Genesis 42:18-43:34 + Matthew 13:47-14:12 + Psalm 18:16-36 + Proverbs 4:7-10
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Old Testament – Hi everyone – I’m a bit short on time today, so here is a brief OT post. Bible.org’s commentary on Genesis chapter 42 titled “The Proper Use of Power” is at this link and commentary on Genesis chapter 43 titled “The fears of Jacob and the tears of Joseph” is at this link.
New Testament – Today in Matthew chapter 13 verse 54 we read about Jesus going to his hometown of Nazareth where he was raised as a child. Jesus was born in Bethlehem, as we know, but raised in Nazareth, where Mary & Joseph met and married and returned after their flight to Egypt after Jesus’ birth.
In verse 57 we read this when Jesus was in Nazareth: “Jesus said to them, “Only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet without honor.”” This verse reminds me that sometimes when we really move forward in our faith, our friends (“hometown” from the verse above) and our relatives can sometimes not understand what is going on with us. I think there are phases of our walk with God where really it becomes very personal – between us and God – and through that process God will transform us. And our friends and relatives sometimes may not appreciate our change for various reasons – just as Jesus’ friends and relatives did not appreciate his ministry in this verse. I hope that this verse can be of comfort to you if by chance you are having challenges reconciling your faith and your changed heart with your friends & relatives expectations of who you were in the past. Know that you are on the right path. As long as you are staying focused on God and his will for your life, you may have to accept some loss of “honor” (per the verse above) in your status with your friends and relatives. You may not seem to be as “cool” or “fun” or whatever as you once were in your friends’ eyes. But – if in God’s eyes you are loving Him with all of your heart and you are loving your neighbors as yourself, then you are eternally cool and fun in the Kingdom of Heaven. And that’s where it really counts. Where are you seeking “honor” in your life today? In the eyes of your friends and relatives – or in God’s eyes?
Today we read about the beheading of John the Baptist. I found this painting below by the Italian artist Caravaggio from the year 1610 titled “Salome with the Head of St. John the Baptist.” I almost hesitated to post this painting up, but I think it’s worth us considering. This is what happened to the man who proclaimed Jesus’ ministry was coming. This is what happened to the man who baptized Jesus in the Jordan. And of course this brutality pales in comparison to what Jesus went through on the road to Golgotha. This painting below and thinking about Jesus’ passion, suffering, and death just made me think that sometimes following God does not lead strictly to “health and wealth.” But sometimes truly following God leads to suffering and poverty. But – and here’s the key but – it also leads to eternal life! So, no, perhaps many/most/all of us will not go through what John went through in today’s readings or in this painting below. But you know what, if we are truly following God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, I think we need to realize that this type of thing can happen. But if this type of thing happens while pursuing and loving Jesus with all that you are, then it’s of course worth it because Jesus will raise you up on the other side!
Psalms – There are so many great verses today for us to meditate upon in Psalm 18! I love verses 25 through 27: “To the faithful you show yourself faithful; to those with integrity you show integrity. To the pure you show yourself pure, but to the wicked you show yourself hostile. You rescue those who are humble, but you humiliate the proud.” Are you showing yourself to be faithful to God? Are you living with integrity? Are you showing yourself to be pure? Is God showing you these things as well?
I really love verse 28: “LORD, you have brought light to my life; my God, you light up my darkness.” Has Jesus brought light into your life? Does God light up your darkness?
Proverbs – I love Proverbs 4:7 today! “The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.” How simple and yet profound is that first sentence? The beginning of wisdom = get wisdom. Can’t argue with that! 🙂 The question then becomes how do we get wisdom? Or, where do we get wisdom. I will say simply, The Bible is the best fount of Wisdom I know of. So, reading and studying the Bible on a daily basis = wisdom. Then the second sentence in the verse above is great too – though it cost all you have, get understanding. Where does understanding come from? Again, I’d say the Bible. But I’ll also say that I think understanding comes from investing in a community of people and being invested in by other people. We can’t really get understanding on our own, being a “lone ranger.” We need others in our life so that iron sharpens iron. I hope and pray you are in a local church community? And I hope and pray you are in a small group of some sort? We need others to do life with and to gain understanding. Will you find a church or a small group in this next month if you’re not part of a church or small group yet?
