38 So Pharaoh asked them, "Can we find anyone likethis man, one in whom is the spirit of God?" - P156
41 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I hereby put you incharge of the whole land of Egypt." - P156
44 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I am Pharaoh, butwithout your word no one will lift hand or foot in allEgypt."
45 Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-Paneahand gave him Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest ofOn, to be his wife. And Joseph went throughout theland of Egypt. - P157
Pharaoh is a worshiper of many different gods and probably knowsalmost nothing about the God of Israel. - P158
Yet, the work of God is soevident in Joseph‘s life that even the pagan Pharaoh recognizes thatthe spirit of God is in Joseph, giving him supernatural wisdom anddiscernment. - P158
In Joseph, we see a shining example of what a Christianshould look like. In everything we say and do, we should radiate God‘sgood character to the degree that even non-believers can see God‘s workin our lives. - P158
Through us, people will come to realize that God is real and that He loves them. - P158
If we live like this, then we will have countlessopportunities to bring glory to God and bring others to a saving knowledge of Him. - P158
This is our highest purpose: to love God and glorify Him. - P158
Dear Jesus, thank you for giving us the Holy Spirit who guides us and teachesus wisdom and understanding. - P159
Make us sensitive to His lead so that othersmay see You through our lives. In Your name, amen. - P159
47 During the seven years of abundance the land pro-duced plentifully. 48 Joseph collected all the food produced in those seven years of abundance in Egypt andstored it in the cities. In each city he put the food grownin the fields surrounding it. 49 Joseph stored up huge quantities of grain, like thesand of the sea; it was so much that he stopped keepingrecords because it was beyond measure. llu ho stopped - P160
51 Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh and said, "It isbecause God has made me forget all my trouble and allmy father‘s household." - P160
52 The second son he named Ephraim and said, "It isbecause God has made me fruitful in the land of mysuffering." - P161
55 When all Egypt began to feel the famine, the peoplecried to Pharaoh for food. Then Pharaoh told all theEgyptians, "Go to Joseph and do what he tells you." - P161
57 And all the world came to Egypt to buy grain fromJoseph, because the famine was severe everywhere. - P161
Just as Joseph predicted, Egypt experiences a season of abundance. Knowing that famine is coming, Joseph spends these years workinghard to store up grain. - P162
In our own lives, we may also experience timesof plenty when everything in life, including our relationship with God, seems to be flourishing. - P162
But there will also be dry seasons when wefeel like nothing is going our way and God seems distant. - P162
No one everlooks forward to tough times, but it is possible to prepare for them. - P162
Ifwe store up spiritual nourishment by feeding ourselves with the Word, setting up habits of prayer, and surrounding ourselves with life-giving community, we will not only survive but thrive in times of hardship. - P162
The famine is not confined to Egypt-it is everywhere. So, peoplefrom all over the world come to Egypt to buy the life-saving grainthat Joseph has stored up over the years. - P162
In this way, the Lord providesJoseph with the opportunity to witness to the nations. - P162
These days, wedo not need to wait for an opportunity for the nations to come to us. We have the ability to reach out to someone on the opposite side of theworld in a matter of seconds! - P162
There are countless ways we can witnessto the nations; the only hindrance is our own willingness. - P162
In this timeof global spiritual famine, may we go out and feed hungry souls withthe life-giving gospel of salvation. - P162
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