Happy Tuesday to all! We looked at the horrific and hard things that happened to Joseph in Genesis 37 on Sunday. Joseph was almost killed by his brothers and then sold into slavery by them. However, in all of Joseph’s betrayals, hardships, and sorrows, God was bringing about His plan for the protection of all the family of Jacob and for the redemption of the world. God will lead us sometimes right into exceedingly difficult and trying situations. God allows and leads in such horrific situations for our ultimate good, the good of all His children, and for His glory. We see in the lives of God’s children the truth that sometimes, as Steve Estes said, “God permits what He hates to accomplish what He loves.” It is in those times that we must trust in God’s goodness when we cannot understand His ways. Will we believe in the goodness and love of God even when we cannot understand some of the things He allows? Will we believe that God truly is bringing a beautiful and perfect future for His children?God works through the most horrific of circumstances to bring about good for His children.
From Mother’s Day until Father’s Day, we encourage people to pick up a baby bottle and put their change, bills, and checks (make check out to CareNet) in these bottles. On Father’s Day, we will bring these bottles back to the church and then return them to CareNet to support their ministry to help pregnant women in our community choose life and help young moms as they raise their children.
Remember to keep praying continually for each other. None of us know fully the burdens our brothers and sisters in Christ might be carrying.
Love being your pastor!
Bob Ray, Pastor, East Madison Baptist Church