YE2F.1 · Activity Page
Genesis 15:1-18
Genesis 15:6
Genesis 17:7-9
Genesis 18:1-15
Deuteronomy 7:9
Psalm 105:7-11
Galatians 3:8-9
Hebrews 6:13-15
Hebrews 11:11-12
BLAZED - burned brightly
WAITER - one who serves food in a restaurant
Has anyone ever made a promise to you, and then forgotten that promise? When you say that vou are going to do something, do you ever get busy and forget? When Mom says to pick up your toys do you ever get busy playing with them and forget?
There was a man in the Bible named Abram. God changed his name to Abraham. He made a promise to bless Abraham. God said that Abraham would be the father of many, many children. But, that was years ago. Abraham still didn't have any children!
Abraham thought God had forgotten.
Abraham and Sarah thought they would help God out. Sarah was getting too old to have babies. So, she gave Abraham one of her servants. Sarah said, "Maybe God wil give us a child by her." And, Hagar had a son. Abraham named him Ishmael. But this was not part of God's plan.
The day was hot and the air was dusty. The sun blazed in the sky. Abraham and Sarah sat in the shade of their tent. It was too warm to be out in the sun. They fanned themselves to try to stay cool. Abraham squinted - what was that in the distance? It looked like strangers coming toward them. Why would anyone be walking in the heat of the day? Abraham stood and went to meet the three men.
'The men were hot and dusty from their trip. Abraham called his servant to bring a pan of cool water. They could wash the dust from their faces and feet to help them cool off. Then Abraham asked them to stay for dinner.
Sarah went inside the tent to cook a nice meal for her guests. They would have fresh bread and butter to eat. There would be milk to drink. Abraham cooked the meat over an open fire. He wanted his guests to feel welcome.
Abraham and Sarah made a table under the shade of a tree. They spread out the meal. But, they didn't sit down. Instead, Abraham stood by waiting, like a waiter in a restaurant. Sarah went back to the tent.
Sarah heard the men talking to Abraham. These guests were not just men. They were messengers from God. They reminded Abraham of God's promise to bless him with many children and grandchildren. They said God had not forgotten His promise. Sarah would be the mother of a child.
Abraham was happy to hear the message from God. He was glad that God had not forgotten His promise. But, Sarah couldn't believe her ears. "Me, have a baby?" Sarah laughed quietly to herself. "I'm too old for that!'
Outside, the men asked Abraham why Sarah laughed. 'They hadn't heard her, but they knew. They said, "Is there anything too hard for the Lord?" They said that Sarah would have a son. And she did! They called his name Isaac, which means laughter.
God has made us many promises in the Bible. He promised that He would always be with us. We do not have to be afraid. He promised to take care of us. He promised to hear our prayers. God promised that one day we would live with Him forever. He will not forget His promises to us. We can count on Him!
Dear Heavenly Father,
I'm glad that you kept your promise to Abraham and Sarah. Thank you for al of your promises to me. I know vou will
keep them, too.
In Jesus' name.
Amen.
Sunday - Hebrews 6:13-15
Monday - Genesis 15:3-5
Tuesday - Genesis 17:7-9
Wednesday - Psalm 105:7-11
Thursday - Hebrews 11:11-12
Friday - Deuteronomy 7:9
Saturday - Galatians 3:8-9
Genesis 16:1-16
Genesis 21:1-14
Psalm 27:13-14
Psalm 37:3-7
Psalm 37:5
Romans 5:3-5
Romans 15:4-5
Colossians 1:10-12
Hebrews 12:1
COMMIT - to give charge of
WICKED - evil, bad
SORROW - sadness
Loti could hardly wait for Friday to come. Her mom promised to take her shopping for some new school clothes. She started making a shopping list. It was always fun to get new clothes.
On Wednesday, Lori went to the store with her grandmother. She saw a shirt that she liked. She hoped Grandmother would buy it for her. She even hinted that she would like to have it. But, Grandmother told her, "You will have to wait until Friday. Your mother knows what is best for you. I'm sure she will get you what you need.”
Waiting for something you really want can be a hard thing to do. Sometimes we want to take things into our own hands. God tells us that if we will wait for Him and leave things up to Him, He will bring them to pass.
Abraham and Sarah had been waiting a long, long time to have a child. They even took matters in their own hands. Sarah gave Abraham one of her servants, hoping that she would give Abraham a son - and she did! Abraham's first son was named Ishmael. But this boy was not part of God's plan. God would take care of Ishmael. But, he was not the son that God promised to bless.
