Tues.’s Devo - Moses’ Complaints and God’s Responses

Read: Exodus 5:22-7:25; Matthew 18:21-19:12; Psalm 23:1-6; Provers 5:22-23 Moses went back to the Lord complaining that ever since he returned to rescue the Israelites from the Egyptians, he had just made it worse for them and God had not rescued them. *** God told him that how when He got through with Pharaoh, he would be throwing them out of Egypt. God had appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob but they had not known him as Jehovah the one who was, and is and is to come - the God of the past, present and future. God had promised to give them the land of Canaan where they lived as foreigners, and he has not forgotten that promise. Now, he promises to bring them out of Egypt where they are slaves and bring them to the land he promised their ancestors. *** Moses told the people what God said, but they were too distracted by their present condition that they couldn’t imagine anything better. God sent Moses back to Pharaoh to tell him once again to let them leave his country. Moses complained that if his own people wouldn’t listen, how could he expect the pharaoh to listen to him. God told him and Aaron to tell both the Israelites and Pharaoh that God had ordered them to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt. *** Aaron and Moses were both from the tribe of Levi which was third in the birth line of Jacob. God told Moses to tell the pharaoh everything he had told Moses but Moses complained that he was a terrible speaker. God said he would make Moses like a god to Pharaoh and Aaron like his prophet. Moses was to tell Aaron to command that he let the people leave. God would make Pharoah’s heart hard so God could do miraculous signs and wonders in the land of Egypt. God would rescue the people with great acts of judgment on Egypt. When they did leave, Egypt will know that He is the Lord. *** Moses and Aaron went to the Pharaoh but when he heard Moses’ claims to be sent by God, he demanded a miracle to prove it. This is the very thing the Pharisees ordered of Jesus. They wanted a sign to prove he was from God. Jesus told them that the only sign they would get was the sign of Jonah. *** Aaron threw down his staff and it became a serpent. The Pharaoh called all his wise men and they did the same thing with magic, but Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs. Pharaoh still refused to listen to them. *** God told Moses to go to the river the next morning and wait for the Pharaoh to come. He was to take the staff that had turned into a snake and give him another chance to let them go to worship the Lord. When he refused, Moses was to strike the water of the Nile with the staff and it would turn to blood. The fish would die and the river would stink and become undrinkable. Then he was to take the staff and raise it over all the waters and reservoirs of Egypt and turn them to blood. All the water in Egypt, even water in their houses would turn to blood. Moses did this. Pharaoh’s sorcerers proved that they could turn water to blood also, so Pharoah’s heart remained hard. The people of Egypt had to dig along the riverside to find drinking water. This went on for seven days. *** In Matthew, Peter came to the Lord and asked him how often he should forgive someone who sinned against him. Should he forgiven him seven times. Jesus told him he should forgive him seven times seventy. Seven means “complete” and seventy means “measured completely full.” So he should forgive completely till his measure is full. Jesus told him a parable to explain his answer of how things are done in God’s kingdom. One day the king was working with his accountants bringing his accounts up to date. (It was judgment day.) One of his debtors was brought in who owed him millions. The king ordered that he, his family and all he owned be sold to pay the dept. The man fell on his face begging for mercy and time to repay him. The master felt compassion and totally forgave him the debt. But, then the same man went out and went to a man who owed him a few thousand and grabbed him by the throat and demanded he pay at once. When this man begged for mercy and time, he didn’t give him any but threw him in jail until the debt could be paid in full. *** Word got back to the king and he called the man back in and confronted him. Why had he not given this man mercy, when he had shown him mercy? He had him thrown into prison to be tortured until his entire debt had been paid. His measure of mercy was complete and he had run out. It was now time for judgement. *** Forgiving is setting someone free from their debt. That is what God did for us through Jesus. We owed a debt we couldn’t pay and he paid our debt he didn’t owe. God asks us to have the same mercy for others that he had for us. *** The Pharisees followed Jesus to Judea to try to find some question he wouldn’t be able to answer. They asked him about divorce and if it should be allowed for any reason. Jesus explained that from the beginning when God created man and woman, he didn’t intend for them to be split apart. Then they asked why Moses allowed divorce in his law. Jesus explained that it was because of God’s mercy he allowed it because men’s hearts were hard. ***But in Jesus’ day, they were just “putting away” their wives without going through the writ of divorcement required in the law. This caused the divorce not to be legal, meaning that when they remarried, they were committing adultery. If they are going to just leave their wives because they were tired of her and leave her with no provision, it would be better if then never married at all. (Note: only men could initiate a divorce in their day.) *** Then Jesus made a statement about those castrated - some were born that way, others were made that way by men and others chose it for the sake of heaven’s kingdom. I think this has to do with sacrifice. Jesus sacrificed having a wife and children for the sake of the Kingdom - his family was so much greater than the natural. *** Lord, may we have the same mercy for others that you have for us. May we forgive quickly and thoroughly and may your love increase in our hearts.

