Monthly Archives: January 2015

My plans will happen (Exodus 2:1-10), Jan 21, 2015

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Today’s Devotional

Today’s background scripture comes from Exodus 2:1-10.

I work My will in ways that seem impossible to you. Pharaoh ordered the death of all Hebrew boys. His soldiers continually went through the land spying out homes to capture and kill each male infant to keep the population under control. His daughter knew the orders well. Disobeying the Pharaoh could mean death to any who disobeyed. His daughter, if caught, would not necessarily find any solace from the Pharaoh. He and the people considered his law as coming from god himself.

Moses’ mother could never imagine Pharaoh’s daughter would look with favor on her son. Nor could she imagine she would become a paid nurse to raise her own son until he passed beyond his toddler years. Nor could she imagine her son would grow up in the palace of the Pharaoh and become heir to the throne or become the leader of the Hebrew nation, taking them out of bondage. Moses’ parent could never imagine his future.

Pharaoh’s daughter could not imagine the future of this Hebrew child she rescued. She had compassion on him in that basket that day. She saw thousands of Hebrew children killed before this day, but she had compassion on this one and wanted this particular one rescued from the future her father planned for him. She wanted a new future for this little boy. I made it possible for her to convince her father to let him live when she brought him into the palace. Moses adopted him as her own and he lived and trained as one of the grandsons of Pharaoh.

I watched after him because I had something special in mind for him. He had choices to make along the way and didn’t always make the right ones. I didn’t intend for him to kill the Egyptian. That wasn’t My plan. But his escape into the desert afterward let Me humble him like I humbled Joseph in the prisons of Egypt. Moses’ choices changed his pathway, but it still came around to the plan I had for him because My plan will always be carried out.

I am God and can work My will in ways you cannot see. None of the players in the drama of Exodus 2 understood their part as it unfolded. But they played their parts because I moved in their hearts. Moses’ mother wanted desperately to save her son and did it the only way she could think might work. Pharaoh’s daughter saw enough death. She desired to see life and took compassion on this one child on this one day. Miriam stood by faithfully watching over her brother. My plans will happen as I foretell them.

So when Jesus told His followers, “Be ready for My return.” You can be sure that I will send Him back to you. My plans will happen.

Today’s Scripture

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – Exodus 2:1-10
Set – Exodus 2; Luke 21
Go! – Exodus 1-2; Psalms 88; Luke 21

Exodus 2:1-10
1One day a man and woman—both from the tribe of Levi—married. 2 She became pregnant and gave birth to a son. When she saw that her son was healthy and beautiful, she feared for his safety; so she kept him hidden from view for three whole months.

3 When she could no longer keep him hidden away, she took a basket made of reeds, sealed it with tar and pitch, and placed her baby boy in it. Then she wedged the basket among the reeds along the edge of the Nile River.

4 All the while, the child’s sister watched from a distance to see what might happen to her baby brother.

5 Later on Pharaoh’s daughter came down to bathe in the river while her young attendants walked along the bank nearby. Pharaoh’s daughter noticed the basket wedged among the reeds and wondered what it might contain. So she instructed her maid to bring it to her. 6 When Pharaoh’s daughter opened the basket, she found the baby boy. He was crying, and her heart melted with compassion.

Pharaoh’s Daughter: This is a Hebrew child.

Child’s Sister (coming out of her hiding place): 7 Would you like me to find a Hebrew woman to nurse the child for you?

Pharaoh’s Daughter: 8 All right. Go find a nurse.

So the baby’s sister went and fetched his mother. The boy’s mother approached Pharaoh’s daughter.

Pharaoh’s Daughter (to the nurse): 9 Here! Take this child and nurse him for me, and I will pay you for your services.

So the woman took the child—who was secretly her own son—and nursed him just as Pharaoh’s daughter had instructed.

10 The boy grew, and when the time was right, the woman brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and she adopted him as her own. She named him Moses because, as she explained, “I took him out of the water.”

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
Music by the Booth Brothers from Room for More, “Faithful One” ©2008.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

A lesson in forgiveness (Genesis 50:1-21), Jan 20, 2015

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Today’s Devotional

Today’s background scripture comes from Genesis 50.

I’m always surprised when someone truly forgives another, but the guilty cannot forgive themselves. That’s what happened with Joseph’s brothers. Joseph learned many years before I was working all the events of his life to save his family. Some of his trouble came because of his behavior, the proud announcement of his dreams to his brothers, the flaunting of the coat his father gave him above his brothers.

I know his father contributed to Joseph’s early problems with pride. I used his brothers’ envy to help humble him. The methods I used probably seem pretty harsh to you, but I had Joseph under My care the whole time. He needed to understand humility. He needed to understand forgiveness. He learned to forgive his brothers while in the service of the prison guards and came to understand I knew what I was doing in his life.

Joseph understood forgiveness. He could have shown anger and bitterness toward Potiphar’s wife for falsely accusing him. Instead, he forgave her and became responsible for caring for all his fellow prisoners under the direction of the captain of the prison guard.

