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Surely God Will Come to Help You–Genesis 50:24

January 18, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Believing God in the Hard Times, Failure, Faith, Fear, Genesis, My story, The Hurting World, The Promises of God, Trust, Uncategorized, Word of God with 1 Comment

Today’s Scriptures:  Genesis 47:28  through  Genesis 50:26

Before I read today’s scriptures, I “thought” I knew what I was going to write about.  You see Genesis 50:10 is one of my top five favorite scriptures…

But Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me.  Am I God, that I can punish you?  You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. –Genesis 50:20

The last sentence of this verse has helped me to make sense out of things that haven’t made sense in my life.  It has also helped me to understand some of the crazy stuff we’ve been reading in the book of Genesis.  We’ve seen of so much evil and deceit, but now as we come to our last verses of the book, Joseph ties a bow on it all and shares his God-given wisdom on “why bad things happen to good people”.  Personally, I could not have made it through my life without this verse.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen God use things that were meant to hurt me for my good!  I would not be writing this blog today if it weren’t for the painful times in my life.  Thank you Lord for putting this sentence in you Word!

But, today I found another jewel!  It’s like the sequel to Genesis 50:20…how did I miss this all these years?

Right before Joseph died he was talking with his brothers.  He said to them in Genesis 50: 24:

…soon I will die, but God will surely come to help you and lead you out of this land of Egypt.

Then in verse 25 of that same chapter, Joseph actually made his brothers swear an oath

… and he said, “When God comes to help you and lead you back, you must take my bones with you.”

Joseph knew that he knew that as sure as God had precisely-down-to-the-last-detail arranged to use his thirteen years as a slave to rescue the Israelite nation God would, absolutely, positively rescue them from Egypt and return them to their promised land.  There was not one doubt in Joseph’s mind; it was so real that made his brothers promise to take his bones with them so he didn’t miss the trip!

As I look back on my life (here comes that 20/20 hindsight), I am so thankful that I had some serious trials very early and that through God’s grace, I ran to Him in my pain.  Because now, in my 50’s I can say with Joseph, surely God will come to help you and lead you back.

I know that I know, just like Joseph, that He will make a way to take the evil, sadness, and pain that has been done to you, by you, or through you and use it for your good AND GOD’S GLORY!  If he did it for Joseph and he did it for me; he will do it for you!

Praying for you!

©2012, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scriptures:   Job 1:1 through Job 4:21

God Sent Me Ahead–Genesis 45:7

January 16, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Believing God in the Hard Times, Genesis, Issues Women Face, Parenting, Tough Times, Trials with 4 Comments

Friends today’s post is more of a short story than a blog post, but I felt someone needed to hear this story.  I pray that it helps you to see God’s hand in your challenging times.

Today’s Scripture Reading: Genesis 42:1-45:15

“Please, come closer,” he said to them. So they came closer. And he said again, “I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into slavery in Egypt.  But don’t be upset, and don’t be angry with yourselves for selling me to this place. It was God who sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives. This famine that has ravaged the land for two years will last five more years, and there will be neither plowing nor harvesting.  God has sent me ahead of you to keep you and your families alive and to preserve many survivors. So it was God who sent me here, not you! And he is the one who made me an adviser to Pharaoh—the manager of his entire palace and the governor of all Egypt.  Genesis 45:4-8

Have there ever been times in your life when God had you walk through an experience to help, comfort or “preserve” others in the future?

I know, most of us will never single-handedly save a whole nation. But stop a minute and think about some of the things you’ve been through…have you ever informed, encouraged, cried with, or comforted someone in a similar situation?

You never know the difference you may have made in that person’s life.

At the young age of 20 I was pregnant with my first child. I was so excited about having a baby and being a Mom.  Everything was going great until the seventh month of my pregnancy.  I went for a check up and my baby measured much larger than he was supposed to be at that stage in the pregnancy.  The doctor sent me to the dietitian to get a special diet to slow down my weight gain.  Other than being disappointed about the rigid diet, I didn’t think anything of it.

