Today was a good workout day for me. I was at the fitness center in the morning and then returned in the afternoon for a pool workout. Today was the opening session of the legislative session, so I monitored the opening activities on TV.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh, meaning, “God has made me forget all my hardship in my father’s house.” And the second son he named Ephraim, meaning, “God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.” Genesis 41:51,52 HCSB

As Joseph was elevated to second in power in Egypt his life began to change. He was given an Egyptian name Zaphenath-paneah. The meaning of the name is uncertain, but some have suggested the meaning, “reveler of secrets” or “the god speaks and he lives.” However, when Joseph has two sons their names are specific and tied to Joseph’s experience.

Manasseh – “God has made me forget all my hardship in my father’s house.” We realize that this was not just a memory issue, it was a heart issue. This is revealed after Jacob died and Joseph’s brothers were concerned about revenge. Joseph’s well known response to their concern was, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You planned evil against me; God planned it for good to bring about the present result—the survival of many people. Therefore don’t be afraid…” (Genesis 50:19-21 HCSB)

I believe the success of Joseph was possible because he was able to overcome resentment and the haunting memory of his sufferings. The key to this is found in the words, “God made me forget…” It was not in Joseph’s ability, it was not a function of time. (e.g. “time heals all wounds.”) It was for Joseph and is for us, only possible to overcome the pain of hardship with God’s help. He can give us the power to forgive and He can allow our lives to overcome the effects of the mistreatment of others and circumstances.

Ephraim means, “God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.” The place of slavery and punishment for Joseph turned into a place of position, power and success. Talk about “bloom where you are planted!” Talk about a turn around in your circumstances, talk about “…in all things God works for the God of those called according to His purpose…” (Romans 8:28) Again, it was God who was at work. Our hope for the future and our optimism in life is found in knowing that “God is for us…and with us.”

What is interesting is that we see in scripture Manasseh and Ephraim are always mentioned together in scripture. It seems like they are twins. This is certainly true when it comes to the application of the meaning of their names. To be fruitful in life, you need to deal effectively with the pain and hardships of life.

I have observed that people who hold on to grudges and resentment, never make great strides and progress in life. They often move from job to job or church to church and they carry their hurts and offenses and grudges with them. They continue to be unhappy and unsatisfied and they blame it on their past or view themselves as victims.

Paul assured the Roman’s that in persecution, hardship, unjust treatment, “… in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37 NIV) As we overcome the challenges of life, it paves the way to being fruitful and being a source of blessing to others. Forgetting and fruitfulness they are not only important aspects of our life, they are intricately tied together.

This morning after my Tuesday prayer meeting time, I conducted a Bible Study at the new Morning Star Assisted Living. I shared about the story of Joseph. One elderly lady told me, “that’s the first time I have heard all of the story about of Joseph.” After a noon meeting, I finally got by the fitness center for a workout.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Then Judah said to his brothers, “What do we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? Come, let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay a hand on him, for he is our brother, our own flesh,” and they agreed. When Midianite traders passed by, his brothers pulled Joseph out of the pit and sold him for 20 pieces of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took Joseph to Egypt.…The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, serving in the household of his Egyptian master.” Genesis 37:26 -28; 39:2 HCSB

The story of Joseph is not only critical in the history and timeline of Israel, but it holds some important lessons.

Joseph was the favored son and he knew it. He knew it not just from his father’s famous and special gift but by the way he was treated. Joseph remained near Jacob while his brothers were out tending the flocks. When Joseph was with his brother he would bringing his father bad reports about his brothers and then to top it off were the famous dreams of Joseph as ruling over his family.

Joseph’s brothers wanted to kill their coddled brother but he ended up in a pit….alone. That is an experience that will get  your attention. It gives time to think, ponder and consider how you are going to respond if given an opportunity to live. We don’t know how long Joseph was in the pit, but when he ended up in Potipher’s house in Egypt he proved himself as diligent and responsible. (Maybe being around dad’s tent, was good training.) But I believe we see a different Joseph coming out of the pit, than the one which went in.

A slave in Egypt, falsely accused by Potipher’s wife, put in prison, forgotten. In all of it, Joseph found he was not alone, but God was with him. Because God was with him, God honored him. Where ever he was he had favor and success. He could have given in to resentment and allowed his heart to become hard and bitter.