Joseph could have complained about the cupbearer who forgot him for two years after he was restored to his position with Pharaoh according to the dream Joseph interpreted for him. Instead, he continued to patiently carry out the duties the captain of the guard gave him each day. He forgave the cupbearer long before the cupbearer remembered his oversight and told Pharaoh about one who could interpret the dreams I give men from time to time.

Joseph understood the power of forgiveness. But his brothers never forgave the way Joseph did and so didn’t understand their brother could forgive the way I forgive. They didn’t understand I worked through the events of his life to bring good to all those around him. They didn’t understand I could weave the evil events into a greater good and bring restoration and peace into broken relationships. Even after Joseph welcomed them into the palace and told them. They could not forgive themselves and felt they must create a story to avoid punishment from Joseph for the guilt they carried. Joseph’s forgiveness of their actions extended grace and mercy, not punishment. Just like My forgiveness.

Today’s Scripture

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – Genesis 50:1-21
Set – Genesis 50; Luke 20
Go! – Genesis 49-50; Psalms 8; Luke 20

Genesis 50:1-21
1As his father passed on, Joseph threw himself onto his father’s face, crying and kissing him. 2 Then Joseph told the physicians in his service to embalm his father and prepare him for the journey. So the physicians embalmed Israel. 3 It took 40 days to embalm him because that’s how long it takes to embalm a body properly. And the Egyptians paid their respects by mourning and weeping for him for 70 days.

4 When the time of mourning had passed, Joseph addressed Pharaoh’s household.

Joseph: If I have found favor with you, please speak to Pharaoh on my behalf. 5 My father made me swear an oath. He said, “I am about to die. I want you to bury me in the tomb I made for myself in the land of Canaan.” So I ask that you allow me to go out of Egypt to bury my father. When I have honored his request, I will return to Egypt.

Pharaoh: 6 Go up to Canaan, and bury your father as he made you swear to do.

7 So Joseph went up to Canaan to bury his father. And all of Pharaoh’s servants went with him in a long procession that included the elders of Pharaoh’s household and the land of Egypt. 8 Joseph’s own household, his brothers, and his father’s household joined in the solemn march. Only their children, flocks, and herds were left in the land of Goshen. 9 Both chariots and charioteers accompanied him as well. It was a grand procession. 10 When they came to the threshing floor of Atad near Canaan but still beyond the Jordan River, the great company of mourners paused to observe seven days of mourning for Joseph’s father. The weeping and lamentation grew so loud that 11 the people who lived there, the Canaanites, could not help but notice the profound grief expressed on the threshing floor of Atad.

Canaanites: The Egyptians must have experienced a terrible loss to mourn so deeply.

This is why this place of mourning that lies beyond the Jordan was renamed Abel-mizraim.

12 So Jacob’s sons carried out his last instructions as he had directed. 13 They carried him to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave of the field at Machpelah near Mamre, which Abraham had bought along with the field from Ephron the Hittite so he could have a place to bury his family. 14 After he had buried his father, Joseph gathered his brothers and the vast company of mourners who had journeyed with him to bury his father, and they all returned to Egypt.

15 When Joseph’s brothers began to realize the implications of their father’s death, Joseph’s brothers began to worry.

Joseph’s Brothers: What if Joseph still bears a grudge in some way against us and decides to pay us back in full for all of the wrong we did to him?

16 So they sent a message to Joseph.

Joseph’s Brothers’ Message: Your father gave us this instruction before he died. 17 He told us to say to you, “Please, I beg you. Forgive the crime of your brothers and the sins they committed against you. They were wrong to treat you so badly.” So please do what your father asked and forgive the crime that we, the servants of the God of your father, committed against you.

Joseph cried when they spoke these words to him. 18 And his brothers approached and fell at his feet.

Joseph’s Brothers: Look! We are your slaves.

Joseph: 19 Don’t be afraid. Am I to judge instead of God? It is not my place. 20 Even though you intended to harm me, God intended it only for good, and through me, He preserved the lives of countless people, as He is still doing today. 21 So don’t worry. I will provide for you myself—for you and your children.

So Joseph reassured them and continued to speak kindly to them.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
Music by the Booth Brothers from Room for More, “Faithful One” ©2008.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Specializing in the little things (Luke 19:28-48), Jan 19, 2015

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Today’s Devotional

Today’s background scripture comes from Luke 19.
Many people know about what is commonly called Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into the city of Jerusalem the last week of His life. Many of those who think Him only a prophet think He acted according to scripture only because of His deep study of the scriptures. They don’t believe He was truly God incarnate. They don’t look at the details of the stories recorded about Him to understand He wasn’t just any man or any prophet.

Zechariah foretold the coming of the King 500 years earlier. He said He would come riding on a donkey, specifically on a colt, an unridden colt. Most today haven’t been around unridden animals, but it isn’t common to ride into town on an animal that’s never been ridden. Think a minute about the westerns you’ve seen. The horse that throws its rider is the nature of an unridden animal. As soon as the disciples tried to put the cloaks on its back, it would have tried to shake them off.