Worship Video: Our readings today in Psalm 18 verse 28 reminds me of the fantastic Charlie Hall song “Marvelous Light:”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAQJKZJB-kE
Are you running into the Marvelous Light? Click here and run!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.” Proverbs 4:7 NIV
Prayer Point: Pray that you would grow in Wisdom in this new year. Pray that God would lead you to the ways He would have you grow in Wisdom this year. Pray that you will pursue wisdom.
Comments from You and Questions of the Day: Based on my comments above in Matthew, have you ever lost some “honor” with your friends or family as you’ve moved forward in your faith? If you did lose honor with your friends did you gain honor with God? Do you think you sometimes base your decisions more on what other people will think? Or do you base your decisions on what God will think? At times in your faith walk have you had to distance yourself from some old friends so that you can move forward in your faith walk? Has this been hard? Has it been worth it? Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!
God bless,
Mike
p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.
p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.
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BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
======= Ramona:
Genesis 42:18-43:34
A particular verse has not jumped out at me today but what has caught my eye is a state of mind has guilt. Joseph’s brothers are totally filled with guilt and thus paranoid. They consistently second guess and put a “spin” on every misstep they make with this unknown ruler. Unknown to them but they are known to him.
They said to one other, “Surely we’re being punished because of our brother, because we saw how distressed he was when he cried to us for mercy, but we refused to listen. That is why this distress has come on us!”
(Genesis 42:21 NET.)
Twenty plus years loaded with guilt times ten. This is a picture of man outside of Jesus Christ spinning the events of their lives trying to get a hold of their culpability by any means necessary. However, unless man deals in Truth, guilt, whether true guilt or false, guilt will remain burdening the carrier.
By mercy and love, truth and fidelity [to God and man–not by sacrificial offerings], iniquity is purged out of the heart, and by the reverent, worshipful fear of the Lord men depart from and avoid evil.
(Proverbs 16:6 AMP)
Jesus calls to everyone to exchange the yoke of guilt to His yoke.
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.] Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls. [Jer. 6:16.] For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good–not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne.
(Matthew 11:28-30 AMP)
Grace and peace,
Ramona
======= John:
Matt 13: 47-48
I love the Greek language. Personally, I think Greek was chosen as the language for the New Testament because of the exactness of the words “in Greek”. We have one word “love” – the Greeks have 23 words that mean “love” in varying contexts.
Some may know this, but I just found it out – the “net” in verse 47 is (GK.)”sagene” meaning dragnet, seine net, or trawling net. The size of the net was immense and the catch was all- inclusive.
“During this era in which good and evil exist together, God will tolerate evil. But there is coming a time when He will separate those who are subjects of the King from those who are not. Little by little, imperceptibly and silently, God’s net is moving through the seas of time and bringing all men onto the shores of eternity for that inevitable separation. The net draws in all kinds of fish; it is indiscriminating. So, as verse 47 says, the Kingdom of heaven is like a net that moves silently through the sea of life. By the time people awaken to what God is doing, they will have already been brought to the shore to be separated.” – John MacArthur
In Matt 4:19 the casting net (Gk. amphiblestron) has a positive feel as the Apostles are to use it as “fisherman of men”. This dragnet in v. 47-48 is a net used to facilitate judgement.
Matt 13:52
He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has been instructed about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”
I was adamant about this when I was searching for a church body to join. It was hard enough to find an expository Bible teaching church, but to find one that emphasized the links between Old and New Testament and the tightly woven flow of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation made the search even more difficult.
Sidenote: I understand the difficulty of non-believer’s when it comes to the Bible. All my life, I found any tme I picked up the Bible – it just seemed illogical and a mess of poorly written stories. Eighteen months ago, when I was seeking the Truth and God, the Bible seemed to make a little more sense. After being indwelt by the Holy Spirit, I was shocked at how clear most of the Scripture became before my formerly “clouded” eyes.
