Journey Through Life

Journey Through Life

Genesis 47: ⁷ Then Joseph brought in his father Jacob and set him before Pharaoh; and Jacob blessed Pharaoh. ⁸ Pharaoh said to Jacob, “How old are you?”

 

⁹ And Jacob said to Pharaoh, “The days of the years of my pilgrimage are one hundred and thirty years; few and evil have been the days of the years of my life, and they have not attained to the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage.” ¹⁰ So Jacob blessed Pharaoh, and went out from before Pharaoh.

 

¹¹ And Joseph situated his father and his brothers, and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded. ¹² Then Joseph provided his father, his brothers, and all his father’s household with bread, according to the number in their families.

 

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Joseph brought “Jacob” to Pharaoh and the first thing out of Jacob’s mouth was a blessing. Pharaoh asked Jacob how old he was. Jacob’s answer was interesting.

 

My Observations:

• Jacob mentioned he was younger than his father’s age who died at one hundred eighty and his grandfather died at one hundred seventy five.
• Jacob said his days were “few and evil” as if he regretted being a swindler.
• Jacob finally changed into the leader GOD wanted him to be, so he blessed Pharaoh.

 

All of his adult life, Jacob pursued what he wanted. He tried to circumvent tradition from a swindler who gave him a wife he did not want. He took his brother’s birthright and blessing. He lived in fear of many people groups because of his actions.

 

Jacob seemed to have regrets. BUT GOD used him anyway. GOD was the GOD of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. HE is the same GOD to you and me. Once we truly realize we are inadequate to save ourselves, we can turn to CHRIST for salvation.

 

But it does not stop there. We then have to realize that we are HIS creation and our lives are not to be squandered with our own pursuits. As we approach the finish line, we have an opportunity to serve GOD to our fullest each day!

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about the conversation between Jacob and Pharaoh?
• Have you ever looked back on your life in regret?
• Do you realize that today is given to you to start serving GOD despite the past?

Starting Over

Starting Over

Genesis 26: ¹⁷ Then Isaac departed from there and pitched his tent in the Valley of Gerar, and dwelt there. ¹⁸ And Isaac dug again the wells of water which they had dug in the days of Abraham his father, for the Philistines had stopped them up after the death of Abraham. He called them by the names which his father had called them.

 

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After being told to leave, Isaac and his massive entourage moved to the Valley of Gerar where his father Abraham lived. He grew up there as an adult and helped build the wells. The Philistines did not want the wells so they stopped them up, making them useless.

 

My Observations:

• Isaac may have felt like he was starting over.
• Isaac had to redo what someone else messed up.
• Isaac had a lot of work on his hands created by someone else.

 

Making sure raiders would not move in, the Philistines may have done a good job filling in the wells. There numbers were not large enough to protect all the territory so they made sure no one would want to try to move in. This may have caused extra work for Isaac.

 

But Isaac remembered how GOD blessed his father. He did not complain or say “woe is me”, rather he got started. He pitched his tent and began to dig. He and the herdsmen reopened the wells and Isaac named them the names Abraham gave them. GOD provided again.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD told Moses about what the Philistines did to the wells?
• Have you ever had to start over because of someone else’s actions?
• Can you take a deep breath and be willing to start over because GOD may have a new direction for you?

Starting Over

Starting Over

Genesis 8: ¹³ And it came to pass in the six hundred and first year, in the first month, the first day of the month, that the waters were dried up from the earth; and Noah removed the covering of the ark and looked, and indeed the surface of the ground was dry. ¹⁴ And in the second month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, the earth was dried.

 

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GOD created a wonderful place for humans to live with HIM. HE gave humans millions of trees and had two for HIMSELF. Satan, wanting to be GOD was thrown from heaven. He was determined to be GOD, so he tempted the first humans to disobey GOD. Humans fell and every human from then on was born with the inclination to sin. They wanted to get back into the Garden of Eden, but the cherubim would not allow access.