Then, a few day’s later, I began to show signs of pre-term labor.  Little did I know, as we drove into the emergency room parking lot, I was driving into “my home away from home” for the next month.

This was 37 years ago.  The world of giving birth was very different. The doctors said I was either having twins or I had another condition called hydramnios, which was caused by an excessive amount of amniotic fluid.  They said I needed a “special” procedure called an ultrasound, to determine what was going on in my uterus.  No hospitals in my county had one of these ultrasound machines (so funny, now every doctor has one in their office) so we had to go to Pensacola, an hour away.  Oh and we traveled in an ambulance.  Just imagine an hour-plus ride with an oversized seven-month pregnant woman on a gurney in the back of the old station wagon type ambulance.  I was not a happy camper.

The test showed I did have hydramnios, so the doctors decided I would stay in the hospital until my baby was born, on bed-rest.  As I entered my room I noticed my new roommate and she was really happy, which was weird because I was really unhappy.  Her side of the room looked as if she had been there for a while.  When I got the back-story I understood.  She had been pregnant eleven times.  Each time she reached a certain point she would miscarriage.  So when she got pregnant this time the doctors put her in the hospital, for the whole pregnancy!  She was happy because she had carried this baby longer than any other time.

I thought she was crazy!  As the days turned into weeks and I got more depressed she just kept getting happier.

Little did I know that four weeks later I would understand in a much greater way the desperation this woman felt when she lost the children she wanted so bad.  On Friday night I went to sleep like normal to be awakened in the middle of the night to a river in my bed.  Those four quarts of amniotic fluid were everywhere.  When I realized what was happening, I feared the worst.  For the last two days the doctors hadn’t been able to hear a heart beat.  They had scheduled an amniocentesis for the next day, but we wouldn’t be needing that now.

I was rushed to labor and delivery and hooked up to the fetal monitor–there was no heart beat.  I prayed so hard that it was a mistake and the baby was really okay. It was no mistake.  I was given some type of strong sedative and delivered the baby a few hours later. A little boy, I never saw or held.

Did God allow me to be in the room with someone who had lost eleven babies to prepare me for my worst nightmare?  Was her delivery of a healthy baby girl God’s way of giving me hope?

I say yes.  Just a few months later I became pregnant again and delivered a perfect baby boy nine months later.

From the beginning I knew God had some reason for allowing me to go through so much pain, but what was it?  From that time on I was always drawn to women who had experienced a miscarriage or stillbirth.  I would go out of my way to meet with them, pray with them and try to encourage them.  But my real “Joseph” moment wouldn’t come until my own daughters began their journey to being a mom.

My oldest daughter Allison began working in a daycare at the age of fourteen.  She just loved babies! It wasn’t long after she got married that she began talking about having a baby.  Months turned into years and there was no pregnancy.  The pain of watching friends and family get pregnant so easy and deliver healthy babies was sometimes more than she could bear.  Finally after two years of trying to get pregnant, she went to see a fertility specialist.  She definitely had several things working against her, but after a surgery, tons of shots and fertility drugs she became pregnant.  We were all so excited, but the doctor warned us that her numbers didn’t look that strong.  A few days later Allison lost the baby.  I immediately remembered my loss years ago and did my best to comfort and encourage.  Thanks be to God a year later she was able to deliver a healthy baby boy.

Did God “send me ahead” to experience desperation of wanting baby so I could help, comfort, and preserve Allison’s hope?  Did God allow me to experience the loss of a child so I could understand?

I think so.

A few years later Allison became pregnant with her second child and three months later we found out my youngest daughter Krista was also pregnant.  The girls had so much fun!  Showers, nurseries, baby clothes.  I was overjoyed. There’s nothing like watching your girls become moms.

