The Daily Dose

At the “midnight hour”

But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. ~ Acts 16:25

Have you ever been at a low point in life and felt like there was no hope for things to get better? Maybe you have been in a situation where you needed a breakthrough, and you were down to the last few minutes waiting for it to come, but it didn’t look like anything was going to change. Life can be full of “midnight hours,” times when you are down to the line and need God to come through for you, thinking things could not possibly get worse. How do you handle those times?

In today’s reading, Paul and Silas were having one of those “midnight hour” moments, quite literally. They had been accused of stirring up trouble in Philippi and because of that they were put in prison. Not only were they locked up, but they had been badly beaten as part of their punishment. As they sat in prison together, they didn’t talk about how they were going to get out of that place. They didn’t complain about how badly they were beaten and what part of their body hurt most. They never even mentioned devising a plan for what they were going to do next. Instead, they prayed and sang songs to God, praising and worshiping Him. Then when it didn’t look like things could get any worse, there was an earthquake.

I have read this account many times, but never really considered that an earthquake was not usually a good thing. Earthquakes are often destructive and dangerous. Sometimes people even die in earthquakes, and they are very frightening to experience. However, this earthquake had a purpose, as they always do when God is involved. But Paul and Silas did not know it was going to happen, and they certainly didn’t know what the results were going to be. When it looked like all hope was gone at their midnight hour, they praised God and sang to Him. He responded with an earth-shaking release from their chains and the freedom of all those who were imprisoned. Their breakthrough came when they turned their focus to heaven and the greatness of their heavenly Father. They shifted their attention from the bad circumstances surrounding them and gave glory to God right in the middle of the place of no hope.

This is a great example that we can follow still today. When we are up against a wall with no hope of escape or help, we can praise God for His faithfulness and His great love for His family. We can thank Him for being a part of His kingdom and pray about how we can be a blessing to Him and to others in our “midnight hour.” Midnight hours will come at times in life, but we can have a plan ahead of time to be prepared. Ask the Holy Spirit today to remind you when those times come to pray and sing songs to God. Then when you are up against it, you can rejoice in the Lord and in the power of His might. I’m not saying you will experience an earthquake each time you do, but I guarantee you He will answer when you call on Him. He will send you the strength and encouragement you need to carry you into that new day.

Here are some things you can do the next time you are facing a “midnight hour:”

• Choose a worship song today and make it your anthem for when you face your own midnight hour.
• Write down three things you are grateful for, especially in a hard season, and thank God for them out loud.
• Ask the Holy Spirit to remind you of God’s promises when fear and hopelessness try to creep in.
• Keep a verse about God’s faithfulness close by, such as Psalm 46:1 or Isaiah 41:10, and pray God’s promises daily.
• Instead of rehearsing your troubles, speak life and praise God for the victory He is working on even when you do not see it.

Today I want to encourage you to remember that no matter what you are going through, you can praise God in your hours of hopelessness and trouble. Praise is a weapon that will chase your enemy far from you. Praising God brings Him close in both good times and bad. Doesn’t it make sense that when you need Him most, you call on Him knowing He will come rushing in to save you? He gave His only Son to save you, why would He hold anything else back from you now?

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 16:25-34

25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 

26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. 

27 And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. 

28 But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.”

29 Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 

30 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 

32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 

33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. 

34 Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.

 Journal:

• What has been a recent “midnight hour” in your life, and how did you handle it?
• How can you intentionally make praise your first response when challenges come?
• What specific promises from God’s Word can you hold onto in your next midnight hour?

Get rid of it

_{And this she did for many days.  But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour.  ~  Acts 16:18}

We all have “voices” we hear in our thoughts each day.  Not is an unstable kind of way, but voices of doubt, fear, hurt or unbelieve.  If we listen carefully, we can also hear the voice of the Holy Spirit speaking wisdom and truth within our hearts. Beyond that, there are the external voices of media, friends, and the people closest to us. The way we hear these “voices” is filtered by our past experiences. Some people listen through a filter of hurt or offense. Others filter everything through shutdown and numbness, refusing to let anything reach the heart. Ideally, though, every voice we hear, internal or external, should pass through the filter of God’s Word. Scripture is to be the standard that we make decisions with, not the ever-changing words of this world around us.

In today’s passage, Paul and his companions encountered a young girl possessed by an evil spirit. She followed them for many days, loudly proclaiming the truth about who they were and their mission. Though her words were not wrong, Paul knew the source was not from God. He grew weary of the constant noise and finally commanded the spirit to leave her in the name of Jesus. Instantly, the voice was silenced. Paul showed great wisdom in this moment, but why did he let this go on for so long before finally confronting it.

How often do we let voices linger in our minds or around us, assuming we have no control over them? Whether it is the replay of a past mistake, a negative comment, or the influence of media, we do not have to live under the torture of those past “voices”. The power of Jesus’ name gives us authority to silence them. When doubt, fear, or lies speak loudly, we can command them to leave and replace them with God’s promises. Every time the thought tries to return, we can lift up praise and thanksgiving, knowing that those words no longer has power over us.

Here are some ways you can apply this truth to your life:

• Identify the voices in your life that cause fear, doubt, or discouragement. Write them down so they no longer stay hidden.
• Speak God’s Word over those lies by finding a scripture promise that counters what you are hearing. Say it out loud with authority in the name of Jesus.
• Remove yourself from situations, media, or conversations that continually stir up those undesired and haunting voices.
• When old thoughts try to return, immediately replace them with praise and thanksgiving to God for the freedom you have in your salvation in the Lord Jesus.
• Make it a daily practice to let the voice of the Holy Spirit be the loudest voice in your life by spending time in prayer and scripture reading.