Ok, yes I still need to check out commentaries and take in other’s comments: like this blog – but the main outline from Genesis to Revelations “I get” now. Before salvation, it just seemed a disjointed mess.
John
======= Andrew:
Good on ya mike! You need a break….. i shudder to think of all the work you do for us and the lord by writing these blogs! Thanks.
Andrew
======= Terry:
Even our Lord would go out from among the people to be alone with His Father God for a while to ‘recharge’.
Terry
======= Cory:
John,
Between this fishing parable and (yesterday’s?) about the wheat and weeds, I’ve been thinking about how much time we waste trying to judge and separate. Too much attention is given to details and divisions that are not ours to attend. God will sort when the time comes; until then we’re better off getting about the business of being the Body of Christ… with a generous spirit.
(I’m not making any accusations toward you; I’m just running a train of thought from your comment.)
Cory
======= Jen:
In verse 57 I have experienced what you were talking about with this. However it doesn’t change my believe of love of God and it helps to have a sister who is on fire for God. Also you experience a new family – God’s family – when you become a Christian – with other Christians.
I pray for those in other countries who are hurt and killed because of their faith
Jesus certainty has brought light into your life. Praise Him. Yes God does light up your darkness. In fact I was in darkness when He called Me and I heard Him. I was depressed as a friend had been murdered several years before and I was stuck in depression over her. One night Jesus promted me to read the bible under my bed and within 15 minutes I had began to feel better. That was the start of my journey.
I agree with you Mike The Bible is the best fount of Wisdom. And yes I agree that the community of Christ is very important too. In fact I had lunch with some of my friends from church today J
Jen
======= Mae:
Questions of the Day: Based on my comments above in Matthew, have you ever lost some “honor” with your friends or family as you’ve moved forward in your faith? If you did lose honor with your friends did you gain honor with God? ~ Oh yes … I think I already talked about this a lot in my comments. “Mae is joining some weird community”, “She’s brainwashed”, “She now thinks she knows everything better only cause she’s reading the Bible” and so on and on. Sad enough most things are said behind my back. And another sad thing is that I’m on the way to loose all of my friends. However, like I said earlier this week: I am so happy to have met all these great people in my life as a reborn Christian. It’s not that I will drop my ‘old friends’ just like that, because I truly have this great desire to spread the Word to the unsaved, hoping they will like what they hear and visit God’s house some day. I don’t mind losing honor with my friends, because from what I’ve experienced, I gain honor with God. He always gives me wise words to say when my ‘friends’ wanted to have a big discussion, or whenever one of my ‘friends’ decided to turn her back on me I got a nice email from one of my sisters, or something else really touching. If I have to loose friends or family in order to come closer to God … well, then that’s how it’s suppose to be. God’s plan is much bigger than we realize, I trust Him completely.
At times in your faith walk have you had to distance yourself from some old friends so that you can move forward in your faith walk? ~ Well, yes … like I just said I have this great desire to spread the Word and I really want people to have themself saved, so they can experience what I experience. So at first I hold on to them. But with some, yes … I had to distance myself. Which, of course, was hard. Not nececerally (sorry – spell check) because of the fact that I won’t see them often like I used to. But most of all because they’re not saved. That makes me sad.
The verse that stood out for me today is Psalm 18:31 “For who is God except the Lord?
Who but our God is a solid rock?”.
What more can I say … He is my solid rock … He’s the one who’s always there, no matter what happens in my life. He goes beyond everything I know. That’s why I let him lead me and guide me …
Mae
======= Gina:
As Mae mentioned, I too have lost friends. The ones I haven’t lost, well, the relationships are just different now. We do not have the same things in common any more so it’s hard to relate to each other. I pray all the time that God will continue to use me to be His light to my lost friends. Did I gain honor with God? – I believe so . Let’s just say God has blessed me abundantly! My husband and I were just talking about this same thing over the Christmas holiday…we have more close, good friends now (more like brothers and sisters) than we ever had! God will give you new friends for the ones you lose. He knows exactly what we need!
