Category Archives: Christian Living

A Man Named Job

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A Man Named Job

If someone mentions the name Job, what’s the first thing we usually think of? Patience in suffering? Trust in God? Friends with not so wise counsel?

The Book of Job is so much more than a beautifully written poetic story about a man who exhibited patience, and endured unimaginable troubles. This is the story of a man named Job who confidently declared, I know my Redeemer lives, and in the end, will stand on the earth.

Job Was A Man Of Hope

The story of Job is not just a story of patience and suffering. It is a story of hope. Hope in a risen Savior. Hope in a Redeemer. Hope in Jesus Christ as Lord. It is a story that should give us hope, even in the midst of our worst trials and troubles.

Job Was A Man Of Trust

The story of Job shows us a man who continued to keep trusting that God had a plan for his life, even when Job couldn’t see it.

Job had no idea of what went on in the heavenly realm between God and Satan. He didn’t know Satan had to ask God’s permission before he was allowed to unleash his evil against the man God pointed out as his servant. All Job could do was keep trusting.

Job Was A Man Who Sought Answers

During his suffering and loss, Job sought an audience with God. He had questions. He wanted God to give him answers.

However, instead of giving Job answers, God asked questions of his own.

Where were you when I made the earth’s foundation? Who shut the doors to keep the sea in when it broke through and was born? Where were you when I said to the sea, ‘you may come this far, but no farther’? Have you ever ordered the morning to begin, or shown the dawn where its place was? Tell me if you know all these things.

Job Was A Man Who Discovered God Is God And Job Was Not

Job discovered God owes no one any answers for what God permits or plans. He is God. We are not. As Job found out, man’s arm is too short to box with the Creator.

Job Was A Man Who Continued To Love God

Despite his trials, loss, and confusion, Job continued to love God. He continued to petition God for relief. He didn’t understand why God allowed the pain and suffering, but he never stopped loving his Creator. And in the end, God rewarded his faithfulness.

Your Turn

The story of Job is the story of a man who lived in the days of the old and ancient before Jesus walked this earth. It is the story of a man God allowed Satan to test to prove, not only to Satan, but also to Job, how faithful Job was to God.

This is the story of a man who sought answers to his why, yet never received them.

In the end, this is the story of a man who knew and held firmly to this truth. Our Redeemer lives, and in the end, he will stand once again on the earth. We will see God face to face.

Going through troubling times? Hold onto the hope we have in Jesus as our Lord, Savior, and Redeemer. We don’t have to have all the answers. We just have to trust that God does.

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I know that my Redeemer lives, and in the end he will stand upon the earth. Even after my skin has been destroyed in my flesh I will see God. I will see him myself; I will see him with my very own eyes. How my heart wants that to happen! Job 19:25-27 (NCV)

I wish you well.

Sandy

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Six Lessons from Mary Magdalene

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woman at sunriseMary Magdalene Disciple of Christ

Today I would like to talk about six lessons we can learn from Mary Magdalene that I gained from Ann Swindell’s book, The Path to Peace.

Lesson Number One

Jesus can bring light into even our darkest situations.

Luke tells us Jesus freed Mary Magdalene from seven demons. We don’t know the specifics. We don’t know the details. All we know is before she encountered Christ, Mary’s life must have been unbearable.

Lesson Number Two

Once freed, our immediate response should be thankfulness and service.

In gratitude for being released from the demons that tortured her, Mary devoted her life in service to Jesus as one of his disciples. Again, Luke tells us Mary and other women supported Christ’s ministry out of their own means.

Lesson Number Three

Whenever we have to relinquish our dreams to Jesus and let go of what we want, there will be sorrow.

Pre-resurrecton, the death of Mary’s dream to follow Jesus all the days of her life died with him on the cross. Her hope was in the person of Jesus. Now what was she to do?

Lesson Number Four

Do the next thing.

Mary may not have known what her life would be like without Jesus, but she knew she had to do the next thing. She knew Christ deserved a proper burial. She was determined to see that happened.

Lesson Number Five

Serving Jesus, even in our pain, brings healing and peace.

As Mary and the other women set out early in the morning to prepare Jesus’ body, do you think they shared stories of their time with Jesus? Do you think in the sharing, their pain lifted a bit? Do you think they felt a peace in knowing that even in their pain, even in their sorrow, this one act of love and devotion would honor the one they loved?

Lesson Number Six

Everything wrong will be made right in Jesus.

