Date: 01-20-2021

Title: Sustaining Faith

(S) cripture:
    Job 6:10 (NLT2) At least I can take comfort in this: Despite the pain, I have not denied the words of the Holy One.
    Job 6:10 (ESV) This would be my comfort; I would even exult in pain unsparing, for I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

(O) bservation:
    Job is responding to his friend, Eliphaz. Eliphaz has accused Job of some sin because in his understanding, the innocent do not suffer. Therefore, because Job was suffering, he must not be innocent. Job’s response reveals his faith that is sustaining him. Job’s comfort comes from the knowledge that he has not denied the words of God.

(A) pplication:
    When I feel guilty it is most often because I am guilty. When I suffer is it most likely because of my own sinfulness. I want to grow in my walk with the Lord in a way that I can with confidence say what Job said. If pain and suffering come because I am faithful to the Lord then let me be true to the Lord. Let me rejoice despite the pain because I know I have been true to the Lord. Too often I have a pity party about my condition and blame God or something else rather than trusting and being true to God and his Word.

(P) rayer:
    Lord, when I begin to complain or blame or deny your words, make me keenly aware so that I can confess and again put my full trust in you and your word. In times of suffering and pain I want to rejoice because I am faithful to You and You are faithful to me. Amen

Date: 01-19-2021

Title: To Be Known Like Job

(S) cripture:
    Job 2:3 (NLT2) Then the LORD asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil. And he has maintained his integrity, even though you urged me to harm him without cause.”

(O) bservation:
    God knew Job to be a fine man, blameless and with complete integrity.

(A) pplication:
    O to be known like Job. Knowing my own sinfulness is cause not to ask how God sees or knows me. As I put my trust in Jesus death and resurrection for me the scripture says that I am now clothed in Christ’s righteousness and declared righteous by God. Now when God sees me, He sees me in Christ. That is truth for all followers of Jesus. Today I want to live like God sees me in Christ. I want my life to be one of integrity and completely devoted to Jesus. I am reminded of my life verse found in 2 Chronicles 16:9a (NASB) 9 “For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His…” When God sees me I want to know like Job.

(P) rayer:
    Lord, I want to live a life completely devoted to You. Make me aware when that is not true of me so I can confess and return to being the person you want me to be. Amen

Date: 01-18-2021

Title: A Promise Kept

(S) cripture:
    Genesis 47:27-30 (NLT2) 27 Meanwhile, the people of Israel settled in the region of Goshen in Egypt. There they acquired property, and they were fruitful, and their population grew rapidly. 28 Jacob lived for seventeen years after his arrival in Egypt, so he lived 147 years in all. 29 As the time of his death drew near, Jacob called for his son Joseph and said to him, “Please do me this favor. Put your hand under my thigh and swear that you will treat me with unfailing love by honoring this last request: Do not bury me in Egypt. 30 When I die, please take my body out of Egypt and bury me with my ancestors.” So Joseph promised, “I will do as you ask.”
    Genesis 50:7-13 (NLT2) 7 So Joseph went up to bury his father. He was accompanied by all of Pharaoh’s officials, all the senior members of Pharaoh’s household, and all the senior officers of Egypt. 8 Joseph also took his entire household and his brothers and their households. But they left their little children and flocks and herds in the land of Goshen. 9 A great number of chariots and charioteers accompanied Joseph. 10 When they arrived at the threshing floor of Atad, near the Jordan River, they held a very great and solemn memorial service, with a seven-day period of mourning for Joseph’s father. 11 The local residents, the Canaanites, watched them mourning at the threshing floor of Atad. Then they renamed that place (which is near the Jordan) Abel-mizraim, for they said, “This is a place of deep mourning for these Egyptians.” 12 So Jacob’s sons did as he had commanded them. 13 They carried his body to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave in the field of Machpelah, near Mamre. This is the cave that Abraham had bought as a permanent burial site from Ephron the Hittite.

(O) bservation:
    Jacob made Joseph promise (take an oath) to bury him with his ancestors in the cave Abraham bought from Ephron, the Hittite. Joseph did as he promised, with the blessing of Pharaoh, and accompanied by his brothers and their families and many officials of Egypt.

(A) pplication:
    Keeping a promise is important. Jesus said to let your “yes be yes” and your “no be no”. He also said that it is better not to vow and vow and not keep it. I wondered why Jacob made Joseph take an oath after he had said he would do as asked. I wonder why Joseph’s word wasn’t good enough. I want to live in such a way that when I give my word people will know that I will carry it through. I will make my word my bond.

