God, I Don’t Know What You’re Doing, but I Trust You

1 Peter 3:8-22

“For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil” 1 Peter 3:17

Imagine if the moment we accept Christ into our hearts, we are granted the “superpower” of seeing into the future. Suddenly, we know everything that happens in our lives from that point on. There is no more wondering what God is doing, no more questions, no more suffering, no more doubting – everything becomes clear. I think deep down, this is what all of us want. We want answers. We want to know how the story ends, and we want to take the path with the least amount of suffering to get there.

But what if God cares about us too much to give us the answers we so desperately crave? Remaining faithful to God and walking in obedience is far from easy, especially when it costs you something. There have been times where I’ve begged God to let me have things my way when deep down, I knew that He was pulling me in a different direction. Fortunately, He loves us enough to give us what we need, not what we want.

If it wasn’t for suffering, loss, disappointment, heartbreak, confusion etc, we would never be able to understand the depth of God’s care. He cares enough to allow us to suffer in order to teach our hearts how to fully rely on Him. In this passage, Peter references Noah, giving us a beautiful example of what it looks like to walk in obedience even when it doesn’t make sense. Noah built the ark with no signs of the flood coming, likely facing ridicule from those around him.

Sometimes our steps of obedience don’t make sense to those around us, or even to us. We don’t always know right away what God is doing, and in the moment, it’s hard – but what a beautiful opportunity to turn our eyes to Him saying,

God, I don’t know what you’re doing, but I trust you.

I don’t know where you’re taking me, but I trust you.

I don’t yet understand, but I trust you.

Even in the waiting – I trust you.

Even when it doesn’t make sense – I trust you.

Even when everything seems to be falling apart – I trust you.

And remember, the greatest thing that has ever happened, Jesus dying for our sins and defeating death, involved a great deal of suffering and waiting. The most beautiful gifts from God are oftentimes on the other side of something hard. At the end of the day, the suffering that comes from walking in obedience to the Lord, is never wasted, and will always lead us closer to God’s heart and His perfect plan for us.

Carmen K

In the Same Way

If you grew up a Hebrew in New Testament times, most of the people around you were also Hebrew. Yes, your country was occupied by Rome, but you were allowed to live your life according to Torah and follow the customs and culture of your people. As Christianity expanded throughout the Empire, and Gentiles began to follow the Way of Christ, they were faced with a new dilemma: What does it look like to faithfully live as a citizen in the Kingdom of Christ, when everyone around you worships Caesar and his Empire? 

Roman culture was steeped in the philosophy of the ancient Greeks, which taught that to be ethical and virtuous, one must participate in politics. Accordingly, since women could not participate in politics, they were not able to develop these characteristics. In fact, Aristotle thought women were “defective men” and were inferior in every way. Imagine the dignity that Christianity restored to slaves and women in that culture! 

In 1 Peter 2:11-12, Peter told the Church, “Don’t live like the Gentiles.  They may call you evildoers because of it, but as they observe your excellent behavior (in the face of opposition), there’s a chance they will one day glorify God because of the way you lived.” He then sets before them what these good deeds may look like for them as citizens, and for those who are servants. Now, he addresses wives and husbands. 

The text isn’t exhaustive. Peter doesn’t cover every possible scenario a new convert might face. He does give general examples, which follow one after the other. You may seem powerless in the face of Empire, but “you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness and into His marvelous light.” You have been called out of darkness but still live in a world that is dark. Don’t be hasty to change your circumstances. Follow Christ where He has called you. Wives, in the same way that citizens submit to the government and servants submit to their masters, you submit to your husbands and develop your inner person, while trusting the Lord with your husband’s soul. Husbands, in the same way, you submit yourselves to these earthly authorities and live with your wives, not like they are “deformed men”, but as fellow heirs of the Kingdom. 

Today, we don’t live under Caesar’s rule, and in some respects the world is different. Yet, the more things change, the more they stay the same. Empires still oppress, and people are still in bondage. Wives still lean on their words, and husbands on their physical strength. But we don’t belong to the Empire, we belong to the Kingdom of Light. With Christ as our example, may we live like Him, so the whole world will see our good deeds and our love for one another and glorify our Father in heaven. 

His is the Kingdom!

Natalie

Represent

1 Peter 2:11-25

A few months ago, I was attending a meeting for the leadership team of the Alpha course that was going on at that time and, as we were wrapping up our time together, we began to pray for each other. One by one, we vocalized our prayer requests. There were prayers for healing, for guidance, and for new opportunities; however, when it came to me, I hesitated to share what was troubling my heart. My problem was that I was angry; I was angry at the world and at humanity in general. As I looked around, it seemed like all I saw was injustice, hatred, corruption, and apathy. I found myself daydreaming about how I wanted God to punish those I held most responsible for the mess that the world was in. Fortunately, God gave me the wisdom to avoid all forms of social media during this season so that I didn’t explode on someone in my self-righteous fury. Clearly, I needed an attitude adjustment.

First Peter was written to a group of people who found themselves in a precarious situation. They were immigrants and refugees fleeing religious persecution in their homelands, only to find more religious persecution waiting for them in the communities in which they had sought sanctuary. I can’t imagine what that must have been like—the fear that must have come from not only being an ethnic minority, but a religious minority as well! The conditions that those early Christian communities faced could easily have led to despair, frustration, and anger. Peter was aware of these conditions, and as a pastor, he offered words of wisdom and encouragement. Knowing that the pressures they were under might lead them to sin, he warned them to be diligent in avoiding the temptations of the world. He then urged them to see their trials as an opportunity and a blessing. The persecution they faced was an opportunity because it allowed them to model the character of Christ to the unbelievers who surrounded them. By showing love and respect to those who might oppress them, their lives became a part of their testimonies! He went on to say that the persecution was a blessing because it connected them to Christ in a deeper way. Jesus faced incredible persecution, yet he faced it with courage, love, and forgiveness.

My hope and my prayer is that as we face the brokenness of the world around us, we may meet it as those whose lives reflect the very nature of Jesus to the hurting and the lost!