Mon.’s Devo - Death is the Cost of Freedom

Read: Exodus 4:1-5:21; Matthew 18:1-20; Psalm 22:19-31; Proverbs 5:15-21 Moses had a hard time wanting to go and try to convince the Israelite leaders to follow him. He told God they wouldn’t believe him. God gave him three signs that would convince the Israelites God had sent him. The first was to throw down his staff and it would became a snake. Then he was told to take the snake by the tail (a sure way of being bit) and it would turn back into a staff. That took some faith. The next was told to put his hand into his cloak. When he took it out it was leprous. He was to put it back into his cloak and this time when he took it out his hand was healed. The third was to turn the water in the Nile into blood on the ground. *** Moses’ next excuse was his speech. He couldn’t speak well. God told him that he made his mouth so who is he to complain about it. But God conceded with Moses and told him that Aaron would be his mouth. Moses would tell him what to say. *** Moses went home and told Jethro, his father-in-law that he wanted to return to Egypt and to his relatives. Jethro blessed him with a peaceful journey. God assured Moses that the people who had wanted him dead were now dead themselves. *** Moses left with Zipporah and Gershom, his son. God told Moses that when he spoke to the Pharaoh and performed all his miracles, that God would harden his heart so that he would refuse to let them go. Moses was to then tell him that Israel was God’s firstborn and since he had refused to let them go, God would kill his firstborn. That night Moses got to experience what God had told him. God came to Moses and confronted him. He was about to kill him when Zipporah stepped in and circumcised her son. She touched Moses with the foreskin of her son and the Lord left Moses alone and didn’t kill him. *** Moses stood for Israel in this encounter. He was being killed off by Satan (who was being played by Pharaoh here on earth.) Zipporah stepped in and sacrificed her son to let Moses live. Zipporah stood for God and Gershom stood for Jesus. The blood of Jesus saved us and Moses from dying. *** It makes you wonder how Zipporah knew that the blood of her son would save her husband, but she did and acted on it. *** Moses met with Aaron and together they went to the elders of Israel and showed them the miraculous signs. It did convince the Israelites that God had sent Moses, it just didn’t convince the Egyptians. The Egyptians came up with something to distract them from their goal… more work. *** This is the same playbook they are still using today. When ever the people begin to join together and protest, they raise taxes, raise interest rates and create inflation. Then we have to worry about how to make a living and feed our families. They hope this will discourage us from standing up against them. We cannot give up if we want freedom, and Moses and the Israelites had to make this decision also. *** Pharaoh required that they find their own straw to make their bricks, but their quota would stay the same. They beat the foremen when they couldn’t make the quota so that made the foremen angry and blame Moses and Aaron for their pain instead of blaming the real culprit, Pharaoh. That is another tactic of the enemy. Shift the blame to the our leadership and put confusion in our camp. They will do anything to divide us so we won’t meet our goal of freedom. *** In Matthew, Jesus was asked by the disciples who was greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. Jesus gave them the example of a little child because of their innocence, humility and blind trust. But, anyone who causes one of them to fall into sin would be punished. It would be worse than being drowned. The world would get the same judgment because they tempt people to sin. Jesus said, whatever it is that tempts you - get rid of it. *** Jesus also told us not to look down on a person who followed God like a child because God loves them. Even if one of God’s children wandered away, he would go and get them and bring them back. It is not his will that anyone gets lost or dies. *** If a believer sins against us, we are to go to them privately and discuss it. If they listen and repent then you have won that person back. If they don’t listen and repent then you need to bring a witness or two with you to talk to the person. If they still wont, listen, then it should be taken to the church to let them handle it. If they won’t listen to the church officials, then that person is to be treated like an unbeliever. *** Jesus tells us again that what we bind up or capture here on earth, will be bound up or captured in heaven and what we break up, destroy, dissolve, unloose, melt, and put off here on earth will be broken up, destroyed, dissolved, unloosed, melted, and put off in heaven. *** Jesus added that if two of you agreed concerning a thing on earth, God will do it for us because if we gather in his name, he is with us. *** Lord, may we walk in the authority you have given us and may we clean up this kingdom on earth so your kingdom can come to earth.

