Daily Devotional, Genesis 39, 40, Matthew 5 Integrity Despite Accusations

 

Daily Devotional, Genesis Chapter 39, 40, Matthew 5

Integrity Despite Accusations

We have another great story in the Bible. We continue on with the story of Joseph after he has been sold into slavery. Yet, despite the circumstances, God is intervening and taking care of Joseph. As it ends up, this big, handsome man is put to work for one of Egypt's top officials, Potiphar. 

Joseph is obedient, appreciative, and faithful not only to God but to his master. The only problem is that Potiphar has a wife who, how can I say it, has desires for Joseph, yet Joseph remains faithful, refusing to give in to the temptation of having sex with this beautiful woman.

Joseph's faithfulness' though doesn't present him from problems. After allegations of attempted rape by Potiphar's wife Potiphar has Joseph put in prison, but even here, Joseph makes friends with guards, and others in jail. Despite his circumstances he maintains his integrity. I have often said, integrity is an important character trait and while it doesn't stop allegations, in the long run, truth and integrity will win out.

While in prison Joseph was presented with the chance to interpret the dreams of two prisoners, both former servants of the king. Joseph volunteers to tell the men their dreams, one having the man going back to serving the king and the other having a dream that indicated he would be beheaded and his body eaten by birds. Joseph asked the one with the good dream going back to the king to remind the king and tell him that Joseph had interpreted the dreams. Unfortunately, that man forgot initially upon going back to work with the king.

Even though we try to maintain integrity, do good for others, we need to remember there are no guarantees that things always work out the way we wanted to, in Joseph's case, certainly not right away. Sometimes there are delays, and sometimes, it just doesn't happen on this earth. As hard as it is to accept, we have to still do our best, maintain integrity and then, accept things as they are while still trying to do what is right and waiting on God.

Matthew 5

Matthew 5 is generally the start of what is often called The Sermon on the Mount. While it more or less starts at the end of Chapter 4 we certainly start getting into the meat here. This passage of scripture is the longest singular teaching of Jesus in the New Testament. Some thing this is a dispensational teaching, meaning it isn't for the times we live in. Personally, I believe this to be bad theology with no support of that ideal.  This is a difficult set of scriptures coming up, that doesn't change the importance of the passage or its application to us today.

This passage starts to get personal, as we each have to personally have to deal with the specifics of the scripture, which again, are very difficult to apply, and in some ways, on our own, impossible.

From being meek, to being a peacemaker we see aspects addressed in what we call The Beatitudes. Jesus expounds on the meaning of the law here, not that the law itself isn't important, but instead of looking per say at the letter of the law, Jesus is looking at the application and broader application aspects of the law. It is more than words on paper, it is a way of life that is to be applied not just in our lives, but in our actions towards others. We learn, that thoughts are just as important as actions and in that regard, it is likely that we have all failed. So when we judge someone for their actions, we must remember, that if our thoughts have had the same thoughts, then we are just as guilty as those who have acted. It is a change of heart that Jesus is teaching here. 

There are college and seminary lessons taught on The Sermon on the Mount, I know, I've taken many of them. It would be easy to do a whole year long  in this series, it is therefore important to take time to read over them, meditate on them, and pray about application of these teachings in your life. I will tell you, the application process is hard, but it is essential that we learn to apply the meaning of the law in our daily lives. If you read the passage you will see a section where Jesus goes so far as to say, if you don't obey God's commands, we won't see the kingdom of heaven.  I didn't say that, Jesus did. Walking the talk of following Jesus, on our own, is virtually impossible, there has to be a reliance on the Holy Spirit and allowing Christ to live in and through us as opposed to us fighting our own battles.

The original link to the posting of this is included in the how, along with information on how you can support The Virtual Pew.

To see Genesis Chapter 39 and 40 and Matthew 5 Click the following link:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+39%2C+40%2C+Matthew+5&version=CEV

To Donate via Pay Pal, donate at paypal at mike@furches.org

To Donate via Cash App, donate at $MichaelFurches

You can also always donate to The Virtual Pew at 1249 North Saint Francis, Wichita Kansas 67214

Click here to follow The Virtual Pew on Twitter

Mike Furches on Faceboook.

Click to subscribe to my blog

You can also check out Mike's Musical ventures by searching for Mike Furches and Pastor Mike and the Demon Slayer Blues Band.  Mary Jane's album will be out in September of 2020 and the Pastor Mike and Demon Slayer Blues Band album will be released in October of 2020

There are hundreds of postings so make sure to check out the archives. You can also contact me for a free audio book link of The Keystone Kid at mike@furches.org You can visit http://www.thevirtualpew.com/.

Hopefully, you will consider a gift to The Virtual Pew.

You can donate via paypal at mike@furches.org or cash app at $MichaelFurches

Now I get asked this quite often, Can we repost your blogs or articles? The short answer to that is, what an honor that you would ask, and by all means, spread the word. Here is our contact information

The Virtual Pew
1249 N. St. Francis
Wichita Kansas, 67214
Email: mike@furches.org

Click on the following links to learn more about The Virtual Pew

To follow Mike's Band, Pastor Mike and the Demon Slayer Blues Band, click the following link:

https://www.facebook.com/TheDemonSlayers 

The Movie Guys

Donations to The Virtual Pew

The Virtual Pew Blog

Reviews With Mike

The Virtual Pew Sermons

The Virtual Pew News