Following in Christ’s footsteps,

Mike

Pebbles and Priests

1 Peter 2:1-10

I grew up in Niagara Falls, New York.  The waterfall connects Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.  Our family spent many summer days enjoying picnics and swimming on the beach near Old Fort Niagara on Lake Ontario.  The beach wasn't sandy, it was rocky.  As kids, we spent lots of time walking along the shore looking at the rocks and picking out unusually shaped and colored rocks to take home.  Most of them could easy fit in our pockets.  This fun pastime carried into my adult life as my husband and I collected rocks along with our boys on beaches at Cape Cod, Lake Superior in the Upper Peninsula, and babbling streams in the Rocky Mountains.  Most of them have found homes in my garden or on bookshelves.

Google will tell you where the oldest rocks are in the world and about some famous rocks, such as the Rock of Gibralter, Stonehenge, Plymouth Rock, and the Blarney stone.

Jewish believers would have been familiar with the many references to God as "the Rock."

Deuteronomy 32:13 says, "He is the Rock, His works are perfect, and all His ways are just."  Psalms 18:2 says, "The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock in whom I take refuge."  Psalms 18:31 asks, "Who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God?"  One of my Mom's favorite verses was Exodus 33:21 where God says, "Behold, there is a place by Me, and you shall stand there on the rock."

Peter also was familiar with the metaphor of rocks.  In Matthew 16, Jesus asks the disciples, "Who do you say that I am?"  Peter answers, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."  Jesus blesses Peter and confirms that God revealed this to him.  Then Jesus says, "You are Peter (Petros, meaning small stone) and upon this Petra (Large foundational rock) I will build my church.  It is the confession of Christ as the Son of God upon which the church is built.

Here in Peter's letter he tells believers about several new identities that they have in Christ Jesus.  Believers have been called the "Body of Christ" and the "Temple of the Holy Spirit."  Now Peter refers to them as "living stones" being built up as a "spiritual house for a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."  The foundation or chief cornerstone for this building is The Rock, Christ Jesus!

In verse 9, Peter tells us, "you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession.  Chosen, royal, holy, words that we are so unworthy of except that Christ has made us worthy and given us these new identities.  Now we belong.  Have you ever felt left out?  Well now you belong to a chosen race, a royal priesthood, and a holy nation so that you may proclaim with all believers "the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."

"The wise man built his house upon the rock, and the rains came tumbling down.  The rains came down and the floods came up, but the house on the rock stood firm!"  (Did you just sing that with me?)

May we put aside sin and get into the Word.  Build your life on the Rock, Christ Jesus.

With living hope,

Jo

A Series of Fortunate Events

1 Peter 1:13 - 25

A favorite hymn of mine recites, “How sweet to hold a newborn baby…”  It’s a phenomenon that many of us were fortunate to experience with our church this past Sunday morning.  I thank God that we get to celebrate precious moments in life like this together.  We continue to celebrate birthdays each year as a sign of our fortune in sharing time with the one that is growing and maturing through life. 

The youngest of my children is reaching a milestone age next week and I’m grateful for the man God has shaped him to be and feel so fortunate for the gospel community he’s experienced in his 21 years.  Fortunately for him, ever since he was a newborn, he has been consistently rubbing shoulders with God’s people through the church family placed around him in various seasons along his faith journey.  Fortunately, these moments have been deeply impacting and foundational to who he is today and where his hope will come from.  Those that know my son would also describe him as very active.  Life requires us to be active, some of us more than others.  Newborns must grow and become more active in their responsibilities to care for themselves and others.  Likewise, those of us who are fortunate to have been ransomed with the precious blood of Christ have an active part to play in God’s mission for His church to prepare for sober-minded actions that glorify God and love others through uncertain times. 

In our text this week, Peter is writing to Christians using action statements for how we should now live in light of all that we have heard and know personally about Jesus as the Christ – things into which angels long to look, things that draw us closer to God’s heart, things that lead us to love one another in ways that please God.  You and I have an active part to play.  Peter says, “set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” There is much here that Peter directs us to act on and sets our hearts apart from futile perspectives in order that we are transformed by the fortune we have in Christ. 

Let us dwell deeply on our fortune in Christ so that we will be compelled to live in such a way that the power of the Gospel is on display for the watching world around us in how we live now.  The faith journey continues for you, me, and my son with each new day and the choices we make on what we will set our hope on going forward.  May our hope be set fully on that fortunate word of the Lord we heard preached to us when we were born again.  Jesus said that even the angels threw a party over it – how fortunate are those who are in Christ Jesus!

Grateful & Hopeful in Christ,

Jon

Are You There, God?

Gripping the podium, I stood before The Bridge teens, “It’s likely the darkest days in your life are yet to come. The time you spend learning about God’s character now, will anchor you in truth on the days when you cannot see any light.” I told them, as we read through Genesis 1-3, the attributes of God that were most evident to me are God’s transcendence and immanence. “We need to know God is bigger than our circumstances, yet not far off. He’s with us in our sorrow.” 

It was January 22. 

The Lord already knew that on January 26, I’d find myself mere yards from where I now stood, lying in a cold parking lot with a severely injured leg. 

“What situations tempt you to believe God’s posture to you is not one of kindness? When are you tempted to believe God isn’t good?” I asked them. 

I try not to dwell on the accumulated losses my family has experienced over the past several years. Grief can take you out, but I’ve found that without ever touching a bottle to your lips, it’s possible to move through life fast enough and scroll long enough, to drown your sorrows. And so, over the past four months, it’s not merely my loss of mobility I’ve mourned. Endless hours provided countless opportunities to remind the Lord of every tear I’ve cried. 

Are you there, God? Do you care, God? Why, God? I can’t, God. It’s too much. It hurts too badly. I can’t endure this. What if? Why now? What next? Why me? 

In many ways God is incomprehensible to our finite minds. Even so, he has chosen to reveal himself to us through his word, in his Son, and by the Spirit. In some mysterious way, God is able, and always does, work for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose, IN ALL THINGS. 

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 

In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

I have not seen him, but I love him. 

