IT IS NOT IN ME

IT IS NOT IN ME
Wednesday, August 28, 2019 by ADAM BLUMER

PLEASE WELCOME

ADAM BLUMER

DEVOTIONAL WEDNESDAY

Recently, we were studying the life of Joseph at my church. I’ve heard his story so many times that I’ve been guilty of glossing over the details in my mind. So when we came to Genesis 41, I was astounded when I saw applications I’d never seen before.

After going through a difficult experience that included brotherly betrayal, slavery, temptation, false accusations, and forgetful friends (OK, I’ve had bad days but nothing like this), Joseph was summoned to Pharaoh, who needed someone to interpret his dream.

“And Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it.

I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.’ Joseph answered Pharaoh,

‘It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer’” (Genesis 41:15–16 ESV).

Joseph’s answer blows me away: “It is not in me.” In other words, though Joseph had interpreted dreams before and could certainly interpret Pharaoh’s dream now, he recognized that the ability to do this task was “not in [him].” In his own strength, he had no ability to help the Egyptian king.

How often do we men puff out our chests when our wives ask us to unscrew a jar they can’t open? “Look out, folks. Here I come.” Manliness marched in to rule the day, maybe even with a bulging bicep or two (or at least we try to muster one). Do we tell our wives, “You know, babe, the ability to do that task isn’t in me, but God will help me unscrew that jar”? Hardly. But that’s how the Christian life should be. We are so quick to succumb to spiritual amnesia and think we can tackle tasks all by ourselves.

How many times have I made this mistake? Yet “it is not in [us]” to do anything in our strength: to get out of bed each morning, to draw our first waking breath. Not even to push the button on the coffee maker. It’s not in us, but it’s certainly in God (John 15:1–5), and He delights to pour out His power through us so He can receive the glory.

What seemingly impossible task are you facing today?

Maybe it’s the kind that weakens your knees and forces you to stare failure in the face. God is big enough to accomplish it, but don’t think for a minute you can do it by yourself. Once you’ve seen His amazing strength on display, empowering you to do something you couldn’t do yourself, pause a moment. Remember who really did that task, just as Joseph did. It wasn’t you. Not by a long shot. It was God all the way.

Have you experienced this amazing God empowerment? Can you recall an incident when you saw Him so clearly at work through you? List the event here so others can be as encouraged as you were at the time. And be sure to give God the glory.

ABOUT KILL ORDER

When he sleeps, the forgotten terrors of the past come alive.

Grammy-winning pianist Landon Jeffers’s brain cancer has given him only a few years to live. But when he sleeps, the forgotten terrors of his past torment him. When he wakes, shameful memories come rushing back. Desperate for answers, Jeffers discovers that a brain implant intended to treat his cancer is really a device to control him, forcing him to commit terrible crimes. Now he’s being manipulated by an evil crime syndicate and a crooked cop.

What if free will isn’t? What if your every move is predestined? If you kill, are you guilty of murder?

ABOUT ADAM BLUMER

Adam Blumer fixes other people’s books to pay the bills. He writes his own to explore creepy lighthouses and crime scenes. He is the author of three clean Christian thrillers: Fatal Illusions, The Tenth Plague, and Kill Order. A print journalism major in college, he works full-time from home as a book editor after serving in editorial roles for more than twenty years. He lives in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula with his wife, Kim, and his daughters, Laura and Julia. He works with literary agent Cyle Young of Hartline Literary Agency.

Where Readers Can Buy a Copy of Kill Order

Paperback

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1645261867/
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/kill-order-adam-blumer/1132572349?ean=9781645261865
Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas: https://www.shoplpc.com/product/kill-order/

Kindle E-book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VRSPGMN/

How to Connect with Adam

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Comments

Adam Blumer From Michigan At 8/29/2019 7:30:02 AM

Thanks, Andrea. Relationships can be extra tough, but God gives us grace to work through those, too. So glad you experienced His grace in your situation.

Adam Blumer From Michigan At 8/29/2019 7:28:09 AM

Thank you, Janet. Yes, I can see how you would need extra strength for each day. What amazes me is how soon I forget that even tasks I would label as "easy" need the grace of God, but in my thinking, I'm like, "I got this, God." I'm so foolish. It's all about Him and His grace. Thanks.

Janet R Johnson From Florida At 8/28/2019 5:18:26 PM

Adam Blumer's poignant devotion stating, "it' is not in me", works for me each day as I'm a caregiver for my 91 yr old Mom. Every morning I ask God for wisdom, opportunity, and strength to do the day's tasks. Habakkuk 3:18 "Yet I will praise the Lord; I will joy in the God of my salvation."