Controlled After washing his face, he came back out, keeping himself under control. Then he ordered, “Bring out the food.” Genesis 43:31 (NLT) Joseph, as governor of Egypt, had to face a moment filled with emotions when he saw his brothers after many years. However, before making decisions, he stepped away, washed his face, and…
Category: Daily Devotional
Buying and Selling
Buying and Selling When Joseph was taken to Egypt by the Ishmaelite traders, he was purchased by Potiphar, an Egyptian officer. Potiphar was captain of the guard for Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. Genesis 39:1 (NLT) The story of Joseph reminds us that even in the midst of painful or seemingly unjust events, God is…
Prepare Yourself and Establish Yourself
Prepare Yourself and Establish Yourself Then God said to Jacob, “Get ready and move to Bethel and settle there. Build an altar there to the God who appeared to you when you fled from your brother, Esau.” So Jacob told everyone in his household, “Get rid of all your pagan idols, purify yourselves, and put…
Kidron and Olives
Kidron and Olives After saying these things, Jesus crossed the Kidron Valley with his disciples and entered a grove of olive trees. John 18:1 (NLT) The Word shows us that before being arrested, Jesus crossed the Kidron Valley to reach the grove of olives. Kidron means “darkness,” while the olives represent oil, anointing, life, and…
Said
Said “I have told you these things so that you won’t abandon your faith.” John 16:1 (NLT) Words have tremendous power. With them we can build or destroy, lift up or tear down, encourage or discourage. Jesus Himself used His words to strengthen His disciples, assuring them that they were not alone, but that the…
When There Is Love, There Is Sacrifice
When There Is Love, There Is Sacrifice Since Jacob was in love with Rachel, he told her father, “I’ll work for you for seven years if you’ll give me Rachel, your younger daughter, as my wife.” Genesis 29:18 (NLT) True love always leads us to giving and sacrifice. Jacob worked seven years for Rachel, and…
To Whom Did God Make This Promise?
To Whom Did God Make This Promise? I will cause your descendants to become as numerous as the stars of the sky, and I will give them all these lands. And through your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed. Genesis 26:4 (NLT) God is a God of covenants and generations. The…
My Life Is the Grain with Much Fruit
My Life Is the Grain with Much Fruit Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. John 12:24 (NKJV) Jesus used the image of the grain of wheat to teach a profound spiritual principle: only…
Abundant Life
Abundant Life The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. John 10:10 (NLT) When Jesus spoke of abundance, He was not limiting it to money or material possessions. The abundance He offers goes far beyond: it is a full life in every…
By Stages
By Stages From the Negev, they continued traveling by stages toward Bethel, and they pitched their tents between Bethel and Ai, where they had camped before. Genesis 13:3 (NLT) The Christian life, as well as ministry and personal projects, is not completed all at once, but by stages. Just as Abraham advanced step by step…