I love him because he sees me. He holds me. He was and is always with me. He is both transcendent over every circumstance in my life, and immanent-closer than a breath. I don’t see him now, but I believe in him, and am filled with joy. He is for me. 

God, you are for me. You taught me these lessons in the dark and I will proclaim them in the light. 

Therefore I will not lose heart. 

We will not lose heart. 

“Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

As we study 1 Peter over the coming months, listen to what Peter tells us about God. This letter from an Apostle who once denied Jesus out of fear of suffering, and addressed to a Church beset by persecution, has much to teach us. Friends, there are just some aspects of God’s character we experience most profoundly in the dark. 

Don’t be afraid. 

Natalie

(If you're a parent looking for resources to teach your kids about God's character, register for a Summer Challenge kit at https://thebridgealton.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/2946995

If you find yourself experiencing an extended season of sorrow, or doubts about God, we offer a Grief Group, and an upcoming study on Disappointment with God. More info can be found on Church Center.)

What You Meant for Evil, God Meant for Good

Genesis 48-50

“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good…” (Genesis 50:20).

Have you ever heard of the “butterfly effect?” It’s the idea that a seemingly insignificant event can lead to enormous consequences overtime. A common metaphor used to explain this concept is that a butterfly flapping its wings in Brazil could set off a tornado in Texas.

Recently, there was a trend on social media where people would tell how they saw the “butterfly effect” at work in their lives. They explained how one small decision caused a ripple effect that significantly impacted the course of their lives. Usually, the stories went something like this: “The butterfly effect is real because if I never would have walked in that random coffee shop, I would have never met my husband” or “The butterfly effect is real because if I never would have gone to that stranger’s Bible study, I would have never met my best friend.”

In Genesis, we see this sort of ripple effect occur in Joseph’s life. Joseph’s brothers mistreated him in numerous ways including selling him into slavery. This act of jealousy was intended for evil, but placed Joseph exactly where he needed to be in order to be used by God in big ways. What Joseph’s brothers meant for evil, God used for good.

What if the “butterfly effect” is really proof of God’s intentional hand in every single little thing that occurs in our lives. What if that girl didn’t walk into that coffee shop by chance, but she walked into that coffee shop because it was exactly what God had planned for her from the beginning of time?

Whether we can see it or not, God is in the details. He’s constantly working behind the scenes to lead us exactly where He wants us. In Romans, we learn that “God works all things together for the good of those who love Him...” (Romans 8:28). He can use anything, no matter how small and no matter how painful.

This “butterfly effect,” or should we call it the “God effect,” shows us how much our everyday decisions matter. You never know what God is going to do with one small “yes” from us. A seemingly insignificant decision like deciding to pray for a friend, to smile at a stranger, or to start a conversation with someone new, could be used by God in incredible and powerful ways.

Although we may not always understand what He is doing, we can rest assured knowing that even when we can’t see the whole picture, God is on our side and is working everything out for our good and His glory.

Carmen K

Alive

Genesis 45-47

In 2005, we got the call that no parent ever wants to get: our son had been in a bad car accident. The only details shared were that his car had been totaled and that he had been taken by ambulance to the hospital. I remember struggling to keep it together as waves of fear washed over me. The drive to the emergency room is a blur, but I remember clearly walking up to the desk in panic and asking about him. We were guided to one of the examination rooms, where we found him lying on the table with a cervical collar around his neck. He was banged up, but the X-rays showed no spinal damage and he was released later that night. As harrowing as the drive to the E.R. had been, the drive home felt like our son had been raised from the dead.

In Genesis 37, we are introduced to Joseph, Jacob's favorite son. However, Joseph was not the favorite of his brothers; in fact, their anger with him reached the point that they ambushed him, beat him up, and sold him into slavery in Egypt. They then dipped his coat in goat’s blood and took it back to Jacob and told him that his beloved son was dead. The Bible records Jacob’s reaction to the news, “Then Jacob tore his clothes and dressed himself in burlap. He mourned deeply for his son for a long time. His family all tried to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. “I will go to my grave mourning for my son,” he would say, and then he would weep (NLT).

Fast forward twenty-two years, and Joseph is now second in command of Egypt, and he is finally reunited with his father. Genesis 46:29-30 gives us the details of this reunion: “Joseph prepared his chariot and traveled to Goshen to meet his father, Jacob. When Joseph arrived, he embraced his father and wept, holding him for a long time. Finally, Jacob said to Joseph, “Now I am ready to die, since I have seen your face again and know you are still alive.” (NLT). I can’t even imagine the wave of emotions that Jacob must have felt!

When I read this account of Joseph, I think of Jesus. Joseph was betrayed and forsaken by his brothers, presumed dead by his father and, from his family's point of view, he returned from the dead offering forgiveness, saving them from famine, and blessing them with a new home where they would all be together!

As great as Joseph’s story is, Jesus’ is even greater! Jesus literally returned from the dead, offered us forgiveness for all our sins, saved us from death, and promised us that we would be with him in paradise forever! Let us praise God and give thanks for all the ways we are alive in Jesus!

Following in Christ’s footsteps,

Mike

Mercy from El-Shaddai

First things first, a summary of these three chapters...

- After a focus on Joseph in chapters 39-41, Moses, our storyteller, returns to Joseph's father Jacob, and his 11 brothers. In a beautiful segue, Moses says at the end of chapter 41 that "all the earth came to Egypt to Joseph to buy grain." As we will find out, this will include Jacob and his family!

- Jacob sends his sons to Egypt for food. But, not finding his sons to be dependable - and we all know why - he keeps the other son of Rachel, Benjamin, back home with him. 

- In the sovereignty of God, the sons of Jacob encounter their brother, Joseph. Joseph recognizes them, but they do not recognize him.

- To test them, Joseph speaks roughly to his brothers, accuses them of being spies, and puts them in prison. After a few days, Joseph releases them (except Simeon) to return home, but requires that they bring their youngest brother Benjamin back. (Joseph wants to see his only full-brother.)

- On their return, the brothers discover that the money they had paid for the food is back in their sacks! They tell their father Jacob everything that has happened, and he grieves, because he does not want to lose his other son from Rachel.