Allison’s second delivery would turn out to be another time I would be called upon to preserve hope in God’s plans for life.  Days before her due date we were awakened to the worst fear of our lives.  Allison seemed to be hemorrhaging.  Scared to death, we rushed to the hospital, praying all the way for Allison and our baby boy to be safe. Little did we know that God had it all under control. That night we witnessed the Holy Spirit, literally wake Allison’s doctor up and tell her to go to the hospital.  When she walked in with her “bed-head” and saw what was going on she rushed Allison in for an emergency c-section.  God used the blood from the small remains of placenta previa to get us to the hospital.  The cord was wrapped around our baby’s neck several times and he wouldn’t have survived a normal delivery.

Did God “send me ahead” to experience the fear of losing a baby so I could comfort and pray for Allison in her scariest moment?

I think so.

Six weeks later, I would again be called upon to come along side and draw from my painful experiences to walk a road with my daughter Krista that neither of us wanted to go down.

At Krista’s seven month check up she measured much larger than she should have been at that stage of the pregnancy, so the doctor did an ultrasound and noticed a blockage in the baby’s abdomen.  The doctor immediately made an appointment for Krista with a high-risk obstetrician.  Krista left the doctor’s office in a state of shock.  She called me and screamed, “Something’s wrong with my baby!”  We were so scared.

The next two months were some of the hardest days of our lives.  With each appointment came more bad news:  the baby had an intestinal blockage and would have to have surgery the day she was born.  Most babies who have this problem have Cystic Fibrosis (C.F.). Genetic testing revealed that Krista and her husband Larry were both C.F. carriers, the baby has a one in four chance of having C.F, the average life expectancy of a person with C.F. is 35 years old.  It was more than Krista could bear.

Once again I would reach in my past and pull out pain, fear, sadness and anger so that I could relate, speak life in the place of death, and keep our hope in God alive.

Since those days our baby girl Ayla has been a joy in our world for almost six years.  Yes, she had a rough start–seven weeks in the NICU, three major surgeries in her first three months of life.  Yes, she has C.F. but God has performed miracle after miracle and Ayla is a normal, healthy little girl who already has a personal testimony of the faithfulness of God.

You would think that would be enough, but last year Krista also had a miscarriage but this time I wasn’t alone in using my past to understand and encourage; now my daughter Allison also grieved and empathized as only someone who’s been there could.

God prepared me to be there for my daughters, and many others.  God prepared Allison to be there for Krista and many others.  God has prepared Krista to be there for people she hasn’t even met.

I’m happy to report that Krista had a perfectly healthy, C.F. free baby girl a little over a ago.  I can’t describe the rejoicing that has been going on in our family!

As a mom who’s now sitting back and seeing God’s hand over it all, I’m thankful for my preparation.  I can say with Joseph, You (enemy of my soul) intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. (Genesis 50:20)

****************************

He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others.

When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same

comfort God has given us. 2 Corinthians 1:4

Thank you God for sending me ahead.

 

©2012, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  Genesis 45:16-47:27

Today Could Be The Day!

January 15, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Blessings, Commitment, Faith, Genesis, Giving Our Best to God, leadership, righteous living, The Promises of God, Tough Times, Trials, Workplace with 0 Comments

Today’s scripture reading: Genesis 40: 1-23; Genesis 35: 28-29; Genesis 41:1-57

 

Sometime later (Gen 40:1) + quite some time (Gen. 40:4) + two full years (Gen. 41:1) = a  l-o-n-g  time!

 

In Genesis 37, we are told Joseph was seventeen years old when he was sold by his brothers.  From the sources that I checked, he was approximately 30 years old when he got out of prison.  THIRTEEN YEARS!

Just think about Joseph waking up that final morning.  It was like any other morning.

He went through his same routine, was just doing his job, when in an instant—it was all over.

Can you imagine the thoughts that were running through his head as he was shaving to go before Pharaoh?

I wonder if he had lost hope of getting out of that prison.

He probably thought the cupbearer had forgotten him…

…He probably thought God had forgotten him.

One of the many things that amaze me about Joseph is his commitment to excellence.  Yes, God was with him but Joseph could have missed his destiny by having a bad attitude, but he didn’t.  He did a great job without a salary, a day off, or any future hope of getting out; because it was the right thing to do!

