Genesis 41 * Matthew 13:1-32 * Psalm 12

Genesis 41 Reflections

As we read Genesis 41:38 - 39 38 And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is? 39 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath showed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art:, we continue to see the blessing that can and will be showered upon us when we put our full trust and faith in the one true god. Through the past few readings, we see the type things that happen to Joseph throughout his life. His bothers hate him, conspire to kill him, instead sell him off, and he ends up in prison. Throughout all of these events, Joseph's faith in the god of his fathers never fails him. Some of us may go through life experiencing similar tales of sorrow and heartache, but through what we read in God's word, by staying true to Him, we will receive blessings that also extend farther than the life we currently lead. Regardless, after reading Genesis 41, I find myself looking to God and thanking Him for all that He has provided for me and my family. I thank Him first and foremost for the relationship and bond that He has set up between He and I. I thank Him for the family and friends and brothers and sisters in Christ that He has surrounded me with. I have realized more and more as I mature in my age, all of the blessings I receive are not going to be tangible blessings that are material in nature, but blessings that enrich my life through experiences I have and the relationships I am bless with. Keep your faith in God, no matter what difficulties you may go through. No matter what, God does not forget about you, even if you may think He is not listening. Stay steadfast in your love for Him, and He will provide you with blessing upon blessing, and remember the biggest blessing we are to receive is yet to come.

Dear God, I thank you for the blessings your shower upon me and my family daily. I ask that in times of trouble, you send your Spirit to fill our hearts, that we may stay true to you and not forget your love. Keep our hearts in your mind, and fill us with solitude in our times of trouble. I ask this in Your name and Your son Jesus Christ...Amen

Questions for follow up:

Matthew 13:1 - 32 Reflections

Many of us love a great story. To take that a step further, we all love great stories, especially the stories that are based on truth or are full of significant meaning. The great thing about today's reading is, we get a great view into how Jesus thinks and why he preaches the way he does. Have you ever found yourself sitting in a lecture hall with a multitude of people, with this person just speaking up on the stage, about what, you can not remember? Going to college, I attended a few classes that were of such nature. Those classes were much more interesting when the professor told a story that related to the subject we were learning. They some how were able to draw your attention and increase your perceptions, allowing you to retain what the professor was trying to teach us. Early on, we see that Jesus had the same understanding of how people would learn and retain the knowledge of who he was and why he was here. When you read Matthew 13:13 13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand., we see this. I have found, through my journey, I have reached a new understanding of our Lord God and His son Jesus Christ, by reading His word and meditating on it. I have read and be taught many of the parables before, but I have never asked God to be with me to help understand them. But, I still say, the effectiveness of Jesus approach in teaching us, still works today. Read and enjoy the word and the parables set in front of us. Because, if we have ears to hear, let's open them and see what we might learn.

Psalm 12 Reflections

- Through thought, word, and deed, and with the help of the Holy Spirit, I will be You Lord God, and Your son Jesus Christ...Amen

Life's Curveballs

I have fallen a few days behind on my readings, and I started to feel incredibly bad about it. I wondered if it was going to be another start in a trend of giving up my daily devotion. As I thought about what I was going to do, I thought I might as well write about it. My grandmother died this past week, so it was a busy and troublesome week. It is just one of those things in our busy life, where we need to stop and grieve with our family. It was a time, I needed to take a break from my reading and be in the presence of others in the family of Christ and let them council me in my sad days. It was a week full of heartache and sorrow, but also of joy and thankfulness. My grandmother was a child of God, and thankfully she knew it. She was very devoted to God and his son Jesus Christ. She lived her life trying to abide by the perfections that Jesus speaks about to us. She also knew she was not perfect in her human heart, and she was humble in the presence of God.

After thinking about it for a while, I realized that I might not be able to read the text EVERY day, but that should not stop me from continuing my journey. Everyday should be a day in which we should find the time to sit down, unwind, and read the word of God. But we also must come to the understanding that we might not be able to meet our needs of reading God's word everyday. We should not be discouraged by this, but we must also not forget our calling to pick up the Bible and continue where we left off. So I say to those who are walking along side of me with this journey, do not be discouraged if you fall behind, do not get upset with yourself, because you have not been able to keep up with the date on your text. If your Bible guide tells your reading for today is Monday and it is Wednesday, no worries. The point God is making to us is not to make sure we are on the correct day of reading His word, but that we are reading His word.

