Genesis_41

Scripture - What stood out?

Genesis 41:57 Moreover, all the earth came to Egypt to Joseph to buy grain, because the famine was severe over all the earth. Observation - What does it say?With Joseph’s interpretation of Pharaoh's dream coming true slowly but surely the entire known world would have to turn to Joseph for salvation.Understanding - What does it mean?I have had part of this Charles Dickens quote stuck in my brain for the past several days (cue the melodramatic movie voice), “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…” An apt description for the environment we find ourselves in during Genesis 41. There was a famine yet one nation, under the leadership of one man, under the guidance of the Spirit of God provided hope.  

Over the past several months I have read several books which asked me to look at the similarities between Abraham, Joseph, Moses, and Jesus. And so as I was re-reading this story verse 57 came alive to me in a different way this time. I have often remembered this story for Joseph’s role in redeeming the nation of Israel. Verse 57 however makes it clear - all, the, earth, - came to him for food during the famine. 

 

Although Joseph’s life is filled with tumult and peril we begin to see God’s work manifesting through all of it. I have read this story so many times and I come away always remembering how God looked out for His chosen nation. I mean Jesus would be born from the line of Abraham so they needed to be spared from the famine. That’s pretty important. But the Lord didn’t just stop there. He chose Joseph to feed the whole world! 

 

And now all I seem to be able to see is the foreshadowing that would point to Jesus. I believe that Jesus was most certainly sent to save God’s wayward nation. But there was a greater design at play. Jesus was sent to save the entire world. A savior who came not to save just one nation but all nations who would follow him. Life Application - How can I apply this to my life today?Lord thank you for bringing our old testament alive to me today!For my life application I would like to share my journal entry with one person who would listen to me. Partly to see if they agree with me. But mainly to continue to spread my love for the bible in its entirety on to others. Thank you Lord. In the name of Jesus do I pray. Amen. -kenneth lee 

Galatians__4

Scripture

Galatians 4: 28&31

Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise… Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman but of the free woman.

 

Observation

Paul continues his letter to the Galatians and looks to emphasize who we are in Christ. He speaks of Abraham’s children as a comparison and then furthers this analogy by calling the Galatians themselves “children of promise.” From here, he declares that anyone who believes in Christ and lives for Him is a new and free being.

 

Understanding

You ever thought about the weight that the word promise carries? Here’s how our good friend Miriam-Webster defines promise (n.): a declaration or assurance that one will do a particular thing or that a particular thing will happen. That seems like a lot of words to say that a promise guarantees something, whether it be a service or an event, or even a person. Here Paul calls us “children of promise.” It has a nice ring to it, but the implication is so much more than just “having a nice ring to it.” Keeping a promise often requires an action. We can’t just passively sit and expect our promises to fulfill themselves, but in the same vein our promise was already fulfilled for us.

I came to a shocking realization the other day: I don’t have to do anything to earn the affection of God. I think that’s what Paul is getting at here; yes, you have promises to upkeep but those are simply out of being a good child of God. There’s nothing we can do to make God love or hate us more. We are free to experience the love of God simply by believing in Him. To be honest with you, for a little bit I thought I had to earn it, but I don’t I live in the freedom of being a child of the Most High. I am a child of promise, and rest-assured I will bask in that freedom so generously given to me.

 

Life Application

Something I realize is a deterrent in basking in this freedom though is the opinion of others. To that I say: just because we haven’t experienced God in a certain way yet doesn’t mean He doesn’t operate in that way. My concept of God may sometimes be small, but I know that He isn’t! I know that I know I have experienced God, and because of that I can live in His promises and freedom that He has set before me.

Take a look at your own life and remember the times that you experienced Him in such a tangible way. Hold onto it and use it as a tool in helping others to being children of promise and free in Christ.

-Allison Khan

Galatians___3

Scripture  

Galatians 3:2-3 

I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?

Observation-What does it say?  

The book of Galatians was written to a number of churches in the region of Galatia, or present day Turkey.  Paul’s visits to this area are recorded in Acts 13 and 14.  Paul taught that repentance and faith lead us to receive God’s forgiveness and new life.  However, after he left the area, a group of Jewish-Christians came in and began preaching circumcision and adherence to the Mosaic law as a precursor to God’s grace.  Many of the believers in the area had begun following these rules in place of living by faith.

Understanding-What does it mean?

“You can’t smoke.  You can’t drink. And, you can’t drink.”  These “rules” were very important not to break as a “Christian.”  Or at least that is how I understood it as a kid.  Being a Christian meant a life of abstaining from the things that were deemed “A SIN.”  Those three things were at the top of the list, and we didn’t even think about talking about sex.  It was like I lived in some alternate form of the movie “Footloose.”  Which, ironically enough, I remember my mom watching a lot.

These rules had been passed down from my great grandfather, who was a very charismatic preacher in the South.  And, although at a young age I had a real moment where, through the Holy Spirit, I came to understand that I was a sinner and needed God’s grace, shortly after I knew that I couldn’t break these rules.  I never quite understood why these things were so bad, but I knew those were the things “Sinners” did and I was not supposed to act like that.  I also remember feeling quite burdened by the weight of having to follow the rules.

I think this is largely still present in how Christianity is viewed.  We are seen as a bunch of hypocritical “goody two shoes.”  Later in Galatians, Paul encourages them to do away with the mindless adherence to laws, in favor of a life led by the Spirit, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free (5:1).”  Even Jesus told us to do away with striving to attain all of the precepts of Mosaic law, stating that all the law is fulfilled in loving God and loving others (Matthew 22:36-40).  

As it turns out, what I perceived as a bunch of rule following can actually be attained when we let go of the rules.  It comes as a result of my love for Christ.  We learn about this in the book of James.  The brother of Christ points out that a life steeped in the Holy Spirit leads to good works (James 2:18-25).  And so as we lean on the Holy Spirit, we naturally begin to abstain from things that would only hinder a close relationship with him (1 Corinthians 10:23).

Life Application

Jesus, ultimately I want nothing else than to be with you.  So help me to get a little closer to you everyday.  I want to walk away from the things that distract me from you.    And I want to thank you for taking the burden of sin away from me by dying on the cross.

-Tyler Galloway