To me, one of the most tender passages in all Scripture is the scene where Jesus meets Mary Magdalene outside the tomb that once held his sacrificed, lifeless body. It brings tears to my eyes every single time I read it.

Everything that seemed so wrong for Mary Magdalene at that moment in time, became right, the instant her Lord Jesus spoke her name and she recognized his voice.

Then the followers went back home. But Mary stood outside the tomb, crying. As she was crying, she bent down and looked inside the tomb. She saw two angels dressed in white, sitting where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and one at the feet.

They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”

She answered, “They have taken away my Lord, and I don’t know where they have put him.” When Mary said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know it was Jesus.

Jesus asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Whom are you looking for?”

Thinking he was the gardener, she said to him, “Did you take him away, sir? Tell me where you put him, and I will get him.”

 Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

Mary turned toward Jesus and said in the Hebrew language, “Rabboni.” (This means “Teacher.”) John 20:10-16 (NCV)

Your Turn

Just as he did with Mary Magdalene, Jesus brings light to our darkness. He is our hope. He is our peace. Our response should be one of gratitude and service.

When we let go of our plans and dreams, and embrace what Jesus has for us, there is peace in the midst of circumstances we didn’t choose.

Jesus knows our name just as surely as he knows Mary Magdalene’s. Even in our deepest darkness and greatest need, Jesus knows us. He sees us. He loves us.

If that doesn’t bring joy to our heart and tears to our eyes, I don’t know what does.

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Soon afterward Jesus began a tour of the nearby towns and villages, preaching and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom of God. He took his twelve disciples with him, along with some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases.

Among them were Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons; Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s business manager; Susanna; and many others who were contributing from their own resources to support Jesus and his disciples. Luke 8:1-3 (NLT)

I wish you well.

Sandy

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Last June I reviewed The Path to Peace by Ann Swindell. In March I wrote about six lessons Ann mentions in her book that we can learn from Samuel’s mother Hannah. If you missed that post, you can find it here. Last week I wrote about six lessons we can learn from Jesus’ Mother Mary.

Photo courtesy of avi_acl / 146 images.

He Was Pierced For Our Transgressions

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Christ on the crossFickle

Fickle. That’s what we humans are. Quick to shift loyalties and allegiance.

This past Sunday, Palm Sunday, we celebrated Jesus Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Crowds lined the road. They shouted out their hosannas and praises, as Jesus passed by.

Yet, within five short days, those praises turned to condemnation.

Crucify him! Crucify him! Crucify him!

Although Pilate could find no wrong in Jesus, he gave in to the crowd’s demands. Pilate handed Christ over to be murdered. After that, Pilate washed his hands of Christ’s innocent blood.

Forgiven

Jesus was the sacrificial Lamb of God. He took the punishment mankind’s sins deserved upon himself. His sacrifice allows us entrance into the very presence of God. By Jesus Christ’s suffering and death, our sins were forgiven.

Your Turn

In this video by Central Christian Church, in Wichita, KS, a trauma surgeon medically describes the effect crucifixion would have on the human body.

He who knew no sin, took on the sins of the world, that by His wounds, we can be healed. Perfect Love.

The question, then, is what is our response to Christ’s Perfect Love?

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When we were unable to help ourselves, at the right time, Christ died for us, although we were living against God. Very few people will die to save the life of someone else. Although perhaps for a good person someone might possibly die. 

But God shows his great love for us in this way: Christ died for us while we were still sinners. So through Christ we will surely be saved from God’s anger, because we have been made right with God by the blood of Christ’s death.

While we were God’s enemies, he made us his friends through the death of his Son. Surely, now that we are his friends, he will save us through his Son’s life. And not only that, but now we are also very happy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we are now God’s friends again. Romans 5:6-11 (NCV)

I wish you well.

Sandy

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Photo courtesy Helmut_Kroiss / 64 images.

Six Lessons From Jesus’ Mother Mary

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statue Mary and young JesusJesus’ Mother Mary

Today I would like to talk about six lessons we can learn from Jesus’ mother Mary that I gained from Ann Swindell’s book, The Path to Peace.

Lesson Number One

Mary’s acceptance of God’s call to give birth to his son was all about what God wanted. Not what Mary wanted.

Accepting God’s plan cost Mary more than she could have imagined. Nevertheless, she embraced his plan as God’s servant.

Lesson Number Two

Mary wasn’t pregnant yet when Gabriel told her God’s plan. She could have said no.