Not only did he do the right thing, he said the right thing! In Genesis 40:8, Joseph says to the cup-bearer and the baker, “Interpreting dreams is God’s business.”  Then in Genesis 41:16 he told Pharaoh, “It is beyond my power to do this.  But God can tell you what it means and set you at ease.”

Wow, thirteen years made a big difference!

No longer was Joseph a self-righteous, self-vindicating teenager.  Now wisdom so exuded from Joseph’s countenance that Pharaoh was willing to turn his whole kingdom over to him after brief conversation.  But it’s like Pharaoh said, “Can we find anyone like this man so obviously filled with the Spirit of God?” (Genesis 41:38)

Somewhere in those thirteen years change occurred.

I love R.T. Kendall’s commentary on this chapter:

“If God puts his finger on you, it is enough to change you, your family, your church—even a nation and the world.  The highest compliment a man can ever have is to be tapped on the shoulder by God.  When that happens wonderful things are at hand.  Yet, when that happens it means that a time of preparation is also at hand.”

Joseph had thirteen years of preparation and then in one day God moved him into the role planned just for him.  In Jeremiah 29:11, God tells us he has plans for us, just like Joseph.

No, we may not be the second in command of a nation and saving the Jewish race, but God is preparing each of us for what he made us for; so get excited!

Today could be the day you’re called upon to do what the God of the Universe made you for!

Don’t miss it!

And if you have to wait another day; follow Joseph’s example and live today with excellence!

Thanking God for the opportunity to serve Him!

 

Tomorrow’s scripture reading: January 16: Genesis 42: 1-45:15

When Our Dreams are Shattered –Genesis 37-39

January 14, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Believing God in the Hard Times, Depression, Genesis, Tough Times, Trials with 2 Comments

Today’s Reading:  Genesis 37: 1-38:30; 1 Chronicles 2:3-6, 8; Genesis 39: 1-23

Joseph is one of my favorite Bible heroes.

He became my best friend a few years ago when I was going through the hardest trial of my life.  I had known about Joseph and his coat of many colors since I was in elementary school but thanks to a book someone recommended, God used Joseph to bring healing to my shattered dreams.

“God Meant it For Good” by R.T. Kendall is a book on the life of Joseph.  Other than the Bible this  has been the most impactful book of my life.  It helped me to lose my bitter attitude and look to the future with joy and expectancy.

I  pulled out my tattered and worn copy of “God Meant It For Good” today.  I thought I’d share some of my underlined (starred, highlighted, etc) quotes that carried me through my difficult time.

  • God gave Joseph a dream.  Most likely he He  should have kept quiet about it, but like most of us, Joseph probably thought he would see if fulfilled shortly. When God shows us that he is going to use us (and He does that), we usually tend to think that we are going to see this happen in the next week or two. It may be a good while indeed before God’s greater purpose in us will be realized. We may need to keep it to ourselves for a while.
  • Joseph wanted more than anything  to be admired by others, especially his brothers.  This became an obsession with Joseph.  When God shows us that He will use us, there is almost always a certain appeal to our own self-esteem. Though God speaks to us at our own level in order to motivate us, that very self-esteem to which He appeals needs radical surgery before He can use us.
  • Even if God does something in an supernatural, undeniable way, it doesn’t make us exempt from Satan’s subtle temptation to suggest, “This was you.  You did that.  God wasn’t in that at all.”
  • Even though we abuse the gift God gives us, he doesn’t take the gift away (Romans 11:29).
  • There comes a time when self-interest must be swallowed up by God’s greater glory.
  • When God is a work in your life, you can expect others to be jealous.
  • Dr. Lloyd-Jones used to say that the worst thing that can happen to a person is to be successful before he’s ready.  Joseph wanted to be successful, but he wasn’t ready.

This is just one chapter of “nuggets.”  I’m sure I’ll have to share a few more before we leave Genesis.

