WHAT OTHERS MEANT FOR EVIL!

Word from the Center
Written By Dr. Gregory Seltz

WORD FROM THE CENTER: MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2025

Welcome to “Word from The Center” MONDAY, a devotional word from the Center of our faith, Jesus Christ, with reflections on His Word. I’m Gregory Seltz. Today’s reading is Genesis 45:3-7, where the Bible says,   

3 Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. 6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. 7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

 
WHAT OTHERS MEANT FOR EVIL!

I’ve been in Washington, D.C., for almost 8 years now and I often say, “What I know now, I sometimes wish I didn’t know.” I never believed that government was the source of the needed solutions for the big problems in life, and NOW I’m sure of it! The kinds of solutions that we need today are those which are resourced in the things of God, the things of faith, rooted and resourced in God’s love for us shared with all on His terms alone. Unfortunately, in places like Washington, I now see amidst the powers that be—in the freest country in the world due to the providence of God—that more and more people DON’T believe that, and often socially and politically sneer at those who do. (I hope that a change is coming; we’ll see). That’s why this lesson in Genesis is so important. The story of Joseph is one that reminds us that God’s love and God’s faithfulness can always be counted on no matter the transient trials of the day or the disfavor of fleeting political powers. The people of God need to be reminded that even when people mean evil towards us, even then, “we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him” (Romans 8:28).

The story of Joseph is an example of the power of faith in God’s love and providence in our lives, a faith that moves us, even amidst unjust, unfair, or seemingly hopeless circumstances, to ask the question, “Could this be a blessing in disguise?” The story of Joseph ends in blessing, but from the beginning it looked more like calamity upon calamity and catastrophe upon catastrophe! Joseph was a man whose faithfulness to God and to His blessings got him in big trouble throughout his life. His own brothers despised their father’s favor toward him so they faked his death and sold him into slavery. Even as a slave in Potiphar’s house, God still blessed Joseph. Unfortunately, treachery found Joseph again. Potiphar’s wife noticed the successful and handsome manager of the house and wanted to lure him to sleep with her (Genesis 39). Joseph’s faithfulness to God and to his master led to false charges from Potiphar’s wife and an unjust imprisonment for a crime he didn’t commit. Throughout the ongoing narrative, we are reminded that, even in a faithless world, God is always faithful to His people. In Joseph’s life, we see the power to look at one’s struggles and trials through the eyes of faith in God, asking even then, “Could this be a blessing in disguise?”

Joseph’s trials and tribulations were ultimately God’s way of placing him in a position of power in Egypt to protect his family, and more, to protect the promise that God made to the world to bring a Savior for all through the lineage of Israel. In fact, the story of Joseph is merely a foreshadowing of God’s ultimate work for us all in Jesus Christ. He faced the power of sin, death, and the devil, all of which were meant for evil, in order to accomplish the ultimate good, our salvation, through the unlikely means of enduring the cross. In the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, the just penalty due for our sins, eternal damnation, was laid on Him so that we might be saved and have eternal life as a gift of God’s grace. Through it all, Christ focused His attention on God’s Word; He dedicated His efforts to the saving mission of Father; and He took His trials and temptations to God the Father in prayer, demonstrating a “not my will but thine be done” love so that we might be saved (see Mark 14:36).

Surely, in the view of the certainty of God’s love and providence for us, faith can ask the question in the midst of our own trials, “Might this turn out to be a blessing in disguise?” Or, “Might this be a way for us to become vessels of God’s blessing to others IN HIS NAME?” Take that to heart amidst your down days, the dog days of life in this sinful world. Put to work the power of faith that trusts in God’s grace and God’s wisdom in all things, knowing that what others mean for evil, God can work turn toward our good. And, as the events of Joseph’s life remind us, God can use the real challenges of life to deliver a blessing for you and others, even if it momentarily appears to be in disguise.

PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, strengthen our faith amidst the trials of the world so that we might forever be confident in Your love and grace to see things through to Your blessed end. AMEN


Other Devotions
WHAT OTHERS MEANT FOR EVIL!
WHAT OTHERS MEANT FOR EVIL!

3 Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. 6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. 7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

Genesis 45:3-7

LOOK WHERE TRUE BLESSINGS ARE TO BE FOUND!
LOOK WHERE TRUE BLESSINGS ARE TO BE FOUND!

“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.21 Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.22 Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. 23 “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven.