Today I want to encourage you to take authority over the voices that have been plaguing you, whether internal or external. Just as Paul silenced the spirit that followed him, you too can command every lie, doubt, or fear to leave in the name of Jesus. When you do, you will discover peace, strength, freedom and the power of God at work in your life. God’s Word will rise above every voice of this world, and His truth will steady your heart. Get rid of it, and step into the victory Christ has already given you.

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 16:16-24

16 Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. 

17 This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” 

18 And this she did for many days.

But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour. 

19 But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities.

20 And they brought them to the magistrates, and said, “These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city; 

21 and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe.” 

22 Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. 

23 And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. 

24 Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.

 Journal:

• What negative voices or thoughts have been the loudest in my life recently?
• What scripture promise can I speak over them in the name of Jesus?
• What steps can I take to stop reopening the doors to old voices and instead choose God’s truth daily?

God’s presence in every season

The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master. ~ Genesis 39:2

 When I read the story of Joseph in Genesis 39, I am reminded that success in God’s eyes is not about where we are but about who is with us. Joseph was a slave in Potiphar’s house, yet the Bible says he was successful because the Lord was with him. That tells me that true success is not tied to position or circumstance but to God’s presence in our lives.

In my own life, there were many times where circumstances did not look like success on the outside. Times when I felt overlooked, undervalued, or placed in situations that felt far from what I believed God had planned for me to be. But it was in those very moments that I experienced God’s presence the most. Looking back, I can see how His hand was on me, shaping me, strengthening me, and preparing me for what was ahead. Those were the times that His presence mattered much more than my position.

For you today, maybe you feel stuck in a place you did not plan to be. Maybe your circumstances do not look like what you prayed for, or maybe you are facing unfair treatment as Joseph did when he was falsely accused and put in prison. Remember this truth, the presence of God is not limited by your location, your title, or even the opinions of others. When the Lord is with you, He gives you favor, wisdom, and strength to rise above every challenge.

Here are some ways you can get started when your circumstances feel far from successful:

• Start your day by inviting God’s presence into every area of your life through prayer.
• Read Genesis 39 slowly and notice every time it says “the Lord was with Joseph,” then write down what that means for you personally.
• Choose to do your best in your current situation, no matter how small or unfair it feels, trusting that God sees and rewards faithfulness.
• Thank God for His favor and provision in your life even if you cannot yet see the outcome.
• Share with someone how God’s presence has carried you through a difficult time, and encourage them to trust Him in their unnoticed times.

Today I want to encourage you to see your circumstances through the lens of God’s presence. You may not be where you hoped to be, but if the Lord is with you, you are already successful in His eyes. Like Joseph, you may be in a season of waiting or trial, but God is shaping your character and preparing you for what He has promised. His presence is your success, His favor is your strength, and His hand will lead you into your future.

Today’s scripture reading: Genesis 39

1 When Joseph was taken to Egypt by the Ishmaelite traders, he was purchased by Potiphar, an Egyptian officer. Potiphar was captain of the guard for Pharaoh, the king of Egypt.

2 The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master. 

3 Potiphar noticed this and realized that the Lord was with Joseph, giving him success in everything he did. 

4 This pleased Potiphar, so he soon made Joseph his personal attendant. He put him in charge of his entire household and everything he owned. 

5 From the day Joseph was put in charge of his master’s household and property, the Lord began to bless Potiphar’s household for Joseph’s sake. All his household affairs ran smoothly, and his crops and livestock flourished. 

6 So Potiphar gave Joseph complete administrative responsibility over everything he owned. With Joseph there, he didn’t worry about a thing—except what kind of food to eat!

Joseph was a very handsome and well-built young man, 

7 and Potiphar’s wife soon began to look at him lustfully. “Come and sleep with me,” she demanded.

8 But Joseph refused. “Look,” he told her, “my master trusts me with everything in his entire household. 

9 No one here has more authority than I do. He has held back nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How could I do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God.”

10 She kept putting pressure on Joseph day after day, but he refused to sleep with her, and he kept out of her way as much as possible. 

11 One day, however, no one else was around when he went in to do his work. 

12 She came and grabbed him by his cloak, demanding, “Come on, sleep with me!” Joseph tore himself away, but he left his cloak in her hand as he ran from the house.

13 When she saw that she was holding his cloak and he had fled, 

14 she called out to her servants. Soon all the men came running. “Look!” she said. “My husband has brought this Hebrew slave here to make fools of us! He came into my room to rape me, but I screamed. 

15 When he heard me scream, he ran outside and got away, but he left his cloak behind with me.”

16 She kept the cloak with her until her husband came home. 

17 Then she told him her story. “That Hebrew slave you’ve brought into our house tried to come in and fool around with me,” she said. 

18 “But when I screamed, he ran outside, leaving his cloak with me!”

19 Potiphar was furious when he heard his wife’s story about how Joseph had treated her. 

20 So he took Joseph and threw him into the prison where the king’s prisoners were held, and there he remained. 

21 But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love. And the Lord made Joseph a favorite with the prison warden. 

22 Before long, the warden put Joseph in charge of all the other prisoners and over everything that happened in the prison. 

23 The warden had no more worries, because Joseph took care of everything. The Lord was with him and caused everything he did to succeed.

 Journal:

• What area of my life right now feels unfair or difficult?
• How can I invite God’s presence into it to trust Him the way Joseph did?

God’s redemption in our mess

Judah recognized them immediately and said, “She is more righteous than I am, because I didn’t arrange for her to marry my son Shelah.”  ~ Genesis 38:26

Genesis 38 is not an easy chapter to read. It is the account of Judah and Tamar, a message full of brokenness, mistakes, and injustice. Yet right in the middle of what looks like a mess, God’s redemption plan is clearly seen. Out of this situation came the child Perez, who would become part of the lineage of King David and ultimately Jesus. God chose to bring His promise through a situation that most of us would consider too messy to redeem.

