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Christian Devotional – November 14, 2018
Go above and beyond. Joseph was brought to Pharaoh’s presence because God interprets dreams through Joseph. But Joseph didn’t stop there. Read Genesis 41:17-36 Now let Pharaoh look for a man discerning and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt. Genesis 41:33 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/gen.41.33.NASB Pharaoh told Joseph his dreams, and then Joseph interpreted them. But he didn’t stop there. Joseph had some advice and he dared to go agead and share that too. It’s crazy, if you think about it. The prisoner/ slave daring to tell the Pharaoh advice on what to do. Joseph was bold. He had thoughts and a plan and he shared them. Do we…
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Christian Devotional – November 13, 2018
The pressure is on, so how will you answer the difficult questions? Joseph has been hurried from the prison, told to get presentable and led before Pharaoh himself. Pharaoh tells Joseph why he has been sent for and Joseph has that moment to decide how to respond. Read Genesis 41:14-16 Joseph then answered Pharaoh, saying, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.” Genesis 41:16 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/gen.41.16.NASB Even with all the glory and splendor of Pharaoh’s court and the excitement of being out of prison, Joseph continues to give glory to God for being the true one who gives answers. Just like he has done throughout…
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Christian Devotional – November 12, 2018
God works behind the scenes. Sometimes we tend to think that we should know everything that God is doing, but his plan is so far reaching and vast that we can’t see exactly what God is doing. It all comes together for Joseph in Genesis 41:1-13 and Joseph doesn’t even know it. Then the chief cupbearer spoke to Pharaoh, saying, “I would make mention today of my own offenses. Genesis 41:9 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/gen.41.9.NASB Pharaoh had a dream. He called all his magicians and wise men to help tell him what the dream meant, but nothing worked. Then, the very last person that Pharaoh would have expected ended up having words…
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Christian Devotional – November 11, 2018
How long do you expect to wait on God? A day, a week? We have such short timelines and expectations of when we think God should act. What was a timeframe for Joseph? See Genesis 41:1 Now it happened at the end of two full years that Pharaoh had a dream, and behold, he was standing by the Nile. Genesis 41:1 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/gen.41.1.NASB Joseph had gotten his hopes up that the cupbearer would plead his case to Pharaoh. He was probably thinking every morning, “Today might be the day that the cupbearer’s story will result in me getting out of here.” Nothing. A week, a month, several months go by…
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Christian Devotional – November 10, 2018
Have you ever felt forgotten? With everything that goes on in life and in the world, it’s easy to get caught up with all the daily stuff and wonder if people remember us. Joseph knew what it felt like to be forgotten. Read Genesis 40:20-23. Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him. Genesis 40:23 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/gen.40.23.NASB Joseph had done something amazing. These two prisoners had told him their dreams and Joseph, through the power of God, had interpreted those dreams. And then everything came about exactly as Joseph had told them it would. That wouldn’t be something you would forget right away, right? Unfortunately, that’s exactly…
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Christian Devotional – November 9, 2018
It’s hard to deliver bad news. No one just really loves telling people difficult things, but sometimes we make the mistake of not giving feedback when we should simply because it’s not what the person wants to hear. Read Genesis 40:16-19. within three more days Pharaoh will lift up your head from you and will hang you on a tree, and the birds will eat your flesh off you.” Genesis 40:19 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/gen.40.19.NASB Pharaoh’s chief Baker had a dream too. He shared his dream with Joseph, especially after having been encouraged by hearing such a favorable interpretation of the chief cupbearer’s dream. However, Joseph did not have nearly as good…
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Christian Devotional – November 6, 2018
“If you don’t know, I’m not going to tell you.” Have you ever heard that phrase, or said that phrase? People often spend time assuming that others are doing nothing else besides thinking about what “I” need. I guarantee you, people think about us much less than we give them credit for. They are too busy wondering what you’re thinking about them. So, if we want something, we need to ask. Read Genesis 40:8-15. Only keep me in mind when it goes well with you, and please do me a kindness by mentioning me to Pharaoh and get me out of this house. Genesis 40:14 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/gen.40.14.NASB The chief cupbearer…
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Christian Devotional – November 4, 2018
Know where your strengths come from. Yesterday we saw how Joseph’s compassion and empathy drove him to reach out to his fellow prisoners who were upset. Now, we look at the fact that since he reached out, they have told him what’s wrong. Joseph has such compassion that he wants to help. And, he has the distinct advantage of knowing where that help comes from. Read Genesis 40:8-15. Then they said to him, “We have had a dream and there is no one to interpret it.” Then Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell it to me, please.” Genesis 40:8 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/gen.40.8.NASB Joseph knows all about…
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Christian Devotional – November 3, 2018
Compassion and empathy. These are two of the most powerful acts we can demonstrate toward our fellow man. And they are completely free and can be done by anyone, even someone in jail, like Joseph. Read Genesis 40:1-8 He asked Pharaoh’s officials who were with him in confinement in his master’s house, “Why are your faces so sad today?” Genesis 40:7 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/gen.40.7.NASB God brings two new people into Joseph’s life. Some time afterward, probably years afterward, while Joseph has been in jail, frustration has been happening in Pharaoh’s house. Two of his key officials make Pharaoh mad and he sends them to jail. No telling how long they had been…
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Christian Devotional – November 2, 2018
Joseph in jail. Probably not exactly the place he thought he’d end up back so many years ago when he was dreaming about stacks of wheat and stars all bowing before him. Yet here he is, falsely accused, stuck in an Egyptian prison. Read Genesis 39:21-23. But the Lord was with Joseph and extended kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the chief jailer. Genesis 39:21 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/gen.39.21.NASB Joseph could have gotten angry and bitter. He could have lashed out at his guards and his jailers. Joseph could have rejected God as a result of all that he is going through. But he didn’t do any…