(P) rayer:
    Lord, strengthen my character so that I can carry out the promises I make whether to you or to the people around me. Amen

Date: 01-17-20211

Title: God’s Blessing in Difficult Times

(S) cripture:
    Genesis 47:1-12 (NLT2) Then Joseph went to see Pharaoh and told him, “My father and my brothers have arrived from the land of Canaan. They have come with all their flocks and herds and possessions, and they are now in the region of Goshen.” 2 Joseph took five of his brothers with him and presented them to Pharaoh. 3 And Pharaoh asked the brothers, “What is your occupation?” They replied, “We, your servants, are shepherds, just like our ancestors. 4 We have come to live here in Egypt for a while, for there is no pasture for our flocks in Canaan. The famine is very severe there. So please, we request permission to live in the region of Goshen.” 5 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Now that your father and brothers have joined you here, 6 choose any place in the entire land of Egypt for them to live. Give them the best land of Egypt. Let them live in the region of Goshen. And if any of them have special skills, put them in charge of my livestock, too.” 7 Then Joseph brought in his father, Jacob, and presented him to Pharaoh. And Jacob blessed Pharaoh. 8 “How old are you?” Pharaoh asked him. 9 Jacob replied, “I have traveled this earth for 130 hard years. But my life has been short compared to the lives of my ancestors.” 10 Then Jacob blessed Pharaoh again before leaving his court. 11 So Joseph assigned the best land of Egypt—the region of Rameses—to his father and his brothers, and he settled them there, just as Pharaoh had commanded. 12 And Joseph provided food for his father and his brothers in amounts appropriate to the number of their dependents, including the smallest children.

(O) bservation:
    When Jacob arrived in Egypt, Joseph, with Pharaoh’s blessing, assigned them the land of Goshen as a place to settle and raise their flocks. This was the choicest land in Egypt. God’s blessings continue even in difficult times.

(A) pplication:
    We are in a pandemic. Many are suffering with this virus and many others have died from it. I have been challenged by some to identify God’s blessing in my life during this pandemic. God’s blessing is not just if I don’t get sick, what would that say to those that did? His blessing is not in having a paycheck, what would that say about his blessing to those that lost their paychecks? God’s blessing comes to the faithful regardless of their circumstances. Today I am blessed because I am His child. BTW during the pandemic, I baptized my oldest grandson, we learned many new ways to do church and offer times of teaching and worship. We learned just how precious handshakes and huge really are. We learned how desperately we need community. Today, rather than cursing the darkness of the pandemic, I will focus on God’s blessing and provision for me as His child.

(P) rayer:
    Father, teach me to trust you more, not complain about my circumstances and to recognize your blessing and provision in my life. Help me teach others this same lesson. Amen

Date: 01-16-2021

Title: Reunion

(S) cripture:
    Genesis 45:1-15 (NLT2) Joseph could stand it no longer. There were many people in the room, and he said to his attendants, “Out, all of you!” So he was alone with his brothers when he told them who he was. 2 Then he broke down and wept. He wept so loudly the Egyptians could hear him, and word of it quickly carried to Pharaoh’s palace. 3 “I am Joseph!” he said to his brothers. “Is my father still alive?” But his brothers were speechless! They were stunned to realize that Joseph was standing there in front of them. 4 “Please, come closer,” he said to them. So they came closer. And he said again, “I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into slavery in Egypt. 5 But don’t be upset, and don’t be angry with yourselves for selling me to this place. It was God who sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives. 6 This famine that has ravaged the land for two years will last five more years, and there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. 7 God has sent me ahead of you to keep you and your families alive and to preserve many survivors. 8 So it was God who sent me here, not you! And he is the one who made me an adviser to Pharaoh—the manager of his entire palace and the governor of all Egypt. 9 “Now hurry back to my father and tell him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me master over all the land of Egypt. So come down to me immediately! 10 You can live in the region of Goshen, where you can be near me with all your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and everything you own. 11 I will take care of you there, for there are still five years of famine ahead of us. Otherwise you, your household, and all your animals will starve.'” 12 Then Joseph added, “Look! You can see for yourselves, and so can my brother Benjamin, that I really am Joseph! 13 Go tell my father of my honored position here in Egypt. Describe for him everything you have seen, and then bring my father here quickly.” 14 Weeping with joy, he embraced Benjamin, and Benjamin did the same. 15 Then Joseph kissed each of his brothers and wept over them, and after that they began talking freely with him.