I’d like to encourage you to take today’s reading and these points from the book and make it personal.  You may feel your dreams have been shattered.  You may feel you’ve been betrayed by someone who was supposed to love you. You may feel as though you’re in the pit or the prison with Joseph.  Look up—pray to your God; ask Him to restore your dreams and to make you the person He planned for you to be.

Genesis 39:21– But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love.

I pray that you rest in the faithful love of your Lord today!

 

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

January 15′s  Reading:  Genesis 40:  1-23; Genesis 35: 28-29, Genesis 41: 1-57

But God You Promised! –Genesis 39:9-12

January 12, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Commitment, Genesis, The Promises of God, Trust with 0 Comments

Today’s Reading:  Genesis 32:1 – 35:27

“But you promised!”

How many times have you said this to your parents, your spouse, or a close friend?  I

f you’re a parent, how many times have your children said this to you?

People break promises.  It’s gotten so bad in today’s culture that no one wants to make a promise/commitment because they don’t want to limit their options; they don’t want to feel bad for breaking a promise, so they just don’t make one.

In today’s reading, Jacob has just heard that his brother Esau was on his way with an army of 400 men.  Jacob immediately went to prayer:

“O God of my grandfather Abraham, and God of my father, Isaac—O Lord, you told me, ‘Return to your own land and to your relatives.’ And you promised me, ‘I will treat you kindly.’  I am not worthy of all the unfailing love and faithfulness you have shown to me, your servant.  When I left home and crossed the Jordan River, I owned nothing except a walking stick.  Now my household fills two large camps!  O Lord, please rescue me from the hand of my brother, Esau.  I am afraid that he is coming to attack me, along with my wives and children.  But you promised me, ‘I will surely treat you kindly, and I will multiply your descendants until they become as numerous as the sands along the seashore—too many too count.’”   ~Genesis 32: 9-12

In this prayer Jacob was quoting back what God had said to him.  Jacob said to the God of the Universe, “YOU PROMISED.”

What do you think about that?

Can we say to El-Shaddai—God Almighty, “You Promised”?

I think so, if we don’t mis-quote Him or take His promises out of the appropriate context.  This is why we are taking this journey.  How can we say to God, “You Promised” if we don’t know what He promised?

Over my last 27 years of Bible reading, I’ve always read with a pencil in hand.  When I find a promise from God, I underline it and sometimes put a date beside it.  Many times I write something back to God about that promise in the margin of my Bible.  I can’t begin to tell you how this has helped me believe “God will do what he says he will do.”

God did keep his promise to Jacob.  His brother Esau welcomed him with open arms.  It looks like God was working in Esau’s life as well as Jacob’s.  Esau sure came a long way from the days of planning to kill Jacob in Genesis 27:41.

We can trust God.

He keeps His promises.

He cannot lie.

This truth gives them confidence that they have eternal life, which God—who does not lie—promised them before the world began.     ~Titus 1:2

As we move through this journey to know God more, let’s also be on a daily promise hunt.  Having the promises of God written down and memorized helps us to resist the discouragement that the enemy of our soul tries to use to get us down.  I would encourage you to write down the promises that are particular to you in this season of your life in the blank pages in the front and back of your Bible and then refer to them often.

Jacob has come a long way from stealing his brother’s blessing. I can’t wait to see what happens next!

May all God’s Promises be yours!

 

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Genesis 32:1-35:27

13 Ways to Find Favor With Your Boss–Genesis 30:27

January 11, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Christian Living, Genesis, Giving Our Best to God, leadership, Success, Trust, Workplace with 0 Comments

Today’s Reading:  Genesis 30:25-31:55

The Lord has blessed me because of you.  Tell me how much I owe you.  Whatever it is, I’ll pay it. –Genesis 30:27

Laban, Jacob’s father-in-law spoke these words to Jacob when Jacob asked to be released to go home to his own country.

Just imagine…  you walked into work and your boss calls you in his office and says, “There’s something I need to tell you.  The Lord has blessed me because of you.  I would like to give you a raise.  How much would you like?”

You’re laughing aren’t you?

