circumstances

When Life Suddenly Changes

January 18, 2020 By Marji "Mike" Kruger

The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. (NIV) Genesis 39:2

The last that we left Joseph, he was sold by his brothers to Midianites who in turn sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s officials. Joseph was 17 years old. But, The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered. When Potiphar saw that the LORD was with Joseph and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favor in his eyes. Joseph was put in charge of Potiphar’s household, and was entrusted to care for everything his master owned. As a result, God blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph. The blessing of the LORD was on everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field.

All seemed to be going smoothly until the well-built and handsome young man caught the eye of Potiphar’s wife. As she tried to seduce him, Joseph held firm and did not sin against either God or his master. Eventually, Potiphar’s wife falsely accused Joseph and he was sent to prison. But, God was consistent. While Joseph was there in the prison, the LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. Joseph was put in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because he LORD was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did. (Genesis 39:22-23)

Joseph stood out among many. It was evident to others that God was with him granting him success in all he did. Although Joseph had been betrayed by his family, sold into slavery, and falsely accused and imprisoned, he kept his eyes on God. He entrusted his circumstances to the One he knew was in control.

How do you handle life when you have been betrayed, sold out, falsely accused or “imprisoned” by your circumstances? Do you go through the “woe is me” pity party? Do you chronically complain to all who will listen? Do you get bitter with the life you have been dealt? Or do you like Joseph entrust your life, your circumstances, and your future to the One who is in control? It’s not easy. But, trust the One who sees all. . .who knows all. . .who holds the keys to the future. . .who never wastes any of our experiences. . .who has His Kingdom purposes prevail. . .and who loves you enough that He sent is only Son to die for you so that you can spend eternity with Him. We may never understand our circumstances, but we can choose to trust the One who is in control.

Have You Learned The Secret?

September 14, 2012 By Marji "Mike" Kruger

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (NIV) Philippians 4:11-13

Most of us would say that sounds nice, sounds great actually. And I, like many others, often thought that Paul was just nicely saying wealth and possessions weren’t the most important thing to him. But, he is saying more than that. . .he is telling us he has a secret that most of us do not possess. . .contentment.

I’ve been watching myself and others, looking for a “glow,” a constant joy and passion within myself and others. That’s what I think contentment would produce in a person. And I have to say, I’ve seen very little contentment.

Most of the time our contentment is dependent upon our circumstances. Our contentment goes up and down depending on our successes, our failures, what we have, what others have, and how others see us. Some of us are content most of the time, some of us just some of the time, and others rarely ever. But, few sound as content as Paul. Few have learned his, and Christ’s secret. Honestly, I have not myself.

Our passion for life, for God, for joy, for faith, and for hope goes up and down, varying with how well life seems to be going for us. One moment we are feeling great, the next we are as low as we’ve ever been. We never seem to have enough. We are constantly looking at others and comparing ourselves to them. We never have enough in ourselves, we never stop comparing, we are never satisfied. . .and so we are not content.

Written by Carling Laird used with permission

So how content are you? Is your contentment dependent upon your successes? your failures? what you have? what others have? what others lack? how others see you? Have you learned Paul’s secret of being content in any and every situation? What has taught you the most about contentment?

Mystery and God

June 23, 2012 By Marji "Mike" Kruger

Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. (NIV) Job 38:4

Are you looking for answers in the midst of difficult circumstances? Asking the questions, but not finding a logical response? More often than not, we must live with unanswered questions and trust God. Here’s what one of my professors at Wheaton College writes about suffering, mystery, and God. . .

“Suffering is sometimes a mystery. We must affirm both the mystery and God. The paradox remained, but now, at least, Job knew that it belonged there — that it is built into the moral and physical orders, and into the very nature of God as He has permitted us humans to perceive Him. In a world where the universal principle is cause/effect, the book of Job reminds us that the principle is a reflection of the mysterious, self-revealing God. It is subsumed under Him, however, and He cannot be subsumed under it. The God-speeches remind us that a Person, not a principle, is Lord.” — C. H. Bullock in “Introduction to the Old Testament Poetic Books”

Looking for answers? I’d encourage you to cease looking for answers, and instead look to THE ANSWER! A Person, not a principle. It is in God that we can trust regardless of our circumstances!

Where is God?

May 12, 2009 By Marji "Mike" Kruger

You cant find God using a Search Engine. — You can't find God using a Search Engine.

. . . Egyptians came to dread the Israelites and worked them ruthlessly. They made their lives bitter with hard labor in brick and mortar and with all kinds of work in the fields; in all their hard labor the Egyptians used them ruthlessly. (NIV) Exodus 1:12-14

The Scene: God has been fulfilling His plan during 3 centuries between the death of Joseph and the birth of Moses. The nation of Israel is in slavery in Egypt. Their numbers are increasing so much so, that they become so numerous that the land is filled with them (Exodus 1:7). The Pharaoh who is now in power deals shrewdly with Jews. . . after all, the slave labor is essential to keep the thriving Egyptian economy healthy. The Pharaoh eventually resorts to persecuting the Jews by ordering the midwives to kill all newborn boys.

Where is God? Is He asleep? Does He care when His people are persecuted? How can we make any sense out of other’s suffering? How can we make sense out of our suffering?

Begin by asking God to give you His perspective on the situation, instead of trying to look for His purposes in the midst of your circumstances. Remember, His thoughts and ways and purposes are so much higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). And ultimately, His purposes prevail. Perhaps the most important lesson I’ve learned, is that although I may not understand my circumstances, God’s love for me is not in question. . . His love for me never changes. Are you being persecuted? suffering? Look to God. Ask the questions. . . you may or may not get the answers. . . but rest assured, whether the answers come or not, His love for you never changes and never ceases!

circumstances

Footer

Search