August 7, 2008

Being Faithful

Read the Bible through:
AM – Psalm 65-68 : PM – Acts 28:1-15

FLEEING EVIL
Genesis 39:11-18

11“But it happened about this time, when Joseph went into the house to do his work, and none of the men of the house was inside,12 that she caught him by his garment, saying, "Lie with me." But he left his garment in her hand, and fled and ran outside”

I was caught. There was no way out. I was talking about someone to a friend when he walked in and heard me. Even though he heard little of my remarks, he saw my face flush red with shame and embarrassment. I knew gossip was wrong. I did it anyway. But the hurt it caused was more damaging than any personal benefit to me. It was sin, and I had to apologize and make it right.

Joseph could have easily sinned with Potiphar’s wife. They could have been two consenting adults. But they did not have God’s consent. Joseph showed his righteousness not just by his speech, but by his action. He ran out of there fast.

Have your ever faced temptation and tried to rationalize it. Have you tried to back out slowly? Run from sin. Get away from the possibility of being caught in its grip.

Father, I want my life to reflect Your righteousness. My own righteousness is worthless compared to Yours. Help me to do the right thing.

August 6, 2008

Being Faithful

Read the Bible through:
AM – Psalm 59-64 : PM – Acts 27

RESISTING TEMPTATION
Genesis 39:6b-10

9 “There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”

Nothing breaks trust in a marriage more than adultery. Although not an unforgivable sin, its consequences to a married couple are catastrophic to the health of their relationship. We see in Joseph’s behavior that he had no intention of committing this sin with Potiphar’s wife –even noting the husband’s kindness to him. Not only did he not even consider committing the sin, he explained himself to the woman. This must have heaped more guilt upon Potiphar’s wife. We see two people who serve two masters. Joseph knew God and made a decision in advance of this temptation to resist sin. Potiphar’s wife made a decision to tempt and did not stop even when her plan was rejected. Her plans ended in no earthly good. Sin leads to death.

Have you ever given into temptation with the knowledge it was wrong? God gives the power to resist any temptation.

Father, I know You give me the power to flee from sin.

August 5, 2008

Being Faithful

Read the Bible through:
AM – Psalm 54-58 : PM – Acts 26

EARNING TRUST
Genesis 39:2-6a

4 “So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority.”

Three camp counselors were responsible for 30 boys 24 hours a day. Most unexpectedly, their supervisor would walk down the marked trail. He came through the woods so he wouldn’t be seen by them. Counselors were reprimanded for not leading activities and one was caught napping. Now they knew the reason for the sudden appearance. He needed to check on them.

Joseph probably wasn’t trusted immediately either. He had to earn the trust of his master. He did the best work, was found faithful and given more responsibility. Do you do your work without complaint? Are you ever guilty of not doing your best? God did not create us to do our tasks halfway. He wants our very best.

God, I want to be faithful. Help me to be a cheerful worker and a good steward of the tasks You have given me.

August 4, 2008

Being Faithful

Read the Bible through:
AM – Psalm 48-53 : PM – Acts 25

AS A FOREIGNER AND A SLAVE
Genesis 39:1

1 “Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. And Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him down there.”

A former slave, 16-year-old Booker T. Washington walked almost 500 miles to enroll in a school for black students. He arrived wearing ragged clothes. The head teacher only admitted him after he cleaned a room spotlessly. Eventually, he became one of the nation’s foremost black educators. But he had to prove himself by doing menial tasks before being given the opportunity.

Joseph should have been a free man. God was with him, but he still had to work hard for his overseer. Working for an earthly master is extremely difficult Joseph did the job and did it so well that his work set him apart. People saw there was something different about him.

Father, I want to be a godly example as I do my work each day. May my diligence and faithfulness point others to You.

August 3, 2008

Confronting Crisis

Read the Bible through:
AM – Psalm 42-47 : PM – Acts 24

WHEN DREAMS DIE
Genesis 37:34-35

36 “Now the Midianites had sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard.”

Job loss, divorce, infertility, loss of a home, disability bankruptcy – each of these occurrences signals the death of a dream. For Joseph, his dream of being a ruler evaporated the moment his brothers sold him into slavery. Through a simple monetary transaction, he fell from the status of favored son to lowly slave.

Joni Earickson Tad’s life was changed, and her dreams shattered, in a diving accident. However, the very event that destroyed her dreams opened her life to be used by God in mighty ways. Though confined to a wheelchair, she ministers to thousands on a daily basis through Joni and Friends. Her books and paintings inspire many more to grow in Christ.

At our most hopeless times, when we feel God has forgotten us, let us remember Joseph and Joni and how, in spite of shattered dreams, they followed God faithfully.

Dear Lord, give me the faith of Joseph, who followed You even when the way was dark.

August 2, 2008

Confronting Crisis

Read the Bible through:
AM – Psalm 37-41 : PM – Acts 23

IN GRIEF
Genesis 37:34-35

35 “And all his sons and all his daughters arose to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted, and he said, "For I shall go down into the grave to my son in mourning." Thus his father wept for him.”

When we lose something or someone precious to us, we grieve. Jacob’s loss of his most favored son was overwhelming. Like Jacob, we think we will grieve forever. The relentless, pounding waves of grief threaten to pull us under. However, our compassionate, merciful God can calm these stormy waves.

To recover from loss, we must receive the comfort offered by God. Our Father has borne grief over His Son. Our Savior is “a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief” (Isa. 53:3). Thus, we mourn in the presence of One who truly understands our pain He promises His comfort for those who grieve (Matt. 5:4).

We also must accept comfort from friends and family. We need not go through grief alone. It is not wise to refuse comfort as Jacob did.

The Holy Spirit consoles us and people around us during loss. Whose comfort do you need to receive?

Lord, I am grateful for Your comfort in times of grief.

August 1, 2008

Confronting Crisis

Read the Bible through:
AM – Psalm 31-36 : PM – Acts 22

WHEN DECEIVED
Genesis 37:29-33

33 “. . .It is my son's tunic. A wild beast has devoured him. Without doubt Joseph is torn to pieces.”

A news show recently exposed supermarket tampering of dates on their meat packages. Employees would change the dates so customers would believe the meat was fresh and when it was actually days old. A glance in any newspaper might reveal other examples of deception: corporate scams, political scandals, victimization of the elderly, and consumer fraud.

In a world that scoffs at absolute truth, deception runs rampant. We wonder whom we can trust. Sometimes deception hits close to home, as in the case of Jacob and his sons.

God says “the heart” of man “is deceitful” (Jer. 17:9). God’s Word, however, is a refuge of truth. Even when we are fooled by others, God is never deceived because He sees everything and knows everything. He can help us overcome the devastating effects of deception when it slithers into our lives.

Lord, help me to resist the deceiver and embrace Your truth,