"Odd" things pop out at me when I read! Did you notice that Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years? (Genesis 47:28) I find it interesting that Joseph lived the first 17 years of his life with his dad; and he got to live the last 17 years of his dad's life with him. That just strikes me as interesting!
As Joseph's story draws to a conclusion, I am amazed again by his faith and trust in God to work all things for good, and to trust God to 'settle the score' with his brothers if it needs to be settled.
Take time today to read Romans 12:9-21. Those verses are a good reminder to me on how I need to act in tough times, and a good reminder that they are commands from God - what He expects of me.
We all have people in our lives who treat us poorly - sometimes it is unintentional, sometimes they mean to hurt us. But either way, the response God expects from us is the same: trust Him, honor Him through our actions and words, let Him settle the score. It's hard, but it is not impossible (or God wouldn't have told us that all things are possible through Christ Jesus who strengthens us!)
If I can pray for you regarding a difficult person or situation, please feel free to email me.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Do the math!
Genesis 41:46 - "Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of
Egypt."
Genesis 37:2 - "Joseph, being seventeen years old...."
Do the math! Joseph spent 23 years (wrongfully) in slavery and prison. Twenty-three years!
Genesis 31:41 - "These twenty years I (Jacob) have been in your house. I served you fourteen years for your two daughters, and six years for your flock, and you have changed my wages ten times." Twenty years!
I don't know about you, but I want "instant maturity!" I don't want to spend 20-23 years learning and re-learning lessons that God has for me. And I'm not so keen on any of that time being spent in difficulty and hardship! I want spiritual maturity now, and I want it to be easy!
So when I find myself in situations where I seem to be needing to re-learn a lesson, or God is pushing me deeper into faith in Himself through difficulties, it helps a lot to come back to these historical accounts and do the math!
God has a plan and a purpose for everything in our lives. His time-frame is not our time frame. He will accomplish His will and plan in His perfect time - even if it takes 20-23 years!
Egypt."
Genesis 37:2 - "Joseph, being seventeen years old...."
Do the math! Joseph spent 23 years (wrongfully) in slavery and prison. Twenty-three years!
Genesis 31:41 - "These twenty years I (Jacob) have been in your house. I served you fourteen years for your two daughters, and six years for your flock, and you have changed my wages ten times." Twenty years!
I don't know about you, but I want "instant maturity!" I don't want to spend 20-23 years learning and re-learning lessons that God has for me. And I'm not so keen on any of that time being spent in difficulty and hardship! I want spiritual maturity now, and I want it to be easy!
So when I find myself in situations where I seem to be needing to re-learn a lesson, or God is pushing me deeper into faith in Himself through difficulties, it helps a lot to come back to these historical accounts and do the math!
God has a plan and a purpose for everything in our lives. His time-frame is not our time frame. He will accomplish His will and plan in His perfect time - even if it takes 20-23 years!
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Bitterness vs Forgiveness
We've moved into one of my favorite historical accounts in Genesis - Joseph's story. I never cease to be amazed at his unwavering faith and trust in God.
I cannot imagine being ripped away at the age of 17 from my family, friends, and all that is familiar and sold into slavery - especially by my siblings. I would guess that the trip to Egypt in the company of the Midianite traders was no picnic for Joseph. I would imagine he was treated very poorly, and probably wasn't given much to eat. If anyone had a 'right' to become bitter and angry, Joseph certainly did, didn't he?
Fast forward to life in Potiphar's house. It seems like life may be getting better for Joseph when Potiphar trusts him to the extent of leaving Joseph in charge of everything. Joseph has kept his eyes focused on God. I'm guessing that all the times Joseph witnessed God providing for and delivering his father, Jacob, from trouble did not escape Joseph's notice, and as a result Joseph's faith and trust in God deepened. So Joseph is honest, trustworthy, and living a life above reproach. When all of a sudden Potiphar's wife doesn't get what she wants so she lies about Joseph and he's thrown into prison - all because he was honest, trustworthy, and living a life above reproach. If anyone had a 'right' to become bitter and angry, Joseph certainly did, didn't he?
