God Shapes Us for Life in His Kingdom

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Genesis 38:26 Judah recognized them immediately and said, “She is more righteous than I am.”

We see hurt, pain, and brokenness all throughout the Scriptures. Abraham lied about his wife. Jacob deceived his brother, uncle, and others. King David committed adultery. Matthew was a tax collector. The Apostle Paul murdered some of the earliest Christians. 

God did not – and this is important – God did not turn a blind eye to their sinful decisions. He didn’t say, “It’s OK. Don’t worry about it.” But He also didn’t allow those decisions to completely define their lives. Instead, God used those situations to shape each of them. Despite the brokenness they experienced or created in their lives and in their families, God still invited them into His story. 

Peter Scazzero, author of Emotionally Healthy Spirituality writes this, “God never loses any of our past for his future when we surrender ourselves to him. Every mistake, sin, and detour we take in the journey of life is taken by God and becomes his gift for a future of blessing.”

READING & PRAYERS:

    GENESIS 38:24-30 (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)

QUESTION: In what ways has God already shaped you for life in the Kingdom of God? 

QUESTION: In what ways may God be specifically inviting you to recognize and remember that you live primarily in the Kingdom of God today? 

Take a Step: Remember to continue utilizing the One Minute Pause app throughout the week. If possible, begin to explore and practice the 3, 5 or 10 minute pause to more deeply root yourself in Christ.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, it’s always good to remember that I live first in the Kingdom of God. The world, as much as I enjoy the beauty of it, is not my home. I am a stranger in this world and You continue to use the brokenness I’ve experienced to shape me for life in Your kingdom. Continue to help this truth permeate my heart. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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