Psalm 18:16 stood out for me today. “He reached down from on high and took hold of me, he drew me out of deep waters” – this took me back to when I got saved! I was really in a pit and didn’t know how I was going to get out. Thankfully, Jesus has LONG arms! :0)
Proverbs 4:7 – Though it cost all you have, get understanding! I love that! It’s what I would like to say to some of my non-believing friends! Many of them just believe what they were taught growing up – the “religion” they were born into. They have never read the bible for themselves or truly looked for the truth other than what was told them. It’s sad! How could anyone just be satisified with being told something and not checking it out for themselves! I think so many people put certain pastors, preachers, preists or just religion itself on such a high pedestal, that they think it must be the truth because these people wouldn’t lie to them. Well, they probably aren’t intentionaly lying….but if they are blinded to the truth also…then you just fall into a trap. I’m babbling again…but I think ya’ll know what I mean. A relatonship with God is personal! You have to make that decision…no one can make it for you. So search and seek…no matter what the cost! get understanding!
Gina
======= Jenny:
i love this part in Genisis. We see that sin haunts us forver, his brothers still remember the wrong they did over 30 yrs prior and felt the guilt and fear of penalty. Sometimes we dont think our action will come back and bite us, but we can carry things around for years.
wow! cant imagine how Joseph felt…to see his brothers, to know his father was still alive, i bet he never dreamed this could happen!
Poor Jacob has no idea whats going on, he just knows if he loses his youngest, his heart will die.,..his sons had decieved him. We see this came full circle, wasnt Jacob quite the deceiver?
Aaaaw, I’m so touched by Joseph’s emotional response to seeing Benjamin. I cant wait for tomorrw’s readings!
ugh..poor John. How wicked is Herod’s wife and daughter!
I love Psalms, beautiful!!!
I guess I’m pretty lucky in the sense that I was a misfit my whole life and had hardly any friends, was mocked, rejected and excluded even when I wasnt walking with Christ…had nothing to do with Him. But the point is, that’s pretty much all I knew, so any kind of rejection mocking, it doesnt bother me…I count it a blessing. I’m independent and dont care what others think of me, only the Lord. Of course I want to be an example and a Godly witness, bring Him honor. I have had to let friends go because our lifestyles changed so much, but its a blessing, God has rewarded me so much! Though I dont party, I’m one of the funnest people I know! Christians who are walking with God and full of his joy and peace are fun and a pleasure to be around. The people into drinking, partying, drugs, sexuality immorality..I am honored to not be accepted byt them. When I am persacuted for His sake, I truely feel the arrow pass me, I have been mocked pretty bad a few times and it didnt bother me at all, I realized Jesus took the arrow for me, because He is the one they are persacuting. All this is NOTHING compared to what ppl in other countries have to go through..torture, death, prison. We have it soooo good and so easy..or at least I do! my family are all believers so when they see the change in me, they rejoice, trust me, i was NOT always a pleasant person BC. God is GOOD!!!
======= John:
Joseph in Genesis
I also think Anka (yesterday’s post)is correct regarding Joseph’s hurt over the years. Joseph did miss family, homeland, and was internally wounded by his brother’s selling him into slavery. God is at work not only on a macro level (preserving the seed of the nation of Israel), but on a micro level as well. God is going to bring healing and restoration not to just the family – but Joseph himself.
I never really understood all the machinations and hoops Joseph made his brothers jump through before revealing himself. I just thought Joseph was re-enacting the scene of his being sent to Egypt.
One brother missing, money in other brother’s possession, brothers had to face Jacob (Israel) with what happened. Just a test to see if they would repeat their ways when Joseph was sold into slavery.
The more I read and think about it the more it resembles a picture of “restoration with God”.
First there must be acknowledgement of sin, and the brothers had never been able to push the image(s) of Joseph out of their minds. Second, repentance (Reuben’s statement). Third, done with the right heart – returning the silver and following instructions. Fourth, submit – when they bow down to Joseph (later).
If this formula works with Joseph – a servant of the Lord – how much more so with God – regarding our status as sinners.
