Sometimes the pain in this life is so great that only an eternal perspective can heal. Today’s zeitgeist is “have it all…here and now”. But, in reality, we are not just bodies; we are souls with bodies. We will live forever with God, or live forever without Him.

Gameplan:

But now that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers became fearful. “Now Joseph will show his anger and pay us back for all the wrong we did to him,” they said. So they sent this message to Joseph: “Before your father died, he instructed us to say to you: ‘Please forgive your brothers for the great wrong they did to you—for their sin in treating you so cruelly.’ So we, the servants of the God of your father, beg you to forgive our sin.” When Joseph received the message, he broke down and wept. Then his brothers came and threw themselves down before Joseph. “Look, we are your slaves!” they said. 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. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.” ~Genesis 50:15-20, NLT

Time Out:

In the life of Joseph, his brothers meant evil by selling him as a slave, but Joseph transcended their evil intent to bring goodness and life to them and many others. In our lives, God’s enemy means evil, but God overcomes evil and even death. Never forget to account for eternity and God’s costly gift of eternal life.

Go Deep:

Are you chasing hard after the finances and rewards of career? Is your focus on getting your life to be comfortable and thrilling? Be aware, God designed you to never be satisfied with less than knowing Him forever. Are you facing the most painful of losses, perhaps the loss of a child or spouse? My heart goes out to you. Ask God to help you and others vibrantly see the eternal life Jesus achieved for us.

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The NFL Network recently ran “A FOOTBALL LIFE” on Steve Largent. Besides his dad leaving his family when he was six, the deepest blitz he ever faced was the early days of his son Kramer’s birth defect. It deeply shaped Steve for good. Let’s see how we can grow.

Gameplan:

I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.  I can do [handle] all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:12-13 (ESV)

Time Out:

We can’t control the circumstances of our lives, as much as society coaches us to try. But the Apostle Paul says something radical to us. No matter the situation, he could, and we can, handle it through our surrender to and trust in Jesus Christ. His Spirit fills us to handle anything. Don’t doubt this. The key is to abide in Jesus (think about, talk to, listen to, rejoice in, trust, serve, obey, and love) constantly and trust Him in every situation.

Go Deep:

Determine that the next time you face trouble, loss, and trial you’ll turn to God and take His approach: ask for help. Call out to God and be ready to accept the help of key friends or mentors. And, look for someone else to encourage. Then, in time, your challenge will give you empathy and experience to help support others in their trial.

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If there were no fire department, and you drove through a neighborhood with a home on fire, would you gather people to fight the fire?  The answer depends upon our sense of responsibility to help others, and upon our mindset to tackle problems rather than observe them.

Gameplan:

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.     Galatians 6:2-3  (ESV)

Time Out:

Modern life has thoroughly trained us to be consumers who wired to be entertained. Being entertained as a consumer in life can bring an arrogance and aloofness that places us on the sidelines of life.  If we’re not careful we fall into the rut of thinking, “someone else can take care of that”.

Go Deep:

Decide to examine your basic approach to life’s situations and problems facing other people.  Are you more interested in observing or helping?  Do you leave the matter to others, or take the initiative to help out?  Jesus is the role model for each of us.  He was not an observer.  He was a solver.  Pray for ways to help people and solve problems…and then be on alert to put out the fire.

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When a doctor says he has bad news about what they’ve found, or you learn that your spouse or child’s health is at risk, that pit-of the-stomach wrenching is natural. If you fill your self up with God’s gameplan (His word) you’ll find that God always holds every situation in His hands

Gameplan:

Jesus said, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NLT)

Time Out:

Is God’s peace based on circumstances or His presence? Think about this – if we placed 95% of our gratitude and hope in the perfect eternal life God has planned for those who accept Him, we’d be less panicked about stuff. If we read scripture, we see how God has always been faithful and is sovereign over all of history, and that includes our exact situations.

Go Deep:

Read the story of Joseph and pay attention to the life and sayings of Saul who became the Apostle Paul. Are you willing to make the Bible your mental and emotional software for how to handle life?
Next time you’re in a car accident, or the market crashes, or a diagnosis like cancer hits tell yourself the truth that God is good, in control and cares for you, no matter the outcome.
Don’t panic. Pray for Jesus’ peace.  Ask God to teach you about His sovereignty.

So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.      Deuteronomy 31:6 (NLT)

 

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If you’re mad at someone, still bitter at what they said or did to you…I know how you’re feeling. And, I want to help you handle it in a radical way that will turn out well for you…and others. This devotion is about setting yourself free from our anger over minor offenses in life. (Minor offenses are best overlooked. Major offenses likely need to be confronted in wisdom and in love.)

Gameplan:

A man’s understanding makes him slow to anger. It is to his honor to forgive and forget a wrong done to him (to overlook an offense). Proverbs 19:11 NLV

[Love] does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 1 Cor 13:5 NLT

Time Out:

(Reminder – we’re talking about minor issues here, not major sins and damaging wrongs.)

Perhaps you, like me, have created unnecessary emotion and complexity when you didn’t overlook an offense. Have you etched a record in your brain about being wronged and then held onto that bitter memory?

Maybe you acted out your frustration or anger. How’d that work out? Think about how much God has forgiven us, how huge His grace is toward us. Then think about how being thin-skinned and bitter poisons our own attitude and relationships.

Go Deep:

Practice the effectiveness of wisdom and brilliance of love…don’t be self-centered and irritable…overlook an offense and don’t etch a wrong in your memory. Forgive…it sets you free from bitterness and messed up relationships.

List the names of people who you are mad at or bitter about. Write “Forgiven” across the whole sheet and throw it away. Thank God for sacrificing Jesus to forgive you and ask Him to help you forgive and overlook future offenses.

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