The gift of association: who is your associate?

Merriam Webster’s dictionary defines an associate as a person frequently seen in the company of another. An associate is an accomplice, a confidant, a co-worker and a compatriot. In the Greek, the word associate means to mix up together with, and you know, when you mix up things together, they become one entity; it would be impossible to identify or separate the mixed up items. In like manner and according to the Bible “But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him.” Read 1 Corinthians 6:17 (NASB). So here you can see there is an inherent unity and bonding between us and God. We were never designed to be without Him; as a matter of truth, we are intertwined.

My key text and story comes from the Joseph narrative. The Bible says, “But the Lord was with Joseph, and he [though a slave] was a successful and prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all that he did to flourish and succeed in his hand. Read Genesis 39:2-3(AMPC). Let us slowly consider the bolded text, “THE LORD WAS WITH JOSEPH.” In other words, the Lord was Joseph’s associate; the Lord and Jospeh were mixed together, such that Potiphar could not help but realise, hence he said, “AND HIS MASTER SAW.” Watch this, Potiphar saw the connection and he knew full well whose Jospeh’s associate was, hence he was able to benefit from Joseph’s association with the Lord. Beloved, our association with the Lord ought to benefit humanity; and if it is not, then we need to question our association, Selah. Your prosperity is tied to whom you are associated with and clearly, this was the case with Joseph. 

As you prepare for a new year, who is going to be your ASSOCIATE? Who you are associated with will greatly determine how far you go in this life. And the scripture is quite clear on who our associate should be. I am fully aware we have all kinds of associations, however, the most important associate you should have is an association with the Lord, Selah (pause and calmly think). Oh well you might be saying, Ricky, there are so many things to achieve in this life, and you have to be associated with different kinds of people to get ahead in life. Hmmnn! I am with you, however, you need to understand our association with the Lord will connect us with every other associate we need to get ahead in life.

Joseph was able to benefit and enjoyed being the prime minister because the one to whom he was associated with made all other associates fall into place, Hallelujah. Check this out, “From the time that he made him supervisor in his house and over all that he had, the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the Lord’s blessing was on all that he had in the house and in the field. And [Potiphar] left all that he had in Joseph’s charge and paid no attention to anything he had except the food he ate. Now Joseph was an attractive person and fine-looking. Make no mistake beloved, God placed it on the heart of Potiphar to promote Joseph because of the Lord’s association with Jospeh.

So before you get all big headed, pause and say to yourself, “I am not all that.” Listen to what the Bible says, “Then after a time his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph, and she said, Lie with me. But he refused and said to his master’s wife, see here, with me in the house my master has concern about nothing; he has put all that he has in my care. He is not greater in this house than I am; nor has he kept anything from me except you, for you are his wife. How then can I do this great evil and sin against God? Read Genesis 39:7-9 (AMPC). Joseph understood this principle of humility and so should we. The power of my Father’s grace, mercy, favor and love has brought us this far, therefore, cement your association with the Lord. And if you are yet to associate with the Lord, then I invite you to be part of this association without delay.

Your successes and achievements came about as a result of your association with the Lord, and when we get this, it will humble us greatly. Imagine if the Lord was not with Joseph, we would be reading a different narrative about the Joseph story.

So here is my question again for you to consider, who are you associated with? Who is in your inner circle? Who is the most prominent associate in your life? When we settle this question in our hearts we won’t be kissing up to nobody, stalking one big aunty or uncle or network. The only person we should be kissing up to is the one who has the power  and the giver of life – Jesus Christ.

“But the Lord was with insert your name, and showed insert your name mercy and loving-kindness and gave insert your name, favor in the sight of…” Your location is not the issue, instead could it be your association? Who are you associated with, this question keeps coming up again and again. This scripture is loaded, please go read it and gain further insight, awesome insight will flood your human spirit in Jesus Name.

Wishing my esteemed readers all over the world a Happy New Year.

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