Daily Reading Passages
Click below for access to the passages. Biblegateway.com is an excellent site with many versions of the Bible. The link below opens in NIV.Youversion.com is a new site that allows you to annotate your own Bible, make notes, and comments once you create an account. That link opens in the TNIV version. Other versions are available at both sites.
Coaching Comments
The Old Testament reading today in Genesis 39:1 - 41:16 takes us back into the story of Joseph. When we last saw him, he was tied to the back of a camel on his way to Egypt as a slave. Once there he gets bought by a powerful government official, and there has a change of fate. The Bible tells us that God was with Joseph and prospered everything he did. He grew in responsibility and trust until he was the highest servant in this official's household. Seems like everything turned out OK... but of course, that's not the end of the story.
The official's wife got into the mix and things just went downhill from there. Even Joseph's integrity and commitment to honor God did not protect him from this terrible turn of events, and he ended up a prisoner in the king's own prison. But there he was blessed and prospered again. That put him in the position to serve a couple of important prisoners - the king's own cupbearer and baker. They had dreams, God gave Joseph the interpretation to those dreams, which opened the way for him ultimately to come before the Pharaoh of Egypt, which takes us into the next segment of the story.
Interesting things to note: Bad things happened to Joseph that weren't his fault. Even being blessed by God did not prevent that. Good things happened to Joseph through God's blessing, but (for those of us who know the rest of the story) they did not happen for Joseph's benefit. They happened to further God's plans for His people. This reminds me to think carefully about my place in this world, and in God's plan. It also reminds me to accept both the good and the bad that come, knowing that God is with me, and that this life is not about my comfort or security.
Matthew 12:46-13:23 is today's New Testament reading. In it we find two parts. The first few verses are a strange little interaction where Jesus seemingly disrespects his family. Really, He's making the point that position and genetics don't account for much in the Kingdom of God. Remember the Jews that Jesus was speaking to. They were accustomed to feeling spiritually elevated simply because they were the children of Abraham. Jesus is pointing out that what really matters to God is that people really live according to His plans.
The second part is the parable of the sower. In this teaching Jesus talks about the people who hear His teaching and what they choose to do with it. He also talks about why He chose to teach in parables. The two parts are linked. Those who are ready to hear the message and apply it are also the ones who are willing to listen to the parable and hear the truth. Those who aren't ready to listen for the truth, are the same people who do not really apply God's will to their lives and let the message get choked out by the cares of the world. In one sense, Jesus' message is for everyone. But in another sense, only those who are ready to receive it will understand it.
Today's Psalms reading, Psalms 17:1-15, is a wide-ranging Psalm, with everything we've seen so far: praise & worship, request for rescue, descriptions of the wicked who oppose, and the reminder of God's power. The last verse, however, is an amazing claim. That somehow, I might become righteous enough to see God face to face. An amazing thing to consider, especially that this comes before the revelation of Jesus Christ.
The reading from Proverbs (Proverbs 3:33-35), points out who can expect to receive the blessing of God. It also, through the parallelism of verse 34 & 35, says that the humble person is also the wise person. The connection between humility and wisdom is compelling to me.
2007 Cohort Comments
Comments (9)
Aaron L Huddart said
at 7:55 am on Jan 19, 2009
Good morning all.
In reading the story of Joseph this morning, this thought occurred to me. It says the both Potiphar and the prison warden saw that God had blessed Joseph. Now, did they know it was God that blessed him, or did they just see that he was blessed and positive things happened around him. I would like to believe that they knew that it was God working in Joseph's life, but they never turned to God, as far as we know. So, I guess that it must be the later, they both Potiphar and the warden saw good happening in and around Joseph and wanted a little of that action. Even though it is never mentioned in these passages, I have to believe that Joseph did bring people to God. He seemed too much of a Godly man to not be sharing the good news. I do find it interesting though that nothing like that is mentioned in any of his encounters in Egypt.
Well, that's all I have today. Have a wonderful day everyone.
A
LuDell Parrett said
at 10:38 am on Jan 19, 2009
Morning :-)
I read but no time to write this morning. Have a blessed day!
Rich Rawlins said
at 1:24 pm on Jan 19, 2009
In the OT passage this morning, the thing that caught my eye was a short line in Genesis 39, verse 10... And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her "or even be with her. " What was interesting to me was that the line in the sand so to say was not bed, but rather to even be with her. So much of my failures in life involved my willingness to flirt with disaster while still trying to avoid the disaster itself. It doesn't always work that way. My guess is that in spite of Joseph's rejection of Potiferis wife's invite, that there was legitimate temptation for him and he showed wisdom and discipline by not only denying her a romp in the hay, but not even allowing himself to be around her thus avoiding the temptation all together.
The other thing I wondered about is how come sometimes the word Lord is used instead of God. Anyone know?
...rich
Aaron L Huddart said
at 5:48 pm on Jan 19, 2009
Rich, I don't have a great answer to your question, but I do know that "Lord" was used when referring to someone who may be a master over someone. From what I understand a rough translation would be my boss or my father could be referred to as my lord (note lower case 'L'). This Lord was used in this may more often in earlier centuries. This is were we get the term 'to lord over someone or something', again not very common. Anyway, so sometimes the word Lord was used to reference the fact that God ruled over them. It was used as a sign of respect, somewhat in the way we may use 'Sir". If someone else has a better understanding, please clarify, I don't want to be misleading everyone, because I misunderstood this when I first heard it.
Hope that helps.
Marc Schelske said
at 6:51 pm on Jan 19, 2009
Great insight on the temptation thing, Rich.
Rich Rawlins said
at 6:52 pm on Jan 19, 2009
Thanks Aaron. Funny, I hadn't noticed this before, and I usually notice stuff like this. Ya, in today's passage the word LORD (all caps) was used seven times and the word God was used 4 times. I noticed that LORD, God and LORD God seem to be used somewhat interchangeably and then the word lord (small caps) is used when talking about a man who is someone's boss. Not sure about the other stuff and I haven't had time to look stuff up in the original yet and try to figure it out.
...rich
Marc Schelske said
at 6:54 pm on Jan 19, 2009
I really love Joseph's story. One of the aspects that is encouraging to me is the clear picture this story shows that God is not necessarily committing Himself to fixing our circumstances for us. That's what I really want - perfect circumstances. But being blessed by God doesn't mean that. Joseph is a good reminder that regardless of my circumstances there is a way for me to live with integrity and honor, and that I can be blessed by God - even if that doesn't mean having my circumstances fixed.
Jay Morris said
at 8:14 pm on Jan 19, 2009
I am still with you and am enjoying the comments.
Jacqui Wheelhouse said
at 12:19 am on Jan 20, 2009
I'm here, tired and going to bed. Feel like I went on a road trip today with all the commuting for a play my son is playing drums in. Gotta love the fact that he is volunteering his abilities. Right? ALSO praising God that this time next year, if not sooner, he can drive himself! G'night all. See you tomorrow when we have a new president in office.
Blessings.
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