What others meant for evil!

Word from the Center
Written By Dr. Gregory Seltz

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 tells us of this event toward the end of Joseph’s life:    

[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.

I’ve been in Washington, D.C., for almost 5 years now and I often say, “What I know now, sometimes I 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 and of faith, things rooted in and resourced by God’s love for us to be shared with all on His terms alone. Unfortunately, even in the most free country in the world, thanks to the providence of God, I now see that more and more people DON’T believe that, especially amidst the powers that be in places like Washington where they often socially and politically sneer at those who do. That’s why this lesson in Genesis is so important. The story of Joseph is one that reminds us that God’s love and faithfulness are always to be counted on, even in the midst of the transient trials of the day or the disfavor of the fleeting political powers that be. We, as people of God, need to be reminded of St. Paul’s words in Romans 8:28, “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,” even when people mean evil towards us.  

The story of Joseph is an example of the power of faith in God’s love and providence. Even amidst unjust, unfair, or seemingly hopeless circumstances, such a faith moves us to ask the question, “Could this end up being 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.  Even his blessings from God and his faithfulness to God at times got him into big trouble. 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, amidst such favor, 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, Potiphar, led to false charges from Potiphar’s wife and an unjust imprisonment for crimes he didn’t commit. Throughout the narrative, we are reminded that God is always faithful to His people, even in a faithless world. Throughout the narrative we also see Joseph demonstrate the power of faith to view one’s struggles and trials through the eyes of faith, asking even then, “Could this somehow end up being 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 save his family and many others, and even to protect the promise that God made to bring a Savior for all through the lineage of Israel. In fact, the story of Joseph foreshadowed God’s ultimate work for us all in Jesus Christ. In the fullness of time, the destructive powers of this fallen world, which are often used for evil, accomplish our salvation through the unlikely means of the cross. Though unjustly accused and wrongly executed, the just penalty for our sins was laid on Jesus there so that we might be saved; the eternal damnation our sins deserve was endured by Him so that we might have eternal life as a gift of God’s grace, the ultimate good.

Throughout His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus Christ focused His attention on God’s Word; He focused His efforts on the saving mission of the Father; He took His trials and temptations to God the Father in prayer; and He demonstrated a “not my will but thine be done” love so that we might be saved (see Matthew 26:39). Surely, in view of the certainty of God’s love and providence for us, the voice of faith can ask this question in the midst of our own trials and tribulations: “Could God work this out toward good for myself and others?”

So, take that to heart amidst the 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 even that which others mean for evil, God can work out toward good. The events of Joseph’s life remind us that, even in the midst of real challenges, God can use them to eventually deliver a blessing to us and others.

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 us through to the blessed end You have promised to us and are preparing for us. AMEN.

See Also
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Today’s reading is Colossians 2:6-8, where the Bible says,   

 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. 8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.

Blessed Is the Fruit of Your Womb
Blessed Is the Fruit of Your Womb

The Bible is an earthy, fleshy book. God forms Adam from dirt. He fashions Eve from Adam’s rib. They eat forbidden fruit and use animal skin for covering. There are pillars of smoke and fire, roasted lambs and bitter herbs, bloody sacrifices and clouds of temple incense. And not only in the Old Testament — the New Testament continues with such physicality. Jesus heals with spit and dirt, fingers in ears, and caskets touched. A bloody cross culminates in bodily resurrection. Finally, He promises the resurrection of our bodies and a renewed physical earth.

Biblical salvation is not an offer to escape the body into some disembodied realm, whether platonic, gnostic, Eastern, transhumanist or anything else. Rather, the Bible deeply anchors redemption itself to the body. God carries out His redemptive deliverance through intense bodily realities from creation to consummation.

August Bulletin Insert
August Bulletin Insert

The Bulletin Insert is designed to be printed and cut in half to fit conveniently inside a Sunday worship bulletin. Each month an insert will offer insight, encouragement, and information from the LCRL on the topics of Religious Liberty, Life, Marriage, or Education.

August 2025 Bulletin Blurbs
August 2025 Bulletin Blurbs

The dates identifying the LCRL bulletin blurbs are only suggestions. Please feel free to use any and all of the bulletin blurbs as your ministry needs allow.

THE ONE THING NEEDED IS PROVIDED!
THE ONE THING NEEDED IS PROVIDED!

Today’s reading is Luke 10:38-42, where the Bible says,    

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “You are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Assisted Suicide: No Lives Matter
Assisted Suicide: No Lives Matter

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A Father Sacrifices His Son: Dads Matter

That's the story of salvation. We are given a glimpse in Abraham's willingness to put Isaac on the altar. In a worldly way, we see it when parents send their sons off to war. But what of those parents who say, "I just want my child to be happy"? I think we all get it, though that can't be the end all. There has to be something more. The writer to the Hebrews tells us that Abraham knew that Isaac would live again, would rise from the dead. But then, don't we?

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BE A NEIGHBOR BECAUSE WE HAVE A SAVIOR

Today’s reading is Luke 10:30-37, where Jesus responds to the question, “Who is my neighbor?”    

30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denariic and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

FREEDOM TO DO GOOD!
FREEDOM TO DO GOOD!