I believe in Joseph we see a reflection of the words of Peter, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you..” (1 Peter 5:6 ESV) The due time for Joseph came when the dreamer became the interpreter of dreams for others and that resulted in his dreams coming true.

Joseph was 30 years old when he entered into service for Pharaoh, and lived 110 years. Thirty years that included hardship and the school of hard knocks to be prepared for 80 years in the court of Pharaoh. He went from favored son, to favored servant, to favored prisoner to favored ruler. But I believe a critical part of that journey was the journey from the pit to the palace.

When we face dashed dreams, challenges and trials, we need to guard our hearts and minds. We need to remember that God is with us and will help us to excel, even in challenging situations and will fulfill His purpose in our life.

This morning it was good to have Ryan Frazier at our Monday breakfast meeting. I got acquainted with Ryan about six years ago when he ran for Congress. He finds himself in a growing field of candidates for the Republican nomination for the US Senate.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Reuben, you are my firstborn,my strength and the firstfruits of my virility, excelling in prominence, excelling in power. Turbulent as water, you will no longer excel, because you got into your father’s bed and you defiled it—he got into my bed.” Genesis 49:3,4 HCSB

The position of the firstborn was one of special privilege, blessing and honor. It is interesting that Jacob, “stole” Esau’s birthright and then his blessing as the firstborn. We read then of an “indiscretion” on Ruben’s part as Jacob’s firstborn, when he slept with Bihah his father’s concubine (who was Rachel’s handmaid.)

It seems that Ruben worked to get back into favor with his father. When the brothers wanted to kill Joseph, Ruben spoke up, “When Reuben heard this, he tried to save him from them. He said, “Let’s not take his life.” Reuben also said to them, “Don’t shed blood. Throw him into this pit in the wilderness, but don’t lay a hand on him”—intending to rescue him from their hands and return him to his father.“ (Genesis 37:22 HCSB)

We also see Ruben speaking up when the family was in need and Jacob was reluctant to have them return to Egypt.

[Jacob said] “Now you want to take Benjamin. Everything happens to me!” Then Reuben said to his father, “You can kill my two sons if I don’t bring him back to you. Put him in my care, and I will return him to you.” (Genesis 42:36,37 HCSB)

Reuben showed leadership, courage and willingness to sacrifice, but it seemed lost on his father, who allowed the leadership of the family pass eventually to Judah (who had twin children from a relationship with his daughter-in-law). As Jacob “blessed” his children before his death, Reuben’s strength and character are mentioned but also the consequences of his misdeeds.

As I reflect on Ruben and what little we do read in the Bible I think of the adage, “the greater the responsibility the fewer the choices.” Esau’s actions and Reuben’s actions as firstborn sons cost them their position of privilege. However, Jacob’s deceit and Judah’s “indiscretion” didn’t seem to carry the same degree of judgment and shame.

These differences can be a source of consternation. Some of the outcome is more related to the culture of the day, than reflecting the character and mercy of God. We also see the judgment of man, is different from the Lords. We are also reminded that our actions do have consequences, some greater than others; and at times different for others.

We can also see that the loss of status and future for Reuben, did not result in a loss of his son-ship. There was still a tribe of Reuben and when we see the list of tribes of those sealed in Revelation 7 we see Reuben listed in second position.

We can conclude as David did, “…Let us fall into the hands of the LORD, for his mercy is great; but do not let me fall into human hands.” (2 Samuel 24:14 NIV) We can also be confident, “…The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.” (Psalm 19:9 NKJV)

This morning I helped with the Sunday chapel service at Mackenzie Place retirement facility. I always enjoy this time connecting with the residents as Pastor Steve Harris and I team up once a month. The residents always are gracious to express their appreciation for us being there. This afternoon, I enjoyed a visit from Ted and Murlene Grizzle. It has been a long time since connecting with them and it was good to hear of improved health for Murlene and the Lord’s faithfulness during some challenging months. These dear folks were such a blessing to me during my health crisis that I was pleased to hear that my devotionals had been a source of encouragement to them in recent months.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky proclaims the work of His hands. Day after day they pour out speech; night after night they communicate knowledge. There is no speech; there are no words; their voice is not heard. Their message has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.” Psalm 19:1-4 HCSB

Has your “breathe been taken away” by a view of God’s creation? Have you stood in awe of the natural world? Living in Colorado, we are afforded an opportunity to gain a view of our world from a “different perspective.” Climbing a mountain or just driving through the mountains provides some opportunities to gaze at the special beauty of God’s creation.

