22 March 2019
Sometimes We Wait
Genesis 40:23 NLT
Pharaoh’s chief cup-bearer, however, forgot all about Joseph, never giving him another thought.
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Joseph interpreted a dream for Pharaoh’s cup-bearer when they were both in prison together. Joseph knew the guy was going to get released and asked him to please remember the one who helped and encouraged him. But the cup-bearer did not. In fact, two whole years went by before he finally remembered Joseph. Two whole years.
At church we’ve been studying the life of Joseph. Clearly, he learned very quickly that when all of our freedoms and privileges are taken away from us, the only free choice we’re left with is honor God or not. The one who used to be the spoiled favorite learns to practice humility, the former tattler learns to keep his mouth shut, the middle management-type overseer learns to be a hard worker with integrity, and this reformed bragger now gives God credit for dreams and the interpretation of them.

He didn’t have to honor God in his situations. He could’ve tried to run away instead of working so hard that he was put in charge of an entire household and a prison. He could’ve been a defiant worker, cheater, liar, and criminal. After all, he was a slave and then a prisoner. What’s the point in trying to thrive? Thankfully, God is with those who acknowledge and want him.

Joseph’s life away from his comfy home is what honoring God looks like:
- Humility
God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. - James 4:6 ESV
- Hard Work
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men. - Colossians 3:23 ESV
- Giving God the credit due him
Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together! - Psalm 34:3 ESV

And we also need to add... wait for it... w a i t i n g

When it looked like leaving prison would be certain, it was actually 2 long years of waiting. God did, in fact, use Joseph’s situation to save his whole family, but it was about *13 years from the time he was thrown in a cistern to when he met Pharaoh. Humility, magnifying God and even hard work seems easier than waiting. We usually don’t even know why we have to wait, and God doesn’t owe us any explanation either. We wait because waiting  makes us humble, lends opportunity to work for Jesus and make him big.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
James 1:2-3 NIV

Dear God,
I love the illustration of Joseph’s life that demonstrates honoring you in seemingly desperate situations. You are always with me, and waiting is just more of an opportunity to honor you. I love you and thank you for your constant watch, care and comfort. And I pray in Jesus’ name, amen.

*from wikimedia
He was 17 when he was sold into Egypt
He was 30 when he was made overseer
He was 39 when his brothers first came to Egypt
(second year of the famine, or nine years after being made overseer)
He was probably 41 or so when the brothers came a 2nd time and Jacob comes to Egypt
He was 110 when he died

​18 March 2019
Deep Thoughts

Ephesians 3:18 NLT
And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.

I realized I was uncomfortable with heights when my dad took my sister and me on the parachute ride at Knott’s Berry Farm when we were little. That rickety,tiny metal basket made of skinning little bars did not offer the kind of reassurance I required the further we got from the ground. I spent the whole ride clinging to my dad’s leg with my eyes shut tight. I did NOT enjoy the view from up there. I’ve also been snorkeling out in the middle of the ocean. My husband would dive down to get a better view of something but not me! I liked being right up by the surface sucking air through my tube-y thingie. And I know I could never have joined any exploration party in the 1490's sailing off into the open unknown; I get a twinge of anxiety just from being on an unfamiliar freeway where I don’t know what exit I’m looking for – is this road going to ever end? My adventures in height, depth & width have been scary.

Ephesians 3:18 can be lumped in with other passages describing God’s infinite love –
like Psalm 139:17-18 How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! Yes, God’s love is immeasurable, but I find that the specifications of God’s love from Ephesians 3:18 to be daunting. Height, depth & width are scary; is God’s love scary?

I know the infinite amount of his love isn’t scary, but what about the height, depth & width he can explore my heart? That’s scary. Most people love only the parts of me I let them see. No one sees my selfish, jealous, sinful side, or I certainly would have no one’s love. But God not only is deep, wide & high, he goes deep, wide & high within my own heart. That is scary – he sees a lot of unflattering things and unbecoming thoughts deep inside there, yet he loves me anyway because of the fact that his love is immeasurable. I’m glad that because God can go deep that his love is deep. Isn’t that deep?
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Dear God,
I could spend my life being embarrassed and horrified at what you see in my heart, but instead you fill me with your overwhelming love and peace that I certainly don’t deserve -- but because your love is so big. Thank you for having love for me that is immeasurable and allowing me to experience it every day whether I deserve it or not. I love you and appreciate you and thank you and pray in your Son’s name, amen.

