Good day dear friends.
Yesterday our sermon was on the responsibility we as Christians have to vote. We studied the forms of government we find in The Bible and how we as Christians "vote" every day in terms of our obedience and faithfulness to the Lord and whether we're pleased with God or not. Ours is the responsibility to cast our votes to show compassion, love, the idea of our being a part of the Body of Christ, and to care for "the least of these."
If you're not registered to open, your priority would be to pray for those who are that they would be motivated to vote. Your second priority is to go and get registered to vote in the next election!
Here is our study guide for today:
Monday: In Genesis 41:37-44, we find an interesting story of power. Read the story and see how God used this man to rule over a foreign nation. What lessons can we learn from this particular lesson of government?
Here is that passage in NRSV: Genesis 41: 37 The proposal pleased Pharaoh and all his servants. 38 Pharaoh said to his servants, "Can we find anyone else like this—one in whom is the spirit of God?" 39 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Since God has shown you all this, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. 40 You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command; only with regard to the throne will I be greater than you." 41 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, "See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt." 42 Removing his signet ring from his hand, Pharaoh put it on Joseph's hand; he arrayed him in garments of fine linen, and put a gold chain around his neck. 43 He had him ride in the chariot of his second-in-command; and they cried out in front of him, "Bow the knee!" Thus he set him over all the land of Egypt. 44 Moreover Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no one shall lift up hand or foot in all the land of Egypt."
This is part of the Joseph story. The "key" to Joseph's success as a Hebrew in an Egyptian court is found in verse 38. Even pharoah could see there was dwelling in Joseph "the spirit of God." We know from reading all the story that God had blessed Joseph because Joseph sought God and God's direction in all the he undertook. You remember that Joseph found himself the victim of a terrible plot by his older brothers and this may have been enough for others to have given up on families and even in God but he didn't. He knew that even in the midst of this that he was suffering he needed God. And God blessed all he did, and took him from that pit where he was thrown, to a jail until he finds himself in the palace of Pharaoh. And not just any place, but the second in command to all of Pharoah.
St. Paul would have said as we read in Romans, that any style government helps the believer if the believer seeks to serve God. (Romans 13). In Joseph's case, he finds himself first as a slave sold into captivity and later as the second most powerful ruler in this government where the Pharoah ruled as sole authority over the people. Joseph never quit praying nor waiting on God.
As we prepare to see the results of this election and the issues before us, we pray that our votes, as guided by God, would serve to glorify God.
PRAYER: Lord of all life, we pray that you would bless me to a deeper understanding of who I am in the midst of where I am. Let me seek Your face and Your blessing each and every day so that in all things I would be a blessing to You and to Yours. I pray this in Christ Jesus' name. Amen.
Have a great and blessed day!
e.v.
