If a human being tries to seat himself in the “place of honor,” he will ultimately be put to shame; but if he seats himself in the “lowest place” (the place of Jesus Christ), God will exalt him. “Now He began speaking a parable to the invited guests when He noticed how they had been picking out the places of honor at the table, saying to them, ‘When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for someone more distinguished than you may have been invited by him, and he who invited you both will come and say to you, “Give your place to this man,” and then in disgrace you proceed to occupy the last place. But when you are invited, go and recline at the last place, so that when the one who has invited you comes, he may say to you, “Friend, move up higher”; then you will have honor in the sight of all who are at the table with you. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be e...
The God of Joseph [Acts 7:9-16] The text discusses the concept of ‘Brick instead of Bread’ and quotes a saying attributed to the famous news anchor David Brinkley. The saying illustrates that sometimes life presents us with challenges (symbolized by a brick) instead of comfort (represented by bread). How we handle these challenges can determine whether they become the foundation of happiness or the cause of unhappiness. The text then mentions biblical figures who encountered the brick of suffering in their lives, including Joseph from the book of Acts (Acts 7:9-16). Unlike some, Joseph did not reject the brick of suffering; instead, he accepted it with faith. Despite committing no wrongdoing, Joseph faced various trials, such as being sold to merchants by his brothers and later being unjustly imprisoned in Egypt. The text advises that when we go through the passage of suffering, we sho...