Daily Archives: September 5, 2026

Turning Point

Turning Point; David Jeremiah – Great Reunions: Joseph and His Brothers

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And Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come near to me.” So they came near. Then he said: “I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life.”
Genesis 45:4-5

Recommended Reading: Genesis 50:19-21

Families have the possibility of great conflict because of close quarters and constant interaction. But when conflicts are resolved and relationships repaired, family “reunions” can be sweet.

That is what happened with Joseph and his brothers. When Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery in Egypt, God’s providence caused Joseph to rise in stature in the royal Egyptian court. When a famine struck Joseph’s family in Canaan, his brothers journeyed to Egypt to buy food. There they encountered Joseph and were reunited with the brother they had sold into slavery. But Joseph saw God’s hand at work, sending him to Egypt to prepare a way for his family to stay alive.

If you have been separated from friends or family, trust that God has a purpose in your pain (Romans 8:28). Do everything you can to be reunited with those you love (Romans 12:18).

Christians ought at all times to be making contributions towards reunion, if it is only by their prayers.
C. S. Lewis

 

 

 

https://www.davidjeremiah.org

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread – When God Opens Our Eyes

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The angel of the Lord asked him, “Why have you beaten your donkey these three times?” Numbers 22:32

Today’s Scripture

Numbers 22:22-23, 25-31

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Today’s Devotion

In thirteenth-century France, legend has it that a knight left his baby boy at home guarded by his greyhound dog Guinefort. The knight returned to find chaos—the crib overturned, his son nowhere to be seen, and his hound’s mouth covered in blood. Assuming the dog had harmed his son, he killed it. Afterward, he found the body of a large snake covered in dog bites—and his son unharmed under the cradle. Guinefort had saved the baby’s life. The dog’s heroism and unjust fate so moved people that they misguidedly revered Guinefort as a saint.

Scripture records a similar incident, in which an animal was unjustly punished for protecting its owner. The prophet Balaam had been hired by the Moabite king to curse God’s people (Numbers 22:4-6). On Balaam’s journey, an “angel of the Lord . . . with a drawn sword” (v. 23) blocked his path. Balaam’s donkey, seeing the danger, avoided the angel twice—only to be beaten for his efforts (vv. 23, 25). When the donkey could no longer evade the angel, he refused to move and was again punished (vv. 26-27).

Finally, God enabled the donkey to speak and defend itself (vv. 29-30), and then He opened Balaam’s eyes to see the angel and heed God’s instructions (v. 31-32).

We’re not likely to hear an animal talk back to us anytime soon, but God can still open our eyes in unexpected ways. When that happens, let’s be prepared to listen.

Reflect & Pray

When has God opened your eyes? How has that changed you?

Gracious God, please help me to hear and respond to Your leading.

Today’s Insights

One wonders how Balaam, a non-Jewish prophet, knew about Yahweh, the one true God. Balaam had a reputation as an effective prophet; that’s why Midian’s King Balak commissioned him (Numbers 22:5-6). Yet even though God spoke to Balaam (v. 9), he wasn’t righteous. He later advised Midianite women to seduce Israelite men into sexual sin and idolatry (see 25:1-9; 31:15-16). We serve the God who can open the mouth of a donkey (22:28) and the eyes of a wicked prophet (vv. 31, 34). We can expect Him to open the eyes of those who trust Him and want to serve Him.

For further study, read: Who is Your Neighbor

 

 

http://www.odb.org

Denison Forum

Denison Forum – How to respond to criticism with wisdom

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In nearly 40 years of association with collegiate athletics, one of the most notable changes has been the advent and growing presence of social media. What could not have been anticipated is the impact and influence this medium has on so many players and coaches, and on their sense of worth and well-being.

While bullying was once limited to the elementary school playground, cyberbullying has empowered a new generation of keyboard critics with the ability to belittle, shame, disparage, and denigrate with an unrelenting zeal, finding fault as if there will be an award for it. Thus, I’m not surprised that one of the most requested and popular subjects I’m asked to address in team-development sessions is how to filter the critical voices and minimize their negative impact.

Kennedy and Lincoln on the price of leadership

Too often, we think only those in leadership roles are the targets of criticism, and that it comes with the territory. And indeed, it does.

Continue reading Denison Forum – How to respond to criticism with wisdom →

Greg Laurie

Harvest Ministries; Greg Laurie – Necessary Preparation

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 Then the LORD said to Elijah, ‘Go to the east and hide by Kerith Brook, near where it enters the Jordan River. Drink from the brook and eat what the ravens bring you, for I have commanded them to bring you food.’ 

—1 Kings 17:2–4

Scripture:

1 Kings 17:2-4 

King Ahab and Queen Jezebel were among the most wicked rulers in Israel’s history. Not only did they promote the worship of Baal, but they also tried to wipe out the prophets of God. It fell to Elijah to confront the king and warn him of God’s judgment. In 1 Kings 17:1, Elijah informed Ahab that Israel would experience a drought that would last for years.

Then God did something unexpected. Instead of building on that significant moment and initiating the inevitable showdown with the prophets of Baal, God chose a different path for Elijah. According to verses 2–4, “Then the Lord said to Elijah, ‘Go to the east and hide by Kerith Brook, near where it enters the Jordan River. Drink from the brook and eat what the ravens bring you, for I have commanded them to bring you food’” (NLT).

