One Step At A Time

Do you wonder how things will turn out? Are you thinking there must be something greater than what you see going on? Are you wondering where you will be years down the road? Are you hoping for a brighter future? Is today a day of slugging through the trough?

There are days we wonder if we will make it through. Some are simply long days at work when it seems as though time is standing still. Others are days of trials and testing that drive us to our limit. Days like that are challenging and cause us to wonder where the good is.

I’m sure Joseph had some of those same thoughts. He had been sold into to slavery. He rose to be the servant in charge of an important household. He was falsely accused and thrown into prison. He provided a magnificent revelation for a couple of his fellow prisoners only to be forgotten. He was finally released and put in charge of a nation-saving plan. Finally, he realized he was put right where God wanted him to save his family.

I’m betting many of you did not realize Joseph’s story was summarized in Psalm 105. Don’t worry, most of us miss it unless we are looking for it. His story is mixed in with the story of Israel. But Joseph did not know God’s master plan when he was going through it. He did not know how it would all end. Yet, he continued to believe God was in control.

We, too, can believe that God is in control. When things are going badly, reflect on the story of Joseph. When we feel like we can take it no more, we should remember Joseph’s trials and testing. When we just want to give up, we need to remember that God is in control and has a better plan for us, just as he did for Joseph.

I pray we all trust that God is in control. I pray we reflect on Joseph’s story when times are tough. I pray each one of us will hold on to our faith and lean on Jesus during our trials. Remember Joseph. Remember his faith. Remember that God is in control. Trust God has a plan for you. Lean on Jesus to help you through trials.

Psalm 105:16-17

When he summoned famine against the land,

and broke every staff of bread, 

he had sent a man ahead of them, 

Joseph, who was sold as a slave.

Be A Reuben

Have you ever gotten carried away? Have you started thinking negatively and allowed those negative thoughts to gain momentum and get out of control? Have you been caught up in a mob mentality by a group of people? Was there someone who talked you down?

We have all seen it, even if from a distance. We may have gotten caught up in it. Someone suggests doing something, another agrees and goes a step further, and the next thing we know it has gotten out of control. People have gotten worked up and ready to act with a fury.

Once a mob mentality begins, it is hard telling where it will end. Sometimes, the best we can hope for is someone will have a little sense and pull the reins to keep the group from doing something egregious. Each group needs someone with a little restraint and some common sense to pour a little water on the flames.

Reuben was the eldest and the one who squelched the flames of his brothers. They were so upset with Joseph they were plotting to kill him. Reuben talked them back from the ledge. He convinced them to merely throw Joseph into a pit. His intent was to rescue Joseph and return him to his father, Jacob. His brothers followed his advice, but not his full intent. Joseph ends up being sold into slavery.

Perhaps the question for us is, are we the voice of reason? Are we Reuben’s when we see or hear things getting out of hand? Being the one who speaks up is not easy to do. Being the one who can convince others to back down is difficult. In fact, it is not typically the random person who can do so. It requires someone who has the respect of others. It takes someone with gumption. It is easier to be that someone when we fully trust in and lean on God to guide us.

I pray we all become someone people respect. I pray we seek to trust and lean on God. I pray each one of us will be the voice of reason when things start to get out of control. Be a Reuben. Be the voice of reason. Be someone others respect. Trust God in all situations. Lean on God to guide you.

Genesis 37:18, 21 They saw him from a distance, and before he came near to them, they conspired to kill him… But when Reuben heard it, he delivered him out of their hands, saying, “Let us not take his life.”

Snitch

Do you like tattle tells? Have you been a tattle tell? Do you like snitches? Have you been a snitch? Are there some things people do or intentions we hear that we should speak up about? Are there others we should simply stay quiet about? Do all things concern us?

As children, we might have had someone tell our parents about something we did that we shouldn’t. We may have done that regarding one of our siblings. Typically, no one likes to have their faults or something they intended to be kept secret revealed.

As adults, we do not call them tattle tells anymore, we call them snitches. There are certain groups who take an extreme disliking to snitches, but many of us do not like to have our secrets nor some of our actions revealed to a larger audience.

