Meanwhile

meanwhile’ as we expeMeanwhile explores deep biblical truth while

—Carol Kent, speaker, author, founder of Speak Up Ministries

Meanwhile —Erica Wiggenhorn, international speaker, author of An Unexpected Revival Meanwhile! In our world of —Becky Harling, conference speaker, best-selling author of The Extraordinary Power of Praise “Meanwhile

—Angela Donadio, author, speaker, host of the Make Life Matter podcast

—Lucinda Secrest McDowell, award-winning author of Soul Strong and Life-Giving Choices

—Jessie Seneca,

—Ginny Dent Brant, counselor, speaker, author of Finding True Freedom and Unleash Your God-Given Healing Meanwhile as you do this new study—Meanwhile—and —Tim Cameron, author of The 40-Day Word Fast and The 40-Day Word Fast for Couples “Carol McLeod doesn’t just teach with her words, but she disciples us toward greater intimacy Meanwhile —Jenny Randle, author of Dream Come True

us? Carol’s Bible study will empower you to grab God’s lifeline scriptures, promises, and hope Meanwhile —Kathleen Cooke, cofounder of Cooke Media Group, author of Hope 4 Today Meanwhile

Meanwhile will meet you at the crossroads of sorrow and

—Christine A. Christopher, author of Until the Day Breaks and the Shadows Flee

—Diane Zarlengo, senior pastor’s wife, director of women’s ministry, church prayer coordinator

MEANWHILE Meeting god in the Wait

Carol McLeod

Meanwhile Iron Stream 100 Missionary Ridge

in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or

Reproduced by permission of the Crown’s patentee, by

“We were made for resurrection and someday

ConTEnTS

xi Introduction Week 1: Where Does Your Story Begin? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Day 1: “A Mighty Mean-while” Let’s Start at the Very Beginning Once Upon a Time

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For Good You Are Joseph Susanna Wesley Week 2: Jealous Hearts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Day 1: Dream God’s Dream A Dream and a Promise Better Times and Brighter Days 10 Angry Men Preparing for Challenges Betty Scott Stam Week 3: The End of the Beginning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Day 1: Pleasing People or Pleasing God? The Pit A Caravan Is on Its Way! How Mean Can You Be?!

The Meanwhile of the Sad Story A Tale of Prevenient Grace vii

viii Meanwhile

Week 4: Meanwhiles Become Miracles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 Day 1: Joseph Being Joseph True Character Joseph and the Horrible, No-Good, Very Bad Day An Excruciating Lesson Corrie ten Boom Week 5: A Royal Mess . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 Day 1: Sweet, Sweet Surrender It Matters 730 Long Days A Moment of Clarity Pacing in the Palace Barbara Johnson Week 6: Heaven’s Perspective Changes Everything! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135 Day 1: Powerful Persuasion One Good Man Second in Command A Reminder The Joseph Blessing Darlene Deibler Rose Week 7: The Past Meets the Future . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163 Day 1: Forget and Remember Every Chapter, Every Verse, Every Word Meanwhile . . . Back in Canaan Heartbreaking, Indeed A Mountain of Events Elisabeth Howard Elliot

Contents

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Week 8: only God! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193 Day 1: They Passed the Test The “Wow” Factor The Reunion Here Comes the Future Greater than Good The Most Important Person Notes

ACKnoWLEDGMEnTS

I dare tread the pathway of writing without the refreshment of family, the friends who help

Craig

Matthew

Christopher,

Jordan

Joy Joni, for the years of sweet camaraderie that we shared as you were grow-

xi

xii

Meanwhile

Emily,

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Allie,

olivia, Ian, Wesley, Amelia, Boyce, Elizabeth Joy, Jack, Haven, and Isla Ruth

Mom and Leo

nanny, norman Burton, goes to you and all the glory goes to God! Angela Storm.

Christy Christopher

-

Keri Spring Carol McLeod Ministries

tors

. It is an

Carol McLeod Ministries Board of Direc-

Acknowledgments xiii

Iron Stream Meanwhile is a miracu-

Media

Johnnie Hampton, Chris Busch Warrior Moms—

Carol McLeod Ministries

using you in mighty and dramatic ways! I am honored to partner with you in prayer and

Dawn Frink Diane Phelps Brenda Mutton

Marilynda Lynch

Shannon Maitre Christy Christopher

xiv Meanwhile

Jesus, my Lord and Savior

My heart overflows with a good theme; I address my verses to the King; My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.

—Psalm 45:1

InTRoDuCTIon

here are many stories in the Bible that contain the eternal power to deeply touch a tenlong been fascinated by this coddled young man who was bullied by his brothers, sold into

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I wonder what Joseph

would do if he were dealing with this trauma?

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visible

The Holy Spirit, Joseph, and You

why the Bible states the following:

xv

xvi

Meanwhile

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

—Romans 15:4 ESV

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details of my romance with a wonderful man of God—now my husband? Would the

it important to depict for all of God’s people, in all of the epochs yet to come, about the early morning hours when as just a little girl, I read the Bible with my dad? Perhaps, the -

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Partnering with the Word -

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Introduction

xvii

Hidden Treasure of the assignment, Hidden Treasure

How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, Who seek Him with all their heart.

—Psalm 119:2 The Joseph Lifestyle

Here We Go -

xviii

Meanwhile

There is no indication that God explained to Joseph what He was doing through those many years of heartache or how the pieces would eventually fit together. He had no way of knowing that he would eventually enjoy a triumphal reunion with his family.

He was expected, as you and I are, to live out his life one day at a time in something less than complete understanding. What pleased God was Joseph’s faithfulness when nothing made sense.

—James C. Dobson Life on the Edge

Week 1 k Where Does Your Story Begin?

Day 1 k “A Mighty Mean-while”

W

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lenging mean-while

6

What is the most painful meanwhile experience you have ever faced?

6

What were some of the practices or disciplines that enabled you to get through your meanwhile?

6

Why do you think our examination into the life of Joseph from the Old Testament is titled Meanwhile?

3

4

Meanwhile

Your Favorite Meanwhile

6

Who is your favorite Old Testament character?

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What lesson(s) did you learn from this person’s story?

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A Victim and Yet a Victor -

6

What has given you hope when you experienced circumstantial or relational pain?

“A Mighty Mean-while” 5

Hidden Treasure:

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

—Romans 15:4 ESV

You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.

—James Sherman Rejection