- After some time, Jacob sends them back to Egypt - with Benjamin - for more food, and Judah pledges that if Benjamin does not return, he will bear the blame forever. (43:8-9)

- Joseph has his brothers over for a feast. When he saw Benjamin, his compassion grew warm" for him (43:30). Benjamin was given a 5x portion at the feast!

- Joseph's test of his brothers comes to a culmination: he once again sends them on their way with full sacks of food and money, but he also puts his silver cup in Benjamin's sack, essentially framing him.

- When it is discovered that the cup is in Benjamin's sack, Judah - remember, the very one whose idea it was to sell Joseph into slavery (37:26-27) - steps forward. He explains that his father's life is so bound up in Benjamin's, that they will not return home without Benjamin. Judah pledges himself in Benjamin's place, and says that he will "bear the blame." (44:30-34)

- Spoiler Alert: The big reveal of Joseph to his brothers will be in chapter 45!

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Psalm 40:12 says this,

     For evils have encompassed me beyond number,

     My iniquities have overtaken me, and I cannot see,

     They are more than the hairs of my head,

     My heart fails me.

In this part of the story, it seems that the brothers of Joseph could resonate well with the Psalm verse above. Their selling of Joseph into slavery is likely 20 years in the rearview mirror, but they cannot shake the guilt of this sin they have committed.

We know this because their immediate thought in response to the difficulties they face in Egypt (unbeknownst to them, at the actual hand of Joseph!) is, "This is because of what we did to Joseph 20 years ago."

     "Then they said to one another, 'In truth, we are guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the distress of his soul, when he begged us and we did not listen. That is why this distress has come upon us.'"

      - Genesis 42:21

Time has not erased the sin, the stain, or the guilt.

Their evils have encompassed them.

Their iniquities have overtaken them.

But, there would be *mercy* for the brothers of Joseph.

In the heart of this section, as Jacob is preparing to send Benjamin off to Egypt with his other sons, he says something that it would do well for us to linger on...

"May God Almighty grant you mercy..." (43:14)

"God Almighty." You might be familiar with it in the Hebrew: El-Shaddai. It could mean "God Almighty", or could mean some version of, "God, the All-Sufficient One." The God who provides, nourishes, and comforts.

And we have seen this title for God before in Genesis...

- When God came to Jacob's grandpa Abraham in Gen. 17 to establish the covenant with him, His first words to him were "I am God Almighty" (El-Shaddai).

- In Jacob's own story, his father Isaac blessed him in the name of El-Shaddai (28:3), and he, just like Abraham, received the covenant promises from El-Shaddai (35:11).

And it is this El-Shaddai who will grant *mercy* to them.

What is mercy? In Bible study, we often (rightly) link together mercy with grace - they are two sides of the same coin...

- Grace is God giving us what we do NOT deserve: kindness, love, and blessing.

- Mercy is God NOT giving us what we do deserve: judgment, separation, and wrath

Additionally, "mercy" here in 43:14 is the Hebrew word "racham," - a word often used in the Old Testament as a parallel word to the "hesed" (steadfast love) of God. For example, David's prayer of repentance in Psalm 51:1...

     Have mercy on me, O God,

     according to your steadfast love (hesed);

     according to your abundant mercy (racham)

     blot out my transgressions.

And it is this same "racham" (ESV translates it "compassion") that warms within Joseph when he sees his brother Benjamin (43:30).

Because of the evil they had done to their brother, 20 years before, these brothers stood guilty. They deserve judgment, separation, and wrath. They were in desperate need of the "racham," the mercy of God.

---

Friends, take a moment to reflect on the sin in your own life. Let us join with the sons of Jacob in acknowledging that we too are sinners. We too are in desperate need of mercy.

Perhaps you too could say with the Psalmist, "evils have encompassed me beyond number, my iniquities have overtaken me, and I cannot see."

But we rejoice that God - El Shaddai - has had mercy on us through His Son, Jesus.

Jesus - just like his ancestor Judah - stood in our place, and bore our blame. The judgment, separation, and wrath that we deserved - Jesus took on Himself on the cross.

Through Jesus, "racham" flows to us from God Almighty.

Therefore, we can join with the Psalmist in Psalm 40, and say this...

     "As for you, O Lord, you will not restrain your mercy (racham) from me;

     Your steadfast love and your faithfulness will ever preserve me!"

     Psalm 40:11

- Joe

Mean Times

Genesis 40 - 41

The term “in the meantime” is often used in storytelling to recount events while awaiting the main plot.  It can seem like such a throwaway phrase to use in real life, unless you are the one living in mean times.  Depending on what anyone of us is facing in the daily grind, time might actually feel cruel to you.  The Apostle Paul wrote to the church, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time because the days are evil.”  It was modeled for me to pray for wisdom from God in order to know His will since evil and foolishness continue to lurk in each passing day.  All of us still need God’s wisdom to know how to live for Him in mean times.

From the time we were introduced to Joseph as a central character in this study and into our reading this week, we see him living in a time where he and others around him face cruel conditions.  Selfish ambition, hatred, enslavement, accusation, wrongful imprisonment, execution, forgotten hope and famine are in the mix of this account.  Joseph is quite literally serving time in Pharaoh’s prison for unjust reasons.  While he is faced with some impossible situations, he doesn’t simply bide his time but instead seeks God’s wisdom for understanding.  The situation is a mean one but Joseph finds redemption through his relationship with the LORD.  Not only does Joseph make it through the trials, he is able to attend to other's concerns along the way and give them understanding from God.  By the end of this week’s reading, we find Joseph restored from hardship as second in charge of Egypt and demonstrating a fruitful life that leads to a significant rescue operation for much of the world at that time.

Today, as followers of Christ, we know the main plot of History – it’s about our Heavenly Father’s heroic rescue operation for everyone that will call upon His name.  Christ followers have a calling to do everything for the glory of God.  In other words, God should get wonderful credit in our words and actions every day.  We do more than just serve time but are primarily called to redeem it.  We have been given wisdom in the form of a person, Jesus Christ.  We best attend to the real needs of the world by heeding and sharing the GOOD NEWS about Him as the power of eternal salvation for everyone.  The indwelling Spirit of God in His people will give supernatural wisdom to know and show His blessings to others in mean times.

