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Christian Devotional – January 2, 2019
Trust. We have seen how much the Pharaoh trusts Joseph with stuff and now we see an example of just how completely Pharaoh trusts Joseph regarding people. Read Genesis 47:1-6. The land of Egypt is at your disposal; settle your father and your brothers in the best of the land, let them live in the land of Goshen; and if you know any capable men among them, then put them in charge of my livestock.” Genesis 47:6 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/gen.47.6.NASB Joseph brings some of his brothers to meet Pharaoh where he learns their occupation and what they are desiring to do here in Egypt. Pharaoh trust Joseph so completely that he…
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New Year 2019 Focus
This year, I am refocusing on a simple message, taken from Ezra 7:10. #studydoshare Check out this new video to learn more and understand how you can be focused on Study, Do, Share just like Ezra!
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Christian Devotional – January 1, 2019
Happy New Year! New beginnings are a great and exciting opportunity to renew and restart our commitments. Even Joseph’s family was excited to start their new lives. Read Genesis 46:29-34. you shall say, ‘Your servants have been keepers of livestock from our youth even until now, both we and our fathers,’ that you may live in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is loathsome to the Egyptians.” Genesis 46:34 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/gen.46.34.NASB Joseph is helping them navigate some of the tricky political things of their new home. The first of which is actually where their new will be. Having someone who knows the “lay of the land” when dealing with…
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Christian Devotional – December 31, 2018
Following. A lot of people have made a big deal about the importance of leadership in today’s culture, but without followers, there would be no leaders. Now, even Jacob becomes a follower. Read Genesis 46:8-28. Now he sent Judah before him to Joseph, to point out the way before him to Goshen; and they came into the land of Goshen. Genesis 46:28 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/gen.46.28.NASB As the Bible lists all the people who are making this trip from Canaan into Egypt, we see them following Jacob into this new country. Yet Jacob is simply following God’s command to him that we read about yesterday. Now, Jacob even follows his son Judah.…
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Christian Devotional – December 30, 2018
When faced with a decision, do we check with God? Often we just decide to go in a certain direction and assume that God will tag along for the ride. Read Genesis 46:1-7. So Israel set out with all that he had, and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. Genesis 46:1 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/gen.46.1.NASB Jacob begins his journey, but he doesn’t head to Egypt, at least not a first. He heads to Beersheba where he can worship and pray and ask God what to do. When we are faced with a decision, we are not the ones who need to make it, that is…
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Christian Devotional – December 29, 2018
Making right a wrong. It’s a whole lot easier if you aren’t the one who made it wrong in the first place. Unfortunately for Joseph’s brothers, they were the ones who made it wrong. Now they are headed back to tell their father the truth. Read Genesis 45:25-28. They told him, saying, “Joseph is still alive, and indeed he is ruler over all the land of Egypt.” But he was stunned, for he did not believe them. Genesis 45:26 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/gen.45.26.NASB I’m sure that was a fun conversation. “So, Dad, remember how we told you that Joseph must have died and that whole bloody coat thing several years ago? Um,…
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Christian Devotional – December 28, 2018
Word has spread! Joseph’s brothers are here! The Egyptians see and hear all that has happened and now even the Pharaoh tells Joseph that he must invite them all to live here in Egypt. Read Genesis 45:16-24. So he sent his brothers away, and as they departed, he said to them, “Do not quarrel on the journey.” Genesis 45:24 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/gen.45.24.NASB So Joseph sends them back to get Jacob and the rest of the family. Then he gives them this interesting command. No fighting or arguing. That’s a long trip and they have gone through a lot and they shouldn’t fight or argue about what is going on. How often…
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Christian Devotional – December 25, 2018
Today we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. This amazing and incomprehensible act on the part of a Holy God can only be described as grace. That Jesus, who is fully God, would take on the form man and leave heaven to live life, is truly the most amazing form of humility and mercy. We don’t deserve this gift. We can’t earn it. We can only accept it as a gift, knowing that we owe Him everything. Because God is Holy, I deserve judgment because I am not Holy. Because God is merciful, He sent His Son to live the perfect life we could not. Jesus died the death that…
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Christian Devotional – December 24, 2018
Finally, an explanation. Joseph’s brothers have heard all that Joseph is telling them about all that has happened and that it truly is him, but now Joseph reveals the reason behind these things. Read Genesis 45:7-15. There I will also provide for you, for there are still five years of famine to come, and you and your household and all that you have would be impoverished.”‘Genesis 45:11 NASBhttps://bible.com/bible/100/gen.45.11.NASB God had a plan. That is why Joseph could forgive them, even when that would make no sense to them. God was the one in charge, not his brothers. It is a very humbling and eye-opening experience when we realize that we…
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Christian Devotional – December 23, 2018
There is a plan. Even in the midst of the darkest, most difficult times, God is never surprised or left wondering what to do and how to make it all turn out right. Read Genesis 45:1-6. Now do not be grieved or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life.Genesis 45:5 NASBhttps://bible.com/bible/100/gen.45.5.NASB Joseph has finally seen that his brothers have changed. He can begin to trust them again. He now has to reveal himself to them so they can understand, too. And, he doesn’t want them beating themselves up about the past, but he wants them to know that he sees…