The invitation to accept God’s call on our life often comes at times where we have to give God our yes before we can see the outcome. We say yes, believing we serve a good Father.

Lesson Number Three

Mary watched her son die without seeming intervention. All the dreams, hopes, and promises she had from God, spoken through Gabriel, seemed to disintegrate in front of her.

None of it made sense.

Lesson Number Four

Although what Mary saw seemed hopeless, God knew what he was doing. There was a plan at work Mary could not yet understand.

In time, it would be revealed.

Lesson Number Five

As Jesus hung dying on the cross, he made earthly provision for his mother. He asked his disciple and cousin, John, to take care of her.

Even on our worst day, in our worst possible moment, God sees, God cares, God loves, God provides. And most importantly, God is in control.

Lesson Number Six

There is hope after the darkness.

Jesus appeared to his loved ones after his resurrection and before he returned to his throne in heaven. Hope was reborn.

Your Turn

Because of what Jesus accomplished through his death, burial, and resurrection; the defeat of hell, sin, Satan, and death, every pain, sorrow, and hurt we experience will one day be redeemed, restored, and made new when Jesus returns.

The following questions came from The Path to Peace.

When you feel God asking you to step out of your comfort zone for him, do you put aside what you want and embrace what he wants?

Do you find it difficult to trust God and accept what he is calling you to do without proof it will all turn out all right?

How do you react when you are obedient, but things don’t turn out the way you thought they would or should?

How do you hold onto God’s promises in the darkness when nothing makes sense?

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“I belong to the Lord, body and soul,” replied Mary, “let it happen as you say.” And at this the angel left her. Luke 1:38 (Phillips)

I wish you well.

Sandy

Please enter your email address on the form located on the right sidebar to sign up to receive posts every Tuesday and Thursday. Thanks!

Last June I reviewed The Path to Peace by Ann Swindell. Last month I wrote about six lessons Ann mentions in her book that we can learn from Samuel’s mother Hannah. If you missed that post, you can find it here.

Photo courtesy moingay84 / 114 images.

Which Way Am I Going? Psalm 1

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Psalms Today’s guest post, Which Way Am I Going? Psalm 1, written by Anthea Kotlan first appeared on antheakotlan.com.

Which Way Am I Going?

Psalm 1

I was born without any internal sense of direction and have spent more time than I recall getting lost. I know very little of North, South, East, or West. I am even hard-pressed to judge distances.

My children can testify to times spent circling around in the car trying to find our way home. Even maps can be confusing to me. Giving me a clear, and concise set of directions serves as a lifesaver for me and the passengers in my vehicle.

I am filled with wonder when I open an app on my phone and enter a destination. Moments later, I have clear instructions to guide me wherever I need to go. If I make a mistake, it will even recalculate! I can get live traffic updates allowing me to determine alternate routes and saving me hours of frustration. Some apps will even help me remember where I parked my car.

Psalm 1 provides some detailed directions for followers of Jesus.

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners nor sits in the seat of scoffers; (Psalm 1:1 ESV)

Where I Walk

As a follower of Jesus, I must consider the advice I seek, the stands I take, and the people I surround myself with. Where I choose to walk, stand and sit matters to God. I must seek Him first in these areas.

Who do I go to for advice? A Godly source of wisdom or crowdsourcing?

Where do I spend my time and money? Where my time and money are spent reveals my life’s priorities.

Where do I choose to rest and relax? Where do I lower my guard? I need to discern safe places for my soul to relax. I must consider the entertainment I am taking in, the books I read and even the music I listen to.

But his delight is in the law he meditates day and night. (Psalm 1:2 ESV)

Autopilot

What does it look like to delight? Do I enjoy reading, thinking, and applying God’s word to my daily life? God is providing principles to help me stay on track with Him, and I would be foolish to ignore them. I need to meditate on His word day and night because I am genuinely prone to wander off track without that daily and even nightly guidance. I must internalize God’s law so that it will become my autopilot.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. (Psalm 1:3 ESV)

Streams of Water

In the part of Southeast Texas that I call home, we have streams of water that come in only two varieties. Too little rain sends us into drought, or too much threatens to drown us.

A tree planted by streams of water will receive the moisture it needs to grow and be productive. The roots can go deep and tap into the stream. When it rains in moderation, the tree will get all it needs from above. And when it rains entirely too much (notice I did not say if, but when), the stream will act as a conduit carrying the excess water away. This will preserve the tree from drowning.