But not this one. Not in the presence of My Son. The colt acted like a well trained adult horse, not a brand new unridden donkey colt. The disciples put their cloaks on it to provide a makeshift saddle and Jesus rode it across the narrow paths of the steep hillsides into the gates of Jerusalem. No bucking, no resistance, no missteps. One of My creation carried My Son exactly as I told Zechariah it would 500 years earlier. Jesus knew where the colt would be. He knew its owners would release it without question. He knew it would return with the disciples without hindrance. He knew He could ride the untamed animal. He knew all of this, not because all of it was written in scripture. Only the fact He would ride into Jerusalem on a colt was foretold. The rest He knew because He was My Son, the God-Man.

Maybe it sounds like a little thing to you. I specialize in little things, like forming each individual snowflake that together add up to mountains of snow in the winter. Forming each raindrop around a speck of dust and letting it fall to earth to replenish the rivers that flow to the oceans. I paint each flower petal before folding it into the DNA of each seed that falls into the ground.

I specialize in the little things that become the incredible things. The prophecy seemed like a little thing to Zechariah 500 years before it happened. It seemed like a little thing when the disciples picked up the donkey from the owners the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem. It seemed like a little thing when He told His disciples He would not eat the Passover with them again. You see I specialize in little things and make them pretty incredible.

I can take things you might think are little and make them pretty incredible, too. In this one story of one event in Jesus’ life, a story that consumes only eight verse in Luke’s gospel, you see how small things mean a great deal to me. I specialize in the small things in life. Imagine what I can do with your life. In the small things and the big things that come your way.

Today’s Scripture

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – Luke 19:28-48
Set – Genesis 48; Luke 19
Go! – Genesis 47-48; Psalms 19; Luke 19

Luke 19:28-48
28 When He finished the parable, He pushed onward, climbing the steep hills toward Jerusalem.

29 He approached the towns of Bethphage and Bethany, which are near Mount Olivet. He sent two of the disciples ahead.

Jesus: 30 Go to the next village. When you enter, you will find a colt tied—a colt that has never been ridden before. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you why you’re untying it, just say, “The Lord needs it.”

32 So the two disciples found things just as He had told them. 33 When its owners did indeed ask why they were untying the colt, 34 the disciples answered as they had been instructed.

Disciples: The Lord needs it.

35 They brought the colt to Jesus, threw their coats on the colt’s back, and then sat Jesus on it. 36 As Jesus rode along, some people began to spread their garments on the road as a carpet. 37 When they passed the crest of Mount Olivet and began descending toward Jerusalem, a huge crowd of disciples began to celebrate and praise God with loud shouts, glorifying God for the mighty works they had witnessed.

Crowd of Disciples: 38 The King who comes in the name of the Eternal One is blessed!

Peace in heaven! Glory in the highest!

Pharisees (who were in the crowd): 39 Teacher, tell these people to stop making these wild claims and acting this way!

Jesus: 40 Listen—if they were silent, the very rocks would start to shout!

41 When Jerusalem came into view, He looked intently at the city and began to weep.

Jesus: 42 How I wish you knew today what would bring peace! But you can’t see. 43 Days will come when your enemies will build up a siege ramp, and you will be surrounded and contained on every side. 44 Your enemies will smash you into rubble and not leave one stone standing on another, and they will cut your children down too, because you did not recognize the day when God’s Anointed One visited you.

45 He entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. He began driving out the temple merchants.

Jesus: 46 The Hebrew Scriptures say, “My house shall be a house of prayer,” but you have turned it into a shelter for thieves.

47 He came back day after day to teach in the temple. The chief priests, the religious scholars, and the leading men of the city wanted to kill Him, 48 but because He was so popular among the people—who hung upon each word He spoke—they were unable to do anything.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
Music by the Booth Brothers from Room for More, “Faithful One” ©2008.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Prayers to yourself (Luke 18:1-17), Jan 18, 2015

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Today’s Devotional

Today’s background scripture comes from Luke 18.
I’ve told you I enjoy hearing from you in prayer. I like to hear your praise. I like your petitions also. I don’t have any problem with your cries of misunderstanding or doubt. I understand you even get angry at Me sometimes and hearing that in your prayer is okay, too. What I don’t like is a pretense of prayer like the Pharisee in the story Jesus told.

The description of the Pharisee’s prayer is quite accurate. ‘[He] prays this prayer in honor of himself.’ I paid no attention. The prayer wasn’t for Me, it was for others to hear. The Pharisee thought himself better than others. In reality, he fell far short of what I expect. Paul understood when he said, “We (that is all mankind) are all sinners and come short of the glory of God.” No one meets My standards. The law just points out how far away you are from Me without My help.

The Pharisee thought he could make it on his own. He thought living by his rules and giving money to the temple sufficed My standards of holiness. Only one man lived by My standards – Jesus, the God-Man. Me, wrapped in flesh. No one else comes close. All have sinned. Comparing himself to the tax-collector only showed Me how little he knows of My kingdom, My mercy, and My grace.

Take your lessons on prayer from the tax-collector. A repentant, contrite heart goes so much farther with Me than the boasting of those man might call righteous. If you want to compare, compare yourself to Me. That’s what the Isaiah did. He knew he would die when he glimpse My holiness. That’s what Moses did and his face glowed after meeting Me in the covenant tent. That’s what the tax-collector did and called himself a sinner, not worthy to lift his head from the floor.

