Genesis 46:1-47:31, Matthew 15:1-28, Psalm 19:1-14, Proverbs 4:14-19
Pray: What if you could see the future, would you really want to know how everything ends up? I would probably run. In any case, God gave Jacob a rare gift and he could see the future. God gave him the vision of what lies ahead. God also encouraged him by saying, “Do not be afraid….” I wish you could hear the Lord sharing with you, “Do not be afraid….” No matter what the future holds, pray with boldness today that the God who holds the future loves you and is fighting for you. Pray for insight into God’s depth of love, not so much knowledge but a personal experience of learning about God’s love for you today.
Read: When they arrived in Goshen, Jacob and Joseph wept as they held each other. Some people want titles, success, accolades, and material wealth. Jacob, as an old man, just wanted to see his beloved Joseph’s face one more time and he was ready to die. Die he did, not at the instance, but he did see his son’s face. Do you take the faces of your family members for granted? Your spouse, your sister, brother, child, grandchild, parent or grandparent? Do you take your friends for granted? Look again, into their eyes and give thanks.
Edify: We are camping out in the O.T. a lot today but think about it for a minute. A total stranger, only being Joseph’s son gets him an audience with Pharaoh, and Jacob blesses a man who is seen by many to be a god. Jacob knows he is not God because he has wrestled with God. Jacob knows he is not God because he knows his character. But, Jacob knows the man standing in front of him has major influence and needs a blessing from God to rule the people under his care. So Jacob blesses Pharaoh not once, but twice. Jacob knew the deep need for a blessing. He would not let the Angel go before he blessed him when he wrestled with God. What do you need God to do for you today? What do you need to do for God?
Practice: Today Jesus echoes the teaching in Jeremiah which states, “The heart is evil…” You see Jesus knew the limited capacity of food to actually hurt our witness. Yes, you can drink too much wine or alcohol and this will hurt your witness as you act out or may say things to hurt others. But, what is far worse is what comes forth from our mouths when we gossip, engage in character assassination towards others by speaking negative words. Proverbs tells us that words bring “life or death”. So, which one will you speak today? Life or death to others? Seriously, measure your words today. Seek out the ones in your life, whom are like Joseph was to Jacob, and let them know that you really needed to see their face or hear their voice on the phone. Call them or go see them now. Tomorrow’s letters and phone calls don’t get made. Do it now.
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