The wicked are not so, but like chaff that the wind drives away. (Psalm 1:4 ESV)

Rooted

The roots a tree sends deep down into the earth provide a pathway for nourishing and hydrating the tree. They also act as anchors when the winds of this world blow. A tree lacking a well-developed root system needs more to keep in place. It will be blown away like chaff.

Daily and nightly meditation in God’s word gives our faith roots that provide security when life’s storm attempt to blow us away from God’s presence.

Therefore the wicked will not stand in judgement, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; (Psalm 1:5 ESV)

Wicked

The wicked, God warns us, will not survive His judgment. Sinners will eventually be separated from the righteous. God can and will sort it out. Somedays, I feel surrounded by those who champion all that is wrong and seem to succeed; I need this reminder.

“for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.” (Psalm 1:6 ESV)

His Way

It seems here that God might be repeating Himself. Why do I need an additional reminder? He’s pointing out that despite how it might feel, the wicked will someday be gone. There will be an end to seeing headlines trumpeting evil’s victories, innocence lost, and violence rolling out like a plague.

He is also reassuring me that He knows how to remain righteous, even when it might be unclear. Sometimes it is hard to discern the path that will please Him. However, He is always available and ready to answer my call for help. He knows where I am and will always provide a way to go on.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for the kindness of “turn by turn” directions in your word. Please help me to follow the path you have set for me. Please help me to see your perspective and your priorities. I know that I will be blessed to align myself with what You have for me.  In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Anthea KotlanFor over thirty years, Anthea Kotlan has served as a women’s ministry leader in the church and community. She has a passion for discipleship and encouraging women to walk confidently in their God-given calling. She designs women’s retreats, teaches Bible studies, writes, and enjoys speaking at events. Recently, she began serving on a church plant team in Conroe, Texas with her husband, a bi-vocational priest. Every chance she gets, she spends time laughing with her two adult daughters or snuggling her two grandchildren. Check out Anthea’s blog for weekly soul-tending devotionals from the Psalms. antheakotlan.com 

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I wish you well.

Sandy

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Are We Plank-eyed?

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speed limit sign

Plank-eyed Moment

The other morning two vehicles flew past me in a 40 MPH speed zone and I had a plank-eyed moment.

“I hope you both get tickets!” I said out loud. I figured saying it aloud, might make it happen. I looked at my speedometer. Yep. Right on 40. I wasn’t breaking the law.

To my knowledge, those two law-breakers got away without having to pay a penalty.

Imagine.

Selective Memory

Of course, I chose not to remember all the times I have exceeded the speed limit, broken the law, and deserved to pay the penalty. Selective memory.

Whenever I caution my son, Pie, about his speed, he tells me he drives fast because that is what he learned being a passenger in my car. We don’t call my 1985 Monte Carlo SS, Zoomer, for nothing, I guess.

At the moment the two cars whizzed past, instead of removing the plank from my eye, I chose to point out the speck in someone else’s. 

All Have Sinned

So, I’m sitting in my car feeling self-righteous that I wasn’t breaking the law by speeding, and I feel God tap me on the shoulder.

Here is what I believe God wanted me to consider.

While in my corner of Texas, the fines for speeding increase the greater you deviate above the set speed limit, in God’s eyes, all have sinned and fallen short. ALL.

Our sin separates us from God. There are no big sins, little sins where God’s righteousness is concerned. No incremental increase in the fine depending on how much you deviate from the law.

Sobering Thoughts

And the person who keeps every law of God but makes one little slip is just as guilty as the person who has broken every law there is. James 2:19 (NLT)

A gossiper is just as guilty of falling short of God’s law as a murderer. A little white lie separates us from God’s holiness as much as child molestation does. Sobering thought.

There is no sliding payment scale of punishment. We’re all guilty. We all deserve to pay the penalty of eternal separation from the Holy and Righteous Judge.

A sin, is a sin, is a sin.

But God

God made a way for our sins to be forgiven through the death of his Son Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. Jesus’ sacrifice paid the penalty that we deserve.

Jesus received the ticket for our speeding. He paid full price for our law-breaking so we wouldn’t have to. It was a debt we owed, but couldn’t pay. A debt Jesus did not owe, yet willingly paid.

Your Turn

Like me, do you have any plank-eyed moments where you need to remember that even though we may be driving within the speed limit right now, it isn’t always so?

