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Last Thursday I started this article at thirty-thousand feet.  I was on my way home and very tired.  Rest sounded good, and I was craving some spiritual, physical and emotional refreshment.  On that plane, and through some personal reading in the book of Leviticus, I had begun to wrestle with the concept of Sabbath-rest.  Then when I started to write an article for last Sunday, there was more unsettledness.  On the concept of real Sabbath-rest, I feel like a first grader when I should have a graduate degree.  I came to Christ at a young age, have studied the Bible for over fifty years and have been trained on spiritual issues virtually my whole life.  I have also taught the Bible and currently write articles of encouragement from a Biblical perspective.  So why am I having those first grade feelings?

On the seventh day of creation, God rested!  By the way, He also included the Sabbath day in the Ten –Commandments.  And as I mentioned, Leviticus spoke of Sabbath-rest.  Exodus 31:17 gives clarity on the subject for the children of Israel.  It is a permanent sign of my covenant with the people of Israel. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, but on the seventh day he stopped working and was refreshed.  Without a doubt, I believe that this principle can be applied for us today.  The question is, do we really value a Sabbath-rest?  We can all use the excuse of our circumstances, the demands placed upon us and a myriad of other well thought out reasons.  But when the God of Creation chose to rest, it was by design.  Certainly His work was completed, but there was more in my opinion. Could anyone deny that He was establishing a pattern for us to live by – an example to rest and be refreshed?

Why do I struggle so much with just accepting God’s pattern and really creating a Sabbath-rest principle for my life?  I am also convinced that it is not just me … I don’t know many who have taken God’s seventh day principle to heart.  Interestingly enough, four times this year I have sat with very spiritual pastors who are obviously having some of the same struggles that I have admitted.  They may have passed first grade, but not far beyond.  I am sure that any one of these pastors would admit that Sabbath-rest is more of an illusion than a reality for them.  It is my conclusion that really gaining insight into God’s Sabbath Day design is not something that most Christ followers have considered.  We instead are determined to be overworked, anxiety-filled and un-refreshed most of the time.  Even my first grade understanding tells me there must be a better way.

Since I am obviously not an expert on this issue, I have chosen to give you counsel from a well know source, Charles Swindoll.  Take note of these words from his book, Day by Day.

Here are five searching questions only you can answer:

• Do you deliberately and regularly take time each week to rest?
• When you’re taking time to relax, do you mentally release yourself from your responsibilities?
• Are you strong enough to say no to things that would result in your falling into the trap of over-commitment?
• Have you begun to cultivate hobbies that relieve your stress and free you to be creative?
• After you have rested and gotten recharged, do you return to your responsibilities without any guilt for having taken time off?

Without a doubt, we all need spiritual refreshment along with physical and emotional rest.  If we never choose to disengage, are we really helping ourselves?  My thoughts on this topic are really meant more to share my struggle, and challenge you to admit your need for a Sabbath Day. There is not a doubt in my mind that there is something rich for me to find in choosing to pattern my life after His seventh day example.  I may have a lot schooling yet to go, but the learning will be worth it. If you struggled with the questions above, maybe you should consider choosing a day of rest each week.

I would love to tell you that I always look at life through the prism of faith. The sad fact is that I don’t.  Sometimes I walk more by sight than by faith.  You may feel the same way.  But I have experienced God’s marvelous provision and protection in my life enough to know that there one way to live; by faith and not sight. We all have a choice to trust God in every circumstance. The question is … will we?  Take a quick look at a man named Caleb, and think about your choices of faith or sight.

It is a sad, but true picture of unbelief that is played out before our eyes in the 14th chapter of Numbers. If you grew up in church, you undoubtedly have heard the story of the twelve spies that went to scout the land of Canaan. They spied the land for forty days and reported their findings. You know what happens next … ten were afraid and gave a negative report. But two men, Joshua and Caleb, showed great faith and were blessed of God. This tragedy is highlighted by the fact that the ten fearful spies were struck down by God with a plague. Unbelief also led to the needless wilderness journey that lasted forty years. In the midst of the rubble, we see God doing what He always does, blessing a life of faith.

Numbers 14:24 (NIV)
But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it.

Numbers 14:24 (MSG)
But my servant Caleb-this is a different story. He has a different spirit; he follows me passionately. I’ll bring him into the land that he scouted and his children will inherit it.

Numbers 14:24 (KJV)
But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it.

