1. Mose 48:15-16

While most of us understand that the Old Testament Scriptures were written primarily in the Hebrew language, very few of us can read or understand Hebrew. Therefore, we are forced to read the various English translations of the Bible. And, while there are many excellent translations out there, they often miss the nuances, insight, and deeper revelation found in the original Hebrew. 

Your suffering becomes the crucible where hope is forged when you seek Christ in it. At age 26, Katherine experienced a brain-stem stroke that left her partially paralyzed. After years of rehab, she and her husband, Jay, formed Hope Heals, a ministry to help those with broken brains and broken hearts. Look with them at the story of Joseph to see how God ordains the suffering of one to bless many, and how you, too, can bless others not after you suffer but as you suffer.

What does true, genuine faith look like? Go deeper in your faith by studying a different person from faith's "Hall of Fame" in Hebrews 11. Examine the fearful, reverent faith of Noah; the obedient, hopeful faith of Abraham; the impossible faith of Sarah; the worshipping faith of Jacob; the self-denying faith of Moses; and the saving faith of Rahab. 

When we receive Jesus, He not only becomes our Savior, but He also becomes our Shepherd as well. But how often do we stray from His guidance for our own way? Is that because we don’t understand the role of a shepherd in our modern lives? In this plan, we’ll look to the Word to reflect and respond by asking Jesus to be our Soul Shepherd in these modern times.