Luke 6:20-23

Take Jesus at His Word!
Take Jesus at His Word!

4 When [Jesus] had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” 5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” 6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break…..8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!”…10 Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

Luke 5:4-11

GOD’S WORD IS ALWAYS MORE THAN ENOUGH!
GOD’S WORD IS ALWAYS MORE THAN ENOUGH!

The word of the Lord came to me, saying 5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” 6 “Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.” 7 But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord. 9 Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth. 10 See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.”

Jeremiah 1:4-10

IN CHRIST, THERE’S FREEDOM….FREEDOM THAT LASTS! (Copy)
IN CHRIST, THERE’S FREEDOM….FREEDOM THAT LASTS! (Copy)

We are told to be at peace, for Jesus is Lord. I get that. But don't let it be the kind of peace that serves as a sedative, the kind of peace that puts you to sleep while it is still day, and there is work to do. Christ remains on the throne, but that fact should stir us all the more to do good, and that means, on a day like today, in the political arena. The fact that Jesus is King should not lead us to complacency, but to the boldness that our Lord has our backs, now and into eternity. Knowing that our future is secure, here and now we defend our neighbor, including our littlest neighbor in the womb. Today we defend our right to speak the truth, and not just inside of church walls.

IN CHRIST, THERE’S FREEDOM….FREEDOM THAT LASTS!
IN CHRIST, THERE’S FREEDOM….FREEDOM THAT LASTS!

It was a Sabbath day long ago in Nazareth. Jesus stood up, read a portion of the Bible from Isaiah, and then said that all of these things were now fulfilled IN HIM. Wow, what a synagogue service that must have been! He said that God the Father had sent Him to proclaim good news to the poor, liberty to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind, liberty to those who were oppressed, and to announce the year of the Lord’s favor. What’s even more amazing is that He brought all those blessings with Him, along with God’s eternal freedom, riches, and redemption, to all who believe.

Jesus -- He Brings Real Celebration to Life!
Jesus -- He Brings Real Celebration to Life!

I love that title, don’t you? In a nutshell, it says what faith in Jesus is all about. He is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6), and faith in Him brings His way, truth, and life to our lives as gifts of His grace. Wow! This call to faith is an invitation to receive life, His abundant life, as a gift. That’s what we see in this first miracle of Jesus’ public ministry. Amidst Christ’s purposeful walk to Calvary to become God’s redemptive sacrifice for sin, He stops by at a wedding, a small-town wedding at that.

An “All the Way” Savior -- That’s What We Need!
An “All the Way” Savior -- That’s What We Need!

Substitution. That’s a biblical truth that really hits home for me today. Why? There are times in my life when I realize that my best efforts just aren’t good enough; my heartfelt tries still miss the mark. Something just isn’t right, and it doesn’t seem that I can overcome the problem at all. It’s like I’m trying to swim, but the cold waters are numbing my limbs and preventing me from staying afloat; or the waves of warm waters are pounding me to the ocean’s depths, preventing me from gasping the air I so desperately need. At times like those, one needs help from above, help from outside. What an incredible thing it is when, just at that moment, someone else jumps in and faces the destructive power of the water so that I might come out of it alive and well. Substitution. It matters when your life depends on it.

FOR WHOM ARE YOU LOOKING? THAT QUESTION REALLY MATTERS!
FOR WHOM ARE YOU LOOKING? THAT QUESTION REALLY MATTERS!

The Epiphany Season follows the festival of Christmas because this question needs to be asked: “Do you know who this Jesus really is, who He is for you?” Epiphany’s goal is to make that “manifestly” clear. He is your Lord, your Savior, and your “all in all” for life and salvation.

 

The account of the Wise Men traveling to seek out the young child Jesus is an awesome event! It should cause us to pause today and think about the nature and extent of this child’s work in the world. Jesus was laid in a manger in the small town of Bethlehem (Luke 2:4-7); He was Jewish by birth. Yet from the very beginning, His life, death, and resurrection were meant to be a blessing to all people (see Luke 2:32). In today’s lesson one sees that God has ways of drawing people to Jesus from virtually everywhere. He makes His promises, grace, and blessings “findable.” In fact, our God loves to be found (see Isaiah 55:6; 65:1), especially when that means finding His grace and forgiveness in Christ. The point for us today might indeed be to keep looking for and focusing upon what really matters.

