_{Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
(1 Peter 4:10-11)}

The world is a broken place. We see this reality magnified through Joseph’s life. Joseph’s family experienced all kinds of dysfunction, favoritism, unfaithfulness, and famine. Where was God? How do these events display God’s glory?

In painful moments, the enemy whispers a lie, “If God really cared about you, He would not allow this to happen to you.” However, Joseph recognized that in the midst of all of it, God was with him. Looking back on the story, we can see that God was at work in the saving of many lives. He was also sustaining the family of Israel so they would accomplish His purpose in the future. Ultimately, Jesus would come from the family of Israel.

The story of Joseph and story after story in the Bible, teach us that even when we are unable to understand, God is at work for His glory and for the good of His people. God is good and we can trust Him! In the central story of the Bible, we see the worst evil ever in the crucifixion of Christ, but behind this terrible suffering is the greatest good. In Jesus, we see the glory of God on full display!

Joseph lived with integrity in the midst of much temptation and brokenness because he knew that God was with him. Joseph glorified God. Even now in our world, the Lord is at work to fulfill all of His good purposes. God is calling for those who will trust Him despite the circumstances and live faithfully for His glory. So how do we glorify God? We glorify God by loving, trusting, and obeying Him.

At the end, “the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the seas” (Habakkuk 2:14). He is calling for his people to spread His glory. We glorify God when our lives and choices show that God is greater, more valuable, and more worthy of devotion than anyone or anything else. We show this to our families, our neighbors, and our community by how we think, love, and live in the everyday activities of our lives. We want to be a people who are living for the praise of His glory. There is no one like our God! He is worthy of our wholehearted devotion. Let’s live for the glory of God!

• Is there any part of your life that you need to surrender so that you can be wholehearted in your love for the Lord?

• Does your current attitude reflect a desire to live all of life for the glory of God?

• Do your words and actions consistently bring glory to God?

• Do the rhythms and activities of your day reflect the reality that all of life is for the glory of God?

Even without his vibrant coat, Joseph, the son of Jacob and Rachel (Genesis 35:24), is one of the most colorful characters in the Old Testament. On the surface, each chapter of Joseph’s life is filled with one amazing story after the other. Below the surface, Joseph’s life is even more amazing when we consider how his life looks forward to Jesus. There are over 100 parallels between Joseph and Jesus outlined in scripture. Let’s look at a few examples from the story of Joseph that shows Jesus as healer.

Both Jesus and Joseph lived lives of service. Joseph was brought to Egypt to be a servant in his master’s house. (Genesis 39:1-2). At the time he could never have imagined that his brothers’ betrayal of him into slavery would later allow him to save his family. (Genesis 47:25). Jesus came to earth, “not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45).

Jesus and Joseph each provided for people in need. Joseph provided grain to make bread to save and heal his brothers and the perishing world (Genesis 43:31-34, 41:55-6). After feeding the 5,000, Jesus stated that he is “the Bread of Life; whoever comes to Me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in Me shall never thirst” (John 6:35). Jesus heals our physical and spiritual needs.

When Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt to buy grain, Joseph recognized them, but they did not recognize him or understand the greater purpose God was fulfilling in Joseph’s life (Genesis 45:4-5). Many of those closest to Jesus did not recognize Him as the savior or understand His purpose (John 14:9). While Joseph reconciled and healed his broken relationship with his brothers, Jesus’s death reconciled the whole world to God.

• What other aspects of the story of Joseph look forward to Jesus as healer?

• How can our daily lives point others who may not recognize Jesus to see Him as healer?

The personality and love of Jesus is like the largest and most beautiful diamond one could image with facets that are ever changing and ever increasing. It is impossible to fully grasp Who He is.

However, throughout the Old Testament the Father gave hints through the lives of various Jewish people as to the kind of person the Savior would be and what would happen to Him. One of these people was Joseph. Joseph was a young man favored by God, but as a teenager he had issues with self-importance and saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. God’s refining of Joseph’s character was for Joseph to endure thirteen years of suffering, including mistreatment by his brothers, slavery, wrongful conviction of a crime, and wrongful imprisonment. The man that emerged from all those trials was a great leader who was responsible for saving the Jewish nation from starvation in a time of extended famine. His suffering parallels and foreshadows the suffering of Jesus as Jesus suffered and died for our sins, and then rose triumphantly to give us life in this world and in eternity. The chart below illustrates the comparison of the suffering of Joseph and Jesus:

Suffering in our lives is almost always unanticipated. Illness, death of a loved one, divorce, wayward children, or financial issues all bring suffering to our lives, and the suffering is difficult and can be for an extended time.

Just as Joseph provided a foreshadowing of suffering by Jesus, Jesus’ suffering provides hope to each of us when we enter a time of suffering. Philippians 3:10 speaks of having the opportunity to “know...the fellowship of His sufferings.” 1 Peter 4:12-16 tells us not to think it strange when a fiery trial comes upon us, but to rejoice and glorify God in the midst of it.

None of us like suffering or even pray for it, but the Bible tells us in Romans 5:3-5 that suffering produces depth of character, a deeper love of God in us, and a clearer channel for the love of God to be expressed through us to others.

• Think of a time of suffering in your life. How did you draw closer to God during that time?

• What fruit did the time of suffering produce in your life? How are you better able to relate to others after your time of suffering ended?

One of the most significant examples of the character of Jesus is the story of Joseph, son of the patriarch Jacob, in the book of Genesis. In fact, like Jesus, if history did not record the phenomenal occurrences in the life of Joseph, the Jewish nation (and lineage of Jesus) would not have happened.

First, Joseph and Jesus were committed to lives of unblemished sacrifice and service. Jesus even remarked to His disciples, _{“Whoever wants to be the first must be your slave - just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:27-28, NIV)}.

Repeatedly, He reminded His disciples that the kingdom of God is made up of those who are willing to serve (Luke 22;25-27), and He always demonstrated servant leadership and obedience to the Father. Likewise, as a faithful son, Joseph obeyed his father and went to check on his brothers as they were keeping the sheep (Genesis 37:12-22). Just as Jesus was betrayed and sold for thirty pieces of silver, Joseph’s brothers hated him and sold him into slavery in Egypt for twenty pieces of silver. Joseph also demonstrated his integrity and faithful service as he loyally followed the orders of Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s top officials, who bought him as a slave.

