God hasn’t forgotten about you.

Anyone know Joseph? Joseph and his coat of many colors may ring a bell. Joseph was born to Jacob, the youngest of 12 brothers. Scripture tells us that Joseph had an impeccable gift of interpreting dreams, in fact that gift coupled with the fact that he was most beloved by his father landed him sold into ishmaelite slavery by his own brothers. Did you catch that? HIS OWN BROTHERS! Can you imagine his life? Being hated by your siblings for no fault of your own, hated so much they plot to kill you, but instead settle on selling you into slavery. How awful.

Joseph is sold to an ishmaelite caravan and taken to Egypt. The ishmaelites then sell him in Egypt to Potiphar, captain of Pharoh’s guard. Scripture says “ the Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered… the Lord gave him success in all that he did.” Gen 39:2-3 Because Potiphar saw the Lord’s favor on Joseph, he put him in charge of his whole household. Potiphar’s wife desired Joseph and because he wouldn’t sleep with her she became angry, stole his coat, and told her husband that he tried to take advantage of her.

Because of this false accusation, Joseph is thrown in prison. “But while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him… and he was successful in all that he did.” Gen 39:20 Because of God’s great favor and the fact that he was successful in all that he did, the warden put him in charge of the prison. “Sometime later” Gen 40:1, the chief cupbearer and baker landed themselves under Joseph’s watch and he successfully interpreted two dreams for the men. He told the cupbearer that he would be reappointed to his position as chief cupbearer and the baker would be killed. He asked that when the dream came to pass and the cupbearer was reappointed to remember him and mention him to pharaoh so that he might be released from prison because he hadn’t done anything to justify being there to begin with. The chief cupbearer assured him he would.

Highlight of this story and what I want you to remember is Genesis 40 and 41 says the cupbearer forgot and it nonchalantly says it was two full years later before anything monumental happened again for Joseph. Wait, I’m sorry, what? TWO FULL YEARS. I think I would have thought God had forgotten me. I would have been discouraged, angry, frustrated. I would have probably given up hope in knowing that God still had a plan for my life. My family wanted me dead, nothing goes right for me, what is the point of my life, why would you have created me? God are you getting joy in this?

Back to the story – Two years later, pharaoh had a dream that needed interpretation and the cupbearer remembered Joseph from prison. Pharaoh calls on Joseph to interpret his dreams and he does so successfully in the name of the Lord. Joseph tells Pharaoh God is warning him in the dream of seven years of famine coming to all the land and that he must prepare his storehouses that the peoples don’t perish because of it. Pharaoh sees the wisdom the Lord has provided Joseph and he appoints him second in command over all of Egypt. Pharaoh says to Joseph, “I am pharaoh but without your word no one will lift hand nor foot in Egypt.” Gen 41:44

Joseph was sold into slavery at 17 years old, was sold again, wrongfully imprisoned, and at 30 years old, because of the Lord’s favor, became second in command in Egypt, not to live life lavishly for all his days, but for the purposes of 1. Glorifying God in and making God’s name known throughout a worldly kingdom 2. Being used as a vessel to save all the world from famine 3. To forgive and make right his relationships with his father and brothers and 4. All which ultimately points to Jesus. Scripture tells us “all the world came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph, because the famine was severe everywhere.” Gen 41:57

I can’t imagine the thoughts and discouragement Joseph faced, maybe thoughts of insecurity, insufficiency, maybe suicide? I’m sure he spent many nights begging God to change his circumstances, but had it not been for his circumstances he would not have been used to preserve all of humanity. Had he not been sold into slavery he would not have been sent to Egypt. Had he not been sent to Egypt he would not have made it to Potiphar. Had he not been sold to Potiphar, he would not have made it to the kingdom. Had he not made it to kingdom and falsely accused, he would not have made it to the king’s prison. Had he not made it to the king’s prison, he would not have been in the position to be used by God to interpret Pharaoh’s dream. Had there not been one to interpret pharaoh’s dream, all the world would have perished of famine and starvation.

Friends, how often are we in a season of suffering? How often does life feel unfair? How often do we feel mistreated? Misunderstood? Friends gossip about us, family betrays us, work doesn’t seem to be going according to plan? Others steal our ideas, claim them as their own. How often do we think God has forgotten about us? What is our purpose? Look at our circumstances, they seem hopeless, our dreams, imprisoned.

I’m here to tell you, God’s not done with you. Whether your in your own season of prison or kingdom, be faithful with the gifts God’s given you, do everything to the glory of God, for what the devil meant for evil God will always use for good.

The same gift that got Joseph sold into slavery was the same gift that freed him from prison. God uses your greatest struggles to pave the way for His greatest triumphs. He’s not done with you yet.

Philippians‬ ‭4‬:11-12‭ says, “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.”

