Reading for today: Genesis 39:1-4, Acts 16:25-40

“And his master saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand.” Genesis 39:3

Be thankful for what you have and keep your focus and faith in the Lord.

Reading for today: Genesis 38:20-30, Acts 16:16-24

“…Tamar thy daughter in law hath played the harlot; and also, behold, she is with child by whoredom. And Judah said, Bring her forth, and let her be burnt.” Genesis 38:24

“And Judah acknowledged them and said, she has been more righteous and just than I…” Genesis 38:26. How often we live so comfortably in our own sin then readily judge (often times with bias) the sins of others. Or how can you say to your brother, “Let me remove the speck from your eye;” and look, a plank is in your own eye? Matthew 7:4

Reading for today: Genesis 38:11-19, Acts 16:6-15

“And he said, What pledge shall I give thee?” Genesis 38:18

God keeps His promises. Time and again, from Genesis up to the present, people have not always kept their promises. Why is that?

Reading for today: Genesis 38:1-10,  Acts 16:1-5

“And Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite whose name was Shua, and he married her and went in to her.” Genesis 38:2

You tell us again and again what You want Lord: an obedient and humble heart. You’ve shown me there are real consequences to sin. Root it from my life Lord, because I can’t do it on my own.

Reading for today: Genesis 37:31-36,  Acts 15:32-41

“So they took Joseph’s tunic, killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the tunic in the blood.” Genesis 37:31

How dark is the world, and how twisted are the hearts of men? Deep down inside, we are all as guilty as Joseph’s brothers.  God, the same sin crucified Your Son, and yet You still love us.  In fact, You gave Him for us! Lord, thank You for not abandoning us to what we deserve.

Reading for today: Genesis 37:18-30,  Acts 15:22-31

“Then they took him and cast him into a pit. And the pit was empty; there was no water in it.” Genesis 37:24

How do I interpret time when I am persecuted? Oh Lord, how blessed would I be if I always viewed those moments as Christ does: with faith in You and love for those who hurt me.

Reading for today: Genesis 37:12-17,  Acts 15:6-21

“And Israel said to Joseph, ‘Are not your brothers feeding the flock in Shechem? Come, I will send you to them.’ So he said to him, ‘Here I am.’” Genesis 37:13

Lord, make my heart more like Joseph’s, and that of Christ’s, full love and eager to do my Father’s will no matter how long or hard the journey may be.

Reading for today: Genesis 37:5-11,  Acts 15:1-5

“Now Joseph had a dream, and he told it to his brothers; and they hated him even more.” Genesis 37:5

Joseph told his brothers about his dream and was persecuted because of it, yet the Lord came to Joseph in the midst of his hardship and used him to fulfill his promises to us. Lord, help me to not judge the world according to my circumstances, but according to the things You have said.

Reading for today: Genesis 37:1-4,  Acts 14:21-28

“Now Jacob dwelt in the land where his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan.” Genesis 37:1

Lord, may I always remember that I am a stranger in this land. You have made me so! May I never stop relying on You to sustain me.

Monday, May 12th

Reading for today: Genesis 36:20-43,  Acts 14:8-20

“These were the chiefs of Edom, according to their dwelling places in the land of their possession. Esau was the father of the Edomites.” Genesis 36:43

Sin begets greater sin. How much sin and strife would have been avoided if Esau had a heart for God? What will be the consequences of my own sins? Lord, thank You for intervening in the world and plucking me from darkness.