Sarah was now a very old woman. She was older than your grandmother! But, her long wait was at last over. God finally kept his promise - Sarah had a baby boy. They named the boy Isaac, which means laughter. Sarah laughed when God's messengers said she would have a baby. She thought she was too old. Sarah laughed when the baby was born because she was so happy. So she named the baby Isaac - Laughter.
Isaac was growing up. Abraham and Sarah were proud of Isaac. They wanted their friends to see their new son. So, they had a party. They invited al their friends, and relatives. This was a special day for young Isaac.
Abraham's oldest son, Ishmael was at the party, too. Sarah saw Ishmael making fun of Isaac. Sarah became very angry. She told Abraham what had happened. Sarah said, "Abraham, send this wicked child and his mother away from here!" She didn't want Ishmael anywhere around her son, Isaac.
Abraham was very sad. He helped pack food and water for Ishmael and his mother. Then he sent them away. But, God told Abraham not to worry. He would take care of Ishmael and bless him. God would make a great nation from Ishmael's children.
Sarah and Abraham thought they could help God out. Ishmael was born because they took matters in their own hands. Because they didn't wait, there was trouble between the two boys. And, Abraham had to send Ishmael away. Isaac brought laughter to their home. Ishmael brought sorrow.
God's ways are always the best ways. He knows what is best for us. He knows what we need and what will make us happy. And, God always keeps His promises - even when we sometimes have to wait.
Dear Heavenly Father,
I am glad you know what is best for me. You will give me what I need at the right time. Help me learn to be patient and wait for your timing.
In Jesus' name I pray.
Amen.
Sunday - Psalm 37:3-5
Monday - Psalm 27:13-14
Tuesday - Psalm 37:6-7
Wednesday - Colossians 1:10-12
Thursday - Romans 5:3-5
Friday - Romans 15:4-5
Saturday - Hebrews 12:1
Genesis 22:1-19
Psalm 4:5-8
Psalm 73:26-28
Psalm 115:11-13
Proverbs 3:5
Proverbs 29:25
Isaiah 53:7
John 1:29
Hebrews 11:17-19
PROVIDE - to give what is needed
SACRIFICE -an offering to God
Has your mother ever told you, "Never talk to a stranger?" She doesn't want you to put yourself in danger. If you don't know someone, it is better to stay away from them.
But there is one person that you can always trust - God. He will always do what is best for you. He knows all about you. He knows what you need. And, He always keeps His promises.
Abraham trusted God. And, God kept His promise - He gave Abraham a son. Abraham loved his son, Isaac. He taught him many things. But, the most important thing Abraham taught Isaac was to love and trust God. God had promised that many blessings would come through Isaac.
One day God told Abraham to do something strange. God said, "Take Isaac up to the mountains and make a sacrifice." The strange part was that they didn't take an animal for the sacrifice. God wanted Abraham to offer Isaac as the sacrifice.
The next morning Abraham, Isaac, and two servants got up early. Sadly, Abraham loaded the wood on the donkey. They headed for the mountain as God had told him. Abraham told the servants to wait with the donkey. He said. "We will worship and then we will come back to you.
The long walk up the mountain must have been hard for Abraham. He loved Isaac very much. Why would God want him to offer Isaac as a sacrifice? What would happen to God’s promised blessings? But, Abraham trusted God.
At last, they reached the top of the mountain. Abraham and Isaac built an altar. They laid the wood on top of the altar. Isaac said, "Father, the fire and wood are here. But where is the lamb for the offering?"
Abraham told Isaac,'"God himself will provide the lamb for the offering." God knew exactly what they needed. And Abraham trusted God to give them what they needed. So, he did what God told him. Abraham tied up Isaac, and laid him on the altar. 'There must have been tears in Abraham's eves as he took the knife and raised it.
"Abraham, stop!" It was a voice from heaven. God told Abraham not to hurt Isaac. Abraham turned around. He saw a ram caught in the bushes. God had truly provided the animal for the offering. Abraham hurried to untie Isaac.
God saw that Abraham loved Him and trusted Him. Abraham had obeyed God, even when he didn't understand. He obeyed even when it was hard. After this, God said, "I will give you so many children and grandchildren that you won't be able to count them. They will be like the sand on the seashore." Through Isaac everyone would receive a blessing. Abraham passed the Test of Love.