It is no secret that there were many times in my life when I made choices that left me in shame and guilt. There were even times when I thought my mistakes disqualified me from God’s plan. For years I carried the weight of regret and wondered if I had missed my opportunity. But now I understand that God’s grace is far greater than any of my failures. He does not erase His calling because of my weaknesses.  The best part about it all is that He weaves even the broken pieces of my life into His plan.

This chapter shows that no matter how complicated life gets, God can still bring His promise to pass. If you feel like your life is too messy or your past is too heavy, you can rest assured that God specializes in redemption. What looks disqualified to you is more than likely the very place where God wants to display His glory.

Here are some steps you can take if you are navigating a mess in your life:

1. Bring your past mistakes honestly before God in prayer and ask Him to redeem them for His purpose.
2. Release guilt by declaring God’s forgiveness over your life. His Word says there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ.
3. Look for ways God has already turned situations around for your good. Seeing His hand in the past will strengthen your faith for today.
4. Begin to speak hope over areas that feel broken. Ask God to show you how He can use them to bless others.

Today I want to encourage you to believe that your story is not too messy for God. The same God who brought redemption out of Judah and Tamar’s situation is the God who will redeem your life as well. He does not waste anything, and His purpose for you is still intact.  He will take all the bits and broken pieces of your life and put them back together as a beautiful masterpiece.

Today’s scripture reading: Genesis 38

1 About this time, Judah left home and moved to Adullam, where he stayed with a man named Hirah. 

2 There he saw a Canaanite woman, the daughter of Shua, and he married her. When he slept with her, 

3 she became pregnant and gave birth to a son, and he named the boy Er. 

4 Then she became pregnant again and gave birth to another son, and she named him Onan. 

5 And when she gave birth to a third son, she named him Shelah. At the time of Shelah’s birth, they were living at Kezib.

6 In the course of time, Judah arranged for his firstborn son, Er, to marry a young woman named Tamar. 

7 But Er was a wicked man in the Lord’s sight, so the Lord took his life. 

8 Then Judah said to Er’s brother Onan, “Go and marry Tamar, as our law requires of the brother of a man who has died. You must produce an heir for your brother.”

9 But Onan was not willing to have a child who would not be his own heir. So whenever he had intercourse with his brother’s wife, he spilled the semen on the ground. This prevented her from having a child who would belong to his brother. 

10 But the Lord considered it evil for Onan to deny a child to his dead brother. So the Lord took Onan’s life, too.

11 Then Judah said to Tamar, his daughter-in-law, “Go back to your parents’ home and remain a widow until my son Shelah is old enough to marry you.” (But Judah didn’t really intend to do this because he was afraid Shelah would also die, like his two brothers.) So Tamar went back to live in her father’s home.

12 Some years later Judah’s wife died. After the time of mourning was over, Judah and his friend Hirah the Adullamite went up to Timnah to supervise the shearing of his sheep. 

13 Someone told Tamar, “Look, your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep.”

14 Tamar was aware that Shelah had grown up, but no arrangements had been made for her to come and marry him. So she changed out of her widow’s clothing and covered herself with a veil to disguise herself. Then she sat beside the road at the entrance to the village of Enaim, which is on the road to Timnah. 

15 Judah noticed her and thought she was a prostitute, since she had covered her face. 

16 So he stopped and propositioned her. “Let me have sex with you,” he said, not realizing that she was his own daughter-in-law.

“How much will you pay to have sex with me?” Tamar asked.

17 “I’ll send you a young goat from my flock,” Judah promised.

“But what will you give me to guarantee that you will send the goat?” she asked.

18 “What kind of guarantee do you want?” he replied.

She answered, “Leave me your identification seal and its cord and the walking stick you are carrying.” So Judah gave them to her. Then he had intercourse with her, and she became pregnant. 

19 Afterward she went back home, took off her veil, and put on her widow’s clothing as usual.

20 Later Judah asked his friend Hirah the Adullamite to take the young goat to the woman and to pick up the things he had given her as his guarantee. But Hirah couldn’t find her. 

21 So he asked the men who lived there, “Where can I find the shrine prostitute who was sitting beside the road at the entrance to Enaim?”

“We’ve never had a shrine prostitute here,” they replied.

22 So Hirah returned to Judah and told him, “I couldn’t find her anywhere, and the men of the village claim they’ve never had a shrine prostitute there.”

23 “Then let her keep the things I gave her,” Judah said. “I sent the young goat as we agreed, but you couldn’t find her. We’d be the laughingstock of the village if we went back again to look for her.”

24 About three months later, Judah was told, “Tamar, your daughter-in-law, has acted like a prostitute. And now, because of this, she’s pregnant.” “Bring her out, and let her be burned!” Judah demanded.

25 But as they were taking her out to kill her, she sent this message to her father-in-law: “The man who owns these things made me pregnant. Look closely. Whose seal and cord and walking stick are these?”

26 Judah recognized them immediately and said, “She is more righteous than I am, because I didn’t arrange for her to marry my son Shelah.” And Judah never slept with Tamar again.

27 When the time came for Tamar to give birth, it was discovered that she was carrying twins. 

28 While she was in labor, one of the babies reached out his hand. The midwife grabbed it and tied a scarlet string around the child’s wrist, announcing, “This one came out first.” 

29 But then he pulled back his hand, and out came his brother! “What!” the midwife exclaimed. “How did you break out first?” So he was named Perez. 

30 Then the baby with the scarlet string on his wrist was born, and he was named Zerah.

Journal:

• Write about an area of your life where you feel disqualified or weighed down by mistakes.
• Then ask God to show you how He wants to bring redemption in that very place.

