Week 6 - Author
This week in summary| Day 1 : Joseph | Genesis 37-39 |
| Day 2 : God the Author | Genesis 40-42 |
| Day 3 : Pure Hearted | Genesis 43-44 |
| Day 4 : Blessing | Genesis 45-47 |
| Day 5 : Faith with Feet | Genesis 48-50 |
Joseph
God uses this for good
Joseph was promised glory and power in his dream. But to achieve that victory he had to become a slave in Egypt. And, as if that were not enough, when his conditions improved because of his integrity, he was made worse than a slave—a prisoner. But it was all planned. For there in prison he met Pharaoh’s butler, who eventually brought him to Pharaoh who put him over Egypt. What an unlikely route to glory! And the story doesn’t end there. God lead Joseph to this position to use his power to save the lives of many people including his own estranged family.
But that is God’s way—even for his Son. He emptied himself and took the form of a slave. Worse than a slave—a prisoner—and was executed. But, like Joseph, he kept his integrity. “Therefore God has highly exalted him and given him a name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee might bow” (Philippians 2:9,10).
And this is God’s way for us too. We are promised glory—if we will suffer with him (Romans 8:17). The way up is down. The way forward is backward. The way to success is through divinely appointed setbacks. They will always look and feel like failure. But if Joseph and Jesus teach us anything it is this: “God meant it for good!” (Genesis 50:20).
It’s tempting to only see Joseph's heroic character and achievements. But God does not want us to miss the largely silent, desperate years Joseph endured. Imagine the pain of his brothers' betrayal, the separation from his father, the horror of slavery, the seduction and false accusation by Potiphar's wife, and the desperation he felt as his youth passed away in prison.
Sometimes faithfulness to God and his word sets us on a course where circumstances get worse, not better. It is then that knowing God's promises and his ways are crucial. Faith in God's future grace for us is what sustains us in those desperate moments.
We all love the fairytale ending of Joseph's story. And we should, because Joseph's life is a foreshadowing of a heavenly reality. God sent his Son to die and be raised in order to set his children free. There is coming a day when those who are faithful, even to death will hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master" (Matthew 25:21).
Our current circumstances, however dismal or successful, are not our story's end. They are chapters in a much larger story that really does have a happily ever after.
based on desiringGod.org
Jon Piper
God, The Author
The world is God's self-exposing story.
Should it surprise us when the divine storyteller enters into his story? What else could he do? What else would we expect from him? For this world is the story that God is telling: it is the revelation of his very being. Our world pulses with his life; we exist because he dreamt us up. Human storytellers create with ink on paper; the divine storyteller creates with matter on space and time. Human authors tell their stories through imagined characters; the divine author tells his story through humans.
Story Within the Story
Still, this master artist is not content to tell his story merely through the created universe. He tells a story within the story too, by appointing people throughout the narrative to record his direct communication with his characters. So emerge the Scriptures, an even deeper revelation of the mind and heart of the divine author. The Scriptures reveal to us that in this particular drama, the characters are created for a loving relationship with their author.
The author of life insists on entering his story. Only his role is no cameo. When God enters the story he takes up the central role, and suddenly it becomes apparent that his role was central all along. And since this is the archetype of all stories, it is fitting that in it, the author's bone, flesh, and blood are all, quite literally, laid bare. Anything else would be anticlimactic.
In the appearance of this author within his own story, all of the other minor roles foreshadow and echo his critical one. In that grand denouement which is the incarnation, all other lives suddenly take on a whole new meaning and importance. In addition to their contribution to the story within their own plot arches, each individual life becomes a living echo of the story's main character, Jesus Christ.
God, continue to write your story. Write your story into ours so that ours can be writ into yours. Make us always the supporting characters of your protagonist, Jesus Christ
- adapted from an article by Andrew Shanks
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2 NIV
Pure Hearted
Blessed are the pure of heart, for they will see God.
The Pure in heart don’t pretend to be what they are not but are completely open and honest with God and others.
Can you imagine world with no pride or arrogance? Can you imagine how people would live if these two things were not any part of our world? We would not be greedy. We would not want what others have. We would not cheat or steal or lie or kill. All these things come from pride. Pride puts us first and we live out our lives to please only ourselves which allows us to do anything to accomplish that.
This teaching of Jesus reinforces the proverb: Above all else guard your heart, for from it flows the wellspring of life. Proverbs 4:23
Blessed, or happy are the pure in heart for they will see God. Wow! They will see God. Now can you imagine how you would live your life if every decision was made because you clearly see God and His way for you? When you realize that God in His Son Jesus set aside heaven for a period of time to show us His Father, live among us, demonstrate what true love and sacrifice are and that He had no un-pure thoughts or motives, it should make it easier for us to be like Him.
This teaching of Jesus is the key to seeing things clearly. A person who has a pure heart has no agenda. A person who has a pure heart only thinks of the needs of others. A person who has a pure heart is able to look beyond the temporary and see the eternal. a person who has done that see’s God and that changes everything.
Blessing Your Neighbors
Pray with your Family - Remember your neighbors by name during mealtime and bedtime prayers.
Prayer Walk - Walk by yourself or with family, roommates, and other neighbors who are believers. Pray over each home by name as you pass and ask God for opportunities with your neighbors.
Ask Open-ended Questions - How long have you lived here? What line of work are you in? What do you do for fun?
Ask Follow-up Questions - How did that test go? Are you feeling better? How was your vacation?
Enjoy a Meal Together - Invite a neighbor (or two) for a BBQ, order in Pizza, or have everyone bring a dessert to share.
Celebrate Special Occasions and Holidays - Bake cupcakes for birthdays. Send a casserole to new parents. Deliver Christmas cookies.
Serve While You’re Outside - Turn lawn chores into opportunities to serve: Mow lawns, water yards, etc.
Serve In Times of Need - Visit when a neighbor passes away or has a baby. Deliver flowers or a gift. Coordinate meals with other neighbors.
Share Commonalities - Hobbies such as golf, book club, bunko night, or a running/fitness group can all bring people together.
Socialize and Make Holidays Special - Enjoy recreational areas. Participate in yard sales and BBQs. Attend holiday parties.
5 People I will bless this week
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Faith with Feet
Based on Genesis 37-50 What do you believe God wants you to do?
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What have you learned about God’s heart & values?
How did people follow God’s instructions?
What changes took place to society?
What parts of this story might apply to you?
Why is this story important for someone like you?