I know this sounds crazy, but I really believe we can find favor with those in authority over us IF we do what Jacob did.  He had an amazing work ethic. Let’s look at some of the high points (I’ve included some of yesterday’s reading so we can get the whole picture):

  1. Jacob was always looking for more efficient ways to do things (Gen. 29:7)
  2. Jacob saw the need and took care of it.  He didn’t wait to be asked or told. (Gen. 29:10)
  3. Jacob began working for Laban before his salary was discussed. So when Jacob asked to marry Rachel for his wages, Laban agreed because he knew Jacob was someone he could trust to take care of his daughter.  (Gen. 29:15)
  4. Jacob respected Laban’s authority when he was forced to marry Leah before Rachel.
  5. Jacob worked fourteen years for the woman he loved.
  6. Jacob was decisive.  When Laban asked him how much his wages should be, he immediately had an answer.  He thought about this ahead of time. (Gen. 30:31-33)
  7. Jacob found creative ways to work around Laban’s deceitful ways. (Gen. 37-43)
  8. Jacob knew God had been with him. (Gen. 31:4)
  9. Jacob listened for the voice of God and to the voice of God, and then he obeyed the voice of God. (Gen. 31:10-13)
  10. Jacob was honest about his feelings.  “I rushed away because I was afraid.” (Gen 31:31)
  11. Jacob treated Laban’s business like it was his own for 20 years.  (Gen. 31:38-39)
  12. Jacob was a hard worker. (Gen. 31:42)
  13. Jacob showed as much respect for Laban on their last day together as their first by making a covenant to always respect their boundary lines. (Gen. 31: 45-54

Jacob was living out the promise God made to Abraham in Genesis 12: 2-3

I will make you into a great nation.  I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others.  I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt.  All the families on earth will be blessed through you.

 There’s some really good news for those of us who have accepted Christ as our Savior; Abraham’s promise is for us too!

If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.  –Galatians 3:29

On this Friday, January 11, 2013, let’s go out and live like we’re Abraham’s kids by being a blessing to others!

Blessings in Jesus!

 

©2012, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Genesis 32:1-35:27

God, Where Are You? –Genesis 28:16

January 10, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Genesis, God Speaks today, Holy Spirit with 1 Comment

Today’s Scripture Reading: Genesis 28:6-30:24

It was an ordinary night on the road to Haran.  Jacob found a good place to set up camp and a smooth stone to rest his head. His plan was to get some much-needed rest.

But once he closed his eyes, everything changed.  He was escorted into the presence of the Living God!

The only regret Jacob seemed to have on that special night was his unawareness of the presence of God.

God can be hovering over us but if we’re not looking for Him we just might miss Him.

Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I wasn’t even aware of it!” –Genesis 28:16

I wonder how many times we’ve been in the presence of God and were completely clueless.  God doesn’t always come in “awesomeness” and He doesn’t always send angels.  Sometimes God shows up on an ordinary day, in an ordinary place and uses ordinary people to represent Him.

Jacob was so overwhelmed by the presence of God he named the place “Bethel” which means house of God.

Little did Jacob know that God was with him on the way to Haran and He would be with him on the way to Paddan-aram, not just at Bethel. Deuteronomy 31:6, Hebrews 13:5

Are you wondering where God is?

Will you hear Him when He speaks?

Or is the noise of your life so loud God can’t get your attention?

Stop.

Get quiet.

Rest.

Wait.

Don’t miss Him!

 

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  Genesis 30:25-31:55

Two Ways to Deal With the Prosperity of Others? –Genesis 26:14

January 9, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Christian Living, Depression, Genesis, Tough Times, Trials with 2 Comments


Today’s Scripture Reading:  Genesis 25:27-28:5

These are tough times.  I spoke with someone today who has been out of work for almost a year.  Several of my friends are battling life threatening health problems and/or many have family members who are seriously ill.  Too many couples I know are considering divorce.

When you’re going through a hard place, how do you deal with the prosperity of others?

I’m afraid that most of us react the same way the Philistines did when they saw the supernatural prosperity of Isaac.