God’s hand in the pit

Then they grabbed him and threw him into the cistern. Now the cistern was empty; there was no water in it. ~ Genesis 37:24

 When I read this passage about Joseph, I am reminded that even when it looks like everything has fallen apart, God still has a plan. Joseph was thrown into a pit by his own brothers, betrayed and left with no way out. Yet, the very place of rejection became the starting point of God’s divine purpose for his life.

I can think back to times in my life when I felt like I was in a pit. Times when I was misunderstood, overlooked, or even betrayed by people I thought I could trust. It was painful, and at times I felt like God had forgotten me. But looking back now, I can see that those very moments shaped my faith and positioned me for where I am today. What felt like isolation was actually preparation.

This speaks to your life too. You may feel like you are stuck in a situation/pit you didn’t ask for, perhaps even put there by others’ choices or words. The pit is not the end, it is a place where God begins to set His plan into motion. Joseph’s pit led to a palace, and your pit can lead to the very place God has prepared for you.

Here are some steps to take if you feel stuck:

1. Be honest with God in prayer about your pit. Tell Him how you feel and invite Him into that space.
2. Choose to forgive those who hurt you, even if they never apologize. Forgiveness frees you to move forward.
3. Speak God’s promises over your life each day. Remember that He is working all things together for your good.
4. Look for small ways God is providing right where you are. Gratitude will keep your heart steady until the breakthrough comes.

Today I want to encourage you to hold on to hope in your pit. What feels like an ending may actually be the beginning of something far greater. God has not forgotten you, and He is preparing you for the fulfillment of His promises. The pit may feel empty, but God is filling it with purpose.

Today’s scripture reading: Genesis 37

1 So Jacob settled again in the land of Canaan, where his father had lived as a foreigner.

2 This is the account of Jacob and his family. When Joseph was seventeen years old, he often tended his father’s flocks. He worked for his half brothers, the sons of his father’s wives Bilhah and Zilpah. But Joseph reported to his father some of the bad things his brothers were doing.

3 Jacob loved Joseph more than any of his other children because Joseph had been born to him in his old age. So one day Jacob had a special gift made for Joseph—a beautiful robe. 

4 But his brothers hated Joseph because their father loved him more than the rest of them. They couldn’t say a kind word to him.

5 One night Joseph had a dream, and when he told his brothers about it, they hated him more than ever.

6 “Listen to this dream,” he said. 

7 “We were out in the field, tying up bundles of grain. Suddenly my bundle stood up, and your bundles all gathered around and bowed low before mine!”

8 His brothers responded, “So you think you will be our king, do you? Do you actually think you will reign over us?” And they hated him all the more because of his dreams and the way he talked about them.

9 Soon Joseph had another dream, and again he told his brothers about it. “Listen, I have had another dream,” he said. “The sun, moon, and eleven stars bowed low before me!”

10 This time he told the dream to his father as well as to his brothers, but his father scolded him. “What kind of dream is that?” he asked. “Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow to the ground before you?” 

11 But while his brothers were jealous of Joseph, his father wondered what the dreams meant.

12 Soon after this, Joseph’s brothers went to pasture their father’s flocks at Shechem. 

13 When they had been gone for some time, Jacob said to Joseph, “Your brothers are pasturing the sheep at Shechem. Get ready, and I will send you to them.”

“I’m ready to go,” Joseph replied.

14 “Go and see how your brothers and the flocks are getting along,” Jacob said. “Then come back and bring me a report.” So Jacob sent him on his way, and Joseph traveled to Shechem from their home in the valley of Hebron.

15 When he arrived there, a man from the area noticed him wandering around the countryside. “What are you looking for?” he asked.

16 “I’m looking for my brothers,” Joseph replied. “Do you know where they are pasturing their sheep?”

17 “Yes,” the man told him. “They have moved on from here, but I heard them say, ‘Let’s go on to Dothan.’” So Joseph followed his brothers to Dothan and found them there.

Joseph Sold into Slavery

18 When Joseph’s brothers saw him coming, they recognized him in the distance. As he approached, they made plans to kill him. 

19 “Here comes the dreamer!” they said. 

20 “Come on, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns. We can tell our father, ‘A wild animal has eaten him.’ Then we’ll see what becomes of his dreams!”

21 But when Reuben heard of their scheme, he came to Joseph’s rescue. “Let’s not kill him,” he said. 

22 “Why should we shed any blood? Let’s just throw him into this empty cistern here in the wilderness. Then he’ll die without our laying a hand on him.” Reuben was secretly planning to rescue Joseph and return him to his father.

23 So when Joseph arrived, his brothers ripped off the beautiful robe he was wearing. 

24 Then they grabbed him and threw him into the cistern. Now the cistern was empty; there was no water in it. 

25 Then, just as they were sitting down to eat, they looked up and saw a caravan of camels in the distance coming toward them. It was a group of Ishmaelite traders taking a load of gum, balm, and aromatic resin from Gilead down to Egypt.

26 Judah said to his brothers, “What will we gain by killing our brother? We’d have to cover up the crime. 

27 Instead of hurting him, let’s sell him to those Ishmaelite traders. After all, he is our brother—our own flesh and blood!” And his brothers agreed. 

28 So when the Ishmaelites, who were Midianite traders, came by, Joseph’s brothers pulled him out of the cistern and sold him to them for twenty pieces of silver. And the traders took him to Egypt.

29 Some time later, Reuben returned to get Joseph out of the cistern. When he discovered that Joseph was missing, he tore his clothes in grief. 

30 Then he went back to his brothers and lamented, “The boy is gone! What will I do now?”

31 Then the brothers killed a young goat and dipped Joseph’s robe in its blood. 

32 They sent the beautiful robe to their father with this message: “Look at what we found. Doesn’t this robe belong to your son?”

33 Their father recognized it immediately. “Yes,” he said, “it is my son’s robe. A wild animal must have eaten him. Joseph has clearly been torn to pieces!” 

