January 25- The End of the Beginning

January 25, 2011

Scripture Readings:
Genesis 50:1-Exodus 2:10; Matthew 16:13-17:9;
Psalm 21:1-13; Proverbs 5:1-6

"And the Lord formed a man's body from the dust of the ground and breathed into it the breath of life. And the man became a living person." Genesis 2:7 NLT

"So Joseph died at the age of 110. They embalmed him, and his body was placed in a coffin in Egypt." Genesis 50:26 NLT

Genesis 50:1- Exodus 2:10

Today we finish the book of Genesis.  You did it!! You finished the first book of the Bible.  Congratulations!  As J. Vernon McGee points out in his bible commentaries, this book started with the creation of life in a perfect garden and ends in a coffin in Egypt.  The reality of all of our lives is that since the Fall of mankind in the Garden of Eden, we all die as a result of sin. Genesis means beginnings and the beginnings of this great story show us how mankind faltered in faith and severed their relationship with God because of their sin. But God is faithful and His purposes have always been to restore what was lost.

For the book of Genesis to begin with creation of life and the material world and for it to end with Joseph, who is a shadow/type of Jesus Christ, dead in a coffin, is a great picture of what Christ will do in order to restore our fellowship with God. The price for sin is death. It is Jesus' death that pays the price for our past, present and future sins. The image of Joseph in the coffin will be followed by the image of the nation of Israel as slaves for 400 years, before being rescued and led towards the Promised Land. This, too, is a picture of how mankind is enslaved by evil.  Fear not, though, God is our rescuer.  Just keep reading, my friends! It all works out in the end.

The good news is that for those who love God and are called according to His purpose, our destiny is to get back to our own Promised Land.  The Christian life is a life rescued from slavery to sin, to life lived in the Promised Land of fellowship with our Creator. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are able to live in a spiritual land of milk and honey as God provides our every need. We are even promised a new heaven and a new earth for eternity (Revelation 21 and 22), where we will live in perfect harmony with God and humans.

But just as the Bible is the story of the Jewish people and their difficult journey to connect with God, our journey can be as sordid, twisted, and as in need of grace as theirs.

Before Joseph dies, he accomplishes the greatest act of his amazing life.  He once again acts as a foreshadowing of Christ when he forgives his brothers, who sold him into slavery in Egypt. Joseph's brother's were greatly afraid because once their father Jacob/Israel died, they were sure that Joseph would get his revenge. Certainly, they lived in fear of his great power to destroy them. But what they find instead is that their brother is a person of great faith, wisdom, and perspective. Like Christ who had the great power to destroy his enemies, but instead, prayed on the cross that God would forgive his enemies, Joseph forgives his brothers and declares that God had a purpose in all of the Joseph's suffering. Jesus knew that God had a purpose in his suffering, too. Joseph is a foreshadowing of Christ's wisdom and humility in suffering.

How is it that Joseph is able to forgive?

PERSPECTIVE

It is because Joseph can see his life circumstances in light of God's eternal purposes. This means that Joseph trusts that all things work together for good for those who love God (Romans 8:28). He knows that all of these trials served to test his faith in God and mature him as a person. The heat of persecution conformed him into the image of God because of his faith in God. Joseph's relationship with God led him to act with grace and humility.

In Genesis 50:19-21, we see the supernatural results of a life lived by faith. 

But Joseph told them, "Don't be afraid of me.  Am I God, to judge and punish you? As far as I am concerned, God turned into good what you meant for evil.  He brought me to the high position I have today so that I could save the lives of many people.  No, don't be afraid. Indeed, I myself will take care of you and your families." He spoke very kindly to them, reassuring them.  (NLT)

The trials in your life can serve the same purpose if you trust God in your trials and tribulations. Do you turn to God when life gets tough? Do you ask him to give you wisdom and perspective when you are suffering or do you blame God in your trials?  Humility in suffering is a sign of true faith. Let God mold you and shape you through testing. He tests you because He loves you and wants you to conform to the image of Christ. Jesus was humble in suffering. Through this and many other acts of faith,He earned the right to inherit the earth and rule the universe.

Lesson:  Our suffering is for a purpose. God will make something beautiful of the messiness of our lives. God's job is to judge people.  Leave that to Him.

Who have you forgiven through the power of God lately?  What beautiful thing has God made of your mess? What perspective do you have on your suffering?

Exodus 1 & 2

As the book of Exodus begins, the Israelites have become a mighty nation within a nation.  Their numbers are so great that the new Pharaoh, who did not know Joseph, decides to kill all Hebrew male babies under the age of two.  Please note that in the Bible infanticide and abortion as a means of population control are ALWAYS seen as evil.  More than that, it is seen as the height of evil. 

The godly Hebrew midwives refuse to obey the government law to kill infants.  As a result of their act of civil disobedience, the world received a child named Moses.  This is his story.