Sun.’s Devo - Moses’ Calling

Read: Exodus 2:11-3:22; Matthew 17:10-27; Psalm 22:1-18; Proverbs 5:7-14 When Moses had grown up, he went to visit his own people and saw how hard they were being worked. He witnessed an Egyptian beating one of the Hebrews. Thinking no one was watching, he killed the Egyptian and buried his body in the sand. *** The next day, he found that his deed was known all over Egypt by the Hebrews and the Pharaoh. He had to flee to Midian to save his life. There, he met the seven daughters of the priest of Midian at a well. He saved them from the shepherds and watered their flocks. When returned home so early, their father asked why. They told him of the Egyptian who had rescued them. Their father, Reuel, had them go and invite Moses to their house. *** Moses came and ended up staying with them. Reuel eventually gave his daughter, Zipporah, to marry Moses. They had a son named Gerson which means “a stranger there.” *** Years later, the Pharaoh died and God spoke to Moses on Mt. Sinai through a burning bush. He called Moses by name and told him to take off his shoes because he was standing on holy ground. He told him He was the God of his fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He had heard the cries of his people and had come down to save them from the power of the Egyptians and Moses would lead them out of Egypt in to their land. It was a good land where the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hives, and Jebusites now lived. *** Moses doubted his capability to lead them, but God told him he would be with him and they would come back and worship him on this very mountain. *** Moses asked God to give him a name to call himself. God answered Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” He was to tell them that I AM had sent him. *** God then sent him back to Egypt to speak to the elders and to tell them that He had sent Moses to rescue them from their oppression and bring them to their own land. *** God told Moses exactly what was going to happen and what the outcome would be which sounds simple, but walking it out was much more difficult. God has told us the same thing. He has promised us that we would inherit the earth and rule and reign with Him and that Satan would be underneath our feet, but the working it out is much more difficult. He has promised us our sons and daughters would return to the God of their youth, and yet this is hard to walk through when what we see is contrary to that at the time. We have to learn to walk by faith just as Moses did. *** God told Moses that the elders would accept his message and they would go with Moses to see the pharaoh. They were to ask the Pharaoh to let them take a three-day tourney into the wilderness to sacrifice to their God. The pharaoh would not let them do this, so God would strike the Egyptians with all kinds of miracles. Then the pharaoh would let them go. They would leave with their children wearing the wealth of the Egyptians. *** We are at this place as a nation. We have been promised to be released from the oppression of the Deep State and its power but it is not been easy. It is a battle, but we know that we will come out triumphantly wearing the wealth of the wicked. The kingdoms of this would will become the kingdoms of our God. *** In Matthew, the three disciples had just seen Moses and Elijah with Jesus and asked Jesus why the teachers of the law insisted that Elijah must come first before the Messiah comes. Jesus agreed with the teachers, but explained that Elijah had come and they abused him (speaking of John the Baptist). They would do the same to the Messiah. *** When they got to the bottom of the mountain they were met by a crowd. The disciples had been trying to deliver a boy from demons and couldn’t. Jesus called them a faithless and corrupt generation. He rebuked the demon and he was healed. *** The disciples asked him why they couldn’t cast out the demon. He told them that they didn’t have enough faith. Then he told them it didn’t take much faith, just a little. With just a little faith they could move mountains. *** Once again, Jesus told his disciples the plan of his death and resurrection which caused them to be filled with grief. *** When they arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the Temple tax asked Peter why Jesus didn’t pay the Temple tax. Peter went to find Jesus to ask him. Before he could ask, Jesus asked him if kings made their own citizens pay taxes or did they taxed the people they had conquered. Peter said, they taxed the people they had conquered. (That should give us a clue as to who we are since we pay taxes out of the wazoo!) *** Peter answered it was the ones who were conquered who paid the taxes. Jesus told him that they were citizens of the Kingdom so they shouldn’t have to pay the tax, but since the people of this world wouldn’t understand this, Jesus told Peter to go down to the lake and throw a line in and open the mouth of the first fish he had caught. In it he would find a large silver coin. He was to pay both of their taxes with it. Jesus paid our taxes and his on the cross. We are now free to enter the Temple of the Lord without any shame or payment. *** Lord, thank you for your grace and mercy. Thank you that you have freed us from the power and penalty of sin. May we walk in this freedom and come boldly before you.