I listen to your prayers to Me. You can tell Me anything. But remember to prayer to Me, not to yourself as the Pharisee did. Prayers to yourself, don’t go anywhere but to your head.

Today’s Scripture

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – Luke 18:1-17
Set – Genesis 45; Luke 18
Go! – Genesis 44-46; Luke 18

Luke 18:1-17
1He [Jesus] told them a parable, urging them to keep praying and never grow discouraged. The parable went like this:

Jesus: 2 There was a judge living in a certain city. He showed no respect for God or humanity. 3 In that same city there was a widow. Again and again she kept coming to him seeking justice: “Clear my name from my adversary’s false accusations!” 4 He paid no attention to her request for a while, but then he said to himself, “I don’t care about what God thinks of me, much less what any mere human thinks. 5 But this widow is driving me crazy. She’s never going to quit coming to see me unless I hear her case and provide her legal protection.”

6 Did you catch what this self-assured judge said? 7 If he can be moved to act justly, won’t God bring justice for His chosen people when they cry to Him day and night? Will He be slow to bring them justice? 8 Mark My words: God will intervene fast with vindication. But here’s the question: when the Son of Man comes, will He find anyone who still has faith?

9 He told another parable—this one addressed to people who were confident in their self-righteousness and looked down on other people with disgust.

Jesus: 10 Imagine two men walking up a road, going to the temple to pray. One of them is a Pharisee and the other is a despised tax collector. 11 Once inside the temple, the Pharisee stands up and prays this prayer in honor of himself: “God, how I thank You that I am not on the same level as other people—crooks, cheaters, the sexually immoral—like this tax collector over here. 12 Just look at me! I fast not once but twice a week, and I faithfully pay my tithes on every penny of income.” 13 Over in the corner, the tax collector begins to pray, but he won’t even lift his eyes to heaven. He pounds on his chest in sorrow and says, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!”

14 Now imagine these two men walking back down the road to their homes. Listen, it’s the tax collector who walks home clean before God, and not the Pharisee, because whoever lifts himself up will be put down and whoever takes a humble place will be lifted up.

15 Some people brought infants to Jesus, hoping He would touch them in blessing. The disciples rebuked them for doing so, 16 but Jesus called to the people.

Jesus: Let the little children come to Me. Never hinder them! Don’t you realize—the kingdom of God belongs to those who are like children? 17 You can depend on this: if you don’t receive the Kingdom as a child would, you won’t enter it at all.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
Music by the Booth Brothers from Room for More, “Faithful One” ©2008.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Prayer changes things? or you? (Psalms 5), Jan 17, 2015

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Today’s Devotional

Today’s background scripture comes from Psalms 5.
You know, I never tire of hearing my children’s prayers. I hear sometimes that you don’t think I listen or care, but I always hear your prayers. Take David’s prayers as examples. He didn’t always get what he wanted when he prayed, but I always heard him. Sometimes, we needed to talk so he could work through his trials and still recognize who I am.

His prayer recorded in the book of his songs in chapter 5 is a good example. He wanted my help and called for it. I heard him, but his prayer goes on. David soon recognized he should come to Me every morning to begin his day with Me and then watch for My answers to his prayers throughout the day. He saw parts of his life that didn’t measure up to what I had asked him to do and saw that sin separates us when not confessed repentantly.

David began to see our relationship as the more important part of his life than any answer to some temporary hiccup in his plans. Whatever enemies he thought were against him didn’t matter when our relationship stood strong. When I’m on his side, he cannot fail,…because I cannot fail.

David’s prayers often begin with a cry for help, but more often return to solidifying the relationship between us. He wanted an open, honest dialog with me and his emotions pour out in his prayers. He comes around from a plea for help to thanksgiving for the blessings he already knows. His past with Me makes him confident of his future with Me.

Spend some time with Me in the morning. Before you rise from your bed, ask Me to be a part of your day. Let Me help you with those decisions coming up. Allow Me to worry about your enemies and you just do what I ask. You will find your day goes much smoother when you start it that way. Then watch for My handiwork throughout the day. You just might find Me in some unexpected places today.

Today’s Scripture

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – Psalms 5
Set – Psalms 5; Luke 17
Go! – Genesis 42-43; Psalms 5; Luke 17

Psalms 5
1 Bend Your ear to me and listen to my words, O Eternal One;
hear the deep cry of my heart.
2 Listen to my call for help,
my King, my True God;
to You alone I pray.
3 In the morning, O Eternal One, listen for my voice;
in the day’s first light, I will offer my prayer to You and watch expectantly for Your answer.
4 You’re not a God who smiles at sin;
You cannot abide with evil.
5 The proud wither in Your presence;
You hate all who pervert and destroy what is good.
6 You destroy those with lying lips;
the Eternal detests those who murder and deceive.
7 Yet I, by Your loving grace,
am welcomed into Your house;
I will turn my face toward Your holy place
and fall on my knees in reverence before You.
8 O Eternal One, lead me in the path of Your righteousness
amidst those who wish me harm;
make Your way clear to me.
9 Their words cannot be trusted;
they are destructive to their cores.
What comes out of their mouths is as foul as a rotting corpse;
their words stink of flattery.
10 Find them guilty, O True God;
let their own devices bring them ruin.
Throw them out, and let them drown in the deluge of their sin,
for in revolt they brazenly spit in Your face.
11 But let those who run to You for safety be glad they did;
let them break out in joyful song.
May You keep them safe—
their love for You resounding in their hearts.
12 You, O Eternal, are the One who lays all good things in the laps of the right-hearted.
Your blessings surround them like a shield.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
Music by the Booth Brothers from Room for More, “Faithful One” ©2008.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Watch and see what happens (Genesis 41:37-57), Jan 16, 2015