SOME THINGS IN LIFE ARE WORTH WAITING FOR!
SOME THINGS IN LIFE ARE WORTH WAITING FOR!

People seem to be more impatient than ever today. We don’t like to wait for much of anything. Life today is often, “Let’s hit the drive through, roll down the window, pick up the order of our choosing, and quickly get on to the next thing.” In a world of UBER EATS and SAME DAY DELIVERY, can there be any good in waiting? Or, can there be anything good worth waiting for?

 

Yes, even amidst the impatience of our age, there are some things worth the wait. We endure waiting in traffic for the joy of getting home to our loved-ones. We’ll wait in line for that “must have” gift for our children each Christmas season. We’ll endure the wait when it’s waiting for that new job offer, or waiting for a good test result from a biopsy, or waiting for that special someone to call because we are so excited just to hear their voice

“GOD WITH US” – DON’T SETTLE FOR ANYTHING LESS!
“GOD WITH US” – DON’T SETTLE FOR ANYTHING LESS!

Who could refuse a peace that lasts because God Himself is with us? Well, many do. Why? Because as sinful, rebellious people by nature, we tend to settle for counterfeits, instead of the real thing. When offered an eternal peace that comes from sins forgiven, we would rather settle for peaceful circumstances, or just our temporal “peace of mind,” right? We want the peace that comes with bills paid, relationships intact, body/health doing fine, and purposeful work to do for as long as we’d like to do it. Instead of “God with us” no matter the circumstances, we would rather just have circumstances to our own liking.

Amuse Us Lord, or Call Us to Faith?
Amuse Us Lord, or Call Us to Faith?

Fickle or faithful? Childlike or childish? That is the question in our text. Jesus confronts a crowd one day and he calls them to account. He basically says that they are missing the whole point. The work of God is not merely for one’s amusement. It is rather for our very lives here and now, as well as for our eternal salvation. He uses the example of children “childishly playing” to point out a brutal fact. Children are often not as “childlike” as we would believe, namely, joyfully trusting and obedient. All too often they are “childish,” that is, fickle, inattentive, and even mean. It’s like when we were kids. One group wanted to play a happy game, but others said it was too silly. Others wanted to play something serious, but the first group thought it was too somber or gloomy. Fickle, never satisfied, childish, unhappy, no matter what. Does that sound like someone you know?

A “Time and Place” Kind of Salvation
A “Time and Place” Kind of Salvation

One of the reasons that I love the Bible and its teachings is that the message therein is so different from any other message in this world. There are many religious messages out there in our culture, but the others are all the opinions of sinful people like you and me, trying to get us to follow some path for peace or tranquility; some are even brazen enough to speak about it as “salvation.” Unfortunately, like so much of our human posturing, both philosophically and religiously, they all leave us wanting and dismayed. The same can be said for “faith” in our scientific and economic prowess. Despite all the “progress” and material things in our culture today, our lives are just as broken as ever. And no belief in our superiority or some myth about our unlimited potential can change that even a little.

Blessed Is the One Who Comes in the Name of the Lord, really?
Blessed Is the One Who Comes in the Name of the Lord, really?

19:37-40, where the Bible says,   

As [Jesus] was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, 38 saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 39 And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” 40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”

Happy New Year? No, Happy NEW WORLD!
Happy New Year? No, Happy NEW WORLD!

Happy “Christ the King” Sunday! On this past Sunday many Christian churches around the world celebrated the reign of Jesus Christ. The last Sunday of the liturgical church year commemorates His rule every year, no matter what is happening at the moment. It reminds us that all things are moving ahead toward the final day when Christ will come again and judge the living and the dead. This coming Sunday Christians who follow a liturgical calendar then enter into a new church year. In so doing, they join all believers in celebrating the fact that Christ’s Kingdom is already now present in this world. His Kingdom is here in the midst of worldly kingdoms that are passing away.

TELLING IT LIKE IT IS
TELLING IT LIKE IT IS

Do you remember the 60’s song by Aaron Lewis, “Tell It Like It Is?” It was smooth and soulful. It invited those in love to “tell it like it is,” and to let “conscience be your guide.” But, truth be told, people as a rule don’t like to “tell it like it is,” and they don’t like to hear the whole truth much either! Why? First, truth often hurts. It reminds us of the reality of the sinfulness of our world and, worse, the deeper reality of our own sinful hearts. The truth shines God’s exposing light on the hidden shadows of our own sinful pride, lust, and selfish desires. Secondly, truth often exposes our incapacity to do what we know we should do. Unfortunately, even when God’s Law guides us and our own consciences rightly also “tell us what to do,” we often don’t do it. Think about the all-too-common failures of our heartfelt New Year’s Eve resolutions!

