✝ Daily Encouragement (9/21/23) "Dealing With Disruptions"

Published: Thu, 09/21/23

A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber.

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Thursday, September 21, 2023

Lots of colorful mums near the Lewisburg, PA Farmer's Market.

"Dealing With Disruptions"

Message summary: Due to email list server being down this message a bit later than usual.

Message summary: The disruptions of life, big and small, are ultimately under God’s control. What blessed assurance can fill our hearts when “we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

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“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Genesis 50:20). “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Yesterday we had planned to visit my brother and his wife at a cabin in the northern Pennsylvania mountains. We arrived at our hotel near Lewisburg and received a phone call late Tuesday night from my brother, Pat, informing me that after their 4 hour drive they found their rented cabin unsuitable to stay in, due to, among other problems an infestation of hornets! They decided to return home so our plans were also changed.

We decided to stay only one night in our hotel near Lewisburg and do on Wednesday what we had planned to do on Thursday. After a nice walk yesterday morning through the scenic town and a long trail ride we returned home last night; a very minor and essentially non-consequential disruption in our plans.

Life has disruptions; unplanned events that may interfere with what we had planned, expected or originally desired. Some disruptions are pleasant like a call or visit from a longtime friend, but others are most unpleasant.

Many disruptions, like the two day trip we had planned, are minor and a mere annoyance such as coming upon an unexpected detour. But others are major and some are truly life altering.

Yet, truth be told, the disruptions of life, both big and small, are ultimately under God’s control.

Joseph surely experienced a major life disruption when he was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers. Prior to this he was “riding high”, confident in God’s plan for his life and perhaps a bit proud of it. At the very least he was insensitive in the way heshared his interpretation of a dream that made him an authority figure over his dad and older brothers!

He got a "job" at Potiphar’s house and things started to brighten up for him in Egypt but he hit another disruption, being falsely accused of rape and imprisoned unjustly.

But there’s absolutely no evidence that Joseph ever lost his faith or in any way became bitter. He had some further disappointments until it all came together and many years later he and his family members could see how this was all part of God’s plan.

Of course we know "the rest of the story". He could look back to his original dream, the terrible betrayal from his brothers, and then make the tremendous declaration in the first daily text. Speaking to his brothers who indeed intended to bring him harm he kindly spoke to them, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives". Joseph’s maturity and willingness to overlook such a huge offense from his own blood brothers is a great model for any who have been deeply offended by a family member or otherwise.

Hindsight is one thing, but you may be in the middle of the story and that’s where your faith is especially critical. Like Joseph others may intend to harm us. The difficult circumstances of life also seem to bring us harm.

However our God is always active in the lives of His children, intending to work out even the most difficult situations for our good. What blessed assurance fills our hearts when “we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Be encouraged today, (Hebrews 3:13 )

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, we so easily consume our mind and energies with offenses we suffer at the hands of insensitive, cruel or hurtful people. But then we see how Joseph matured in the midst of his cruel treatment, rose above vengeful plotting and a tit for tat attitude, to focus on the bigger picture which was Your plan to save lives. May we rise beyond the foolishness and cruelty of others to see the bigger picture of Your overall plan for our lives. Whatever slight or evil intended by another cannot thwart Your good plan for our life if we are led by Your Holy Spirit and not the offense. And at times it is in the offense that You conform us to be more like Jesus. You want us to forgive our offender so that we have deep abiding peace in our hearts and unobstructed focus for Your divine guidance in our lives. It is only through You that we can forgive others and mature in our Christian walk. Amen.

Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

"Gonna Be Alright" Watch video on YouTube Ryan Ellis

"Your Love Never Fails" Watch video on YouTube Jesus Culture

Daily Encouragement Net Bible Knowledge Quiz

(Posted yesterday as well)

This quiz is intended to check your overall knowledge of the Bible, based upon your personal reading and exposure to Biblical teaching over time. This is not material you "cram" for, since it is a broad overview of Biblical knowledge and understanding.

Knowing the answers to many of these questions indicates your overall familiarity with the Bible. I would not expect a newer Christian who has only recently started reading and studying the Bible to know as many answers as a long-time student of Scripture.

This quiz will take awhile so take it when you are able to concentrate for an extended period of time.

I suggest you initially take it with your Bible closed and then do so with an open Bible by going back over it.

You may also print the quiz out and share it with others if you would like.

This quiz is completely anonymous and collects no personally identifying information.

Click here to get started with the quiz.

Lewisburg has a beautiful, very active Market Street (the main road) with many homes like this, along with a variety of shops and restaurants.

Bright red double doors along Market Street in Lewisburg.

Lewisburg is a college town (Bucknell University). Are you able to discern the false equivalency on this Barnes and Noble bookstore sign?*

After leaving Lewisburg we passed many farms like this on the Buffalo Valley Rail Trail.

We stopped by the Vicksburg Buggy Shop and chatted for awhile with Harlan, the owner's son. This buggy with the brown frame and white top will be used by a smaller group of Amish known as the Nebraska Amish that have settlements through central PA but none in Lancaster County.

* Very likely the bookstore sign alludes to an attempt by some local school districts to remove smut from school libraries that are accessible to children. Just ten years ago this would not have been controversial. Now, in our rapidly rotting culture, this is considered "banning" books! It brings to mind a Babylon Bee satire piece: Shuttered Adult Bookstores Cite Fierce Competition From School Libraries

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