Once again, as a slave Joseph loyally followed the instructions of Potiphar, his owner, and found favor in Potiphar’s household (Genesis 39:1-3). Like Jesus, from all indications, Joseph was faultless and pure in every aspect of his life. In Isaiah 53:10 the prophet also describes the life of Jesus, “Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush Him and cause Him to suffer, and though the Lord makes His life an offering for sin, He will see His offspring and prolong His days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in His hand.” Joseph and Jesus were prosperous servants!

However, they were also both suffering servants. After being betrayed by his brothers and led to Egypt, Joseph soon found himself being accused by Potiphar’s wife of a crime that he didn’t commit and was thrown into prison (Genesis 39:17-20). Likewise, Jesus was accused and slandered in a series of one-sided trials (Mark 14:55-64). Like Joseph, He had done nothing wrong, but His accusers were determined to destroy Him.

In both cases, as faithful servants Joseph and Jesus ultimately overcame all adversities and were exalted to positions of power and authority. Even in prison, Joseph again rose to a position of responsibility and gained the respect of his rulers. Joseph gained prominence with the ruler of Egypt by being able to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams as well. Seeing Joseph’s God-given gift of explaining his dreams, Pharaoh elevated Joseph to second in command of the kingdom!

Similarly, Jesus overcame his adversaries through His death on the cross and resurrection from the grave. In Philippians 2:8-11 Paul says, _{“And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”}

• What were two specific situations when Joseph and Jesus demonstrated faithfulness?

• What were two specific situations when Joseph and Jesus demonstrated servanthood?

Hey guys! We serve in kids’ ministry, and Brad contacted us in July to ask us to write a devotional showing some of the connections between the Old and New Testament. Now, if any of you have been at Heritage this year or last year, Brad showed an AMAZING infographic slide that shows 340,000 cross-references between the Old and New Testaments. Similar to internet hyperlinks, the Bible is full of connections between the two.

If we were to hit on all of them, at 1 per second (which is an impossibility) it would take 5,667 minutes, or 95 hours, or 4 days. The Bible is a LIFETIME of study, let alone the WIDE variety of commentary.

In the Old Testament there are people, stories, and events that can be seen as foreshadowing Jesus. Some of the more well known ones are Adam, Passover, and David, but one that may not be as well known is the story of Joseph, the son of Jacob.

You may be wondering, “how is the story of Joseph like Jesus?” Let us share with you a chart showing the similarities:

This is just one comparison chart, but there are MANY others, and we should absolutely expect an intricate web of connections coming from a book that is Divinely inspired.

Let’s shift focus to a personal level, though. In our own lives, every morning and evening, we read the Bible and pray together. Why do we do this? Because life this side of heaven is chaotic, unstable, and unpredictable, but Christ is the calm in the midst of life’s storms. We want to center our focus on where our help comes from and remind ourselves He loves us and those around us.

We want to remind ourselves He has a GOOD calling and a GOOD purpose for each and every human life without exception (John 3:16, John 12:32), and we’re going to start and end our day focusing on the One Who cares for us, reminding ourselves to share His love with those around us.

With a book that was written over the course of 1,500-1,600 years with endless commentary, it’s easy to feel lost and intimidated and to give up when first reading the Bible, and TRUST me, we have ALL felt that. As the joke goes, “if the Bible in a year is a ‘speed run’, LEVITICUS is the RUN KILLER!”

So this small devotional is only meant to take the intimidation factor down a notch and give you a little something to spark your interest and encourage YOU to take that spark and turn it into your OWN ROARING FIRE.

• What are some connections to Jesus you have seen in the Bible?

• Once this study is over, how can you include reading the Bible into your daily schedule?

Finish well your small group semester by having a time to worship together, thanking God for all He has done in us over the past few weeks. Pray with and for one another. Laugh. Cry. Enjoy the fellowship we have in Christ and bless one another to live for the Lord. Make sure everyone is equipped with next step options for growth and service.

• What are some connections to Jesus you have seen in the Bible?

• Once this study is over, how can you include reading the Bible into your daily schedule?

• What were two specific situations when Joseph and Jesus demonstrated faithfulness?

• What were two specific situations when Joseph and Jesus demonstrated servanthood?

• Think of a time of suffering in your life. How did you draw closer to God during that time?

• What fruit did the time of suffering produce in your life? How are you better able to relate to others after your time of suffering ended?

• What other aspects of the story of Joseph look forward to Jesus as healer?

• How can our daily lives point others who may not recognize Jesus to see Him as healer?

• Is there any part of your life that you need to surrender so that you can be wholehearted in your love for the Lord?

• Does your current attitude reflect a desire to live all of life for the glory of God?

• Do your words and actions consistently bring glory to God?

• Do the rhythms and activities of your day reflect the reality that all of life is for the glory of God?

Forgiveness can sometimes feel like one of the hardest things to do. It’s actually harder than you think - it is IMPOSSIBLE without Jesus.

In Genesis 44 we see Joseph’s brothers attempting to bargain with Joseph’s steward when it appears Benjamin has stolen a valuable cup. Of course, this was all a setup, but they didn’t know this at the time. Judah offers to take the place as Joseph’s servant if he will only let young Benjamin safely return home.

No deal.

This interaction is an example of the mentality most of us are probably guilty of at times. We try to bargain with God: “Lord, if you’ll help me get out of this, I will...”. Or worse, we live life thinking that our good behavior will somehow be enough to earn God’s approval on earth and in Heaven.

Just as Judah could not take the place of Jacob’s beloved son, Benjamin, there is nothing we can offer that is an acceptable substitution for the gift of forgiveness purchased by God’s beloved Son, Jesus the Savior. Forgiveness comes at a very high price, and He is the ONLY One worthy and able to purchase it for the world.

“Who can forgive sins but God alone?” (Mark 2:7b). This is the question posed by religious onlookers when they watched Jesus offer forgiveness to a paralyzed man. They were right. Our only hope of being forgiven is through Jesus, and I’m convinced that our only hope of forgiving others is to first receive HIS forgiveness, and then allow it to flow through us to the people in our lives. Forgiveness is not some mystical force that we all must find a way to tap into. Forgiveness is a payment of a debt, and NONE of us are able to make that payment. Only Jesus. He is the source of all forgiveness.