 

Humans had become so violent that GOD decided to wipe them out. But Noah walked with the LORD and did not listen to his sin nature. GOD blesses Noah and his family by telling him to build an ark. GOD flooded the earth, killing every human, animal and insect that was not on the ark. The floodwaters receded and the ark was now on dry ground.

 

My Observations:

• GOD gave Noah and his family a new place for them to start humanity over.
• GOD broke apart the Garden of Eden, scattering pieces of gold and precious stones everywhere.
• GOD gave humanity ample time to walk with HIM, but they chose to ignore HIM by going their own way.

 

At six hundred and one, Noah was given the responsibility to start humanity over. This time the relationship would be different. The Garden of Eden would no longer be there as a reminder of humanity’s fall. The great flood would now be that reminder as bones and carcasses were spread across the globe.

Dry land was now available. The dove Noah released did not return. She built a nest somewhere close by. GOD had kept HIS promise of saving humanity through one family.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about Noah’s age?
• Have you ever felt you were getting “too old” to start over?
• Are you willing to believe in GOD regardless of your age, so HE can start a new thing through you today?

Help Along the Trip

Help Along the Trip

3 John 1: ⁵ My dear friend, you are so faithful in the work you do for other Christians, even when they are strangers. ⁶ They have spoken to the church here about your love. Please help them to continue their trip in a way that will please God. ⁷ For they set out on their trip in the service of Christ without accepting any help from unbelievers. ⁸ We Christians, then, must help these people, so that we may share in their work for the truth.

 

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Riding on a bus / van in another country, my expectations were minimal. We were not there as tourists, rather to work as missionaries. The bus broke down in a populated area. So this was an opportunity to get out and street-witness. We spoke to the people about CHRIST and some prayed to believe in HIM. Meanwhile, other people helped fix the bus for us.

 

• I did not know what to expect.
• Staying focused on doing what GOD wanted me to do helped me not focus on the broken down bus.
• We received help along the trip several other times.

 

John praises Gaius for his faithfulness. Gaius had created a good reputation that was known throughout the area. John encouraged Gaius to seek other believers who need help in their “trip” so all would share in the work for the truth.

 

My Observations:

• My life is a journey that could include GOD or not.
• The more I seek the world, the less I seek GOD.
• At some point in my life, I had to see that GOD wanted more out of HIS relationship with me.

 

Realizing that I am a creation that was made for GOD’s purpose was a surprise to me. I mean, at one point, I thought life was either a random collection of events or that life was a pleasure cruise and GOD was the waiter. In both cases I was wrong. GOD created you and me to be with HIM in a loving relationship.

 

HIS love is not tainted with sin, but yours and mine is. We can sometimes see GOD as a problem to our pleasure and want to get out of life’s tumultuous ocean and back on the pleasure cruise set up by the enemy. Meanwhile, GOD blesses those who remain in the ocean with boats of safety to help along this trip called life. I am glad GOD has plenty of people who believe and are eager to serve!

 

Challenge

• How does the writer hear about the reputation?
• Do you have a reputation that is associated helping believers in CHRIST to serve others?
• Will you give more of your life over to GOD so HE can help people believe in HIS SON as the answers to their struggles today?

Finished What Was Started

Finished What Was Started

Philippians 1: ⁶ And so I am sure that God, who began this good work in you, will carry it on until it is finished on the Day of Christ Jesus. 

 

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Another large obstacle felt daunting “again.” The first few obstacles seemed easy to overcome, but after days turned into months and months turned into years, another obstacle seemed harder to get over. Even small setbacks seemed large.

 

• I felt like giving up when I was faced with an obstacle that would take time to get over.
• I wanted to stop trying when others walked away.
• I considered letting go when I did not see measurable results the world was expecting.