We find in the Bible not just the fact that God created the “heavens and the earth” but that creation speaks to God’s glory, work and existence. Often people will express, “feeling closer to God” in the beauty of nature. Is that just an expression or a response of what our hearts know to be true regarding the One who, “…sits above the circle of the earth…” (Isa. 40:22 NLT)

I recall being with our children when they were small viewing a great scene of nature and saying, “look kids! All this happened by accident! Isn’t wonderful?” They were quick to pick up on my sarcasm.

The psalmist declares that the “heavens declare God’s glory and the sky proclaims the work of His hands.” God is powerful and He is to be worshiped with awe and reverence. When Jesus calmed the wind and the raging sea, His disciples responded, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” (Matt. 8:27 NIV)

Throughout the Bible we see  God demonstrating His power over creation. From the parting of the seas, to His command over the earth and animals in the Old Testament, to darkening the sun and an earthquake when Jesus was crucified.

Creation not only gets our attention about God, but call us, even without words, to seek Him out. “For His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what He has made. As a result, people are without excuse.” (Romans 1:20 HCSB)

I still recall a friend of mine who worked in farming and ranching, commenting, “it is difficult to work with the earth and around animal life and not believe in a higher power.”

God makes Himself known, so that we will seek Him and know Him. Paul said to those in Athens, “The God who made the world and everything in it—He is Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in shrines made by hands…He Himself gives everyone life and breath and all things…He did this so they might seek God, and perhaps they might reach out and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us.” (Acts 17:24-27 HCSB)

Psalm 19 not only declares God’s existence through creation, but His revelation through His commands, love for people and mercy available for all. The Lord, “renews ones life” (Psa. 19:7) makes “the heart glad” and makes our “eyes light up.” (Psa. 19:8 HCSB)

It is one thing for God to create life in the world, it is another for Him to create life in us. When that happens, we rejoice in Him not just as the God who is, but in the “Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.“ (Psalm 19:14 HCSB)

This morning I attended the men’s breakfast at Timberline Church. Keith Godbey was our special guest. He shared about the new book he and his sister have compiled on the career of his parents, Ken and Jeri Godbey. They served five decades as missonaries in Nigeria, Africa and helped pave the way to turn the “dark continent” in to a place where the light of  Christ shines. Besides vivid memories of the Godbey’s as missionaries, Ken Godbey married Debbie’s parents in 1942 when he served as the pastor of Greeley First Assembly. The book entitled, “A Dark Place, Before the Dawn” can be found on iTunes and includes pictures and video and audio from the Godbey’s years of service.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “He rescued me from my powerful enemy and from those who hated me, for they were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my distress, but the Lord was my support. He brought me out to a spacious place; He rescued me because He delighted in me.” Psalm 118:17-19 HCSB

It is one thing to face opposition and struggles, but when it comes at the worst possible time and seems to “pile on” it is easy to give up hope and despair. In this familiar psalm of deliverance we see the power and might and intervention of the Lord in the worst of circumstances.

Early in the psalm, we read, “…the snares of death confronted me. I called to the Lord in my distress, and I cried to my God for help.”  (Psa. 118:5,6 HCSB) The deeper we get into the psalm the more we understand the cause of the distress and the sense of impending doom. The psalmist was hated by an enemy that was strong and relentless. This was not some “friendly” competition. This was vengeance being played out. In addition, the attack came in a “day of distress.” It is one thing to face the challenges of life unexpectedly or when we are on “top of the world”; it is another for them to come when we are already feeling defeated.

The key comes when the psalmist says in his distress he “calls on the Lord.” He doesn’t just question or complain or turn away from God. Instead he runs to God. He cries out to the Lord and the Lord hears. When the Lord hears He responds.

