Seek God’s Understanding

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths.Proverbs 3:5-6

These verses from Proverbs can be a continual, lifelong, daily prayer for us to pray for all those we love, because our natural tendency is to lean on our own understanding and do things our way instead of depending on God’s wisdom and ways.

The longer I live, the more I realize that all of our responsibilities, all that God has called us to do, are beyond our own human ability.

There is nothing I can do apart from God.

In everything—whether it is parenting; relationships with my Wife, children, grandchildren, and friends; ministry work; writing; speaking; or teaching.

I need to depend on God, seek his higher understanding, his wisdom and his will, and then trust in his leading with all my heart.

As I do these things, I become the recipient of God’s wonderful promise in Proverbs 3:6—he will direct my path—a promise that is backed by all the honor of his name.

Even when it seems that there is no way out, when we’ve hit our own limitations or a dead end, God will guide us and make a way for us.

LORD, help me to trust in you with all my heart today. Guard me from depending on my own limited understanding. Instead, help me to rely totally on you.

I desire to seek your will in all I do today.

Thank you for the promise that you will direct my paths so that I can walk hand in hand with you, depend on your higher understanding, and seek your will in all I do.

BECAUSE OUR UNDERSTANDING IS EARTHBOUND . . . HUMAN TO THE CORE . . . LIMITED . . . FINITE . . . WE OPERATE IN A DIMENSION TOTALLY UNLIKE OUR LORD . . . WHO KNOWS NO SUCH LIMITATIONS. WE SEE NOW. HE SEES FOREVER.
Charles R. Swindoll (b. 1934)

Through the valley

Isaiah 54:17

No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord , and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord .

Adversity, trials and tribulations are unavoidable periods all individuals experience. It is often during the wilderness seasons of distress when we seek to comprehend God’s plan and guidance in our lives.

Whilst in your wilderness or valley you might experience a range of emotions and thoughts that must immediately be checked so that your faith will properly align with God’s guiding power in your life.

As a Christian one should expect to enjoy the abundant life of Jesus Christ, but shouldn’t be naïve in believing that trials will not occur. That is one thing we should expect, especially when one is truly living as an ambassador for Christ. Weapons may be formed against you but thanks be to God that they WILL NOT Prosper!

During some of the most challenging moments in life remember that God guides you:

In a career setback

When an unexpected health report is disclosed

In a financial setback

When in-laws, relatives and family members ignore, scowl and exclude you

In the midst of an unexpected pregnancy

During the challenges of conception

Through the loss of a loved one

In revealing toxic relationships, business partnerships and associations

When individuals attempt to bully and intimidate, only because they are jealous and insecure

When a college professor challenges your Christianity beliefs and values

By disclosing the character of colleagues who’ve clandestinely worked together to disqualify you for a promotion

When colleagues discount your ideas

When family, friends and loved ones misunderstand you

When you feel lonely (remember you are not alone, God is with you)

In Pressure

After the rejection letter, notice and statement

During the challenges of God-honoring relationships

When you are forced to relocate and start over

When new opportunities and breakthroughs appear

Although adversity shows up, be encouraged that God knows all and He will never leave you nor forsake you. God is guiding you and ordering your steps in the midst of the pressure, pain, heat and discomfort you currently face. Be mindful today that God is working everything out for your good, because you love him and have been called according to his purpose.

Even in the most intense seasons of life, God guides us and is producing something in us that will fulfill his overall purpose in our lives.

God guides You!

When the Bottom Falls Out

When the Bottom Falls Out

What is hope?

According to Mr. Webster, it means to cherish a desire with an expectation of fulfillment. Hope is a confident anticipation of good. It is not just wishful thinking or thinking positive. It is not the same as saying, “Well, I hope so.” Hope is as solid as a helmet, but no helmet will protect you from danger if you have laid it aside. When we lose hope we lose the battle.

You may feel like your world is crashing in around you, but you must be able to say to yourself, “Something good is about to happen.” Many times you won’t feel like it. You may feel abandoned, and have no idea at all how you’re going to make it. You’re going to have to reach deep into God’s resources, because no one has any reserves of their own to keep moving forward.

