At first, it looked like Joseph had a charmed life. His father Jacob showed him special favor. Smart and handsome, Joseph sported a flashy wardrobe and had a God-given penchant for interpreting dreams. His fortunes, however, quickly turned upside down. His jealous brothers tossed him into a pit in the ground, then sold him to […]
Throughout my 33 years of cross-cultural ministry experience, I have seen the hand of God at work through countless lives who have been steadfast in making disciples and helping fulfill the Great Commission. The following stories represent two individuals whose lives have been dramatically changed by Christ. They live on two completely different sides of […]
Have you ever struggled to live victoriously when your life didn’t feel victorious? Midway through my 8th grade wrestling season, that’s where I found myself. I had managed to accomplish what few of my middle school peers were able to achieve: an undefeated record. I wish it could be attributed to my grappling prowess and […]
Long ago Jewish prayers often started, “Blessed be he . . .” Prayer began with blessing God. The irony is that God, who deserves all the blessing, has blessed us (Ephesians 1:3-14). Surely we experience difficult days on this sin-stained planet. But often day after day after day we experience God’s special presence in blessed […]
Jacob had many reasons to be grateful. His long life spanned about a century and a half. His descendants multiplied and flourished under the gracious hand of God (Genesis 47:27, 28). As Jacob grew old and approached death, his faith remained strong, but his legs became tottery. He needed a staff (a wooden walking stick) […]