Moses is another shadow or type of Christ in Scripture.  If you remember in the New Testament, Herod attempts to kill all Hebrew male children under the age of two.  Moses' birth story is a shadow of what was to come.

Moses was put in a basket and lowered into the Nile river to prevent his death.  He is saved out of the water by Pharaoh's daughter.  Like Noah before him, who was also saved out of the water, this is a picture of Christ's future death and resurrection which saves us from judgment and eternal death.

In Scripture, water is a symbol of God's judgment. Water was used to judge the earth during the Great Flood. Water is used in Christian baptism as a symbol of death. As a person is lowered into the water in baptism, they are identifying with Christ's death and the judgment on sin that his death covered. As a person is raised out of the water in baptism, it represents resurrection and new life free from the judgment that has been paid by Christ's death. When we see baby Moses floating safely along in a basket, which represents Christ, in the Nile River, which represents judgment and death, we are seeing a symbol of the righteous avoiding the judgment of sin by resting in the work of Jesus Christ. Just as Noah floated through the judgment waters of the Flood in the Ark, which represented Christ, you and I can float away from the judgment of  God by trusting in Jesus. Christ will protect us because he has paid the penalty for our sins.

Moses' name means "drawn out of the water." Indeed, it is significant that this rescuer of the nation of Israel will be drawn up out of death into life by God. God arranges for Moses to be nursed by his own mother! God's provisions are miraculous.

Lesson:  God is sovereign and involved in the details of our lives.  Moses' life was a picture. Your life is also a picture that God is painting. How have you rested in Christ and been drawn up from judgment into grace?


Matthew 16:13-17:9

Today in the book of Matthew Jesus is ready to establish the foundations of his teachings.  Today we get to the bottom of it. 

Jesus asks his disciple who do they think the Son of Man is?  By the way, this name, Son of Man, is a reference to the Messiah (promised Redeemer Child of the world). Peter is the disciple who speaks up and forms the basis for the Christian faith. Here is Peter's confession in verse 16, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God."

Jesus commends Peter for this statement of faith.  Upon this rock/foundation, this confession of who Jesus is, the whole Church is built.  Jesus is the Messiah.  He is the one promised in the book of Genesis and through him the Serpent's head is crushed.  Eve finally gets her promised child.  Jesus tells them not to tell anyone this truth yet.

After Peter's confession of faith in him as Messiah, Jesus begins to speak plainly about the future.  He says he will suffer at the hands of the Pharisees and Sadducee's and will die. After three days he will resurrect. Jesus is stating what the picture of Noah and Moses portrayed so many thousands of years before. Although the Messiah's death is predicted in scripture (Psalm 22, Isaiah 53), the disciples do not understand this yet. Peter pulls Jesus aside to rebuke him for saying these things. Peter believes that Jesus has come to immediately set up an earthly kingdom in the Promised Land. He does not understand God's true plan.

Jesus has a blunt and harsh response to Peter's rebuke. Jesus calls Peter "Satan" and tells him to get away.  Remember, Christ's death is the key to redeeming mankind's sin.  Peter's suggestion is satanic in that it suggests that Christ not die, but instead take the earth as his kingdom without first redeeming the earth through his death.  Christ came to die.  That is his purpose.  Peter does not "get it," yet.

Christ then teaches some key points about being one of His followers:

• Put aside your ambition.-Vs. 24
• Shoulder the cross (be willing to suffer and die, this may also means dying to your will and living for God's will).-Vs. 24
• Follow my example.-Vs. 24
• If you try to keep your life, you will lose it.-Vs. 25
• Lose your life and you will gain eternal life.-Vs. 25

• Jesus will come in the end with the angels and judge every one's deeds -Vs. 27

Christ is teaching that humility to God's will is key to a life of faith and to receiving eternal life with God. Does this remind you of how Joseph approached life and faith?

Christ decides to pick three disciples in order to have them be witnesses to his eternal nature.  Peter, James, and John are given the privilege of seeing Christ's deity, while he was still on earth. Christ just said that some of them would live to see him in his kingdom. Peter, James, and John see what Christ will look like transfigured in his kingdom. On the mountain Jesus transforms into the pure light and energy that is his essence.  Moses and Elijah, two key shadows/types/pictures of Christ in the Old Testament, are present at the Transfiguration.

Peter, ever the leader with a great idea, suggests they build Tabernacles to worship and honor him. God's voice speaks and says this is my Beloved Son in whom I am pleased.  Listen to Him! Terrified, the disciples fall on their faces. 

Jesus, true to his merciful personality, tells them not to be afraid. When the three look up, Jesus is back to normal.  He tells them not to tell anyone about this until he has been raised from the dead.

Lesson:  Jesus is the Messiah. His death redeems the world. Death to self is to be practiced by anyone who follows Christ.  Humility is key. Jesus is God.  People who die physically still exist as evidenced by Moses and Elijah being on the Mount.

Have you professed Jesus as Lord?  Have you accepted death to self without bitterness?