12 March 2019
Grow and Learn
Colossians 1:9-10 (NLT)
So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.
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Nonstop prayer for spiritual wisdom and understanding...  God’s wisdom and insight that he gives is something we must continually seek. Some people mistakenly think that knowing a little scripture or going to church once a week is enough wisdom and understanding to live by. That’s too bad because there’s always more. God is infinite so his wisdom and insight is too. It is also delightful, helpful, life-giving and life-saving.

In college I took a geography class one time. Guess what? My knowledge of the subject hasn’t grown. Not only has it not grown, I can’t really remember any of what I did cram into my head back in the day. I let it all go as I pursued it no more. I certainly don’t want to treat God’s Word – the most helpful, sustaining and empowering knowledge there is the same way I treat some of my school subjects.

No one can study God’s Word just once and master it. It is a Living Word; there will always be more to learn, more to consider, more to master, more to implement. We will never know God enough because he is infinite... All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.

The pursuit of study in God’s Word looks nothing like a general ed class no one cares about. It looks like this...  Be there when the church doors open. Open that Bible on the coffee table and read it. Turn on some worship music and let the truths seep in. Talk about scripture with others. Text yourself Bible verses. Ask God for insight and wisdom. Repeat often.

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. (Hebrews 4:12 NLT)
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Dear God,
I am thankful for time in your Word and in your presence this morning. I am grateful that you talk to me and increase my understanding. I am so happy to be able to compare scripture to daily situations and consult you. And I’m very thankful that you never shame me or leave me to my own devices, and you fill my heart with your truth. I love you and thank you in Jesus’ name, amen.

​6 March 2019
First Responders
Romans 9:12 NLT
(God) calls people, but not according to their good or bad works.

When we survey the OT, we see that God used all sorts of people. Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Moses, David and even a God-mocking Pharaoh in Egypt. And he didn’t use them like chess pieces; he simply revealed himself to them, and they responded.

God knows everything. He knows who will respond to him and how. He secretly revealed to Rebekah that her son Jacob would be greater than her son Esau at a time when neither of their personalities proved one guy was more faithful than the other. Two other brothers come to mind - Cain and Abel. Both men had the same personal exposure to God himself yet responded to him drastically differently as they grew up.

This is actually great news. Unfortunately, Cain and Esau serve as useful reminders of the dangers of complacency, but Jacob being used and blessed by God in spite of the man’s many imperfections is what makes me glad. God urges me too long before I jump on board. But God is not waiting for me to be good enough, he’s simply waiting for me to respond. 

And because I love and trust him, my prayer is for my response to him to be this...
 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
 (Psalm 139:23-24)
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Dear God,
Thank you for not waiting for me to be perfect before you’ll teach me, show me, love me and forgive me. I am so thankful that you equip the ones you call, and I thank you for our time together this morning. I love you and thank you and pray in Jesus’ name, amen.

4 March 2019
Doing What Comes Naturally
Romans 12:21
Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good. 

This verse from Romans 12 is a summary of all the specific ways I can “do good” rather than compromise with what is evil. I don’t need to guess what “conquer evil by doing good” means. It is clearly stated:
Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all! 17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. 19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. (Romans 12:9-19 NLT)      

Verse 11 - Laziness is evil. Don’t nap all day; don’t procrastinate.
Verse 12 - Pray when trouble comes.
Verse 13 - Don’t ignore people who need help. Help them.
Verse 14 - Don’t avenge myself.
Verse 15 - Practice sympathy and empathy.
Verse 16 - Don’t be a know-it-all.
Verse 17 - Swallow all sarcastic remarks.
Verse 18 - Don’t be a grudge holder.

It comes naturally for me to be lazy, act before praying, ignore others, explain myself, give unsolicited advice, run my mouth & remember everyone’s faults. I’m thankful for the “good” list God provided for me, otherwise I would just keep doing what comes so naturally. And I pray this prayer from 1 Thessalonians 4 every day...
Lord, help me lead a quiet life, mind my own business and work hard today. (verse 11)
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Amen.