May 1.
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“My sheaf stood up straight and your sheaves bowed to it .” Genesis 37:7.
The qualities of great leadership can be seen at an early age.
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“ Pilate said: I find no guilt in this man. Therefore I shall punish him.” Luke 23:22.
How blatant the injustice of this judgment but from it Jesus proves his sincerity.
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May 2.
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“I saw the sun, the moon, and eleven stars. The moon and stars were bowing to the sun. I was the sun.” Genesis 37:7.
Seeming brashness is sometimes sincere self-confidence.
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“Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:24.
The generous person holds no grudge.
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May 3.
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“Go, see how your brothers and the flocks are doing and give me your report.” Genesis 37:14.
A routine chore is the first step in a dream of international import.
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“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Luke 23:42.
Deep faith and understanding could see the king beneath the criminal‘s facade.
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May 4.
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“Tell me where my brothers are pasturing their flock.” Genesis 39:16.
Years later, Joseph will recall this moment and see the good and evil that came from it.
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“I assure you, this day, you shall be with me in Paradise.” Luke 23:43.
The thief’s faith is fully rewarded: complete happiness will be his.
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May 5.
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“Here comes the dreamer. Let‘s kill him and throw him in the well.” Genesis 37:19-20.
Unless previous guilt is admitted, new wrongs will be committed.
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“Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” Luke 23:46.
Jesus died as he lived: confident of the fidelity of the Father to His word.
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May 6.
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“What do we gain by killing our brother and covering up his blood?” Genesis 37:26.
Even hidden crimes are emblazoned on the memory of the evildoer.
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“Why are you men standing here staring into the sky?” Acts 1:11.
The work of Christ is to be found in the events of daily life.
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May 7.
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“They sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver.” Genesis 37:28.
The boy, sold as a slave, would one day save his family and nation from death.
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“These men are not drunk as you imagine.” Acts 2:15.
Living faith gives rise to enthusiasm that is hard to resist.
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May 8.
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“They dipped the long-sleeved tunic in a goat‘s blood and sent it to his father.” Genesis 37:32.
Always one more lie is needed to cover for the previous one.
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“They met in their homes for the breaking of bread and shared their food gladly and generously.” Acts 2:46.
Enthusiasm and generosity of Christians led the Roman world to Christ.
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May 9.
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“The Lord blessed the Egyptian household because of Joseph.” Genesis 39:5.
The fidelity, loyalty, kindness and genersity of the good person is contagious.
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“Peace, be with you.” John 14:27.
The life of the true Christian is filled with the peace that comes from sincerity.
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May 10.
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“The Lord was with Joseph and made him successful in all his efforts.” Genesis 39:23.
The undisturbed conscience of the good person makes his efforts more productive.
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“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes to you.” Acts 1:8.
The source of all Christian greatness is to be found in the spirit of the members.
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May 11.
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“Since God has given you knowledge of all this, there is none as intelligent and wise as you.” Genesis 41:39.
The knowledge and wisdom of the productive worker is evident to all who watch.
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“You are to be witnesses of Jesus to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8.
The message of Jesus can be spread only by his convinced followers.
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May 12.
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“Joseph stored the grain like sands of the sea for seven years.” Genesis 41:49.
The wise person always sets aside in days of plenty for days of want.
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“Their eyes were opened and they recognized Jesus.” Luke 24:31.
Grief, without faith, caused them not to recognize Jesus.
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May 13.
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“Pharaoh told the Egyptians: Go to Joseph and do what he tells you.” Genesis 41:55.
A leader is recognized by his solid principles, foresight, produce and adaptability.
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“They drew lots and the lot fell on Matthias.” Acts 1:26.
Matthias won the opportunity that Judas rejected.
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May 14.
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“Joseph recognized his brothers but his brothers did not recognize him.” Genesis 42:8.
How quickly a mean person would have sought revenge in this situation.
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“Your young men shall see visions....” Acts 2:37.
Young people are to look forward because their lives are still before them.
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May 15.
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“I could not bear to see the misery that would overcome my father.” Genesis 44:34.
The measure of a true man is his concern and sensitivity for others.
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“Your old men shall dream dreams.” Acts 2:37.
Dreams are made of what you have done; visions are goals yet to be fulfilled.
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May 16.
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“I am Joseph. Is my father truly still alive?” Genesis 45:3.
The reconciliation depicted could come only from a magnanimous person.
