Know That God Is Here Now
We never know when our present trials will finally be over. Rhome and Chuck urge us not to put our hope in any specific timing but to rest in God's presence in the midst of the shadows.
We never know when our present trials will finally be over. Rhome and Chuck urge us not to put our hope in any specific timing but to rest in God's presence in the midst of the shadows.
Are the attitudes of unselfish humility, joyful acceptance, strong determination, and genuine thanksgiving evident in the way you respond to circumstances? Maybe it's time to make some changes.
It took time for Rhome to work through his anger toward his father. But he knew he didn't want to be angry his whole life, and he also saw God's faithfulness working in his and his mom's life.
As Rhome had to deal with caring for his mother, while also a full-time seminary student, he learned he had to discard his own plans for his life. But he was tempted to take the safer route.
When it comes to temptation, our culture offers very little motivation to resist it. More often than not, we hear the voices yelling, “Give in! You deserve to be happy!” Truly, yielding to temptation is much easier than resisting it. Joseph provides a sterling example of one who could have cuddled lust and enjoyed its warm embrace but instead chose to resist its persistent, alluring offer in favour of righteousness.
When Rhome had to face his parents' divorce over adultery, he struggled with all kinds of emotions and fears over his own future choices, even while choosing ministry over business.
Rhome opens up about his own family turmoil as he was growing up and how it's possible to look successful while things are falling apart. Success can help us hide from our own sin.
Most people who are betrayed and abandoned struggle with anger, bitterness, and rebellion. But we see no signs of that in Joseph's reactions. He never completely lost his faith in God working.
You'll probably never be sold into slavery, but if your circumstances have ever fallen woefully short of your dreams for your future, you have quite a bit in common with Joseph.
Chuck Swindoll introduces us to his friend, Rhome Dyck, a pastor and passionate teacher of the Bible. Rhome reminds us of how blindsided Joseph was by his removal to a foreign culture.