The Scenic Route

 "Then Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand and put it on Joseph's hand; and clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck."  Genesis 41:42


The life of Joseph was not a straight "Point A" to "Point B" life.  You might say that God's path for Joseph was the scenic route with twists and turns off of the beaten path.  The route that God had chosen for Joseph was not on some whim, but it was purposeful and constructive not only for Joseph personally, but for all of Israel.  When the journey reached God's intended goal, we see faithful Joseph had miraculously gone from slavery and imprisonment, to the second in command over all of Egypt.  Through it all, we see a young man without complaint trusting God's sovereignty over all the details of his life.

I have found that the Lord's scenic route in my life has always been for building maturity, trust, and preparing my life for His best.  His timing is always perfect and His methods never fail.  If you find yourself on the scenic route, don't fret, trust God's perfect sovereignty, He hasn't forgotten you and He will see you through!

 

God's Graceful Rules

 2 Timothy 2:5 "And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules."

In the 1980 Boston Marathon an unknown runner named Rosie Ruiz was the first female finisher.  Many were shocked that a runner no one ever heard of had won the race, plus her finishing time was the fastest ever run by a female competitor!  Race organizers became suspicious when spotters from the mile marks reported not ever seeing her run by.  When a reporter asked her how she trained to improve the finishing time from her last marathon by twenty-five minutes, Rosie simply said she woke up feeling stronger that morning.  It soon became apparent that Rosie had come up with her own rules and had not competed according to the rules set forth by the organizers of the Boston Marathon, and she was disqualified.

I was sharing the gospel with a woman, and when I shared that Jesus was the only way to salvation she stopped me.  She became very bold as she told me that her god was not so narrow as to only provide only one way to salvation, and that her god would never condemn anyone to hell.  This woman believed in sin and eternal life, but had placed all her hope for salvation in a god she had conjured and rules she made up.....pretty scary.

There is but one God and creator and He has set forth His plan for the salvation of man.  His plan is founded on His love for us, and His grace toward us in sending His Son Jesus to die in our place.  Our loving God has set forth a wonderful plan of salvation,and it's a free gift, but it's only one plan, through the one and only Savior Jesus Christ.  God as God, has set forth His rules, have you received His gift of salvation for you?
 

Listening

Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying,
"This is the way, walk in it,"
Whenever you turn to the right hand
Or whenever you turn to the left.
Isaiah 30:21

I have a fairly calm disposition. I must say that my chill personality can quickly disappear in a crowded parking lot, or if I'm lost.  My personal record for being lost was when Sheila and I took an unplanned two-hour tour of Boston...just trying to find our hotel. Our fun tour resulted from trusting a possessed GPS in our rental car...not because of me!

Jesus calls us His sheep.  As His sheep we are in constant need of the Shepherd's guidance.  We can get lost so easily, and it's not because our Shepherd isn't leading; most often it's because we aren't alert & paying attention. Our ears may be dull, or we may be disinterested. It might  be a touch of willfulness, but it's never that our Shepherd doesn't care.

Are you seeking His guidance? His promise is sure. He will speak to you from His Word...are you listening?

Saved To The Uttermost

"Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost
those who come to God through Him, since He
always lives to make intercession for them" (Heb. 7:25).

I was raised in a church where I never had assurance of my salvation. My security was based on Jesus dying for me, plus my church attendance, plus my good works.  Because I believed my salvation for a large part depended on me, I didn't know eternal security. What wonderful freedom when I at last learned and believed that in Christ I am saved to the  uttermost.

Uttermost means completely, entirely, wholly, and includes the element of time meaning always and forever.  Thank you, Lord Jesus that by your love and grace we are saved to the uttermost; what strong assurance!

 

Understanding The Times

 "Of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times,
to know what Israel ought to do"
(I Chronicles 12:32).


I overheard a conversation that a couple had over breakfast the other day.  The man was thumbing through the newspaper and grumbling the headlines out loud.  I guess it wasn't really a conversation, it was more a monologue as he read an inventory of all that is going on in the world.  He ended by folding the paper and saying, "What's going on?"

In the list of those who came to David when he first reigned as King in Hebron were some men from the tribe of Issachar who had an understanding of the times.  How valuable those men must have been for David in such a key season in the life of Israel.

 My prayer is that our church will be filled with men and women who are like those sons of Issachar.  Saints who can discern God's hand in the events of the day and have understanding in these crucial times.

This understanding and discernment doesn't just happen, it comes from an intimate  relationship with our God.  It is forged in our time alone with God, being immersed in His Word, listening for His voice.  It takes time and discipline, E.M. Bounds says, "God's acquaintance is not made by pop calls.  God does not bestow His gifts on the casual or hasty comers and goers."  Our insight grows as we spend more time with the Lord.

More and more people are going to be asking, "What's going on?"  In this season more than any other, we need to sit at the Lord's feet and hear His voice that we may discern and proclaim clearly His working in preparation for Jesus' return.
 

Creation Groans

 
"Because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of
the children of God." Romans 8:21

Man's original sin in the garden had an impact not only on Adam and Eve and humanity, but also on all of creation.  After sin came death and a curse upon all creation.  For the first time the earth was not right, there would be thorns and thistles, weeds and fungus.  What was once a perfect environment of peace and safety had become harsh and dangerous.  The Bible says 'that the whole of creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.'

It is amazing to me that nature is under a curse and yet there is still such beauty.  I so enjoy streams and waterfalls, rainbows and sunsets, but as lovely as they all are, I'm reminded that they are still not perfect.  Think of the most awe inspiring or beautiful work of creation you have seen and consider how marvelous it will be when it is no longer under the curse.

The beauty of nature gives us just a glimpse of God's artistry and creativity.  His creation stirs a longing for that day when Jesus returns and all things are made right again, and we will take in the unbound beauty of His creation.  What a time of praise it will be!

Out Of The Cave

 "The prophet Gad said to David, 'Do not stay in the stronghold; depart, and go to the land of Judah.'
So David departed and went into the forest of Hereth."
I Samuel 22:5

David was fleeing for his life from Saul and found safety in the cave of Adullam. The cave was a good safe place for David to hide, a good defensive position out of harms way and out of the reach of Saul. Because David was settled in a nice safe place it seems odd that the Lord would command him to leave the security of the cave and go back to Judah, yet that's what the Lord told David to do.

I love the faith of David. He did not complain nor hesitate in obeying the Lord. He was willing to leave his place of security and trust God. David by faith knew that his true defense was not in a cave but walking in obedience with the Lord, so he obeyed. If David had looked to the cave as a refuge rather than God, he would have limited how God could use him. It's difficult to lead as a king from a cave.

The world in which we live is not a safe place, and the temptation for us all is to take a defensive posture and seek a protective place. Be careful that you do not limit what God may have for you, remember He is the defender of your family, He is your strong tower and protector. Your safety is always found in following close to Him and He may be leading you out of the cave....trust Him.