San Saba Church of Christ

When the famous author Robert Louis Stevenson was a little child, he accidentally locked himself in his room and couldn’t get out. As darkness came on, he became terror-stricken. When his father was unable to open the door, he sent for a locksmith; but while he waited, he talked to his son through the keyhole. Hearing his dad’s soothing conversation and knowing he was there was all young Robert needed.

Jesus tells that the sheep know their master’s voice. John 10:3-4: “The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.”
We trust God because we know His Words – The Bible! Are you listening to God?

-James Johnston

Joseph’s brothers mistreated their brother and sold him into slavery. The deeds they did never went away. They had to face their father with a lie. Then they had to go to Egypt to get food because of the severe famine. They face hard questioning, and they reach the following conclusion:

Genesis 42:21-22: They said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that’s why this distress has come upon us.”
Reuben replied, “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you wouldn’t listen! Now we must give an accounting for his blood.”
The day comes when we must repent; turn to God. Confess Christ as Lord and be buried with Him in baptism for the remission of our sins. Hebrews 8:12: “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” We need God!

James Johnston

Joseph was called the dreamer. In fact his brothers hated him so much that they took him, put him in a pit, and later sold him to the Ishmaelite’s traders. In Egypt as a slave he was promoted to being the chief slave in charge of his master’s property. Potiphar’s wife sought to have Joseph, so he ran leaving his cloak behind. He is unjustly charged and put in prison. Things look grim. But here is what the Bible says:

Genesis 39:23: “The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the LORD was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.”
All the things Joseph lived through seem unpleasant to us but God was working through Joseph. God had a plan for Joseph and God has a plan for you. Life may not all be pleasant, but the reward will be glorious for the faithful in the end.

James Johnston