“His mother brought him back to Pharaoh’s daughter, who adopted him as her own son. The princess named him Moses” (Exodus 2:10)

January 25, 2012

Rather than abort him, Moses’ mother gave her son up to adoption. Both Moses and Jesus were supposed to be killed as infants by the king’s command. Thankfully their parents feared God more than man.

“The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from his descendants, until the coming of the one to whom it belongs, the one whom all nations will honor” (Genesis 49:10)

January 24, 2012

Jacob’s prophecy over Judah is Messianic, pointing to the Lion of Judah, the Son of David, the Christ. Jesus fulfilled this prophecy and over 300 others in the OT.

“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:14)

January 23, 2012

A great prayer to begin every day and every conversation. Lord, guard my words and my thoughts. A prayer especially needed on a tired, dreary Monday morning.

“So it was God who sent me here, not you!” (Genesis 45:8)

January 22, 2012

Joseph forgives his brothers and offers to care for them during the famine. In spite of the years of slavery and prison, Joseph trusted God’s sovereignty. Instead of kicking against our circumstances and blaming others, we can learn from Joseph. We can trust that God is in charge, leaving the results up to Him.

“Every teacher of religious law who becomes a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven is like a homeowner who brings from his storeroom new gems of truth as well as old” (Matthew 13:52)

January 21, 2012

Jesus directs this to His disciples who are able to understand His parables. There is an encouragement here for the preacher to set a table from the storehouse of both Old and New Testaments.

“I love you, Lord; you are my strength” (Psalm 18:1)

January 20, 2012

God never tires. He takes no naps, nor feels discouraged. God is omnipotent. And He sends His Holy Spirit to dwell in those of us who believe. Rise up believer! Declare your love for Him and draw on His strength! Rise up and be the world-changing overcomer God has called you to be!

“The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest” (Matthew 13:23)

January 19, 2012

Jesus compares God’s Word to a seed and the human heart to soil. He names types of soil that illustrate four heart conditions- hardened path, rocky, weedy, and good. Which is yours?

“You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever” (Psalm 16:11)

January 18, 2012

This is real praise, an awareness of what the Lord has done, is doing and will do, and then, praising Him for it. When is the last time you wrote a love and praise letter like this to God?

“And his name will be the hope of all the world” (Matthew 12:21)

January 17, 2012

Matthew quotes Isaiah to show how Christ the King has fulfilled the prophecies in the OT. The Name of Jesus has indeed become the hope of the world. Will you call on His Name today? Will you pray in His Name believing?

“But Jacob said, ‘I will not let you go unless you bless me'” (Genesis 32:26)

January 16, 2012

Jacob spends a dark night of the soul wrestling with God. God changes his name from Jacob (pulling my leg/deceiver) to Israel (wrestled with God). Jacob walks with a limp the rest of his life, but he has a new identity from God. Have you ever experienced a dark night of the soul, wrestling with God?