Sat.’s Devo - The Next Generation

Read: Genesis 50:1- Exodus 2:10; Matthew 16:13-17:9; Psalm 21:1-13; Proverbs 5:1-6 Joseph wept when his father died. He had him embalmed which took 40 days, then the Egyptians mourned his death for 70 days. After that, Joseph requested that the Pharaoh allow him to bury his father in his family burial ground as was requested. Pharaoh agreed and Jacob’s body was buried in the cave of Machpelah where all his ancestors were buried. *** Fear filled the hearts of the brothers of Joseph now that their father was gone. They begged Joseph to forgive them for the way they had treated him in his youth. This brought Joseph to tears. He had already told them that he forgave them a long time ago. He promised he would continue to take care of them and their children. *** This is probably how God feels when we keep going to him for forgiveness over something in our past when we can’t seem to forgive ourselves. It is exhausting to try to get someone to accept your forgiveness when they continue to live in guilt and condemnation. I bet God feels that way sometimes with us. Jesus died to forgive all our sins. It requires our faith to walk in freedom. *** Joseph lived to see the birth of Manasseh’s son, Makir. Joseph adopted Makir as his own, just like Jacob had adopted his two sons. Joseph lived to see three generations of descendants from Ephraim. Truly Ephraim was more blessed just like his name prophesied. *** Joseph and all his brothers eventually died, ending that generation. The next generation multiplied so exponentially that the new pharaoh of Egypt became afraid of them. He had never been told the history of Joseph. He feared the Israelites would one day rebel and join their enemies in fighting against them. Then they would move out of the country. That was close to what ended up happening. *** The Pharaoh tried everything to depopulate the Israelites. He tried working them to death, then having the midwives kill the boys in childbirth, but when none of that worked, he exposed his plan and proclaimed a decree to kill all the newborn Hebrew boys by throwing them into the Nile. *** At this critical time, God caused the deliverer to be born. His name was Moses and when he was born there was something extraordinary about him that was noticeable. *** His mother knew he was special and created a little ark made of reeds and tar and floated him in the river. The Pharoah’s daughter found it when she was bathing. When she opened the basket and saw Moses, he began to cry. She comforted him and felt compassion for him. She knew he was a Hebrew baby. Miriam, Moses’ sister was waiting in the wings. She asked if she would need a nursemaid for the baby to feed him. Miriam called her mother and the princess paid her to feed and take care of her own son. She was rewarded for her faith. *** It took great faith to break the law of the Pharaoh and to set her son in a basket in the very river that was meant to be his grave. From death came life. What a picture of resurrection. *** In Matthew, Jesus came to Caesarea Philippi which was known for the cave of Pan, who the people there worshipped. Jesus took them to that spot where all these gods were represented in alcoves around the cave Pan was to come out of from the pit of hell every spring. He asked them who the people thought he was. They responded that some thought he was John the Baptist, others Elijah or Jeremiah. Then he asked them who they thought he was. Peter answered for them. He said that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of the living God. *** Jesus blessed him for discerning this from the Spirit of God. He told him that the name Peter meant “rock” and upon the words he had just spoke, he would build his church. The powers of hell would not conquer his church. What ever his church forbids on the earth, will be forbidden in the heavenlies and what ever his church allows will be allowed in the heavenlies. *** He warned his disciples not to tell people that he was the Messiah. He began to prepare them for what was going to happen to him in Jerusalem. He told them he would suffer by the teachers of religious law, be killed and rise from the dead on the third day. *** Peter tried to rebuke Jesus for saying such things, but Jesus rebuked Satan from speaking through him. He told Peter that he was only seeing through his own humanly point of view and not God’s. *** Jesus told his disciples that to live, they must give up their lives. Nothing is more important that saving your soul. *** Six days later, Jesus took Peter and James and John up on a mountain and transformed into glory right before their eyes. Moses and Elijah both came and talked with Jesus about what was about to happen. Peter wanted to make shelters as memorials for Moses and Elijah, but God spoke from heaven and told them to listen to his dear Son. They fell to the ground. *** Jesus came over and revived them and everything was back to normal. They returned but Jesus told them not to tell anyone what they had seen till he had been raised from the dead. *** Lord, we realize that the disciples didn’t understand half of what they were being shown but later they understood. Thank you that you do warn us of what you are about to do in our lives, we just rarely understand till later. May we trust you in the times of uncertainty and understand more quickly what you are doing. Lord, may we prepare the way for the next generation to walk with you in love and faith.

