January 17, 2008 Reading Schedule

Read Genesis 41-42 and Matthew 12:1-23

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Matthew 12:2 Legalism is so easy to fall into. I can't believe the pharisees acted like that toward Jesus, then I realize I do the same thing (though maybe not so extreme; I don't want to actually kill anyone for breaking God's laws). God, forgive me, and help me to remember Matthew 7:1-5. For every finger I point, at least 3 are pointing right back at me. I once heard that if someone really bugs you, you should really examine yourself and your heart, because it's probably something you don't like about yourself. I had a friend I used to slam for their giant ego. Gosh, I thought, this person thinks everything is about them, even the things I do! Well, God showed me over time that I wasn't so different; Indeed I had a monster ego myself, and it was very humbling to see that. I should probably apologize.

12:5 Does this verse mean the priests profane the sabbath because they're working inside the temple on the sabbath?

12:7 Obedience vs sacrafice was covered fairly recently, but I got thinking about mercy vs sacrafice. What good is it if we're doing all these things for the Lord if we're mean-spirited and judgmental toward people? I went to lunch with some classmates last week, and a certain person came up in conversation. This is not a likeable person. Now, it's not like I called this person names or anything, but I didn't say anything to stop the gossip and mean-spiritedness. And it didn't help that my daughter was with me. I had to ask her forgiveness, then go this week to the 3 others, who are shaky Christians at best, and ask their forgiveness. They all looked at me like I was nuts. Why would God want to accept gifts from mean-spirited people? We're to love each other, not love God and trash His kids. Lesson learned.

V 10 This verse astounded me from the time I was a kid til now. THIS MAN COULD HEAL. Who cares WHEN? If I saw a miracle happen, I wouldn't care what day or time it was! This verse illustrates how we can get so wrapped up in the law that our hearts become blinded. I had an awesome day in the ER today, and it reaffirmed my desire to get into trauma/emergency medicine. I couldn't imagine telling those people, "Sorry; it's Sunday. Can't help ya." I wonder if any of the pharisees (besides the one we'll see later) believed in and followed Jesus, openly or secretly, after this. Were these guys great in number, or just an elite few?

Genesis 41:1 Another dream! I'm not obsessing on this, honest. I was actually in Hebrews the other day and it does say in these times, God speaks to us through His Word, which would be Jesus, and of course the written Word, and the Holy Spirit. In the OT they didn't have these things, so that's maybe the reason why God used so many dreams. I just think it's neat.

41:9 TWO YEARS later and the guy remembers Joseph? "Hey, Pharaoh, remember when you threw me in jail? Yeah, good times! Anyhoo, there was this guy...."

Bible folks had to wait a long time for things to happen sometimes. Remember that God's timing is perfect, even when we think it stinks. He has His reasons.

41:16 Joseph had his chance to shine, to toot his own horn, and he didn't. He gave all the credit to God. And look how he was blessed!

I love the way God tied this all together. The famine ultimately led to Joseph's family reunion, but there was no way he could have known that @ the time. In fact, a lot of time went by between the two events. So we must go on being faithful, obedient, and giving God the glory, no matter what the circumstances. Wow, I'm talking to ME here!

Peace & Carrots,
Chris <><