Reading: Matthew 8:23-34, Acts 12, Psalm 20, Genesis 44-45

Recall:
Now I know that the LORD will help his anointed;
he will answer him from his holy heaven
with mighty victories by his right hand.
Some take pride in chariots, and some in horses,
but our pride is in the name of the LORD our God.
They will collapse and fall,
but we shall rise and stand upright.

Reflect:
Obviously written during a good point in the Psalmist's life, but still, I believe, it is true. God is the ultimate source, ultimate resource. It's so hard, for me anyway, to simply trust. Joseph trusted--thirteen years in jail and he still trusted. I'm sure he was busy...doing...something during those years. Ultimately he came out on top, way on top. I would say, of course, that I don't have 13 years, but I do. The things that I worry about--the survival of the church, my earthly ministry here and now--those aren't, ultimately the important things, despite what my ego clamors for. What matters is my relationship to God and how I serve the world in response to that relationship.

Respond:
I will keep moving closer to God and I will keep moving out into my world.

Reading: Matthew 8:14-22, Acts 11:19-30, Psalm 19, Genesis 42-43

Recall:
Then he looked up and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, and said, “Is this your youngest brother, of whom you spoke to me? God be gracious to you, my son!” With that, Joseph hurried out, because he was overcome with affection for his brother, and he was about to weep. So he went into a private room and wept there. Then he washed his face and came out; and controlling himself he said, “Serve the meal.” Exodus 14:29-31

Reflect:
Out of all the reading, this is the image that stuck out to me. Joseph having to leave the room to cry. It's comforting. Even Joseph, easily one of the coolest Hebrew Scripture characters, had to break down and cry. And it's also interesting and, possibly, instructive. He left the room to cry. Did he do it to keep up the charade? Did he to do it so that he could maintain his solid-faced aura of leadership in front of the brothers and his own people?

When leading, I imagine there are times to show emotion, admit questions and uncertainty. That is the example of scripture and that has been the experience of leaders throughout history.

Respond:
I feel that what my situation requires at this point is the strong, positive, unwavering, dry-eyed, leader. My tears, my questioning, my uncertainties--and they come often need to be in private or with a close circle.

Reading: Matthew 8:1-13, Acts 11:1-18, Psalm 18:25-50

Recall:
Matthew 8:10 "When Jesus heard him, he was amazed and said to those who followed him, 'Truly I tell you, in no one in Israel have I found such fait.'"

Acts 11:7-18 Peter tells his story of the blanket from heaven in response to the complaints that he was eating with Gentiles

Psalm 18:28 "It is you who light my lamp;
The Lord, my God, lights up my darkness."

Genesis 41:38-41
"Pharoah said to his servants, 'Can we find anyone else like this -- one in whom is the Spirit of God?' So Pharoah said to Joseph, 'Since God has shown you all this, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command; only with regard to the throine will I be greater than you."

Reflect:
Power, favor from God, wisdom, discernment, understanding, authority, and on and on--comes from God. We get it--to put it crassly and frankly--by faith, by relationship to God.

Respond:
I want a relationship, a strong relationship, with God. The main reason that I want that is I want the above results of such a relationship. Now, I'm sure that is my ego desiring those things. Maybe as I draw closer to God, God will change my attitudes and desires.

Reading: Matthew 7:15-29, Acts 10:24-48, Psalm 18:1-24, Genesis 39-40

Recall:
In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will know them by their fruits. Matthew 7:17-20

Then Peter began to speak to them: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. Acts 10:34-35

Reflect:
Scripture is extremely interested in action. I still believe that "salvation" is a free gift of grace. However, there is no salvation without the evidence of right action--that is all there is to it. The Joseph story is an excellent example. We know Joseph has some type of connection with God because of his ability to interpret dreams. But there is no recorded interaction between Joseph and God, there is no description of the exact nature of Joseph's beliefs about God. All we have is a record of Joseph's actions, what he did. And he did well and he did good. He operated with integrity (with the possible exception of that weird cup-hiding incident). And he succeeded!

The words of Jesus are crystal clear--you will be known by what you produce.

The words of Peter--whoever fears God and does what is right and acceptable to him!

Respond:
I was getting ready to pontificate on what "we" need to do, but it's not about that, is it? More than what I write, more than what I say, God is interested in what I do.
The pattern for my life must be going to Jesus, learning from him, absorbing from him, and then acting, letting my actions pour out of that relationship, that connection.

Reading: Matthew 7:1-14, Acts 10:1-23, Psalm 17, Genesis 37-38

Recall:
Matthew 7:1 "Do not judge, so that you may not be judged."
Acts 10:15 "What God has made clean, you must not call profane."
Reflect:
The Genesis reading started the Joseph story. That life, more than any other in the Bible outside of Jesus, impresses and inspires me. Joseph just did it. He followed through with what was before him. He exemplified the concept of "not judging." He was shafted by his brothers, by Potiphar's wife, by the cupbearer who forgot him, and he didn't judge, didn't complain. He just kept going.

The commandment to "judge not," is, once again, not for the person being judged. It's not another rule. It's a key to success and effectiveness. Judging messes up the judger. Joseph didn't judge. He just kept on.

Respond:
I need to follow Joseph's example. Keep the goal in front of me. Don't spend an ounce of energy judging others.