This week our reading leads us to the dramatic encounter between Joseph and his brothers when he finally reveals his identity. There are many lessons to learn about forgiveness and reconciliation, and my prayer is that you, too, will experience the freedom that comes through forgiveness.

Week 8 Reading
Genesis 44-45

Prayer Focus for the Week
Start with meditating on the forgiveness Jesus has given to you. Allow it to soften your heart. Then go to God and ask for help to forgive anyone who has hurt or wronged you in life. This will likely need to become part of your daily time with the Lord.

• Is there anyone you need to seek out and ask for forgiveness?

• Is there anyone you need to forgive, but are struggling to offer it?

“An eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind.” - Gandhi

_{Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, “Have everyone leave my presence!” So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it.
(Genesis 45:1-2)}

Betrayal by those we love brings a distress that reaches deep into the soul. It tends to wrap its tentacles around our conscious emotions until they are raw with pain. Fear, sadness, confusion, and anger all begin to fight for our every thought. Left to themselves, these raw emotions will begin to rule. When we are ruled by an “emotional soul” it can open a door to the darkness of revenge. Before we know it, our decision making has been distorted in a way we never saw coming.

Months have passed since Joseph first recognized his brothers as they bowed before him asking for food. Joseph’s first reaction was to accuse them of being spies, and he threw them all in prison for three days. But it was on the third day that Joseph decides to release them. Something had changed within Joseph. In just three days, the raw state of emotional revenge in Joseph had been removed by the “God he feared”. Now that he could reason more clearly, he chose to forgive his brothers. Joseph’s response of forgiveness rather than revenge would in turn allow him some seventeen years of restoration with his father Jacob and his brothers. Genesis 47:27 tells us that the Israelites, Joseph and his family, would all settle in Egypt in the land of Goshen where they acquired property and were fruitful and increased greatly in number.

When we find our way to forgiveness, the grips of sorrow, anger, confusion, and fear all begin to slowly weaken. We find our emotions a little more at peace. This can take three days or three months and sometimes even years. It may happen across the desk from a counselor, or maybe it’s just you and God riding in your car at midnight as you’re crying out for answers. For me, it was sobbing face down in the carpet of the upstairs bedroom. But, in one moment, the moment we resist revenge and choose forgiveness, our soul begins to heal. Slowly we realize that the pain no longer controls our thoughts. The bitterness leaves us. The fear is replaced with faith. The confusion is erased by a clearer understanding, and we are stronger having come through it all.

If we choose an eye for an eye, it will leave us all blind - blind to what God will do for us and in us if we trust His plan. And He ALWAYS has a good plan.

_{“See that no one repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.”
(1 Thessalonians 5:15)}

• Have you ever walked through a season of pain caused by betrayal?

• Have you been able to walk in forgiveness?

The story of Joseph reminds me so much of some of my life experiences. Joseph endured terrible things in his life, and yet God used it all for good.

As a young man I spent many years trapped by drugs. I had a very God-fearing grandfather who taught me well, so I knew what God asked of me, but I chose to run with the wrong crowd. I landed in trouble with the law and was banished from Moultrie for about ten years, so I left. I ended up in Waycross and one night my cousin, another friend and I suffered a serious car crash. We lost control and hit a large tree head-on.

My neck was broken.

Sitting in that car, I knew immediately that I was in bad shape. But I also knew that God was with me. He spoke to me and let me know that I would now be a vessel for Him.

Everything changed for me that day. I would no longer walk in the physical, but on that day I began to run in the spiritual. Ever since I have spoken words of Truth and Love to everyone I meet. I experienced tragedy, but God has used it for good.

If given the choice I would never go back to that life. I’d rather live in a wheelchair serving the Lord than to be on my feet again, running from God. Many people see my limitations, but it has actually given me the opportunity to focus more time and attention on the Lord than ever before. The apostle Paul states that the single life gave him the opportunity to do more for God than most people could (1 Corinthians 7:32). I am thankful for the life God has given me and the many opportunities I have to offer hope to others.

• Have you ever had a life-altering experience? Has it made you bitter or better?

• How might something you have considered a limitation actually be used by God for good?

If you have ever faced a disagreement with someone close to you that destroyed the relationship you once had, then you know what the “face of anguish” looks like. Every time you see them or think of the disagreement, you feel an inward pain and sorrow or, perhaps, anger. If neither of you makes an attempt at reconciliation, no matter whether the fault was yours, theirs, or both. You surely feel the pain. The face of anguish is a prison that each is in that keeps you from the peace that God offers us. Our own fear and pride are the prison bars that keep us from approaching this person to apologize. Perhaps your excuse is that, in your opinion, “It was all their fault anyway.” But that grudge doesn’t bring you peace, does it?

Well, let’s see what the “face of reconciliation” looks like and what it offers.

Genesis 37 tells us of Joseph, the second youngest son of Jacob, who is hated by his ten older brothers. Those older brothers planned to kill Joseph but had second thoughts when a caravan of merchants came by. They sold young Joseph to them as a slave, and he was taken away to Egypt. Joseph is totally separated from his family and probably feels he will never see home again.

But, as we continue to read, we find God was at work here all along. You see, Joseph served well in Egypt and was well-liked. Genesis 39:2 tells us, “The Lord was with Joseph.” When a famine came to the land, Joseph interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams about it. Joseph told Pharaoh how to stockpile the grain to have enough for the seven year famine. During the famine, Joseph’s father Jacob heard of the available grain and sent his older sons to Egypt to buy some. There they met up with Joseph but did not recognize him.

Genesis 45 tells us how Joseph reveals himself to his brothers. He could have carried a grudge and dealt harshly with his brothers. But Joseph realized that God had been in control the whole time. In Genesis 45:7 Joseph says, “God sent me ahead of you to establish you as a remnant within the land and to keep you alive.”

You see, God had provided a plan, even in the choices these people made, to bring a family back together and preserve God’s chosen people to bring us Jesus - the greatest Reconciler of all!

So Jesus is the “face of reconciliation”. 2 Corinthians 5:18 says, “God...reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.” In reconciliation we can finally find peace.

