Devotionals by Stuart and Jill Briscoe
Joseph named his second son Ephraim, for he said, “God has made me fruitful in this land of my suffering.” - Genesis 41:52
Joseph was in his thirties when he named his son Ephraim—a name that sounds like the Hebrew word for “fruitful.” Joseph had experienced his share of suffering through his teens and twenties. He had suffered the spiteful jealousy of his siblings from his youngest days. He had been kidnapped and sold to slave traders by his brothers (Genesis 37:28), then sexually assaulted by his boss’s wife and wrongfully jailed for a crime he hadn’t committed (Genesis 39:11-20).
Yet God was not absent from Joseph’s turbulent years. He suffered the pit and the prison patiently, but then God placed him in charge of the whole land of Egypt and blessed him with a wife and children. Joseph’s life had been planted in the soil of suffering so that he might blossom into godly manhood.
The real fruit was seen in Joseph’s character—evidence of the Spirit of God in his life. Joseph showed love for his enemies, self-control with Potiphar’s wife, and long-suffering with people who forgot all about him when they had promised to help him (Genesis 40:23). God’s Spirit bore the fruit of righteousness through Joseph in Egypt. Could such fruit have been produced without the soil of suffering? Probably not. As James says, “When your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything” (James 1:3-4).
Let God make you fruitful in the land of your suffering! Then you’ll be ready for anything.
For Further Study: Genesis 41:37-57
Excerpted from The One Year Devotions for Women, Copyright ©2000 by Jill Briscoe. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.
For more from Jill Briscoe, please visit TellingtheTruth.org.
SPECIAL OFFER
About Telling the Truth
Telling the Truth is an international broadcast and internet ministry that brings God's Word into the lives of people all over the world. Stuart and Jill Briscoe are the featured Bible teachers, encouraging and challenging listeners to study the Word of God and be drawn closer to Christ. Gifted with wisdom, discernment, and a bit of English humor, the Briscoe's bring God's Word to life. With distinctly different teaching styles, you'll be moved by the emotional appeal of Jill and the compelling logic of Stuart, as they boldly proclaim God's sovereignty, grace, and love.
About Stuart and Jill Briscoe
Jill Briscoe was born in England and found Christ when she was 18 years old. She never looked back. Upon graduating from Cambridge University, she began working as a teacher by day and had a vigorous street ministry to the youths of Liverpool by night.
She met Stuart at a youth conference and they married in 1958. In the 50 years since, Jill has become a highly sought-after Bible teacher and author who travels around the world ministering to under-resourced churches and speaking at international seminars and conferences. Since 2000, she and Stuart, who was formerly senior pastor of Elmbrook Church for 30 years, have had the joy of equipping and encouraging believers across the globe in their roles as ministers-at-large for Elmbrook.
Jill has authored more than 40 books including devotionals, study guides, poetry and children's books. Her vivid, relational teaching style touches the emotions and stirs the heart. She serves as Executive Editor of Just Between Us, a magazine of encouragement for ministry wives and women in leadership, and served on the board of World Relief and Christianity Today, Inc., for over 20 years.
Jill and Stuart call suburban Milwaukee, Wisconsin their home. When they are not traveling, they spend time with their three children, David, Judy and Peter, and thirteen grandchildren.
Contact Telling the Truth with Stuart and Jill Briscoe
info@tellingthetruth.org
Brookfield, WI 53005-4633
Outside North America
Telling the Truth
PO Box 204
Chessington
KT9 9DA
United Kingdom
800.889.5388
Outside North America
0800.652.4120