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This is not only working in the brother’s lives – but it is getting strong emotions from Joseph. Twice today he is weeping – as the steps are being gone through Joseph’s heart is healing.
The brothers seem changed – no longer does favoritism for one son elicit jealous reactions from his brothers. (Benjamin being served five times as much).
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It would never have occured to me, if I had not been experiancing the same thing regarding my ten year separation from my family. I just pray that God is at work in the same way as I follow these same steps with my family – that there is healing and some sort of restoration.
John
======= Rhonda:
Fellow Christians: I know that only God can really answer my questions, and I will continue to pray, but I would love your ideas. In today’s readings, it points out that sometimes our faith will cause conflict with relatives. What do you do when it is a spouse? I want fellowship with other believers by offering my service to the church and attending women’s bible study. My husband disagrees. His commitment to the church involves attending service once a week, that’s it. So, he doesn’t want me away from home to do those things that I long to do. So my question is: Do I submit to my spouse, or do I stand my ground and serve the Lord? What is the right thing to do?
Rhonda
======= Sarah:
Yes, I have had to change friends in the past. I am taking this journey to strengthen my walk with God & to break free of some of the besetting sin in my life. I know God wants me to have life & have it abundantly. Sin in our lives places a wedge between God & us. At least that has been my experience.
Great comment about John the Baptist. The walk we have following Christ is not always without cost.
v.19 of the Psalm really stood out to me today “He rescused me because he delights in me” Even after being a Christian for over 20 years, I still find it utterly amazing that our perfect God, who created the universe and put every star in it’s place, delights in little me with all my flaws and imperfections. He delights in me and would move the heavens ro protect me- wow!
Sarah
======= Erin:
I have lost friends over this…but it actually wasn’t that hard (for this I am very blessed), because it wasn’t necessarily literally because of my faith, but because my faith dictates certain morals and convictions that I now have, which have in turn changed my relationships. What I learned though, and the reason why it was not as difficuly losing these friends, is that these were not true friends in the first place. My true friends (even if they are not a part of my faith) are still with me. I realized when I lost friends that I did not even miss them, because they were never good to have in my life.
One of the people who has stayed with me (of course) though this is my boyfriend. He doesn’t think it’s wierd or complain about it or anything, but he does not share my faith, which has been something I have been praying about and asking God what I should do. I share everything with him that I am learning, but he doesn’t believe. God willing, someday we will be able to share faith in God and become even closer.
Erin
======= Bill:
QUESTIONS OF THE DAY:
“…have you ever lost some “honor” with your friends or family as you’ve moved forward in your faith? If you did lose honor with your friends did you gain honor with God? Do you think you sometimes base your decisions more on what other people will think? Or do you base your decisions on what God will think? At times in your faith walk have you had to distance yourself from some old friends so that you can move forward in your faith walk? Has this been hard? Has it been worth it?”
I think that in the beginning they thought it was just a phase I was going through but now after 28 years they know that isn’t the case. My family still more or less is just indifferent about it. At the time I got saved I had already distanced myself from my friends anyway because I was tired of the way I had been living and the things we had been doing together. Becoming a born again Christian just made it a permanent separation. I never gave a thought about what either my family or friends thought about me becoming a Christian. It wouldn’t have made any difference to me if they had thought less of me because of it. I have never regretted for one moment that I became a follower of Jesus Christ and I have not looked back.
GENESIS 42:18-43:34
Joseph’s brothers thought that divine retribution had come upon them because of how they treated their brother and because they thought he was dead because of it ( 42:21-28 ). Said Reuben, “ Behold, also his blood is required “ ( 42:22 ) and “ their heart failed them, and they were afraid, saying one to another, What is this that God hath done unto us? “ ( 42:28 ). They were right to be afraid because of what they had done. They must have been aware of God’s words to Noah and his family after The Flood:
“And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man’s brother will I require the life of man. Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.”
