In our sinful condition we are lost, blind, and in need of salvation. Hosanna to the Son of David, who brings to us everything we need.

Ruth and Naomi suffered a great tragedy and lived during difficult days. Though her heart had been broken and God appeared to have left her with nothing she kept on the journey, leaving behind earthly comforts in hopes of something greater. Meet the great-grandmother of David, who followed her heart, even when it was broken.

Jesus tells the parable of a man who found treasure in a field, sold all he had, and bought the field so he could have the treasure. And he tells of another one who sold everything to buy the pearl he had had been searching for all his life. The lesson of this parable is obvious . . . Or is it?

Perhaps nothing challenges our sense of fairness more than Jesus’ parable of the workers who were all paid the same, no matter whether they worked all day or only one hour. What is Jesus trying to teach us? Going deep with this parable we may be surprised to see it is not a parable about wages after all.

Are we blaming others when the problem is us? We all have blind spots. But we must fix the plank in our own eye before trying to remove the speck in our brother’s. In constantly worrying about the next problem, it is easy to lose sight of the grace that is being poured into our lives every day. We must trust the one who judges justly. Sometimes the biggest troubles are the biggest instances of grace. God can bring good out of anything.

For Joseph, it was always about God. When we are all about us, it is much misery and pain. Joseph lived his life before an audience of one. God helped him be fruitful and multiply in the very land of his suffering. Joseph saw himself as sent not sold. Later he did not want revenge but an outpouring of the same grace God had shown him on his brothers. Wherever we are, God will use us within our spheres of influence to make an impact on others for His glory.

Everything in life is a gift from God, and undeserved. Don’t give up praying because you haven’t seen the answer yet. Trials make us better people, help us recognize others’ pain. Abraham willingly parted with the gift that brought him the greatest joy. Whatever it is, we have the choice to let it go and put it on the altar like Abraham did. Jesus became our provision when he died on the cross. He fulfilled the promise made to Abraham.

When we are starving, we can think of nothing else. Like Esau, we all have our bowl of stew — we’re willing to trade large value for temporary pleasure. Sin works our desires and we get addicted. But those with addiction are not without hope. God can help us get rid of the addiction — we don’t need the strength but we need to make the choice. And we can help our loved ones who suffer from addictions make the choice by praying for them.

Hebrews 7: 1 – 5 describes the greatness of Melchizedek, priest of the God most high. Melchizedek previewed the role of Christ in our lives. Jesus is our mediator, our way to salvation.

When trouble comes, we must ask “God, how can this make me better or stronger?” Because God comes to us disguised as our life. Through challenges, He may be preparing us to take on a bigger blessing. Running away does not solve anything. We cannot outrun our mistakes and choices, they will catch up to us. God gives us so many exit ramps when we are on the wrong path, but we don’t take them. How can we turn to Him?