Monday, September 7, 2015

The Vineyard- September 6, 2015

The Vineyard
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. – John 15:5

Genesis 40:1-23
Pray for God to speak to you through the reading of His word. 
Read the passage. 
-          Things Aren’t Always as They Seem
o   To a casual observer, Joseph might appear to be just another common criminal.  And yet, Joseph was imprisoned for doing the right thing!  We must be careful about judging others and assuming we know exactly what they are like, what they have done, and what they believe.  Can you think of situations where perhaps we rush to judgment?  Are there times when perhaps we condemn or judge others who are actually in the right?
-          The God of Dreams
o   God often uses dreams to allow humans to glimpse into a future reality.  Our only way of perceiving the world to come, is if God reveals it to us.  God is master over the future, and he reveals glimpses of it to whomever he chooses.  Joseph could only interpret dreams because God allowed him to.  What gifts or talents has God given you?  Do you see those as your own, or things God has blessed you with the ability to do?
-          No Good Deed Goes Unpunished
o   Joseph had landed in prison for doing the right thing.  While there, he helps someone who has the ability to repay his kindness, but instead he is forgotten.  Have you ever gone through a period in life where it felt as if you were constantly being punished for doing the right thing?  God, in his time, remember Joseph.  He will remember you as well!
Pray that we will have the wisdom to refrain from judging when we don’t know the full story. 
Pray that we will see our talents as coming from God, and give him the glory as the source of those gifts. 

Pray that we will find comfort in knowing that God will remember us, even when the world forgets us.  

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