Joseph Reveals His Identity

Posted on June 9, 2015 by Mark Shields

Joseph reveals his identity to his brothers in Genesis 45. He told them not to be afraid for selling him into slavery many years ago. Joseph’s attitude of his circumstance is that God put him in his position for a purpose and that was to make sure his family survived the famine so someday they would become a great nation.

He wants his father and family to come to Egypt and live near him in the land of Goshen. There would be vast resources; the best of the land. They would be given clothing, food, and the best things of Egypt. It was a time for joyful reunion

God is responsible for all things in heaven and on earth. His sovereignty extends to all realms in the universe both physical and spiritual. Even after difficult circumstances, in his timing all things work out for our benefit. Let us remember this account of Joseph’s life as we go through difficult experiences in life.

This day with God, look back at your life and think of unhappy experiences like Joseph did and see how God allowed it to happen for your good. It may be a past job that didn’t work out or a marriage that didn’t work out. What is your attitude about the experience? Did it help you grow as a person? Was God’s hand in this experience so that it turned out better for you? Is there someone you need to forgive?

Lord, we are always given a lift by your positive affirmation through your Son who on the cross has made a way for us to be taken care of. Through Jesus, we can make it through the shortages we may face in life; we can overcome because of this love You have given through Your Son. We are now made aware of this love beyond measure and this makes us want to return this love unconditionally to others. Amen.

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Questions for Reflection for Study of Genesis 45-47

Posted on June 8, 2015 by Mark Shields

I’ve shared about my journey through Genesis 41-44 over the past two weeks; about how God spoke to Joseph in dreams and how He speaks to us today through His Word. Like Joseph who affected the lives of people around the world, the guidance God gives each of us will affect the future of our families, communities, and nations.

God works through His people so as we pray each day, ask Him what to accomplish for that day. Put His plan into practice by setting priorities, visualizing the steps to take, and mapping out the route to the destination.

The world was built so that we would flourish and have abundance but the problem of the past has been that God was not always top priority within societies. But by accepting to let the past go and taking up the yoke of Christ, our load will become lighter and our future brighter.

The great advice found in the Bible along with the assured victory through Jesus Christ gives us momentum that can be gained daily. With this in mind, I will continue my journey through the Word of God and seek to discover ways to apply His Word in our life at work, at home, and within our neighborhoods.

The below questions for reflection for the upcoming study are laid out below to help bring out some thoughts and ideas to share with you over the next few posts.

Genesis 45
For what is God responsible? How far does God’s sovereignty extend? What is Joseph’s attitude to his circumstances? What is your attitude to your circumstances right now?

Genesis 46
How does Jacob know, despite the promise regarding Canaan, that he should settle his family in Egypt? In what ways did father and son change over the years as they reunite? What are things we should do when making major decisions in life?

Genesis 47
How does Jacob sum up his life? With what economic principles does he deal with the hungry and under-privileged? What qualities do you reveal in your vocation and everyday duties?

The above reading plan will be used as I share over the next few posts. It’s important to have a plan. I’m thankful that Jesus is God’s plan for us and by accepting Him as Savior; we have taken the steps necessary to make this day with Him amazing! At this link: God’s Plan for Us, is a post about accepting God’s plan or reaffirming our “YES” for Christ. 

Feel free to respond with a short note or a comment about any of the questions above. Also, I welcome any other thoughts or ideas, favorite inspirational videos, photos, or favorite Bible verses. Just add them to the comments or to a Facebook page I’ve set up at this link: This Day With God. 

Resources and Supplementary Helps Used in Posts
Adeney, Carol. This Morning with God. Downer Grove Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1978
First United Methodist Waco Podcast
Christ Notes
Family Times
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Trust is a Must

Posted on June 5, 2015 by Mark Shields

This day with God, let us put our total attention on Him and do things according to His timing. May this poem inspire towards this end.

Mark Shields's avatarStep Ahead

Pray and be patient,
Praise God and say wow!
No need to rush
And want things now.

Society is impatient
With technology today,
Expecting immediate satisfaction
To come its way.

Desiring the latest and greatest
With a few clicks of a mouse.
Wanting an expensive car
And a brand new house.

Buying on the Internet,
Shipped in a matter of days.
Getting what everyone has
Whatever the latest craze.

But in God’s timing,
Things have a way,
To work out best,
To be okay.

The world may say
God is not real;
No need to worship,
What’s the big deal?

The world may say,
No need for prayer
It’s not worth our time
And God doesn’t care.

But history tells a different story.
That with God, all things work out.
By putting our attention on Him,
There is no reason to doubt.

So consult with Him in prayer.
Receive a…

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Let it Go

Posted on June 4, 2015 by Mark Shields

In the post Redeemer, one point written about is how the family of Jacob was being destroyed by the past. When Judah steps ahead and begs Joseph for the chance to take the place of Benjamin, we are reminded of Christ who died for us on the Cross. Judah was willing to take the place of Benjamin and become a slave so that Benjamin could go free.

Many times in life, our past begins to wear on us and consume our joy. Individuals and families feel that there is no way out. It is during times like this that the only hope is to let it go. Once the past is let go, a change can take place through faith to set us free.

Today’s video is about a hopeless life being turned around; a new believer seeing the light and being changed by the amazing cleansing power of the blood of Christ: Something in the Water – Carrie Underwood.


For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. – Colossians 1:13-14

 

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Redeemer

Posted on June 3, 2015 by Mark Shields

Joseph’s brothers returned home for the second time after receiving food in Egypt but another test was being set up. Joseph told his steward to make it look like Benjamin had stolen Joseph’s silver cup by placing it in his sack.

The steward caught up with the brothers and told them they had to return to Joseph. After looking into each of the brother’s sack, the silver cup was found in Benjamin’s sack. Reading in Genesis 44, Joseph’s dreams of chapter 37 are fulfilled here. His brothers threw themselves to the ground before Joseph (v. 14). The dream in which Joseph’s brothers would bow down before him and he would reign over them is fulfilled.

God knows all that we have done and for most people there are questionable deeds in our past that no one knows about. For Joseph’s brothers, the secret they had kept from their father all these years was the truth about Joseph. Their father had believed the story his sons told him many years ago that Joseph had been devoured by wild animals.

One of the brothers steps forward and tries to help. It was Judah; the one who had told his father that he would be responsible for Benjamin now begs Joseph for the chance to take the place of Benjamin. Reminding us of our Redeemer, Judah is willing to take the place of Benjamin and be a slave so that Benjamin could go free.

Judah then goes on to tell about their older father and that the news of Benjamin would cause his death. Our past can wear on us so it interferes with our present to eventually consume our thoughts and destroy our potential for great things but as Christians, we have a chance to come clean with the sorrows of our past. We can step ahead by confessing; leaving questionable past deeds on the cross and beginning a clean slate.

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This day with You God, help us to step ahead by accepting to let the past go and taking up the yoke Christ has given. Our load will become lighter and our future brighter. You will bless us with victories as we run the race because of our lighter load. The Bible gives us great advice and momentum is gained daily because the victory is assured through Jesus Christ! Amen.

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