The Virtual Pew Daily: Sacrifice

Showing posts with label Sacrifice. Show all posts

Friday, October 23, 2020

Daily Devotional Genesis 43, 44, Matthew 7 Sacrificial Love

Daily Devotional, Genesis Chapter 43, 44, Matthew 7

Sacrificial Love

Today we are in the story of Joseph where his brothers, who had been sent away with grain and supplies from Egypt have to return from their land because they are running out of food and Joseph is the only one who can provide for them. Their father Jacob is reluctant but must agree to send the brothers back with their youngest brother Benjamin.

The brothers are nervous, not knowing that Joseph is the ruler they are going to see. Joseph knows and we see an emotional aspect of him seeing and meeting his brother for the first time. He has to leave the room, go back to a room alone where he cries and then cleans himself up only to come out and continue the ruse.

Joseph is still planning to surprise his brothers and ultimately his father. While this in some ways doesn't make sense, we see a part of Joseph that while cautious is also planning ahead.

Joseph had a plan and sets it in place. He isn't done yet. He has his servants put a cup in the sack of Benjamin and on the way home they are to be confronted by some of Joseph's men and then take Benjamin as a slave. Of course the brothers have no idea of this and when it happens they are very upset and hurt. We see in some ways the remorse for what they know their father will feel, especially after they had told their father their brother Joseph had been killed. We see that Joseph's brothers truly love their father Jacob.

In this effort to talk Joseph into reconsidering what they think he is going to do, Judah pours out his heart, spilling the beans if you will and telling Joseph the whole story. He is heartbroken out of his love and concern for his father.

What happens next? Well you'll either have to read ahead or wait until the next devotional, because just like a lot of good stories, this chapter ends in a cliff-hanger.

Matthew 7

Here we see the continuation of the Sermon on the Mount, the longest continual teaching of Jesus in the Bible. He starts of Chapter 7 warning us about "judging" others, in what I believe is one of the most misquoted passages of scripture. Many often say, you shouldn't judge. I like the CEV translation here because it is more accurate to the actual Greek and uses the word "condemn." It is not our job to condemn, it is the job and responsibility of the follower of Jesus to offer hope, yet speak truth without condemnation.

We see the importance of seeking truth, whether that be about faith or other issues in life. We can also draw a comparison to how we interact with others as Jesus points out. We have to understand for ourselves, and others, that God is a perfect Father who will do amazingly wonderful things for those He loves.

We have to remember though, that following God is more than just words, there are actions, an aspect of submission and surrender to God, with the realization that He is in fact, God. We can so easily get caught up in the things we do, what we think and the results but Jesus makes things complicated. God goes so far as casting out those who say they love Him and has done miracles in His name. We must realize that what we do can't be built on our efforts but has to be built on the teachings of Jesus and based on the relationship we have with Him.

Today, we must contemplate, how serious is our relationship with Jesus? Are we willing to submit to His ways, to love, serve and share the truth about Jesus. Or, are we watering down the message? Is our focus on ourselves, others, or is it on Jesus and the love He would have us show? Only we know the answer to those questions along with God. They are however questions we need to ask. Do I have a real and loving relationship with Jesus?

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To see Genesis Chapter 43 and 44 and Matthew 7 Click the following link:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+43%2C+44%2C+Matthew+7&version=CEV

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Wednesday, October 21, 2020

Daily Devotional Genesis 41, 42, Matthew 6, Letting Go, Letting God and Reaping the Benefits

Daily Devotional, Genesis Chapter 41, 42, Matthew 6

Letting Go, Letting God, and Reaping The Benefits

In Genesis 41, we see the continuation of Joseph's story. He is in prison, has been for several years, and he seems to have been forgotten. There was the man who served the king whose dream he interpreted that forgot to tell the king about Joseph as he promised he would do. Then the king one night has two troubling dreams. He calls his prophets, magicians and others, none of whom can interpret the dreams. It was then that the man who had been in prison with Joseph tells the king about Joseph and his abilities.

That’s how it seems to be with me sometimes, people I have done things for, helped and been there for seems to forget about it as they move on in life. I am sure many of us have experienced this. I have found out though, even as a one who believes in free-will, that there are times people will remember or do something that reminds them and they contact me back with a thank you, a recommendation or something of the sort. Of course there are times that helping others seems to get lost and we get nothing in return. But many times, just like in the case of Joseph here, we find there is a right time and place that things do come back to us. So it was with this situation, a perfect time where Joseph experiences a blessing beyond his dreams. He interprets the kings dreams and goes from a place of imprisonment to a place where only the king has a higher place in all of Egypt.

In Chapter 42 we see Joseph's brothers going back to their father Jacob. Joseph has an elaborate scheme to get all of the family there, while at the same time the reminder for his brothers of the dream he had had in his youth of his brothers bowing down to him. Joseph is planning retribution to get even. We see his sadness when he hears the brothers telling their story and he has to turn his head away as he weeps.