Today’s reading is Galatians 6:9-10, where the Bible says,   

9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Remembering the LRCL’s First Fourth of July in D.C.: Rejoicing Today!
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July Prayer Partner Thursday
July Prayer Partner Thursday

Prayer Partner Thursday provides a month-long prayer emphasis in one of the four Lutheran Center for Religious Liberty areas of emphasis: Religious Liberty, Sanctity of Life, Educational Freedom, and Marriage as an Institution (family).

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Today’s reading is Galatians 5:1, where the Bible says,   

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

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The Oppressors and the Oppressed

That's how Marxism works. In the Communist Manifesto, it's the freeman and slave, the patrician and the plebeian, lord and serf, guild-master and journeyman. Translated into the present, it's critical theory where it becomes a matter accumulating points. Score one for being a woman, one for being a person of color, one for being LGB, and perhaps two for being T. Count yourself as an enemy of the one percent, and that's at least a half-point. Such an odd thing, yet you gain a bit of oppressed status by including yourself among the 99 percent. Say you are an LGBTQ ally, another half point, and so on. Colleges have long operated this way, and many young people, young women especially, come home as trained Marxists.

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Today’s reading is Galatians 3:26-29, where the Bible says,   

26 So, in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

July Bulletin Insert
July Bulletin Insert

The Bulletin Insert is designed to be printed and cut in half to fit conveniently inside a Sunday worship bulletin. Each month an insert will offer insight, encouragement, and information from the LCRL on the topics of Religious Liberty, Life, Marriage, or Education.

July 2025 Bulletin Blurbs
July 2025 Bulletin Blurbs

The dates identifying the LCRL bulletin blurbs are only suggestions. Please feel free to use any and all of the bulletin blurbs as your ministry needs allow.

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However, the warning must not stop there. Because it is a form of public and intentional sin, cohabitation is particularly destructive to the conscience, and not just to the couple’s conscience but also to the conscience of the Christian community. Many couples view their choices as going no further than themselves. I would like to challenge this by considering some of the ways that cohabitation harms the broader Christian community.

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A BRIDGED GAP CAN STAND IN THE GAP!

Today’s verses are 2nd Corinthians 5:19-20, where St. Paul says, 

19 That God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself, not counting man’s sins against them. And He has committed to us this ministry of reconciliation, 20 for we are God’s ambassadors, as though were making His appeal through us, be reconciled to God!

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Defund Planned Parenthood?

That's the very least we can do. We have a lot of work to do. Blue states love abortion, want more of it, will never even speak against partial-birth abortion, much less children who, if born, could live outside of the womb. Red states are full of pro-life folks, many of whom would rather not push the issue. Abortion is the dark underside of our culture. What's a child in the womb worth? Nothing at all? Or is an unborn child dispensable? Is the child's worth totally dependent upon the mother? If a person is not loved, does that mean they can be dispensed with?

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Compassionate Abortion?

The story has many troubling aspects, not least of which is the parents’ decision based on inaccurate information about the child’s chance of surviving and thriving. But what troubles me most is that I encounter fellow Lutherans who have bought the narrative that it is better for babies with physical imperfections to be aborted rather than embraced and loved for whatever time the Lord allows them to live. I offer four problems with that mindset.

June Prayer Partner Thursday
June Prayer Partner Thursday

Prayer Partner Thursday provides a month-long prayer emphasis in one of the four Lutheran Center for Religious Liberty areas of emphasis: Religious Liberty, Sanctity of Life, Educational Freedom, and Marriage as an Institution (family).

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HIS ASCENSION, YOUR EMPOWERMENT!

Today’s reading is Acts 1:7-11 which begins with Jesus telling His disciples,
“It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

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The Mob's Demonic Shrieks

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CALM IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STORM!

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31 “Do you now believe?” Jesus replied. 32 “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.

33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

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A Lutheran Wedding

There was a great wedding in Leipzig, Germany, in the mid-1730s. We don’t know whose wedding it was, and we wouldn’t think anything of it today at all, had not Johann Sebastian Bach composed a cantata for it. A cantata was a piece of concerted music, about 20 minutes long and split into various movements, made up of sung Scripture passages and poetic verses. Almost all of Bach’s cantatas end with a hymn stanza.

Think for a moment about which hymn stanza would best conclude a cantata at a wedding. What words should be echoing in the ears of bridegroom and bride as they prepare for married life together? Which would be best?

June Bulletin Insert
June Bulletin Insert

The Bulletin Insert is designed to be printed and cut in half to fit conveniently inside a Sunday worship bulletin. Each month an insert will offer insight, encouragement, and information from the LCRL on the topics of Religious Liberty, Life, Marriage, or Education.

June 2025 Bulletin Blurbs
June 2025 Bulletin Blurbs

The dates identifying the LCRL bulletin blurbs are only suggestions. Please feel free to use any and all of the bulletin blurbs as your ministry needs allow.

A NEW COMMAND? BETTER, A NEW OPPORTUNITY!
A NEW COMMAND? BETTER, A NEW OPPORTUNITY!

Today’s reading is John 13:34-35, where Jesus says,   

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

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Created In God's Image

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SEEING THINGS FROM GOD’S “MISSION-VICTORY” POINT OF VIEW!

Today’s reading is Revelation 7:9-10, where the Apostle John tells us,   

After these things I looked, and behold, I saw a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; 10 and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”

Dr. Gregory Seltz
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