The whole thing is a heart battle and there are three typical responses to pain or rejection that deaden our hearts:

We move away from people and God.
We move toward some other source of relief or acceptance.
We move against others.
In order to learn to hope again, one must go back to their ABCs, to their foundations. I figured out three core values: (1) God is good all the time; (2) “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28); and (3) something good is just about to happen.

Hope is vital to your well being. How can you start to find it again?

Evaluate your responses to your pain. Get help to find your way past automatic reactions such as bitterness and despair.
Figure out the core values of your life.
Put on your “helmet of the hope of salvation” (1 Thessalonians 5:8), which protects your soul and spirit.
Prayer:

Father, I present myself to you in Jesus’ great name, and I declare that you are the source of my life. In you I live and breathe and have my very being. Take me on a journey to a place where hope is no longer deferred but where fulfilled desire becomes a tree of life. As I come running into your arms of redemptive love, do what only you can do. Only in you can all things be made new. Amen.

Freedom to Serve

You have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. Galatians 5:13
In the past couple of days, we’ve talked about developing our serve. We must learn to accept the servant attitude of Christ. When you and your spouse serve each other, you both become winners.

One thing that encourages service is the expression of appreciation. Has your spouse served you in some way this week? Think! Has he or she taken out the trash, cooked a meal, washed dishes, mowed the grass, changed the baby’s diaper, or washed the dog? If so, why not express your gratitude? You might say, “You know, I didn’t tell you this earlier, but I really appreciate your washing the dog. That’s something that I find very difficult. I know it’s messy, and I appreciate it.”

Look for something your spouse has done for you and express appreciation. Then do something good for your spouse. Mutual service and mutual appreciation lead to a great marriage. They aren’t required, but they can be given freely, as the above passage from Galatians points out. And it is in giving our lives away to each other that we discover the joy of service.

Father, thank you for all the ways my loved one serves me. Help me not to take those actions for granted but to express my appreciation wholeheartedly and often. Help me to serve him or her as well.

God will guide

God will guide you in your purpose when you align with His will, word and way. Living independently of God’s guidance is a sure way to get off of God’s track. Adhering to God’s guidance is paramount as we strive to remain on God’s pathways of promise.

God guides us all, but we don’t need to get caught up thinking that God has one standard approach to his divine guidance. God can lead a believer one way using one method of guidance and then lead another believer a totally different way because of his sovereignty.

God specializes in individualized instruction; he knows what to do in order to get each of his children on track. No matter what guiding method God decides to use in your life, be ready, willing and receptive to get on board with his plan.

In scripture we read about four accounts when God guided Joseph, Mary’s husband, to follow through with God’s plan with the angel of the LORD appearing to him in a dream. Although some things probably didn’t make sense and human reasoning resulted, God’s plan prevailed because he sent divine guidance to Joseph during his trial experiences.

When Joseph planned to divorce Mary quietly after learning of her pregnancy, an angel of the LORD appeared to him in a dream and guided Joseph in truth.

An angel of the LORD appeared to Joseph in a dream a second time telling Joseph to Get up! Take Jesus and Mary and flee to Egypt until instructed to leave. God guided Joseph in revelation regarding Herod’s plan.

An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream a third time telling him to Get up! Take Jesus and his mother to Israel for those who sought the child’s life are dead. God guided Joseph in direction.

God additionally warned Joseph in a dream when he was afraid and Joseph settled in Nazareth. God guided Joseph in confirmation.

God has the power to guide in dreams! Let Joseph’s story encourage you today. Regardless of any circumstances and uncertainty you face, remember God is our guide and will guide you in truth, direction, revelation and confirmation. God loves, protects, blesses and guides every one of his children. Trust God, the Divine Guide.