Psalm 21:1-13

This psalm is a picture of Christ as the Victorious King.  He receives his heart's desire. His days last forever. He is clothed with splendor and majesty. He captures and destroys all his enemies. You, O God,  receive praise for Your Almighty power. Here is how Christ's second coming to earth manifests itself.

Proverbs 5:1-6

The immoral woman (prostitute or sexually active woman outside of marriage) is to be avoided.  Sexual immorality is a big deal in the Bible. Why?  Sex is a picture. It represents God's intimacy with those He loves.  He does not like His pictures defiled.  Sexual immorality takes one down a crooked path that leads to death.

Lesson:  Do you realize that your sexual behavior represents something greater than yourself? God thinks behavior matters. Your life is a picture. 

How do you apply the idea that you are in an intimate relationship with God?  Do you realize that your behavior reflects that relationship?

What did you notice today?

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton

January 24- Deathbed Confessions

January 24, 2011

Scripture Readings:
Genesis 48:1-49:33; Matthew 15:29-16:12;
Psalm 20:1-9; Proverbs 4:20-27

Kathleen Murphy was standing vigil over her husband's deathbed.  His pale lips began to move, "Kathleen, I have something to tell you."  "Go to sleep, my dear," she replied, gently.  "No.  I have to confess that I slept with your sister, your best friend and your mother." Stroking his hand gently, Kathleen replied, "I know, dear.  That's why I poisoned you."  
~Irish Joke

Genesis 48:1-49:33

People say that if you want to know the truth about someone wait until you are at their deathbed. Today Jacob is on his deathbed and we see that although he started his life by grabbing his twin brother's heel and living his life deceitfully to get ahead by relying on his own strength, he ends his life by walking closely with his Creator, claiming God's promises, and prophesying about the future.

Jacob calls Joseph's boys to him and blesses them before he dies. Following the Biblical pattern, the younger son, Ephraim, is given the spiritual blessing.  Ephraim and Manasseh become part of the twelve tribes of Israel, rather than Joseph being one of the tribes.  This is because the tribe of Levi will be the priestly tribe and will not own land. This addition of Joseph's sons as heirs makes the division of the Promised Land still divided by twelve. 

Jacob then prophesies about the future of each of the twelve tribes.  I am only going to focus on his prophecy to the tribe of Judah.  Through the tribe of Judah will come the Redeemer Child of the world promised to Even in the book of Genesis. Here is what Jacob predicts:

• Judah is a lion. Note: Christ is called the Lion of the tribe of Judah (Vs. 9)
• The scepter does not pass from Judah's line.  All nations will obey the king forever. (Vs. 10)
• He rides a donkey and is a king who comes in peace. Note: Christ entered Jerusalem on a donkey. (Vs. 11)
• Has dark eyes and white teeth.  (Vs. 12)  I love this!

Jacob requests to be buried in the cave in the field near Mamre in Canaan. This is where Abraham and Isaac are buried. Leah is buried there, but Rachel is buried in Bethlehem.  It is important to remember that Jacob is exhibiting faith that he will be resurrected from the dead in the Promised Land.  He then lays down and dies.

Lesson:  Someone's life may start out lacking faith, but God can work through a person and sanctify their spirit.  In the end, the person can be changed by God. 

How is your life reflecting sanctification?  Have you ever changed your ways?

Matthew 15:29-16:12

As we begin in Matthew today Jesus is on a hillside healing everyone. This is causing the people to praise the God of Israel.  Jesus feels sorry for the crowd. He is a man of deep compassion and empathy.  As a result, we have another feeding miracle.  This time he feeds 4000 people.  Have you ever been on a long road trip and there was no food available for miles?  Do you remember the desperate feeling of hunger?   What a great way for Jesus to show his love and the nature of his relationship with us by feeding our needs.  Food is the ultimate comfort.  Christ knew this.  It is also a great means of fellowship.  It is also a symbol that through Christ we are spiritually fed. He knew this, too. What a wise teacher, friend, and Savior.

Again we have the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to ask Jesus for a miracle to prove His deity. I don't know how they missed all these healings.  Are those not enough?  Jesus tells them that the only miracle he will do for their benefit is the miracle of Jonah.  This is a reference to His resurrection. 

Jesus then warns his disciples to beware of the false teaching (yeast) of the Pharisees and Sadducees.  They are confused by his use of symbols at first, but then they get it.

Lesson:  Jesus is our compassionate Savior.  He cares about our needs.  He meets our needs.  His words are the bread of life that sustain us. Beware of false teaching on earth.

Do you rely on Christ to meet your deepest needs?  Do you realize that as you study God's Word you are being fed spiritually? 

Psalm 20:1-9

May God respond, send help, reward your gifts and offerings, grant your heart's desires, and answer your prayers.  Verse 7- we boast not in weapons, but in the Lord our God. Give Victory, O Lord!

Proverbs 4:20-27

Words of wisdom bring life and radiant health to those who discern their meaning.