When Isaac planted his crops that year, he harvested a hundred times more grain than he planted, for the Lord blessed him. He became a very rich man, and his wealth continued to grow. He acquired so many flocks of sheep and goats, herds of cattle, and servants that the Philistines became jealous of him. So the Philistines filled up all of Isaac’s wells with dirt. These were the wells that had been dug by the servants of his father, Abraham. –Genesis 26: 12-15

Is jealousy the initial reaction of most human beings?

Have you ever asked yourself, a friend, or God…

  • Why do they have it so easy?
  • Why do they have such an easy time getting pregnant and having babies?
  • Why do they seem to be so healthy?
  • Why do they have such a nice house?
  • Why do they have such a wonderful marriage?
  • Why do they have such a healthy family?
  • Why do they get all the promotions?
  • Why do they never struggle with their weight?

The Philistines not only asked those questions they took their jealousy to the next level; they decided to destroy Isaac through his most important resource, his water.

I feel pretty confident in saying that none of us have filled our neighbors wells with dirt, but we have done things just as destructive…

  • Torn them down with our words
  • Started rumors and repeated gossip about them
  • Stopped being their friend

Whether we’re throwing dirt in a well or spreading the destructive venom of gossip, God cannot and will not bless that behavior.  The consequences of unbridled jealousy have eternal consequences, set a bad example to other Christians (especially our children), and cause non-Christians to be repulsed by our hypocrisy.

What should we do when we feel the fire of jealousy rising up?

  1. Call it what it is: “Lord, I’m jealous.  Forgive me.”
  2. Pray for greater blessings to be given to that person.

Repeat the process as often as necessary.

I’m sure jealousy will be one of Satan’s favorite tools until Jesus returns, but when we recognize what it is, where it comes from and then remember how God feels about it, letting go of those feelings of envy and jealousy will become much easier.

Heavenly Father, forgive us of our jealous thoughts and feelings.  Holy Spirit, help us to immediately recognize the spirit of jealousy rising up within us.  Help us to say “no” to those feelings and send genuine blessings in place of jealousy and envy.

In Jesus’ Name.  Amen and Amen!

 

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  Genesis 28:6-30:24

The Blended Family that Didn’t Blend — Genesis 25

January 8, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Divorce, Family, Genesis with 1 Comment

Today’s Reading:  Gen. 25: 1-4, 1 Chron. 1:32:33, Gen, 25:5-6, 12-18, 1 Chron.1:28-31, 34, Gen. 25:19-26, 7-11

Wow!

Today’s reading was really short.

I guess stopping at the death of Abraham gave us time to reflect  on his life before we change gears and move to Jacob and Esau.

As I sat and read and re-read today’s section I kept thinking about Abraham and all the drama he had with his family.  In today’s world we would call Abraham’s situation a blended family, but from what I can tell, they were too much like oil and water to blend.  Here are the highlights:

  • Sarah and Hagar, the mothers of Abraham’s two children couldn’t stand each other
  • Ishmael was constantly ridiculing Isaac; so much so that Sarah sent him away when he was in his teens
  • Abraham got a new wife and/or concubine (today’s reading is confusing about that) after Sarah died and had six more sons
  • “Ishmael’s descendents lived in open hostility toward all their relatives.” (Gen 25:18)
  • Jacob and Esau, Abraham’s grandsons began their sibling rivalry in the womb

 

As a parent who’s a part of a blended family, that includes step children, step grandchildren and in-laws (yes, in-laws are a form of a blended family)

AND

a parent who makes her fare share of mistakes.

Abraham’s family helps me to understand three things:

  • Just because I love God and seek to serve him doesn’t guarantee that I will always make the best decisions when it comes to my family.
  • Sibling rivalry has been around since Adam and Eve’s kids so it will definitely show up in today’s blended families.
  • I cannot fix most of the issues between our children, I need to take a hands off approach.