The First Shall Be Last

Jesus said, “Anyone who wants to be the first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else.” Then he put a little child among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes my Father who sent me.”Mark 9:35-37
In this passage the disciples fussed and argued about who would be the greatest in the kingdom of God. The startling aspect of this argument is that it occurred shortly after Jesus informed the disciples that he would soon die. Not only did they miss an opportunity to comfort their leader, but they also missed the point entirely. Christ had lived a selfless life as their example. He had taught them that he would die an agonizing death so that they, and generations after them, might live eternally. But they didn’t understand because their focus was on themselves. So Jesus attempted to teach them one more lesson: that anyone who wants to be first (that is, in importance) must be last. It is only when we take the spotlight off of our own ambitions and desires that our eyes can be open to the needs of those around us. Then we can become humble servants and welcome the innocent, hungry, hurting, and broken. Jesus said that in doing this, we also welcome him, and we embrace the heart of God.

JESUS, society teaches me to grab for all that I can. Yet you desire more for me than a selfish existence. Help me not to be “inward” focused but rather to see a world much bigger than my own needs and ambitions. You are my example. You came to serve when, of all people, you deserved to be waited upon. I look to you for guidance on how I, too, can serve those who are in need today.

IN GOD’S FAMILY, THERE IS TO BE ONE GREAT BODY OF PEOPLE: SERVANTS. IN FACT, THAT’S THE WAY TO THE TOP IN HIS KINGDOM.
Charles R. Swindoll (b. 1934)

Walk in Worship

Guide me in your truth and teach me. Show me your paths, oh Lord. These are the words of comfort we find in Psalm 25. We are never without direction, wisdom and deliverance.

Even when it feels that we have lost our way, that the road is too long, or that the path has too many turns, God provides every step and always reveals the right way.

It is often said, “It's not about the destination but the journey.” What I am learning is that it's not about the journey, but more about the direction. The Israelites wandered in a circle for forty years. You can call that a journey, but it had no direction.

When we seek His wisdom, He blesses us on His path. We give Him thanks and praise; along the journey, we walk in His worship.

May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.
(2 Thes. 3.5)

Stones of Remembrance Josh 4:1-24

“These stones will stand as a memorial among the people of Israel forever.” JOSHUA 4:7

Keepsakes mark significant occasions in our lives such as births, graduations, engagements, and weddings. We save souvenirs from vacations, medals and trophies, and special hand-me-downs from our elders. We sometimes even keep things that remind us of difficulties that we faced in our lives and somehow found our way through. These mementos trigger memories and help us share the stories that give our children a better understanding of our history and experiences.

As the Israelites prepared to cross the Jordan River, they may have retold stories of how God parted the Red Sea so their ancestors could cross on dry ground (see 4:23) and about the songs that Moses and Miriam wrote and sang to commemorate their dramatic escape from Egyptian bondage (Exod 15:1-21). Similarly, Joshua called together twelve men and instructed them to remove stones from the riverbed to build a memorial that would bear witness to the providence of God for generations (Josh 4:1-7).

We may not build stone altars today, but we still need reminders of God’s love and mercy. In the midst of hardships, it is easy to lose sight of the truth of God’s love. We can become trapped by erroneous thinking, worry, or complaints. Take time to consider a trial that God has brought you or a loved one through. Celebrate those hard-earned milestones. Remember Joshua’s message: “[God] did this so all the nations of the earth might know that the LORD’s hand is powerful”

:

God's Plans

God's greatest desire is for Him to be glorified through your relationship with Him through Jesus Christ. Your purpose and destiny will unfold as you turn to God daily through prayer, study, worship, and guidance of the Holy Spirit.

One of the best ways to know God's specific purpose for your daily life is to read about Him and what He has to say.

Because God's Word holds countless layers of insight and meaning, it never grows stale.

He will speak to you by bringing certain words, phrases, or verses to your attention.

The more you grow in your relationship with Him, the more insights you will have into His character and how He operates.

Another part of understanding your daily destiny is to live in a righteous and biblical manner where God has placed you, and to do so consistently.

A third opportunity to understand your purpose is to realize that every Christian is called to an active ministry.

That doesn't mean we will all be full-time preachers or missionaries.