Mirriam-Webster dictionary defined contentment as a feeling or showing satisfaction with one’s possessions, status, or situation. Dictionary.com defined it as satisfied; feeling comfortable and at peace with one’s circumstances. 

When looking at the life of Paul, we can see he experienced feast times and poverty times. In all of them, he had to learn to be content. It did not come just automatically. We might think that feast times are easier times of contentment, but look at what Solomon wrote in Proverbes 30:8-9 give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?”or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.”  Contentment in times of ease is something that has to be learned. 

On the other hand, Paul had to learn contentment through poverty times as well. Paul’s missionary life was certainly filled with much difficulty. He was beaten on multiple occasions, imprisoned in inhumane situations, traveled by foot with the dangers of robbers and wild animals, traveled by sea with only water being part of his fare, and shipwrecked 3 times. How? How did he learn contentment? He entrusted everything to God and was obedient. He held very loosely to the things of the world and very tightly to His God and their relationship. He did not allow life’s circumstances to define him. He lived above them.

I recently had the opportunity to revisit some of the most difficult times I’ve experienced in my life and how God worked through them. I realized that all along, God had been teaching me that circumstances do not bring contentment. I can feel comfortable and at peace with circumstances when I choose to put Christ above all else. It’s a choice I have to make on a daily basis. It includes living above the circumstances, trusting God to supply all of my needs, forgiving those who hurt me, looking up with confidence, and looking up with hope. Living content is a choice! It’s a choice to put Christ above all else.

When Daisy asked me to write this month I was a little hesitant, but I said yes because I feel if God placed me on her heart then He must have something to say through me (or to me).

I have thought and planned and thought and planned and just knew this would be something about my upcoming graduation and how we can accomplish anything through Christ (which is all absolutely true)… but about two nights ago he began to scold me on my lack of faith.

I say I love him and I trust Him. I believe He has a plan and purpose for my life, but I question every single thing that does not go according to MY plan.

So, am I living my life according to His plan and purpose, or am I trying to live out my own plan and purpose?

Our faith must be strong in the highs and lows. When that relationship fails, when the job you are waiting on falls through, when you don’t get that raise or car or new home, are you still trusting that his ways are higher?

He sees the big picture of our lives, and He wants us to live abundantly. We have to trust Him in every aspect of our life and share all He has done for us in the good and the bad and watch as we begin to live in the overflow.

He wants you to live abundantly and trust that His plan and purpose for your life is held securely in His hands. Strengthen your faith today and trust Him with whatever trial you are facing! He loves you, and His plan for your life is more than you imagined.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, Ephesians 3:20

A few weeks ago, I took my daughter to the rollerskating rink as they were hosting their monthly event for homeschoolers. I am not nearly brave enough to attempt lacing up my own skates for what I am sure would be a very entertaining afternoon, so I was given a bracelet that read, “Spectator.” This bracelet served to alert staff that I had not paid the skaters fee and should not be given skates or allowed on the rink.

As the afternoon wore on, I noticed that it wasn’t only kids and teens skating, but there were adults as well. Not everyone was skilled, but everyone did appear to be having an enjoyable time. Honestly, my daughter probably would have been pleasantly surprised if I had decided to give it a go myself. Even if I had fallen multiple times, it would have made for wonderful memories. Still, I sat at my table content to read my book never daring to take that step.

The Lord began to speak to me about restricting myself to being a spectator, reminding me that so many people in this life have done the same. They have relegated themselves to a life of being a spectator when He has called them to be so much more.

Maybe you feel too old. Maybe you’re afraid of getting hurt. MAYBE you aren’t willing to pay the price it requires to be anything more than a spectator. So, you sit at the table content with reading the book but never living the experience.

Beloved, we were never intended to be insignificant bystanders. It’s time to shed our excuses and lace up.

Jesus didn’t die on the cross so that we could live comfortable. He died on the cross to show us how to carry ours.

WE SO OFTEN DOUBT THE CREATOR OF THE WORLD.

I know I do sometimes. I get in my head.

I think my problems are too small for God and just deal with it myself.

But that doesn’t work. Because God is the creator of the world. The creator of you and me.

He knows you BY NAME. He chose you BY NAME.

Nothing you are going through is too big or too small for God.

“Yet not I, but through Christ in me. “

Whatever is running through your head, what’s taking you captive from this moment:

Surrender.

ISAIAH 41:13

“For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”

Don’t miss God.

Don’t miss out on what He has for you because you are set in your own ways.

Even something that seems right can in reality be wrong if it’s self-seeking instead of Kingdom-seeking.

If we would just allow God to truly take over – if we would release the reins to the one who reigns – then our purpose here on earth could be fulfilled, and it would be better than anything we could have ever planned out on our own.

Don’t miss Him.

