365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 282

People can read a lot into the current events with the crisis in Syria and Egypt, the weather wreaking historic havoc on parts of our country. Is the end near? Our ancestors probably wondered the same thing and yet they have moved on to heaven without any sign of the end times. The bible is clear we will not be able to predict when Jesus will come again. We need only focus on Jesus within our hearts and not worry that we are approaching the end times. Our concern is not our future for that is secure, eternal life in heaven. But we should practice focusing on our present and how we can best love one another. Loving our enemies is by far the hardest but the bible doesn’t say we have to like what people do just that we love them as a creation of God. Our focus needs to be on perfecting our love.

Matthew 5:43-48 You have heard it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 96

The story of Joseph is one of my favorites for many reasons but especially to show that God’s purpose is working through everything, the good, the bad and the ugly. Joseph was thrown in a pit, sold by his brothers as a slave, shipped off to a foreign country and accused of attempted rape and thrown in jail. But he was in a place where he could use the gift God gave him with his dreams that would end up helping the Pharaoh and the whole nation of Egypt and put him in a place to help and forgive his brothers. Joseph had learned throughout his tribulations that no matter what his brothers intended that God intended it for good. This belief is what helped Joseph in forgiving his brothers. The evil in the world is certainly not good but God will use it for his good purpose of bringing more souls to salvation and back in relationship with him. If we have this belief in our hearts of the goodness of God and his purpose than we too will be able to forgive which is the way to gaining freedom and peace. God is good.

Genesis 50:19-20  But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.