Let us pray for the Spirit of God to come to us with wisdom for today so that we will live in a way that brings good on His name.  Oh, that the world around us would see the wisdom of God in our words and feel the ministering presence of Jesus through the actions of His church today.  May the blessings that are on us and in us flow from us to the world through our GREAT GOD! 

Grateful & Hopeful in Christ,

Jon

Humbled

Genesis 37-39

In the early days of my ministry, without even being aware of it, I slowly began to gauge my self-worth on the opinions of the people around me. If I received praise for a sermon I preached or a youth event that I led, my self-esteem soared; if it seemed that I hadn’t gotten the affirmation I expected, I would become sullen and depressed. It took losing that ministry position to break pride’s grip on my heart. In the turmoil that followed the loss of that job, God shook me to the core of who I was. The Lord, in his mercy, revealed to me that I had loved the gift of my ministry more than the One who had given it to me and that I had substituted my identity as a Child of God for an identity based on what I did, stealing the glory that rightfully belonged to Jesus. I was humbled.

In Genesis 37, we are introduced to Joseph, a young man who seems to have it all—looks, his father’s favor, and more. He was also a snitch who loved telling his father when his brothers did something wrong. As you can imagine, this did not endear him to his siblings. His subsequent dreams about his brothers bowing down before him one day pushed them from dislike to seething anger, and they devised a plan: if you want to stop a dream from coming true, get rid of the dreamer. They eventually sell Joseph into slavery, he is taken away to Egypt and sold to an Egyptian officer in Pharaoh’s royal guard, and later finds himself falsely accused and in prison.

I wonder if Joseph ever thought about those dreams of greatness he’d once had as he lay in his prison cell at night. I wonder if he regretted the way he’d rubbed it in his brothers’ faces. Amazingly, even as he endured slavery and injustice, he never lost his faith in God; if anything, it likely grew stronger. For his part, the Lord continued to watch over Joseph and care for him even in his darkest times. God eventually brought Joseph’s dreams to fruition in ways he never could have suspected. However, when Joseph’s family came to bow down before him, he wasn’t the same arrogant boy he had been; he had become a humble servant of God. What a blessing! Not only did the Lord guide Joseph to be in the right place at the right time, but He also transformed him into a loving servant.

The truth is that if we stay humble and focused on God’s plan, He can (and will) use anyone, in any circumstance, to further His story. He used Joseph, He still uses me, and He can use you if you let Him.

In Christ’s Love,

Mike

10,000 Religions, One Empty Tomb

John 20:1-23

Growing up going to Catholic school, every year around this time, we would revisit the story of Jesus’ resurrection. I heard the story over and over again, year after year, and I understood that Easter was a celebration of Jesus’ rising from the dead. However, that always seemed to be where it stopped for me. It wasn’t until recent years that I was able to grasp what this miracle truly meant.

Jesus’ death and resurrection is the thing that separates Christianity from all other religions in the world. While religion says, “Do this and you will be saved,” Jesus destroyed this hopeless idea and said, “The work has already been done, just come to me, exactly as you are.” 

Jesus’ resurrection proved that Jesus was who He said He was. There have been numerous times where I’ve heard someone pose this question: “There are so many religions, with so many different rules that people passionately follow and believe in, what makes Christianity any different from the rest?” 

THIS! This is the thing that makes Christianity different! Jesus’ death and resurrection changes everything for His believers. It proves that Jesus was not a mere “good moral teacher,” or simply a prophet. It fulfills the scriptures and proves that He IS the son the of God. The death and resurrection give us hope of eternal life and free us from the bondage of our past, present, and future sins.

As I’m re-visiting this story again, there are a few things that stand out to me that I’ve never quite noticed before. First, John’s undoubtable faith. “Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed” (John 23:8).

Oftentimes, we must see something ourselves in order to truly believe it. Similarly, the other disciples had to see Jesus themselves to believe He had truly risen from the dead. This was not the case for John. He hadn’t seen Jesus, he didn’t know where He was, he didn’t know what any of this meant, but there was no doubt in his mind that Jesus had conquered death. This is what true faith is all about – believing even when we can’t see the whole picture. 

Second, Mary’s heart for the Lord. Mary wanted nothing more than to respectfully care for and honor Jesus’ dead body. She was destroyed when she didn’t know what had happened to Him, but little did she know, Jesus, fully alive, was nearby the whole time. Mary was unable to recognize Jesus until she heard Him say one word – “Mary.” Jesus called her by name, and she immediately knew who He was. What an intimate and beautiful way to reveal Himself. Mary had such a close and personal relationship with Jesus that she knew it was Him simply by the way He called her name. Jesus wants this kind of intimate relationship with us too!

Lastly, Jesus could have gone anywhere or done anything after his resurrection, but He chose to spend time with His people. This is what it’s all about – relationship. The disciples would have been in complete awe of Jesus when He appeared to them. 

Let us be like these disciples and trust in the Lord even when we don’t fully understand. Let us draw our hearts so close to His that we know what it sounds like when He calls us by name, and let us sit in awe, not just today, but every day remembering what Jesus’ death and resurrection truly means for us!

Happy Easter!

Carmen K

When God is Absent

Genesis 34-36

It's a well-known point in Bible study that in the book of Esther, God is never mentioned. While we see His sovereignty and His protection on display throughout those events, the book never actually references God.

Genesis chapter 34 shares that particular point with the book of Esther: God is never mentioned.

But unfortunately the connections stop there. What we have in Genesis 34 is an account of when people live in - literally - *godless* ways. People living functionally as though God is absent. Rather than evil being overcome by good (Romans 12:21), we see evil being piled on top of evil.

---

From the end of chapter 33, we know our setting: Jacob and his family "arrived safely at the city of Shechem in Canaan and camped within sight of the city."

