Austin Chinese Church

The sense of smell is a funny thing. Scent often times either attracts you towards something, or on the flip side, it will repel you away from something. The same goes for us spiritually. Our spiritual scent will either attract people towards the Gospel or repel them away. What aroma are you emitting to bring about reconciliation in your life?

It's doubtful that anyone would want to go through life with unreconciled relationships. That should be even more true for the church. But if we want to move towards true reconciliation, it has to start with God first.

In the concluding chapter of Genesis, we witness two significant deaths intertwined with a remarkable narrative of restoration. The meticulous inclusion of these accounts has historically inspired its ancient readers to turn their gaze toward a providential God and the anticipated Promised Savior. What implications does this hold for contemporary readers?

When God is with us, he assembles us to gather and listen to his voice. He speaks to us about us, and who he desires us to be as his people.

Jacob's life is about to end. His last words that he imparts to Joseph reveals a faith strongly rooted in God and his mission. Through the ups and downs of life, Jacob has been faithful to his Lord, which will carry him to his final eternal destination.

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?