Joseph knows the plans God has before him and for his family. On the surface upon returning to Jacob by his brothers this adds to the pain and suffering of losing one son and a brother for the family for Jacob. Joseph has plans though, he has intent. While we don't see it yet, Joseph desires to see his family together again and taken care of. He is patient in obtaining the results of the story.

Are we patient in waiting on God or working through the difficulties and waiting for the ultimate prize or rewards God has for us? I'll admit, often times I'm not. We want instant gratification and reward but we have to remember, God's timing is better than ours and just like Joseph and his family are about to experience, if we are patient, we may see the ultimate blessings and rewards God has for us, despite the difficulties and pains we have gone through.

Matthew 6

In Chapter 6 we have the continuation of The Sermon on the Mount by Jesus. As a reminder it is the longest continual teaching of Jesus in the Bible. We see Jesus continue to not only address aspects of the Law but of behavior and then taking it deeper to the intent or the law.

One of the things we see Jesus begin to address is that the things we do, be it for others, ourselves, the poor etc., should be done with the intent of being done in such a way as it is between us and God, not with the intent to bring attention to ourselves, whether it be the time we spend in prayer or the things we do for others. The concept of doing things in secret is strongly emphasized by Jesus. It should address the heart and actions of many who in reality do these things to bring attention to themselves. I will admit, it is a hard concept, we want credit, we want recognition but Jesus is having us do things out of love, and concerns where those things and people are the focus in our relationship with God.

Jesus follows through with this concept as He teaches what many call, The Lord's Prayer where He is instructing us how to pray.

As Jesus continues He goes over ways we can grow closer to God, via prayer, fasting, actions and so forth. Many worry and have concerns, yet Jesus reminds us that we need to remember our reliance is on God not ourselves. God will do far more for us than we can do for ourselves. God gives a peace that if we understand the abilities and love He has for us, we will know that we in reality have nothing to worry about. Once we get to the place where worry is not an issue, our ability to do more for the Kingdom and feel at peace with ourselves is enhanced because we recognize the love and appreciation we have from God is greater than the fear we place on ourselves.

As I have stated in earlier devotions, the ways of God is not always the easy way, but, they are the best ways and provide the greatest results if we apply them. While many won't spend time studying and trying to apply aspects of The Sermon on the Mount because they are hard, the results obtained from that effort are far greater than the results of ignoring this aspect of Jesus' teachings. As has been stated before, the best things in life, come with effort. The effort in applying Jesus teachings from these chapters will have far more benefits than consequences.

To see Genesis Chapter 41 and 42 and Matthew 6 Click the following link:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+41%2C+42%2C+Matthew+6&version=CEV

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Tuesday, September 22, 2020

Daily Devotional, GEnesis Chapter 21, 23, 2 Sons, 2 Directions

Daily Devotional, Genesis Chapter 21, 22

2 Sons, 2 Directions

In these passages for today we see two interesting stories, one of a son born to the slave woman Hagar, Ishmael, and another born to the wife, Sarah, Isaac. Abraham was the father of both.

Despite Sarah encouraging Abraham earlier on to have relations with Hagar, in order to have a son, I've always thought she had some jealousy issues, from the fact that a firstborn son was born and then encouraging Abraham to get rid of the slave woman and the son to insure that her son gets everything when the time comes. God however knows that Ishmael is still the son of Abraham and is going to honor him. While the honors won't quite be the same, God still sees to it that Hagar and Ishmael are taken care of and that they are worthy of recognition and reward.

In many ways this is where much of the conflict between Jews and Muslims originated. Unfortunately, today people still see little value in each other just as during this time. Yet, God still sees the true story. He knows the history and will honor those who deserves to be honored. God will not abandon those He loves.

We will, just as Abraham via Sarah, face issues that could have us doing the wrong thing, based out of jealousy, hate, misunderstanding and so forth. Yet, God as mentioned above knows the truth. So many times we as individuals are caught up in conflict, yet, we must remember, God will do what is right.

Instead of going through life placing blame, sometimes it may be a good idea to try and understand where people are coming from and why they are in the situation they are. God loves. It is our actions, our lack of faith, just as it was in the case of Abraham and Sarah that leads to issues coming about. In the long run, Abraham shows God that it is to God that his ultimate love is shown to. While it was a hard lesson and temptation, Abraham came through. I can only imagine if Sarah had known of what God's test for Abraham would have been. The angels where there the whole time but the test was still challenged Abraham's faith and in the end, that faith won out.

As we go through life we need to understand and follow God and his direction, even in the hard things. In the process though, try to understand the other parties involved in our decisions. Don't hold grudges or place blame especially for the conflicts we take part in creating.

To see Genesis Chapter 21 and 22 Click the following link:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+21%2C+22&version=CEV

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