And it is here that a horrible evil is committed against Dinah, the daughter of Jacob & Leah. Shechem, described as "the ruler of that area," saw Dinah, "took her and raped her." (It's giving... Genesis 3:6).

A woman - created in the image of God, and therefore bearing worth, dignity, and honor - is reduced to being treated like an object for the sexual pleasure of a man.

Over the following verses, negotiations take place: on the one side, Shechem and his father, Hamor; on the other, Jacob and his sons. Shechem is very eager to make Dinah his wife: "Make the price for the bride and the gift I am to bring as great as you like, and I’ll pay whatever you ask me. Only give me the young woman as my wife.”

But Jacob's sons were students at the Jacob School of Trickery. They deceived Shechem, Hamor, and every male among them by requiring circumcision from them.

That which was to be an outward sign of the precious promises that God had made with their great-grandpa Abraham - the sons of Jacob twisted, perverted, and weaponized this sign for their own vengeance.

Three days after all the men of Shechem had been circumcised, when they were vulnerable and in pain, Jacob's sons Simeon and Levi attacked and murdered every male among them, including Shechem and Hamor.

A woman objectified and raped.
God's covenant sign dishonored and weaponized.
Dozens of men murdered out of vengeance.
Evil upon evil.

---

It is noteworthy that Simeon and Levi - the second and third-borns of Jacob and Leah - are the ones specifically mentioned in this account as having carried out this evil vengeance.

In the very next chapter - almost in passing - we are told of evil committed by the firstborn, Reuben. "While Israel was living in that region, Reuben went in and slept with his father’s concubine Bilhah, and Israel heard of it." (35:22)

Reuben, Simeon, Levi. One by one, it seems, disqualifying themselves from being the son through who the promised blessing would come.

But who was next in line? Judah.

And Judah would not be without his own sin (ch. 38!). But, in the coming chapters, we will also see Judah become a spokesperson and a leader among the sons of Jacob (44:14-34), even being willing to offer himself as a substitute if Benjamin should not return home safely: "I will bear the blame before you all my life." (43:8-10)

Our storyteller Moses is wanting to draw our attention to Judah. It's through Judah the blessing would come.

And you know where I'm going. Through Judah (Matthew 1:3) would come Jesus, "the Lion of the tribe of Judah" (Revelation 5:5).

---

We may not be rapists or murderers. But, before our Holy Creator, just like sons of Jacob, we are sinners who can never measure up.

How many times have we lived like God is absent? And what sin has come about in our lives as a result?

But God. God has shown up in kindness and love toward us. Jesus - the Lion of the Tribe of Judah - on the cross, "bore the blame" in our place, to win for us righteousness and forgiveness before God.

"The gospel is this:
We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe,
Yet at the very same time,
We are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope."
- Tim Keller

---

- Joe

Blessed Assurance

Genesis 30:25 - 33:20

I am one of those fortunate sons that had a father with a life-changing faith in God.  I watched my dad trust in God’s Word and live under God’s blessing all his life.  There were times as a boy that I would go to my dad for assurance that God was with me too.  Dad was quick to say in response to whatever my questions, “Jon, what does God’s Word say about that?”  Then he’d direct me to reading through scripture to address the doubt I faced.  In those moments, I found re-assurance in the fact that it was God who spoke the promises for those who trust in His Word.  Over time and through my journey of faith in Christ Jesus, I have grappled with difficult seasons of life and my own pitfalls in character that have led to various crisis of faith moments.  By His grace, I have watched God deliver me through each moment.  I am eternally grateful for the blessed assurance I have in Jesus Christ to be with me and keep me by His side forevermore.

In our scripture text for this week, we read about Jacob facing intense moments on a long journey to a promised land in Canaan.  We get to see God’s personal presence and blessing on Jacob’s life through it all.  At the conclusion of this reading, we see Jacob with his new name proclaiming that the God of his father, Isaac, is his God too.   It’s a pivotal moment in Jacob’s life as we’ve seen him wrestle like so many of us today with his past and the pitfalls in his own character.  BUT GOD never stops caring for Jacob and is faithful to His promise to always be with him.  Praise be to God!

I’m reminded of the words to a hymn that says, “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine.  Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine.”  Oh, that we would find assurance in God’s word and the glory revealed and fulfilled in Jesus as the Christ.  That in the grappling moments of life, we would know our God is gracious and near.  May we remember that in Christ Jesus, God promises to be with us wherever we go, that nothing can ever separate us from His love, that He will lead, guide and protect His people onward to our ultimate destination as part of His Eternal Kingdom.  EVERYONE is invited to know Jesus and claim Him as their own and to bless the world like He has blessed us.  May it be so for you and me today.

Grateful & Hopeful in Christ,

Jon

You’re Right Where God Wants You

Genesis 27:41-30:34

“Now Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father had blessed him, and Esau said to himself, ‘The days of mourning for my father are approaching; then I will kill my brother Jacob.’” Genesis 27:41

In the previous chapter, we see Isaac bless Jacob with prosperity, protection, and dominion over the people, including his brother. These were blessings that would have typically been given to the oldest son, which in this case, would be Esau. Esau was fuming with envy and pride because his younger brother was going to receive something that he felt entitled to have. So much so, that he wanted to kill his younger brother.

As someone in my 20s, I find this relatable. Although I would never consider extreme measures as Esau did, I sometimes find myself feeling envious of the blessings other people my age have received that I haven’t. In a world of social media, we are constantly exposed to the highlighted moments of millions of people’s lives. It’s so easy to look around at what everyone else is doing and feel like you’re not doing enough yourself.

“Why do they get to travel and live in new cities all the time, and I don’t? They are so successful in their career, and I still have no idea what I want to do. How is it that everyone around me is in a perfect relationship but nothing ever seems to work out for me?”

These are some thoughts that I’ve had one time or another, and I know a lot of people my age can relate. Being in your 20s is such an interesting time. People are doing vastly different things. Something that I’ve been slowly but surely learning to do is see the beauty in this. How cool is it that God has each of us on our own individual, but equally beautiful path! God has unique plans for each of us and has us exactly where we are because that’s exactly where He wants us. If He wanted us somewhere else, we would be somewhere else.