Joseph snitched on his brothers. Was it something he should have revealed or something he could have left alone? We do not know. We do know his brothers did not like Joseph telling their father about what they had done. They would later decide to take matters into their own hands.

What can we learn from this? First and foremost, God is always there and will always use whatever happens for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28). Second, rather than acting rash, we might be better off to think before we act. This applies to both Joseph and his brothers. If we do not want people to state bad things about us, we probably shouldn’t do them. If we do not want people to be upset for us saying something about them, we should consider whether it is something we truly need to reveal.

I pray we all know that God will work all things to our good, if we love him. I pray we take time to consider what we plan to do before we act. I pray we evaluate what we plan to say before we say it. Trust God in all things. Know that he will work all things for your good. Love him with all your heart. Think before you act. Think before you speak.

Genesis 37:2b Joseph, being seventeen years old, was shepherding the flock with his brothers; he was a helper to the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wives; and Joseph brought a bad report of them to their father.

Filled by Jesus

Are you feeling empty? Do you desire sustenance? Are you looking for physical, emotional, or spiritual nourishment? Would you like to be filled? Have you turned to the One who can fill you?

We have a variety of needs. We need physical nourishment that comes from food and water. We know the healthier we eat, the better the chance we will have good physical health. We seek emotional nourishment through relationships with others. The better those relationships, the better our mental health.

Spiritual nourishment is often overlooked or discarded in our culture. We may eat right and exercise for good physical health. We may discard bad relationships in favor of good ones to improve our emotional health. But we do not always seek to fill our spiritual needs. Even if we do, we only cursorily seek them on Sunday morning.

Folks, let’s be honest. Spending one hour a week in worship is not going to fill us spiritually. Just as we eat multiple times a day, we need to spend multiple times per day with God. Just as we interact with our family and friends throughout the day, we need to interact with God throughout the day.

Neglecting our spiritual well-being is tantamount to neglecting feeding our bodies with energy producing food. Until we recognize the absolute need to fill ourselves spiritually, we will continue to be hungry and thirsty. Our souls crave a healthy relationship with God.

I pray we all seek to have a good relationship with God. I pray we recognize the need to fill ourselves spiritually. I pray each one of us will commit to spending more time with God. Seek spiritual fulfillment. Spend time each day with God. Interact with God continually. Ask Jesus to fill you.

Matthew 14:20-21 And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Ask Jesus

Have you ever been short on cash? Have you ordered your food at a restaurant then noticed you did not have enough money to pay for it? Have you ever been to a potluck dinner and thought there was no way there was enough food?

Many of us have experienced not having enough money at one point or another in our lives. It may have been an embarrassing moment, or it may have been one you simply caught and kept to yourself. Not having enough money can be embarrassing for us.

Maybe you have witnessed it and maybe you have not, but I have witnessed what appeared to be a miracle of food going much further than I thought. When I still lived in Virginia, we used to have a monthly potluck at the church following the last Sunday’s worship service. There were a couple of times when it appeared we were woefully short on food. But just like the stories of Jesus with the loaves and fish, we have plenty left over and everyone was full.

Sometimes we are just like the disciples. We look at what we have, feel it is inadequate, and sorrowfully bow our heads. We attempt to pass the responsibility on to someone else. We may try to pass it off on to those who are depending on us to provide. We may simply come to Jesus with our hat in hand and ask Him to fulfill the need and, honestly, not really expect much.

If it wasn’t for the fact it could become repetitive and ignored, I’m sure Jesus could say, “Ye of little faith.” We rightfully deserve to hear those words far too often. But Jesus had compassion for His disciples just like He had compassion on the people earlier in the passage. He simply has them bring what they have to Him and He uses it in a miraculous way.

I pray we all bring our needs to Jesus. I pray we trust Him to do what only He can do. I pray each one of us seek to do what we can and ask Jesus to fill in the gaps. Bring your needs to Jesus. Trust Him to handle it. Do what you can do. Ask Jesus to provide what you cannot.

Matthew 14:16-17 Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They replied, “We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.”

Active Compassion

What are you doing for those in need? Do you have compassion for them? Does your compassion motivate you to action? Are you in need? Do you desire someone to have compassion for you? Have you turned to Jesus?