When working toward reconciliation in your own life, consider the following principles pulled from this Joseph encounter:

a. Reconciliation must be intentional
   (Genesis 32:3-5)
b. Reconciliation must be bathed in prayer
   (Genesis 32:9-12)
c. Reconciliation demands humility
   (Genesis 33:3)
d. Reconciliation requires vulnerability
   (Genesis 33:4)
e. Reconciliation needs forgiveness
   (Genesis 33:4)
f. Reconciliation is completed in restitution
   (Genesis 33:8)

• Does the Bible tell each of us that we are responsible for initiating reconciliation if we are in conflict with someone?
(Matthew 5:23-24)

• What are some walls we put up that hinder us from being reconciled with others?

When you focus on self, worldly factors interfere in your receipt of divine blessings. One such factor is complaining. It happens and is from the world! It is a “self” thing. Honestly, we all do it and often label it as “venting”. While it is acceptable to release your frustrations from time to time with a trusted friend or your spouse, how much is too much? Do you complain to the point of missing out on the blessings that God has placed all around you each day? On the other hand, be someone who is always encouraging others, finding joy in all circumstances, building relationship and knowing from Whom all blessings flow. That person is a pleasure to know and interact with, as well as being a blessing to all they encounter on life’s journey for His Kingdom’s purpose.

The Bible strongly warns us to refrain from complaining and arguing. Such behaviors reveal our dissatisfaction with God’s people and situations, and ultimately with God Himself and what He is doing around us and for us. One of the biggest examples of people complaining in the Bible was with the Israelites (Exodus 16:2). After God had taken them out of slavery in Egypt, parted the Red Sea for them, given them water from a rock, and fed them manna from the sky, they still complained about their situation. Complaining displeases God immensely and we see how the generation of complainers from Israel ended up wandering in the desert for 40 years and never made it into Canaan, the Promised Land. They missed out on His blessings. In Genesis 45:24, Joseph sent his brothers on their way, and as they departed, he said to them, “Do not quarrel (argue) on the journey!”

Complaining often leaves us dissatisfied, drained, and discontented. Finding ways to reduce complaining can have a positive impact on your life and well-being, as well as help you to receive God’s blessings. In addition to improving your relationships, such ways can also help you feel better about your life which is a result of the choices that you have made. Do everything without grumbling and arguing and focus on building relationship with Jesus and with others (Philippians 2:14). Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:16-23).

Grace is when God gives us good things that we don’t deserve. Mercy is when He spares us from the bad things we deserve. Blessings are when He is generous with both. God is good all the time!

What we say easily becomes a reflection of what’s in our hearts. Speaking negatively about ourselves, the people around us, or events takes the focus away from God’s work. Complaining is a harmful habit that can destroy our character, faith, and trust, as well as hinder us from receiving the blessings that God has in store for us. God’s blessings are all around us! If we would only take the time to listen, be still, be aware, and receive those blessings as God had intended us to have and share. Choosing God over self is a win-win choice which provides you with the foundation to build and grow in relationship with Him and His children, as well as receiving His blessings on your journey.

• Which person are you and why? The complainer who loses out on His blessings or the person who seeks to be Christ-like and finds the blessings around them and experiences the joy that comes each morning from Him?

• Have you been in a season of dissatisfaction and complaining? What did you (or will you) do to bring closure to that season and please God in the process? What can you do to change your situation, so that you don’t wander in this modern “desert” for days, months, or even years and miss out on God’s blessings?

As you near the end of your time together, go ahead and start thinking through:
1. What is a good way to finish well and celebrate?

2. How can I help the people in my group take a next step?
   (Refer to the Care Guide below).

3. What is next for me as a leader? Is there more work to be done with this group?

• Is there anyone you need to seek out and ask for forgiveness?

• Is there anyone you need to forgive, but are struggling to offer it?

• Have you ever walked through a season of pain caused by betrayal?

• Have you been able to walk in forgiveness?

• Have you ever had a life-altering experience? Has it made you bitter or better?

• How might something you have considered a limitation actually be used by God for good?

• Does the Bible tell each of us that we are responsible for initiating reconciliation if we are in conflict with someone?
(Matthew 5:23-24)

• What are some walls we put up that hinder us from being reconciled with others?

• Which person are you and why? The complainer who loses out on His blessings or the person who seeks to be Christ-like and finds the blessings around them and experiences the joy that comes each morning from Him?

• Have you been in a season of dissatisfaction and complaining? What did you (or will you) do to bring closure to that season and please God in the process? What can you do to change your situation, so that you don’t wander in this modern “desert” for days, months, or even years and miss out on God’s blessings?

As the parents of five kids, “Close the door!” is a phrase we have probably uttered more than a gazillion times over the years. Whether it’s the front door, the bathroom door, or the refrigerator door, apparently the part of the brain responsible for door closing develops much later in life. But why are doors such a big deal? Obviously, doors keep the bad stuff out (bugs, burglars, South Georgia summer weather!), and they keep the good stuff in.

Our hearts and minds have doors also, and God has put us in charge of those doors, asking us to guard them well. Perhaps some of the most destructive things that continually try to slip through those doors are lies from the enemy. Satan is continually feeding us lies, and unless our hearts and minds are well-fortified with the truth of God’s word, those lies make their way into our thoughts. Once they’re in, they are ready to tear us apart from the inside out.

The reading this week will cover two chapters in the Joseph story. The tension is building as it leads us closer to a dramatic confrontation between Joseph and the brothers who sold him into slavery. But first, I invite you to read these passages slowly.  See how many lies and hints of lies you can pick up on that the enemy has whispered to Joseph’s brothers and even to his father, Jacob.

Allow this passage of scripture and the devotions this week to reveal lies that you, too, might be holding on to. But don’t worry! The last devotion this week will help us tremendously find freedom from those lies as we learn how to close the door.

Week 7 Reading
Genesis 42-43

Prayer Focus for the Week
Earnestly ask God this week to bring to your mind lies that have found their way into your heart, soul, or mind. Let’s fight the lies with the Truth this week.

• Can you think of a lie you have been telling yourself about your life, your family, or your future? If so, put to memory a verse from the Bible that crushes that lie with the truth.

• Do you ever catch yourself using hopeless phrases like “always” (ex: you always let me down), “never” (ex: I’m never going to be happy), etc.? Pay very close attention to your words this week as they reflect what is really happening in your heart.