We can’t compare what God is doing in our lives to what He’s doing in our friend’s or family member’s lives. Wishing that God would bless us with the same things He’s blessed those around us with does way more harm than good. It distracts us from what He is currently doing in our lives and prevents Him from being able to use us in ways He wants to because we are so worried about what we don’t have.

So next time you find yourself feeling envious of others’ blessings, especially ones you feel as though you have a right to receive as well, remember that God simply knows better. He hasn’t blessed you with these things because He has something better in store for you. Even if it feels like everything you’re doing right now is “boring” or “ordinary,” God can do so much through seemingly simple, ordinary things. He has you right where He wants you!

Carmen K

Unfair

Genesis 25:1-27:40

Growing up, one of the meanest things my older brother could say to me was that I was my parents' favorite, usually implying that it was because I was the “baby” of our family. Being called the baby was aggravating, but what bothered me most was, strangely, being told I was the favorite. He would accuse me of getting away with things he got in trouble for, or that I didn’t have to do as many chores as he did, or that his chores were harder. He stopped as we got older, however, the memories of his taunts continued to bother me…but why? I wondered why I hated the thought that I was getting special treatment; I didn’t want to get in trouble more or take harder chores! I think what bothered me was that his taunts offended my sense of fairness. We’re taught from a young age that fairness is a virtue and should be sought in our dealings with others.

Genesis 25:1-27:40 is primarily concerned with Abraham’s son Isaac and his family. Isaac marries Rebekah, who turns out to be barren, and he prays to God on Rebekah’s behalf. The Lord grants Isaac’s prayer and Rebekah conceives twins! Unfortunately, this happy moment is short-lived, and the twins begin struggling with each other before they are even born! The Lord reveals to Rebekah that while these two brothers are destined to father great nations, they will always be rivals. Furthermore, God tells her that the younger son will rule over the older son, which likely shocked Rebekah. As you read further, you find that dysfunctional is the only word to describe this family. Isaac and Rebekah play favorites with their sons, with Isaac favoring Esau and Rebekah favoring his younger brother Jacob. What follows is a series of bad behaviors, primarily Esau selling his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of stew and Rebekah encouraging Jacob to steal Esau’s blessing. The whole story feels kind of like an Old Testament reality show.

Is God unfair? Traditionally, the oldest male child would inherit everything from his father; however, the Lord made it clear before their birth that Jacob, not Esau, would be the one to inherit everything. On the surface, that may seem unfair, but God knew these two young men before they were ever conceived. God knew that Esau was foolish and impulsive. He not only disregarded his birthright to lead his family, but he was also rash and headstrong, marrying two Hittite women against the wishes of God and his parents. Amid this family’s failings, God’s sovereignty and grace still shined through, for in time God would bless both Jacob and Esau as well as keep the promise he made to Abraham.

May you remember God’s sovereignty in those moments when life seems unfair..

In Christ’s Love,

Mike

Wow Factor

Genesis 23-24

Kim and I celebrate a milestone wedding anniversary this week.  I thank God for providing her as my wife and best friend.  I thank God for bringing us along TOGETHER to this point.  Anyone that has been married for a while knows that relationships are full of ups and downs.  By God’s grace, I can sincerely say that every part of our relationship has been worth it!  I am wowed more than ever by her and still more by the gracious LORD that has walked before, beside and behind us through it all.  The best counsel that I ever received in the course of our marriage came to me in the form of a question, “IF JESUS ASKED YOU TO, WOULD YOU DO IT?”  The answer to that question is convicting for those of us that call ourselves Christians and followers of Christ and has the power to change everything.

In our text this week, we see Rebekah being wowed by how the LORD is working in her life and it leads her to go along with His plan in a way that will be for her blessing through the covenant God has made with Abraham and his line.  The blessing on Rebekah’s life has a legacy impact for those of us who believe in the person and work of Jesus Christ today. 

In the face of our lackluster attempts to control our fate and the vain glorious pride that will only fail us, how we continue to respond to the previously mentioned counseling question in each moment of our lives will impact not only us but those around us too.  Will we go in the blessing of trusting in the steadfast love and faithfulness of the REDEEMER or will we stay under the curse of resisting the gracious plan of blessing our Heavenly Father calls us toward?

May it be that the Bride of Christ will be quick to repent in each moment and turn only to Jesus and His desire to bless us.  May we remember His steadfast love and faithfulness in our next heartbeat and be wowed again to trust in the guidance of His Spirit instead of our weak idols and false pride. 

May God alone be glorified in my life and in His church so that all will know He is the ONE who provides what is good and never stops loving His people - no matter what!

Grateful & Hopeful in Christ,

Jon

Jehovah Jireh

In Genesis 20, Abraham moved to Gerar but intentionally omits the fact that he is married to Sarah out of fear. The King, Abimelech, takes her into his home to become his wife which puts him at risk of unknowingly committing a sin. God intervenes to prevent Abimelech from having relations with Sarah and warns him in a dream about the consequences of his impending actions. Abimelech acknowledges this warning and offers some of his wealth to Abraham after learning that Abraham is considered a prophet. This narrative highlights the protection and provision for all parties involved: Abraham, Sarah, and Abimelech.

In chapter 21, Sarah, Abraham, and Hagar face a difficult living situation. After Sarah is blessed with a son, she decides to send Hagar and Ishmael away, unable to tolerate their presence. Abraham consults God, who reassures him that He will provide for Ishmael. As Hagar and Ishmael wander through the desert, Hagar leaves Ishmael in the bushes, unable to watch him perish. God hears Ishmael's cries, and the angel of the LORD calls from the heavens to comfort Hagar and leads her to a well of fresh water. God fulfills His promise by providing a son to Sarah and Abraham and ensures the well-being of Hagar and Ishmael.

In chapter 22, God instructs Abraham to sacrifice his only son, Isaac. Abraham obeys and travels to Moriah with Isaac. When Isaac asks about the lamb for the offering, Abraham assures him that God will provide it. Just as Abraham is about to sacrifice Isaac, the Angel of the LORD stops him, acknowledging his obedience. A ram is provided and sacrificed in Isaac's place. 