But with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, you are to share the gospel through your words and conduct.

.

God Sends Moses

Read Exodus 5:1–7:13

17Pharaoh shouted, . . . 18“Get back to work! No straw will be given to you, but you must still produce the full quota of bricks.” 19The Israelite foremen could see that they were in serious trouble when they were told, “You must not reduce the number of bricks you make each day.” 20As they left Pharaoh’s court, they confronted Moses and Aaron, who were waiting outside for them. 21The foremen said to them, “May the Lord judge and punish you for making us stink before Pharaoh and his officials. . . .” 22Then Moses went back to the Lord and protested, “Why have you brought all this trouble on your own people, Lord? Why did you send me? 23Ever since I came to Pharaoh as your spokesman, he has been even more brutal to your people. And you have done nothing to rescue them!”Exodus 5:17-23

If you’ve ever had to learn something you didn’t want to learn, you know how much discipline it takes.

No matter what the subject, you have to do some digging and some hard work.

Learning isn’t a downhill ride; it’s more of a mountain climb. It takes work.

In this part of the story of the Exodus, God sends Moses to confront Pharaoh. Pharaoh’s response is to make the Hebrews work even harder.

Moses complains, God promises deliverance, and a showdown begins. Here we see the grand effects of feeble steps of faith

(a tough lesson for anyone to learn).

Here’s the lesson: Enduring rejection for our faith and trusting God when he seems to be ignoring our prayers are part of God’s curriculum for us. As you read this passage, learn, with Moses, God’s profound lessons.

Moses did not like God’s methods. Despite God’s message—indeed, because of it—Pharaoh increased the Hebrews’ workload. Moses protested that God was not rescuing his people (Exodus 5:22-23).

Moses expected faster results and fewer problems. When God is at work, suffering, setbacks, and hardship may still occur. We can be sure, however, that each hardship has a purpose—to teach, discipline, punish, or accomplish another work of God.

In James 1:2-4, we are encouraged to be joyful when difficulties come our way. Problems teach us to

(1) trust God to do what is best for us;

(2) look for ways to honor God in our present situation;

(3) remember that God will not abandon us; and

(4) watch for God’s plan for us.

What tough lesson is God teaching you today? Think of what you can do to honor him through your attitude, words, and actions.

Effective Apologies

People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy. Proverbs 28:13

Effective apologies require a willingness to change our behavior.

Proverbs 28:13 makes it clear that when we don’t admit our wrongs—whether toward God or toward our spouse—we can’t expect a good result.

But when we do admit (“confess”) the hurtful things we do and make a plan to stop doing them (“turn from them”), forgiveness is possible.

Wholeness

He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.

This includes you who were once far away from God.

You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions.

Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body.

As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault.

Colossians 1:20-22

with God, we are meant to be people of integrity, the same on the inside as we are on the outside.

But sin has driven a wedge into our lives, creating an internal rift that alienates us from ourselves, from others, and from God.

It’s what makes us want to hide, to wear masks that make us look better and less broken than we are.

The wholeness and integrity that God has for us, on the other hand, eliminates the need for deceit because we have nothing to hide.

This is the internal peace, the shalom that Christ brings us as we continue to yield our lives to him, healing the divisions within us so that we can have peace with God, with others, and with ourselves.

As you pray for God’s peace today, ask for the grace to admit your brokenness. Ask, too, for the faith to believe that God will heal you and make you whole.

Lord, you breathed life into the first man and the first woman. They were your perfect creations. In the midst of my brokenness, breathe your life. Heal me and make me whole, I pray.

A clean heart

Keep Your Heart Pure
Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

Psalm 51:7

Firearm experts point out that if a gun is never cleaned, it will eventually become a safety hazard. That’s because every time you fire a gun, residue is left behind.

This grime will eventually clog up the works, rendering the firearm unsafe to use.

The same is true with our tongues.

Every time we lash out in anger, every time we accuse, berate, gossip, criticize, or betray a confidence, a residue is left in our hearts that will make our tongues more harmful to ourselves and others.

