The Essential 100, Day 18 God brings judgment. As we continue to learn more about God, we see that God brings judgment to those who do not follow him. He doesn’t just judge people, but he judges nations as well. Read Exodus 6:28-11:10. God judges the nation of Egypt for their sin and harsh treatment of the Israelites. God sees their disobedience and He gives them multiple opportunities to repent, but Pharaoh won’t. As we look at our nations, we must remember that God will judge it as well. Are we a nation and a people who seek after Him? Do we recognize our sins and repent, or just continue…

The Essential 100, Day 17 Moses was called by God. But, God didn’t call him until he got his attention. Moses had to decide to turn and look. Read Exodus 3 – 4:17. God did something incredible to get Moses’s attention. A bush burned, but wasn’t burned up. But, God didn’t call to him until Moses made the decision to go and look. Only then did God call to him. Many of us want God to speak to us and to give us direction and purpose in our lives. But, God isn’t going to call us unless we are paying attention to him. When was the last time we actually…

The Essential 100, Day 16 God is concerned. So many times we look at our life and we think that it is just us going through difficult situations and no one cares. God cares and God is concerned about us. Read Exodus 1-2. All through these two chapters we see the care and concern of God. He cared for Joseph. He cared for the midwives. He cared for the Hebrews. He cared for Moses. Moses’s life was completely under the care of God, just like we are. When we look at our lives, do we see the care and concern of God? We may not see it, but that doesn’t…

The Essential 100, Day 15 It’s not really us. We think we have some much control and we think we influence so much, but really, it is God who is working and moving to impact and direct everything. Read Genesis 45 – 46:6. As Joseph reveals himself to his brothers, he had legitimate reason to be angry and upset with his brothers. Instead, Joseph tells them that it wasn’t his fault and it was ultimately part of God’s plan. We need to get to the place where we see everything that happens to us as part of God’s bigger plan. God keeps us exactly where he wants us to be…

The Essential 100, Day 14 Change. As we go through life, our circumstances change regularly. The question becomes, do we change as well. As we allowing God to move in our lives and change us. Judah did. Read Genesis 43 and 44. With Joseph, Judah had been one of the people talking about selling Joseph. Now, years later, Judah is the one defending Benjamin and begging for his life. If we will let him, God can work miraculous change in our lives. God desires to see us become more like him every day and he will help guide us on that change. Will we let him? Only God can truly…

The Essential 100, Day 13 Difficult family. Dealing with difficult family members this is not something that is new. Joseph had experienced a lot of problems dealing with his brothers, and now he’s in a position over them and he responds by being difficult back to them. Read Genesis 42:1-38. Joseph had been mistreated by his brothers. He had been thrown into a pit and sold into slavery. Now his brothers are here are in need of Joseph’s help. Instead of telling them who he is and seeking to help them, Joseph starts by treating them harshly and hiding his identity. Joseph uses this is an opportunity to see whether…

The Essential 100, Day 12 Forgotten. Have you ever felt forgotten? Joseph did, and God was still with him. Read Genesis 39-41. As we read the story we see how God was with Joseph through everything color even when it didn’t feel I get. Joseph felt forgotten. He was doing what you are supposed to be doing and yet difficulties and trials continue to come out him. Even when he thought he had hope that someone would remember him, they still forgot him. I have felt forgotten many times in my life. People have promised me things or told me they would do thinks and then, nothing. This is especially…

The Essential 100, Day 11 More family squabbles. Now that Jacob is older and has children, the arguments that he had with his own brother have now moved to arguments between his sons. Read Genesis 37. Joseph is the favorite son and what he says and does ends up making him the favorite target. When we look at our family, God reminds us that he is Lord of our family and our family relationships. What are we teaching our family? Do we admit our sin to them so that they learn and understand how to follow Christ? God desires to work and move in our family. Will we let him?…

The Essential 100, Day 10 Reconciliation. As family, Jacob and Esau had always been against each other. Now, God wants us to see that he is a God who brings reconciliation. Read Genesis 32 and 33. Jacob encountered God and as a result, he was not the same. Jacob no longer was trying to trick and deceive Esau. Jacob sent gifts and presents to try to help his brother see that he was a changed man. Only God can save us and change us and make us who he wants us to be in Him. Will we let God have the freedom to work in our family relationships? He may…

The Essential 100, Day 9 How do your family relationship encourage or discourage your relationship with God? Read Genesis 27 and 28. God places us into families and his desire is that they are a place that we can learn and grow in Him. Sometimes that’s the case, and sometimes it’s not. However, God desires that we love and respect our families. Even Jacob and Esau with all they were going through, God desired that they treat each other like a family. How are we allowing our families to encourage us to be more obedient to Christ and how are we allowing our families to discourage us? If our families…