Genesis 39; Mark 9; Job 5; Romans 9

Joseph, whose immaturity and lack of tact got him into further trouble with his older brothers, is sold to Ishmaelite traders, and finds himself serving Potiphar, the Pharaoh’s captain of the guard. Joseph has lost his freedom, but yet because God is with him, he still succeeds (even when it seems like he continues under trial). God goes with him through this all, and it is evident to those who stand witness.

²⁰ So he took Joseph and threw him into the prison where the king’s prisoners were held, and there he remained. ²¹ But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love. And the Lord made Joseph a favorite with the prison warden. ²² Before long, the warden put Joseph in charge of all the other prisoners and over everything that happened in the prison. ²³ The warden had no more worries, because Joseph took care of everything. The Lord was with him and caused everything he did to succeed. (Genesis 39:20-23, NLT)

A man’s son suffers from violent seizures. He brings the child to Jesus for healing when the disciples were unable to do it.

²¹ “How long has this been happening?” Jesus asked the boy’s father.

He replied, “Since he was a little boy. ²² The spirit often throws him into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.”

²³ “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.”

²⁴ The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:21-24, NLT)

The disciples argue about which of them is greatest among them, and Jesus shuts it down.

³⁵ He sat down, called the twelve disciples over to him, and said, “Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else.”

³⁶ Then he put a little child among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, ³⁷ “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not only me but also my Father who sent me.” (Mark 9:35-37, NLT)

Joseph’s immaturity and lack of tact got him into deeper trouble with jealous brothers. But still, God used Joseph, grew Joseph, and equipped Joseph for a greater purpose than just a kid brother getting sold out by his family. A child is victim to convulsions and seizures, powerless himself to something bigger than him and those around him. But Jesus, in his strength, authority and power is able–oh, he is able, to do great things.

When Jesus calls another little child into the group as an object lesson, I think on this child. Children are immature. Inexperienced in life. Naive, perhaps. Impulsive. Not all children operate from a moral high ground–not even adults have mastered this. Kids are kinda cute, and it’s likely easier to welcome a child in Sunday school into the fold–but what if it’s the kid in the neighborhood no one likes, or the kid in the classroom that causes constant trouble, or the kid acting like a bully? An adult can be equally unlovely, immature, inexperienced, impulsive, unkind.

Certainly there are circumstances the disciples wanted to shun people, where Jesus stopped and took time.

⁴⁹ “For everyone will be tested with fire. ⁵⁰ Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? You must have the qualities of salt among yourselves and live in peace with each other.” Mark 9:49-50, NLT)

Oh, Lord. Don’t let me lose my salt. Thank you for giving me a Kingdom focus. Thank you for your reminder that we are all tested with fire. Thank you for showing me that you go with me in difficult places, and that you show mercy on those you choose. Thank you for showing me that even while the disciples followed you and loved you, they still messed things up and turned people away. Oh, Lord. Don’t let me lose my salt.

Courtney (66books365)

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Isaiah 30-32; 1 Corinthians 5

Why do I put myself in situations where I find my protection and safety coming from other sources and not from God? I say that I put myself in those situations because lately I am learning to walk out of them and put myself into the hands of God.  It has taken a long time to trust God completely, even in the midst of His reassurance and love.  Sometimes I look back and see myself rejecting God, and saying – no I have this one.

“You trust Egypt for protection. So you refuse my advice and send messengers to Egypt to beg their king for help. But Egypt can’t protect you, and to trust that nation is useless and foolish.”  The holy Lord God of Israel had told all of you, “I will keep you safe if you turn back to me and calm down. I will make you strong if you quietly trust me.” Then you stubbornly said, “No! We will safely escape on speedy horses.” – Isaiah 30:2,5,15,16

This is especially important to me this week as I just learned of another strong Christian leader, a friend of mine, in the church, fall to adultery.  I bless the Lord for his willingness to come under the leadership for reconciliation.  Could that have been me while I am rejecting His protection and promise of safety?  How could I protect myself or keep myself safe?  Without God, impossible.

 I have heard terrible things about some of you. In fact, you are behaving worse than the Gentiles. A man is even sleeping with his own stepmother. – 1 Corinthians 5:1

When I think of the Lord’s care and His offer of keeping me safe, what am I thinking about?  He is offering me a place of safety, a place where gossip cannot reach me, a place of refreshment when I have nothing left to give. How could I refuse such a place to be in relationship with Him?

A king and his leaders
will rule with justice.
They will be a place of safety
from stormy winds,
a stream in the desert,
and a rock that gives shade
from the heat of the sun.
Then everyone who has eyes
will open them and see,
and those who have ears
will pay attention.
All who are impatient
will take time to think;
everyone who stutters
will talk clearly. – Isaiah 32:2-4

Lord, look at me! I am finally coming to a place of humility in my walk with You.  I am giving up more of myself each day and You are filling in my emptiness.  The blessings are incredible – why do I and so many others refuse You?  Help me Lord, I need Your kindness and Your patience as You work in my life.  I need You to offer the same blessings to my friend who has known all along he was sidestepping You – I am glad he was caught.  If I am caught by anyone doing anything, may I be like Daniel – found praying morning, noon and night.

Erwin (evanlaar1922)

Amos 1-3; Matthew 13

When I was younger we build forts and fought other kids in the neighbourhood for their treasure.  Buried treasure was a big thing for us as we checked out our local vacant fields for signs of what others had left behind.  I learned early that treasure was important and something to hang on to, maybe, if necessary to fight for.

So why was it in my adult life that I forget what treasure was?  Why did I forget that my relationship with God was my greatest treasure.  Why was it that I forget to seek first God’s kingdom and everything else would be taken care of?  Why did I stop panting like a deer pants for water to meet the Lord each morning?

And so the Lord God has sworn
    that they will be surrounded.
Enemies will break through
their defenses
    and steal their treasures. – Amos 3:11  CEV

God knew that I would have these desert moments in my life and He kept me safe and kept my treasure safe for me.  It did not take me long to realize that I had stepped away.  I become a follower of Christ who not only knew Him as Saviour but also as Lord.

The kingdom of heaven is like what happens when someone finds a treasure hidden in a field and buries it again. A person like that is happy and goes and sells everything in order to buy that field. – Matthew 13:44  CEV

So if Satan comes only to steal, kill and destroy and Jesus has come to give me life and to give me life abundantly, then it speaks well for me to embrace Him and allow Him into every arena of my heart and my life.  In welcoming Him into my space with His life-changing Word, I have the incredible opportunity to speak that Word into the lives of others.  Not only do I share the old treasures with new perspectives, but I also see new treasures that I and others have missed. I become a disciple of Jesus who has become a disciple-maker of others.

So he told them, “Every student of the Scriptures who becomes a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like someone who brings out new and old treasures from the storeroom.” – Matthew 13:52

Lord, You are my only treasure. Every treasure You have given me I lay gladly back at Your feet and only wish to glorify You through them.  There is nothing like sharing Your Word with someone and see their eyes light up and the light bulb goes off as Your Holy Spirit illuminates who You are.  Thank you that I can be used to give Your treasure to others. Amen

Erwin (evanlaar1922)