We don't always understand why our parents tell us things. But, we know that they want what is best for us. They don't want us to be in danger. And, we should obey them because we can trust them.
We don't always understand God’s ways. He knows what we need today and tomorrow. He can see what we will need in the future. He knows much more than we do. And, we can trust God! Will you obey Him and pass the Test of Love?
Dear Heavenly Father,
You know what is best for me. Teach me to trust you like Abraham did. Help me to obey you even when I don't understand your ways.
In Jesus' name I pray.
Amen.
Sunday - Hebrews 11:17-19
Monday- John 1:29
Tuesday - Psalm 4:5-8
Wednesday - Psalm 73:26-28
Thursday - Psalm 115:11-13
Friday - Proverbs 29:25
Saturday - Isaiah 53
Genesis 24:1-67
Psalm 86:6-7
Proverbs 3:5-6
Proverbs 18:22
Proverbs 31:10-12
James 5:16
DECISION - making up one’s mind
EARNEST - serious
RESULTS - what happens when you do something
Todd loved the summer time. The days were longer and there was more time to play. He liked being out of school for a few months. Todd always looked forward to picnics and swimming with his friends. But, this year Todd had a big decision to make.
Todd's grandmother lived on a farm. She was not feeling well. The doctor told her to rest. But, there was a lot to do on the farm. The animals had to be fed and the garden had to be tended. Grandmother needed help.
Mother asked if Todd and his big sister would help on the farm. Todd could help feed the chickens and pick vegetables. His sister could take care of the other animals. There would be lots of time to swim and go fishing. But, they would also be helping. What do you think Todd should do? His mother told him to pray and ask God to help him do the right thing.
Isaac had a big job and a big decision to make. He was a grown man now. It was time for him to start his own family. But, Abraham didn't want Isaac to choose a wife who didn't worship the true God. He wanted Isaac to have a good wife - one who loved God.
One day Abraham called one of his servants to him. He sent the man back to the land of Abraham's relatives. Abraham made him promise that he would find Isaac a wife who loved God. "How will I ever find the right bride for Isaac?" thought the servant.
The servant took ten camels loaded with gifts. They traveled a long way. Finally they came to the land of Abraham's relatives. The servant stopped by a well and got down off his camel. They were thirsty, but he didn't have a way to get water from the well.
Where would Abraham's servant begin to look for a bride? He began praying to God, "God, send just the right woman to the well and help me make the right decision." If the woman gave him a drink and some water for his camels, the servant would know she was the right one.
Not long after the prayer, a beautiful young woman came to the well. “Was she the one,” thought the servant? The woman said. "Let me draw water for you and for your camels.”
God had answered his prayer. He gave Rebekah a golden earring as a gift. He asked to talk to her father. This beautiful woman was one of Abraham's relatives. Would she be willing to marry Isaac? Rebekah said that she would. Abraham's servant was very thankful God helped him make this decision. Now he could keep his promise to Abraham.
Have you ever needed help to make a hard decision? Did you make the decision on your own, or did you ask for help? I'm sure your mom or dad would help you. But, God is also always there when you need help. If you are serious about your prayer, God will hear and answer. His answers are not always what we think they should be. Sometimes His ways are different than our ways. But, God's ways are always the best!
Dear Heavenly Father,
You are a wise God and always know what is best. 'Thank you for hearing my prayers. Help me to ask for your help when I have to make hard decisions.
In Jesus' name.
Amen.
Sunday - Proverbs 31:10-12
Monday - Genesis 24:3-4
Tuesday - Genesis 24:26-27
Wednesday - Genesis 24:38-40
Thursday - Proverbs 18:22
Friday - Psalm 86:6-7
Saturday - Proverbs 3:5-6
Genesis 25:21-34
Genesis 27:1-46
Leviticus 19:11
Psalm 37:4-9
Matthew 6:33
Mark 10:19
Ephesians 4:28
Hebrews 12:15-17
1 John 1:9
BIRTHRIGHT - any right that a person has by birth
Do you think it would be fun to be a twin? You would always have someone your own age to play with. But what if your twin wanted your toys? Would you like that?
How many sets of twins do you know? Do they look alike? Are they both boys? Or, are they both girls? Did you know that one twin is always older than the other one? Usually they have exactly the same birthday, but one twin is born before the other one, and that makes him older.