In prison, life got as good as it probably could for Joseph. Once again God was with Joseph and gave Joseph favor in the sight of the prison keeper so Joseph was put in charge of all the prisoners. When Joseph accurately interprets the cupbearer's and baker's dreams, he asks the cupbearer to remember him once he is released from prison, but the cupbearer doesn't keep his promise to Joseph - and two more long years go by with Joseph stuck in prison. If anyone had a 'right' to become bitter and angry, Joseph certainly did, didn't he?
I am convinced that through all of the wrongs done to Joseph, he chose to forgive - over and over, again and again. Forgiveness is the only way Joseph could remain honest and trustworthy. Forgiveness is the only way Joseph could keep his eyes focused on the LORD. Forgiveness is the only way Joseph could continue to trust the LORD to deliver him, as He had delivered Jacob. And at the end of the story, forgiveness is the only way Joseph could say to his brothers "You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good."
For Christians, forgiveness is the only answer, it is the only option. It is something God commands us to do. It is something Jesus models for us time and time again.
But someone may say, "You don't know what he/she did to me. You don't have a clue how much he/she hurt me." You are right, I don't. But God does, and He is asking you to trust Him and to forgive the other person. You see, God knows that the anger and bitterness is damaging you more than anyone else. Neil T. Anderson (founder of Freedom in Christ Ministries) says that to NOT forgive is like drinking poison and hoping the other person dies.
God is asking you to forgive so you can be healthy, whole, strong, and balanced...something that is just not possible when you are dealing with the open wound of bitterness.
If there is someone in your life who has hurt you, and you would like someone safe to talk to about it, please feel free to contact me. I would be honored to walk you through the process of forgiveness so you can experience the freedom and joy in life that Christ died to give you.
I cannot imagine being ripped away at the age of 17 from my family, friends, and all that is familiar and sold into slavery - especially by my siblings. I would guess that the trip to Egypt in the company of the Midianite traders was no picnic for Joseph. I would imagine he was treated very poorly, and probably wasn't given much to eat. If anyone had a 'right' to become bitter and angry, Joseph certainly did, didn't he?
Fast forward to life in Potiphar's house. It seems like life may be getting better for Joseph when Potiphar trusts him to the extent of leaving Joseph in charge of everything. Joseph has kept his eyes focused on God. I'm guessing that all the times Joseph witnessed God providing for and delivering his father, Jacob, from trouble did not escape Joseph's notice, and as a result Joseph's faith and trust in God deepened. So Joseph is honest, trustworthy, and living a life above reproach. When all of a sudden Potiphar's wife doesn't get what she wants so she lies about Joseph and he's thrown into prison - all because he was honest, trustworthy, and living a life above reproach. If anyone had a 'right' to become bitter and angry, Joseph certainly did, didn't he?
In prison, life got as good as it probably could for Joseph. Once again God was with Joseph and gave Joseph favor in the sight of the prison keeper so Joseph was put in charge of all the prisoners. When Joseph accurately interprets the cupbearer's and baker's dreams, he asks the cupbearer to remember him once he is released from prison, but the cupbearer doesn't keep his promise to Joseph - and two more long years go by with Joseph stuck in prison. If anyone had a 'right' to become bitter and angry, Joseph certainly did, didn't he?
I am convinced that through all of the wrongs done to Joseph, he chose to forgive - over and over, again and again. Forgiveness is the only way Joseph could remain honest and trustworthy. Forgiveness is the only way Joseph could keep his eyes focused on the LORD. Forgiveness is the only way Joseph could continue to trust the LORD to deliver him, as He had delivered Jacob. And at the end of the story, forgiveness is the only way Joseph could say to his brothers "You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good."
For Christians, forgiveness is the only answer, it is the only option. It is something God commands us to do. It is something Jesus models for us time and time again.