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“Silver and gold I have none but what I have I give you.” Acts 3:6.
Peter shared his faith with the beggar and led the man to Christ.
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May 17.
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“God has sent me here before you to preserve your lives” Genesis 45:6.
By hindsight, Joseph could see all the good that came from the treachery.
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“You judge whether it is right to listen to you and not to God. We‘ll preach.” Acts 4:19.
This is the same Peter who denied Jesus.
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May 18.
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“Joseph is still alive. He is the administrator of all Egypt.” Genesis 45:26.
What an overflowing joy burst from the heart of Jacob at the good news.
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“The whole group of believers was of one mind and one spirit.” Acts 5:32.
True Christian living established the true community of man.
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May 19.
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“My son, Joseph, is still alive and I must go to see him before I die.” Genesis 45:26.
True love never dies and always seeks to be united with the one loved.
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“Even after you sold the land the money was yours to do with as you liked.” Acts 5:4.
The right to private property is necessary basis for true community.
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May 20.
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“Do not fear. Am I to take the place of God?” Genesis 50:19.
Small men fear revenge. Great men recognize their limitations.
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“We must obey God rather than men.” Acts 5:29.
All human actions are a choice for or against God.
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May 21.
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“God has turned the evil you planned into good.” Genesis 50:20.
Small men fear revenge. Great men recognize their limitations.
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“It is not right for us to neglect the Word of God to give out food.” Acts 6:2.
There is a hierarachy of importance in the events of daily life.
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May 22.
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“Shall I find a nurse from the Hebrew women to care for this child?.” Exodus 2:7.
Notice how Moses is prepared for his leadership from his very birth.
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“Select men of good name, filled with the spirit of wisdom.” Acts 6:3.
To serve well, a person must be respected, wise and filled with community spirit.
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May 23.
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“Who appointed you judge over us? Will you kill us as you killed the Egyptian?” Exodus 2:14.
A leader’s zeal is easily misunderstood and thrown into his face.
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“Let us caution them never to speak to anyone in the name of Jesus again.” Acts 4:17.
No blindness is greater than the blindness that refuses to see.
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May 24.
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“Moses came to the girls‘ defense and watered their sheep for them.” Exodus 2:17.
This generous courage and sensitivity to the needs of others is the roots of the leader.
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“They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to proclaim the Word of God boldly.” Acts 5:31.
The spirit that arose in the crowd enabled them to spread the word.
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May 25.
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“Take off your shoes. The spot on which you stand is holy ground.” Exodus 3:5.
The place is made holy by the work that takes place here.
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“All the members brought their money to the apostles and it was distributed to those in need.” Acts 5:31.
The generosity of the first Christians was real and visible.
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May 26.
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“The Lord says: Israel is my firstborn.” Exodus 4:22.
Firstborn is the one who carries on the family name officially.
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“We give you a rule: if a person refuses to work he is not to eat.” 2nd Timothy 3:10.
Christian sharing does not allow for freeloaders.
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May 27.
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“The Lord led the Israelites: a pillar of cloud by day, a pillar of fire by night.” Exodus 13:21.
God adapted his leadership to the needs of the people at all times.
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“If this movement is from man, it will die from its own accord.” Acts 5:38.
Man alone cannot stand. He needs the help of others and God.
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May 28.
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“You will become to me a kingdom of priests, a consecrated nation.” Exodus 19:6.
The heart of the Judeo-Christian ideal: the supreme value of each individual.
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“If this movement is from God, you will not stop it and you may be fighting God.” Acts 5:38.
The world of God will move forward with or without you.
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May 29.
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“I am the Lord, your God.” Exodus 20:1.
God is a goal that surrounds us and is able to satisfy our every wish at every turn.
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“Saul gave complete approval to the killing.” Acts 8:1.
Zeal, if not properly guided, can do great harm.
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May 30.
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“I brought you out of the slavery of Egypt.” Exodus 20:2.
Freedom of choice which comes only from God, is the basis of all the commandments.
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“Saul went from house to house arresting both men and women.” Acts 8:3.
Terrible injustice is perpetrated in the name of religion.
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May 31.
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“I show kindness to all who love me and keep my commandments.” Exodus 20:6.
The commandments are presented not as restrictions but as positive guidelines in all aspects of life.
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“After dark, the disciples lowered Saul in a basket from the top of the wall.” Acts 9:25.
The zeal that moved Saul, the persecutor, now inflamed Paul, the apostle.
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