Grace and Truth for Today

We have much to be thankful for. What are you grateful for today?

We are going to focus on Thankfulness for the next several podcasts. Today, we express gratitude for spiritual blessings.

The uncertainty and lack of closure left the door to hope open just a tiny bit. Jacob was living for some things.

Several things happen on Jacob's journey to visit Joseph that are significant.

Jacob would not believe his sons until he saw the gifts that had been sent from Egypt. What small thing could you give to communicate your love to someone today?

Joseph's stellar reputation and testimony opened the door wide open for them to enjoy blessings and favor!

Joseph's story is a clear picture of the powerful hand of God to overcome any circumstance that might divert his plan for our lives.

Joseph's brothers determined they had to come clean and Judah finally confesses their sin. This acknowledgment begins the process of healing and restoration.

Jon Blankenship gives the devotion today about the Apostle Paul.

Tom Goodman gives the devotion today about faithfulness.

Just as Joseph knew all about his brothers so Jesus knows all about you.

Periodically we just need something good or positive to happen. Are you in need of something positive? Remember these truths.

When we have tried everything we know to do, if God is on our side we still have hope.

It seems our society thinks that life can be lived without taking risks. This is impossible. Life is full of risks.

Many times when we are confronted by problems and issues we refuse to deal with it and we hope it will magically disappear.

Joseph's dad and his brothers all struggled mightily with PTSD. We see evidences of this disorder in this text.

Years prior Jospeh's brothers had forced him into a pit. Now he put them into prison for three days. The principle of sowing and reaping is a law that simply cannot be reversed.

The thing you might never consider doing could become a possibility. We truly never know what the future may hold.

Joseph's brothers were in a position where they thought they would never need Joseph again so they lit a fuse to burn the bridge connecting them one to another. I want to urge you to be very careful about burning bridges in your life.

Because of Joseph's presence and influence, the nation of Egypt had bread throughout a 7 year drought/famine. We will all go through times of want and struggle. I believe Genesis 41 reveals how we can navigate these times of drought while still enjoying bread.

Joseph has an enemy that threatened to ruin him - bitterness. Joseph has two sons. The names of these boys represent two key steps to overcoming bitterness.

When a big job needs to be done you don't just five it to anyone. You look for certain individuals who can be trusted.

There are many who can tel you what something says but they struggle to make application to our daily lives.

"It is not in me..." When someone compliments or praises you do you accept it or do you possess the mindset of Joseph who recognized any good in him wasn't his but from the Lord? This is a convicting thought and challenging truth.

Pharaoh's chief butler remembered about Joseph "...as he interpreted...so it was" (Genesis 41:13). My prayer is that the lost world would be able to say about me that as it is in God's Word so it is in my life, home and family. Our goal should be the same in our church.

There are some things that only God's people can do. Joseph was the only one in the kingdom of Egypt who was able to interpret the dream of Pharaoh, and he did it. Only those who know the Lord can do some of the things we discuss on this edition of Grace and Truth for Today.

Have you ever been forgotten? Joseph hung high hopes and dreams on the butler remembering him. That was his ticket out of prison, he was sure of it. But days turned to weeks, months and ultimately two years would pass before he would be remembered. On Grace and Truth for Today we discuss this period in Joseph's life.

Yesterday we discussed Joseph's leadership position in the prison. Today, we will see that leadership is service. You will never be a great leader until you first learn how to serve.

Have you ever heard someone use the phrase "The inmates are running the asylum?" In the case of Joseph, truly the inmate was running the asylum as Joseph was given complete control and authority as a jailed inmate over the the rest of the inmate population. Why was Joseph given such authority, leadership and influence? Grace and Truth for Today reveals that answer and more.

We can't imagine anything good coming out of a place like prison. And yet God blessed Joseph there. Listen to see how you can be blessed even in seasons of great difficult and trial.

Joseph was accused of wrongdoing, the evidence seemed to indicate that he was guilty, Joseph's accuser was believed and Joseph was sent to prison. But Joseph was innocent all along and an innocent man had to suffer as a result. As we judge matters, Joseph's story reminds us to remember that things are not always what they seem.

I've long admired Joseph's response to the temptation that came to him from Potiphar's wife. He sets an incredible example for all of us to follow. We discuss some steps he took to help him resist the temptation that came to him on Grace and Truth for Today. Genesis 39:7-13

Three little words but what damage and temptation they convey. Joseph's life and future could have been dramatically altered had he yielded to the temptation found in Genesis 39:7. He had every excuse to use which we often employ.

Take a few moments to listen to Grace and Truth for Today as we discuss "Blooming where you are planted." Joseph was shipped off to Egypt and sold to Potiphar as a slave and yet, he continued to stand out and grow even in the midst of adverse circumstances. No matter what you're dealing with, the Lord can enable you to bloom right where you are!

An evil beast really did devour Joseph, but it's not the evil beast you might be thinking of. The evil beast that attacked Joseph was the beast of hatred, envy, greed and lying. Join us for Grace and Truth for Today to find out more about this beast and how you should destroy it in your own life if you see it rearing its ugly head.

Noah lived for 350 years after the flood. The flood was a defining moment in Noah's life. These three words, "After the Flood" provide hope for us and a chance at resuming life.

What will be the very first thing you do coming out of quarantine? What was the very first thing Noah did after he came off the ark? Noah built an altar first because that was the chief priority for him. What we do first reveals what is most important to us. Consider these thoughts about Noah's altar in this edition of Grace and Truth for Today.

Did you know that Noah and his family spent more than a year, quarantined on the ark? The rain only fell for 40 days and nights, yet the effects of the flood kept them in isolation for more than one year's time. On Grace and Truth for Today, we look at how Noah and his family finally emerged from the ark. As we consider coming out of quarantine, I believe their approach is helpful in our lives.