Isaac and Rebekah were the proud parents of twin boys. But these twins did not look alike. Their names were Jacob and Esau. Esau was born first, so he was older than his brother Jacob. In Bible times, the oldest son got the "birthright." When the father died, he would get more of what his father owned than the other children. Because Esau was the oldest son, he would get more land, more of the cattle, and more of everything than Jacob would get. This was important because his father, Isaac, was very rich.
Esau loved to be out in the fields. One day after he had been hunting all day, he came home very hungry. Jacob had a big pot of stew cooking. It smelled wonderful! "Please give me some stew,” Esau asked. Jacob said that he would trade Esau some stew for his birthright. Esau agreed because he was hungry. What Esau did was a very foolish thing. He didn't think about what his birthright was worth.
The birthright is only part of the story. Isaac was getting very old. He had trouble seeing. Isaac knew that he would soon die. He called Esau in and told him to cook him his favorite meal. Then Isaac would bless Esau. This blessing was very important. So, Esau went out hunting for the meat.
Now Jacob was Rebekah's favorite son. She wanted him to receive the blessing. When she heard what Isaac told Esau, she came up with a plan. Rebekah told Jacob to cook one of his goats. Esau was a very hairy man. So, Rebekah took fur and sewed it on Jacob's sleeves. Then Jacob took the meat in to his father and pretended he was Esau.
Isaac smelled the meat and asked who was there. Jacob said, "It's me, your son Esau."(Jacob was lying.) Isaac knew the voice sounded like Jacob. Isaac reached out to touch his son. He felt the hair on Jacob’s arms and thought it must be Esau. So, Isaac prayed a prayer of blessing for his son Jacob.
Rebekah and Jacob didn't have to deceive Isaac into thinking he was Esau. Even before Esau and Jacob were born, God told Rebekah that Esau would serve Jacob. God wanted Jacob to have a greater blessing. They should have waited for God to work this out.
As soon as Jacob left his father's tent, the real Esau came in. He brought the meat that his father had asked for. Isaac was surprised. Jacob had tricked him. Isaac said that he had already given the blessing to Jacob.
Esau was very sad and very mad. He hated Jacob so much that he wanted to kill him! Rebekah was afraid for Jacob's life. She asked Isaac to send Jacob to her brother's house for a while. Then he could find a wife who would love God. So, Isaac sent Jacob to his uncle Laban.
Jacob broke God's law. He lied to get the blessing. Esau also sinned. He got mad and threatened to kill Jacob. Jacob was sent away from his home. His brother hated him.
When you disobey God, things just go from bad to worse! When you tell lies you will get caught. When you cheat, someone will find out. When you steal you will have to pay it back. 'There are consequences to pay when you sin. Sin leaves scars like sores do! God knew what He was doing when He said, "Do not steal. Do not tell lies. Do not cheat one another." Jacob should have waited for God to work things out. He didn't have to steal the blessing. God would have given it to him.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Help me learn a lesson from the story of Jacob and Esau. It is wrong to cheat and lie and steal. Help me to wait for you to bless me. I want to obey your laws and love others.
In Jesus' name.
Amen.
Sunday - Psalm 37:8-9
Monday - Mark 10:19
Tuesday - Ephesians 4:28
Wednesday - 1John 1:9
Thursday - Matthew 6:33
Friday - Hebrews 12:15-17
Saturday - Genesis 27:35-36
Genesis 27:41-46
Genesis 28:1-19
Genesis 29:1-30
Joshua 1:9
Psalm 34:7-9
Psalm 37:28-29
Romans 12:17-18
Ephesians 2:13-18
Hebrews 4:15-16
Hebrews 13:5
NIGHTMARE - a scary, bad dream
REMINDER - something that causes you to remember
TENTH - one part of ten pieces
The warm sunshine came in Shannon's bedroom window. She woke up and stretched - then she remembered. Shannon had a dream in the night. In her dream she was on a beautiful island. Her favorite dolls were there, too. They could talk and walk and play with her. Shannon had a wonderful time in her dream.
But, sometimes Shannon had dreams that were not good. Have you ever had a bad dream? We call them nightmares. When you wake up from a nightmare you are usually scared. Sometimes you even have to go get in bed with your mom and dad to get back to sleep.
Today's lesson tells about a dream that Jacob had. He was sent away from his home. Jacob's brother was mad at him. Esau even threatened to kill Jacob. His mother and father sent him to stay with his uncle Laban for a while.