Fri.’s Devo - The Blessings of Jacob

Read: Genesis 48:1-49:33; Matthew 15:29-16:12; Psalm 20:1-9; Proverbs 4:20-27 Joseph received news that Jacob was dying and took his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh to see him one last time. Jacob mustered up enough strength to sit up. He told Joseph that he was adopting Ephraim and Manasseh as his own children. Those born in the future would be Joseph’s and would inherit within the territories that Jacob was giving to Ephraim and Manasseh. He *** When Jacob blessed Joseph’s two sons he crossed his arms to put his right hand on Ephraim’s head even though he was the youngest. When Joseph complained, Jacob explained that Manasseh would be blessed, but Ephraim would be blessed even more and become greater. That is such a great promise because Manasseh means “causing to forget” but Ephraim means “double fruit”. So the blessings of the future are so great they will outshine the pain of the past that it will cause us to forget all the suffering. We will experience that when God blesses the earth with his Kingdom. It will be so good, we will forget the pain we have experienced getting there. *** Jacob blessed his other children starting with Rueben, his first born. He, like Esau, lost the blessings of the first-born because he slept with his father’s concubine. Simeon and Levi would be dispersed throughout the tribes because of their cruel nature. Judah would be praised. He would take his enemies by the neck and all the other tribes would bow to him. Kings and rulers would come from his tribe. Jesus, came from this tribe. He would be tested until he came out pure. Zebulun would settle by the sea and border Sidon. Issachar would work the land and be blessed. Dan would be judges of the people. Gad would live by defending his land. He would live by the sword. Asher would live in luxury and be blessed. Joseph would be blessed beyond the others and be an example of God’s goodness. Benjamin would devour his enemies and defeat them. He would receive the wealth of the wicked. *** When Jacob had finished his blessings, he requested to be buried in the burial land Abraham had bought from the Hittites. Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, and Leah were all buried there. Rachel had been buried on the way to Bethlehem. Interestingly, he was buried with Leah, his first wife and not Rachel. *** In Matthew, Jesus returned to Galilee where he healed everyone who was lame, blind, crippled, couldn’t speak and others. The people had been with him for three days and not had anything to eat. He didn’t want to send them away hungry so he asked how much food the disciples had. They had seven loaves and a few small fish. Jesus had the people sit down and took the food and thanked God for them. He broke them into pieces and gave them to the disciples to distribute. The food multiplied in their hands. There were 4,000 men and also women and children who all ate of their fill. They collected seven large baskets of leftover food. Jesus sent the people home and got into the boat with the disciples to go to the region of Magadan. *** This is a spiritual concept. God uses men to work through. Jesus blessed it, but the food multiplied in the hands of the disciples. God wants to use us in this same way if we are available to him. *** The Pharisees and Sadduccees came to him to ask him for a miraculous sign from heaven to prove that he got his authority from God. He rebuked them for being able to read natural signs in the heavens but not spiritual ones. He told them the only sign they would get would be the sign of the prophet Jonah. We assume that this was the sign of the resurrection but I think it is so much more. Jonah was a rebellious follower of God just like the teachers of the law. God had to bring Jonah to death to repent and turn. Maybe, this means that their sign would be death before they saw the truth. *** Jesus told his disciples to beware of the yeast of the Pharisees. He was referring to their false teachings that seemed to expand way beyond the truth. The deception of the Pharisees is still a problem. The Pharisees knew much about the Mishnah and the Talmud, but very little about the laws of Moses. To keep from being deceived by false teachings we need to know what the Bibles says above what others teach. The Bible is the standard. *** Lord, may we know the truth and may it be our litmus test. May we have great discernment to understand truth and not be deceived by wrong teachings but may we understand what you are saying right now to our generation.

