As Luke meets eyewitnesses, studies the information about Jesus from others, Jesus changes Lukes heart from a skeptic of Jesus to a believer in Jesus. Beersheba means, Well of the Covenant. If you have been wandering from the Lord, come back to the place of obedience and the Lord will bless you and confirm His promises to you. But then one day his entire life changed. Be honest with the Lord, and ask Him to make you willing, trusting His loving and sovereign hand in your life. Not all examples of God using animals to accomplish His purposes are found in the Bible or in ancient times. All of us love to receive personal handwritten letters from people we love. If it had been up to Isaac, he would have been content to stay in the land of the Philistines. But the next thing Isaac does is to lie about Rebekah because hes afraid hell get killed! 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 - Are they servants of Christ?I speak as if insaneI more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. "God will use your weakness and obscurity for his glory." 906866, 588845 610801I always was interested in this topic and still am, regards for posting . VIII. Only Luke is with me. 2 Timothy 4:11a NLT, [Examples of individuals with special skills at Faith West]. We Are Grass The very first verse my daughter ever memorized was Isaiah 40:8, "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever." It seemed like an odd one to begin with, but now in retrospect it might have been the best one. You may have never heard of Tychicus, he is not talked about much probably in your bible study, or over coffee, or his life described as the super-Christian. We would love to pray for you. In exchange she asked that her life and the lives of her family would be spared because she saw that the God of Israel was powerful. 4 His sister stood at a distance to see what would happen to him. May we humble ourselves before God, willing to do what He asks of us so that His plans might be fulfilled. In the KJV Bible, is the New Covenant same as the New Testament? Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. Jesus uses people with shameful pasts. 9. It is east of the Jordan River. But now Isaac was sporting his lack of faith in Gods protection before this pagan king. Years ago I was going somewhere with our firstborn behind me in her car seat. Some Old Testament rulers had very chequered histories, but were nevertheless used by God for a good end. Joseph was falsely accused by Potiphars wife, and Potiphar believed his wife over Joseph, resulting in his imprisonment. He clearly had some ministry responsibility he needed encouragement to faithful complete. Our support by tickets is available to help you 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The enemy tempted Adam and Eve and caused The Fall to happen, and the trajectory of our lives has changed. There are two answers. How God Uses All Kinds of People to Accomplish His Greater Purpose - Luke accompanies Paul throughout many of his travelsAnd serves as Pauls personal physician, since he was a doctor. 7. He was forced to leave the comfortable life he had known, full of love from his parents, and go forth into the unknown. He is a beloved brother and faithful helper in the Lords work. The Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar was served by many of the Jews whose exile Isaiah had foretold, including Daniel. What does Stephen have to say about Joseph and what God did for him in Acts 7:9-10? Never considered that it was that straightforward. One minute were in church singing Holy, Holy, and the next minute a horrible thought pops into our minds, and we think, Maybe someday Ill be holy like the preacher [yeah, right! It's important to look back at the ways God used the lives of women to change nations! He sought peace by yielding his rights and moving on. Moses grew up in the house of Pharaoh, but when he became a young man, he realized that he was not an Egyptian, but He wasHebrew. When she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him for three months. He will not force you to take up the job, but if out of obedience you do say yes to God, and work for Him, know that the rewards are beyond this world. God broke Joseph by taking him out of comfortable circumstances Take it to the Lord and trust His hand. When Moses was still a baby at three months, and his parents could not hide him anymore, they put him in a papyrus basket coated with tar and pitch, and they put him among the reeds along thebanks of the Nile. Here are some examples: God is greater than the man-made borders that divide people. God Will Use Even You | Desiring God How Esther Shows God Has a Purpose for Your Life: An Interview with Dr Do you know how God was using these hassles? What is the purpose of the church? What is the mission of the church I'm so glad you're here! But have you ever considered how God specifically uses animals for His glory? Howard Hendricks said in our marriage class in seminary, Whatever this sport was, its obvious that you dont play it with your sister. But have you ever considered how God specifically uses animals for His glory? What do ordinary people do when trials hit? And, after a section which describes repeated quarrels about wells with the local shepherds, the Lord appeared to Isaac and said (26:24), Do not fear, for I am with you. The Lord never says, Do not fear unless