Dear heavenly father, you have walked with us all our lives. Sometimes we are discouraged, because we fail to keep promises about reading your word everyday, but you still fill us with your grace and love. Keep us light at heart, and give us strength to pick up where we leave off. Fill us with the knowledge of who you are through the word of our brothers and sisters that have come before us and have been witnesses of You and your son's miracles and love. We thank you for all of your blessings, and we ask that you forgive us for our sins. Through your name and your son Jesus Christ...Amen.

- Through thought, word, and deed, and with the help of the Holy Spirit, I will be You Lord God, and Your son Jesus Christ...Amen.

Genesis 38,39,40 * Matthew 12:22-50 * Psalm 11

Genesis 38, 39, 40 Reflections

I struggle to follow and see the significance of the story of Judah, one of Jacob's sons, in Genesis 38. The one thing that sticks out to me is the heartache Judah must have had in loosing all of his children and wife to death.

Genesis 39 - 40 continues the story of Joseph and the trouble he continuously goes through. Yet through all that happens to him in these readings, his devotion to LORD God does not falter. Even when thrown into prison, he still feels the love from God that he has always felt. He seems to live a life full of blessings even though he lives in a prison too. This is a cool story to read, and fascinating to see the plot continue with Joseph.

Questions for follow up:

Q - What is the significance of the story of Judah in the middle of the story of Joseph in Genesis?

Matthew 12:22 - 50 Reflections

Matthew 12:22 - 50 is full of insight and profound messages from Jesus Christ. As I read Matthew, I found myself in a state we find Jesus disciples many times throughout the New Testament, I was not understanding everything Jesus was saying. Many could sit and analyze Jesus stories and make conclusions as to their meanings, and we still may not get at the heart of Jesus words. I sometimes find it humerous, because Jesus tells us that our faith should be as simple as a child's faith, but when I read these stories, I get confused about how unsimple Jesus words were sometimes. Regardless of my being confused through most of Matthew 12, I still found myself being drawn to a specific verse. Matthew 12:38 - 39 38 Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. 39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: I found myself troubled by these words, only because I have found myself asking the same question as the Pharisees a few times in my life. "Dear God, please, just give me a sign that you are hear, and my faith will be that much stronger, Dear God, just help me just this one time, and I will be eternally devoted to you, Dear God, just let me see your face and I will be eternally yours." Have you ever found yourself in your life challenging God to the same type of questions? I have written about faith earlier in my journal, and the same still holds true. Faith is not something that is just built upon indisputable facts. Faith is not something just built on seeing and believing. Faith is something that is built in our hearts and not with our eyes. Humans have got to understand our need for the intervention of God and his Holy Spirit in our lives. In an age of science and always needing to know the purpose of life, we look for facts and signs in our life to help us believe. Throughout my life, and even a short way into this journey, I have realized that my faith has been built on my trust in God and opening my heart to the Holy Spirit. Yes, I have asked for things in my life in prayer and have not been answered or given the sign that would make me believe. But I have also had many things in my life happen, where I was not asking God for a sign, but he revealed Himself to me anyways. God has shown himself to me the times I have opened up my heart and eyes to him. He has shown Himself to me in the times I laid my life in His hands and let Him drive me around. Today in church, we sang the song, Open the Eyes of My Heart. How fitting of a song to fit in the context of my journal today. I must never again ask God to show me a sign to prove His existence, but, like it says in the words of the song, Open the eyes of my heart Lord, open the eyes of my heart, I want to be with you, I want to be with you. If only we ask God, to open our eyes and our heart, we will not need a sign or a prayer answered as a condition of our faith in Him.

Dear heavenly father, I ask that you open our eyes and hearts. That you build in us a faith not built on signs or all our answered prayers, but on a strong relationship with you and a devotion to reading your word. Breath in us your Spirit, and protect us from the sins of this world. Drive temptations from our hearts, and baptize us in your Spirit. Guide us down a path of perfection and righteousness, that we might strive to be like You and Your son Jesus Christ...Amen

Questions for follow up:

Q - Matthew 12:31 - 32 31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. 32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come. What does Jesus mean when he talks about blasphemy and speaking against the Holy Ghost, and that we will not be forgiven for such things. How would we or when would we know when we are doing such sins against men versus the Holy Ghost?
Q - Matthew 12:46 - 50 46 While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. 47 Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. 48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? 49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! 50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother. Is Jesus denouncing his mother and brothers here, or is he just clarifying the fact that our definition of earthly brothers and sisters is different than our heavenly definition of our brothers and sisters?