We see vivid descriptions of the power of the Lord. “Then the earth shook and quaked; the foundations of the mountains trembled;… He parted the heavens and came down..His clouds swept onward with hail and blazing coals…The Lord thundered from heaven…” (Psa. 118:9-13 HCSB)

The palmist rejoices in the Lord’s deliverance, but he also shows the importance of keeping the right attitude and response. “…I have kept the ways of the Lord and have not turned from my God to wickedness. Indeed, I have kept all His ordinances in mind and have not disregarded His statutes. I was blameless toward Him and kept myself from sinning.” (Psa. 118:21-23 HCSB)

We find in these words the importance of keeping our focus and maintaining the right attitude. It was Job who said, “though he slay me, yet will I trust in Him.” (Job 13:15) As we see the Lord’s deliverance, we realize life reveals the Lord doesn’t deliver in every circumstances, like we anticipate or desire. But He allows us to be over-comers as we keep our eyes on Him. Our trust and faithfulness is rewarded.

“With the faithful You prove Yourself faithful; with the blameless man You prove Yourself blameless; with the pure
You prove Yourself pure, but with the crooked You prove Yourself shrewd. For You rescue an afflicted people,
but You humble those with haughty eyes. Lord, You light my lamp; my God illuminates my darkness. With You I can attack a barrier, and with my God I can leap over a wall.“ (Psa. 118:26-29 HCSB)

These words remind me of Paul’s words to Timothy..“This saying is trustworthy: For if we have died with Him,
we will also live with Him; if we endure, we will also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He will also deny us; if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.” (2 Tim. 2:11-13 HCSB)

Regardless of how pitiful our circumstances, we can find a powerful God available as we call and place our trust in Him and maintain our focus on living according to His word.

Today we had a “snow day.” We had at least four inches of snow. Debbie was out on calls, but able to come home early. I was able to get some work done on the final manuscript of my book and look forward to its submission to the publisher.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Lord, who can dwell in Your tent? Who can live on Your holy mountain?” Psalm  15:1 HCB

David in Psalm 15 and 24 ask a similar question, “Who can live on Your holy mountain?” (Psa. 15:1 HCSB) “Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in His holy place?” (Psa. 24:3 HCBS)

In Israel’s history we see the Lord appearing to Moses on Mount Sinai in a cloud and fire. Moses and the elders travel up the mountain to meeting with God. The people are warned to stay away from the mountain or face God’s judgment. Later when the Temple would be built we find that the holiness of the Lord created a separation from the holiness of God and the people. The Temple curtain created a barrier to the presence of God.

The response to the question, “who can live on Your holy mountain?” reveals the need for clean hands, a clean heart, a mind not set on falsehood, and a list of character qualities that no one can consistently or completely possess.  The promise to those who “qualify” is they will receive, “…blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.” (Psa. 24:5 HCSB)

No one in themselves qualifies. But just as the Lord provided a path to righteousness through the law of Moses on Mount Sinai, the Lord established another covenant on “Mount Calvary.”  Through faith in Christ we are forgiven and declared righteous by God’s provision. As a result, we can know and experience blessing from the Lord and the righteousness that comes from God. So, instead of fear concerning the presence of the Lord, we can respond with the psalmist,

“How lovely is Your dwelling place, Lord of Hosts. I long and  yearn for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh cry out for the living God.” (Psa. 84:1,2 NIV)

We can also anticipate the day when the Lord brings His dwelling to us,

“I also saw the Holy City, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look! God’s dwelling is with humanity, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God.” (Revelation 21:2,3 HCSB)

This morning I got in an early workout at the fitness center; my first of the New Year. Then because of the weather forecast I took my mother home and did a quick trip to Denver. I hope to submit the manuscript for my book within the next week to the publishing company. My goal is to meet a spring book release. I appreciate the encouraging feedback from those who have reviewed my effort.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “And Abraham named that place The Lord Will Provide, so today it is said: ‘It will be provided on the Lord’s mountain.’” Genesis 22:14 HCSB

The Lord’s call to Abraham to sacrifice Isaac after the years of waiting for the promised child is a troubling story. It is good to be able to read through to the end of the story and see the outcome. The lesson learned from the account is “The Lord will provide.” God provided the sacrifice on the “mountain of the Lord.”

For Abraham he found that the Lord will provide when God’s ways don’t make sense. It is hard to imagine what was going through Abraham’s mind when the Lord one day spoke to him more than a decade after Isaac was born and tells him to travel to the mountain to sacrifice his son. But all that we see is obedience, not arguing, resistant and bargaining. The faith of Abraham that made him righteous, extended to obeying God, when God doesn’t make sense.