In other words, “I have a different plan in mind for you, Elijah. I want you to disappear from the scene for a while. In fact, I want you to go to this little brook called Kerith and just hang out there.”

And that’s what Elijah did. He may have been a man of action, but first and foremost he was a man of faith and obedience. So, he went to a place of total obscurity. He took a time-out from his normal prophetic duties.

The reality is that sometimes God will use us and then say, “Now I’m going to work on you for a while. You’re not ready for what I have for you next. I’ve got to whip you into shape a little more.” That’s what He was doing with Elijah.

It wasn’t a time for action; it was a time for stillness and reflection. It wasn’t a time for striving; it was a time for prayer and study. It wasn’t a time for proving; it was a time for growing.

Maybe you’ve experienced a similar unexpected sidelining. Maybe there were cutbacks at work, and you were let go. Maybe you had a ministry that was flourishing but suddenly is now floundering. Perhaps sickness has altered your plans. You’ve had to make changes, and it seems like the end. But maybe it isn’t the end at all. Maybe it’s a new beginning.

The natural reaction to such circumstances is to become anxious or impatient. We may begin to question God, His methods, or His timing. Or we may try to force His hand by taking matters into our own hands. The apostle Paul recommended a different strategy: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6–7 NLT).

God may have closed a door for you because He has another door ready to open at any time. Here’s what you need to do: Wait on the Lord and be faithful to Him. Often the things we go through in life are preparation for something else. Know that God is preparing you for something in your future.

 

Reflection question: What might God be preparing you for? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

 

 

 

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

Days of Praise

Days of Praise – Sacrifice and Service

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by Henry M. Morris III, D.Min.

“Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.” (Philippians 2:17)

Paul saw himself as “poured out” as an offering (Greek spendo) on the “sacrifice and service” of these precious friends. This special word is used only one other time, when Paul was “ready to be offered” at his death (2 Timothy 4:6).

Paul’s ministry among the Philippians resulted in the godly lifestyle of the church. They became sacrifices (Greek thusia) much like the Lord Jesus “hath given himself for us” (Ephesians 5:2). We also are told to “present [our] bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is [our] reasonable service” (Romans 12:1).

The service that is commended of the Philippians is a public service undertaken at one’s own expense (Greek leitourgia). Several men in the church at Antioch were noted for their ministry (Acts 13:2 uses the same word), and some in Macedonia and Achaia were also acknowledged for giving contributions to the saints at Jerusalem (Romans 15:26–27).

Paul’s joy and rejoicing at the godly activity of the faithful saints at Philippi are the key to understanding the tone of the entire book. He had “poured out” himself, even being “shamefully entreated” during his ministry there (1 Thessalonians 2:2). Yet while writing this poignant letter back to the church, he gives joyful greetings to them at the certain knowledge that his ministry among them resulted in their sacrifice and service.

Would God that all of us could see our offerings for the sake of others with the same passionate expectation. Often our Lord calls on us to give of ourselves in selfless ways so that others may learn from our example. Sometimes, we must even pour out our own souls for the sake of the gospel (1 Thessalonians 2:8). HMM III

 

 

 

https://www.icr.org/articles/type/6

Today in the Word

Today in the Word – Moody Bible Institute – Treasures Returned

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Read Ezra 1:7–11

The name Osama bin Laden conjures up a whole host of thoughts and emotions. His name is etched into the collective memory of Americans who lived during the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the ensuing twenty years of war. In a similar way, the name Nebuchadnezzar carried significance to the exiles in Babylon. It had been many decades since the Babylonian king had razed and looted the temple, destroyed Jerusalem, and exiled the people (2 Kings 25). Even still his name loomed large over their collective consciousness.

These five verses, three of which recount the items returned to the Jewish prince Sheshbazzar, carry heavy emotional and theological freight. First, they mention the Babylonian king whom God had used to judge His people. His name reminded the exiles of their shared history of idolatry and spiritual adultery. It also reminded them of God’s faithfulness to keep His covenant—even its curses (see Deut. 28). Second, we are reminded that Nebuchadnezzar dishonored the Lord by looting the temple and—shame of all shames—placing the “the articles belonging to the temple of the LORD… in the temple of his god” (v. 7).

Third and most importantly, we see God’s faithfulness to His name and to His people, as well as the great theme of reversal that resounds throughout Scripture. Though all seemed lost, and though God had punished His people greatly, He also forgave them. God would not leave His people in exile forever, nor would He allow His name to be profaned forever. Items meant for worship of the one true God would not remain in the temple of an idol. We can rejoice greatly that “Sheshbazzar brought all these along with the exiles when they came up from Babylon to Jerusalem” (v. 11). God kept His promise to discipline His people, and now He would keep His promise to restore them!

Go Deeper

What does this passage teach us about God’s character? How does this encourage your faith today?

Pray with Us

You are always faithful to keep Your promises, Lord. May we mirror this faithfulness in our own lives and be people who are true to our word.

I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness.Psalm 26:3

 

 

 

https://www.moodybible.org/