Psalm 11 Reflections
I continue to love the poetry and writing in Psalms, but I also continue to try and understand the tone that David takes in the wicked. I understand that the wicked, are just that, wicked, but the Psalms speak in such a finite way of their future. Does David speak about those that die wicked and never repented of their sins? From what I have read on my journey so far, God and His son Jesus Christ preach that every person has the opportunity to receive their forgiveness and grace. That even the wicked can be diverted from their ways and fully receive forgiveness of their wicked sins.

Questions for follow up:

Q - Psalm 11:1 1 In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain? What does David mean when he says Flee as a bird to your mountain?

Genesis 35,36,37 * Matthew 11,12:1-21 * Psalm 10:12-18

Genesis 35, 36, 37 Reflections

Genesis 35:2 - 4 2 Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments: 3 And let us arise, and go up to Bethel; and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went. 4 And they gave unto Jacob all the strange gods which were in their hand, and all their earrings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak which was by Shechem.

There are many gods in this world today. Many have questions as to whom the right god is and to whom we should offer our praise, love, thanks, and admiration too. One theme I have consistently seen throughout Genesis is the case for why God is the true god and only god in which we should lay our trust in. In these versus, we see that even in the time of Jacob, people probably had the same questions we have today. According to Genesis 35, the people that traveled with Jacob had gods that were not the same as Jacob's god. In the end, Jacob is the one to reveal to his people and to us who the true god is, that is the god of Noah, Abraham, and Isaac. The individuals that are a part of that list, make up a list of great individuals of the history of our faith. Through them, we have seen God revealed through the blessings and covenants of their lives. With Jacob, God continues his legacy and solidly reveals Himself to us as the true god.

It is all up to us to drop our strange gods, be it idols, money, etc, and follow the one true god, God. Remember, there will be times in which we come face to face with individuals that have other gods, and we must understand they have the same choice we have in choosing the correct god. Through your life and through your faith, help to influence the right choice to others. God is the one and only true god.

Questions for follow up:

Q - Genesis 33:10 20 And he erected there an altar, and called it EleloheIsrael. and Genesis 34:7 7 And the sons of Jacob came out of the field when they heard it: and the men were grieved, and they were very wroth, because he had wrought folly in Israel in lying with Jacob's daughter: which thing ought not to be done. Previous to God naming Jacob Israel in Genesis 35:10 10 And God said unto him, Thy name is Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name: and he called his name Israel, we see the name or place Israel named earlier in Genesis. What then is the significance of God naming Jacob Israel?

Q - Genesis 36 refers to many of the lineage of Esua and Jacob as Dukes. What was the significance of Dukes in Jacob's days?

Matthew 11, 12:1 - 21 Reflections

There were many people, including John the Baptist, who were surprised at what they were seeing in Jesus Christ. As I sat and read Matthew 11, which is excellent, I could not help but notice the image that John the Baptist and the Jews were painting of their promised king and messiah. I imagine them seeing an image of a man, wrapped in the finest linens, surrounded by the largest riches, crowned with gold, and a wearer of fine jewels. I imagine them waiting for a king that was going to be just to their bondsmen, not only setting the Jews free, but persecuting those that kept them in bondage. They saw a king rising up and leading them to victory, where he would rule over them on this earth and no one could touch him. Not even needing to peak ahead, we already know the true image, nature, and characteristics that made up Jesus Christ. I look back at Matthew 5 to derive a list of what Jesus would have been like in his perfect nature: mourner, meek, giver of spirit, giver of food, merciful, pure in heart, and peacemaker. All of these characteristics would be a make up of a great king. Problem is, a feared king usually does not portray a majority of those characteristics. With what they were seeing in Jesus, how were the Jews going to be set free? Matthew 11:2 - 3 2 Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, 3 And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? John the Baptist, was a prophet in a league of his own. Jesus even says in Matthew 11:11 11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. A man well liked and listened too by many even had doubts early about Jesus Christ.

Matthew 11:7 - 9 7 And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? 8 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. 9 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. Jesus even knows what his people were waiting for. He knows what type of king they were imagining. Matthew 11:12 - 13 12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. 13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. Jesus even knows by what means his people think he is going to seek justice, through violence and force. But, from the characteristics listed above, we see that Jesus was not anything that his people could imagine. Jesus is going to save them, but not with force. He is going to save them through faith. He is going to save them through his death. He is going to set them free from their bondage of sin and liberate them to eternal life. Jesus is a peaceful, meek, and giving king. He is a king not crowned with gold, but crowed with thorns. He is not a king that set us free with violence and hostile takeover, but through a violent and life giving death. He may not be the king we all imagine a king to be, he is much better. He is our Lord and Savior, he is our peacemaker, he is our king, and he is our God.

