August 14, 2008

Acting Wisely

Read the Bible through:
AM – Psalm 96-102 : PM – Rom. 5

EARNING CONFIDENCE
Genesis 41:9-14

13 “And it came to pass, just as he interpreted for us, so it happened. He restored me to my office, and he hanged him.”

We often hear of a large corporation failing due to dishonesty in reporting their financial status. The executives and their auditors can even face criminal charges for doctoring financial statements in the company’s favor. Inevitably, many workers find themselves jobless when it collapses. Investors quickly lose confidence in the business based on the dishonest conduct of a few people, and many honest employees suffer.

Just a handful of individuals control the reputation of a corporation, it takes only one godly person to increase someone’s confidence in the Lord. When Pharaoh complained about a perplexing dream, his butler remembered the insightful Hebrew who had helped him in prison. Two years after Joseph interpreted the butler’s dream, he had the chance to witness to Pharaoh himself. Through honesty and kindness, Joseph continued to earn the confidence of others and give them meaningful glimpses of the God he diligently served.

Lord, may my action lead others to trust in You.

August 13, 2008

Acting Wisely

Read the Bible through:
AM – Psalm 90-95 : PM – Rom. 4

TELLING GOD’S TRUTH
Genesis 40:21-22

21 “Then he restored the chief butler to his butlership again, and he placed the cup in Pharaoh's hand. 22 But he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them.”

College students who take a course in business communication learn there are effective ways to deliver good and bad news and that withholding vital information from those who need it is unethical – even when the audience may not like what we have to say. While it is easy and enjoyable to convey messages we know others will like, communicating bad news is tough for everyone involved.

When Pharaoh’s chief baker asked Joseph to interpret his dream, Joseph could have made up an interpretation to avoid making the baker unhappy. However, he was honest and told the baker the dream meant death was imminent.

As difficult as it must have been Joseph told the baker the truth. Are we, like Joseph, committed to telling God’s truth when we witness? Or do we sidestep issues, such as sin in order to avoid awkward situation?

Father, help me to be bold and truthful as I tell others about You.

August 12, 2008

Acting Wisely

Read the Bible through:
AM – Psalm 87-89 : PM – Rom. 3

REQUESTING HELP
Genesis 40:9-15

41 “But remember me when it is well with you, and please show kindness to me; make mention of me to Pharaoh, and get me out of this house.”

Many years ago, European authors used emblem books to teach moral lessons. These texts contained drawings accompanied by brief explanations. Some of these books included a picture of a man representing Opportunity. He was completely bald except for a lock of hair near his forehead. The point of this emblem was unless we grab hold of Opportunity when he first reaches us he will pass us by and be gone for good. His bald head does not allow anyone to grasp him from behind.

During Joseph’s incarceration, he recognized his encounter with two imprisoned royal officials as a great opportunity. It was a chance to show them God’s love firsthand and to get some help in regaining freedom. After Joseph interpreted the butler’s dream, he asked his new friend not to forget him before Pharaoh. God ultimately rewarded Joseph for taking advantage of the opportunity to request help when he needed it.

Lord, may I seize the opportunities You provide each day.

August 11, 2008

Acting Wisely

Read the Bible through:
AM – Psalm 81-66 : PM – Rom. 2

MAGNIFYING GOD
Genesis 40:6-8

8 “And they said to him, "We each have had a dream, and there is no interpreter of it." So Joseph said to them, "Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell them to me, please.”

In the game charades, players compete by guessing the words one member of their team conveys through gestures, without speaking. Participants guess repeatedly until they finally hit on the correct interpretation.

Too often, Christians treat their walk with God as a similar game. We view Him as placing signs in our paths and waiting to see if we can figure them out. The men in today’s passage knew their dream was an important sign, but they were distraught because they could not interpret it. Joseph’s response reminds us that, thankfully, we do not serve a God who plays games.

Rather than focusing on the obscurity of the dream, Joseph encouraged the men simply to look to the Lord for wisdom. His question suggests that when we seek to understand what goes on in our lives, trying to figure it out on our own distracts us from seeking the One who already knows what it all means.

Father, I look to You as the source of all meaning in my life.

August 10, 2008

Being Faithful

Read the Bible through:
AM – Psalm 78-80 : PM – Rom. 1:18-32

ACTING IN GOD’S PLAN
Genesis 39:22-23

23 “The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph's authority, because the LORD was with him; and whatever he did, the LORD made it prosper.”

“You’re rich!” exclaimed the 10-year old Laotian girl. She had just taken a quick tour of the missionary’s 14-70 foot mobile home. She saw a washer and dryer in the house. She had never seen this before. To her it was a luxury. Wealth is not necessarily a matter of money; it sometimes is a matter of comparison to others.

The keeper of the prison made a judgment based on comparison. He clearly saw Joseph was blessed by God. Everything Joseph did prospered. Just like us, Joseph was created to follow God’s plan. Just because God was with him didn’t mean Joseph was problem free. Joseph didn’t stop working when he surpassed those around him. He continually demonstrated God was in charge of his life.

Does having God with you make a difference in how you act or react?

Father, I know You are in charge of my life. Remind me today of an area of my life I need to turn over to You.

August 9, 2008

Being Faithful

Read the Bible through:
AM – Psalm 73-77 : PM – Rom. 1:1-17

WITH GOD’S HELP
Genesis 39:21

21 “But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.”

The accident happened quickly. Only when she turned and saw her son’s car seat shifted forward did she realize what a blow her vehicle had taken. Almost immediately, a man was at her car window asking if she needed help. He drove down the street to pick up her husband and waited until the police arrived so he could give his account of the accident he witnessed. He was a merciful blessing to her that day. God showed Himself to her that day through this man’s help.

The biblical account does not fail to credit the presence of the Lord with Joseph as the reason he was shown mercy and favor. Joseph knew he didn’t deserve the punishment he received. Joseph was human; he could not see what was going to happen in his future. Like us, he had to trust God to lead and guide him. What a blessing is God’s presence in our lives.

God, thank You for being merciful to me. Help me to reflect You by showing mercy to those around me.

August 8, 2008

Being Faithful

Read the Bible through:
AM – Psalm 69-72 : PM – Acts 28:16-31

WHEN FALSELY ACCUSED
Genesis 39:19-20

19 “So it was, when his master heard the words which his wife spoke to him, saying, "Your servant did to me after this manner," that his anger was aroused.”

Have you ever been accused of something when you were not guilty? The situation is difficult because most guilty people yell, “I’m innocent,” when caught. The guilty sound the same as the innocent people. Any “he said/she said” situation seems hopeless to discover the truth. Joseph found himself in a difficult spot. He could only rely on God to vindicate him. That was not to come for several years. No amount of talk or denial would help him speed things up. Actually, the penalty for adultery, for which Joseph was falsely accused, was death. This would certainly be true for a slave. So he was treated mercifully, however unfairly, by his master.

Life is not fair. How do you handle the inevitable injustices that come your way? Waiting for vindication is difficult, especially when it may not happen in this life. Use the life of Joseph as an example in patience.

Father, help me to be patient and trust Your timing.