What did you notice today?

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal

Kathy Fullerton

January 23- Land of Goshen

January 23, 2011

Scripture Readings:
Genesis 46:1-47:31; Matthew 15:1-28;
Psalm 19:1-14; Proverbs 4:14-19

Have you ever heard the expression "Land of Goshen"? I have, and I have never known what it meant. Apparently, it means place of peace or a place where they believe in God. Today we will see that after all of the turmoil and the guilt trips they have experienced, Jacob's family finally settles in a place of peace called the Land of Goshen.

Jacob prepares to leave Canaan with his whole family and head down to Egypt to live with Joseph.  Before he leaves he goes to worship and sacrifice to God.  God shows up in a vision at night and tells Jacob to not be afraid.  God intends to be with Jacob and his family in Egypt and is going to make him a great nation.    A total of seventy family members (Israelites) settle in Egypt, not including the wives.

Jacob has an emotional reunion with Joseph, meets Pharaoh, and blesses the Pharaoh. The Israelites are shepherds, but shepherds are despised in Egypt. Pharaoh puts Jacob's family in charge of his livestock and gives them the Land of Goshen in which to settle. They will live in their own territory, separated from other Egyptians.

Meanwhile back at the palace, Joseph is managing a national crisis. As the famine worsens, Joseph's prior planning prevents poor performance. The plan to store grain in the abundant years ends up causing Joseph to purchase the whole land of Egypt, including the livestock, land, and people, for Pharaoh.  This is a complete power grab. Joseph sets up farming communities and they are to give 20% of everything to the Pharaoh. Only the priests are exempt from this law. 

Jacob dies in Egypt at the age of 147 years. He makes Joseph promise to not bury him in Egypt, but instead put him with his forefathers in the land of Canaan, the Promised Land.

Lesson:  Prior planning prevents poor performance. Joseph is an example of prudence and wisdom.  God is true to His promises. The Israelites are in a strange land, but God is caring for them.

How can you reflect wisdom and prudence in your life?  What promise of God's can you claim?  Do you live in the land of peace because of your relationship with God?

Matthew 15:1-28

The Pharisees come to Jesus and ask him why he doesn't follow their traditions. He counters with the question why do they break the Law and commandments because of their traditions. He calls them hypocrites and then quotes Isaiah 29:13: 

"These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far away.  Their worship is a farce, for they replace God's commands with their own man-made teachings." (NLT)

The disciples come and tell Jesus that he is offending the Pharisees.  Jesus says don't worry about it.  God uproots all bad trees.  The Pharisees are simply blind guides leading the blind.  Then the disciples ask for an explanation on how it is that one is not being defiled by what you eat.  Here is a very important new teaching by Christ:

• Food simply passes through your body and cannot defile you.
• Evil words come out of you and come from an evil heart.  This is what defiles a person and makes them unclean in God's mind.
• Here is a list of behaviors that reflect an evil heart:  1. evil thoughts 2. murder 3. adultery 4. all other sexual immorality (sex outside of marriage) 5. theft 6. lying 7. slander
• This is what defiles a person, not unwashed hands or the food we eat.
• Jesus is subtly pointing out that everyone is defiled and needs a Savior. Following rules is not a means of salvation.

A Gentile woman then approaches Christ to see if he will cast a demon out of her daughter. Jesus tells her that he has come to the people of Israel only.  Remember, the prophecies are that Jesus will come to his own people first.  Jesus is fulfilling the Scriptures.

The woman persists saying that even the dogs get crumbs from the master's table. She is claiming his deity and exhibiting faith. Jesus loves faith in God and he loves persistence. This woman has both!  He commends the woman's faith and tells her that her daughter has been healed.

Jesus has compassion and although he is sticking with God's plan to go to the people of Israel first, he is demonstrating that God is the Father of all people on earth. His salvation knows no boundaries. Gentiles are grafted into the olive tree. (See Romans 11)

Lesson:  Defilement comes from an evil heart.  Jesus points out that we need saving. Jesus demonstrates that God saves all people groups.

Does your behavior reflect a good or bad heart?  Do Jesus' teachings comfort you or bother you? Have you accepted Christ's salvation in your life?  Do you persistently ask God for his healing and blessing in your life?

Psalm 19:1-14

The heavens tell the glory of God.  Everything in nature speaks of God's creative mind and brilliance.  God's laws are:

• perfect
• trustworthy
• right
• clear
• pure
• true
• more desirable than gold
• sweeter than honey
• a warning
• a reward

Vs. 14 "May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to you, O God." 

NOTE:  This is exactly what Jesus was just talking about in the book of Matthew. Remember that Jesus scolded the Pharisees for breaking the Law, but keeping their own man-made traditions.

Proverbs 4:14-19

Avoid evil people.  Wickedness is darkness and righteousness is light.

What did you notice today?