Jacob traveled during the day. But, at night he slept under the stars. One night Jacob lay down on the ground. He used a big rock for his pillow. As he slept, Jacob had a dream. It was both beautiful and scary.
In the dream, Jacob saw a beautiful stairway or ladder. It reached al the way from the ground up to the heavens.
Angels were walking up and down the stairs. Then Jacob heard a voice. It was one he had never heard before. It was the voice of God!
In the dream God reminded Jacob about His promise to Abraham and Isaac. He would bless them with many children. He promised to give them all the land around where Jacob slept. Now, God made an even bigger promise to Jacob. God promised to be with him and take care of him.
Jacob awoke from his dream. He felt good, but a little afraid. He had heard the very voice of God! Now he knew that God loved him and would protect him. Jacob took his rock pillow and set it up to help him remember where that place was. There he promised to give God one tenth of everything he had. The stone reminded him of God's promise.
God kept His promise to Jacob. Jacob went on to his uncle Laban's house. There he met his beautiful cousin, Rachel. He promised to work for Laban for seven years so that he could marry her. Everything Jacob did went right. The sheep had many new lambs. The cows had new calves. The garden grew lots of vegetables. God was blessing Jacob!
The seven years were up. But, Laban didn't give Jacob Rachel to marry. Laban brought Rachel's older sister to Jacob's tent at night. It was dark. Jacob couldn't see her very well. The next morning Jacob saw that he had the wrong girl. Laban tricked Jacob just like Jacob had tricked his father!
Jacob lied and cheated his brother and father. His sins caught up with him. Laban tricked him. But, God still blessed him. Jacob married both girls. And, Laban gave Jacob cows and sheep for his own. He became a very rich man.
God wants to bless you and take care of you. He will never leave you. But, He wants you to obey Him and treat others kindly. Lying and cheating will catch up with you!
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for keeping your promise to bless Jacob. Thank you for the blessings you give to me and for always being there for me. Help me to always try to obey your commandments.
In Jesus’ name.
Amen.
Sunday - Ephesians 2:13-14
Monday - Romans 12:17-18
Tuesday - Joshua 1:9
Wednesday - Hebrews 4:15-16
Thursday - Genesis 28:11-12
Friday - Psalm 34:7-9
Saturday - Psalm 37:28-29
Genesis 37:1-11
Ecclesiastes 5:19
John 1:11-12
John 3:16
John 4:10, 13-14
Romans 5:18
Romans 6:22-23
Ephesians 2:8-9
1 John 3:1-2
ETERNAL- without beginning or end, everlasting
PERISH- be destroyed, to die
SAVE - to keep safe from hurt or harm; to rescue
Cheryl and her friends were talking about their teacher, Mrs. Marsh. Cheryl said, “Tim is Mrs. Marsh's pet. He never gets in trouble. He thinks he is better than anyone else." Tim sat in the front of the classroom. Mrs. Marsh let Tim run errands for her. He was the one who always led the line outside for recess. Just then, Tim walked passed the girls. They began calling out, "Teacher's pet, teacher's pet. Timmy is the teacher's pet!” The girls were jealous. Jealousy can make people do bad things. It can make you angry. It may make you call someone names or do other unkind things. Sometimes it even makes you hate other people. Today's lesson is about jealousy and 12 brothers.
God kept His promise to Jacob. His family grew and grew. Jacob had 12 sons. He could have had his own baseball team and had extras! But these boys didn't always get along. The others were jealous of Joseph.
Joseph was Jacob's favorite son. He loved Joseph more than the other boys. Joseph was the beautiful Rachel’s oldest boy. And, Jacob loved Rachel more than her sister, Leah.
One day Jacob called Joseph in from the flocks. He gave Joseph a beautiful new coat. It was made of many different colors. It was the kind of coat that princes and rich men wore. Joseph was proud of his beautiful new coat. He went out to show his brothers. How do you think that made them feel?
Joseph's brothers looked at their own plain clothes. 'Then they looked at Joseph's beautiful coat. They knew that Joseph could not work in such a coat. They thought that Jacob was going to make the younger brother head of the family. Joseph's brothers were angry.
After that, Joseph began to have some funny dreams. One dream was about 12 bundles of wheat. One bundle stood up straight. The other 11 bundles bowed down to the one standing. In another dream, the sun, moon, and 11 stars bowed down to Joseph.
Joseph told his dreams to his father and brothers. His brothers got even madder. They said, "You mean, you think we should bow down to you? You must be crazy!" From then on they hated Joseph. But, his father knew that God would look after Joseph.