Thur.’s Devo - Jacob Comes to Egypt

Read: Genesis 46:1-47:31; Matthew 15:1-28; Psalm 19:1-14; Proverbs 4:14-19 Jacob traveled to Egypt but stopped at Beersheba where there was a well of living water. Abraham had dug the well, and Isaac had re-dug it. God spoke to Jacob and told him to not be afraid of going to live in Egypt because that was where God was going to make him a great nation. He would die there and Joseph would be there when he died. God would be with him in Egypt bring him back again. *** Jacob took all he had to Egypt and there were 70 in his family that traveled with him. Joseph met them in Goshen and had a very heartfelt reunion with his father. Joseph instructed them that when they met the Pharaoh to tell him they were farmers. Since the Egyptians despised farmers, he would let them live in Goshen. They met with the Pharaoh and followed Joseph’s advice. Jacob blessed the Pharaoh and he gave them the land of Goshen. He provided their food for all of them from his provisions. Being apart from Egypt, Jacob’s family wouldn’t assimilate into Egypt and they could worship God their way. *** Jacob was 130 years old when he met with the Pharaoh and lived 17 years after that. When he died, Joseph was there to shut his eyes. *** As the famine continued in the land, the people ran out of money to buy grain and came to Joseph asking if they could give theirselves and their land in exchange for grain. He agreed and bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh. The people became slaves of Egypt. He did not buy the land belonging to the priests and they were fed from Pharaoh’s own provisions. *** Joseph gave the people grain and told them to use it to farm. When the harvest came in, one fifth would belong to the king and they could keep the other four-fifths for themselves. The people were grateful. *** In Goshen, God’s people acquired property and were fruitful. They grew in number quickly. Notice the difference between those in Egypt and those in Goshen. God’s people did not even suffer during the famine. They were blessed instead and prospered. That is true about now in the time of harvest. The evil people are being harvested out of the world and we are being blessed with more than enough. *** In Matthew, Jesus had drawn the attention of the Pharisees and teachers of the law who came to see him. They asked him why their disciples ignored the ritual of hand-washing which was a tradition made up by the Pharisees long ago. Jesus answered them with a question. He asked them why they violated one the ten most important commandments which was to honor their father and mother. The Pharisees, because of their greed had made a law that said you didn’t have to care for your elderly parents if you wanted to give the money you would have given to care for them to the Temple. They taught that to give to the temple would give them status with them and with God. *** Jesus told them that their worship was a farce just like Isaiah had prophesied. They taught man-made laws as if they were God’s laws. He ended it with, “It is not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; but every word that comes out of it.” *** Jesus’ disciples came to Jesus and asked him if he knew that he offended the Pharisees. (You think?) Jesus told them not to worry because God would uproot them. They were nothing but blind guides leading people to fall off the road with them. *** They asked him what he meant by words coming out of your mouth being what defiles you. Jesus explained that eating food with unwashed hands would only go into your stomach and come out of your body as waste, but the things that are in your heart will eventually come out of your mouth as words and it is your words that will defile you. *** Jesus went to the region of Tyre and Sidon, Gentile territory, and one of the women there came to him asking for mercy for her daughter who was possessed by a demon. The disciples urged Jesus to send her away but Jesus addressed the woman. He told her that he was sent to the lost sheep of Israel, but she continued to worship him and ask for his help. Jesus told her that it wasn’t right to take the food from the children and throw it to the dogs. She agreed, but reminded him that even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table. Jesus loved her faith and healed her daughter. *** This woman was asking for something that was ahead of time. Jesus came to save the Jew first but eventually the whole world - Gentiles and Jews. This woman’s faith got her what she asked for even if it wasn’t time. Mary did the same thing when she came to Jesus at the wedding and asked him to turn the water to wine. Faith moves mountains. Faith is the key to getting prayers answered. This woman demonstrated that for Jesus. *** Lord, may we grow in faith and please you in all we do. Thank you that you provide for us abundantly in this time of great harvesting of evil.

