Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today is Tuesday January 13, 2009 and we are continuing our studies on the book of Genesis.

Today's Message:
A Test of Faith. During our walk with God we will be tested to show our true faith as well as increase that faith. The Bible teaches us that we should not be ashamed if we suffer for doing the right thing, shame comes when we suffer for our wrongs.

Today's Bible Reading: Genesis Chapters 37-39
You can read the chapters by clicking on the link above, if the link does not work for you you can cop and paste this one into your browser: biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2037-39&version=9

Joseph was the only one of Jacob's 12 sons who expressed an interest in spiritual things. He was deeply troubled about his older brothers' evil conduct while away from home. At 17 years of age he reported to his father the evil things they were doing. "And Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan. These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report. Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours. 4And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him." (Genesis 37:1-4). The fact that Joseph was born to Jacob of his old age, and possibly because of Joseph's concern for his brothers spiritual well-being, he was influenced to love him more than the rest of his sons.

Many people are discouraged from exposing a persons wrongdoing, they may let their feelings get in the way or say they do not want to become invloved. The fact is that when we witness wrongdoing we come involved and in some ways encourage them even more by letting them continue. Joseph possessed spiritual integrity and was willing to face abuse from his brothers for exposing their evil ways. We too need to show the same spiritual integrity to those we witness in evil doing.

Because of Jacob's love for Joseph his brothers envied him, but that envy soon turned to hatred when Joseph shared his prophetic dreams with them. "And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed: For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf. And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words." (37:6-8). Joseph's brothers must have truly believed that his dreams were in fact prophetic since they did not disregard them and youthful nonsense. They plotted to kill him, but then sold him to Egyptian slaves.

There was no doubt that Joseph's faith was being tested, although innocent, he sufferd as though he was a criminal. God tests our loyalty to Him by bringing circumstances into our lives that we may not understand, but this is His means of testing our patience as well as perfecting our faith in Him.

Jesus Christ is Revealed: Genesis 37:28
By Joseph,who was rejected by his own brothers, sold for 20 pieces of silver to Gentiles and unjustly imprisoned, but who eventually became their savior and a world ruler. Jesus was sold for 30 pieces of silver, imprisoned, crucified, and became our Savior and soon will return to rule the world.

Today's Psalm: 105:3-4
"Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD. Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore."

Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
I know that many of the circumstances in life are so uncertain. The solutions to our problems can be very perplexing and seem beyond our grasp. There are many things about tomorrow that we don't seem to understand, but we know Who holds tomorrow, and we do know Who holds our hand. Thank you, God, that You don't expect us to have all the right answers or to fully understand all that concerns us. You simply want us to trust You as we hold on to Your unchanging hand while You go before us making our paths straight. Watch over us, guide us, and abide in us. Help us to grow closer to You and increase our faith in You no matter what circumstances we face. In Jesus' name.......Amen.

Enjoy the rest of your day/night and be blessed.
God Bless You,
Christina

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