Wholeheartedly, passionately and fully are strong words. Who in your life is a wholehearted follower of Christ? Don’t think about someone who follows religious guidelines, but that person whose faith really makes a difference. That person could be you! Caleb followed God passionately, and honored Him when it would have been easier to side with the ten fearful spies. Faith that matters will many times make hard choices. And by fully following the Lord, Caleb showed his family the beauty of faith and gave them the legacy of a God honoring life.

Don’t measure your faith (or anyone else’s) externally … it’s an inside job. Grow daily, seek Him passionately, and just see what He does. Let your spiritual measurement be, am I growing more in love with God and in love with people? If you are, something is happening on the inside that only God can do. Steadfast, wholehearted faith will work for you just like it did for Caleb.  Undoubtedly, your world will be meaningfully impacted if you have the Caleb spirit?

Would a true evaluation of your life reveal one of faith or of sight? Many reading this may have slowed in their spiritual passion. Some readers may feel they have never been wholehearted. And still others may never have accepted Christ as Savior (accept Him today!). But there is hope! Because the God of Caleb still reigns! Believe these words: For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. (I Chronicles 16:9a) That includes you!

In any endeavor to read through the Bible, it is universally accepted that the book of Leviticus presents one of the most significant potential roadblocks to success. I am certain that many of the strongest resolves were broken before the reader reached the final verse of its final chapter. Leviticus is a book where the epic tension of the two R’s (rules vs. relationship) seems reduced to an open and shut case of, “the rules have it!”

As I began reading a bit ahead this week in preparation for writing, I got only a single verse into Leviticus chapter 26 before I skidded to a stop. My soul locked in on the first few words of verse 2 …

“Observe my Sabbaths …”

As I sat and allowed those few words to echo in meditation, I “saw” the wide chasm between the two R’s all but completely disappear. Now, there is no arguing that “Remember the Sabbath” is a rule. It is number 4 on the “Top Ten” list. But inherent in this command from the great I AM, is a priority on relationship. God first modeled this “rule” for us, in choosing on the seventh day of creation to rest. The Creator of the universe, the source of all energy, the possessor of omnipotent power, rested. Did He need to? The obvious answer to that question is, “No”. Well then, there must have been a reason why He rested. And then at a pivotal moment in the history of his people, why He commanded that His day of rest be remembered in their individual lives.

Sabbath, or “shabat” in Hebrew, is literally translated as “rest” or the “cessation of work”. On the seventh day of creation, God stopped working and rested. Not from a place of fatigue, but rather of “finished”. Creation was complete, and God stopped. I also believe that during this cessation, He rested and communed with his creation. From these literal translations, it is not difficult to conclude why He commanded the remembrance of this in the lives of His people. It was a delineation between the work they did in, and of, themselves and the true source of all the fruits of their labor. And created a proper silence in which to worship their God, and commune with Him. It was a rest that produced peace, and nurtured and grew relationship. I love the early picture of God’s provision for His people in the desert. Each day God would provide manna. And each day there would be just enough for that day. Except on the sixth day, when God provided enough for two days. He was true in supplying their need so they could live in obedience to His command. How purposed and amazing is that!

It is so easy, isn’t it, to fill our lives with the “stuff” of work, and family and service. Things that in their proper context can be very good. But also things which can rather quickly crowd our lives and attentions, and create a barrier between us and the Creator in who’s image we were created. Take the time to “cease work” and “rest”.

Being busy and absorbed in work are obviously not just modern problems. God’s desire for His people has always been, and will forever be that they intentionally set aside time to cease work, rest and be in relationship with Him on a rhythm of one day a week.  By the way we live our lives, it seems pretty obvious that we think He was just kidding about that, or meant it allegorically.  Our Creator desires a deep relationship with us.  He established the Sabbath for our good.  A Sabbath that is not defined by the practice and particulars of a ritual, but rather time and presence given in love, offered in obedience and motivated by what He has done for us.

It was a classic Mike.  In our family, the running joke is that if my daughter or I do something really funny or dumb, it is a Mike.  Last week was very busy. On Sunday I headed to Florida for a few days of work.  I then returned home Thursday evening just in time for a Valentine’s Day dinner of pizza with my wife.  Friday morning, there was a study that I attend at 6:30a.m. I was awake early (but not alert), and took time while I was getting ready to unplug our phones from the chargers (in the dark).  On my way to the study (6:05a.m.) the phone rang, and I thought to myself, “who is calling me this early?”  The screen said, “Mike calling,” (calling myself, hmmm)!  In my good deed of unplugging the phones, I had picked up my wife’s phone, and she was calling me.  That’s a Mike!  You may be unwilling to admit it publicly, but I bet you could name of few of your Mike’s also.