Cleaning a handgun is fairly straightforward.

After safely disassembling it, you wipe it with a cloth rag, removing as much of the caked-on carbon as possible.

Then you apply a solvent and scrub the gun with a brush.

After more wiping and scrubbing and brushing, you oil the components that need to be lubricated.

Then you reassemble it and, presto chango, you have a gun that is much safer to use.

Cloth rags, solvents, and oil won’t quite do it for our tongues, of course.

But there is something we can do to make them less hazardous in the future.

We can begin by recognizing negative patterns of speech, asking God to search our hearts and to show us where we have sinned.

Then we can ask him for forgiveness.

A clean heart will enable our tongues to function the way God intends, building others up rather than tearing them down.

“Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night. Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. . . . Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. . . . Unseal my lips, O Lord, that my mouth may praise you” (Psalm 51:1-4, 7, 15).

Remember and Don’t Forget Deut 4:32-40

“He showed you these things so you would know that the LORD is God and there is no other.”

DEUTERONOMY 4:35

We all share a tendency to forget. Sometimes, this helps us to cope with suffering that we’ve endured, but often we are forgetful about things that should have an ongoing, transformative effect on our lives.

Deuteronomy is crafted to combat this propensity, as it begins with a retelling of what had happened in the past as God led the Israelites through the wilderness to the edge of the Promised Land
(1:1–4:49).

Moses pleaded with the Israelites to never forget all that God had done on their behalf.

God had been faithful to them, providing for them and caring for them during the wilderness years.

“Remember,” Moses repeats over and over again—16 times in the book

(along with another 10 warnings against forgetfulness)!

In the midst of suffering, it is easy to forget the good things God has done for us. Suffering can refine and strengthen us and teach us precious lessons from God.

Deuteronomy details the trials and wonders the Israelites had experienced,

explaining that God showed them those things so that they would know him and trust him (4:35).

Many times we, too, wish that life were not so hard and cry out for our suffering to end!

But in the midst of our suffering, we must remember that God speaks to us and instructs us just as he did for the Israelites in the wilderness.

Can we learn life’s important lessons only through pleasure and comfort?

Certainly not.

To ensure we hold on to our hard-won wisdom, we’re encouraged to share what we’ve learned about God’s goodness with our children and those around us.

It is important to take time to reflect on God’s faithfulness to us through difficult circumstances.

As the opportunities come, we can boldly share what God has done for us with our loved ones and friends.

As we talk about God’s faithfulness we’ll even remind ourselves,  the Israelites, so we can take heart and continue to walk by faith.

Dealing with Fear

When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? Psalm 56:3-4

Would it surprise you if I told you that Jesus experienced fear?

Fear is an emotion that pushes us away from a person, place, or thing. In Matthew 26:39

we read that Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane,

“My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me.”

As he approached the time of his death, he saw the physical and emotional suffering ahead, and he was afraid. His emotions pleaded for a different way. But he didn’t let his fear cause him to lash out at others or turn away from what he knew was right. Rather, Jesus showed us what we should do with our fear—express it to.

The psalmist reminds us that God has promised his presence and protection. When we trust in God, we know he’s in control, so there is no reason to be afraid. In fact, the Bible records 365 times when God says, “Fear not, for I am with you.” Our fear leads us to God, and we rest in his strength to protect us.

When you feel fear, don’t put yourself down and don’t blame it on your spouse. Instead, run as quickly as you can to the loving arms of God.

Father, I want to trust you with my fears. Forgive me for the times I have lashed out at my spouse or blamed him or her because of my fear. Help me to bring it to you right away. Thank you for being with me.

