From the Pit to the Palace

Today's Reading: Psalm 45, Genesis 41:1‐36, 2 Chronicles 18:1‐19:3, Acts 11:19‐30

Genesis 41:1-36 - There are two adjectives that really struck me as I read this passage today. The first is the word whole. "After two whole years, Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing by the Nile . . ."

Joesph had been waiting for the chief cupbearer to follow through on his promise for two whole years. That is a long time to wait! God still had work for Joseph in that prison cell. And, you can bet that some of that work was chiseling Joseph into who God was calling him to be. The writer really wanted us to understand that it had been a long time that Joseph had to wait.

The second adjective is the word quickly. It describes just how fast Joseph went from the pit to the palace. When God chooses to work, it can seem like a whirlwind! God had spent time forming Joseph into someone that He could use for His divine purposes, and Joseph was quickly restored.

When we are in the pit, we should remember the story of Joseph. He went from the pit to the palace quickly, after waiting for two whole years for a promise to be kept.

For notes on all of today's readings, click here.

The Dark Night of the Soul

Today's Reading: Psalm 44, Genesis 40, 2 Chronicles 17, Acts 10:1‐11:18

Psalm 44 - The desperate cry for help that the Sons of Korah present to the Lord in Psalm 44 is a beautiful reminder of the place that the children of Israel held in God's heart. God had seemingly forgotten the plight of His children. God, of course, had not forgotten; but sometimes when we go through tough periods even those who walk faithfully with God feel his absence.

Mother Theresa wrote about her dark night of the soul. C. H. Spurgeon often wrote of the difficult times that came in his life. C. S. Lewis chronicled the pain that came in his life when his wife passed away. Following God isn't always easy. Sometimes His hand doesn't seem to work the way that we wish it would. But, His plans remain good; and we can trust in Him. In fact, the Sons of Korah show us in Psalm 44 that it is pure folly to trust in anyone else.

For notes on all of today's passages click here.

God's GPS

Psalm 42‐43, Genesis 39, 2 Chronicles 16, Acts 9:32‐43

Genesis 39 - I was talking with someone this week about God's GPS. When it came to Joseph's life, the young man must have felt like God's directions just didn't make sense. One day Joseph is being adored by his father, and the next he is being betrayed by his brothers. One day Joseph is being sold into slavery, the next he is put in charge of Potiphar's home. One day he is doing a great job, the next he is being seduced by Potiphar's wife.

Joseph was a godly young man. He rebuffed Potiphar's wife, and paid a huge price. It was imprisonment on false charges for Joseph! Doesn't sound quite like the reward that somebody living a godly life deserves. But, that was his life.

Joseph would be used mightily by God, but God was going to use him in places that Joseph never imagined. Remember that no matter what situation we find ourselves in, faithfulness to God is the answer. Like Joseph, God's plans for us are not quite what we would expect, but they will ultimately be for our best and His glory.

Acts 9:32-43 - There is something unfortunate that happens to many of us the more we become familiar with the Bible. Sometimes we lose the awe of the stories like the one in Acts 9:36-43. Tabitha, a woman who was dead, is raised to life through the power of Christ! That's right, a dead woman was made alive again! Only God has the power to do that. The same God who restored the life of Tabitha back to her has the power to work in lives today. Let's never forget that, and never let the awe go away.

For notes on the rest of today's readings click here.

Who God Sees Is Different Than Who We See

Today's Reading: Psalm 41, Genesis 38, 2 Chronicles 15, Acts 9:1‐31

Acts 9:1-31 - The conversion of Saul has to be one of my favorite stories of all time. Why? Because it shows the incredible grace of our Lord. There was nothing about Saul that should have attracted God's grace. This was a man who was seeking to destroy the infant church. But, God reached out in grace to save Saul. He chose Saul to be his child. And, what a man He chose! God would use Saul, whose name would be changed to Paul, to write more than 2/3 of the New Testament. This is a man who shook his world for Jesus Christ. God saw potential in Saul. He saw not who Saul was, but who Saul would become.

If you have been saved by Jesus Christ, thank Him for the work of grace in your life. Thank Him for choosing you to be His child. Thank Him for not giving you what you deserve, but instead for showering you with grace. He is a loving God!