somebody is afraid. Why or why not? Isaac had ordinary hassles. Onesimus trusts in Jesus and is a changed man. His life was not always easy and was filled with ups and downs. . Why did God choose to use the church as His primary "hands and feet" in the world? Your email address will not be published. Samson: Accomplishing God's Purpose the Hard Way Registered in England and Wales 5090917, Christian Today, International House, 24 Holborn Viaduct, London EC1A 2BN, Evangelicals in the Church of England are running out of options, American street preacher arrested in Canterbury during LGBT Pride event, In church remains, German archaeologists discover the truth of 'Atlantis of the North Sea', The Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Act let's have a proper conversation, Christian charity holds protest outside Barclays Bank HQ over 'ex-LGBT discrimination', Our Barclays settlement is an important victory but the battle is not over. Sunday Worship June 25, 2023 | Stream CCLI #21810036 - Facebook But a few Jews believe from this city and accompany Paul in Acts 17. The LORD has prepared everything for His purpose even the wicked for the day of disaster. Granted, he didnt respond properly. - Baptist Bible SeminaryPh.D. He obeys. degrees -- one in Medical Technology and the other in Perfusion Technology. 5. Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus. Acts 15:37-39 NLT. After Thomas read his concurring opinion denouncing universities' use of affirmative action in admissions as "rudderless," Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson the only other Black justice and . God wants us to know that Jesus is supreme. The Bible is full of people God used for His purpose. 4. Jesus uses people who need encouragement. To enjoy our website, you'll need to enable JavaScript in your web browser. Paul tells how much Epaphras cares for the Colossians. Amen. The biblical prophet Elijah was sent to deliver a prophecy to the wicked King Ahab and his Queen Jezebel. 16 In the fourth generation your descendants will come back here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure., (Genesis 15:18-21 NIV) On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram and said, To your descendants I give this land, from the Wadi of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates 19 the land of the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, 20 Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites, 21 Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites and Jebusites.. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew lke the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird ( Daniel 4:33). - Onesimus is a runaway slave. 3 But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch. How does one gain favor? 10 So now, go. All rulers are flawed, and Donald Trump is no exception. The name Onesimus means useful. Isaiah told him he had been very foolish and that his descendants would pay the price when the Babylonians invaded them and took them into exile exactly what happened. She also has two B.S. Jesus changes Tychicus from an unfortunate Gentile to a fortunate servant. These verses are inserted here to tell us the bent of Esaus life and to prepare us for the next chapter, where Isaac stubbornly persists in his desire to give his blessing to Esau. Sometimes God even sends animals to carry out His justice! Moses wrote Genesis 26 mainly to show the nation Israel how God was faithfully working out His covenant promises. Lesson 89: The People God Uses (John 17:6-12) | Bible.org A man named Walt, who taught a Sunday School class, came upon young Howie and some other boys and invited them to his Sunday School class. Does God sometimes use evil to accomplish His plans (Habakkuk 1:5-11 Please click here to learn how. Gods hand was in this exchange. The same night he moved to Beersheba, in the land of promise, God appeared to him and reconfirmed the promises made to Abraham (26:24). It wasnt automatic. Please make me willing to humbly serve You every day of my life. God had seen the crying and suffering of the Israelites in Egypt, and He was concerned about their suffering. WELCOME!! Moses then fled to Midian. He signs his personal greetings by his own handas he suffers for Christ in a Roman prison. how he became a "prophet," if indeed one could call him a prophet. Trials are the normal experience of Gods people, even when theyre right where He wants them to be. 1. Genesis 48-49 records Jacobs final days. Even those who don't believe and even speak against. Maybe youre wondering, Why did God bless Isaac immediately after Isaac disobeyed God? (26:12-13). God is still using unlikely people to accomplish His will on earth today. If youll submit to the Lord and be teachable, youll discover that He uses everyday hassles to move you closer to the place where He wants you, the place of His blessing. And Isaac was a real pro at the sportin fact, the sport was named after the guy!. He waited seven more days and again sent out the dove from the ark. Stating that the plans of men are many but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. Audio: What current hassles or problems in your life could God want to use to help accomplish His purpose through you? I'd love to bless and encourage you with each new post! We know then that Tychicus becomes a traveling friend of Paul on his journeys to share Jesus Christ throughout the world. Why do you think Joseph responded to his brothers in the way he did? Remember Mark is Barnabass cousin and guess whos there. Isaac lagged behind God, even as his son Jacob tended to run ahead of God. But there are years of heartache capsulized in the few words of verse 35. If you say no, youre like the guy in a Dr. Seuss book we used to read our kids. The story of Joseph spans many chapters, Genesis 37-50. If Isaac hadnt had any hassles in Gerar, he probably would have been content to stay there all his life. So it's God working behind the scenes when he wants to stay anonymous to accomplish his sovereign will. . Joseph proceeded to tell Pharaoh what should be done (41:32-37). . Who was Samson in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org What does it mean that the Lord was with Joseph? . Trace Josephs actions throughout these chapters toward his brothers. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blogs author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Real Answers. Former Supreme Court justice, Louis Brandeis, once said to his frustrated, impatient daughter, My dear, if you would only recognize that life is hard, things would be so much easier for you. Our Sovereign God has always used trials, even with His servants who are in the center of His will, to drive us to greater dependence on Him. He used fishermen, a tax collector, a zealot, and a Pharisee to begin the early church. InGenesis 21, we read about thebirth of Isaac. What was the significance of this tunic and what impact might that have had on his brothers? 14 But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will come out with great possessions. What you and I have done in the past, do today, or at some time in the future may have a far deeper impact on the Kingdom than we can imagine. When the dove returned to him in the evening, there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf! Tychicus is not Jewish. Rob Green joined the Faith Church staff in August, 2005. 5. Remember my imprisonment. One letter is the letter to the Colossians which we are studying together, the other is the letter Ephesians to the Ephesian church. And from the passage to see how. He graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary (Th.M., 1976 in Bible exposition) and Califo More. Moses was obedient to God, made the journey back to Egypt, gathered Gods people, and made their journey from Egypt to Canaan. So Moses will go to where the Hebrews lived, and he saw their plight. Plus youll receive a copy of 30 Ways to Bless Your Marriage and Keep the Spark Burning. Published: May 04, 2022 The Bible tells the stories of many women, but we don't always realize the leadership lessons their lives speak. Is there someone who has wounded you deeply? But I do want to encourage those whose homes are not perfectand thats all of us! "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" ( Genesis 1:1 ). After forty days Noah opened a window he had made in the ark and sent out a raven, and it kept flying back and forth until the water had dried up from the earth. 4 people in the Bible God used despite their imperfections But you dont need to look very far to see how true to life this is. Im looking forward to another year of your posts! Balaams donkey refused to move because the donkey could see the angel, but hard-hearted Balaam could not! The Lord graciously appears to him and tells him not to go any farther. The main point is how God was sovereignly working to accomplish His purpose through this ordinary man, Isaac. At one point your post led me to think of the song Jesus Loves Me. Thank you for taking time each week to lift us up in His name. I thank my God for you! The letter of Colossians is written by Paul to his Christian familythe church in Colossae. 17 And I have promised to bring you up out of your misery in Egypt into the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusitesa land flowing with milk and honey.. The Two ways God Used Moses For His Purpose July 8, 2021 This post is the third series in our series of how God used people in biblical times for His purpose. Pharoah heard of what Moses had done and tried to kill him. Genesis 8: 6-12. Are you focused on Him, or are you focused on your circumstances and the situation in which you find yourself? Q&A: Does God Use Evil to Accomplish His Purposes? - Thirdmill (1 Kings 11). Learnt one thing new these days! Moses asked God what he was to say when people asked him who sent him, and they asked the name of the person who sent him , (Exodus 3:14-17 NIV) 14 God said to Moses, I AM WHO I AM. He wasnt shrewd like his son, Jacob, or a gifted leader like his grandson, Joseph. V. Raymond Edman wrote, Delay never thwarts Gods purposes; We must trust God with our emotions when we are, God is in control even when it seems that your world is, By Faith Alone: A Study on the Characters of Hebrews 11. If you feel an answer is not 100% Bible based, then leave a comment, and we'll be sure to review it. Jesus uses people with sympathetic hearts for marvelous purposes that impacts the lives of many. How did it strengthen you? How God Uses All Kinds of People to Accomplish His Greater Purpose - Counting My Blessings How God Uses All Kinds of People to Accomplish His Greater Purpose By Deb All | Bible Study | Prayer | Seek God First Sharing is caring! How would you describe Josephs relationship with his brothers? In Genesis 40:14-15 and 20-23, how was life once again unfair to Joseph? Our wise and perfect God can and sometimes does use the sin already existing in our world to fulfill His purpose. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more: circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless. Can you trust Gods sovereign hand in the midst of it? I always enjoy hearing from you! I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. In this story, Elisha, the prophet who came after Elisha, is making his way to Bethel when a group of youths start mocking him. Epaphras prays for the Colossians just as our pastors pray for you. Isaac had many fears. Many come to church every Sunday with smiles on their faces and sorrow in their hearts. And as we already discussed, consider the death of Christ, which God ordained ( 1 Pet 1:18 ff), but which was carried out by wicked men (i.e. Paul refused to allow Mark to go with him as a companion on his travels, so Barnabas, Pauls companion actually chooses to take Mark and sail for Cyprus. are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision, and they have proved to be an encouragement to me. Colossians 1:11. Jesus changes unfaithful cowards into courageous comforters. The one who would be later known as the father of the nation of Israel, Abraham's life was far from perfect. The first chapter of the Bible sets the stage: "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth" (Gen. 1:1). Why did Jesus choose Judas? | GotQuestions.org He also appears to have suffered from a mental illness. Indeed, God even hardened his heart! Where do you feel most inadequate as a Christian? How was Joseph able to resist the temptation of Potiphars wife day after day (vv. Serve them sincerely b ecause of your reverent fear of the Lord. Colossians 3:22 NLT. Eventually, there were 13 boys off the streets of Philadelphia who attended Walts Sunday School class. For I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts, 2 Timothy 4:12 - But Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. Half of the plagues God sent on Egyptians and Pharaoh when he refused to let the Israelites go were animal-related. There is no mistake in where God has you. We talked about the patriarchs and how God used Noah as well. The perfect example of this is Jesus' crucifixion: the murder of Christ was an evil act, but through it God redeemed His elect . Here is the chief family on the face of the earth as far as Gods purpose went, and yet they had problems. . Look at verse 12: Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. (v.12). 1. Praise God! This chastening served to move Isaac back toward Beersheba, where God wanted him. Blessings and success to you and yours! 660992, 273624 799389Fantastic post man, keep the good function, just shared this with the friendz 925759, 607629 841674I gotta favorite this internet site it seems handy . Does Gods favor mean prosperity? Nine were from broken homes, five were Roman Catholics. When Paul first goes to the city, the Jews are so opposed to the gospelthey are violent. Joseph: The Man with a Divine Purpose Related Media Joseph had a lot of things going his way in life at first. Jesus desires to change the lives of non-Jewish people. You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.. What was one mistake that Joseph made that perhaps could have prevented the false accusation against him? God used the Egyptians, the Babylonians, and the Romans to accomplish His purposes. The wells which played such a central role in Isaacs life were a tangible symbol of divine blessing. Isaac was the ordinary son of a famous father, and the ordinary father of a famous son. . ConsiderJesus was using a man who would later stop serving. But, He also uses people who dont follow Him even though they dont realize it. Rahab was a prostitute in Jericho. The Two ways God Used Moses For His Purpose - LNJ Life Coaching the Lion of Judah, the Lord of lords and King of kings has won the victory! . Chapter 38 seems like an interruption to our story of Joseph in Egypt, but it is a narrative of what took place back in Canaan during this time, especially concerning the life of Judah. How is one able to gain the type of perspective that Joseph had about his life? God wants us to be encouraged. The sovereignty of God is the "biblical teaching that God possesses all power and is ruler of all things (Ps. Yet the Lord was pleased to use Isaac as he learned to obey the Lord. 22 I have sent him to you for this very purposeto let you know how we are doing and to encourage you. Ephesians 6:21-22. We will not be able to look at every verse of every chapter, so I will try to summarize as we skim the following chapters. (1 Corinthians 1:25) Your plan is that we would come to know, love, and trust You through Your Son, Jesus. It might look like Tychicuss background is unfortunate being born in a non-Jewish home, but Jesus changes his life and he becomes a changed man, Beloved BrotherFaithful ServantFellow Bond-Servant.. God often has to break us before He can use us. Proverbs 12:10 says, The godly care for their animals, but the wicked are always cruel. Here are 10 instances in which God used various animals He created to accomplish His purposes or even to work miracles! Encourage me through his life to seek you more intimately and to trust you for every situation that comes into my life.