Forgotten, But Not Forsaken

Thought for the Day

Genesis 40:13-23  

Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up your head, and restore thee unto thy place: and thou shalt deliver Pharaoh's cup into his hand, after the former manner when thou was his butler.  (14)  But think on me when it shall be well with thee, and shew kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house...  (23)  Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgot him.

Joseph served Pharaoh's butler with a sincere heart and with pure motives. His only request was that when things turned around for him that he would "remember" Joseph; in other words, that he would mention him and try to help him out of his difficult situation of being a prisoner for unjust reasons. Well, the day came as Joseph predicted and the butler was freed and restored to his position of prominence, but he "forgot" Joseph.


How many times do we reach out to help others, to show them some kindness and it is re-payed with ingratitude or even dismissed as not that big of a deal? Most of us have experienced this at one time or another. As parents, we experience it regularly with our kids. It seems that they can easily dismiss as ordinary or expected the tremendous sacrifices that we make for them daily. How about when it comes to our jobs; we put in the extra time and go the second mile to benefit our employers and yet these acts of sacrifice are overlooked. 

If we are not careful, we can allow these "slights" to create in us  an "I don't care attitude" and push us into a lifestyle of mediocrity. We must, as Joseph take these oversights in stride and realize that ultimately we may be forgotten by man, but we are not forsaken by God. Joseph spent several more years in that prison, but in God's perfect timing his consistency and service was noticed and appreciated. He was finally rewarded for his devotion and elevated to a position of great prominence.

Application

In this life, we may not be elevated to a position of prominence because of the sacrifices of service we make, but we are not overlooked by our Lord and we must realize that in Christ, "our labor is not in vain". It is seen; it is appreciated; and it is rewarded by God in His time. Even if that means in eternity. Go the second mile today. Re-dedicate yourself to a standard of quality and excellence that is pleasing to the Lord and serve others not for man's recognition, but for God's.

If you are uncertain of your relationship with God check out the link at http://savedbygracebiblestudy.blogspot.com/p/how-can-we-know-god-exists-and-how-can.html

Vision from the Valley

Photo: Vision Night prep for this coming Sunday.

Thought for the Day

Genesis 28:10-17
And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran. (11) And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep. (12) And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. (13) And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed; (14) And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. (15) And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of. (16) And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not. (17) And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.

Have you ever experienced the restlessness of God in your life? If you have then you full well understand the concept of your pillow being "a stone". No physical event or object can satisfy or bring solitude, even those things that are so typically depended upon. I think it is the mercy of God that brings us to the place of these restless times. They are not something we would seek or in any way desire. Jacob called it a "dreadful place"; but nonetheless, it was the "house of God". It was the place of God's choosing to meet with Him.

It is in these kind of times that God releases His vision for us, for our lives, for our future. Jacob was blessed with seeing the reality of the eternal, and God's plan to give Him a possession. And the best part of all was that the Lord would be with him every step of the way!

God has brought my life through many restless places, but during each one His presence has become clearer to me and more certain. Don't fight the restless times, don't try to assuage them with temporal comforts. Look to the Lord for expalnation and purpose as He unfolds His eternal vision for you.

Application

If you are experiencing unexplained restlessness in your life right now, consider for a moment that it may simply be God speaking. It may be His attempt to bring you to a point of desperation where only "He" makes sense. Seek Him today. Open your life up to Him completely and allow Him to reveal to you His chosen vision for your life. If you are uncertain of your relationship with God check out the link "How to Know God" at http://fbc301.org/#/Outreach/How to Know God.

The Way Leads to Worship

Photo: New www.fbc301.org web site launches this week.

Thought for the Day

Genesis 24:26-27  
And the man bowed down his head, and worshipped the LORD.  (27)  And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who has not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I being in the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master's brethren.

"Being in the way, the Lord led Him." What a great thought that God's leadership in our lives is found by simply getting up each day and determining to do the right thing by Him. We speak of living for the glory of God; in practical terms this is just living to put a smile on His face. The servant of Abraham was "in the way"; he was in the path of pleasing his master when things fell in place for him. But don't ever think for a moment that God's purpose in leading us is to fulfill our willful bents. When the servant saw that his desires had been realized what did he do? He worshiped! Putting a smile on the face of God, worshiping Him, is our chief aim; it is our delight.

Application

Stop right now and commit your way to the Lord. Determine to put a smile on His face and then by faith, worship Him. Express your love for Him as inadequate as it may feel because he delights in the humble recognition of His lordship in our lives. If you are uncertain of your relationship with God check out the link "How to Know God" at www.fbc301.org.