Dreams are coming true

I am amazed by Joseph's quiet trust in God. From telling his family the dreams God gave him as a boy, through all of his undeserved suffering, to seeing those dreams begin to come true. I also noticed that Joseph must have been deeply hurt by the rejection of his brothers. I could tell by what he named his sons in yesterday's readings, and by his weeping in today's readings. How precious it must have been for him to overhear them saying they deserved to be mistreated because they'd sinned against their brother Joseph. Those who rejected him were truly sorry. The brothers seem to be acting like Godly men now too- willing to lay down their lives for their brother Benjamin. I wonder if seeing the agony their sin caused their father led them to live in years of regret. There is no such thing as getting away with sin. And, it looks like they'll have to deal with that regret for a little bit longer, but tomorrow is coming and I know this is all about to be resolved. I can't wait!
Thank You Father for loving me and for forgiving all of my sins. Help me to receive Your forgiveness and believe it, and not live in regret. Bring beauty from my ashes Lord. Thank You for all the signs of Your goodness I see in my life. I know I will see Your goodness in the painful areas one day too. I trust You, and I love You. In my brokenness, I will still praise You. Hallelujah. Amen.

Idols

I just can't get something out of my mind: the part we read a few days ago about Rachel stealing her families gods. I have read that before, but it has a new meaning for me now. During this time of year, thousands of Mexicans walk from all over the country to a small town just north of my city. They carry their idols with them in wooden boxes. On Tuesday, I watched a group of them parade around carrying their idols. This group is from Mexico City and had been walking for 15 days! And, they have not reached their final destination yet. My heart is more burdened than ever for the lostness in this city and around the world. Idolatry is alive and well. It is an abomination in the eyes of the Lord. Our Lord alone deserves the praise and devotion that is being spent on idols who cannot hear, see, or speak.

Forgotten

I just love the Word of God. I love how it speaks to us right where we are!
This morning I came to the throne hurt. As "teenagerish" as it sounds, my feelings were hurt. A circumstance in my life made me feel left out and forgotten. As I read the account of Joseph this morning, my heart lingered on the words in verse 23......the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph. After all Joseph had done for him! The cupbearer just went off and forgot all about him! Sounded a lot like how I was feeling. As I read on, I was reminded that God had a plan. Joseph was "remembered" at just the right time in God's perfect plan. It really was not about Joseph. It was about God being glorified and honored through Joseph.

Thank you sweet Lord, that your Word is alive and able to speak to us so clearly. I ask you to forgive me for my selfish thinking. It is not about me. Father, may you be glorified and may your name be honored through me.

Perfect timing

God is interesting in how He works. He put a guy in jail who was innocent of a crime. God used him to interpret dreams for Pharoah's officials only to have them forget about him. Joseph stayed in jail another two years until God gave him the opportunity to interpret a dream for Pharoah. Once he did, Joseph was given authority in Egypt - second in command. Seriously! The guy was in jail for years. I would have been terribly frustrated with God, but not Joseph. God used Joseph to save Egypt and "all the world" (v.57) from famine and devastation. God had everything figured out according to His great plan.

God's timing is perfect. It's hard to understand sometimes, but it's perfect. Father, help me to not worry or stress about things that I can't control. My timing is not always your timing, and I know that your timing is perfect.

Bottom of the Pit

I have read the story of Joseph many times, but this morning God gave me a very clear and precise thought: When I am in the bottom of the pit, He is there. God, my Father, will deliver me in His own divine, perfect way. His way will be so much better and bigger than anything that I can imagine. I simply must trust him while I'm at the bottom.

When Joseph was at the bottom of the pit, God was with him. Through a series of crazy circumstances - being sold into slavery; ending up working for one of Pharoah's guards; seduced by Potiphar's wife; assumed guilty of a crime he didn't commit; thrown in jail - Joseph was always under the watchful eye of God. My prayer is that I will always lean on my Father and know that He is with me throughout all seasons of my life, especially when I am at the bottom of the pit.

The good, the bad, and the ugly

Or maybe it should be- the good, the ugly and the sad, for Genesis 33-35. Chapter 33 tells us of the sweet reunion of brothers who were once estranged. Esau welcomes Jacob home with a warm heart and open arms. God was faithful. :) Jacob then stops to worship God and affirm that He is his very own God. I am so glad to know God as my very own as well. I love You Father!
Then chapter 34 is just ugly. For some reason I've had the false impression that sexual sin is worse now than its ever been. According to what we've read so far this year, it has always been a huge problem. It breaks my heart. Oh how I wish I could do something to fight the sexual exploitation of women and children. Father, I cry out to You on behalf of our daughters and sons. Please protect them from predators and from pushy, deceitful people. Keep our children safe and pure, and provide Godly mates for them who will nurture and care for them. Thank You. Please God, show me how to help anyone I can. Rescue those in bondage and slavery all over the world, and redeem their lives for Your glory. Amen.
Last, chapter 35 tells us of the deaths of Rachel and Isaac, which is sad. But at least the sadness was tempered with some good. Rachel had a son. Jacob got to see his father again before he died. Still, death is always sad for us. Yet we do not mourn as those without hope. We know that our loved ones who know the Lord are with Him. I can't wait to be with Jesus myself! Hallelujah!

Jacob

Hey ya'll! I've just enjoyed a great DNow weekend with Jesus and 8th grade girls! Hallelujah! My Father loves me sooooo much! God Almighty is our Daddy, and He LOVES us! There is so much freedom and strength in that!
I've been too busy to blog, but we've covered so much about Isaac, Rabekah, Jacob, Esau, Leah, and Rachel. It would take too long to tell you all I thought about as I read these stories. I have lots of questions too. So, I'll just talk about our reading for today.
This seems to be a pivotal time in Jacob's life, as he is very afraid and yet trying to trust God and follow Him. I love that he obeyed God even though he was afraid of Laban and Esau. Ya'll I wrestle with fear quite often- whether it is fear of my ex, of providing for my children, of falling into sin, of being deceived, or of dishonoring my Savior. Father, help me hear You and obey You despite my fears. I believe in Your love for me. I know You will never abandon me. Thank You. :)
One thing bothered me in this passage- Rachel stole her father's idols. Why? God had answered her prayers and given her a son. She had seen God bless her husband. So why did she take idols? Did she think she needed a back-up plan? Lord, help me carry no idols. Help me to trust only in You, and count on You. You will come through. :)
The part about Jacob wrestling with the God/man was intriguing to me. Had to be Jesus, right? Which makes this story all the more fascinating! If anybody has more insight into the deep truths here please share. Why did Jesus come to wrestle with Jacob? Was it to get him to trust Him? Jacob was clinging to Him, hanging on for His blessing. Jesus, in His Deity, could have won- could've killed him, but He didn't. Yet, He did wound Jacob. But Jacob was just thrilled he got to see God face to face. And God blessed him. Wow. What does it all mean? It sort of seems like a male bonding experience where Jacob comes to trust God and to know God loves him. Jacob doesn't seem to mind the limp, he seems more excited to know God and have His blessing. Awesome. Dear Jesus, please bring beauty from the ashes of my life. Let all of my pain remind me that You were with me through it all, loving me and taking care of me. You have never forsaken me. Thank You. I love You. Amen.