 

Paul slips in a word of encouragement that could easily be overlooked. New believers in JESUS may start off with zeal, but when life’s challenges get to them, many want to give up and fall away. BUT GOD sees something different.

 

My Observations

• It takes “faith” that only comes from GOD to keep going when the odds are against me.
• It takes “letting go” of things that belong to GOD so HE can remove the barriers to HIS plan.
• It takes “belief” that HIS plan includes me and my mistakes and my successes.

 

There are good days and bad days, successes and failures. Both live together. It’s when the bad days meet with my failures that make me want to give up. BUT GOD opens my eyes to something special. Reading the sentence without pointing to myself make me see that GOD has a plan that cannot be stopped.

 

“And I am sure that GOD”… “will carry it on until it is finished on the Day of CHRIST JESUS.” GOD will carry it on, not me. HE began the work in me and will finish HIS work with extreme success through me because HIS plans never fail. HE chose me with my weaknesses, frailties and faults to do HIS perfect plan. I am glad HE carries out HIS plan to the finish.

 

Challenge

• What is the writer sure about?
• What “good work” has GOD began in you?
• Have you ever felt like giving up?
• Will you continue to the end and allow GOD to carry the plan until it is finished?

New Life Start

New Life Start

Acts 9: ²⁰ Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.

²¹ Then all who heard were amazed, and said, “Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?”

²² But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ.

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Wanting to start over, I stopped doing the things that made me popular. I gave up a bunch of sins and started learning about GOD. With this being fresh and new, some friends invited me to participate in the old habits. “Should I try to convert them?”  I thought. I didn’t know what to say. I was scared.

• When I started over I was not bold with the words of CHRIST.
• When I started over I wanted to learn first before I spoke to anyone about JESUS.
• When I started over I felt compelled to tell others but felt too embarrassed at my old actions.

Saul was healed of blindness and filled with the HOLY SPIRIT. He was so excited about what happened, that everything he learned about the prophecies made sense. He replaced the word GOD with JESUS and could speak with fervor. But there were many who were confused by the sudden change.

• GOD understands when I immediately follow HIM.
• GOD loves when I obey HIM immediately.
• GOD enjoys my immediate belief, trust and faith in HIM.

Starting a new life in GOD can be difficult. I mean, the old friends and colleagues remember what was done last week, or maybe even last night. Family members may question “Why the sudden change?”

BUT GOD loves it. HE gives strength to those who put their hope in HIM. No shame or embarrassment comes from GOD. HE delights when I say “L love YOU LORD.” I am grateful for HIS acceptance.

• Are you new to believing in GOD?
• Are your old friends trying to keep you doing things that you know is wrong and harmful?
• Will you let go of the old ways and allow GOD to direct you to where HE wants you to go, giving your life an everlasting purpose?

Confusion Explained

Confusion Explained

Acts 1: ⁹ Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. ¹⁰ And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, ¹¹ who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”

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“Can I help you?” was the question posed to me. Without letting me ask any questions another statement followed. “I see some confusion on your face and I am here to help.” Was I that transparent? Yes! I was frozen and did not know how to proceed. I was glad to have someone who cared.

• Many times I have been stuck and did not know what to do.
• Many times I was amazed at GOD for a moment, but stood frozen not knowing what to do the next day.
• Many times I saw incredible things GOD has done and did not know what to do next.

The disciples witnessed JESUS taken up into a cloud. Was this the same cloud JESUS used in the days of Moses? What will happen next? There were probably many questions on their minds. Two angels appeared and explained that the disciples should move on with their lives after seeing this marvelous event.

• GOD guides me after incredible events.
• GOD sends me after life-changing situations.
• GOD clears up my confusion because HE wants me to succeed.

When facing really difficult times, then out of nowhere, seeing GOD perform something incredible, it can cause confusion. BUT GOD is not the author of confusion. HE clears things up and guides those, who listen to HIM, on a journey towards abundant life.