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton

January 22- Snuggies

January 22, 2011

Scripture Readings:
Genesis 44:1-45:28; Matthew 14:13-36
Psalm 18:37-50; Proverbs 4:11-13

Snuggie- (noun) A sleeved body-length blanket made of fleece material designed like a bathrobe, but meant to be worn backwards.  - Web definition

Genesis 44:1-45:28

Sometimes you read a story and you get a warm feeling inside. Maybe there is a character that you particularly love. Maybe the story is tragically beautiful. Whatever the reason, the story is like a Snuggie. You know what a Snuggie is, right?  It is a robe and a blanket all wrapped up in one amazing garment. Well, anyway, back to the story. When you read this type of story, you feel happy, warm, and peaceful.  Kinda like putting on a Snuggie and cuddling on the couch in front of the fireplace with cup of hot chocolate during a snowstorm.

Today's story is like that for me. Joseph's story is a Snuggie story. He is a tragic, kind figure. He is handsome and capable, noble and selfless, bruised and mistreated. Joseph is a picture of Christ.

Rather than recount the story, I am going to list ways that Joseph is like Christ. Some of these we have already gone over, but it is worth repeating. Here are ways that Joseph is like Jesus:

• He is the favored son of his father.
• He is mistreated by his own people and left for dead.
• He is sent into the world (Egypt).
• He is blessed by God in all he does.
• He requires His people (his brothers in this case) to confess their sin.
• He weeps over their sin and brokenness.
• He tells his people (brothers) that you did not do this, God did this in order to save you.
• He does God's will in a sacrificial manner.
• He provides salvation for his people (family).
• He forgives them their sin.
• He tells them not to quarrel. (be at peace).
• He fulfills a prophecy (dream).
• His people proclaim...He is still alive!  This is a picture of resurrection.
• His people bow low to him and worship him.  He is their leader and they follow him.
• He provides for his people the best that the land has to offer. (A picture of new heaven and new earth).

Joseph is my favorite character in the Bible besides Christ. He is such a warm and fuzzy guy. May God give me the grace to develop the ability to love God and to love people the way Joseph and Jesus do. God, make me a warm and fuzzy person.

Lesson:  Love God. Help people. Get perspective on suffering.

Matthew 14:13-36

Jesus is sad after the news of John the Baptist's death. He goes off to be alone for a while, but the crowds follow him.  He is ruled by his compassion for others, so he stays with them and does miracles. Finally, he provides for the crowd (remember how Joseph provided) by doing the 5 loaves and 2 fish miracle. After that, he walks on water and scolds Peter for not having enough faith to stay up on the water with him.

After the water walking incident, the disciples worship and tell him, "You really are the Son of God!" Jesus heals EVERYONE that needs healing and seeks the Messiah's help by coming to him. If you seek him, you will find him, if you seek him with your whole heart.

Do you need something healed in your life?  Have you gone to Jesus with your pain and suffering? 

Lesson:  Jesus controls the universe.  He is able to heal you.  He allows pain and suffering for a variety of reasons. Jesus also experienced pain, suffering, betrayal, rejection, dysfunction, and death. He could have avoided it, but he chose not to. Suffering is important. It is a process. Jesus can relate to your life and give you perspective on your suffering. THIS IS ONE OF THE MAIN POINTS OF THE BIBLE.

Psalm 18:37-50

Here is a psalm about warrior Jesus, who will defeat his enemies in the end.

Proverbs 4:11-13

If you live a wise life, you won't stumble when you run.  (Although I hate to run, I like this illustration.)

What did you notice today?  I want to hear from you.

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton

January 21- The Guilt Trip

January 21, 2011

Scripture Readings:
Genesis 42:18-43:34; Matthew 13:47-14:12
Psalm 18:16-36; Proverbs 4:7-10

Out damn'd spot...Who would have thought the old man to have so much blood in him?

 ~Lady Macbeth

Genesis 42:18-43:34

Have you ever done something wrong and then felt guilty about it? In Shakespeare's famous play Macbeth, Lady Macbeth derides her husband for feeling guilty for murdering King Duncan in order to secure the throne, but later while sleep walking through the castle she sleep talks and reveals that she, too, is plagued with guilt over their sin.

In today's reading Joseph's brothers are plagued with guilt over what they did in the past to their brother.  Having gone to Egypt in order to buy grain for their family, Joseph speaks harshly to them and tells them that he will keep one of the brothers while the rest go back to their home to retrieve the youngest brother.

Joseph overhears as the brothers talk in their native tongue about why this is happening to them.  They say that it is because of what they did to their brother Joseph.  They recount how they saw his terror and anguish and heard his pleadings, and yet did nothing to help him.  They are remorseful and guilty.  Joseph is overcome with emotion and leaves the room to cry.  The wounds are deep from this abusive situation.


Joseph comes back and announces that he will keep Simeon, but the brothers should not return unless they have the younger brother Benjamin.  They pay for some grain to get home, but Joseph has the money put back in their sacks.  The brothers leave on their guilt trip.