_{“When Jacob learned that there was grain for sale in Egypt, he said to his sons, ‘Why do you look at one another?’ And he said, ‘Behold, I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down and buy grain for us there, that we may live and not die.’”
(Genesis 42:1-2)}

Jacob’s words in Genesis 42:1-2 hold great significance. It wasn’t just about buying grain. It was an invaluable lesson about the danger of self-reliance.

Self-reliance.  It’s a trait that’s often admired. We value independence, autonomy, and the ability to forge our own path. But these very qualities, when left unchecked, can create a delusion - a lie that we have control over every aspect of our lives.

Jacob’s sons, when confronted with the threat of famine, looked at one another, stuck in their inability to produce a solution. Their dependence was on their own understanding, their own abilities. They were lost in the weakness of their own self-reliance, unable to see a way out.

Jacob, on the other hand, presents an alternative to this self-reliance: reliance on information, on others, on community, on the wider world. While this isn’t obviously a reliance on God, it can be interpreted as a step away from self and towards others, which is often where we find God.

When we lean only on our own understanding, we limit ourselves to our own knowledge, our own abilities, and our own perspective. However, when we lean on our Father, we access a power beyond our comprehension: an infinite source of wisdom, strength, and provision.

Proverbs 3:5 reminds us: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” Our faith journey is not about navigating life on our own but about acknowledging our need for help, for divine guidance, wisdom, and provision.

 It’s about moving away from the illusion of self-reliance and embracing a life rooted in God-reliance.

The story of Jacob and his sons teaches us that we don’t have to face the famines of life alone. Whether the famine is in the form of a physical need, an emotional void, or a spiritual dryness, our survival does not depend solely on our abilities or resources. Our Heavenly Father is with us, and in Him we have more than enough.

When you encounter your own form of famine (and you will), remember to rely not just on your own strength and understanding. Open yourself to the vast resources available in the community around you and, ultimately, in your Father. For it is in recognizing our dependence on Him that we truly gain independence from fear, uncertainty, and lack.

As we move forward, let us be reminded of the beauty in our interdependence with others and our ultimate reliance on God. The temptation of self-reliance is simply a lie from our enemy. True strength is found in recognizing our dependence on each other and God, the only reliable source of provision and guidance.

• In what areas of your life have you been relying too much on your own abilities or resources, and how can you shift towards a more God-reliant attitude?

• Can you think of a time when you recognized that your self-reliance was insufficient and that turning to God or your community led to a better outcome?

So much of our success, fulfillment, and effectiveness hinges on the health & well-being of our mind. We’ve all heard the phrase, “The battle starts in the mind.” It’s so true, and the enemy of our souls knows it all too well! One of his main tactics is to present us with a lie, coated in a thin layer of truth.

Imagine a cake, filled with poison, and frosted with beautiful, white, delicious frosting! You get the idea. You see, the Truth of the Matter is, the amount of Truth IN the Matter is very small in this case! It’s not that there’s no truth at all in what the enemy whispers in our ear. He knows it would never work to shoot us a bold-faced lie because we would quickly and easily de-bunk the lie. However, the thin layer of truth on the outside of the lie makes it sound so good and positive...literally!

He uses phrases that sound so “on-target” that they can be mistaken for straight-up TRUTH if we’re not on guard. Let’s take it a step further - he’ll even use 100% truth on us, if he must, in order to convince us to listen. He used this tactic on Jesus when he tempted him in the wilderness. (Matt. 4:6) “He will give His angels charge over you to protect you from harm.” He’s a sly one, and obviously, he doesn’t mind using the very spiritual weapons of warfare (in this case, Scripture) that God has given to you and me, to defeat us!

Let’s look at an example of a lie that the enemy uses on people today, and then we’ll debunk it with the hard-core Truth of Scripture.

Introducing: “The Karma Concept”.

“If you do good, your life will be happy and successful. If you do wrong, bad things will happen to you.”

On the surface this sounds pretty legit, kind of like the law of sowing and reaping. I mean, we would all agree on the fact that there ARE natural consequences for bad choices. However, this concept is most definitely a lie from the enemy! Let’s debunk it with Scripture.

This is the story where Jesus healed the man who was blind from his birth. John 9:2-3 says, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.”

Another example is in Gen. 42:21, where Joseph’s brothers come to Egypt and realize that their brother, who they sold into slavery, is now the “King-Pin of Pyramid Town!” They figured they were about to catch some serious HEAT! They said to each other, “Surely, we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that’s why this distress has come on us.” But verse 25 says, “Joseph gave orders to fill their bags with grain, to put each man’s silver back in his sack, and to give them provisions for their journey.”

How much you wanna bet those brothers were inspired to throw down a rap right there on the spot??!

“Yo-yo, ‘stead ‘o getting’ what I ‘zerved, & bein’ sent to da rack, I dun ended up wit-a-bunch ‘o coin in my sack!”  🤣

Anyway, the brothers did NOT get what they deserved - they received Grace! The fact is, sometimes bad things happen to good people, and sometimes good things happen to bad people. This is tough for us to reconcile in our minds because we’ve been trained to believe that our actions, good or bad, determine our destiny. However, God is the Judge and He’s sovereign. One Truth that we can take to the bank is this, “To those who love Him, God is working all things out for their eternal GOOD! (Romans 8:28)

• Are the following statements “Truth? Or Snare?”
      A. “I need to protect myself from people
     who have hurt me & caused me pain.”

     B. “I need to avoid sinful places &
     people so that I don’t fall into sin.”

_{“But those who trust in the LORD will be blessed. They know that the LORD will do what He says. They will be strong like trees planted near a stream that send out roots to the water. They have nothing to fear when the days get hot. Their leaves are always green. They never worry, even in a year that has no rain. They always produce fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:7-8 ERV)}

In this passage God is speaking to the Tribe of Judah, the Tribe who was chosen to be the first Tribe to go occupy their allotted territory in Israel. A Tribe that honored Yahweh.

As we study about Judah, we find he is compared to a lion in strength, courage, and vitality. Further insight shows us the Tribe of Judah contained qualities of national prominence and kingship. But even with all that, they slid down the slippery slope. They had slowly turned from the True and Living God. So, God spoke and said to them, “You are very stubborn, and you are doing only what you want to do. You are not obeying Me because you do only what you want to do.” (Jeremiah 16:12) ERV

Following their own desires and trusting in man’s ways led the Tribe of Judah down the slippery slope to destruction. God, in His infinite mercy, then gave them a “BUT”.