(O) bservation:
    Joseph has put his brothers through a number of tests before he revealed his identity to them. When he was reunited with his brother, Benjamin, he was overcome with joy. He then reveals his identity to his brothers and a great reunion happens. In this Joseph tells them not to fret because God had sent him to Egypt and placed him in the position of power he help so that he could provide for his people during the famine. He is overjoyed to hear that his father is still alive and sends the brothers to get his father. He provides land for them to live on so they can all be bear each other.

(A) pplication:
    Reunions are wonderful healers. To be reunited with an estranged or maybe family you don’t see because of distance, are great opportunities for restoration and growth. When these reunions are filled with forgiveness and grace they are even better. To my knowledge I am not estranged from anyone and for that I am thankful. I want to be known as a re-uniter not a divider. I ask the Lord for the grace and strength to pursue that path.

(P) rayer:
    Lord, thank you for the example of reunion in the life of Joseph. Let that be true of me in my relationships with those around me. Let me unite and not divide, offer forgiveness and not hold grudges. Let me be an example of your grace. amen

Date: 01-15-2021

Title: God’s Faithfulness

(S) cripture:
    Genesis 41:37-44 (NLT2) Joseph’s suggestions were well received by Pharaoh and his officials. 38 So Pharaoh asked his officials, “Can we find anyone else like this man so obviously filled with the spirit of God?” 39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has revealed the meaning of the dreams to you, clearly no one else is as intelligent or wise as you are. 40 You will be in charge of my court, and all my people will take orders from you. Only I, sitting on my throne, will have a rank higher than yours.” 41 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the entire land of Egypt.” 42 Then Pharaoh removed his signet ring from his hand and placed it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in fine linen clothing and hung a gold chain around his neck. 43 Then he had Joseph ride in the chariot reserved for his second-in-command. And wherever Joseph went, the command was shouted, “Kneel down!” So Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of all Egypt. 44 And Pharaoh said to him, “I am Pharaoh, but no one will lift a hand or foot in the entire land of Egypt without your approval.”

(O) bservation:
    What began as a prosperous time for Joseph in Potiphar’s household in Egypt after being sold into slavery there has turned against him. He has now been falsely accused, imprisoned, forgotten by people he helped and is languishing in prison. God is faithful to him though and gives him favor in Pharaoh’s eyes. Joseph, because of God’s wisdom in him, is made ruler in Egypt, second in command to Pharaoh. He uses this position to prepare the country for years of famine. It is this position that allows him to reunite with his brothers and father.

(A) pplication:
    As Joseph was faithful regardless of his circumstances I, too, must be faithful. God will always honor and keep his promises. He will always be faithful to me. Today, regardless of what life brings, I will be faithful to the call of God in my life and walk by faith in Him.

(P) rayer:
    Father, thank you for the reminder of your faithfulness even in the most difficult of circumstances. Continue to teach me to follow You. Amen

Date: 01-14-2021

Title: Deception

(S) cripture:
    Genesis 37:30-32 (NLT2) Then he went back to his brothers and lamented, “The boy is gone! What will I do now?” 31 Then the brothers killed a young goat and dipped Joseph’s robe in its blood. 32 They sent the beautiful robe to their father with this message: “Look at what we found. Doesn’t this robe belong to your son?”
    Genesis 38:11 (NLT2) Then Judah said to Tamar, his daughter-in-law, “Go back to your parents’ home and remain a widow until my son Shelah is old enough to marry you.” (But Judah didn’t really intend to do this because he was afraid Shelah would also die, like his two brothers.) So Tamar went back to live in her father’s home.

    Genesis 39:17-20 (NLT2) Then she told him her story. “That Hebrew slave you’ve brought into our house tried to come in and fool around with me,” she said. 18 “But when I screamed, he ran outside, leaving his cloak with me!” 19 Potiphar was furious when he heard his wife’s story about how Joseph had treated her. 20 So he took Joseph and threw him into the prison where the king’s prisoners were held, and there he remained.

(O) bservation:
    In each of these stories we find deception. Joseph’s brothers deceived their father to cover up selling Joseph into slavery. Judah deceived Tamar by promising marriage to his youngest son when he had no intention to do so. Potiphar’s wife deceived him by claiming Joseph tried to rape her to cover up her pursuit of Joseph. The deception in each case led to a person being hurt. It is interesting that these three stories are so close together in the scripture.

