In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the Islamic extremist group Alliance forDemocratic Forces (ADF) violently persecutes Christians in the east of the country. In 2021, - P126
the government announced a state of siege in the northeastern provinces to curb the ADF‘sattacks on communities and churches, but it was not effective. - P126
Bhabra (Jain traditions) in IndiaThe Bhabra people live in India‘s northwestern states of Punjab and Rajasthan. A small num-ber practice Jainism, the world‘s oldest religion in practice today. - P126
Jainism rejects the idea ofa creator deity, so it is difficult for them to accept the idea of God as their Creator and Jesus astheir Savior. - P126
Dear Jesus, thank you that because You bore our sins on the cross, we nolonger live in fear of condemnation. - P127
May this encourage us to humbly own upto our mistakes and joyfully receive Your forgiveness. In Your name, amen. - P127
2 The LORD was with Joseph so that heso that he prospered, andhe lived in the house of his Egyptian master. - P128
3 When his master saw that the LORD was with him andthat the LORD gave him success in everything he did, - P128
5 From the time he put him in charge of his householdand of all that he owned, the LORD blessed the house-hold of the Egyptian because of Joseph. The blessing ofthe LORD was on everything Potiphar had, both in thehouse and in the field. - P129
8 But he refused. "With me in charge," he told her, "mymaster does not concern himself with anything in thehouse; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care.
9 No one is greater in this house than I am. My masterhas withheld nothing from me except you, because youare his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thingand sin against God?" - P129
Joseph is sold as a slave to Potiphar, an Egyptian officer, but God remains with
him during this volatile time. - P130
The Lord blesses Joseph sothat he gains favor with his master and prospers in all that he does. - P130
Hisbrothers may have betrayed and abandoned him, but God‘s blessingsabound all the more in Joseph‘s life. - P130
We tend to associate the favor ofGod with health, wealth, and prosperity, but sometimes we experiencethe blessings of God most powerfully in seasons of adversity. - P130
Thoughour circumstances may be far from ideal, we can still be in the center ofGod‘s will and feel His presence amid our pain. - P130
Joseph proves to be so good at his job that his master entrusts himwith everything in his household. Potiphar‘s wife also takes notice ofJoseph-but for different reasons. - P130
She finds Joseph physically attractiveand attempts to seduce him. But Joseph shows great wisdom in that he understands that
while he has been trusted with much, there arestill things that are strictly off-limits. - P130
He cannot betray his master bysleeping with his wife, and more importantly, he refuses to commitsuch a wicked sin before God. - P130
In Joseph, we see an example of how tobe a faithful steward of God-given success. - P130
We must not let it get toour heads but remain humble before the Lord, our Master and King. - P130
In our fallen human nature, many people succumb to the temptationto give up long-term goals for short-term gratification. - P131
Some peoplemight sacrifice their integrity for a profitable financial deal or throwaway their marriage for a one-night stand. - P131
The Bible also has plentyof examples of this. Esau forfeited his birthright for a bowl of stew,
giving up something far more valuable because he could not bear hishunger. - P131
In another case, Judas Iscariot‘s greed caused him to betray hisfriend and teacher for thirty pieces of silver. By the time he realized thegravity of his mistake, it was too late, and his guilt cost him his life. - P131
The Bible also includes a few examples of people who were able toresist the temptations of the flesh, like Joseph refusing the advancesof Potiphar‘s wife. - P131
Joseph found the strength to resist repeated temptation not only because he knew
what this transgression might costhim, but because he feared the Lord. - P131
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