At home Jacob refuses to let Benjamin leave.  Time passes and they are all starving, so Jacob relents and allows Benjamin to go to Egypt.  Both Reuben and Judah, out of guilt, offer to sacrifice their sons or themselves if anything happens to Benjamin.  Jacob is resolved that even if he never sees Benjamin or Simeon again, he will bear the anguish of the loss.  He prays that God Almighty will have mercy on them.  He also advises that they take gifts to the governor in Egypt. Here we go on another guilt trip back to Egypt.

Once they are back in Egypt, the brothers are fearful when they learn that they will be eating with Joseph.  They bow low before him and offer their gifts.  Joseph asks about their father and then sees Benjamin, gives him a blessing, and rushes out of the room overcome with emotion.

The brothers are shocked when they are seated in order of age at the table and Benjamin is given five times the amount of food than the others.  Joseph does not eat with them because Egyptians despise Hebrews. They feast and drink, freely.

How would you treat your siblings if they had thrown you in a pit, ignored your cries for help and then sold you into slavery? 

Lesson:  Joseph is one of the most Christ-like figures in the Bible.  If I had one millionth of the grace, faith, wisdom, courage to feel sad,  and perspective that Joseph had I would be a fortunate person.

Matthew 13:47-14:12

In this final parable Jesus once again pictures the Kingdom of Heaven as a fish net that drags in both good and bad fish.  They are separated at the end of the age by the angels who throw the ungodly into the fire. With this final parable Jesus asks the disciples if they understand.  They say that they do.

Back in his hometown of Nazareth, Jesus goes to teach in the synagogue.  The local townspeople ask, "Isn't that Mary's son?"  They also wonder aloud what makes him so great. This is a sarcastic statement.

Jesus tells them that a prophet is never honored in his own town or in his own family.  As a result of the lack of faith in Nazareth, Jesus does very few miracle there.  Notice how Jesus is not phased when people do not believe in Him.  He simply moves on.  His parables have indicated that everything will be settled at the end of time.  No reason to freak out now. He has perspective.

John the Baptist has been beheaded by Herod, who was trying to impress his guests at a banquet and promises to give Herodias' daughter whatever she requests.  She requests John's head on a platter.  Herod obviously feels guilty about having beheaded John.  He is now concerned that Jesus is a reincarnated John the Baptist who has come back to haunt him.

Psalm 18:16-36

Christ is blameless.  All the Lord's promises prove true.  This is good to remember when listening to Jesus'  parables. This psalm also gives perspective on how the wicked will be punished in the end. Remember that the bad fish will be separated from the good fish and be burned.

Proverbs 4: 7-10

Getting wisdom is the most important thing you can do.

What did you notice today?

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton

January 20- The Weird Dream

January 20, 2011

Scripture Reading:
Genesis 41:17-42:17; Matthew 13:24-46;
Psalm 18:1-15; Proverbs 4:1-6

Genesis 41:17-42:17

When I was a kid there was a period of time during my childhood when I had a recurring bad dream.  In my dream I saw a young girl from behind walking down a side walk. The grey of the cement was very stark, the green grass next to the sidewalk was very intense, and the silence of the air was thick.  All of a sudden in my dream there is an atomic explosion and the world ends.  I would always get up after my dream and run into my parents' bedroom and jump into their bed.  My poor parents! This happened repeatedly during one year.  The only thing scarier than my dream was my dad's hairy legs once I jumped into their bed.

Today in our reading Pharaoh has a repeated dream.  Joseph, through God's power, is able to interpret the dream and predict seven years of abundance for Egypt and seven years of severe famine for the region.  It is decided that they should have a national program to collect 20% of all crops during the good years to store so that food will be available during the years of famine. Joseph tells the Pharaoh to put the wisest man in charge of the program.  Guess what...  Pharaoh decides to put Joe in charge!! 

Joseph is made the governor of Egypt and is second only to the Pharaoh.  Pharaoh gives Joseph an Egyptian wife and renames Joseph, Zaphenath-paneah.  Boy, that's a mouth full, but it speaks volumes to how Joseph's life has been a witness to the One True God.  This long name means "God speaks and lives."
What a huge statement from the Pharaoh of Egypt!

Lesson: My life should testify to the greatness of the One Who created me.  People should know that God speaks and lives because of how I live my life.

How are you proving that God speaks and lives with your life?

Joseph has two sons from his wife and those boys names reflect both the suffering and comfort that God has brought into Joseph's life.  Manasseh means "to forget." Joseph says, "God has made me forget all my troubles and the family of my father."  Ephraim means "fruitful." Joseph explains, "God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering."

Lesson:  God takes us through pain and suffering.  He does not necessarily prevent it or stop it. God uses suffering to develop our character. 

Are you humble enough to let God shape you through trials?