God's will or our personal agenda

Like so many others, the parable is primarily about our response. Will we respond to the claims God has on our lives? Or do we reject His messengers in favor of our will, our agenda? Do we live productively, working to "produce fruits" for God in response to Him blessing us with the privilege to serve Him? The parable reminds us of the privilege of living in covenant relation with God, but that privilege always brings with it responsibility.
It's also crucial to ask how we respond to the messengers of God in our lives. While God may speak to us through angels, dreams, or visions, throughout history His primary method of communication has been through people. God's people constantly rejected the prophets in favor of their own understanding and desires, and we can tend to reject the people around us who are speaking God's truth into our lives for the same reasons. Friends, family, church members, and church leaders are not called to endorse and encourage whatever behavior we take on to be appropriate. No, if they truly love Jesus and love us, they will confront and correct us so we can be more like Christ.
So how do you respond when God attempts to encourage or correct you through others, through the Holy Spirit, or through His word? Are you humble and receptive, carefully considering their words? Or are you stubborn and inflexible, set like stone in your ways?

“He went on to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard, rented it to some farmers and went away for a long time. At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants so they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed. He sent another servant, but that one also they beat and treated shamefully and sent away empty-handed. He sent still a third, and they wounded him and threw him out. “Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my son, whom I love; perhaps they will respect him.’ “But when the tenants saw him, they talked the matter over. ‘This is the heir,’ they said. ‘Let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. “What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others.” When the people heard this, they said, “God forbid!” Jesus looked directly at them and asked, “Then what is the meaning of that which is written: “ ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’? Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.” The teachers of the law and the chief priests looked for a way to arrest him immediately, because they knew he had spoken this parable against them. But they were afraid of the people.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭20:9-19‬ ‭

Brotherly Hate

Read Genesis 4:1–5:32

When it was time for the harvest, Cain presented some of his crops as a gift to the Lord.

Abel also brought a gift—the best of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The Lord accepted Abel and his gift,

but he did not accept Cain and his gift. This made Cain very angry, and he looked dejected.

“Why are you so angry?”

the Lord asked Cain. . . .

“You will be accepted if you do what is right.

But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out!

Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you.

But you must subdue it and be its master.”

One day Cain suggested to his brother, “Let’s go out into the fields.

” And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother, Abel, and killed him.

Afterward the Lord asked Cain,

“Where is your brother?

Where is Abel?”

“I don’t know,” Cain responded. “Am I my brother’s guardian?”

Genesis 4:3-9

How do you react when someone suggests that you have done something wrong?

Do you move to correct the mistake, or do you deny that you have a problem

or need to do anything?

What about when the critic is someone in your family?

This reading describes Adam and Eve’s immediate family.

It focuses mostly on Cain, the first son—his choices and what God thought of them.

Don’t read too fast or you will miss important details—but it’s all there,

including the most horrifying fact of all:

Cain killed his brother, Abel.

Our experiences today mirror what occurred between these two brothers, however horrifying, because theirs is the story of what can happen when anger and jealousy rule.

Tangles in the ties that bind—reacting to criticism, jealousy, sibling rivalry—all appear in this passage.

The lessons bear remembering, so you’d better go slow.

Cain’s failures hinged on his reaction to God’s rebuke (Genesis 4:6-7).

We don’t know why God rejected Cain’s sacrifice.

But instead of listening to God, learning, and changing his ways, he reacted impulsively.

Cain was wrong, yet he would not accept responsibility for or deal with it.

He countered God’s correction with anger and denial.

After Cain’s sacrifice was rejected, God gave him the chance to right his wrong and try again. God even encouraged him to do so, but Cain proudly refused. The rest of Cain’s life is a startling example of what happens to those who refuse to admit their mistakes. It also shows what happens when we blame others for our problems and allow anger to build.

As you read this passage, learn from Cain’s mistakes. Then the next time

someone suggests you are wrong, especially God, take an honest look at yourself, and make the necessary changes.

Refined by the Grind

Read Genesis 37:1–41:57

Potiphar was furious when he heard his wife’s story about how Joseph had treated her.

So he took Joseph and threw him into the prison where the king’s prisoners were held, and there he remained.

But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love. And the Lord made Joseph a favorite with the prison warden.

Before long, the warden put Joseph in charge of all the other prisoners and over everything that happened in the prison.

The warden had no more worries, because Joseph took care of everything. The Lord was with him and caused everything he did to succeed.

