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…

The Essential 100, Day 8 Trust during Trial. Abraham had his prayers answered and he had a son. Now it seemed that God was taking him away. Still, Abraham was obedient and he trusted God’s bigger plan so he was faithful during his trials. Read Genesis 21 snd 22. Such rejoicing and happiness with the birth of Isaac, only to be met with being asked to sacrifice him in the very next chapter. How do we show that we trust God? Every day we experience difficulties and trials that seem to go against what we thought God meant for us. We learn more about ourselves and we have a chance…

The Essential 100, Day 7 God made a promise, or a covenant with Abram. It was a fantastic, unbelievable kind of promise that Abram had no way of confirming that God would do it. Yet, even with such a great potential to doubt, Abram believed. Read Genesis 15. Through this chapter, we see all that God does and has Abram do in order to demonstrate just how serious God was about fulfilling this promise. And even though it seemed completely crazy that it would be possible, Abram believed. Do we believe God’s promises? Do we believe all of God’s promises, even the amazing and fantastic ones that we can’t begin…

The Essential 100, Day 6 A calling. God had called Abran, later named Abraham, and gave him purpose. God does the same for us. Read Genesis 11:1-17. God is the one who gives us purpose. God is the one who calls us. When we look at our lives, do we recognize God’s call on our life? No matter who we are or what we do, God has called us. We are to follow that calling. When was the last time you thought about your calling from God? For me, it has been quite a while. Our calling becomes our passion. It becomes our focus and what energizes us. If we…