The famine in the land occurs and Jacob and his sons hear that there is grain that can be bought in Egypt.  Jacob sends his sons to purchase grain and they come before the governor of Egypt to bow low before him.  The governor, of course, is their brother Joseph.  They do not recognize him and have no idea that his childhood dream that his family would bow down to him has now been fulfilled.  Joseph recognizes them, asks about his younger brother, and throws the group in jail for three days.

Joseph is beginning to see the hand of God in his life in a new way.  God is slowly revealing to Joseph the reason for his suffering.

Lesson:  God has a broad plan for my life, too. I cannot know all the purposes at this time, but I can trust that God loves me and has a good purpose in all things.

How can you trust that God is using even the hard things in your life for a good purpose?  This takes faith.

Matthew 13:24-46

Abraham Lincoln was the 16th president of the United States of America.  Most children in America learn about honest Abe in school. Legend has it that he was mostly self-taught and learned to read by pouring over the Bible by firelight in a one room log cabin. Abe was known as a fabulous story teller.  Perhaps he picked up this talent from reading the words of Christ.

Today we see that Jesus was a tremendous story teller.  As a matter of fact, he spoke ONLY in parables in front of the crowds.  Matthew explains that this is a fulfillment of the OT prophecy from Psalm 78:2 that says, "I will speak to you in parables. I will explain mysteries hidden since the creation of the world."  (NLT)

Let's take a look at the mysteries revealed by Jesus in his stories today.

The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares

• Jesus (the farmer) sows the good seeds that create the Church/all believers (good wheat) in the world (field).
• Meanwhile, the Devil (the enemy) sows tares/weeds (unbelievers and all who do evil) in the world (field).
• The righteous (good wheat) and the unrighteous (tares/weeds) are meant to coexist here on earth during all of history.
• At the end of time (harvest) the angels (harvesters) will separate the righteous (good wheat) from the unrighteous (weeds) and the righteous will be with God forever.
• The unrighteous (tares/weeds) will be separated, burned, and thrown into a place with weeping and gnashing of teeth forever.

Sometimes, Christ teaches hard truths.  Do you have ears to hear?

Lesson:  Good and evil are going to coexist on this earth and even in the Church.  Only God knows the human heart.  He will separate out good and evil in the end. This is not my job. This is God's job.  There is an eternity of punishment for those who hate God. I can try not to believe this, but this does not change the reality.

The Mustard Seed

• The Church starts on a simple premise (very small seed), the sacrificial death of Christ (you bury a seed) for the sins of the world.
• Christ's resurrection results in the growth of the Church/invisible body of believers (largest herb in the garden/like a tree).
• This Church (tree-like plant) will grow so large that evil (birds) will be able to nest in it. 

Lesson:  God will grow His Church on earth, but false teachers and false teaching will be part of the experience.  This is a warning by Christ for the people to realize.

Christ is no Polly Anna.  Do you have eyes to see false teaching in the Church?

The Leaven in the Dough

• The Church (batch of dough) has evil (leaven/yeast) added to it by a woman (false prophet). 
• The evil (yeast) causes the whole Church (batch of dough) to bubble up with sin.

Christ is predicting apostacy in the Church in the end times.

Each parable told by Christ is a warning to the apostles and anyone who has ears to hear that the Church on earth is going to always struggle with evil in its midst.  Believers will cope with false teachers, false teaching, and false believers right up to the end of all history. This is a new teaching, unique to Christ. These lessons are not found in the Old Testament.

How do Christ's stories affect you?  Are you able to discern false teaching when you hear it?  How about New Age Philosophy?  Do you think that fits into a false teaching category?

The Hidden Treasure and the Pearl of Great Price

• The Church is formed by two precious things to God. The hidden treasure in the land are believers from the nation of Israel (the Jews). In the parable, the man finds a treasure hidden in a field. It is so precious to him that he sells everything he owns to buy the land that contains the treasure.  The nation of Israel is always symbolically tied to the land in the Bible. Here is a beautiful picture of those who believe in Jesus Christ from the nation of Israel may not be easily seen from the outside world. They are hidden from view within the land. Jesus is saying that among the Israelites, his true followers are like a hidden treasure. Jesus will sacrifice everything for "true Israel," those who follow their Messiah. His blood will purchase the land that contains the treasure.
• The Gentiles will also be part of Christ's universal church on earth and the Gentiles are symbolically tied to the sea in Scripture.  In the parable a merchant is seeking beautiful pearls in the vast see. He finds one and then sells everything he has to buy the great pearl. Just as the land contains a small, hidden treasure, the vast sea contains one small pearl of great price. As part of Christ's Church, the tiny group of people from the Gentile nations who follow Christ are of great value to him. Christ gives up everything to purchase our salvation. Notice that a pearl is formed through trials when sand irritates the oyster causing a secretion to cover the irritation. It is the abrasion that forms the pearl. Trials also result in the beautiful character of Christ seen in His Church on earth.
• Christ (the merchant) is seeking Gentiles to be part of His Church (choice pearl), as well as true believers from the nation of Israel. This is a beautiful parable.