For notes on all of today's readings, click here.

God Has A Plan

Psalm 40, Genesis 37, 2 Chronicles 14, Acts 8

Genesis 37 - Genesis 37 lays the foundation for the story of Joseph's rise to power in Egypt. Who would have thought, just reading Genesis 37, that a boy, hated by his brothers, a bit arrogant, and a dreamer would accomplish the things that he would accomplish over the years to come?

Joseph's story teaches us the sovereignty of Christ. God had a plan for Joseph that involved his being sold into slavery. The young arrogant boy would not have understood that plan. Neither would the brothers. What the brothers meant for evil, God turned to good.

I wonder how many of life's circumstances that we find ourselves complaining about are truly blessings of God in disguise. We need to be a people who trust in the sovereignty of God, no matter the circumstances we find ourselves in.


Acts 8 - Acts 8 is an important chapter in the history of the early church. It is in this chapter that we see the Gospel proclaimed in Samaria. There were some believers who were shocked to see that the Samaritans had received the Gospel and the gift of the Holy Spirit and dispatched Peter and John to see if it was true.

It certainly was true. Jesus had told the disciples to make disciples of all nations, and that they would be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the uttermost parts of the earth.

Jerusalem and Judea had already begun to respond to the Gospel. Now Samaria was.

Remember, Samaritans and Jews did not get along. One of the markers of the church of Jesus Christ is that the world will know we are Christians because we love one another. Praise God for this truth! We can rejoice that the Gospel has spread, and continue to pray for the Gospel to reach every culture.

May we as a church always be known for our love for one another.

For notes on all of today's passages click here.

When Persecution Comes

Today's Reading: Psalm 39, Genesis 36, 2 Chronicles 13, Acts 6:8‐7:60

Acts 6:8‐7:60 - The story of the first Christian martyr, Stephen is an interesting one.

Stephen was being used greatly by God, as demonstrated in Acts 6:8. I believe that all of hell took notice at how God was using Stephen, and that Satan wanted to scare the believers by taking Stephen's life. Seized and arrested, Stephen does not go quietly. Instead, he preaches one of the most insightful sermons ever. He paints a panoramic picture of the history of the nation of Israel's relationship with Jehovah, ending with charges that the people had grown stiff-necked and crucified the Messiah.

When Stephen is stoned to death, he echoes the words of Christ from the cross; showing that he loved those who persecuted him.

Stephen's death did not dissuade the growth of the church. Satan's plan to persecute the church may have resulted in great difficulty for the believers, but it had the opposite effect when it came to church growth. The church flourished.

If you look around the world today, the church flourishes in areas where persecution exists. Our American church has been shrinking both in size and impact. Maybe some of that is because it is too easy to be a "Christian" in America today. I wonder how many of us would continue to stand for Christ if the heat were turned up.

The Bible tells us in multiple places that we will face persecution if we walk with Christ. May we pass the test and stand up for Him no matter the situation!

For notes on all of today's passages, click here.

The Truth, The Whole Truth and Nothing but The Truth

Today's Reading: Psalm 38, Genesis 35, 2 Chronicles 12, Acts 4:32‐6:7

Acts 4:32-6:7 - These were exciting days for the early church. The believers understood what it meant to live in community with each other. I love the way that they sought to meet each other's needs. Can you imagine what a church that didn't have a needy person among them might look like? This church cared about making sure that no one went without.

The story of Ananias and Sapphira shows how serious God was that the early church understand the holiness of God, and the importance of His bride. The deceit of these two came because they wanted to look good to others around them, even if it meant doing so in a dishonest way.

I love the passion with which the apostles preached the Gospel, even after an arrest. Nothing was going to stop them from sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.

I've never been arrested for sharing my faith, and yet I don't do it nearly enough. We, who have been given the freedom of living in the United States, should look for every opportunity possible to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. We have the greatest message ever. The early church was known for what they were for, not what they were against. Let's start being known for Jesus again! Let's share the whole truth about who Christ Jesus is! He is the hope for this world.

For notes on all of today's passages click here.