(A) pplication:
    Deception leads to hurt and often that hurt is to the people you love. Deception has no place in the life of a follower of Jesus. Deception is used to avoid responsibility for our actions and even though we may fool the folks around us, we cannot fool God. We will reap what we sow and often it is much worse than we think it will be. Today I choose to be honest and refuse to deceive. I want my life to reflect Jesus.

(P) rayer:
    Lord, make me aware when I am trying to defend myself or avoid responsibility by being deceptive. I want to live a life pleasing to you. Amen

Date: 01-13-2021

Title: Descendants

(S) cripture:
    Genesis 36:11-12 (NLT2) The descendants of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zepho, Gatam, and Kenaz. 12 Timna, the concubine of Esau’s son Eliphaz, gave birth to a son named Amalek. These are the descendants of Esau’s wife Adah.

(O) bservation:
    Esau’s son Eliphaz had son with his concubine, Timna, named Amalek. His descendants called the Amalekites were some of Israel’s most fierce enemies. Interesting that they came from a relative

(A) pplication:
    Broken family relationships can produce some fierce rivalries. It is sad when Christian families split or are torn apart by sin. Today I thank God that our family enjoys each other. I am thankful that it is peaceful when we get together. I am confident it is our shared commitment to Jesus that makes this possible. I thank God for the gift of a family of faith.

(P) rayer:
    Lord, thank you for my family and the way they each follow you. Let me continue to be an example of what it means to follow You. Amen

Date: 01-12-2021

Title: Reconciliation

(S) cripture:
    Genesis 33:1-5 (NLT2) Then Jacob looked up and saw Esau coming with his 400 men. So he divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and his two servant wives. 2 He put the servant wives and their children at the front, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph last. 3 Then Jacob went on ahead. As he approached his brother, he bowed to the ground seven times before him. 4 Then Esau ran to meet him and embraced him, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. And they both wept. 5 Then Esau looked at the women and children and asked, “Who are these people with you?” “These are the children God has graciously given to me, your servant,” Jacob replied.

(O) bservation:
    Jacob was afraid of his brother, Esau, because of the way he had treated him in the past. Jacob has been gone 20 years and is now returning home. Jacob prepares gifts he hopes will appease Esau. When they finally meet Esau embraces Jacob and a great picture of reconciliation is seen. Esau tries to refuses Jacob’s gifts but finally relents.

(A) pplication:
    Reconciliation is a wonderful event. It is terrible when families or friends are torn apart by sin. I want to always be gracious and forgiving in my relationships. I do not want to let sin separate me from others. Today I will seek to live in such a way that if reconciliation is needed it will be offered freely or sought diligently.

(P) rayer:
    Lord help me to be gracious today with all I meet. Amen

Date: 01-11-2021

Title: Jacob Sheep

(S) cripture:
    Genesis 30:37-43 (NLT2) Then Jacob took some fresh branches from poplar, almond, and plane trees and peeled off strips of bark, making white streaks on them. 38 Then he placed these peeled branches in the watering troughs where the flocks came to drink, for that was where they mated. 39 And when they mated in front of the white-streaked branches, they gave birth to young that were streaked, speckled, and spotted. 40 Jacob separated those lambs from Laban’s flock. And at mating time he turned the flock to face Laban’s animals that were streaked or black. This is how he built his own flock instead of increasing Laban’s. 41 Whenever the stronger females were ready to mate, Jacob would place the peeled branches in the watering troughs in front of them. Then they would mate in front of the branches. 42 But he didn’t do this with the weaker ones, so the weaker lambs belonged to Laban, and the stronger ones were Jacob’s. 43 As a result, Jacob became very wealthy, with large flocks of sheep and goats, male and female servants, and many camels and donkeys.

(O) bservation:
    God blessed Jacob in spite of Laban’s attempts to deceive him. Laban’s deception comes back on him as Jacob manipulates the mating habits of the flock. Jacob keeps the strongest and Laban gets the weakest animals. God made a way for Jacob to flourish.

(A) pplication:
    The Jacob sheep (speckled or spotted) are some of my favorite animals at Heritage Farm Museum and Village. I point them out on each wagon ride I give the visitors. Our weaver at the farm made me a toboggan with some of the wool that was sheared from the Jacob sheep this past spring. I am reminded of this story each time I pass their pen. I am reminded that God makes a way to keep his promises and bless those who follow him.

(P) rayer:
    Lord, thank you for the reminder you have given me in the Jacob sheep. Give me strength and courage to always follow you. Amen