Playing the Long Game by Chris Dew Ministries Responding to God's Love and Salvation Luke 23:39-43 NIV One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” The last few days we havedrawn a parallel between Joseph interpreting dreams in prison and Jesus' interaction with the criminals on the cross. Both scenarios present a choice - to embrace or reject God's offer of salvation. The repentant criminal's request, "Remember me when you come into your kingdom," echoes our own need for grace. Reflect on your personal response to Christ's sacrifice. Have you fully embraced His offer of salvation? If you have, how is this transforming your daily life? If you're still uncertain, consider what's holding you back. Remember, like the criminal on the cross, it's never too late to turn to Jesus. His promise of paradise is available to all who put their trust in Him. #YouversionDevotion #ChrisDewMinistries #Allthings #Godisinthedetails

Playing the Long Game by Chris Dew Ministries Embracing God's Presence in Suffering Genesis 39:20-23 So Joseph’s master arrested him and put him in the same prison where the king’s prisoners were kept. While Joseph was in prison, the Lord was with him. The Lord reached out to him with his unchanging love and gave him protection. The Lord also put Joseph on good terms with the warden. So the warden placed Joseph in charge of all the prisoners who were in that prison. Joseph became responsible for everything that they were doing. The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care because the Lord was with Joseph and made whatever he did successful. Throughout Joseph's trials, we see a recurring phrase: "the Lord was with him." Even in the depths of prison, God's presence remained constant. This mirrors the promise Jesus gave us in Matthew 28:20, "I am with you always." Reflect on a time when you felt God's presence in the midst of suffering. How did this change your perspective? Today, practice awareness of God's presence in every circumstance, both joyful and challenging. Remember, like Joseph, your current situation is not your final destination. God's presence can transform even the darkest prison into a place of purpose and growth. #YouversionDevotion #ChrisDewMinistries #Allthings #Godisinthedetails

Playing the Long Game by Chris Dew Ministries Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus Hebrews 12:1-3 Since we are surrounded by so many examples of faith, we must get rid of everything that slows us down, especially sin that distracts us. We must run the race that lies ahead of us and never give up. We must focus on Jesus, the source and goal of our faith. He saw the joy ahead of him, so he endured death on the cross and ignored the disgrace it brought him. Now he holds the honored position—the one next to God the Father on the heavenly throne. Think about Jesus, who endured opposition from sinners, so that you don’t become tired and give up. Today's passage uses the metaphor of a race to describe our walk of faith. Just as Joseph's life foreshadowed Christ's, we too are called to look to Jesus as our ultimate example. Reflect on the weights and sins that might be hindering your spiritual progress. How can focusing on Jesus' endurance help you overcome these obstacles? Take time to meditate on Christ's sacrifice and victory, allowing His example to inspire and strengthen you for the journey ahead. #YouversionDevotion #ChrisDewMinistries #Allthings #Godisinthedetails

Playing the Long Game by Chris Dew Ministries Blooming Where You're Planted Colossians 3:23-24 Whatever you do, do it wholeheartedly as though you were working for your real master and not merely for humans. You know that your real master will give you an inheritance as your reward. It is Christ, your real master, whom you are serving. Joseph's story teaches us the importance of faithfulness in every season of life. Whether in Potiphar's house or in prison, Joseph served with excellence and used his gifts to honor God. Today's verses encourage us to work wholeheartedly in everything we do, as though working for the Lord. Consider your current circumstances - perhaps they're not ideal or where you expected to be. How can you bloom where you're planted? Identify one way you can serve God and others with excellence in your present situation. Remember, faithfulness in small things prepares us for greater responsibilities. #YouversionDevotion #ChrisDewMinistries #Allthings #Godisinthedetails

Playing the Long Game by Chris Dew Ministries Trusting God's Perspective Romans 8:28-29 KJV And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Just as Joseph faced numerous setbacks on his journey to fulfilling God's promise, we too may encounter obstacles that seem to contradict God's plan for our lives. Today's passage reminds us that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him. Like Joseph, we must trust God's vantage point, even when our circumstances appear bleak. Reflect on a challenging situation in your life. How might God be using this to shape you and fulfill His purposes? Remember, our limited perspective is just a small part of God's grand narrative. Pray for the faith to trust His sovereign plan, knowing that nothing can separate us from His love. #YouversionDevotion #ChrisDewMinistries #Allthings #Godisinthedetails