As I try to imagine Abraham’s world, the only word I can think of to describe it is “drama”!  The culture of that day didn’t play fair; everybody didn’t get an equal share.  From what I know as a parent in a blended family, making an effort to treat each child as equally as possible is a critical element in the success of bringing two families together.  As the mom and step-mom in our huge family of 23 (includes 12 grandkids), it is my goal to have peace, harmony, and laughter in all of our times together.  Of course that isn’t always the case, but it’s my desire.

From the viewpoint of a person who does not like drama, it seems like Abraham had a tough family life, but from the last comment made about him it seems he had it all in perspective.  “Abraham lived for 175 years, and he died at a ripe old age, having lived a long and satisfying life.” (Genesis 25:7)

“A long and satisfying life”…isn’t that what we all want?

If you have a chance, take a trip over to Hebrews 11:8-19 and find out why Abraham’s life was so satisfying.  My favorite part of this passage is “All these people (includes Abraham) died still believing what God had promised them.”  Lord, help me to believe your promises until the day I die and then I will have that satisfying life Abraham talked about!

One more thing, I was so glad to hear that Isaac AND Ishmael buried their father together.  I would like to think they sat around the fire and talked about all the good things they loved about their father.

What do you think happened?

Blessings in Jesus!

 

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Genesis 25:27-28:5

Abraham, My Hero

January 7, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Faith, Genesis, Giving Our Best to God, God Speaks today, The Promises of God with 2 Comments


Today’s Scripture Reading:  Genesis 21:8-23:20, Genesis 11:32, Genesis 24:1-67

In yesterday’s devotion I  grouped Abraham with the rest of the dysfunctionals, but today he  recovered his position as a Patriarch of my faith!

My thoughts on today’s  reading–There were so many things I wanted to share I had to list them in bullets:

  • I realized for the first time that Abraham actually was willing to sacrifice both of his children.  At the last minute he got a reprieve and did not have to sacrifice Isaac but he did sacrifice Ishmael. No Abraham did not have to kill Ishmael and burn him on an altar, but he did have to send him away and not get to be a part of his life for the good of God’s plan. In Genesis 21:12, God told Isaac not to be upset about Ishmael leaving because Isaac was the son through whom Abraham’s descendants would be counted.
  •  Abimelech, King of Gerar (the king who was going to marry Sarah because he thought Abraham was her brother) came back into Abraham’s life and the two men made a treaty to live peacefully together.  The king had been observing Abraham and came to the conclusion that, “that God is obviously with you, helping you in everything you do.”  How wonderful would it be if the people in our neighborhood or office at work would say that about us!
  •  From my observations of Adam, Noah, and Abraham that God required three things from his chosen:
    • To listen for God to speak
    • To hear God when He speaks
    • To be obedient to God’s instructions
  •   Abraham was a man of character who wanted to pay his way.  He insisted on paying  for the family tomb to bury his wife Sarah even though he was offered it for free several times.
  • Isaac and Rebecca stories still happen today.  God is still in the match-making business.  I’ll have to tell you my story sometime!
  • Nose-rings aren’t anything new.
  • I want to be able to say these words of Abraham  at the end of my life: “The Lord is whose presence I have lived…” (Gen 24:40)
  • I can’t imagine allowing my young daughter to ride off into the desert on a camel with a man I just met yesterday, knowing I would probably never see her again.

This is the seventh day of our journey.  As I look back on what I’ve learned, two scriptures come to mind.  No, they weren’t written during Abraham or Isaac’s lifetime, but I believe our omnipresent God had already set them in place as spiritual laws before the world was created.

These two scriptures help me to rest in the things I can’t explain:

Genesis 50:20- You (Satan) intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.  (Italics mine—in this instance Joseph was talking about his brothers, but harm and evil ultimately comes from the devil)

Romans 8:28 - And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Congratulations on completing your first week of the journey!

Thanking God for you! 

 

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Genesis 25:1-4; 1 Chronicles 1:32-33;     Genesis 25:5-6, 12-18; 1 Chronicles 1:28-31, 34; Genesis 25:19-26, 7-11

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