Wed.’s Devo - Fulfillment

Read: Genesis 44:1-45:28; Matthew 14:13-36; Psalm 18:37-50; Proverbs 4:11-13 Joseph tested his brothers one more time to see if they would do to Benjamin what they had done to him. He sent them on their way loaded down with provisions and had his palace manager hide his silver cup in Benjamin’s bag. *** When they had just left the city, the office manager arrested them and accused them of stealing the cup. He promised that whoever stole it would be his slave, and the rest could go free. He found it in Benjamin’s sack, but the brothers refused to leave Benjamin and returned to defend his case. When they faced Joseph, Judah spoke up and admitted they were being punished for their sins. He told them that all of them would be his slaves - they were not leaving Benjamin alone. Judah told Joseph the whole story of losing Joseph and how it broke their father’s heart. He left out their part in the story, but Joseph could tell they were repentant. *** Joseph told all his servants to leave the room and revealed to his brothers who he was. They were speechless! He explained that God had saved him to go before them to preserve them during the famine. It would continue for 5 more years. Everything that had happened in Joseph was for this very time in history. What they meant for harm, God used for good. *** He told them to go and get their father and bring him to Egypt. There was a a region called Goshen that was fertile and they would live there, near him. *** Joseph embraced them all and sent them home. News about Joseph’s family reached the Pharaoh and he was delighted they were coming to live in Egypt. He gladly gave them the land of Goshen and was prepared to give them the very best he had. He provided his wagons for them to take with them to bring their belongings back with them. He gave them supplies for their journey. Joseph gave Benjamin five changes of clothes and 300 pieces of silver. He sent donkeys loaded with the best Egypt had to offer. *** When they got home and told Jacob everything, he was stunned at first but when he saw all the wagons from Egypt he believed. *** The story of Joseph was a precursor to the story of Christ. Joseph suffered for the sins of his brothers over their jealousy of their father’s love for Joseph, just as Jesus suffered under the hands of his Jewish brothers who were jealous of his authority with his Father, God. Joseph was sent to go ahead of them and prepare a place for them when the whole world was under a famine, just as Jesus was sent to prepare a place for us not only in heaven but here on earth right now. He has prepared a “Goshen” for us in this time of great tribulation for the wicked. We are being preserved and set up to prosper while those who have been prospering through deceit are being judged and found guilty. Great tribulation is falling on the wicked at this time, while we are being preserved to continue God’s kingdom on the earth. *** In Matthew, Jesus had just learned that John the Baptist had been beheaded by Herod. He went to be alone and talk to God about it, but the crowds followed him. He had so much compassion on them, he spent the day healing the people instead of mourning his own loss. It was getting late in the day and the disciples suggested that Jesus stop the ministry and send the people home to eat. Jesus told the disciples to feed them. The disciples explained that they only had five loaves and two fish. *** Jesus asked for the food and sat the people down on the grass. Then he took the five loaves and two fish and looked up to God and blessed them. He broke the loaves and fish and gave them to the disciples to give to the people. Everyone ate all the wanted and they picked up 12 baskets of leftovers. They had fed about 5,000 men that day in addition to their wives and children. *** Jesus sent the people home and had the disciples get into the boat and go to the other side of the lake. He went on a mountain to pray. *** A storm arose on the water and the disciples were fighting huge waves. Jesus came walking on the water. When the disciples saw him, they first thought he was a ghost. Jesus told them it was him and told them not to be afraid. Peter asked Jesus if he could come out on the water and Jesus told him to come. He walked right out on the water and was doing well until he took his eyes off Jesus and looked at the waves and the storm. Then he began sinking. He cried out to Jesus who reached down and saved him and helped him back into the boat. Jesus rebuked him for wavering in his faith. As soon as Jesus stepped into the boat, the waves stopped. The disciples worshiped Jesus as the Son of God. *** They reached the area of Gennesaret where Jesus had cast the demons out of them men and now the people were ready to receive Jesus. They had seen how the two demon-possessed men were sane and filled with God’s spirit now and they believed that Jesus was good and not evil. Many brought their sick to him to be healed. *** In the Old and New Testament today we read stories of victory and fulfillment. We will not always live in times of struggling and famine. There are times of refreshing and fulfillment to God’s promises and he wants us to experience both. Both are gifts from him. Our test is to live in the now with expectation of a great future, and not in the past. We learn from our past and we take the wisdom from the past into the present and the future. *** Lord, help us to embrace the fulfillment of your promises. Teach us to walk in the times of abundance and plenty. May we help in fulfilling your plans for the future. May we keep our eyes on You and not the storms around us.