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Today’s Devotional

Today’s background scripture comes from Genesis 41.
Lots of stories circulated about Joseph when he was young. He didn’t use the best judgment as he told his brothers and his father about his dreams. I was beginning to give him some insight into his future. I would use dreams as a way of speaking to him later and needed him to begin to understand how to interpret the information that I sent to him in his dreams. But telling his brothers they would bow down to him really got him in trouble.

Of course, I used their jealousy and evil plots to My advantage and worked out My plans anyway. I allowed Joseph’s brothers to sell him into slavery. I felt some compassion for Jacob, but Jacob’s blatant favoritism for Joseph and Benjamin brought some of his troubles on himself, too. Those I also used to carry out My plans. You might not understand how I can use the evil in the world to My good, but since I ultimately control all things, I really can work all things for good.

As with Abraham, I began to work in Joseph’s life to prepare him for an assignment he could never accomplish otherwise. He needed some humbling early to understand how important I was in his success. He learned his lessons well. He leaned on Me in Potipher’s household. He leaned on Me in prison. He leaned on Me during those dark dungeon days, imprisoned for doing nothing wrong, but falsely accused by a sinful woman.

Joseph learned to depend on Me completely, just as his great-grandfather, Abraham did. Just as Isaac and Jacob learned to do. But unlike his ancestors, I wanted to use Joseph to show the rest of the region that the God of the Hebrews really could make a difference in all of their lives. So I set Joseph up as the second in command of all of Egypt, the most powerful nation in the world at the time.

I can use you the same way I used Joseph, if you will let Me. Will you lead in the time of famine? Maybe not, but I still have a plan for your life. You may go through some tough days, or months, or even years to prepare you for that special task that I have for you, but understand that I know the plans I have for you. They are good plans if you will stick with Me. Like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, I won’t let you down. You’ll succeed if you follow Me. You’ll do some incredible things if you’ll pay attention. Just watch and see what happens.

Today’s Scripture

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – Genesis 41:37-57
Set – Genesis 41; Luke 16
Go! – Genesis 39-41; Luke 16

Genesis 41:37-57
37 Pharaoh and all his advisors liked Joseph’s suggestion.

Pharaoh (to his advisors): 38 Is there anyone else you know like Joseph who has the Spirit of God within him?

39 (to Joseph) Since God has shown all of this to you, I can’t imagine anyone wiser and more discerning than you. 40 Therefore you will be in charge of my household. All of my people will report to you and do as you say. Only I, because I sit on the throne, will be greater than you. 41 I hereby appoint you head over all of the land of Egypt.

42 As a symbol of his power, Pharaoh removed the signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph’s. Then he dressed him in fine linens and put a gold chain around his neck. 43 He had Joseph ride in the chariot reserved for his second-in-command, and servants ordered everyone, “Kneel!” as he rode by. So this was how Pharaoh appointed Joseph head over all of the land of Egypt. 44 But Pharaoh had one more declaration.

Pharaoh (to Joseph): I am Pharaoh, and I decree that no one may do anything in the land of Egypt without your consent.

45 Then Pharaoh gave Joseph an Egyptian name, Zaphenath-paneah, and arranged for him to marry an Egyptian woman, Asenath (daughter of Potiphera, priest of On). So this was how Joseph gained authority over all the land of Egypt.

46 Now Joseph was 30 years old when he entered into Pharaoh’s service. He left the king of Egypt’s presence to travel throughout the land. 47 For seven years—the years of plenty—the land produced abundantly. 48 Joseph gathered up all of the food he could during those seven years of plenty in the land of Egypt and stored the grain in the cities. He arranged for every city to store the food grown in local fields. 49 And he stored up so much grain—as much as the grains of sand on the seashore—that he stopped measuring it. It was more than anyone could measure!

50 Now before the famine began, Joseph had two sons by his wife Asenath (daughter of Potiphera, priest of On). 51 Joseph named his firstborn son Manasseh because he said, “God has made me forget all about my hardship and all of my father’s family.” 52 He named the second son Ephraim, because as he said, “God has made me fruitful in the land of my misfortune.”

53 Eventually, the seven years of plenty in the land of Egypt came to an end, 54 and the seven years of famine settled in, just as Joseph had predicted. Although the famine extended to all the surrounding lands, in Egypt there was still food stored away in the cities. 55 When the people in Egypt became famished, they appealed to Pharaoh for food; and Pharaoh directed them all to Joseph.