But someone may say, "You don't know what he/she did to me. You don't have a clue how much he/she hurt me." You are right, I don't. But God does, and He is asking you to trust Him and to forgive the other person. You see, God knows that the anger and bitterness is damaging you more than anyone else. Neil T. Anderson (founder of Freedom in Christ Ministries) says that to NOT forgive is like drinking poison and hoping the other person dies.
God is asking you to forgive so you can be healthy, whole, strong, and balanced...something that is just not possible when you are dealing with the open wound of bitterness.
If there is someone in your life who has hurt you, and you would like someone safe to talk to about it, please feel free to contact me. I would be honored to walk you through the process of forgiveness so you can experience the freedom and joy in life that Christ died to give you.
Monday, January 16, 2012
"What's the big deal?"
As I read the account of Dinah, I've almost been tempted to wonder, 'So what's the big deal? The son of Hamor loved her.' Can't you envision Hollywood making a movie of this story? The movie producers would have us cheering for Dinah and the son of Hamor to "live happily ever after", and Dinah's brothers would be portrayed as the bad guys.
Now I am not condoning Simeon and Levi's actions; their scheming, deception, and murder is definitely wrong and not part of God's plan. But my initial reaction causes me to realize how polluted I am by our culture and the world, and by Hollywood who would have us believe that anything is okay if it is for love.
But God called His people to be separate; they were not to intermarry with the Caananites because God knew how easily they would become polluted by people who have no relationship with the One True God.
I find myself challenged by this...to be in the world, but not of the world; to not let our culture, Hollywood, etc, pollute me, or change my 'moral compass', and thereby, water down (or nullify) my witness to those around me who do not have a relationship with the One True God.
Where are you at in this never-ending battle? How do you keep yourself from being polluted? I'd love to hear what works for you, and if you are willing to share, what hasn't worked for you.
Now I am not condoning Simeon and Levi's actions; their scheming, deception, and murder is definitely wrong and not part of God's plan. But my initial reaction causes me to realize how polluted I am by our culture and the world, and by Hollywood who would have us believe that anything is okay if it is for love.
But God called His people to be separate; they were not to intermarry with the Caananites because God knew how easily they would become polluted by people who have no relationship with the One True God.
I find myself challenged by this...to be in the world, but not of the world; to not let our culture, Hollywood, etc, pollute me, or change my 'moral compass', and thereby, water down (or nullify) my witness to those around me who do not have a relationship with the One True God.
Where are you at in this never-ending battle? How do you keep yourself from being polluted? I'd love to hear what works for you, and if you are willing to share, what hasn't worked for you.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Power
There is so much going on in today's reading; so many lessons we can learn from!
One thing that has caught my attention as we've been reading in Genesis is the power that we, as wives, have to sway and influence the men in our lives.
Sarah grows impatient waiting for God to give them the son He promised so she tells Abraham to sleep with Hagar - and relational messes are created from that poor use of her power to influence (which the nation of Israel is still experiencing today).
Rebekah wants her favorite son to receive Isaac's blessing so she persuades Jacob to scheme with her and deceive his father...a very poor use of her power to influence.
In today's reading, Rachel envies Leah because of Leah's ability to have children, while Rachel remains barren. So she, too, poorly uses her power to influence Jacob and gives him Bilhah as a wife. (I've got to wonder why he agreed. Did he learn nothing from the relational messes that were created when his grandfather - Abraham - did that very same thing?)
Genesis 31: 14-16 records a positive example of our power to influence when Rachel and Leah agree with Jacob that it is time to leave Laban and return to Jacob's home.
Through all these examples, positive, as well as negative, we need to be aware of how great is our power to influence our husbands, sons, etc. The old - and not very flattering - saying, "When Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy" sums up our ability to turn the mood of our whole home. I have noticed over the years that how I start my day determines the course for my whole family. If I start my day in a good mood, focused on God, so will my whole family. If I start crabby and snapping at everyone, well, let's just say it would be better if I would just go back to bed and try again later!!
We have great power and we need to make sure that we are continually yielding to God's will so that our power of influence is always under His control and influence. We need to make certain that we are walking with the Lord, following His ways (not our preferences), and listening closely to His Voice, so that our power is merely an extension of God's Great Power in our lives.