34 Then Jacob tore his clothes and dressed himself in burlap. He mourned deeply for his son for a long time. 

35 His family all tried to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. “I will go to my grave mourning for my son,” he would say, and then he would weep.

36 Meanwhile, the Midianite traders arrived in Egypt, where they sold Joseph to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. Potiphar was captain of the palace guard.

Journal:

• Write about a time in your life when you felt stuck in a pit.
• How did God use that season for your growth.
• Then write down one promise from Scripture that you will stand on in your current season.

God works through every generation

This is the account of the descendants of Esau (also known as Edom). ~ Genesis 36:1

At first glance, Genesis 36 might seem like nothing more than a list of names and families. But when you really stop and think about it, you can see that it tells a story of God’s faithfulness to Esau’s descendants. Even though Esau did not receive the covenant blessing that Jacob did, God still gave him an inheritance, a land, and generations after him who carried his name forward. It shows us that God never forgets His promises and that He works through every life, even when the spotlight is not on us.

Personally, I have always lived a life that was in the background.  It is almost like my name has been buried in a list of many others. But now I want to make sure that my life matters, know that God sees me, and that what I am doing in this world has significance. In the quiet, hidden moments in His presence, God reminds me that He does not forget His children. Just like Esau’s lineage was remembered and recorded, my life is seen, has a purpose and is greatly valued by Him, also.

This passage can speak into your life too if you have ever felt unnoticed, forgotten, or unimportant. Maybe you are serving faithfully but do not feel recognized. Maybe you are questioning if your life has meaning or if your efforts are making a difference. Genesis 36 can be your reminder that God records names, families, and stories because every person matters to Him. What looks ordinary or hidden to some people is remembered and honored by God.

Here is a list of ways you can remember your significance in the time and space you live in:

• Trust that God sees your life even when others do not
• Remind yourself daily that your faithfulness is never wasted
• Write down ways God has already shown His faithfulness in your family or personal story
• Take time to encourage someone else who might feel overlooked and remind them that God knows their name
• Continue to serve in your current place with a heart of gratitude, knowing that your labor is never in vain

Today I want to encourage you to rest in the truth that God sees you, He values you, and He will carry your story forward just as He did with Esau’s descendants. Your life is part of a bigger plan, and even when it feels hidden, it is not forgotten. Trust Him with your journey and know that He is faithful through every generation.

Today’s scripture reading: Genesis36

1 This is the account of the descendants of Esau (also known as Edom). 

2 Esau married two young women from Canaan: Adah, the daughter of Elon the Hittite; and Oholibamah, the daughter of Anah and granddaughter of Zibeon the Hivite. 

3 He also married his cousin Basemath, who was the daughter of Ishmael and the sister of Nebaioth. 

4 Adah gave birth to a son named Eliphaz for Esau. Basemath gave birth to a son named Reuel. 

5 Oholibamah gave birth to sons named Jeush, Jalam, and Korah. All these sons were born to Esau in the land of Canaan.

6 Esau took his wives, his children, and his entire household, along with his livestock and cattle—all the wealth he had acquired in the land of Canaan—and moved away from his brother, Jacob. 

7 There was not enough land to support them both because of all the livestock and possessions they had acquired. 

8 So Esau (also known as Edom) settled in the hill country of Seir.

9 This is the account of Esau’s descendants, the Edomites, who lived in the hill country of Seir.

10 These are the names of Esau’s sons: Eliphaz, the son of Esau’s wife Adah; and Reuel, the son of Esau’s wife Basemath.

11 The descendants of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zepho, Gatam, and Kenaz. 

12 Timna, the concubine of Esau’s son Eliphaz, gave birth to a son named Amalek. These are the descendants of Esau’s wife Adah.

13 The descendants of Reuel were Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah. These are the descendants of Esau’s wife Basemath.

14 Esau also had sons through Oholibamah, the daughter of Anah and granddaughter of Zibeon. Their names were Jeush, Jalam, and Korah.

15 These are the descendants of Esau who became the leaders of various clans:

The descendants of Esau’s oldest son, Eliphaz, became the leaders of the clans of Teman, Omar, Zepho, Kenaz, 

16 Korah, Gatam, and Amalek. These are the clan leaders in the land of Edom who descended from Eliphaz. All these were descendants of Esau’s wife Adah.

17 The descendants of Esau’s son Reuel became the leaders of the clans of Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah. These are the clan leaders in the land of Edom who descended from Reuel. All these were descendants of Esau’s wife Basemath.

18 The descendants of Esau and his wife Oholibamah became the leaders of the clans of Jeush, Jalam, and Korah. These are the clan leaders who descended from Esau’s wife Oholibamah, the daughter of Anah.

19 These are the clans descended from Esau (also known as Edom), identified by their clan leaders.

Original Peoples of Edom

20 These are the names of the tribes that descended from Seir the Horite. They lived in the land of Edom: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, 

21 Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan. These were the Horite clan leaders, the descendants of Seir, who lived in the land of Edom.

22 The descendants of Lotan were Hori and Hemam. Lotan’s sister was named Timna.

23 The descendants of Shobal were Alvan, Manahath, Ebal, Shepho, and Onam.

24 The descendants of Zibeon were Aiah and Anah. (This is the Anah who discovered the hot springs in the wilderness while he was grazing his father’s donkeys.)

25 The descendants of Anah were his son, Dishon, and his daughter, Oholibamah.

26 The descendants of Dishon were Hemdan, Eshban, Ithran, and Keran.

27 The descendants of Ezer were Bilhan, Zaavan, and Akan.

28 The descendants of Dishan were Uz and Aran.

29 So these were the leaders of the Horite clans: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, 

30 Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan. The Horite clans are named after their clan leaders, who lived in the land of Seir.

