Devotions

Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Please, come near me," and they came near. "I am Joseph, your brother," he said, "the one you sold into Egypt. And now don't be grieved or angry with yourselves for selling me here, because God sent me ahead of you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there will be five more years without plowing or harvesting. God sent me ahead of you to establish you as a remnant within the land and to keep you alive by a great deliverance. Therefore it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household, and ruler over all the land of Egypt." -Genesis 45:4-8 CSB

Joseph endured an extremely challenging life. He was his father's favorite, but his brothers sell him into slavery. From there, things begin looking up as he becomes the most favored of Potiphar's slaves. Then, Potiphar's wife falsely accused him and he ends up in prison. After years in prison, God opens the door for him to become the second in command over all of Egypt. His God-given wisdom allows him to make preparations for the famine coming and he is able to provide for his family. 

It would have been so easy to get discouraged during his time in slavery and in prison. It would have been easy to question why God had allowed all of these things to happen in his life, but little did he know that God was using these huge issues in his life to prepare him for greatness. 

It is easy for us to become frustrated when we don't understand the issues we face. We must remember that everything that we face - good, bad, anywhere in between - is all part of the picture that God is making with our lives. God's plans come full circle. The hardships we face, the problems we encounter, the ups and the downs all bring us to the place where we have the attitudes, relationships, and are equipped with exactly what we need to thrive where God wants us. 

Today's Prayer: Lord, in the difficult times of my life, help me to remember that Your plans come full circle. You use whatever situation I'm in to prepare me for what lies ahead. Thank You for Your faithfulness in every season. In Jesus name, amen! 

"So don't worry, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear?' For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things, and your Heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you." -Matthew 6:31-33 (CSB)

As Jesus walked the earth, the people surrounding Him had so many real questions. In their society, the essentials of livelihood were worries that they didn't understand how they would obtain. In the middle of their stresses, Jesus urges them to trust that God would provide for them everything that they need and - rather than using all of their life's energy looking for satisfaction in those areas - to seek the Kingdom and His righteousness. They were to devote their life entirely to God, and He would provide the answers they needed. 

Our lives are full of so many questions. We oftentimes ask ourselves "How will I pay my bills?", "Why can't I be as good a parent as I want to be?", or "Why am I going through what I'm going through?" These - and many more - are very real questions associated with very real problems in our lives. In view of that, what would happen if instead of worrying about our questions, we focused on drawing nearer to God? How would our life change if, instead of asking why we have struggles, we trusted that each step we took God was leading us closer to Himself? What if we spent less time worrying about our answers and more time trusting that He is our provider? 

Trust brings us closer to our Savior. When we trust Him with our issues, we find that His presence gives us peace even when we don't understand. When we trust Him, we see that getting answers isn't our greatest achievement. Walking with our savior and trusting Him to provide for our needs provides so much more satisfaction than our finite understanding could ever bring. Henry Nouwen says this, "Getting answers to my questions is not the goal of the spiritual life, living in the presence of God is the greater call." 

Today's Prayer: God, I am tempted today to try to answer all of life's questions. I am tempted to worry and fret over things I have no control over. Instead of worrying and trying to answer all of life's questions, help me to trust You. Give me the strength I need to seek You first and trust that You will provide for every need I have. Thank You for always watching out for me. In Jesus name, amen! 

A person's steps are established by the LORD, and he takes pleasure in his way. Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, because the LORD supports him with his hand. -Psalm 37:23-24 (CSB)

David was the least of his brothers, the one sent out to watch the sheep, the outcast of the family. Yet, over and over, David overcame impossible odds. A lion and a bear attack his sheep - he defeats them. He was left out when his family was honored by Samuel - Samuel stops the whole party until David got there and anointed him as the next king of Israel. Goliath terrorizes the armies of Israel - he stands up and kills Goliath. Saul tries to kill him - he continually finds refuge from him. David knew this was no coincidental set of circumstances. Only God could do this for him. 

So, David pens the words "a person's steps are established by the LORD." David knew - good or bad - everywhere he went led to God's plan and purpose for His life. Each step he took was a step toward the picture God was creating. Would he make mistakes? Yes. Would he fail? Yes. But he knew that even when he fell, he wouldn't be overwhelmed because the Lord was the one that took care of him. 

Maybe you face impossible odds. Deadlines. Bills. Stress. Health. Whatever the craziness in your life may be, rest in the fact that God orders your steps. He knows EXACTLY where you are, and even when it feels like everything is falling apart, know that He supports you with His right hand. 

Today's Prayer: Lord, thank You for seeing me in every step of my life. Help me to trust you in the dark valleys and in the mountain tops. Help me to know that You are the one who gives me strength when I fail. Help me trust in the fact that You will NEVER leave or forsake me. In Jesus name, amen! 

So she named the LORD who spoke to her: "You are El-roi," for she said, "In this place, have I actually seen the one who sees me?" -Genesis 16:13 (CSB)

In Genesis 16, we find that Hagar - the servant of Sarai - running from her master. Sarai, discouraged by her years of barrenness, told her husband Abram to take Hagar and use her to produce an heir. When Hagar became pregnant, Sarai became angry and began mistreating her. Hagar's situation wasn't one she asked for. Abram didn't help her, Sarai mistreated her, so the only thing she knew to do was run. 

So, run she did. She ran and ended up in the wilderness. No doubt, she wondered what her future would hold. She most likely knew her demise without any help in the wilderness alone was soon to come. What would become of her child? He would probably be left for dead or sold into slavery. Alone, broken, and helpless, she is visited by the Lord who tells her that her son is going to multiply into too many people to count. In the moment she felt broken and afraid, the Lord showed her that He would take care of her. 

She responds by naming the Lord that had spoken to her "El-roi" meaning "you are the God who sees me." She was encouraged in her moment of despair because God saw her in her time of need. 

We all have moments in our lives where we feel doubtful, afraid, uncertain, unseen, but in the midst of all of that we can take courage because the Lord sees us. He walks with us in times of trouble, He cares for us in time of need, He sees us and helps us in our darkest hour. Take courage today knowing that, whatever the circumstances of your life are, God sees you and cares about your needs. 

Today's Prayer: Lord, thank you for seeing me in my struggles. Thank You for never leaving me alone and uncared for. Help me remember as I walk through the trials of life that You are on my side, You love me, and You see me in my darkest moments. In Jesus name, amen. 

So God created man in his own image; he created him in the image of God; he created them male and female. God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, and every creature that crawls on the earth." -Genesis 1:27-29 (CSB)

Thanksgiving with my family brings the annual question, "You're going to make the pie, right?" So, every year I gather the ingredients, prepare my kitchen, and create a pumpkin pie for the family. The best part about it, though, is being able to open the oven and see that the creation process has been successful - and to hear "it's another good one," from the family. 

As God created the universe, He spoke everything into existence until He got to humanity. Humanity was His special creation. He wanted them to be created in His image. He creates them and gives them a specific task "be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it." Adam and Eve begin a family which eventually culminates into the human race we see today. 

Just like Adam and Eve, you and I are the special creation of God. He takes pride in seeing His creation do what it's called to do - and that is to be fruitful. Just like Adam and Eve were to create a growing family, you and I are called to bring growth into the Kingdom. How do we do that? By showing the people around us the love of Jesus. 

We were created to do more than just experience life. We were made to thrive! 

Today's Prayer: Lord, help me to thrive in the assignment you've given me. Help me show others Your love. Help me show others the change You make in my life. Help me to be a creation You can be proud of. In Jesus name, amen!