One thing that has caught my attention as we've been reading in Genesis is the power that we, as wives, have to sway and influence the men in our lives.
Sarah grows impatient waiting for God to give them the son He promised so she tells Abraham to sleep with Hagar - and relational messes are created from that poor use of her power to influence (which the nation of Israel is still experiencing today).
Rebekah wants her favorite son to receive Isaac's blessing so she persuades Jacob to scheme with her and deceive his father...a very poor use of her power to influence.
In today's reading, Rachel envies Leah because of Leah's ability to have children, while Rachel remains barren. So she, too, poorly uses her power to influence Jacob and gives him Bilhah as a wife. (I've got to wonder why he agreed. Did he learn nothing from the relational messes that were created when his grandfather - Abraham - did that very same thing?)
Genesis 31: 14-16 records a positive example of our power to influence when Rachel and Leah agree with Jacob that it is time to leave Laban and return to Jacob's home.
Through all these examples, positive, as well as negative, we need to be aware of how great is our power to influence our husbands, sons, etc. The old - and not very flattering - saying, "When Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy" sums up our ability to turn the mood of our whole home. I have noticed over the years that how I start my day determines the course for my whole family. If I start my day in a good mood, focused on God, so will my whole family. If I start crabby and snapping at everyone, well, let's just say it would be better if I would just go back to bed and try again later!!
We have great power and we need to make sure that we are continually yielding to God's will so that our power of influence is always under His control and influence. We need to make certain that we are walking with the Lord, following His ways (not our preferences), and listening closely to His Voice, so that our power is merely an extension of God's Great Power in our lives.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Summary Day
Today is a Summary Day - take time to review what you have read this week and spend time in prayer asking God how you can apply it to your life.
Let me encourage you to find an accountability partner - someone you can trust with your deep secrets and who will pray for you and ask how you are doing with making godly changes in your life. We all need someone like that in our life! And we all need to be making changes as we encounter God's Word. I know from personal experience that it is easy to let a Bible reading schedule take control so I end up reading just to check it off my 'to do' list. But the key, as we spend time in God's Word, is to become more Christ-like.
Enjoy your time in God's Presence today!
Let me encourage you to find an accountability partner - someone you can trust with your deep secrets and who will pray for you and ask how you are doing with making godly changes in your life. We all need someone like that in our life! And we all need to be making changes as we encounter God's Word. I know from personal experience that it is easy to let a Bible reading schedule take control so I end up reading just to check it off my 'to do' list. But the key, as we spend time in God's Word, is to become more Christ-like.
Enjoy your time in God's Presence today!
Friday, January 13, 2012
Double Standards
Abraham lied about Sarah being his sister; Isaac lied about Rebekah being his sister; Jacob lied about being his brother. The sin transferred from one generation to the next.
But what I find interesting in today's reading is how upset Jacob gets when he is the one who is lied to (by Laban and ends up with Leah as a wife instead of Rachel). Wouldn't that be called a double standard?!
It prompts me to take a look at my own life, for the inconsistencies and double standards that I have, and work to get rid of them. If it isn't okay for someone to do something to me, it shouldn't be okay for me to do that same thing to them. "Do unto others as I would have others do unto me."
Do you have double standards in your life? You don't have to admit to them here on this blog! But I do hope that you will make the time (and the courage) to admit them to your Heavenly Father, then seek His help and direction in getting rid of them.
But what I find interesting in today's reading is how upset Jacob gets when he is the one who is lied to (by Laban and ends up with Leah as a wife instead of Rachel). Wouldn't that be called a double standard?!
It prompts me to take a look at my own life, for the inconsistencies and double standards that I have, and work to get rid of them. If it isn't okay for someone to do something to me, it shouldn't be okay for me to do that same thing to them. "Do unto others as I would have others do unto me."
Do you have double standards in your life? You don't have to admit to them here on this blog! But I do hope that you will make the time (and the courage) to admit them to your Heavenly Father, then seek His help and direction in getting rid of them.
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