Just like we all have Mike’s, we also all have pain. During every ordinary day, we are confronted with the hurts we feel, or view from a distance the pain of others.  The question is, how should we respond? Friday evening (with our cell phone issues settled) my wife and I attended a concert.  A line from the late Zig Ziglar was used to properly express the hurt and pain that we all experience.  His quote was,  If you treat everyone as though they were hurting, you are treating the majority in the proper manner. When you and I view others with compassion (realizing that they may be hurting) there is a natural sensitivity that takes over.  Our care replaces the emotions of impatience and irritation that often dominate our attitudes.  Correspondingly, it is a fair question to ask how you and I should address the personal hurts that we feel.

Take a moment to look around you today.  I wonder what is going on in the lives of the people you will rub shoulders with.  Some of these people you like….and well, some not so much!  But if you are a Christ follower, viewing them all with the compassion of Christ will indeed have a positive effect. And remember most are hurting in some fashion.  Proverbs 12:25 says, an anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up. Being consciously sensitive to the hurts around us is unusual, but needed.  Could it be that a co-worker or friend is going through a serious Mike, and just needs a fresh word of encouragement?  Why not give them that word!

You may be reading this article feeling that you are in need of that word of encouragement.  Although your personal hurt (emotional or physical) wasn’t caused by a silly Mike, you still need a pick me up. Let me be the first to give it. It is an absolute truth that God is in control, and that He absolutely cares for your hurt.  Our Father doesn’t let us go through seasons of difficulty without purpose. You may feel right now that those words are easier said than felt, but they are true.  The great author Philip Yancey gives amazing words on how to deal with moments of hurt.  He described faith as trusting in advance what you will only understand in reverse. Right now, choose to release your issue to the Father in faith, and trust Him for the results.

You may laugh at my Mikes, but none of us laugh at our pain.  We all view it, and we all experience it.  Today and all this week will you determine to offer the kind word….even to those who are often a source of frustration to you?  And never forget when you are the one hurting; there is always One who cares for you.  Hold on by faith!

p.s.  My wife has gently asked to unplug her own phone from now on!

I am penning these words on a day that has become quite sacred in my life (as you will likely read this on Thursday, consider it your yesterday).  Its calendar date is different every year, but always the same measure of days (46) separate it from the day that it points to.  There are very different observations of the period of Lent.  For some it is a strict period of fasting, with the exception of the six Sundays between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday.  For some it is a period of mild to severe abstinence that draws their heart and orients their life toward repentance.  For me, this sacred calendar date dawns a period of advent to the coming solemn remembrance of Christ’s death and burial, and joyous celebration of His resurrection!

In the middle of the cold and darkness and dormancy of winter, breaks the dawn of anticipation of the warmth and light and life of spring.  In the middle of the death that the darkness of our sin demands, breaks the joyous life that is ours because of the cross and Christ’s victory over the grave!  This is not just a positive prescription for the winter blues, this is the Cure!  It’s the truth that a cold and dark world needs for us to live in front of them.  It is not a hint that resurrection is coming, it’s a reminder that it has already come!

It is not my purpose to invite you, or persuade you to observe Lent.  I desire only to proclaim the advent of His death, burial and resurrection, and echo the words of Paul and the truth that changes our lives …

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
I Corinthians 15:3-4 (NIV)

“A baby changes everything” is rightly sung during the advent of Christ’s birth.  Let’s sing and shout “He Lives!” as we begin the advent of His death, burial and resurrection.  Let’s proclaim this to others “as of first importance” during this cold, dark period of winter that lies in wait for the bright, brilliant light and life of spring.  He is the Light, He is the Life!

Without a doubt, there is someone in your life that needs to make a commitment to Jesus Christ as his or her personal Savior. There is also no doubt that Jesus is the Way to the Father, only and eternally. But we all struggle with doubt, wondering if that particular person in need of Christ will ever take the ultimate step of faith. We don’t doubt God’s love, or His ability to change a life, we just wonder about that special and specific person …

Ten years ago, one of my work associates was anything but a Christian. It would have been easy to doubt even the hope of that future reality. But in a great way, God changed his life. And I often tell him, one thing you can’t deny is “the testimony of a changed life.” He has been transformed from a worldly and self-centered man, to one who possesses a passionate faith and who is a selfless giver. Was he ever too far gone?! … Not for God!!