– Genesis 9:5-6 ( KJV )
Anti-Semitism was already beginning to take root in the world at this time ( 43:32 ). The Hebrews were a different race being the descendant’s of Noah’s son Shem while the Egyptians were descendants of Noah’s son Ham, therefore, it was an “abomination” for the Egyptians to eat with the Hebrews. These racist attitudes no doubt contributed to the oppression and eventual enslavement of the Hebrews by the Egyptians some years later. Of course, Satan was doing his part as always to stir up contempt and hatred of Israel among the nations.
MATTHEW 13:47-14:12
To me Jesus is the “pearl of great price” ( 13:46 ). The merchant in this parable who sold all he had to buy this pearl reminds me of the rich young ruler to whom Jesus said, “If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me” ( 19:23 ). The rich young ruler wasn’t willing to do that but the merchant in the parable represents those who are willing. The lesson to be learned is that we must value Jesus and the Kingdom above all else. Actually He saw value in us first and so Jesus bought us with His own blood. He now owns us ( 1 Corinthians 19:20 ) and we are His jewels ( Malachi 3:17 ).
“ For ye are BOUGHT WITH A PRICE: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
– 1 Corinthians 6:20 ( KJV )
PSALM 18:16-36
As Christians, being obedient to the Lord’s commandments and keeping ourselves from falling into sin, apostasy and backsliding ( vv. 21-23 ) is at least partially dependent on continuing in the Word of the Lord. When we read and study the Bible we are keeping His judgments and statutes always before our eyes ( v.22 ) and we are less likely to slip because God will make our feet will as “hinds feet “ ( v.33 ).
PROVERBS 4:7-10
This passage speaking of wisdom promises “… a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee”
( v.9 ). According to 1 Peter 5:4, the “crown of glory” is a reward which seems to be especially reserved for pastors who are faithful in feeding their flocks the wisdom of God found written in His Word which they shall receive at the Lord’s appearing.
Bill
======= Brad:
Matthew 13:58 “And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.”
Little Faith = Few Miracles performed by Jesus
Thus, a faithless person might say, ‘I see no miracles! God does not perform miracles.’ However, a faithful person witnesses many miracles (such as the miracles of salvation and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.)
__________________
Joseph was a slave for over 10 years, a prison inmate for 2 years, and rose to become 2nd man in charge of Egypt. This is encouraging to those of us who have been unsuccessful in worldly pursuits. Though Joseph worked hard in Potiphar’s home, Joseph wsa framed by Potiphar’s wife and sent to prison.
Personally, I have felt at times that God has not blessed me in my work because I am not as successful as I want to be. I felt like God blessed me abundantly through college. Then, as I began my first teaching job, I struggled and eventually lost the job. I have wondered why God let that happen. Why did He not bless my efforts more abundantly?
I think about Jesus–the people in his hometown took offense at His teachings, though they were amazed by his wisdom and miraculous power. Jesus was also crucified. If a man’s life was judged by his popularity, Jesus might not be praised. In fact, the “multitude” chose to save Barabbus (the murderer), rather than save Jesus.
Brad
======= Laverne:
The Holy Spirit brought my mother and I on this path at the same time but in different states, she is in NY still and I moved to IL. However we both are walking together spiritually…I find it very hard to talk about my Christianity with my sibling b/c my sister thinks I just want her to go to church. So I am praying for a new approach BECAUSE ITS NOT ABOUT CHURCH ITS ABOUT A RELATIONSHIP. My brother well he we need to pray for.
Laverne
======= Elizabeth:
Hello Everyone,
I’m here and trying to catch back up with the rest of you…I’ve been away on a family trip.
With regard to losing friends, I fortunately came to faith in Christ at a transitional point in my life. My future husband was a new Christian and we kind of walked into the faith together. I do think of friends of mine who married and then came to faith, or who married men who were not (and some still are not) believers. This has got to be very difficult. I am thankful to be married to a Christian man who seeks the Lord and pray that our children will be blessed with marriages marked by mutual faith as well.
I do remember my husband’s comment when we were dating that he would only marry a Christian woman. At the time, I thought that was extremely narrow-minded (and told him so!) Now, I understand his thinking completely because if you are in such a marriage, you must feel torn between two worlds…
Anyway…off to catch up more….