Jacob had 12 sons - God had only One. Jacob loved his sons, but he loved Joseph the most. God loved Jesus, but He also loved the whole world - even you and me. Jacob gave Joseph a gift. It was a beautiful new coat. God gave us a gift - His only Son. Jealousy made Joseph's brothers hate him. But, one day, Joseph did a really good deed for his brothers. He saved them from getting hungry. God sent Jesus to earth to be our Savior. But many people do not love Him. God sent Jesus to die and save you and me. Because we have sinned and done bad things, Jesus had to die. He died so that we won't have to stay dead. He wants us to live with Him forever in His Kingdom.
Whenever we are jealous or hate someone, we miss out on God's blessings.
Dear Father in Heaven,
Thank you for loving me so much that you sent your Son, Jesus, so that we can live forever. I want you to bless me. Help me not to be jealous or hate anyone.
In Jesus' name.
Amen.
Sunday - Ecclesiastes 5:19
Monday - John 4:10, 13-14
Tuesday - Romans 5:18
Wednesday - Romans 6:22-23
Thursday - Ephesians 2:8-9
Friday - John 1:11-12
Saturday - 1 John 3:1-2
Genesis 37:12-36
2 Chronicles 16:9
Psalm 34:15-17
Psalm 69:5
Proverbs 15:3
Isiah 29:15
Jeremiah 23:23-24
1 Corinthians 4:5
2 Corinthians 4:2
CARAVAN - a group of people traveling together
DISK- a thin, flat circle, like a plate
METAL DETECTOR - a machine used to find hidden metal
MOURNED - to grieve or express sorrow
Roger and his daddy were walking along the beach. Roger's daddy was carrying a long pole with a disk on the end. He waved it back and forth over the sand. It was a metal detector! Metal detectors are used to find things in the sand. When it finds anything metal buried in the sand it makes a beeping noise. When Roger and his daddy heard the beeping sound they stopped to dig in the sand. They found a quarter, three dimes, an old spoon, and a ring! Roger thought it was fun digging in the sand to find buried treasure.
Roger and his daddy couldn't se what was under the sand. They needed the help of the metal detector.
There are tools to help you find things that are hidden. Hearing aids help people hear. Binoculars help you see things that are far away. Man can make tools to help us find things that are hidden. You can be sure that God who made everything can see everywhere.
Jacob had 12 sons. But, Joseph was his favorite. Jacob gave Joseph a beautiful coat of many different colors. His brothers were jealous. Jacob had never given any of them such a beautiful coat. They had to wear the plain clothes of shepherds.
One day Joseph's brothers were out in the field watching the sheep. They were talking about Joseph and his crazy dreams. "Who does that boy think he is? Does he think we will bow down and serve him?" said one of the brothers. They al agreed that they would never do that.
Someone was coming toward them. One of the brothers called out, "Here comes that dreamer now!" The brothers hated Joseph. Some even wanted to kill him. No one would ever know. They would tell their father that a wild animal killed him. But, Reuben knew it would be wrong to kill Joseph. He said, "Let's put him into a dry pit." He planned to help Joseph escape later.
While the brothers were eating lunch they saw a lot of men coming. The men were taking spices to the market to trade. Judah thought of a plan to make some money. They could sell Joseph to these men to be a slave. They would take him to Egypt. Then they would be rid of him. Maybe then their father would love them.
They killed one of the goats. They put blood all over Joseph's coat. It looked like a wild animal had attacked him. Then they took the coat back to their father. When Jacob saw the coat he knew it was Joseph's. Jacob was very sad. He cried for Joseph for a long time. No one could make him feel better.
Jacob didn't know what really happened to Joseph. His other sons thought no one would ever find out. They thought their troubles were over. But, you cannot hide from God. He sees everything we do, whether it is good or bad. When you tell a lie, God hears. When you take something that doesn’t belong to you, God sees. And, when you hate someone, God knows.
God knew exactly where Joseph was. And, God was with Joseph. His brothers did a very bad thing to Joseph, but God would turn it into something good!
Dear Heavenly Father,
I'm glad your eyes were watching over Joseph. You see everything I do and hear everything I say. Help me remember that I cannot hide from you. Teach me to always try to do what
is right and good.
In Jesus' name.
Amen.