Genesis 39:19-23
What are some of your most menial chores?

No matter which ones you select (or how long the list), you doubtless have responsibilities that you would not miss if you never did them again.

Joseph, son of Jacob, dreams of being ruler of all, but is sold into slavery and is put in prison.

Then he interprets the pharaoh’s dreams and rises to power in Egypt.

We see (as Joseph learns) that God rules over every circumstance, even the menial ones.

Sibling rivalry, lust, shame, despair, shattered hopes, and sudden success all play a part in this piece of Joseph’s drama.

As you read, look for lessons in each of these themes.

As a prisoner and slave, Joseph could have seen his situation as hopeless (Genesis 39:20).

Prisons were grim places with vile conditions.

They were used to house convicted criminals, forced laborers, or, like Joseph, the accused who were awaiting trial. Prisoners were guilty until proven innocent and had no right to a speedy trial. In addition, Joseph’s accuser was a very prominent member of society who would certainly be believed sooner than Joseph, a slave, would be. Joseph had every reason to despair.

Instead, Joseph did his best with each small task given him.

His diligence and positive attitude were soon noticed by the warden, who promoted him to prison administrator (39:21-22).

And even during these dark prison days, Joseph faithfully served his Lord. Eventually, Joseph rose to the top—from prison cell to Pharaoh’s palace (41:39-40).

What predicament at work, at home, or at school seems at best, daunting, and at worst, hopeless?

Follow Joseph’s example by taking each small task and doing your best.

Whatever your situation, no matter how undesirable, consider it part of your training for serving the Lord.

Remember how God turned Joseph’s situation around.

Be assured that God sees your efforts, and remember that he can reverse desperate predicaments and overcome overwhelming odds.

No Stone Unturned

"Jesus replied, ‘No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.’”

LUKE 9:62

My four-year-old grandson is an avid bug catcher!

He spends hours in the rock garden turning over every stone, looking for roly-polies or other tiny, bug-like creatures.

He’s extremely focused, and should one of us wander into the yard while he’s bug hunting, he’s happy to enlist our help with his mission. As I noted my grandson’s devotion to bug catching,

I realized an important truth:

If we’re not willing to turn over every stone in our search for wholeness, we may miss some of the treasures God has waiting for us.

He loves to reward our hard work with unexpected blessings, but we won’t find them unless we are searching diligently.

In recovery, it’s not enough to just get by.

To find true peace, healing, forgiveness, courage, and all the rest that wholeness provides, we must stay focused and dedicated at all times.

We have to be willing to use all the resources God has provided and call on every person we know to help us.

We have to be all in.

Like my grandson, we have to turn over every stone.

PRAYER Heavenly Father, put a passion and fire in my heart to fully commit to my recovery and find every unexpected blessing you have for me. In Jesus’ name,

Push

continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 THES. 5:16–18

Max Lucado once said, “Prayers aren’t graded according to style.”

That is so true.

In fact, our prayers aren’t graded at all!

God hears all our prayers, spoken and unspoken.

I saw the PUSH acrostic in a tweet, and I love it.

P = prayer

U= until

S= something

H= happens

It reminds me to “pray continually” as the Bible tells us.

I’ve noticed that we sometimes ask God for something, feeling at the moment like it’s a very important request.

But then we quickly forget about it and move on to something else.

We don’t follow through.

In order to have a successful prayer life, we need to stay focused on sharing our needs with God. Why? Does God forget? Certainly not, but we do.

Sometimes we act like children, running through the store begging for everything we see.

We must learn to bring our requests to God after careful consideration, fully prepared to wait for his answers.

And he will answer. It may not be in the way we want him to, but he never leaves us hanging.

His answers come in one of three ways: yes, no, or not yet.

Let us determine today to pray with purpose in mind and follow through until we receive what we have asked of him.

PRAYER

Lord God, forgive me when I am foolish and demanding. Thank you for showing me that you take all my requests seriously, and I must do the same. Thank you for hearing and always answering. In Jesus’ name, Amen.