Like me, do you also need to remember in God’s eyes, going over the limit by one mile is breaking the law, just as sure as driving 30 MPH over the limit is?

As law-breakers who have escaped the penalty because Jesus paid it for us, let’s remove the plank from our own eye before we comment on the speck of dust in someone else’s eye.

Grace.

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Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. Matthew 7:3-5

I wish you well.

Sandy

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Photo by Tungsten Rising on Unsplash

Wedding Invitation

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wedding cakeThe Invitation

Pilot and I received a wedding invitation to attend the marriage of a friend in Paris. Oh my goodness. How I wish we were able to fly to Paris and celebrate with Brian on his special day. Unfortunately, we aren’t able to. This makes me sad.

As I thought about Brian’s invitation, I thought about another wedding invitation. Fortunately, this is a wedding invitation I am able to accept.

The Bride of Christ

The Bible speaks of a wedding. The wedding of Christ and his bride, the church. It tells how Jesus laid down his life for his bride, ascended into heaven to prepare a place for her, and will return to take his bride back home with him to heaven to live with him forever.

Similar to an engagement to be married, when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we enter into a covenant with him. We make a commitment to him, and he with us.

The Wedding Feast

Although I do not know what will be served at Brian’s reception, I know that whatever it is, it will be beyond grand. How do I know? Because I know Brian.

There will be a day when those who are Christ’s Bride approach him in the confidence of his love. On that day, he will take us to his home in heaven.

At that time, there will be a marriage feast unlike anything the world has ever known. How do we know? Because we know Jesus.

In Revelation John speaks of the new Jerusalem. That place prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. The dwelling place for those who claim Jesus as their Lord and Savior. (Revelation 21:2)

Isaiah speaks of God rejoicing over us the way the bridegroom rejoices over his bride. (Isaiah 62:5)

Our Choice

Brian extended his invitation to attend his wedding. However, it was up to us whether we would accept or not. It was our choice. Although Brian hoped we would share this special day with him, he won’t force us to attend.

God extends his invitation to all to attend the wedding of his son, the Lamb, and his Bride, the Church. It’s up to each of us to decide what we will do with that invitation. God won’t force us to accept.

When Christ’s wedding invitation is extended to us, will we decline the invitation? Or will we excitedly accept with all our heart and devotion?

Your Turn

The Bible also tells us we won’t know the hour or the day when God tells his son, “Go get your bride.” What the Bible does say is we need to watch and wait for that day. We need to be ready. (Matthew 24:36-44)

How should we make ourselves ready?

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Let us rejoice and be happy and give God glory, because the wedding of the Lamb has come, and the Lamb’s bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given to her to wear.” (The fine linen means the good things done by God’s holy people.) And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who have been invited to the wedding meal of the Lamb!” And the angel said, “These are the true words of God.” Revelation 19:7-9 (NCV)

I wish you well.

Sandy

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Photo courtesy blackstarvideo / 61 images

Pause for Poetry — The Refiner’s Fire

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meadow lake courtesy pixabayThe following poem, The Refiner’s Fire, was written by James M. Gray and comes from Streams in the Desert.

The Refiner’s Fire

He sat by the fire of seven-fold heat,As He watched by the precious ore.And closer He bent with a searching gazeAs He heated it more and more.

He knew He had ore that could stand the test
And He wanted the finest gold,
To mold as a crown for the King to wear,
Set with gems of price untold.

So He laid our gold in the burning fire,
Though we fain would have said Him, “Nay.”
And He watched the dross that we had not seen,
As it melted and passed away.

And the gold grew brighter, and yet more bright
And our eyes were so dim with tears,
As we saw the fire, not the Master’s hand,
And questioned with anxious fear.

Yet our gold shone out with a richer glow,
As it mirrored a Form above
That bent o’er the fire, though unseen by us
With a look of infinite love.

Can we think that it pleases His loving heart
To cause a moment of pain?
Ah, no, but He saw through the present cross
The bliss of eternal gain.

So He waited there with a watchful eye,
With a love that is strong and sure,
And His gold did not suffer a bit more heat
Than was needed to make it pure!

James M. Gray

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I wish you well.

Sandy

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In Times of Crisis

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man in despairCrisis

According to the Oxford online dictionary, crisis is defined as a time of intense difficulty, trouble, or danger. It is a time when a difficult or important decision must be made.

Merriam-Webster online dictionary further describes crisis as an unstable or crucial time or state of affairs in which a decisive change is impending.