Elizabeth
======= Frederick:
Re: Jesus’s family & John A.
Matthew 13:55-56
Bible clearly named the 4 younger brothers of Jesus and her younger sisters. So, Jesus had his family of the world.
About Jesus’s father Joseph. The last time bible mentioned Jesus’s father Joseph was at the time Jesus was 12. Jesus went with Joseph and Mary to Jerusalem and Jesus stayed in the Temple and their parents discovered that Jesus was missing after one day. Since then, there was no mentioning of Joseph. Considering it with Jesus’s entrustemnt of his mother Mary to John when Jesus was on the cross and he was about to die, it seemed that Mary had no husband to turn to and so Jesus entrusted Mary (his worldly mother) to his beloved disciple. I learned from one of my friends that at the time of Jesus’ public ministry, his earthly father Joseph might have died.
Well, this is only a guessing. Any comments?
Frederick
======= John:
Frederick Y
You present all the facts, and all we can do is make a guess.
I happen to agree with your friend that Joseph had probably passed on before Jesus’ the beginning of Jesus’ ministry.
It is interesting to note that the beloved disciple John may very well have been Jesus’ cousin.
Since Jesus’ brothers did not believe (how odd is that)while Jesus was alive. Jesus was entrusting Mary to a believing member of family?????
James became a believer after Jesus died and appeared to James in ressurected body.
John
====== Karen:
NLT Proverbs 4:7 Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! and whatever else you do, develop good judgment.
MSG Proverbs 4:7 Above all and before all, do this: Get Wisdom! Write this at the top of your list: Get Understanding!
NLT commentary: If you want wisdom, you must decide to go after it. This will take resolve–a determination not to abandon the search once you begin no matter how difficult the road may become. This is not a once-in-a-lifetime step but a daily process of choosing between two paths–the wicked (4:14-17, 19) and the righteous (4:18). Nothing is more important or more valuable.
James 1:5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.
Every day, PRAY, PRAY, PRAY!! God Bless!
Karen
======= Raeann:
I enjoyed todays Proverb reading. I think as a society we are more concerned about what others will think of us then of trying to please GOD.
Raeann
======= Jennifer:
What struck me from today’s reading is the Psalm God makes everything possible. Question do I depend on God enough.
I love Mike’s comment you can’t do this alone. I always try to be completely self-sufficient, but you must be part of a Christian community and lean on each other and Christ.
Jennifer
======= Billy:
I had a friend who told me there was no GOD and I was basically stupid for believing. I haven’t seen him since he told me this. We ended this conversation in a shouting match. I really didn’t handle it well but I don’t think I need friends like him. That was two years ago !! Haven’t seen him since.
Billy
======== Ginny:
David wrote Psalm 18 while running from Saul. Prior to this adultery with Bathsheba. How wonderful is youth! Strong, healthy bodies and hearts that are still innocent. Time and circumstances have not eroded us. Sin has not yet caused us doubt – yet…. as we grow in Christ – as we read daily scripture we come to realize that God is a forgiving God and Jesus has washed away all sin with His most precious blood. How wonderful to be full of years and realize that through faith and sincere repentance all our sins are washed clean. To realize that even when we falter – we will be forgiven. How wonderful to be a Christian!
In Matthew today. Jesus realizes that peple from his home town could not look at Him as a prophet – they could not get past seeing Him as just another “home town boy”.
Ginny
======= Bob:
“WISDOM: Is the discipline of applying truth to one’s life in the light of experience. It is often contrasted with folly, which is the category of rejectiing God, and God’s ways.” Dr. Craig Smith.
In the light of today’s readings dealing with Joseph’s jealous brothers, Herod’s disfunctional family and even Jesus’s home town, we would do well to seek it constantly and live according to what is said in the Psalms for today.
Bob
======= Joyce:
Mike,
Just want to say – thank you so much for what you do!
Thank you for daily putting your time and energy in serving God and serving this blog’s readers!