We often people say they feel sorry for someone in a bad situation or ill. That is how we express our compassion. Yet, many times that expression is as far as it goes. Far too few of us put our compassion into action. We assume someone else will take care of it.

Compassion without action is almost assuredly empty. At a minimum, it is not Christ-like. If we follow the example of Jesus, we put our compassion into action. Jesus had compassion and healed the sick. He had compassion and fed the hungry. He had compassion and forgave the sinful. He continues to have compassion on each one of us. Will we choose to be like Him?

When we are in need, we desire compassion. We long for someone to heal us. We hope someone will feed us. We ask for forgiveness, even if only secretly. Again, Jesus has compassion on us. If we will turn to Him, He will do all of that and much, much more.

Jesus had had a very busy couple of days. He had heard how Herod had treated John the Baptist. He was distraught and seeking a place of isolation to spend some quiet time with the Father. The crowds found out where He was going and met Him there. There were in need. Jesus was likely tired. Yet, He took time to heal the sick among them. His compassion drove Him to address their needs.

There are times when we are tired, and someone comes to us with a need. Will we demonstrate compassion or simply say “I am sorry.” We may feel as though we have nothing left to give, but God provides for us as we are willing to give for his name’s sake. We are to allow God’s compassion for us to flow through us to others.

I pray we all strive to follow Jesus’ example. I pray we put our compassion into action, just as Jesus did. I pray each one of us experiences compassion from someone else when we are in need. Follow Jesus’ example. Put your compassion into action. Allow God’s compassion to flow through you. 

Matthew 14:14 When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick.

Disruptions Happen

Have you ever been distraught and sought a quiet place to reflect, grieve, or reenergize yourself? Have you had your quiet time disrupted by others who were seeking your attention? Are you going through such a time now? Did you know Jesus experienced a time like that?

We will all experience times when we desire to be alone in a quiet place. A loved one may have recently died. We may have lost a job unexpectedly. Perhaps a relationship has finally disintegrated to the point of separation. Then interruptions occur.

For many of us, family or friends disrupt our quiet time. They have no ill intent. In fact, if they recognize our grief or depression, they likely just want to help. Yet, sometimes, we simply need space, we need quiet time to think, and work through it in our own minds. We need time to pray and ask God to help us through the situation or make sense of what is happening.

Jesus had a time such as this. John the Baptist had been beheaded and Herod thought Jesus was John raised from the dead. Jesus knew of Herod’s acts. He wanted time to think through what was happening. He likely knew it was another key indicator and reminder of what He was to experience on the cross.

Perhaps the closest we can relate to Jesus’ situation is having a good friend have a disease that took their life and we have been diagnosed with the same disease. Knowing what someone else has experienced and believing that is going to be our future experience can take time to process and prepare ourselves for.

Jesus’s planned quiet time was interrupted by crowds of people who wanted something from Him. Our families and friends can be in need or want of something from us. We must rely on the short bit of quiet time we have with God to strengthen us until we can get a little more quiet time. We may need to look for a few moments of quiet time to continually tap into God’s strength. Finding those moments can be precious.

I pray we all recognize we need God’s strength. I pray we understand there will be disruptions. I pray each one of us will seek moments of quiet time to spend with God and use them when they occur. Ask God for strength. Seek God’s wisdom. Take advantage of quiet moments. Know there will be disruptions.

Matthew 14:13 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns.

Look for Opportunities

Are you willing to set aside your needs or wants for your family? Are you willing to sacrifice your desires to provide for loved ones? Would you give your life for a friend? Do you wish you could give up your eternal life with God so you could save your kindred?

Many of us are willing to make sacrifices for our families. Parents especially are willing to sacrifice for their children. Some will ensure their children have enough to eat before they serve themselves. Some will buy new clothes for their children rather than themselves.

We all have heard stories of people who have run into a burning building or dove onto a grenade to save others. Having spent twenty years in the Marine Corps, I can attest to the brotherhood within military units. The smaller the unit, the closer the group is. They become like a tight nit family. They pick on one another, maybe argue with one another, maybe even fight one another, but an outsider is not allowed to do so. They will band together tighter than woven silk.