Don’t miss out on your best life.

Cause your best life is the one where you seek Him and His will first.

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13

Psalm 89:15 “Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, LORD.”

Lately I’ve taken the term “walk with the Lord” quite literally. Each day after work, I take the opportunity to get my daily dose of sunlight while also getting some time in with the Lord. I use this time to process the day, express my gratitude, and really get vulnerable with God in prayer and reflection.

During this time, the Lord recently brought my attention back to a time when walking with Him in the sunlight didn’t come so easily to me.

As believers we are not immune to hard times, and the truth was that during this time I was really going through it! I was tired, hurting, and I felt desperately alone. I prayed to the Lord about the deficits in my life, and He was faithful to meet my needs. I was thankful, but I was left surrounded by blessings that I felt like I couldn’t enjoy. I reminded God of His promise to me.

John 10:10 “I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly.”

I was not feeling the abundance. I asked the Lord, “God, why do I still feel this way after all you have blessed me with?”. I felt a stirring in my spirit, “Ariel, what are you doing with it?”. I was not lacking in physical provision, but spiritual satisfaction. I was so scared of going without that I had a death grip on the blessings God gave me and I was robbing myself by hoarding them all. My pain had left me cold, rigid, and closed off, but our blessings are not supposed to stop with us.

Isaiah 58:11 “The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.”

Investing in our blessings is the ultimate “pay it forward”. Once I leaned back into His love, I began to receive the fulfilment I was truly hungry for, and then some. By moving and using the blessings we are given, the warmth of His love is multiplied exponentially for many to feel, including us!

One thing the Lord will never do is fail to exceed our expectations. I encourage you to lean in, find ways to invest in your blessings, and feel the warmth of spiritual satisfaction under the light of His goodness today!

Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”

We are finally coming out of the dark, dreary days of winter and entering the warm, sunny days of spring.

Springtime represents new life, new beginnings, and new blessings.

All seasons have a purpose, but spring really allows us to see our Creator at work in nature! It is a beautiful time of year. I always get a desire to spring clean my home inside and out. I love the feeling when my house is neat and tidy and all the dust is wiped away(at least for a few days).

I also love when our grass is freshly mowed and all the ugly weeds are gone! These aren’t the easiest tasks to accomplish. It takes a lot of work This got me thinking about how important it is to not only spring clean our homes and yards but also our spiritual lives.

Sometimes things build up in us and we need to clean out our lives and hearts.

So, how do we go about spiritual spring cleaning? I think it is important to go to the Lord and ask Him to bring to light anything in us that offends Him. A few examples of things we can ask are:

*Is He pleased with our actions and the way we treat others?

*Are we careful with our words or are we quick to gossip?

*Are our hearts and motives pure?

*Are we truly living in a way that leads others to Christ?

*Do we have a forgiving spirit for others and ourselves?

*Are we fulfilling the purpose He has for us?

When we go to God with these questions, He will answer! He will speak to our hearts and minds through His Holy Spirit. Each of us has something that we need to wipe clean from our hearts. He will cleanse the dirt away. All we have to do is ask, listen to His answer, and then go to Him in repentance. He makes it so easy!

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit.” Psalm 51:10-12

Then like the newness of spring, we will be renewed. What a wonderful loving Father we have! He allows us to have beautiful new beginnings, and our sins are remembered no more.

As a student athlete, I often find my schedule very busy. It’s filled with practices, games, tests, and just life.

All of these things are good. However, there are so many good things to fill our schedule up with, and it’s our choice on what we spend our time on. I have come to realize that one way the devil will attack us as christians, is by throwing all of these distractions at us to where we won’t even have time nor the energy to talk/spend time with God.

This CANNOT happen.

We are called to pick up our cross daily, to be in constant conversation with Him,

and to submit to his authority. However, if we have busy schedules and we don’t make time for God in our daily lives, then we can lose track of our priorities and put up a wall between us and the Lord.

I am very guilty of this, and I am learning how to put God over everything in my life.

Some scriptures that help me are James 4:8 where it says, ”Come near to God, and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners. Purify your hearts, you double-minded.“

And also 1 Peter 5:7, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”

God wants to talk to you, and He wants to get to know you because He loves you and created you. But if we don’t give Him the time or attention then we will stray away from Him. He gives us every opportunity. We just have to take it, and trust me it is so worth it!

For me, I have time set aside at night to spend time with the Lord because I am a night person. The solution to finding time for God is slowing down and getting your priorities straight, and then aligning your schedule with your priorities.

What you do with your time is a choice and we all have the ability to eliminate unnecessary distractions. It’s just as easy as not spending that extra thirty minutes on your phone, or reading the Bible during your lunch break.

So, I challenge you to look at your daily routine and find what is workable for you. Everyone is different. So how will you make the most of your time?