31 These are the kings who ruled in the land of Edom before any king ruled over the Israelites:

32 Bela son of Beor, who ruled in Edom from his city of Dinhabah.

33 When Bela died, Jobab son of Zerah from Bozrah became king in his place.

34 When Jobab died, Husham from the land of the Temanites became king in his place.

35 When Husham died, Hadad son of Bedad became king in his place and ruled from the city of Avith. He was the one who defeated the Midianites in the land of Moab.

36 When Hadad died, Samlah from the city of Masrekah became king in his place.

37 When Samlah died, Shaul from the city of Rehoboth-on-the-River became king in his place.

38 When Shaul died, Baal-hanan son of Acbor became king in his place.

39 When Baal-hanan son of Acbor died, Hadad became king in his place and ruled from the city of Pau. His wife was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred and granddaughter of Me-zahab.

Journal:

• Write down the areas of your life where you have felt hidden or overlooked.
• Then, write a prayer thanking God for seeing you.
• Ask Him to show you how He is using your story for His glory.

Return to Bethel

Then God said to Jacob, “Arise, go up to Bethel and dwell there, and make an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you fled from the face of Esau your brother.” ~ Genesis 35:1

This chapter is so powerful because it is about returning to the place of God’s promise. Jacob had wandered, experienced trials, and even suffered loss, but God called him back to Bethel, the place where He first revealed Himself in a special way. It was a call to return to the foundation of God’s presence and promises.

As I read this about this point in Jacob’s life, I can’t help but remember my own wandering time, when I lived life far from God’s promises. I knew that God loved me and that He always answered when I called on Him but I wasn’t daily committing my life to Him. Instead, I was living a life of fear, trying to escape and losing sight of the purpose He gave me life for in the first place. Eventually, I reached a point where I realized I needed to get back to the basics. God was calling me to return to the quiet place of prayer and worship, the place where I first experienced Him so personally. He reminded me that I needed to be planted in His house if I wanted to flourish, and that I needed people around me who would help me stand strong instead of constantly falling short. Just like Jacob, I needed to return to my own Bethel, that place of surrender where I could once again trust Him with every area of my life and renew my faith in His sacrificial love and salvation.

This is a reminder to all of us today because we all face times where distractions, struggles, or busyness can pull us away from intimacy with God. Yet, He never stops calling us back. His call isn’t to condemn, it’s to restore. Returning to our Bethel means going back to those moments of deep faith, remembering His faithfulness, and rebuilding the altar of worship in our hearts.

Here are some ways to get back on purpose if it feels far away right now:

• Set aside intentional time this week to be alone with God, even if it is just a few minutes each day.
• Remember the times when God has been faithful in your life and write them down in a journal.
• Create a quiet meeting place in your home where you can consistently meet with God in prayer and worship.
• Remove distractions or “foreign gods” as Jacob did, whether they are habits, fears, or things that take your focus off the Lord.
• Make a fresh commitment to serve God faithfully with the gifts and resources He has entrusted to you.

Today I want to encourage you to return to your Bethel. God is calling you back to His presence, to the place of His promises, and to the altar of worship. He has not forgotten you, and He is ready to meet you again in a fresh and powerful way. When you take those steps toward Him, He will renew your strength, fill you with joy, and give you the sense of purpose that only He can bring.

Today’s scripture reading: Genesis 35

1 Then God said to Jacob, “Get ready and move to Bethel and settle there. Build an altar there to the God who appeared to you when you fled from your brother, Esau.”

2 So Jacob told everyone in his household, “Get rid of all your pagan idols, purify yourselves, and put on clean clothing. 

3 We are now going to Bethel, where I will build an altar to the God who answered my prayers when I was in distress. He has been with me wherever I have gone.”

4 So they gave Jacob all their pagan idols and earrings, and he buried them under the great tree near Shechem. 

5 As they set out, a terror from God spread over the people in all the towns of that area, so no one attacked Jacob’s family.

6 Eventually, Jacob and his household arrived at Luz (also called Bethel) in Canaan. 

7 Jacob built an altar there and named the place El-bethel (which means “God of Bethel”), because God had appeared to him there when he was fleeing from his brother, Esau.

8 Soon after this, Rebekah’s old nurse, Deborah, died. She was buried beneath the oak tree in the valley below Bethel. Ever since, the tree has been called Allon-bacuth (which means “oak of weeping”).

9 Now that Jacob had returned from Paddan-aram, God appeared to him again at Bethel. God blessed him, 

10 saying, “Your name is Jacob, but you will not be called Jacob any longer. From now on your name will be Israel.” So God renamed him Israel.

11 Then God said, “I am El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty.’ Be fruitful and multiply. You will become a great nation, even many nations. Kings will be among your descendants! 

12 And I will give you the land I once gave to Abraham and Isaac. Yes, I will give it to you and your descendants after you.” 

13 Then God went up from the place where he had spoken to Jacob.

14 Jacob set up a stone pillar to mark the place where God had spoken to him. Then he poured wine over it as an offering to God and anointed the pillar with olive oil. 

15 And Jacob named the place Bethel (which means “house of God”), because God had spoken to him there.

16 Leaving Bethel, Jacob and his clan moved on toward Ephrath. But Rachel went into labor while they were still some distance away. Her labor pains were intense. 

17 After a very hard delivery, the midwife finally exclaimed, “Don’t be afraid—you have another son!” 

18 Rachel was about to die, but with her last breath she named the baby Ben-oni (which means “son of my sorrow”). The baby’s father, however, called him Benjamin (which means “son of my right hand”). 

