Winter 2025

…You greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in… glory…when Jesus Christ is revealed. — 1 Peter 1:6-7

As the New Year unfolds, Rachel-Ruth and I are busily writing a new book together that is centered on the Old Testament story of Joseph. Our story begins when he is a young man just coming out of boyhood, the son of Jacob and the grandson of Abraham. He was a typical teenager who had a little swagger to his step. He was a prince of the desert. Wealthy, handsome, and singled out for special honor when his father revealed his favoritism by giving Joseph a rare and coveted coat of many colors. While the coat was a symbol of his father’s favor, it was also the stimulus for jealousy among his ten older siblings.

One day Joseph, in obedience to his father, set out to check on his brothers who were tending their father’s sheep. When he didn’t find them where he expected them to be, he didn’t quit looking. He didn’t go back to the comfort of home and tell his father he had done the best he could, but his brothers were not where they were supposed to be. Instead, Joseph went the extra mile to search for them until he found them.

When Joseph came to his brothers, he had no forewarning of their rage. As he greeted them, he was violently seized and thrown into a deep pit. He was stripped of his princely robe which was dipped in the blood of an animal so the brothers could cover their evil deed by telling Jacob that Joseph had been killed by a wild animal. Joseph was then shackled and sold to his cousins who transported him to Egypt, placed him on an auction block, and sold him as a slave. He found himself far away from his family and from all that was familiar. He suddenly plummeted into the frightening swirl of a foreign, sophisticated culture where he was surrounded by strange looking people who spoke an unknown language and had unfamiliar customs and ate unfamiliar food. And he was alone. He must have been terrified by the prospect of a very uncertain future…if he even had a future. And he had gone the extra mile to do everything right! Yet in just moments, his life had been drastically changed. Seemingly for the worse. Much worse! But he had no way of knowing that his path of suffering was actually his road to destiny.

My life also has been changed in dramatic moments of suffering…the sudden tragic death of my husband of forty-nine years was followed three years later by a totally unexpected cancer diagnosis. These events occurred when I was serving in obedience to my heavenly Father, going the extra mile in many ways, seeking to make Him known through the way I lived for Him and served Him. There have been other areas of additional suffering. But I am encouraged by what stands out in Joseph’s life. All through his suffering, God was guarding, guiding, and preparing him to be a much more magnificent person and a much more powerful leader than he ever would have become living in Jacob’s tents. Which leads me to the conclusion that sometimes God uses suffering to get us where He wants us to be and to develop us into the person He created us to be for our own good and for the benefit of others. Like Joseph, our path of suffering may actually be the road to our destiny.

Think about it. In obedience to his father, Joseph was suddenly thrust out on an unknown path of intense suffering that lasted for years. Suffering that eventually led him back to reconciliation with his brothers and reunion with his father. But this path would be a lot longer, the journey fiercer, the attacks more brutal, the pain more immense than he ever would have conceived he could endure. But in the end, the path God had placed Joseph on would lead to his own exaltation and glory as well as the salvation of his family and of the world!

Is it possible that you will find yourself suddenly thrust on the unexpected, unplanned path of suffering in the New Year? Have you, or someone you love, already been walking on that path? Then ask God to open your eyes to a road well-traveled. The end is not defeat, but victory and glory and the ultimate fulfillment of God’s destiny for your life…when Jesus Christ is revealed.

For His Glory,

Anne Graham Lotz

Bible Study: God’s Presence on the Path of Suffering

What phrase in Genesis 39 indicates God’s presence was with Joseph in his suffering? How many times is the phrase repeated? Give the verses.
In what circumstance does Psalm 23:4 promise God’s presence? Apply this to your life.
In what circumstances does Isaiah 43:1-2 promise you will have God’s presence? Which of these have you experienced in the past? Which applies to you at present?

Click here for the Bible Study especially developed for this newsletter.

It was my privilege to give the closing address for Founder’s Week at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. Torrey-Grey Auditorium was packed as I challenged those gathered to ask God to enlarge their hearts for the Gospel, then recommit to sharing it with others.

What a life’s moment! My youngest daughter, Rachel-Ruth, turned 50! Her daughter, Riggin, helped plan a surprise birthday party for her that was overflowing with desserts, friends, beautiful testimonies and blessings. I am so honored and humbled to observe Rachel-Ruth triumphing over her pain and suffering to become a very powerful woman of God. To Him be the glory!

The president of the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast invited me to share a video-taped prayer to be offered in the Knesset, Israel’s Parliament. I did so with humble confidence that as we turn from our sin, God’s eyes will be open and His ears attentive to prayers offered from the city that He loves, Jerusalem.

The Vision of His Glory

With skilled teaching, an inspiring sense of wonder, practical insight and heart-touching parables, Anne brings clarity to the glorious pageantry and imagery of the book of Revelation. Sharing her passion for God’s Word, she will lead you step by step through John’s eyewitness account of God’s plan for our future. The Vision of His Glory brings you to an intimate encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ, our one Source of true, life-changing hope.

If you have never read the book of Revelation, or sometime in the past, you tried to read it but lost your way or grew weary, this book will guide you to a new understanding. The Vision of His Glory also contains an in-depth devotional guide to help you explore the book of Revelation in a personal and practical way, either on your own or in a group.

Click here to order.

The Magnificent Obsession

Abraham’s life was full of twists and turns, riches and losses, deceit and redemption, failure and success. Nevertheless, his story held the key to satisfying Anne’s hungry heart. The key: following God in obedient faith. Step by step. Choice by choice. Day by day. Despite struggling, as we all do, with compromise, fear, family, quarrels, doubt, and disappointment, in the end, Abraham knew God…as His friend.

Challenged by Abraham’s example, Anne began a lifelong pursuit of knowing God. Through personal anecdotes, unforgettable stories, and inspiring insights, she shares the joy and fulfillment she has found as she has embraced the God-filled life through obedient faith.

Click here to order.

Podcast Coming Soon!

You know you’re supposed to read the Bible, but what does it really mean? Join Anne and Rachel-Ruth in a candid discussion of how the Bible relates to everyday life. Listen in on their conversation as they discuss how they read, love and apply the Bible, then live it out! This podcast is both for the seasoned Jesus follower and the newly Jesus-curious. Wherever you are on your spiritual journey, you are welcome at this table!