In this Scripture God is saying, “But those who return to obedience and trust, He gives His promise of Blessings and Strength. Life without fear. Life without worry. A life of productivity.

That’s the life He wants for us. And He is making it available to us today!

• Do you have a tender heart towards the Lord and want to please and obey Him in all of your ways? If not, it could be the first step down a slippery slope.

• Is that an area of disobedience in your life? Ask God to search your heart - even if it seems small or insignificant, we want to avoid a path of compromise.

• Regarding what you say, and how you act (ex: being kind to one another), have you disobeyed God’s Holy Word? The Good News is, we can change. Repent and turn back to a loving and forgiving God.

Read Psalm 105:1-22.

God gave Joseph an incredible dream of ruling over those around him, yet his life appeared far from it. As the favored son sat in a stinky prison cell, feet shackled in iron, his vision seemed to be lost, God’s plan doomed. Sound familiar? Joseph’s circumstances thundered DEFEATED and ABANDONED, yet the Lord God was working out His plan, remaining faithful to His covenant promises. How easy to allow circumstances to define God and determine our identity rather than to trust His Word, to seek His face continually and give thanks as this Psalm instructs.

Not DEFEATED, Joseph was DESTINED to rule and sent into Egypt, landing in that dungeon by his sovereign Lord. A prisoner, yet living out the words Paul affirms in Romans 8:28, “We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Though Joseph couldn’t see at the moment, he later declared that God sent him to participate in His purposes of Israel’s deliverance (see Genesis 45:7). Far from ABANDONED, the Lord was personally AT WORK in and through Joseph’s life, preparing the future ruler and making a nation’s freedom available while fulfilling every word He had spoken.

Psalm 105:19 reminds us that the word of the Lord tested or refined Joseph, purging away things that didn’t belong. Never fun. The refining process feels painful in those prison moments yet proves critical for our freedom. What’s purged? First to go should be the actions or thought processes that don’t align with God’s truth. Yet more subtle are the lies about God that tough circumstances introduce, causing us to doubt His goodness and His character. Often we find ourselves agreeing with the deception of Satan, whom Jesus called the father of lies, rather than trusting God and His word. Any chance you have fallen for one of those lies in your pain and disappointment? Repent and cast off lies along with any offensive ways you have walked, then declare your trust in God’s word anew. The sovereign One holds your destiny and is at work even when you can’t see!

• Consider a time when your circumstances looked nothing like you thought or dreamed or possibly believed God intended. How did you respond?

• Romans 8:28 doesn’t say that all things are good, but that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose. Can you describe a situation when you realized God was at work even though you didn’t see it in the moment?

• Discuss some lies you might possibly believe from the times and situations presented in the last two questions. Help one another to determine the truth. Take time to pray through these lies, repenting of any unbelief and declaring the truth of God’s word.

Don’t feel like you have to make it through every question. Find the few that the Lord is clearly using to speak to the group. Don’t be afraid of silence, and encourage everyone to share if they are willing. A great group leader is a great listener.

• Can you think of a lie you have been telling yourself about your life, your family, or your future? If so, put to memory a verse from the Bible that crushes that lie with the truth.

• Do you ever catch yourself using hopeless phrases like “always” (ex: you always let me down), “never” (ex: I’m never going to be happy), etc.? Pay very close attention to your words this week as they reflect what is really happening in your heart.

• In what areas of your life have you been relying too much on your own abilities or resources, and how can you shift towards a more God-reliant attitude?

• Can you think of a time when you recognized that your self-reliance was insufficient and that turning to God or your community led to a better outcome?

• Are the following statements “Truth? Or Snare?”
      A. “I need to protect myself from people who have hurt me & caused me pain.
      B. “I need to avoid sinful places & people so that I don’t fall into sin.”

• Do you have a tender heart towards the Lord and want to please and obey Him in all of your ways? If not, it could be the first step down a slippery slope.

• Is that an area of disobedience in your life? Ask God to search your heart - even if it seems small or insignificant, we want to avoid a path of compromise.

• Regarding what you say, and how you act (ex: being kind to one another), have you disobeyed God’s Holy Word? The Good News is, we can change. Repent and turn back to a loving and forgiving God.

• Consider a time when your circumstances looked nothing like you thought or dreamed or possibly believed God intended. How did you respond?

• Romans 8:28 doesn’t say that all things are good, but that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose. Can you describe a situation when you realized God was at work even though you didn’t see it in the moment?

• Discuss some lies you might possibly believe from the times and situations presented in the last two questions. Help one another to determine the truth. Take time to pray through these lies, repenting of any unbelief and declaring the truth of God’s word.

We can not look at the life of Joseph without talking about dreams. It is my favorite part!

Often in scripture we see divine dreams guiding people toward God’s ultimate will. Dreams would play a significant role in guiding Joseph’s life as they did for his father Jacob. If we look back in Genesis 28 and 31, we can see that God spoke promises to Jacob through his dreams. I have no doubt Joseph learned from his father to pay close attention to the conversation God was having with him when he closed his eyes.

For as long as I can remember, God has spoken to me through my dreams. It has not always been a gift I appreciated. There are many times a divine dream has been used to warn me or prepare me for events and circumstances that would be challenging or painful. It took a lot of maturing to realize what a gift that is in my life and in the lives of those around me.

I can remember dreaming about one of our sons being in the bottom of a dark hole. In the dream he was looking up and a shadow of a large male stood over him shoveling dirt on top of him in the hole. I knew when I woke up I had to find out what was happening in his life to prompt such a dream. I kept him home from school that day and spent the entire day talking with him. Finally after many hours, he confided that another boy at school was being aggressive and making sexually inappropriate advancements toward him. I contacted the school and with their help we were able to separate my child from this threat. That dream is still painful for me to think about but I praise God for the warning.

I had the privilege of helping care for my husband’s father the last few years of his life. If I am honest those years held as much sweet as they did bitter. I am so thankful we were able to be so hands-on, but I could have never prepared my heart for such a massive loss. That man stole a big part of my heart without me ever realizing it. God in His grace and mercy allowed me to have a dream to prepare for what was coming. One week before he passed away I dreamed that Chuck was sneaking out of the house with a pillow and blanket clutched to his chest. He looked like a big kid. I asked him where he thought he was going. With a huge smile on his face he said I am going home! I woke up and realized he might be leaving us sooner than I expected. I have often looked back on that dream, and it has comforted me to think about how happy he was to be going home. What a gift!