19 So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). 

20 Jacob set up a stone monument over Rachel’s grave, and it can be seen there to this day.

21 Then Jacob traveled on and camped beyond Migdal-eder. 

22 While he was living there, Reuben had intercourse with Bilhah, his father’s concubine, and Jacob soon heard about it.

These are the names of the twelve sons of Jacob:

23 The sons of Leah were Reuben (Jacob’s oldest son), Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun.

24 The sons of Rachel were Joseph and Benjamin.

25 The sons of Bilhah, Rachel’s servant, were Dan and Naphtali.

26 The sons of Zilpah, Leah’s servant, were Gad and Asher.

These are the names of the sons who were born to Jacob at Paddan-aram.

27 So Jacob returned to his father, Isaac, in Mamre, which is near Kiriath-arba (now called Hebron), where Abraham and Isaac had both lived as foreigners. 

28 Isaac lived for 180 years. 

29 Then he breathed his last and died at a ripe old age, joining his ancestors in death. And his sons, Esau and Jacob, buried him.

Journal Prompts:

• Where is my personal Bethel, the place or season where I first encountered God deeply?
• What distractions do I need to set aside in order to return to God’s presence wholeheartedly?
• How has God shown His faithfulness in the past, and how can I trust Him again in my current season?
• What altar of worship do I need to rebuild in my daily life?

Faithful to the Lord

 And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” So she persuaded us. ~ Acts 16:15

I love this passage about Lydia. In fact, it is one of my favorites. I know I say that a lot, but I especially like this account because Lydia is one of the first women mentioned who had a church in her home. We know she was wealthy because the passage says she was a seller of purple, which was expensive and mostly sold to royalty. No doubt she had a home big enough to host gatherings of significant size, and the text also says that she was faithful to the Lord.

Being faithful to the Lord cannot be evident if it doesn’t show up in every area of life. In this reading, Lydia’s faithfulness is most clearly seen in her hospitality and generosity. On the very day she met the apostle Paul and his team, she invited them to stay at her home. In fact, she pleaded with them to come right then and there. This tells us she was ready to host and receive people at all times, a very gracious and giving quality.

This gives me a lot to consider. As I think about my own faithfulness, I have to ask if I am also willing to take people in. Yes, we host many events and groups in our home, but if I am being honest, I really like having my own space and quiet place. However, faithfulness includes being prepared. Am I stewarding my home to be ready at any time to invite others in? Am I using my time to make preparation for the people and opportunities God may send that I do not yet see? This is not about striving or stressing to keep everything perfect. It is about creating a space that is welcoming, comfortable, and ready to show God’s love when needed.

Here are some ways you can prepare to be ready to receive others:

• Begin by asking God to show you areas of your life where you can demonstrate faithfulness in practical ways.
• Prepare your home or personal space so that it is inviting, not perfect, but warm and welcoming to others.
• Set aside time and resources for generosity, being willing to share what you have.
• Practice saying “yes” when opportunities to serve come, even if they stretch your comfort zone.
• Cultivate an open heart each day by starting your morning with prayer, asking God to prepare you for divine appointments.

Today I want to encourage you to approach each day with an open heart, knowing that God’s timing is perfect and His transforming power can touch your life in unexpected ways. Your faithfulness, like Lydia’s, has the power to impact not only your life but also the lives of those around you. Be ready to welcome others into your home and into your space, because this is one way we show God’s great love and generosity. As you open your heart and hands, your journey will be filled with the joy of knowing Him more deeply and serving others when the opportunities come.

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 16:11-15

11Therefore, sailing from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, and the next day came to Neapolis, 12and from there to Philippi, which is the foremost city of that part of Macedonia, a colony. And we were staying in that city for some days. 13And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there. 14Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. 15And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” So she persuaded us.

Journal:

• Where in my life is God asking me to demonstrate greater faithfulness?
• How can I create a more welcoming space, whether in my home or in my daily interactions?
• What resources or gifts do I have that I can be ready to share when the opportunity arises?
• When have I experienced God’s faithfulness in my life, and how can I share that testimony with others?

Alternate Endings

And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” ~ Acts 16:9

Have you ever wondered what your life would be like if you had made different choices? Maybe it was a decision you made, or maybe it was someone else’s choice that altered your world. In today’s passage, the apostle Paul had a vision in the night of a man calling him to come to Macedonia for help. This dream completely changed the direction of Paul’s ministry. He and his team were planning to go into Asia, but the Holy Spirit stopped them twice. Instead of pressing through and ignoring God’s leading, Paul obeyed, and his obedience led to the planting of churches in Europe. This decision had lasting effects that are still impacting the world today.

The Bible gives us other examples of alternate endings. Moses was content to live out his days on the back side of a mountain, but God called him to deliver His people from bondage. How different would his story have been if he had stayed there? Joshua had to wander in the wilderness forty extra years because others refused to obey God. Jonah chose to run in the opposite direction of God’s call, and his story could have ended very differently if not for God’s intervention. Over and over we see men and women of God face turning points. Their willingness to obey shaped not only their destiny but also the lives of others.

This inspires me because no matter how far Moses was from Egypt, no matter how far Jonah ran, or how long Joshua had to wait, God faithfully brought them back on course. His plan for their time on earth was fulfilled because they chose God’s way, even after failure or delay. That same grace is available to us today. I know in my own life there have been times I resisted God’s direction, only to realize later that I was delaying His best. Yet when I turned back to Him, He recalculated the course, and His mercy allowed me to walk forward again in His plan.

This passage reminds us that every one of us will come to those moments when we must choose. Sometimes we do not even realize we are standing face to face with a divine invitation. The choice we make matters, and God will always be faithful to lead us when we surrender to Him.

Here are some steps to take to get you on track with God’s best:

• Ask God in prayer to show you if there are places where you resisted His direction. Be willing to listen and adjust quickly.
• Repent quickly when you realize you have stepped away from His leading. God always provides grace to return.
• Stay sensitive to the Holy Spirit through daily time in the Word and prayer. This helps you recognize His voice.
• Choose obedience in small things. Obeying in daily steps builds faith for larger decisions.
• Persevere when others’ decisions have delayed or hindered you. Trust God’s timing and keep your heart ready.
• Believe that God can redeem lost time and restore you to His purpose, just as He did with Moses, Jonah, and Joshua.