GOD gives hope to the hopeless. “JESUS will return just as HE left” is the message of hope GOD gave to the disciples and all who believe in HIM. This incredible account fills many with hope and the everlasting water flows from all who accept the call. I am grateful for being sent.

• Have you experienced hearing from GOD but are now confused?
• Do you feel filled up one minute and empty the next?
• Will you let GOD clear up confusion and accept HIS journey HE has for you today?

A New Journey

Job 29: ² “How I long for the months gone by,
    for the days when God watched over me,
³ when his lamp shone on my head
    and by his light I walked through darkness!
⁴ Oh, for the days when I was in my prime,
    when God’s intimate friendship blessed my house,
⁵ when the Almighty was still with me
    and my children were around me,
⁶ when my path was drenched with cream
    and the rock poured out for me streams of olive oil.

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Tea was the drink of choice as my mother and I would sit together. She would walk me to the preschool. How I longed to be at home. After preschool I had to go to kindergarten. I met strange children in unfamiliar surroundings. How I longed to be in preschool.

Each new grade brought on its challenges and each time I wished I was back in my comfort zone. That is until I graduated college. I then realized maybe it’s time to look forward.

• When I look back at the good old days I cannot see where I am going.
• When I dream about the good old days I miss out on what’s ahead.
• When I dwell on the good old days I close my ears and eyes to what lies ahead.

Life can be difficult and my mind immediately wants comfort so in a rescue attempt it pops in a recording of the good old days. Soon I found myself playing many recordings of the past and not willing to address what was going on right now. The problems of the day still persisted. Something had to change.

• GOD created me to go forward in life.
• GOD created my journey and know all the pitfalls I will experience.
• GOD created me as an everlasting creature so it is important how I respond to adversity.

As I mature my eyes are opened to new truths about life. When I was a child life was difficult, I just did not know it. As I grew and matured, GOD opened my eyes to the journey of serving HIS people. This would prove to be very difficult because people were just as scared of life’s journey as I was. GOD took me though many trials so I could help others do the same.

The new journey is full of adventures unknown BUT GOD is at the helm and HIS plan is awesome for me!

• Are you looking back at the good old days?
• Do you long for the days of the comfort you used to have?
• Can you stop dwelling on those days and focus on what GOD is training you to do right now?
• Will you accept the challenges of the day as a blessing from GOD not a curse?

Starting the Journey

Nehemiah 2: ¹⁷ Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.” ¹⁸ I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me.

They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.” So they began this good work.

  

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After the interview I received confirmation that I had done well and they were “thinking” about bringing me on board. Within three days the offer went from VP to AVP to Senior Director in a midst of confusion. The organization was not organized. I realized I no longer fit in this world.

I had a friend say to me, “You have to do something.” As I studied the lay of the land I wondered what excited me. “Helping people grow” came to mind, but how do I do it? After months of prayer and a year of doing resumes for people, GOD gave me a vision that was much larger than me. No, it wasn’t a Hollywood flashback vision, but a well thought out idea.

It was huge and scary and my resources were few. “Where do I start?” was my question.

·         Sometimes GOD has a plan that seems much bigger than I can ever imagine.

·         Sometimes GOD has a plan that seems too big for me and what I can bring to the table.

·         Sometimes GOD has a plan that seems impossible so why even try.

Nervous about where all of this was going, I tried to limit GOD’s vision and so did everyone around me. I was presented with the worries of the world almost daily. It seemed like bad news kept coming out of the cracks. BUT GOD was there to patch the holes.

·         GOD said to me “Take the first step on the journey and I will make your path straight.”

·         GOD said to me “Keep going and I will bless you as I always have.”

·         GOD said to me “I am with you even unto the end of this age.”

My pride and fear had to go out the window if I was going to follow HIS plan. I took a deep breath and started by taking the first step.

·         Are you afraid to do something big?

·         Is your journey small because you are limiting GOD?

·         Can you stop limiting GOD and ask HIM to make your path straight?