I am following for the 2nd year this year; it has been a wonderful spiritual food/breakfast every morning. Thank you!
May our faithful God continue to give you spiritual insights to write in this blog;
May He continue to encourage you, and give you His joy and His peace as your strength as you serve Him;
May He bless many through this blog – that we will get to read and meditate on His Word daily.
Thank you again!
Sincerely,
Joyce
======= Sunshine:
Thank you for your life and for being an instrument for others to read the Bible everyday! Thank you for sending the email. God bless you Mike.
From the Philippines,
SUNSHINE
======= Robert:
Mathew 13: 53-58 No Respect at Home
The way people respond to their neighbor certainly hasn’t changed in 2000 years. I often think about who I might be treating this way? Who might I possibly be holding back? I can think of a couple of people in church and that tracks with my own silly jealousy. I think about how I might even have held back people in my own family. I wonder how important does the message have to be before I take them seriously? I really get this sense that Jesus feels “boxed in” here. Is that the response I want to give him? What should I say as he walks away? Some deep reflection needed here. I do know that God believes and trusts in me and will enable me with whatever needs to be done today. So thats cool.
Robert
======= Jeffrey:
January 21st
Sometimes I wonder if the disciples truly understood Jesus as they claimed. Their boldness and mindset was certainly changed at Pentecost. This scenario of the end of the age is a bit frightening. I don’t want to be a “bad fish”. The angels must be swift and powerful to do what God demands of them. The disciples must have had some surprise at what Jesus told them.
47 “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a fishing net that was thrown into the water and caught fish of every kind. 48 When the net was full, they dragged it up onto the shore, sat down, and sorted the good fish into crates, but threw the bad ones away. 49 That is the way it will be at the end of the world. The angels will come and separate the wicked people from the righteous, 50 throwing the wicked into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 51 Do you understand all these things?”
“Yes,” they said, “we do.”
Jeffrey
======= Mitch:
Have had the discussion with family about Jesus’ family – siblings or cousins?
In Matthew 13:
They are some part of Jesus’ family. There is a Greek word for “cousin”. Why is it not used? If “cousins” why are they always around Mary?
Can’t be children of Joseph in previous marriage as Jesus had to be eldest to be in line for throne of David.
For me – Ocham’s razor would suggest Jesus had brothers and sisters.
Mitch
======= Jill:
I felt Joseph pain n emotion today as I read this fave story of mine. Every day in prison I believe Joseph wept over the loss and separation of his family. The fact he broke down behind closed doors showed me he was an emotional man as well as man of God!
May God strength us as we ask for knowledge then gain wisdon by applying his truths to our life!
Jill
======= Dee:
Yes, the brothers definitely were dealing with an insurmountable amount of guilt. Thankful for the Word, and thanks Ramona for your commentary.
Comments and QOTD: I have never really been super close to friends to where I need to distance myself. Now there were a few I had to stop answering phone at times because they were draining me-then after time and maturity and rest I reconnected with them. I sometimes do have an approval addiction. And I pray to remove that this year. Only what God says matters most.
Gen 42:18-43:34
Today it was all about Joseph and redemption. Before alot of this could take place, some lessons had to be learned. Joseph put his brothers to the test to see if they really have changed. As much as Joseph had went through in his life, it was still hard to treat his brothers deceitfully, but he just had to know or see that they didn’t treat his other brother in the same light as he.
Matthew 13:47-14:12
God still is in the cleaning fish after He catches them. However we are given the capability to choose-we have to want to be saved-God doesn’t deliver us, heal us and stay in our “town” so to speak if our hearts are hard, if we mock Him and refuse to surrender. Truly up to us.
Psalm 18:16-36
Wow, such encouraging words-I could write about everyone of these-You Lord reached down and rescued me-I think of all the babies who are yours both living and in grave, and how you turn tragedy into a blessing. You reward for doing right-I pray for your righteousness and pray I always do right.
Your right hand supports me and made a wide path to keep from slipping-Thank you Jesus.
Proverbs 4:7-10
Being wise prolongs your life! Praise God. Amen.
Dee
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