We have been bought with a price, people.  We have been paid for with his blood.  Do you see yourself as a precious pearl in God's eyes?  You are. If you are Jewish by birth, do you see yourself as the hidden treasure in God's land?  If you believe in Jesus as your Messiah, you are, indeed, the treasure for which he gave his life.

Psalm 18:1-15

The Lord is our rock when our whole world is an earthquake. Lean on Him for stability.

Proverbs 4:1-6

Don't turn your back on wisdom. She will protect you. By the way, it is God's Holy Spirit who is wisdom.  Do you turn your back on relying on the Holy Spirit to guide your life?

What did you notice in the Scriptures today?

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton

January 19- Put Joe in Charge!

January 19, 2011

Scripture Readings:
Genesis 39:1-41:16; Matthew 12:46-13:23
Psalm 17:1-15; Proverbs 3:33-35

I give a damn, because a good man once made me responsible 
for what was most precious to him in the whole world. 
~ Alfred Pennyworth

Genesis 39:1-41:16

Do you ever just wish there was someone who could organize your life for you and make sure that everything turned out hunky dory?  Someone who made all the wrongs turn out right?

In the comic series and movies about Batman one of the primary character is Alfred Pennyworth.  Alfred is that kind of guy.  As Bruce Wayne's tireless butler, assistant, confidant, and legal guardian after the death of Bruce's parents, Alfred makes life good for Bruce Wayne.  Some people say that Alfred is Batman's batman.  He is always ready to solve a problem and divert a crisis.  Having a person who is trustworthy, capable, and loyal is a true blessing.

In today's reading, Joseph is an "Alfred." Joseph has been sold into slavery and is working in the Egyptian household of Potiphar, the chief of the Pharaoh's guards. Joseph is so blessed by God and so gifted in administration  and organization that he is eventually put in charge of every aspect of Potiphar's household.  He is extremely handsome, well-built, and apparently irresistible to Potiphar's wife.  She becomes like Glenn Close in Fatal Attraction and stalks Joseph, eventually falsely accusing him of rape after he rejects her many propositions.

Potiphar has Joseph thrown into prison and the Lord blesses Joseph even in prison.  Eventually, everyone wants to put Joe in charge!  So Joseph becomes the administrator of the prison, while still a prisoner. What a gift of administration this guy has! Wish he could come run my household for a while!

While in prison Joseph correctly interprets two prisoners' dreams, giving God the credit for doing it through him. The prisoners happen to work for the Pharaoh. Joseph is forgotten for two more years until one of the prisoners, the chief cup bearer who was released, tells Pharaoh that Joseph is able to interpret dreams.  Pharaoh has had a disturbing dream that none of his Egyptian magicians has been able to interpret.  When called by Pharaoh, Joseph emphasizes to Pharaoh that only God can interpret dreams.

Joseph is a shadow of Christ in both his attitudes and actions.  Here are some examples:

• Joseph suffers hardship like Christ.
• Joseph resists temptation like Christ.
• Joseph relies on God like Christ.
• Joseph uses his gifts in service to others like Christ.
• Joseph accepts his hardships with humility like Christ.

How do you react when you are put in an unfair situation?  How are you gifted by God?  Do you use your gifts to help others?

Matthew 12:46-13:23

This passage of the Bible starts with an incredible truth, Jesus says that if you do the will of his Father (believing that Jesus is the Savior), then YOU are part of God's family.  Christ is not being disrespectful to his mother and brothers in this situation.  He is using the incident as a teaching moment.  Jesus considers you and me his family.  We are family......you know the song....EVERYBODY SING! 

But seriously, this is important.  Jesus tells the group that many prophets and godly people of old longed to see the day when the Messiah would walk the earth.  These people are the privileged group who get to see Jesus in the flesh.  I know that Eve longed to see this Redeemer Child, as did Abraham, David, and Daniel, just to name a few.

The Parable of the Soil

I will not go through this whole parable again.  You read it today.  I will simply ask you this, is your heart hard, rocky, thorny, or good? 

If your heart is good soil then the seeds of Christ's teachings will be able to take root in your life.  If your heart is made of good soil you will over time see the fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, and self-control.  Will you be perfect all the time?  NO.  But you will see over the years a gradual change, a wisdom, a quietness, a stillness that seeps into your life. This is a work that God does over time.

If your heart is good soil, your life will affect others in a positive way.  It will glorify the God who created you.

Psalm 17:1-15

To me this psalm is the voice of Christ while he was on earth.  He, alone, can be examined and found innocent Vs. 2.  Only in Him, is nothing amiss Vs. 3-4.  Only Christ has done what is right Vs. 15. Christ knows the Father personally Vs. 15.  We can only hope to experience this through the grace found in Christ's sacrifice for our sins.

Proverbs 3:33-35

Joseph's life is like this proverb.  The Lord shows favor to the humble.

What did you find interesting in today's reading?  What did you notice?

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal

Kathy Fullerton