Dear heavenly Father, I thank you for you son and our king. We thank you for sending your only son and changing our view of what a king truly is represented by. I ask that you fill our hearts with your likeness and your characteristics. That you guide us in our lives to personify the lifestyle and choices of our king, Jesus Christ. Through your name dear God, and your son Jesus Christ I ask this...Amen.

Questions for follow up:

Q - After reading Matthew 12, a topic is brought up about working on the Sabbath day. Could anyone help me understand the context of Matthew 12 and helping me filter through what is the best way to implement this into my life?

Genesis 31,32,33,34 * Matthew 10:24-42 * Psalm 10:1-11

Genesis 31, 32, 33, 34 Reflections

In reading Genesis 31 - 34, we are shown a few stories where Jacob is faced with some significant conflict.  His father in law rises up and catches Jacob in mount Gilead, Jacob then flees and has to pass through the land of his brother Esau.  With all that Jacob did in order to receive the birthright and blessing from Isaac, anyone could see why Jacob was scared of what his brother Esau might do to him.  Out of all that I read, Genesis 31:52 - 53 stands out to me.    Genesis 31:52 - 53 52 This heap be witness, and this pillar be witness, that I will not pass over this heap to thee, and that thou shalt not pass over this heap and this pillar unto me, for harm. 53 The God of Abraham, and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge betwixt us. And Jacob sware by the fear of his father Isaac.  In the day of when there probably was not to many legal contracts signed and people went by oath or given word alone, I can not help but notice the power that the name of God had with many people.  The blessings, wonders, miracles, and dreams experienced in earlier chapters and versus build up the reputation of God.  When we look at the chapters we read for today, there are some major and significant things happening on Jacobs journey.  Yet, we notice, like his relatives before him, Jacob does not use the name of God lightly.  It is used as an oath, but not just any oath, a very serious oath.  It seems that today, the name of God has been stretched out to be used in anything we do.  We use the word of God to swear by when we speak in front of our courts.  We all know how sacred most people take that particular oath.  God's name has made it into mainstream society as a way to damn something or someone.  There was a time in history when God's name was so sacred, only the holy of holy people were allowed to say it.  I sometimes thing the looseness we have taken in using God's name for everything, we have lost the power and wonderment that it holds.  So, the next time we find ourselves using God's name, take a step back and assess your reasoning and understand whom stands behind that name and what stands behind that name.

Matthew 10:24 - 42 Reflections

Matthew 10:32 - 33 32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.  I have often found myself whispering to others my faith and Christianity.  Now, I know God asks that we be meek and not showy in our faith, but my whispering was not done because I didn't want people to feel uncomfortable, or a way for me to be more meek.  I found myself whispering, because for some weird reason, I feel bad that I am Christian.  I sit in my cube at work, and lower my voice, not wanting all the "popular" people to hear me.  What is wrong with me?  I say this now, raise your voices, be meek in your faith, but do not hide behind a whisper.  We have been called to be fishers of men.  People do not tend to hear a whisper.  Confess your faith to all who will listen.  Speak in volume, and who knows, one of those "popular" people might ask for more from you.  Confess your faith to God, because he likes to hear it, even if He already knows it.  I pray the next time I am approached about my faith, I take heed to Jesus words in Matthew 10:38 - 40 38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. 39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.  40 He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.  Our faith and beliefs should not be a cross we sadly bear, it is a cross we should gladly pick up.  We should not stand behind our cross, we should stand under it.  Explore your faith and open your heart.  If you lose your life, be it figuratively or real, we must remember that the life we lose here on earth in the name of God and his son Jesus Christ, is a life we gain eternally.  May peace and blessing find us all on our cross bearing journey.

Psalm 10:1-11 Reflections

After reading the first part of this Psalm, I must try to identify if I have some of those characteristics in which are listed and attempt to strike them from my life.  Granted, this should not be a difficult task, for my faith in God and his son are strong.  These characteristics listed in Psalm 10, are far from the perfect characteristics found in Matthew 5.  Dear God, I ask that you fill me with your Spirit.  Take hold of my life and guide me down the path of perfection in your eyes.  Take away all the sinful temptations in my life and wash them from my eyes and heart.  Use my life as a purifier of the hearts and minds to my brothers and sisters of this world.  Fill me with your knowledge, so that I may be a disciple of you and your son.

- Through thought, word, and deed, and with the help of the Holy Spirit, I will be you Lord God and your son Jesus Christ...Amen