July 31, 2008

Confronting Crisis

Read the Bible through:
AM – Psalm 25-30 : PM – Acts 21:17-40

WHEN BETRAYED
Genesis 37:23-28

28 “Then Midianite traders passed by; so the brothers pulled Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. And they took Joseph to Egypt.”

Joseph must have felt shocked, hurt, angry, and bewildered as nightmarish events unfolded around him. On his way to Egypt, did he cry out to God? Did he shake his fist at Him? Did he curse his brothers? Did he weep uncontrollably? The Bible does not tell us about that difficult journey. One thing is for certain: Joseph’s life was forever altered by his brothers’ treachery. In the course of a day he went from wearing an opulent, multicolored coat to a slave’s drab rags.

Joseph could not have foreseen how God would redeem his life in the years ahead while he lived away from his family and homeland. Betrayal was not the end of the story, for God did not abandon Joseph as his brothers did. In this story we view God’s pattern for dealing with people: out of ruin, He builds hope and purpose.

Betrayal need not ruin my life, Lord. Restore hope to my heart and peace to my soul.

July 30, 2008

Confronting Crisis

Read the Bible through:
AM – Psalm 19-24 : PM – Acts 21:1-16

WHEN PERSECUTED
Genesis 37:18-22

18 “Now when they saw him afar off, even before he came near them, they conspired against him to kill him.”

Christians in more than 60 countries face persecution. Jesus told His disciples, “If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:20). Clearly then, we can expect opposition when we share Jesus with the world.

In Vietnam, police closed a church and imprisoned the pastor. His wife and children had to live on a balcony outside an apartment. In a letter to friends, this pastor’s wife described the distress and hardship; but she also expressed how richly the Lord had blessed them in spite of having lost their house and possessions. They realized they still had the Lord. These folk had learned how to confront the crisis of persecution.

God later used the persecuted Joseph for His purposes. May each of us, as did Joseph and this precious sister in Christ, trust the Lord when confronting crises.

Lord, give courage and show mercy to those who suffer for their faith.

July 29, 2008

Confronting Crisis

Read the Bible through:
AM – Psalm 13-18 : PM – Acts 20:17-38

IN FAMILY LIFE
Genesis 37:3-9

3 “Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age. Also he made him a tunic of many colors. 4 But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peaceably to him.”

Crisis never occurs in a vacuum. When a father is seriously injured on the job, his wife and children must adapt. Everyone in the family is impacted when a child runs away from home. When a mother is hospitalized for depression, family life is thrown off balance.

Relationships in Jacob’s family were strained because of his overt favoritism toward his young son, Joseph. Jacob’s family slowly unraveled.

Disagreements and struggles will happen in the family. A family can come together or fall apart under extreme pressure. However, when family members follow God’s principles and act with love and forgiveness, they can make it through any crisis.

Father, may Your grace inhabit my family so we may come together when tough times strike.

July 28, 2008

Confronting Crisis

Read the Bible through:
AM – Psalm 7-12 : PM – Acts 20:1-16

IN EVERYDAY LIFE
Genesis 37:1-2

2 “This is the history of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brothers. And the lad was with the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives; and Joseph brought a bad report of them to his father.”

Your car breaks down. Job pressures escalate. You argue with your best friend. The dentist says you need a root canal. You’re diagnosed with diabetes. You’re teetering on the brink of bankruptcy. Your child had trouble at school – again. You have to move out of state. These are events in everyday life that can become crises.

Even normal transitions can bring stress, such as marriage, parenthood, the empty nest, and retirement.

What crisis are you facing today? Joseph had to address the problematic behaviors of his brothers. Just as Joseph had the courage to take his concerns to his father, Jacob, so we can do the same with our Heavenly father. No crisis we face is beyond God’s capacity. (John 16:33).

Give me the eyes of faith, Lord, that see Your grace at work even when events seem out of control.

July 27, 2008

Good News: Controlled by the Spirit

Read the Bible through:
AM – Psalm 1-6 : PM – Acts 19:21-41

REAPING THE TRANSFORMED LIFE
Galatians 6:9-10

10 “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

While special interest groups fighting for good causes have their places in society, we must guard our motives when doing good to others. Paul encouraged Christians to do good to all people. When the relief of our own consciences or the fulfillment of our needs becomes our motivation in doing good, we have become self-centered instead of other centered. Thus, doing good to one person may result in not doing good to another. Our good deeds must touch every person involved.

While our deeds should be good to all people, we can never meet everyone’s needs. Paul was wise to counsel Christians to do good as opportunities arise. This teaching also implies we give special attention to our brothers and sisters in Christ.

What is your reason for doing good to others? Is it for your own benefit or the benefit of all people?

Lord, as I have opportunities, help me do good to all people. May their needs be my focus.

July 26, 2008

Good News: Controlled by the Spirit

Read the Bible through:
AM – Job 40-42 : PM – Acts 19:1-20

REAPING THE TRANSFORMED LIFE
Galatians 6:7-8

8 “For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.”

I’ve sometimes wondered what skydiving would be like. I’ve seen pictures of skydivers, watched television programs on skydiving and my children have done it. However, no amount of reading, listening, or thinking about skydiving will ever give me the actual experience. Only when I board an aircraft, climb to 20 thousand feet, and jump, will I experience everything about skydiving.

Reaping the experience of God’s eternal life occurs in a similar way. I can desire God’s nature within me; I can learn about His character; I can watch other people experience His life. But until I sow the seed of the Spirit’s fruit, I’ll never reap the transforming life of Christ.

Is the transforming life of Christ your experience?

Lord, You have transformed my identity from sinner to saint. Now transform my living from the flesh to Your Spirit

July 25, 2008

Good News: Controlled by the Spirit

Read the Bible through:
AM – Job 38-3 : PM – Acts 18

BEARING ONE ANOTHER’S BURDENS
Galatians 6:1-6

2 "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."

God has richly blessed me with a supportive wife and great army of volunteers. The ministry can be a burdensome task if left to do it alone. These “angels,” serve as great examples of burden bearers.

Bearing one another’s burdens requires that we recognize other people’s need for help. Then it requires a response to those needs. Sharing other people’s burdens implicated our willingness to give time, energy, and resources to people in need. As we participate in burden sharing, we are compensated with the joy of knowing that as we share one another’s burdens we are fulfilling Christ’s law of loving one another.

Do you know someone carrying a burden? How can you share that person’s load? Do it – and fulfill God’s Law!

Thank You, Lord, for those who help me. Grant that I be a faithful burden bearer to others.