In these 3 chapters we see God’s provisions for His people. God speaks to His people, coming to them in dreams, leading them to water and drawing them out of sin-led situations.  The same God that provided for Abimelech, Abraham, Sarah, Hagar and Ismael also provides for you and me. Even when we lean into our own understanding and take matters into our own hands, God is there to guide us and correct us. There are consequences for our behaviors and death is the consequence of sin. But God provided the ultimate provision when Jesus, God’s only Son, died on the cross so that those who believe in Him will have everlasting life. For God did not come to condemn us but to save us! He is Jehovah Jireh- the Lord who provides!

Love, 

~Nikki

Our God is a Consuming Fire

In Genesis 18-19, we find the account of the destruction of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.

We were first introduced to these cities in connection with Lot back in chapter 13. After Abram and Lot made their decisions about separating the land, it says:

“Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled among the cities of the valley and moved his tent as far as Sodom. Now the men of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the Lord.” (13:12-13)

Fast forward to chapters 18-19. Here are the high points:

- God Himself, along with two angels, visits Abraham and Sarah. God, once again, promises that they will have a son - to which they (again) respond with laughter - this time, Sarah.
- God also tells Abraham what He is about to do - because the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah is “very grave”, God is going to bring destruction on the cities.
- Abraham intercedes on behalf of the righteous that might be in the cities - asking that God spare the city if there are fifty righteous people there. And eventually, even if there are just ten people there.
- Highlighting their own wickedness, the men of Sodom want to have sex with the two angels, who were spending the night in Lot’s house. Lot (also wickedly) offers to the men of Sodom his daughters instead. The angels quell the threat by striking the men with blindness.
- The angels once more warn Lot of the destruction and punishment that is coming. Lot warns his sons-in-law, who think he is only kidding.
- Lot continues to linger and not escape. But mercifully, the Lord uses the angels to bring Lot and his family outside of the city. Lot and his family flee to Zoar - a small, nearby city.
- Destruction comes - “the Lord rained on Sodom and Gomorrah sulfur and fire from the Lord out of heaven. And he overthrew those cities, and all the valley, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground.” (19:24-25) Lot’s wife, looking back at the cities, is turned into a pillar of salt.
- But the wickedness sadly has not ended. Lot’s daughters, now living with Lot in the mountains and caves, plot to get their father drunk, have sex with him, and become impregnated by him. From these two daughters would come the Moabite and Ammonite peoples.

---

There are few passages in the Bible that rival this one in terms of displaying both the wickedness of man, and also the holy wrath of God.

Upon reading such passages, what is your attitude? What are your takeaways?

I think it's safe to say in our approach to God's Word, we tend to tend gravitate away from passages like this, and gravitate toward passages that highlight the love, mercy, and kindness of God.

Said another way, we really like the passages that remind us of the good news (rightly so!), but we are, at best, indifferent toward the passages that remind us of the bad news.

But friends, we must never get too far away from the bad news. Because it is in light of the bad news that we truly feel and experience the GOODNESS of the good news!

Here is the bad news: God is pure, holy, and wrathful toward sin. He MUST punish sin - to not do so would contradict His perfect character.

As the writer of Hebrews says,
"Our God is a consuming fire." (12:29)

Certainly we see this on display in Genesis 18-19. And you might read this passage and think,

"Well, certainly the people of Sodom and Gomorrah should have been punished. But I'm not anywhere near as wicked as them!"

But friend, we must not diminish the holiness of God. He is too perfect, too high above us for us to rationalize our righteousness before Him.

In our sin, there is between us and God an infinite chasm. And yes, perhaps in our man-made righteousness, we could get a few feet closer to the other side than the worst person in Sodom. But you and I are still miles and miles from reaching the other side.

Only God Himself can bridge this gap.
And good news:
That's exactly what He did for us in Jesus.

Not only was Jesus perfect on our behalf, but on the cross, He fully bore God's wrath in our place.

That same wrath we see displayed toward Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis, Jesus absorbed that as our Substitute on the cross.

"Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ, I live."

As you reflect on Genesis 18-19, may the passage serve as a challenge to you...

To not minimize the holiness of God.
But also,
To not minimize His kindness toward you through the finished work of Jesus.

- Joe

The God Who Sees Me

Genesis 15-17

Have you ever waited so long for God to fulfill a promise that you begin to lose hope and decide you’re better off taking matters into your own hands? If so, you’re not alone.

In these chapters, God makes several big promises to Abram. He promises that Abram’s descendants will be as numerous as the stars in the sky, that these descendants will inherit land, and that they will be freed from slavery. At first, Abram believes in these promises, but as time goes on, he begins to lose faith. His wife is old and struggling to bear a child, so the couple decides to take matters into their own hands. Abram agrees to have a child with his wife’s maidservant, Hagar.

After finding out she is pregnant and facing harsh treatment by Sarai, Hagar flees to the wilderness. Here, God appears to her, telling her that he hears her affliction. He makes a promise to her that her son will be the father of a great nation. In this moment, Hagar refers to God as “El Roi.” This is a Hebrew name for God meaning, “The God who sees me.”

What a beautiful reminder for all of us. God sees us. He sees our pain, our struggles, and our sin. He sees us take matters into our own hands when His promises are taking too long.

Not only does he see us, but He chooses to stay with us and use our mistakes for His good. He doesn’t let us sit in our pain or sin but guides us back on track. Right before God promises that He will use Hagar’s mistake for good, he tells her to return to Sarai and submit to her. He doesn’t let her sit in her pain but leads her back to work.

God does the same for us. When we get impatient and choose our own way over His, He doesn’t shame us, but covers us in His love. He uses our mistakes for good and guides us back into His arms. He wants the best for us. He knows us way better than we know ourselves and has a perfect plan for each of us even when His plan seems to make no sense. No one’s walk with God is perfect. We all make mistakes, and try to do things our way at times, but luckily, we can rest in knowing that if we’re seeking God, He will always lead us back where we belong.

Carmen K