Day 21

Gen 42:18-43:34; Matt 13:47-14:13;  PS 18:16-34; PR 4:7-10

GE 42:21-22    I just found it interesting how they automatically assumed they were being punished or judged by God for what they did for Joseph. Can anyone say; "guilty conscience?"  It's been 20 years and that's their reaction. I guess this is an example of "beware, your sins will find you out."

PS 18:29 just became my new favorite verse.  Me and my youth pastor from McEwen used to talk about "running through walls." It was what we said when we got really passionate about something. This verse reminded me of Scott.
"For by You I can run against a troop.
By my God I can leap over a wall."

PR 4:7-9       "Wisdom is the principal thing."  That word "principal" is translated to mean "the first in order or importance."  In other words, wisdom is the most important thing we can obtain in this life. The wisdom that God gives us. Then it goes on to say that if you place this wisdom first in your life, you in return will be exalted for it.  Isn't it amazing that if we will just listen to God, He will raise so far above where we could ever get on our own.

MT 13:47-50       Parable of the dragnet
The type of dragnet used in this parable was used to drag a wide sweep of water along the bottom of the sea.  It would then pull up all types of fish which would then need to be separated. Remember Jesus is giving His disciples instructions here and in this particular parable they are being instructed to go out and gather all types of people. To not discriminate race, economical stature, age or anything else. In the end those brought in will be judged and those found to be false conversions will be cast into the fiery furnace or hell.

57-58       It's sad sometimes to see people who have changed their lives through Jesus Christ not taken seriously because of their past.  Sometimes it is because they have had a horribly sinful past and people just can't get past that. Other times it is because people knew them before they began to preach or teach and won't take them seriously because of familiarity.  Remember Jesus grew up in a town just like the rest of us. He went to school and to church. He had parents and siblings.  He had a normal childhood. And so when He shows up back in town and starts trying to preach this new gospel message they look at Him like; "who does little Jesus think he is now?"  Sadly I've seen people do that in our own culture and society. They see someone that grew up with them and they refuse to take them seriously in ministry.  I've seen people discouraged to pursue their dreams and callings because the ones they discussed it with couldn't see past the familiarity of that person. They couldn't see them accomplishing anything great because they had never done anything great before. It says in verse 58 that Jesus couldn't do many miracles in that place because of their unbelief.  How many miracles and moves of God have we missed out on because we won't let people rise to their full potential. Never let anyone hold you back from who God has called you to be!!