This week you will have the opportunity to read testimonies from others who have experienced God speaking through dreams. I hope it will encourage you to pay closer attention to your own dreams and offer the ones that stand out to the Lord in prayer.

Week 6 Reading
Genesis 40-41

Prayer Focus for the Week
Ask God to help you listen when He is speaking to you - either through your dreams, His word, the counsel of a friend, etc. Also pray that He will give you the gift of divine dreams. Don’t forget to write them down and share them with a trusted friend to help you understand what the Lord is saying to you.

• Have you been hesitant to share your dreams with others in a desire to help each other decipher the message God wants you to hear? I encourage you to take a chance - you might be surprised to hear how God is speaking to others through their dreams also.

We live among Muslims in the Middle East. Typically, Eastern culture is more accepting of dreams than the West. Eastern culture, as we have experienced, feels less analytical, less critical, less in need of control. They lean more into relationship over productivity. In many ways, the Muslim view of God lets God be God. He cannot be understood by the human mind. He is in control. He speaks how He wants and on His time. There’s not always a full mental understanding required to accept what God says or does.

He speaks to Muslims in dreams very often. Jesus reveals Himself to those who are seeking the truth. Many times, that journey to finding Him begins with dreams. Most stories of Muslims coming to faith involve one or more dreams. Sometimes He shows up as a man in white. Sometimes He says His name and other times, it is a more mysterious type of dream and might even take years for them to talk to someone about it.

I recently was in contact with a Muslim lady who had a lot of trauma in her past. She was involved in black magic and had multiple curses put on her. She was living in extreme pain, anxiety, and constantly up against her life falling apart. She had lost her income and had family steal money from her. When I met her, she started the conversation with “Let me tell you why I love Jesus!” She was in desperate search of a Bible in her own language that she could start reading.

She had a dream in the middle of all her turmoil where men dressed in black were coming towards her to take her. She described them as representing evil - all the darkness, curses, magic, hatred - she had been experiencing in her life. They were coming towards her, but she held up her hand and they couldn’t come any closer. She looked up and in her hand, there was a Bible. These men couldn’t touch her or come near her because of the Bible she was holding out as her defense. This dream prompted her to start searching about the Bible and Jesus online, which is then how she got connected to me. She is full of questions about how Allah of the Quran and the God of the Bible are different. She is so hungry to know. She now has an Arabic Bible, is reading about Jesus, and in her words, wants to be filled with the Holy Spirit so her life can fully change.

• We are a busy and distracted people. Our schedules are full. Our minds are often on overload and that makes it hard to be still enough to hear God’s voice. Have you ever thought that while you sleep actually might be a good time for God to speak to you?

• In reference to this story (and thousands like it!) have you ever thought about how God might reveal Himself to others in the world who don’t have access to a Bible, Church, or other believers?

_{“And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions and also on My menservants and on My maidservants, I will pour out My Spirit in those days.”
(Joel 2:28-32)}

For as long as I can remember, I have been a dreamer. I just thought everyone had an active dream life but didn’t talk about it. In my early teenage years my dreams were more often nightmares than sweet dreams. I would often dream of the end of days where I would see Jesus coming back for His Church. I would initially be filled with wonder and joy as I recognized Jesus, but soon it turned into dread and panic as I realized I was not ready for this encounter. This was a recurring theme throughout my teenage years. Finally, around the age of seventeen, I realized that it was no ordinary nightmare.  Out of great mercy, the Spirit of God was inviting me into a personal relationship with Jesus. I surrendered my life to Christ and was baptized at seventeen years old and those troubling dreams subsided.  This was just the beginning of the Lord speaking to me through my dreams in the night.

Now, I believe that dreamers are no more special to God than any other Christ follower. We all have the same ability to hear from Him. Some have dreams in the night; some see visions in their mind; some hear that still quiet voice inside of them. It’s all the same Spirit speaking.

Have you ever felt a stirring in your spirit as you read the Bible or heard someone else speaking the word of God? God is speaking! The question is - are we listening?

_{“Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.”
(Jeremiah 33:3)}

• Do you believe God speaks to us today? In what ways?

• In 1 Samuel 3:10, Samuel heard the voice of God and responded...Now the LORD came and stood and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant hears.” How can we be more aware of God speaking to us?

I’ve had significant dreams of all kinds since before I was a nine years old. I was saved at the age of nine, but my dreams were often scary as a child - or what you’d call night terrors or nightmares, in part because I was plagued by the spirit of fear most of my life.

Fast forward into my young adult years. I noticed my dreams were beginning to change the more I pursued the Lord.  Instead of nightmares, I would have dreams that taught me about spiritual warfare and overcoming the enemy. I’ve always felt my dreams had purpose. The more I began to mature in my spiritual walk, the more in depth my dreams were. They were more frequent and I noticed there were different kinds of dreams I would have. There are different categories of dreams. The various kinds I mostly have are:

<sub>1. God speaking directly, intimately to me about my heart. This always helps me unlock the issues of my heart the Lord wants to change. He shows me the depths of His love and the way He sees me.
2. God confirms His will to me. Sometimes this is a warning of what’s ahead so my heart is prepared in prayer.
3. God speaks to me about others. Sometimes it’s just to pray for them and thwart the plans of the enemy against them. Other times I am to share the dream with that individual in the Lord’s confirmed timing, to confirm something between them and God.
4. God also speaks to me concerning the “church at large” or “the nation” or a “people group” or our community — for the purpose of praying with like mindedness with those who are getting the same revelation.</sub>

The Lord uses our sleep to speak however He sees fit (Job 33:14-18). I do go through time periods where I don’t dream for a few weeks and then the dreams start again. When we are asleep, God can speak to us uninterrupted due to our unconsciousness - He has our undivided attention. I view dreams as a letter from the Lord that is a bit poetic at times. I don’t always understand the interpretation right away...in fact, most times I do not. I take the time to write my dreams down (I keep a dream journal) and unpack them, as if it’s a personal note just for me, from my Father. I have discovered some heavenly revelations through interpreting my dreams! (Daniel 1:17...” And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.”)