On an ugly day of persecution, a great follower of Christ was martyred. His name was Stephen. But there was also a man directly involved in his persecution, that we all have come to admire, and acknowledge as a hero of the faith. Acts 8:1 says, “And Saul was there giving approval to his death.” This is the same Saul who was converted on the Damascus road and became known as the Apostle Paul. Wait a minute! But he was a persecutor of the church of God! Knowing me (and you), if I had lived then and knew Saul, I would have doubted that this man would ever be converted, much less become a voice for Christ – the voice that God specifically chose to carry the gospel beyond the borders of His chosen people. Most would have thought Saul was too far gone … but not God!

Every person reading this post has sung the beloved hymn “Amazing Grace” countless times. But if we had known the author early in his life, there is no doubt that we would have doubted he would become a man of faith. John Newton was a ruthless slave trader, and captained his own ship. It was during a violent storm at sea that he had “a great deliverance.” His life was remarkably changed and generations have benefited from that change. Note the first verse of Amazing Grace.

Amazing Grace! (how sweet the sound)
That sav’d a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now I am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

John Newton knew grace, and knew that God had “sav’d a wretch like me.” Even though we don’t doubt God’s ability, would we have wondered about this man, Newton? I am thankful that God stretched out his arms of grace, and inspired by how this man’s conversion was able to forever touch the world.

So … who do you love that needs the Lord? Have you ever doubted if they would trust the Savior? The personal story of my friend, the biblical account of Paul, and the historical tale of John Newton are evidence of God’s incredible life-changing love. He gave His best, Jesus Christ, as a sacrifice for all of us, and all our sins. The truth is, we are all sinners, wretches if you would, and are only changed by faith in Christ.

So today, if you know Him, give thanks that “you were blind, but now you see.” And don’t doubt that those you love can have their eyes opened too. Pray with faith for that special person, and don’t doubt. I trust and pray that one day, you will smile when that person who was “once lost, is now found.”

But wait … what if you don’t know Him?  What if you have stumbled across this article, or what if you have been a loyal reader and in a moment of complete and pure honesty, you are confronted with the truth that you don’t know Him?  Maybe that special someone you know is actually you!  Praise God … once lost, now found!  We have offered often in the past, and will do it once again … If you have just been found, and want to know more about this Jesus that just found you, contact us.  The full measure of our joy would be in sharing this Jesus with you.  Your yesterday ended at midnight, praise God if your new day has just begun!

When you were young, could you have ever imagined how many twists and turns your life would take?  It seems to me that almost every week can be an adventure.  Many of my (and your) adventures are of my own making, and some may be a test from the Father or a temptation from Satan.  At any rate, I haven’t found life to be just a smooth, easy road.  I do have to tell you about the adventure (of my own making) that happened last Sunday.  Our church was having communion, and the bread stuck to the bottom of the cup.  As a recovering type A personality, I tackled it with gusto and inadvertently spilled the cup of grape juice … onto my pants, the blue chair I was sitting in and the carpet.  A solemn, spiritual event for me became … an adventure.   My reading over the last week has reminded me of the adventuresome journey that the children of Israel experienced upon leaving Egypt.

I must admit that there are times when I look at how the Israelites handled their unusual adventures with a bit of condescending disdain.  How could they see the miraculous way that God delivered them, and still be such complainers?  Reality, however, reminds me of similar attitudes that creep into my mind, and often exit my lips.  They blew it, but so do I (and maybe you do too)!  Along the journey, after miraculously being granted freedom, they responded with a lack of faith.  How quickly they seemed to forget the incredible protection and provision from Almighty God.  Oops — sometimes I forget what God has done in my life and let doubt become my friend.  As you read further, note some statements from The Prayer Experiment, by Jay Dennis that relate to those grumbling Israelites and just maybe, you and I.

Faith measures the size of God; sight is controlled by the size of problems.

What an adventure it was to leave Egypt, and then to quickly be boxed in by the Red Sea and Pharaoh’s army.  How quickly freedom from Egypt lost its allure.  Look at how they responded.  They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die?”  Couldn’t they just trust God?  There I go again! It must be that I never struggle with doubt when encountered by a Red Sea experience. Yeah, right!

Faith is based on what God said; sight is based on how we feel.

Through God’s great power, the sea parted and the children of Israel crossed on dry ground. Wow!  But those rascals did it again. After a trip of three days in the desert with no water, they came to a place with bitter water.  Centuries later, it is easy to see that they should have trusted God, but they grumbled.  God, in His grace, miraculously made the water sweet.  Couldn’t they believe that the One who brought them out of Egypt and took them through the Red Sea would provide?  If I have the audacity to call them rascals, what should I call myself in moments of fear?

Faith focuses on “Who”; sight is limited to “how”.

As they continued to travel, the adventure became difficult because of the lack of food.  They actually compared having all the food they wanted in Egypt to starving in the desert.  It would seem to a spiritually minded, never doubting soul like me that these people needed to wake up and  remember what God had done for them in the past.  If they needed to wake up and remember God’s favor on them … so do I! It is so easy to lose sight of what He has done.

Faith looks to God as the Source; sight trusts in possessions, power and people.

Make no mistake, the children of Israel failed God with their lack of trust. They eventually paid dearly with a long adventure in the wilderness.  And if you and I are honest; we must admit that we too often live by sight and not by faith ourselves.  I wonder what we miss of God’s blessing because of our stubbornness.  I guess I get my point … I need to live with a heart of trust that reflects on God’s power and provision for the Israelites….and for me!  How about you?

We say that expectant mothers have “that glow” about their faces. Some may glow when they are in love. Others buy the manufactured glow of a tanning bed! But one of the most intriguing glowing faces in all of Scripture is that of Moses.

From the time his life was spared as a baby, through the wilderness wandering, to receiving the Ten Commandments on Mt. Sinai, the life of Moses reads like one of the greatest adventures ever written. But it’s the account of Moses and the Glory of God, that gave me the most pause for thought. In Exodus chapter 33, we learn that the relationship Moses has with the Lord is so close, so extraordinary, that God calls him a friend. He knows him by name.

Exodus 33:11 & 17
11  The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend.

17  And the Lord said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name”

Then, in response to this blessed declaration by God, Moses asks the unthinkable, the    incredible …”Now show me your glory.”

And even more incredibly, God honors his request and protects Moses from the death that would assuredly result from looking directly into His face. The Lord passed by as Moses stood shielded by God’s hand in the cleft of the rock; and he was only allowed to see the back of the Lord. After 40 days and nights on the mountain with God Himself, Moses returned to the Israelites. He returned completely unaware that his face was actually glowing.

Exodus 34:29
When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord.

The Glory of God was reflected on the face of Moses! God’s glory! What will it be like for us to see His glory … when we arrive in Glory?! It’s not the sun, moon, or stars that make Heaven so bright; it’s God Glory. It’s not the essence of an angel that makes them brilliant and shining. It’s the fact that they live where God lives, and His Glory is reflected upon them! The name seraph means “burning one” or “shining one.” It is believed that these angels dwell in such close proximity to God that they burn with holy brilliance! Isaiah Chapter 6 describes these angels as using two wings to cover their faces – even the angels must protect themselves from the brilliance of God’s Glory when they are in His presence.

This blog site was designed with the idea of offering encouragement through the daily journey that we all travel in this world. Encouragement in the face of pressures, worries, and upsets. And, if you are having a day today that is anything like the day I had earlier this week, think on this … one day, we will look on the face of God in all His Glory. No need to hide in the cleft of the rock. No need to cover our faces. No need to fear. I wonder if our faces will reflect His Glory? I wonder if our faces will glow?   I think they will.

Yesterday ended at midnight

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We all have stood at a crossroad, looking back at our past and wondering about God’s design for our future.  On the one hand, it is easy to look back and see all of the good that has happened.  On the other hand, we can all gaze into our past and find those wish we could live over moments.  Have you ever reviewed the past, present and future of your spiritual journey and concluded that yesterday was better?

When Moses arrived at the burning bush, he brought with him a rich and storied past — forty years as the prince of Egypt, and another forty years as a shepherd. You may have heard of the shepherd years, called his backside of the desert experience.  Standing there, confronted with his future and God’s plan for him, excuses dominated.  A quick read of Exodus chapter three makes it very clear that Moses was less than confident as God’s appointed deliverer for Israel. However, in the face of low self-confidence, he chose to follow God.

As I rub shoulders with Christ followers, I am struck by the fact that so many have lost their zest for the journey. They can remember spiritual milestones and answers to prayer. But there are also fresh memories of church hurts, and being bruised along the way. Churches are filled with individuals who once served and used their gifts, but are now fading into the background.  We may all need seasons of rest or even healing.  But those seasons should be just that, and should never be prolonged at the expense of missing the Father’s future design for us. Moses had eighty years of experience when God confronted him with the new phase of his journey. I am so glad, and encouraged that even through his excuses, Moses obeyed!

You may not be standing in front of a burning bush, but you are standing at a place with future opportunities. Don’t let anything in your past become a weight that holds you back from the God-designed future you can have. The emotions that say yesterday was better will cause you to look at tomorrow with a clouded view. God didn’t waste adversity in the life of Moses, nor will He for you. He wants all of your past, good and bad, to help prepare you for a Son-filled tomorrow.

Hebrews 12:1-2 (NLT)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

Your starting place today should be fixing your eyes on Jesus. Gaze on His life, and seek to become more like Him. Seeking Him will give you perspective on your yesterdays, and confidence about your tomorrows. Just as Moses possessed a past and a God-designed future, so do you! I choose to believe that your yesterday was not better, and that your future can be filled with the blessings and peace of our Lord.

Never live looking back!

In the days of our lives, there are a precious few that really stand out. There are countless good days that come to mind with a sense of joy and pride. Remembering our wedding day, the birth of a child and days of significant accomplishments can bring smiles and thankfulness.  We can all recall, as well, those days of our lives that were not so good (with no need for elaboration).  In my own life, there are distant days that are still crystal clear in my mind (whether good or bad).  But what about all of the other not so significant days of our lives, that seemingly get lost in the recesses of our mind?  Do they matter?  My assumption is that for both you and me those not so significant days have played a large role in who we are today.  Every day does matter!

For the past few days, I have been pondering the life of Joseph.  Studying his life has always been a source of encouragement to me.  My wife would tell you that his story is one of her favorites in all of Scripture.  His struggles resonate with all of us, and we love and cheer the outcome. Like you and I, Joseph’s life was littered with very significant days.  However, it is the days of his life that I know very little about that have caught my attention while pondering his life this weekend.  Did those days matter? My pondering has led me to the conclusion that, yes, they mattered, and shaped his life for the significant struggles and triumphs that fill the pages of Scripture and history.

Joseph was taken captive at seventeen and sold into slavery by his brothers.  He landed in Egypt, under the rule of the man who bought him, Potiphar.  God blessed Joseph and also the household of Potiphar because of this young man.  He was then falsely accused of immorality by his owner’s wife, and landed in, of all places, a prison.  Again, success came from the Lord and he was put in charge of all the prisoners.  God chose to use Joseph to interpret the dreams of two significant prisoners, the cupbearer and baker to the king of Egypt.  Joseph simply requested that the cupbearer remember him to the Pharaoh and get him released from prison. The cupbearer forgot!  It was two years later when Pharaoh needed his dreams interpreted that the cupbearer remembered Joseph.  The rest is history.  Joseph interpreted the Pharaoh’s dreams, and rose to second-in-command of Egypt.  Joseph was thirty when he entered the service of Pharaoh. There were lots of other days in those thirteen years of struggle.  Did they matter?

Now parallel our 21^st century life experiences.  We can all remember times when someone in our family treated us poorly.  There have also probably been times when each of us has done a good job, and then been falsely accused.  And every one of us has helped someone, only to be forgotten or under-appreciated.   Along our journey, we have also experienced significant moments of triumph for a job well done.  Our experiences probably can’t compare with the depth or height of Joseph’s, but we all can relate to significant good and bad days.  But what about all of the other days of our lives; do they matter?

In Joseph’s life, as well as in your journey and mine, all of those less than significant days play a huge roll in how we respond in the days that really stand out.  Somehow, behind the scenes, Joseph’s trust, humility and character were forged.  It is no coincidence that Scripture conveys God’s blessing and kindness to this young man.  In God’s preparation for Joseph to help lead Egypt, He let him go through deep trials.  And during those ordinary seemingly insignificant days (that did matter), Joseph responded to God in ways that prepared him for the days that have stood out for all to see. Every day does matter!

Today, tomorrow and every day are opportunities for you and me to practice the trust, humility and character that will prepare us for the days that stand out.  Embrace Him today, because every day matters!