Today I want to encourage you that God is the Master of alternate endings. If you feel like you have missed your opportunity or that someone else’s choices have kept you from God’s best, remember He is able to redirect, restore, and complete His purpose in you. He has not forgotten you, and He goes before you to prepare the way. Stay open to His voice, repent when needed, and persevere in faith, because His plan is always greater than anything you could imagine.

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 16:6-10

6 Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. 

7 After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them. 

8 So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. 

9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 

10 Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.

 Journal:

• Have I ever resisted God’s leading, and what was the result?
• Where do I sense God may be redirecting me now?
• How can I take one step of obedience today that moves me closer to His purpose?

Restoration

Then Esau ran to meet him and embraced him, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. And they both wept. ~ Genesis 33:4

I’ve burned many bridges in my former life, and many of them added to the shame I carried from my past. There were times when I dreaded getting together with my family because I knew my lifestyle was not approved by them. It was uncomfortable to imagine how they must have felt about me. Yet in reality, they were kind and loving, rarely pointing out where I was failing. What I did not realize then was that they were simply waiting and praying for me to find my way back, so they could rejoice in the restoration of our family and see my life redeemed for God’s purpose.

When Jacob was preparing to meet Esau after many years apart, he was filled with fear and uncertainty too. Their last encounter had ended with anger and threats, so Jacob braced himself for hostility. Instead, Esau ran to meet him, embraced him, and forgave him. What could have been a moment of division became a moment of reconciliation and restoration.

Looking back, I know that is what my family longed for me. But because of my own guilt and pride, I kept my distance as much as possible during those years. Now, years later, I treasure the times when we can come together for visits. I no longer carry regret and remorse over the life I left behind. Instead, I have been restored to my place with my Savior and with my family. I have also seen God soften hearts and turn painful encounters into moments of peace. Sometimes it was me who needed to forgive, and other times it was me who needed forgiveness. In both cases, God’s grace brought healing where I never could.

This passage speaks to us today because many of us have people we avoid or situations that carry hurt. It might be a broken friendship, a strained family relationship, or an offense that seems too big to move past. Genesis 33 reminds us that God is able to bring reconciliation, even when it seems impossible. He can prepare the way, soften hearts, and restore peace in relationships.

Here are steps you can take to begin your journey to restoration:

• Pray for God to soften your heart toward anyone you are holding bitterness against and ask Him to prepare the way for reconciliation.
• Take the first step toward peace. This could be a phone call, a message, or a face-to-face meeting where you are honest yet gracious.
• Choose humility over pride. Jacob bowed before Esau as a sign of humility, and it opened the door for reconciliation. Look for ways to demonstrate humility in your own situation.
• Be willing to forgive fully, just as Esau forgave Jacob. Do not keep a list of wrongs but allow God to bring release and healing.
• Trust God with the outcome. You cannot control how the other person responds, but you can be obedient to pursue peace.

Today I want to encourage you that reconciliation is possible because God is the One who heals broken relationships. He can turn fear into peace and division into restoration. When you choose to take steps of faith and humility, you are walking in obedience to God’s call for forgiveness and love. You do not walk alone, He goes before you and prepares the way.

Today’s scripture reading: Genesis 33

1 Then Jacob looked up and saw Esau coming with his 400 men. So he divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and his two servant wives. 

2 He put the servant wives and their children at the front, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph last. 

3 Then Jacob went on ahead. As he approached his brother, he bowed to the ground seven times before him. 

4 Then Esau ran to meet him and embraced him, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. And they both wept.

5 Then Esau looked at the women and children and asked, “Who are these people with you?” “These are the children God has graciously given to me, your servant,” Jacob replied. 

6 Then the servant wives came forward with their children and bowed before him. 

7 Next came Leah with her children, and they bowed before him. Finally, Joseph and Rachel came forward and bowed before him.

8 “And what were all the flocks and herds I met as I came?” Esau asked. Jacob replied, “They are a gift, my lord, to ensure your friendship.”

9 “My brother, I have plenty,” Esau answered. “Keep what you have for yourself.”

10 But Jacob insisted, “No, if I have found favor with you, please accept this gift from me. And what a relief to see your friendly smile. It is like seeing the face of God! 

11 Please take this gift I have brought you, for God has been very gracious to me. I have more than enough.” And because Jacob insisted, Esau finally accepted the gift.

12 “Well,” Esau said, “let’s be going. I will lead the way.”

13 But Jacob replied, “You can see, my lord, that some of the children are very young, and the flocks and herds have their young, too. If they are driven too hard, even for one day, all the animals could die. 

14 Please, my lord, go ahead of your servant. We will follow slowly, at a pace that is comfortable for the livestock and the children. I will meet you at Seir.”

15 “All right,” Esau said, “but at least let me assign some of my men to guide and protect you.” Jacob responded, “That’s not necessary. It’s enough that you’ve received me warmly, my lord!”

16 So Esau turned around and started back to Seir that same day. 

17 Jacob, on the other hand, traveled on to Succoth. There he built himself a house and made shelters for his livestock. That is why the place was named Succoth (which means “shelters”).

18 Later, having traveled all the way from Paddan-aram, Jacob arrived safely at the town of Shechem, in the land of Canaan. There he set up camp outside the town. 

19 Jacob bought the plot of land where he camped from the family of Hamor, the father of Shechem, for 100 pieces of silver. 

20 And there he built an altar and named it El-Elohe-Israel.

Journal:

• Who in your life do you need to forgive or seek forgiveness from?
• What step of humility can you take this week toward reconciliation?
• How have you experienced God’s grace in past situations where forgiveness was needed?