One dream sticks out to me that I had many years ago.  It was so very significant at a particular time in my life when I was learning to lean on the Holy Spirit’s leadership and not on my own strength. It’s entitled, “Swimming in the River”.

I was swimming in a river with a “coach” on a specific mission. I was to follow the coach’s instructions although he wasn’t speaking and I couldn’t speak either. He was demonstrating by example. I noticed I was following his example and completing the tasks, but I was doing the moves in a lethargic, slow manner. He and I both knew something was wrong, but I kept going until he shined a light into my eyes, as a doctor would. Knowing something was wrong, he watched me swim in a circle until the task was complete. He was patient, but I was growing more tired and weak. When I finished that task, I grabbed him and wrapped my arms around his neck in fear that I couldn’t swim on my own anymore. Then the coach began to swim with me on his back, carrying me as I rested. I was still able to move and was fine when we arrived at the shore.

The Lord continues to use this dream to remind me how to lean into His leadership by the Holy Spirit.

• Do you have a dream that stands out to you that perhaps has greater significance than you think? Consider writing it down and praying through it or sharing it with a friend and asking God together to reveal some potential deeper meaning.

_{“Here comes the dreamer!” they said.  “Come on, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns. We can tell our father, ‘A wild animal has eaten him.’ Then we’ll see what becomes of his dreams!”
(Genesis 37:19-20)}

As I have read over the story of Joseph multiple times in the last few months, this portion of scripture continues to impact me in a powerful way. I believe that God fills everyone with a dream. Dreams are ideas that call us higher. Dreams wake us up early, and they can make it difficult to go to sleep. Dreams can also drag you through some of the most difficult seasons in life.

Can you imagine how young Joseph felt when he woke up from his dream? He was excited to share his good news with his parents and siblings! Surely they would be excited and ready to celebrate with him. But...the family couldn’t imagine such a dream coming true. They were incapable of accepting that Joseph would rule over them. Joseph didn’t realize that suffering would be the guiding light that would lead him to the fulfillment of his dream. He would be hated by his brothers, sold into slavery, sabotaged by his master’s wife, betrayed, thrown into an Egyptian prison, and forgotten by those he helped. For thirteen years Joseph suffered because he shared his dreams with his brothers.

Then, after thirteen years of every kind of painful emotion, Joseph was promoted to the right hand of Pharaoh. They brought him out of the dungeon, shaved him, bathed him, gave him a hair cut, stood him before Pharaoh and when the gift of God did its work through him, Pharaoh was moved to give him the job of running the affairs of Egypt.

Joseph’s dream became his reality.

Don’t let anyone kill the dreams of God in you!

• What is a dream that God has placed in you? Can you identify the weight of your dream?

• Do you see the hand of God moving on your behalf in the midst of your pain?

• While in prison, do you think there were ever times Joseph wished he had never shared his dreams? Consider this: if he had never shared, he would have avoided the suffering - but he also would have missed the reality of his dreams coming true!

We ask small group leaders at Heritage to pray regularly for the participants in their group. Take time now to call each group member by name and intercede for them and their needs.

• Have you been hesitant to share your dreams with others in a desire to help each other decipher the message God wants you to hear? I encourage you to take a chance - you might be surprised to hear how God is speaking to others through their dreams also.

• We are a busy and distracted people. Our schedules are full. Our minds are often on overload and that makes it hard to be still enough to hear God’s voice. Have you ever thought that while you sleep actually might be a good time for God to speak to you?

• In reference to this story (and thousands like it!) have you ever thought about how God might reveal Himself to others in the world who don’t have access to a Bible, Church, or other believers?

• Do you believe God speaks to us today? In what ways?

• In 1 Samuel 3:10, Samuel heard the voice of God and responded...Now the LORD came and stood and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant hears.” How can we be more aware of God speaking to us?

• Do you have a dream that stands out to you that perhaps has greater significance than you think? Consider writing it down and praying through it or sharing it with a friend and asking God together to reveal some potential deeper meaning.

• What is a dream that God has placed in you? Can you identify the weight of your dream?

• Do you see the hand of God moving on your behalf in the midst of your pain?

• While in prison, do you think there were ever times Joseph wished he had never shared his dreams? Consider this: if he had never shared, he would have avoided the suffering - but he also would have missed the reality of his dreams coming true!

_{“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
(John 16:33)}

We are not promised a smooth ride in this world. In fact, Jesus prepares us for the opposite. He has sent us into a world like sheep among wolves (Matthew 10:16) and reminds us that this is not our home (Hebrews 13:14). But He also promises to never leave us (Matthew 28:20) and reminds us that He has overcome everything we face (John 16:33). In fact, He even promises to use our difficulties to grow our faith and make us even stronger (James 1:2-4: Romans 8:28).

But...dark times still hurt.

St. John of the Cross refers to seasons of pain, distance, and feelings of isolation as the “dark night of the soul”. These are the seasons that life takes a hard left turn. We feel sidelined, confused, lonely, maybe even depressed. These times are common - maybe even unavoidable. So as believers it is vital that we hold onto the Truth during these seasons, trusting that - even though we may not see it or feel it - God is still with us and He is still working through it all.

The reading this week covers a very dark time period in Joseph’s life, and the devotions you will encounter are all inspired by his experiences. My hope is that your faith will be strengthened as you see the faithfulness of God working through unimaginable circumstances. If you are in a season of darkness, hold on. I promise it is just a season.

May we all gain perspective this week as we read God’s word and allow God’s word to read us.

Week 5 Reading
Genesis 39

We’re actually going to reread the same chapter from last week, but through a different lens. Last week we explored the favor that Joseph walked in. But this week we will focus on the incredibly dark season of life Joseph endured as a result of a painful betrayal.

Prayer Focus for the Week
If you are in a season of darkness: Ask God to give you the strength and patience to see you through the storm. Ask Him to even give you the ability to consider this time of life joyful, knowing that He is working it together for His good and your glory.

If you are not in a season of darkness: Ask God to give you the tools and perspective you will need if and when you enter a difficult season. Also, ask Him to give you sensitivity to the people in your life who are struggling, that you could be a source of hope and encouragement to them.

• Think back to a dark season of life in your past. Can you now see how God was faithful in bringing you through it? What did He teach you and impart in you?

• If you were to enter another painful season of life, how might you approach it differently today?