We find Abraham believing in the power of resurrection. It had never happened before and there was no reason or explanation on why Abraham believed it; but his faith was in a God that not only was able to bring life out of the deadness of his own body and Sarah’s womb, but was able to bring life to his dead son’s body.

Abraham’s faith is commended in Hebrews 11 with these words, “He considered God to be able even to raise someone from the dead, and as an illustration, he received him back.” (Hebrews 11:19 HCSB)

On the Lord’s mountain, God found a man who could be trusted as the the “Father of all those of faith.” “…this is the Lord’s declaration: “Because you have done this thing and have not withheld your only son, I will indeed bless you and make your offspring as numerous as the stars of the sky and the sand on the seashore.” (Gen. 22:16,17 HCSB)

We find in scripture that it is on the “Lord’s mountain” that the Lord reveals Himself. To Abraham, it was the “Lord who provides.” We see hundreds of years later it was on the “mountain of the Lord” that the Lord provided the law to Moses. We see in time to come it was on the “mountain of the Lord” that God’s Son would be provided as the sacrificial “lamb” fulfilling the righteous requirement of a holy God.

It was on the “mountain of the Lord” that we discover something about Abraham and something about God. Abraham’s faith allowed him to trust God completely, to believe God to do what had never been done before and to demonstrate that God could trust him.

It was on the “mountain of the Lord” we discover  God’s provision of a substitute. One that would foreshadow a future substitute for all people. One day we will discover on the “mountain” chosen by God, the resurrected Christ returning in His glory and the provision of an eternal home in His presence.

This morning after a Chiropractor appointment, I made a trip to Westminster to pick my mother up at her sister’s retirement home. She will spend the night with us and I will take her home tomorrow, after a visit to her sister’s in Greeley. My mother’s sister Hida is 100 and seems to be doing good. My mother is 90.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “At daybreak the angels urged Lot on: “Get up! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away in the punishment of the city.” But he hesitated. Because of the Lord’s compassion for him, the men grabbed his hand, his wife’s hand, and the hands of his two daughters. Then they brought him out and left him outside the city.” Genesis 19:15,16 HCSB

As I was reading once again of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, I was struck at the degree to which Lot hesitated at the deliverance the Lord was providing. We read how Lot, “…chose the entire Jordan Valley for himself. Then Lot journeyed eastward, and they separated from each other…Lot lived in the cities of the valley and set up his tent near Sodom.” (Genesis 13:11,12 HCSB) Lot went from being “near” Sodom to being in the heart of the city that was known to be wicked.

Lot’s choices impacted his family. When the angels came with the message of destruction, his son-in-laws scoffed and laughed off the warning. (Genesis 19:14) We then see that when the time came for God’s judgment, that Lot hesitated to the extent that the God, in His mercy, allowed the angels to force him and his family to leave the city.

Once outside the city, Lot was told to “run to the mountains” – but Lot argued.

^“But Lot said to them, “No, my lords—please. Your servant has indeed found favor in your sight, and you have shown me great kindness by saving my life. But I can’t run to the mountains; the disaster will overtake me, and I will die. Look, this town is close enough for me to run to. It is a small place. Please let me go there—it’s only a small place, isn’t it?—so that I can survive.” (Genesis 19:18-20 HCSB)

The angels permitted Lot to escape to Zoar. But what happened after the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah?  “Lot departed from Zoar and lived in the mountains along with his two daughters, because he was afraid to live in Zoar.” (Genesis 19:30 HCSB)

How often do people today, how often do you, argue with God? The writer of Hebrews puts out a challenging question, “…how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation?” (Heb. 2:3 NIV)

Some may argue with God over His plan of salvation. “It seems to easy.” “The life is too restrictive.” These kinds of thoughts and words often echo in people’s minds.

Some like Namaan of old rest God’s ways. Remember the Syrian commander the prophet told to go “wash in the Jordan” to be cleaned from his leprosy? At first he was insulted, but finally obeyed and was healed. Do we are argue when what God say seems to go against our thoughts, preferences and logic?

God’s mercy and grace saved Lot and it saves us today. For that we can be thankful. But we need to learn that “God knows best.” What we find is “ours is not to reason why” it is to us to obey and trust the One who knows how to provide for, guide and protect His children.