Devotional Thoughts

G enesis 47:1-6    "Then Joseph came and told Pharaoh, and said, My father and my brethren, and their flocks, and their herds, and all that they have, are come out of the land of Canaan; and, behold, they are in the land of Goshen. And he took some of his brethren, even five men, and presented them unto Pharaoh. And Pharaoh said unto his brethren, What is your occupation? And they said unto Pharaoh, Thy servants are shepherds, both we, and also our fathers. They said moreover unto Pharaoh, For to sojourn in the land are we come; for thy servants have no pasture for their flocks; for the famine is sore in the land of Canaan: now therefore, we pray thee, let thy servants dwell in the land of Goshen. And Pharaoh spake unto Joseph, saying, Thy father and thy brethren are come unto thee: The land of Egypt is before thee; in the best of the land make thy father and brethren to dwell; in the land of Goshen let them dwell: and if thou knowest any men of activity among them, then make them

Proverbs 24:7   "Wisdom is too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate." Let me quote the New Testament in the beginning of this writing. "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath." (James 1:19) I seem to be quoting James a great deal as we travel through the book of Proverbs.  There is a time to speak and a time to refrain from speaking. There is a time to listen and then process what has been said.  James tells us to be quick to listen. I won't go back on my soapbox about the gift of listening is fast fading away. (Oops, I just got on that box, didn't I?)  We are to keep two ears open and sometimes keep our mouths shut. That's pretty straight words, but it's true. Not everything needs to be answered by me. And most times, I need to be listening instead of thinking about what I'm going to say. And then when I do not like what I am hearing, I need to be slow to let my anger speak f

Genesis 46:27-34    "And the sons of Joseph, which were born him in Egypt, were two souls: all the souls of the house of Jacob, which came into Egypt, were threescore and ten. And he sent Judah before him unto Joseph, to direct his face unto Goshen; and they came into the land of Goshen. And Joseph made ready his chariot, and went up to meet Israel his father, to Goshen, and presented himself unto him; and he fell on his neck, and wept on his neck a good while. And Israel said unto Joseph, Now let me die, since I have seen thy face, because thou art yet alive. And Joseph said unto his brethren, and unto his father's house, I will go up, and shew Pharaoh, and say unto him, My brethren, and my father's house, which were in the land of Canaan, are come unto me; And the men are shepherds, for their trade hath been to feed cattle; and they have brought their flocks, and their herds, and all that they have. And it shall come to pass, when Pharaoh shall call you, and shall say, W

Proverbs 24:3-6   "Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:  (4)  And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.  (5)  A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength  (6)  For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety." These verses contain three important words for each of us: wisdom, understanding, and knowledge. No one is born with these attributes; rather, they are gained through experiences in life - both good and bad. Even Jesus learned these things as He grew into adulthood. . "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man." (Luke 2:52) I admit that I do not fully understand this verse. It has always held an intrigue for me, but I believe it. "Jesus increased...."  He grew in those four areas of life which we could call a "four square" life. These things hold the elements for