Austin Chinese Church

In order to feel secure when we make plans, we want God to lay out clear, linear milestones to check off so we can land at our desired outcome. Despite our desires, God often zigs and zags promising to bring us transformation. God invites us to place our faith in promises we may not experience but will one day be fulfilled.

Our God is a God who redeems our darkest days beyond what we dare hope for and beyond what we can even imagine. So let us not be afraid, for our God is faithful to His promises.

So much of what takes place in life, for good or for worse, we attribute to human will. But, behind the scenes, God redeems our decisions to further his purpose and mission on earth.

Not much good can arise out of grief and mourning. But, a torn life is where God's redemption shines the brightest, setting forth a life that is renewed and transformed for eternity.

Is there a difference between Forgiveness and Reconciliation? As we continue to see the story between Joseph and his brothers, the tension is high as we see this interaction between the one who was dramatically hurt and wronged, with the ones who caused the hurt and pain. How did Joseph respond, what was necessary for this story to turn out well, and how does this apply for us today?

The reckoning against Joseph's brothers for what they did to him was at hand. Yet, it was not God's wrath that they will experience, but his grace. The road to repentance begins when our guilt is met with God's grace.

In the midst of brokenness, it’s hard to see beyond our circumstances. But in every episode of brokenness in our lives, God is always at work. The call is to remain faithful, and to allow Him to use the brokenness to bless others in His time.

When we learn to wait on the Lord for his deliverance, we faithfully grow in our understanding of his presence in our lives. Often times "God with us" encourages us to see him all the time, even in moments when it seems like he is not there.

Having been betrayed and sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph is then falsely accused and thrown into prison. Though it appears to be a series of setbacks for Joseph, God is still with him, demonstrating his steadfast love! Through trials and difficulties we face in life, God’s love for us never changes.

God never wants the depravity of sin to be just that. He longs to restore our spiritual messiness - that by his grace, the scandal of our sin will be forgiven. The story of Judah and Tamar is the message of the gospel; by grace we have been saved.