Pharaoh: Go to Joseph, and do what he tells you to do.

56 So when the famine had spread across the land of Egypt, Joseph opened up the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians. But he waited until the famine had become severe in the land. 57 When the surrounding peoples heard Egypt still had food, they journeyed to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph, because by this time the entire world was in the grip of a severe famine.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
Music by the Booth Brothers from Room for More, “Faithful One” ©2008.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Join my household (Luke 15:11-31), Jan 15, 2015

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Today’s Devotional

Today’s background scripture comes from Luke 15.

I want you to stay with Me and enjoy the life I can provide for you. But you have a choice. You can choose to leave Me and settle for the temporary pleasures of the world. Beware, though, those pleasures run out. They satisfy for a moment and then they’re gone. You’ll be left with nothing.

The young man in the parable I told was like that. He thought he could do better than second place on his father’s farm. So, he demanded his inheritance and left. I want you to note the sacrifice his father made for this second son. He liquidated his assets to give his son an early inheritance. The property and business he spent his life building, he gave up so he could satisfy the desires of his sons. The man willingly started over in his old age because he loved his sons.

I sent My son to you to show you a different way to live. He lived with you for more than 30 years and showed you how to live the way I want you to live. Things didn’t impress Him. He spoke with ease to the rich and the poor alike. He came to liberate men and women from the enslavement of things. He came to release you from the captivity the focus on material things can cause.

I know that money is important to help with the necessities of life, but the world has turned its importance upside down. It’s not something you need to hoard. It’s not something you need to worry about. I can give it or take it away. In fact, the gift of giving comes with the gift of accumulating so you can give abundantly. But if you’re tight-fisted with what comes, you will stifle My gift of giving to you.

More important than money is your reliance on Me. Like the son in the parable, you must discover the Father’s house is the place you want to live – My house. I, too, will embrace you with open arms. We will feast together. I will welcome you when you come in repentance to Me. I want you in my household, not as one of the servants, but as one of my children. Wake up from your most harrowing situation and turn to Me.

Today’s Scripture

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – Luke 15:11-31
Set – Psalms 7; Luke 15
Go! – Genesis 37-38; Psalms 7; Luke 15

Luke 15:11-31
Once there was this man who had two sons. 12 One day the younger son came to his father and said, “Father, eventually I’m going to inherit my share of your estate. Rather than waiting until you die, I want you to give me my share now.” And so the father liquidated assets and divided them. 13 A few days passed and this younger son gathered all his wealth and set off on a journey to a distant land. Once there he wasted everything he owned on wild living. 14He was broke, a terrible famine struck that land, and he felt desperately hungry and in need. 15 He got a job with one of the locals, who sent him into the fields to feed the pigs. 16 The young man felt so miserably hungry that he wished he could eat the slop the pigs were eating. Nobody gave him anything.

17 So he had this moment of self-reflection: “What am I doing here? Back home, my father’s hired servants have plenty of food. Why am I here starving to death? 18 I’ll get up and return to my father, and I’ll say, ‘Father, I have done wrong—wrong against God and against you. 19 I have forfeited any right to be treated like your son, but I’m wondering if you’d treat me as one of your hired servants?’” 20 So he got up and returned to his father. The father looked off in the distance and saw the young man returning. He felt compassion for his son and ran out to him, enfolded him in an embrace, and kissed him.

21 The son said, “Father, I have done a terrible wrong in God’s sight and in your sight too. I have forfeited any right to be treated as your son.”

22 But the father turned to his servants and said, “Quick! Bring the best robe we have and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and shoes on his feet. 23 Go get the fattest calf and butcher it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate 24 because my son was dead and is alive again. He was lost and has been found.” So they had this huge party.

25 Now the man’s older son was still out in the fields working. He came home at the end of the day and heard music and dancing. 26 He called one of the servants and asked what was going on. 27 The servant said, “Your brother has returned, and your father has butchered the fattest calf to celebrate his safe return.”

28 The older brother got really angry and refused to come inside, so his father came out and pleaded with him to join the celebration. 29 But he argued back, “Listen, all these years I’ve worked hard for you. I’ve never disobeyed one of your orders. But how many times have you even given me a little goat to roast for a party with my friends? Not once! This is not fair! 30 So this son of yours comes, this wasteful delinquent who has spent your hard-earned wealth on loose women, and what do you do? You butcher the fattest calf from our herd!”

31 The father replied, “My son, you are always with me, and all I have is yours.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
Music by the Booth Brothers from Room for More, “Faithful One” ©2008.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Love like hate (Luke 14:25-35), Jan 14, 2015

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Today’s Devotional

Today’s background scripture comes from Luke 14.
Many think there is no cost to following Me. It isn’t true. I don’t need your money. I don’t need your house. I don’t need any material possession you own. I need you. And I need you to understand I already own everything you have whether you think I do or not. At best, you are only a steward of the things on earth. Life is short whether you live a few days or a hundred years. When compared to eternity, your lifetime on earth is nothing.