Straight Talk about What Matters
Straight Talk about What Matters

Brutal facts. We all have some brutal facts to face in life, facts that must be overcome for our own well-being and freedom. Such facts might be the troubles (even the elections) of the day. They might be the obstacles we face in life, whether those are under our control or out of our control. But this Bible verse goes further, telling us about the ultimate “brutal fact” of life. Because of our sin, all people are destined to die once and after that to face judgment. That’s a sobering thought for sure. But that final fact, if faced in Christ, can change your life both then, as well as here and now.

TWO KINDS OF FREEDOM - ONE’S HELPFUL; ONE’S ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY!
TWO KINDS OF FREEDOM - ONE’S HELPFUL; ONE’S ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY!

There are two kinds of freedom in the world. One is the earthly freedom that humans can achieve on our own. There are times when it seems like that freedom is secure in our hands. There are other times when it seems like it is always slipping through our fingers or beyond our reach. The other freedom is the kind of freedom that only God can make happen by His work on your behalf. Can you guess which one lasts? Can you guess which one is absolutely indispensable? Right, it’s the one where “the Son makes you free” by His life, death, and resurrection for you.

IN CHRIST, THE BLIND REALLY DO “SEE”
IN CHRIST, THE BLIND REALLY DO “SEE”

I’m always amazed at the healings Jesus performed during His ministry. The deaf would suddenly hear, the blind would see, and the lame would walk. There were even times when dead people were raised again to life! Many of these healings were amazing, seemingly beyond belief. One, of course, was the ultimate healing. That’s the time when Jesus took upon himself the sin of the world, suffered the eternal death we all deserved on the cross, and then rose so that we might have the promise of eternal life with Him as a gift of grace.

WITH GOD, THINGS ARE ALWAYS “IMPOSSIBLY POSSIBLE.”
WITH GOD, THINGS ARE ALWAYS “IMPOSSIBLY POSSIBLE.”


Have you ever been so overwhelmed by something that you finally gave in? In a moment of exasperation, you concluded, “There’s nothing else that I can do; I can’t handle this.” I think we’ve all faced that to some degree. There are issues in life that so overwhelm us it seems as though life itself has become impossible to face. Jesus often shakes us up by pointing out “the impossible” in our lives, while at the same time offering God’s possibilities even then. Amazing! Unclean lepers are healed instantly. People blind from birth suddenly see clearly, both physically and spiritually. Who is this Savior who shows us the depth of our depravity just so that He can demonstrate even more clearly God’s gracious salvation? He’s the Savior who, when it comes to eternal life and salvation, reminds that “with man this is impossible, but not with God; with God all things are possible.”  

DON’T FORGET YOUR VALUABLE!
DON’T FORGET YOUR VALUABLE!

I know, I know, you are worried about my grammar. You think the title should be “Don’t Forget, You’re (You ARE) Valuable,” right? Or, you might think my title should be “Don’t Forget Your ‘Valuables,’” not “Valuable!” Well, I wrote the title as it was meant to be written. For this devotion, the word needs to be VALUABLE. I meant to write that word in the singular because this lesson is talking about the ONE thing in your life that is the key to it all. In our lesson for today, an individual comes up to Jesus and asks the million-dollar question, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” That’s the big question; that’s the one that really matters. You see, the Bible talks about life as precious, purposeful, and eternal. Those three all go together. Jesus wants you to know that your life is eternal; you are not just here today and gone tomorrow. He wants you to know that you are precious to Him, that your life matters to Him.

AN “ALL IN” SAVIOR!
AN “ALL IN” SAVIOR!

When I first came to Washington, D.C., in 2006 for a class in my PhD program, we were privileged to speak with many congressional leaders personally. Bill Hecht, a Lutheran pastor-turned influential lobbyist in Washington, lined up various leaders from the House and the Senate to speak with us about the things that mattered to us as Christians in the politics of the day. I remember visiting with the head of the House Ways and Means Committee at the time. He talked about various legislation saying, “We’re trying to make sure that the Congress has to live by the same rules that they foist on everyone else.” I remember my reaction. I was shocked. I had never thought about the fact that government officials often pass laws that we must follow, while living by another set of rules themselves. Incredible. Health care?

