax, signifying that all the contents were in perfect order. The insignia on the package was important for several reasons. It was the insignia of the owner of the package. No one would dare break into the sealed package to disturb the contents. The insignia or “seal” was the guarantee that the package would be delivered to its final destination unharmed. It was like the highest security that someone could place on a package. The insignia or “seal” also guaranteed that everything in the package was in order – nothing broken, inferior, or shattered. Everything was whole and complete. 

The “seal” was called a sphragidzo – the exact same word used in Ephesians 1:13b-14a, “Having believed, you were marked in Him with a “seal”, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance.” This tells us that when we believed and were born again, God examined us to make sure we were made completely new and whole, and He found no flaws, no defects, and no shattered places. God saw that we were truly a product of Christ’s own making and were complete in Him. In fact, we were so complete that, figuratively speaking, Christ poured His “wax” onto our hearts and spirits. He then pressed the insignia of the Holy Spirit into us, giving guaranteed proof through the Spirit’s indwelling presence that we belong to God, and we will make it to our ultimate destination – Heaven! (from a word study by Rick Renner). We all have had our struggles, disappointments, and failures along the way, but the Holy Spirit is guaranteed proof that we will eventually make it to our heavenly home, whole and complete.  ~ God’s blessings, protection, and favor to all.

Benny Nolen
Director
Joseph's Storehouse

FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK ~ THE STORY OF FREEDOM - In 1941, as Hitler’s reign was expanding across Europe, novelist John Steinbeck was asked to help with the war effort. He wasn’t asked to fight or visit troops on the front line but to write a story. The result was "The Moon Is Down", a novel about a peaceful land that gets invaded by an evil regime. Printed on underground presses and secretly distributed throughout occupied countries, the novel sent the message: "The Allies are coming!" And by imitating the novel’s characters, readers could help secure their freedom. Through "The Moon Is Down", Steinbeck brought good news to people under Nazi rule that their liberation and freedom was near.

Since the fall in the Garden of Eden, mankind has existed in a world that has been invaded by an evil regime. Satan and his evil forces have occupied what was once the perfect environment that God created. But God has sent the entire human race a story of redemption through men and women inspired by His Holy Spirit. The story was written by 40 different authors over 1,500 years in what we know as The Word of God. From beginning to end, it is a story about God’s love for all humanity and His redemptive plan of reconciliation through His Son Jesus Christ. Jesus, as the main character in this incredible story, gives each one of us a guide and a pattern to how we should live our lives. By doing so, it helps us overcome the struggles of life that we all face. This is good news to everyone who chooses to follow after and imitate His perfect example. This story has spread throughout the world bringing freedom and peace to whomever accepts it. It is our responsibility as Christ-followers to see that this wonderful message continues to reach those around us. By sharing God’s love, forgiveness, and redemptive plan to those who choose to embrace it, it is the power to set the captives free. “Whom the Son sets free, is free indeed” ~ John 8:36. God’s blessings, protection, and favor to all.

Benny Nolen
Director
Joseph's Storehouse