So why spend that time chasing after things that don’t matter? My words sound harsh, you can’t be My disciple without hating your own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters, and even your own life. And I will tell you, if you follow Me, you won’t hate them. But in comparison, your love for Me must be on such a higher plain than your love for them it will look like hatred to those that don’t understand. You will make choices for Me and act for Me and the world won’t get it. They will look at you the way they looked at Me.

I could have spared My earthly mother so much pain and suffering. But My love for the Father outdistanced My love for Mary so much I had to act on His behalf so I could act on her behalf. That’s the misunderstanding the world doesn’t get. Doing My will and My work means you will do good for them even when it doesn’t feel good for either of you. The world will say you lost your mind. The world will disown you. It may institutionalize you, incarcerate you, persecute you, even execute you. But following Me will be worth it all.

This life is so confused, so messed up by the sins around you, so given over to evil influences, so short. I have so much more in store for you. Open you hands. Turn your palms down. Now hang on to what you can hold in your hands. That’s what you should love of this world. Grab what lasts. Weigh the cost of serving Me. Understand what I gave to make your eternal life with Me possible. I gave everything for you. What I want in return is…you! Just you!

Today’s Scripture

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – Luke 14:25-35
Set – Genesis 35; Luke 14
Go! – Genesis 34-36; Luke 14

Luke 14:25-35

Great crowds joined Him [Jesus] on His journey, and He turned to them.

Jesus: 26 If any of you come to Me without hating your own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters, and yes, even your own life, you can’t be My disciple. 27 If you don’t carry your own cross as if to your own execution as you follow Me, you can’t be part of My movement. 28 Just imagine that you want to build a tower. Wouldn’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to be sure you have enough to finish what you start? 29 If you lay the foundation but then can’t afford to finish the tower, everyone will mock you: 30 “Look at that guy who started something that he couldn’t finish!”

31 Or imagine a king gearing up to go to war. Wouldn’t he begin by sitting down with his advisors to determine whether his 10,000 troops could defeat the opponent’s 20,000 troops? 32 If not, he’ll send a peace delegation quickly and negotiate a peace treaty. 33 In the same way, if you want to be My disciple, it will cost you everything. Don’t underestimate that cost!

34 Don’t be like salt that has lost its taste. How can its saltiness be restored? Flavorless salt is absolutely worthless. 35 You can’t even use it as fertilizer, so it’s worth less than manure! Don’t just listen to My words here. Get the deeper meaning.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
Music by the Booth Brothers from Room for More, “Faithful One” ©2008.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

I can drive our your fear (Genesis 33), Jan 13, 2015

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Today’s Devotional

Today’s background scripture comes from Genesis 33.

Sometimes your past catches up with you and you are afraid. That’s the position in which Jacob found himself when he approached his homeland after escaping from his father-in-law, Laban. He cheated his brother, Esau, out of his birthright, blessing, and inheritance and now saw him for the first time since those events…coming toward him with 400 men.

If that was the last remembrance of your brother, you might feel the same way Jacob did. If the last time you saw someone you stole from them and now you saw them with what constituted a small army, you might be scared, too. But a transformation happened in those convening years for both Jacob and Esau. We don’t hear much about Esau in the ensuing years except as enemies of Israel, but he too can claim his heritage from Abraham. And I promised all nations on earth would be blessed by Abraham.

Esau grew into a mighty nation. As long as he and his children followed by teaching, they prospered. Unfortunately, they didn’t do so long and blamed Israel for their demise. They pointed to Jacob, the schemer, as the cause of their troubles and became bitter enemies of Israel throughout their history.

I keep My promises and kept Jacob safe. I kept My promises with Esau as long as he and his descendants followed Me. Most of My promises come as a covenant. I will keep My end of the covenant, but expect you to keep your end also. I give you many opportunities to come back to Me when you err, just as I did Abraham, Esau, and Jacob. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and their descendants trusted Me and became the line of My chosen people. Esau’s descendants chose a different path.

You must choose, also. Will you choose Me or your own path? If you choose My path, you might come across things from your past that look fearful at times, but I will be with you. I will never leave you or forsake you. You need not fear your past, present, or future when you put your trust in Me.

Today’s Scripture

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – Genesis 33
Set – Genesis 33; Luke 13
Go! – Genesis 31-33; Luke 13

Genesis 33
Jacob looked up and saw Esau coming, and 400 men were with him. Jacob quickly divided the children among Leah and Rachel and their two servants. 2 He put the female servants with their children in front, then Leah with her children, and Rachel and Joseph last of all. 3 He himself went on ahead of them, and he bowed to the ground seven times as he approached his brother. 4 But Esau ran to meet him. He embraced Jacob, kissed his neck, and they both cried. 5 Esau looked up and saw the women and children.

Esau: Who are these people with you?

Jacob: These are the children God has graciously given your servant.

6 Then the female servants came closer, along with their children, and they bowed down. 7 Leah did likewise; she and her children approached and bowed down. Finally Joseph and Rachel came forward, and they bowed down as well.

Esau: 8 What was your intent in sending all of your men and herds ahead of you?

Jacob: I hope to find favor with you, my master.

Esau: 9 I have enough, my brother. Keep what you have for yourself.