THE CHRISTIAN LIFE - FASHIONED FOR SERVICE!
THE CHRISTIAN LIFE - FASHIONED FOR SERVICE!

It’s always a challenge for me to fully understand what Jesus means in Matthew 5:13-14 when He says that believers are “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world.” I don’t think we realize how inept, yet vital, we are to being conduits of God’s preserving and saving message for the world. In a world of constant refrigeration because of electricity and easy illumination where the lights come on and remain on with just the flip of a switch, being called “salt” and “light” can seem rather mundane. But being described with those terms wasn’t mundane then or now.

UNTIL THE JOB IS DONE!
UNTIL THE JOB IS DONE!

In today’s lesson, Jesus talks about some “tough going” that was above and beyond anything we can handle. Every man, woman, and child in this world is on the path that leads to judgment due to our common sin and rebellion against our Creator. It’s a path that even the toughest among us can’t avoid, period. But then here comes Jesus the Christ. Though He was without sin, He chooses to take up our path. And when the going gets eternally tough, the Savior of the world gets going!

WHEN THINGS ARE IMPOSSIBLY POSSIBLE!
WHEN THINGS ARE IMPOSSIBLY POSSIBLE!

Our lesson for today comes in the context of another healing event in the ministry of Jesus. It not only demonstrates Christ’s power over all things, but also the power of faith IN HIM amidst all the doubts and struggles that we may be facing. There is so much to learn from the honest confession of the father in this reading. This dad knew what his son needed, but felt helpless in response. He also knew what he needed -- stronger faith. When he meets Jesus, he expresses sentiments something like these:

“I’d like to have great faith, but I know that I’m inadequate, especially now when I need it most. In fact, I’m overcome by circumstances and doubt. Lord Jesus, while I believe, help my unbelief.”

Is There Anyone like Jesus?
Is There Anyone like Jesus?

There’s a question that many are asking today. Actually, people have been asking questions like that for almost 2000 years. Here’s another one: “How can you believe that Jesus is the only Savior, the one that is the Savior for all people?” You can believe it because there is no one like Jesus. You could try to give me another name or show me another savior, but there isn’t one.

Put God’s Protecting, Empowering Armor to Use!
Put God’s Protecting, Empowering Armor to Use!

Have you heard about the class action lawsuit aimed at a company called Second Chance Body Armor? Second Chance manufactures bulletproof vests for police officers and security personnel. Their products are used by hundreds of police departments throughout the country.

Apparently, several policemen have been killed while they were wearing the vest. Following some independent field tests on several of their vests, a flaw was discovered in some of them compromising their ability to do what they were intended to do, to stop a bullet that was fired at those whom the vest was designed to protect.

God’s “NO” and God’s “YES” – THEY BOTH MATTER FOR OUR LIFE!
God’s “NO” and God’s “YES” – THEY BOTH MATTER FOR OUR LIFE!

When we take God’s Word and try to “domesticate” it, as if it were something we could add to, alter, improve, or manipulate in our futile efforts to fulfill it, we do as the Pharisees did, only to be unmasked and exposed by Jesus. Such confusion creates a false religion based on human rules and works. Jesus says clearly, “You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.” Replacing God’s Word with human observances is empty at best and, at worst, destructive to the eternal life and salvation God desires us all to have as His free gift

WHY LEAVE WHEN YOUR SAVIOR ASKS YOU TO STAY?
WHY LEAVE WHEN YOUR SAVIOR ASKS YOU TO STAY?

I tried to come to grips with the depth of the questions and the issues that are at hand in our text for today. Think about it. There is Jesus in the flesh, the Savior of the world, teaching a group of followers and disciples. Just when Jesus starts to lay things on the line, calling people not just to some generic faith, but faith IN HIM, many who had followed began to leave. This prompts His question to His disciples, “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Wow! That’s almost too hard to imagine.

CAN YOU SEE WHAT YOU REALLY NEED?
CAN YOU SEE WHAT YOU REALLY NEED?

As we think about our text today, we need to be reminded again of the situation that we are in. We are seeking to live the life that we’ve been given by God. But it’s a strenuous one, full of challenges, opportunities, and even dangers. No matter our perceived expertise, there is one thing that finally matters for the climb.

Dr. Gregory Seltz
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