The Apostle Paul felt the same way about his fellow Israelites. He saw a preponderance of them who would not accept Jesus as their Messiah. He wished that he was separated from Christ so that they might be saved. Alas, that is not how it works. Each of them must make their own decision.

We may have family members or close friends we wish would accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. We may wish we could convince them to do so. We may even wish we could give our salvation to them. However, we can’t. What we can do is continue to live the life Jesus desires for us. We can continue to be a positive example for them. We can make comments as the opportunity arises in hope of convincing them…and we should.

I pray we all desire to convince others to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. I pray we live lives that provide a positive example. I pray each one of us will continue to tell others about Jesus. Be concerned about the salvation for others. Be a positive example. Speak up about Christ. Look and listen for opportunities.

Romans 9:3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to the flesh.

Trust God

Where do you turn in times of trouble? Who can you count on to help you out? Do you count on family members? Can you count on your friends to be there for you? Have you sought out God? Have you called on him to hear you? Do you trust he will answer?

When trouble comes our way, and it will, we all need someone we can count on. We will need physical help, emotional help, or spiritual help. We may need all three at the same time. We may need financial help as well. Counseling is available for three of the four.

Physical help seems to be the easiest to get. We simply need some able bodies to help with moving or fixing a vehicle or adding on a room to the house. Emotional help becomes a little trickier. There are only a few people we trust with our emotional problems. Financial help can also be dicey. Maybe our family or friends can help, maybe we need to go to a financial institution to borrow the money we need.

Spiritual help is the trickiest of them all. It is also the most important of them all. It is the only one that will have an everlasting effect. We need someone we can trust who will be truthful and compassionate, knowledgeable and tactful, objective and caring. Most of us will turn to our pastor for spiritual counseling. After all, they are to keep conversations confidential. But what if we don’t have a pastor or perhaps do not fully trust him or her?

We can always call out to God. Because we know troubles will come, we should build our relationship with God beforehand. That will help us hear him when he provides an answer. It will help us see the situation as he sees it and see how he would have us address it. God will answer. The better our relationship with him, the quicker and easier we will see or hear his answer.

I pray we all build our relationship with God. I pray we turn to him in our times of trouble. I pray each one of us will look and listen for the answers God will provide us. Build your relationship with God. Seek him in all situations. Learn to hear his voice. Be attentive to his answers. Trust God.

Psalm 17:6

I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; 

incline your ear to me, hear my words.

God’s Cause

Are you in the middle of a battle? Are you striving for justice? Does feel like it is an uphill battle? Have you been striving for years to right a wrong? Have you asked God to intervene? Are you willing to accept God’s answer if he says you are fighting the wrong battle?

We fight many battles throughout our lives. For most of us, we believe we are fighting the right battle for the right reason. Sometimes, we have heard the battle cry of others and joined them. At other times, we feel we have been wronged and we choose to strive for retribution.

Our culture is full of battles. Some of them are small skirmishes while others are very large battles that seem to never end. Each side seeks to win. Sometimes there are more than two sides to the battle. It seems everyone has an opinion, everyone wants their voice heard, everyone thinks they are right. However, everyone cannot be right and opposing one another.

Make no mistake about it, there is right and wrong. To know we are on the side of right, we need to pray that God leads us and be willing to hear his answer, even if it doesn’t coincide with our thoughts. When we ask God to take up the battle, we cannot merely ask him to take our side of it, but we must ask that he take up the just cause and show us how we can follow him.

With the plethora of opinions, many of which are posted all over social media, we must continually reach out to God to show us the way. We must relieve ourselves of personal opinion and be open to following God’s direction. We must ask God to remove deceit from us. Being open to hearing God and willing to follow him will ensure we are truly fighting for a just cause.

I pray we all ask God to reveal to us the just cause. I pray we ask him to remove deceit from us. I pray each one of us are willing to follow God, taking up his just cause. Ask God to reveal his just cause. Be willing to follow him. Relieve yourself of your preferences. Take up God’s cause.

Psalm 17:1

Hear a just cause, O Lord; attend to my cry; 

give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit.