Author: Carol Purves

Only One Action

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Just a single action can alter the course of a nation. When the brothers of Joseph decided to sell him to the Midianite traders they thought they were only getting rid of a troublesome brother. But their actions would cause the change of direction for the whole Israelite nation that would last for years. They hadn’t taken God into account as their actions started a chain of events that were earth shattering.

Joseph was then passed around like a parcel but God was in it all. We read in Jeremiah ‘I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future.’ From being a hostage with the Midianites he was sold to be a slave to Potiphar. By being the best that he could be he rose to a good position in Potiphar’s household, was then wrongly accused by the man’s wife and sent to prison. Then through his fame in interpreting dreams he arrived in Pharaoh’s employ and finally saved his nation from starvation, where he eventually was joined by his brothers and father.

Did the brothers of Joseph ever realise the chain of events they had put into place by their one action? This story is real proof that God can turn a bad situation into a good one. God’s plans never fail.

Words of Love

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‘Pleasant words are like honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.’ Proverbs 16:24

We all know that once words are spoken they can’t be taken back; we tell children that careless words are like trying to put toothpaste back in the tube. (though one resourceful child managed to get some of the paste back in the tube when I was working with the children, which I think somewhat ruined the moral of the illustration)

In another place in Proverbs we read that a soft answer turns away wrath. It is all too easy to speak hastily, or in anger with complete disregard for the hearers. I can still remember the unkind words spoken to me as a child and can hardly recall the kind and complimentary ones. They were probably equal in number but my remembrance is evidence that unkind words hurt. It is no more effort to be complimentary than it is to be unkind and it is worth it to see the smile on the other persons face. Kind words and an assurance of God’s love are invaluable gifts to give.

Caiaphas

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There were a number of people allowed to take part in the Jesus story leading up to the crucifixion, people who thought they were making their own decisions but actually were putty in the hand of God. For prophecy to be fulfilled Jesus had to be crucified but woe to those who were chosen to be the actors in the story. Caiaphas was one of these people.

He had gained his position by cosying up to Caesar. With Jesus standing as a captive before him he was consumed with fear. Not fear of Jesus though in the long run he had every reason to be fearful of Him. Caiaphas was afraid of being thrown out of office, losing face with his people or worse still losing face with the Romans as a whole

Caiaphas had no excuse to doubt the sovereignty of Jesus ‘Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One,’ he asked.

Jesus replied, ‘I am.’

You can’t get any clearer confession than that. Caiaphas thought he had so much power, but actually he had no power at all; he was just everyone’s pawn.

No Words

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As soon as I approached my friend, who I will call Hazel, sitting in the corner of the room, I could see that she was very upset about something. I sat down beside her and waited and listened. Soon the story came tumbling out, her hairdresser’s best friend had a daughter who had just committed suicide. She had been an only child and had left two children of her own behind.

What could I say? There were many Christian platitudes that I could have shared. It was time for one of my ‘arrow’ prayers. ‘Lord, what do I say to this unhappy woman?’ i didn’t hear an audible voice from God but I had the overriding impression that He wanted me to say nothing. I obeyed and beyond saying ‘I’m so sorry.’ I didn’t utter another word.

I don’t know whether Hazel actually knew this woman, or whether it was only by association, but she was grieving. I sat with her for a long time. There would be other times to witness to my faith, but this was not one of them. My job was my silence and my private prayer.

The Price of a Life

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Jesus knew what He was talking about when He said the love of money is the root of all evil. There is the evil whereby one would sell their soul for financial gain. All around we see the love of money causing untold misery to many. One man’s gain is another man’s loss.

The sin of greed overtook the brothers of Joseph. They were bit uncomfortable about actually killing their brother, but when a party of Midianite traders passed by they saw the chance of easing their consciences and making a bit of money as well. Joseph was sold to the traders for 20 shekels of silver.

It reminds us of another life sold, this time for 30 pieces of silver. The actual amount of money that Judas gained was paltry, but his action changed the course of the whole world. The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus has brought redemption to all those who love the Lord.

Joseph

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“In all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purposes.” Romans 8:28

The Bible is so amazing. It is littered with stories of people who are as flawed as we are. Jacob is a fine example of this; he really needed to go on a parenting course. How unwise he was to favour one son over the others. It was never going to help Joseph in the popularity stakes. The same principle applies today; spoiling a child is not love, it is a form of unkindness. It will not equip them for life when they go out into the world

Joseph is sent to his brothers who are tending their sheep with murderous intent in their hearts. Here God steps into the scene. Reuben has been placed into the picture and suggests abandonment rather than murder. ‘Shed no blood,’ he pleads. The Bible gives a careful account of the pit into which Joseph was dumped, an empty pit with no water in it. At least our ‘hero’ will not drown!

This part of Joseph’s life is only the beginning of his adventures and misadventures. Sold into slavery, elevation, prison, elevation again, then the saving of the nation of Israel from starvation. As our text tells us, through it all ‘In all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purposes.’

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Restored

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“I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten ….. you will praise the name of the Lord your God, who has worked wonders for you.’ Joel 2:25-26

I wonder if, like me, you have regrets about the past; sorrow for things you have done or omitted, sadness for missed opportunities and wrong paths taken. But what is done is done and the past is past. There is nothing we can do about it, only learn from our mistakes and make restitution with people if this is possible.

This text tells us that God will restore the years we have lost and there is no point in keep going back over the past. God can even lead us to a place where we will give thanks for the times in the past where we have failed. The wrongs done and received can be a springboard into a more God-fulled life. Then, we will indeed be able to praise God and allow Him to work wonders through us.

Constant Prayer

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‘Pray in the Spirit at all occasions with all types of prayer and requests.’ Ephesians 6:18

It is not the practice of my church to use the Book of Common Prayer but when I take time to look through it and pray the prayers I receive great blessings. These are prayers which were written centuries ago and which have been honed and improved during that time. They have been prayed by so many faithful saints through all that time. What a precious book it is.

By contrast i sometimes need to shoot ‘arrow prayers’ up to heaven. They are not well formed or composed, they are just urgent. A certain situation occurs and I need swiftly to cry out to God. ‘Lord, help me now, this instant,’ or ‘here is an opening to witness about You. What do I say?’ When we pray in church we are praying collectively. Our prayers led by the preacher are sent to God as a group. Other times we pray quietly in the solitude of our own homes.

Long or short, alone or with others, the important thing is that we do pray. God has given us this wonderful means of communication, a means of speaking directly to our Heavenly Father. God loves us and wants to hear from us, He wants to talk with us. Just as with our earthly friends we need to keep in touch, how much more do we need to speak with our Heavenly Friend.

God’s Glory

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‘Praise Him for His acts of power, praise Him for His surpassing greatness.’ Psalm 150;2

As I drive towards my city, on the horizon ahead of me I can see the hills of the north Pennines. On another route into the city I can see the outline of the hills of southern Scotland. A few miles down the road the mountains and hills of the Lake District are in sight. Magnificent, massive structures which, if He wished, God could remove into the sea. What a powerful God we have!

This same creator is the same creator of the small daisies in my lawn with their white and yellow faces, small flecks of colour in my otherwise dull and drab garden. I marvel at a God so mighty and yet so intimate and tender. Why should i ever fear when such a strong God is in control of the world and also my tiny life?

Such a powerful God is in complete control of everything. He will not let me down, I only need to trust.

Exercise

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Exercise seems to be the buzz word these days. It is possible to get apps on our phone or programmes on the television or even visit a gym. Many books are being published on the subject. I think it is an excellent idea and my favourite method of exercising is through the television. I marvel as the tutor explains and demonstrates the moves which exercise various parts of our body. I can choose which parts need the most workout. Then life gets in the way and I miss a few days and then a few weeks. The small amount I exercise on a few days does me no good at all.

Does this describe my spiritual exercise as well? Do I communicate with God on a couple of days and then get too busy and forget? The Bible is a wonderful source of help and guidance but how much do I read it? My exercise with God needs daily renewing. We read in the Bible that Jesus left His friends to pray in a quiet place and at other times He took His friends with Him. If Jesus needed this communication with His Father, how much more do we!