Jacob: 10 No, please. If I have found favor with you after all these years, please accept the gifts I offer. Seeing your face again is like seeing the face of God, so graciously and warmly have you welcomed me. 11 Please accept the blessing I bring. God has graciously provided for me and my family. I have everything I could want.

Jacob kept insisting that Esau accept the gift. Finally he did.

Esau: 12 Now let’s be on our way, and I will walk on ahead of you.

Jacob: 13 My master knows that the children are very small and the nursing flocks and herds are under my care. If they are driven too hard for even one day, I’m afraid I’ll lose all the flocks. 14 Please, my master, go on ahead of me, and I will keep on at a slower pace—the pace of the animals up ahead and the children—until I come to you in Seir.

Esau: 15 Let me leave some of my people to accompany you.

Jacob: Why go to all that trouble? You have done enough already. Just let me find favor with my master.

16 Esau agreed and set out that day to go back to Seir. 17 But Jacob journeyed instead to Succoth, and he built himself a house there and put up some shelters for his cattle. That’s why this place is called Succoth, which means “shelters.”

18 At last Jacob came to the city of Shechem in the land of Canaan. Overall it had been a safe and peaceful journey from Paddan-aram. He camped outside of the city 19 and purchased the land on which he had pitched his tent from the sons of Hamor (who was Shechem’s father) for one hundred pieces of money. 20 And there also he built an altar he called El-Elohe-Israel, which means “God, the God of Israel.”

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
Music by the Booth Brothers from Room for More, “Faithful One” ©2008.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

There’s a party coming! (Luke 12:35-48), Jan 12, 2015

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Today’s background scripture comes from Luke 12:35-48


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Many around you will say, “There is plenty of time to get right with God. He said He was coming back 2,000 years ago and He hasn’t come back yet. I can always start living right next year.”

My Son told those who would listen a parable about masters who returned unexpectedly or thieves that came in the middle of the night. You probably don’t know much about masters and servants where you live. In Jesus’ time on earth, people understood the parable clearly. Perhaps today, I would use a story about a company owner or a store manager and his employees, instead.

How well does the assistant manager perform when the manager is on vacation? What does he find if he comes back early? Or you probably hear about thieves that break in and steal things a lot. Well, maybe that has become so common place you no longer hear much about it. But if the owner knew the time a thief were coming and convinced the police or his neighbors of his coming, the owner would prepare and the thief would not break in.

My Son said He would come back at a time only I know. It’s like the weddings in ancient Israel. Sons prepared a home for their bride and the marriage took place only after their father saw their son could care for his bride in his new home. My Son is still prepare a place for you. When I tell Him it is ready for you, I will tell Him to come and get you. Then He will split the sky like a lightening bolt and in the blink of an eye He’ll bring His bride home with Him forever.

You will never know when I send Him. He will come like the unexpected manager or the thief in the night. Like Jesus told those who listened to His parable 2,000 years ago, be ready, you don’t know when he’ll come. You don’t want to miss that party!

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – Luke 12:35-48
Set – Genesis 29; Luke 12
Go! – Genesis 29-30; Luke 12

Luke12:35-48
Jesus: I’m not just talking theory. There is urgency in all this. If you’re apathetic and complacent, then you’ll miss the moment of opportunity. You should be wide awake and on your toes like servants who are waiting for their master to return from a big wedding reception. They’ll have their shoes on and their lamps lit so they can open the door for him as soon as he arrives home. 37 How fortunate those servants will be when the master knocks and they open the door immediately! You know what the master will do? He’ll put on an apron, sit them down at the kitchen table, and he’ll serve them a midnight snack. 38 The later he comes home—whether it’s at midnight or even later, just before dawn—the more fortunate the alert servants will be.

39 In contrast, imagine a complacent, apathetic household manager whose house gets robbed. If he had been aware that thieves were waiting in the bushes and what hour they were coming, [he would have watched and][a] he never would have left the house! 40 I’m trying to tell you that these are times for alertness, times requiring a sense of urgency and intensity, because like the master in the first story or the thief in the second, the Son of Man shows up by surprise.

Peter: 41 Lord, I’m not sure if this parable is intended only for us disciples or if this is for everyone else too.

Jesus: 42 Imagine the stories of two household managers, and decide for yourself which one is faithful and smart. Each household manager is told by his master to take good care of all his possessions and to oversee the other employees—the butlers, cooks, gardeners, and so on. 43 One servant immediately busies himself in doing just what he was told. His master eventually comes to check on him 44 and rewards him with a major promotion and with more responsibility and trust. 45 The other household manager thinks, “Look, my boss is going to be gone for a long time. I can be complacent; there’s no urgency here.” So he beats the other employees—the women as well as the men. He sits around like a slob, eating and getting drunk. 46 Then the boss comes home unexpectedly and catches him by surprise. One household manager will be fortunate indeed, and the other will be cut into pieces and thrown out.

47 Now if a servant who is given clear instructions by his master doesn’t follow those instructions but instead is complacent and apathetic, then he will be punished severely. 48 But if a servant doesn’t know what his master expects and behaves badly, then he will receive a lighter punishment. If you are given much, much will be required of you. If much is entrusted to you, much will be expected of you.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.

In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.