We might consider different things a crisis by varying degrees. What one person considers a crisis, another may view differently.

When I hear reports of earthquakes or other natural disasters, I think crisis.

When I read reports of devastation in times of war, I think crisis.

When I talk with friends with about their major relationship concerns, I think crisis.

When I consider those without food, housing, or safety, I think crisis.

When I consider those with life-threatening diseases, I think crisis.

What I have found with the crises in my life is this. Crisis often catches us off guard, and always requires attention.

Joseph’s Life of Crisis

We don’t have to go past the book of Genesis to find someone whose life was one major crisis after another. At the beginning of chapter thirty-seven, we read about Joseph, the seventeen-year-old son beloved by his father Jacob.

By the middle of the chapter, we read Joseph was hated and rejected by his brothers. So much so, they decided to kill him.

By the end of the chapter, Joseph’s brothers changed their mind. Instead of outright killing their younger brother, when a caravan of Ishmaelites arrived from Gilead on its way to Egypt, they decided to sell him into slavery instead.

Crisis Number Two

In chapter thirty-nine, we see that a man named Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s officials, bought Joseph from the traders. Because the Lord was with Joseph, Joseph prospered. Potiphar noticed God was with Joseph, and put him in charge of his household and everything he owned.

Potiphar’s wife made sexual advances toward Joseph. He refused. She falsely accused him of rape. He was thrown in prison.

Forgotten in Prison

Chapter forty-one tells us that after two years in prison, Pharaoh had a dream. A former prison remembered Joseph had a gift for dream interpretation, and suggested Joseph might be able to help. By now, Joseph was thirty-years-old.

Elevated to the Palace

After interpreting Pharaoh’s dream, Joseph was placed second in charge of Egypt by Pharaoh himself.

What We See About Joseph’s Crisis

During Joseph’s times of crisis, we see someone who remained faithful to God. We never see Joseph getting angry or blaming God. We see someone God walked with through each turn of events. Not only did God walk with Joseph through each crisis, others noticed.

Near the end of Joseph’s story, we see someone who endured his life of crisis. We also see someone who forgave those who set that life in motion.

Joseph declared that what his brothers meant for evil, God meant for good. It wasn’t Joseph’s brothers who sent him to Egypt. Joseph said it was God.

Forgiving his brothers didn’t mean Joseph forgot what they did to him. What it meant was that although what they did was extremely painful, the wound of their betrayal could no longer hurt him.

In fact, he reminded them of their betrayal when he said, “Whom you sold into Egypt.” No denying what they did. No denying Joseph knew what they did.

Although Joseph’s times of crisis caught him off guard, his response was to trust God and remain faithful to him.

Your Turn

I pray you never find yourself, or someone you love, in a state of crisis, but I fear you might. One thing I’ve learned through the crises I’ve faced, and the crises my loved ones have faced, is this. Our particular crisis may have caught us off guard, but it didn’t catch God off guard.

Before the beginning of time, God knew the exact moment our crisis would hit. He allowed it to happen. And because God filtered our crisis through his hands before it ever reached us, we can trust he will see us through it.

God may not get us through our crisis in the way we’d like, but he’ll never leave us as we walk through it. Like Joseph, may we trust God, and remain faithful to him in our times of crisis.

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But Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. Genesis 50:19-20 (NLT)

I wish you well.

Sandy

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Faith, Doubt, and God’s Mysterious Timing Book Review

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One of the things I especially appreciate in Faith, Doubt, and God’s Mysterious Timing by Laurie Polich Short, is the way she takes familiar stories from the Bible, and points out how God met each person in their faith and doubt to show his perfect timing and sovereignty.

We read about Abraham, Sarah, Hagar, Joseph, Moses, David, Paul, and others in these pages. We see how, through faith, they navigated God’s seeming unanswered prayers, and way-off timing. And we understand, just like them, we can trust the One who orchestrates our path.

There are many nuggets of inspiration within the pages of Faith, Doubt, and God’s Mysterious Timing. In case you’re wondering if this is a book for you, here is one of Laurie’s nuggets. The call to hardship is not a sign of God’s displeasure. Laurie Polich Short

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House for a fair and honest review, which is exactly what I gave.

Have you read this book? If so, what was your impression of it?

I wish you well.

Sandy

Please enter your email address on the form located on the right sidebar to sign up to receive posts every Tuesday and Thursday. Thanks!