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Listen while you read: "Mine Eyes Have Seen The Glory"1 (Lyrics) |
Genesis 45:7 – But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. (NIV)
Sometimes, I wonder why God brought me from Scotland to become a pastor in the United States. The trans-Atlantic move initially disrupted our family and caused some painful separation from our friends, but I believe that God's hand was preparing the way and His will was being fulfilled for some purpose or purposes that I still cannot completely comprehend. Whatever the reason, I hope that what God wants with my life is still being done.
No matter how often I read or hear about the story of Joseph in the book of Genesis, his encounter with his brothers in Egypt amazes me. When he proceeds to forgive them of the past by declaring that all that happened was God's doing, it touches my heart deeply. Instead of punishing them for selling him, Joseph finally pardons and embraces them. Rather than getting revenge, Joseph gives glory to God for directing his life to the point where he can offer his whole estranged family salvation. It's a wonderful story of forgiveness and love, purpose and meaning, which still inspires many people today.
Perhaps we should all take the time to reflect on our own journey and think about the wonders that God has shaped and performed in our lives. We all have special moments, choices, and events which change us completely. If we see them as a part of God's purpose for our lives, then we will come to understand that there is a higher hand in all that we seek to accomplish and do. Perhaps, like Joseph, we will realize how often God walks ahead of us and keeps all of our tomorrows in His hands.
Points to ponder: What are the most crucial events in my life? How was God involved in them?
Prayer: Lord God, Your ways are often mysterious, and we cannot fully fathom Your thoughts. Help us to look back to the past and see those moments of Your kindness and concern, as well as Your help and healing throughout our lives. Keep us faithful to Your will, and continue to direct our journey. In Christ's name, we pray. Amen.
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Hip replacement on April 17th - please pray for me: "Update April 24, 2025: I am grateful to you all for your prayers. They supported me through my hip..." 
Neighbour: "Aril 24, 2025: Our neighbour Tom just passed away. Pray for the family. In Jesus name. Amen."
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I’ve wondered a few times myself, John. Great words.
Thanks John for sharing your journey with us. Blessings.
Thank you so much John.
Lots of deadlines, and just what I needed today
Such a timely and encouraging message. Thank you for your wise devotionals and Scriptural reminders – I very much appreciate them.
Thank you for challenging us to see how God led our lives by using what seem painful detours. It is an exercise we have to do time and again.
Thank you for this devotion today John! I will pray that God continues to direct you. I am having trouble seeing God’s hand leading me through financial troubles. Blessings.
Thank you for your posts! They always speak to me…. and I usually recognize your style before I even see your name at the bottom! Your message today was very timely for me.
Blessings to you and your family.
Hi John,
Very well said!
As I get older I often think back of the various things we did during our active years, and in retrospect saw God’s guidance in so much of it, although we did not realize it at the time.
Thank you for writing.
Thanks John for your devotional this morning.
The Lord truly holds the direction of our lives in His hands & we reap the rewards by following His direction for us.
Lord’s blessings to you as you follow His will.
(B.C.)
Good Morning John, from “God’s Country”! I enjoy your writing always and especially your words this morning, as they relate so very closely to my wife’s sermon involving Joseph. We are not ordained but rather licenced Lay Readers who do services every other Sunday to accommodate for our lack of sufficient Priests to cover all our needs.
Blessings to you and those you love, in Jesus’ holy name.
A very thought-provoking message John.
I often wonder this myself – so now I will do as you say and reflect, and be thankful.
Coming from England was no less traumatic all those years ago. Many wonderful things have happened, but sadly, many not so wonderful events have occurred too. I often think how life would have been different had we stayed ‘at home.’
No point looking back though, things cannot be changed, and I do have a family to be proud of: grandchildren that I adore, and many good friends and neighbours. Guess God knew what He was doing after all.
Thank you for a timely message.
Blessings.
Great devotion. Thanks for sharing.
How true these words are John.
Time has a way of blurring the outlines of our lives and before we know it youth has morphed into old age and we ask, “Where has the time gone? What has happened to all those years? What has my life meant in the overall scheme of things?”
If in that moment we simply raise our eyes to the heavenly Father we may be wonderfully surprised with His answer. Your answer will be very different than mine but in His love I know He will answer each of us, and time will no longer matter for through it all He has been with us, and has promised He will never leave us or forsake us, and we know He won’t. How blessed we are.
Only by looking back at the milestones in our life, can we often see the way forward. God always builds on what went on before.
Thanks for these words, John.