Sunday - Psalm 69:5
Monday - Isaiah 29:15
Tuesday - Jeremiah 23:23-24
Wednesday - 1 Corinthians 4:5
Thursday - 2 Corinthians 4:2
Friday - 2 Chronicles 16:9
Saturday - Psalm 34:15-17
Genesis 39:1-23
Psalm 34:13-14
Psalm 35:11-12
Psalm 119:11
Proverbs 10:18
Proverbs 12:22
Luke 6:45
Romans 12:21
2 Timothy 2:20-22
REJECT - to refuse to take
Jennifer sat in the hallway outside the principal's office. She was being punished. Another girl had lied to the teacher. She said that Jennifer tore one of the library books. Jennifer was playing and had thrown a book across the table. But, she had not torn the book.
Jennifer thought, "I wish I had obeyed the rules." She knew she shouldn't be playing in the library. She knew it wasn’t right to throw books. Now she was feeling sorry for herself.
Joseph had every right to feel sorry for himself. He had been thrown into a pit and stripped of his coat of many colors. He was sold by his own brothers. Finally he was sold as a slave.
Joseph worked in the home of an important man named Potiphar. Potiphar was an officer in the king's army. He was a rich man. Potiphar saw Joseph was a good worker. He knew the Lord was blessing him because of Joseph. So, Potiphar gave Joseph a better job to do. Before long, Joseph was put in charge of everything that Potiphar had.
But, there was a problem. Joseph was a good-looking young man. Potiphar's wife liked Joseph more than she should have. She flirted with him. But Joseph knew that was wrong. He tried to ignore her. He didn't want to get into trouble. After all, she was Potiphar's wife.
One day Joseph was inside the house. He was hard at work. He thought no one else was around. All of a sudden, Mrs. Potiphar grabbed Joseph's sleeve. She tried to pull him into her bedroom. But, Joseph knew what was on her mind. He slipped out of his coat and ran out of the house.
Mrs. Potiphar was very angry. She was used to getting everything she wanted. She made up a lie about Joseph and told it to her husband. She said Joseph attacked her. She said she screamed for help and scared him off.
Potiphar believed the lie. He had trusted Joseph. He was so angry that he had Joseph thrown in prison! Poor Joseph was in another mess!
Even though Joseph was a young man, he was wise. He loved the Lord and wanted to do what was right. He ran for his life from evil Mrs. Potiphar!
Satan loves to tempt people. He loves to try to get them to do bad things. He will make bad things look good. He will cover up a bad video game with bright colors. He will make you think no one will know if you watch an "R" rated movie. You may even think your mother will not miss the dollar you took from her purse.
What did Joseph do when he was tempted? He ran for his life! He wanted to get as far from evil as possible. He wanted to do good and please God.
Stay away from bad video games and "R" rated movies. And, if you need money, ask your mother. "Don't let evil get the upper hand, but conquer evil by doing good.
Even though Joseph was in trouble with Potiphar, he did what was right. God was pleased. And, God knew where Joseph was. He was watching over him. God would turn this evil to good.
Dear Heavenly Father,
I'm glad that you were with Joseph, even when he was in trouble. Help me learn from Joseph. When I am tempted to do bad things, I should get far away from things that tempt me. I want to do things that please you.
In Jesus’ name.
Amen.
Sunday - Psalm 35:11-12
Monday - 2 Timothy 2:22
Tuesday - Psalm 119:11
Wednesday - Psalm 34:13-14
Thursday - Luke 6:45
Friday - Proverbs 10:18
Saturday - Proverbs 12:22
Genesis 41:1-44
Psalm 111:10
Psalm 119:98-100
Psalm 119:129-130
Proverbs 1:1-7
Proverbs 9:9-10
Proverbs 15:14
Ephesians 1:17-18
2 Timothy 3:12-17
BUDDED - a flower from which fruit grows
FEAR - to be in awe of, reverence
HONOR - to show deep respect
WISDOM- knowledge, understanding
Sherry woke up in the middle of the night. She had a funny dream. Silly animals went to school - a dog that had stripes like a zebra, a horse that had a tail and hopped like a rabbit. And, the teacher was a giant apple that could talk.
Have you ever had a funny dream like that? Maybe your dream was scary. Or, maybe it was just funny, like Sherry's. When you woke up did you wonder what that dream meant?
During Bible times God sometimes spoke to people in their dreams. Remember Jacob's dream about the stairway to heaven? God spoke to Jacob. God also spoke to Joseph in dreams. God promised to bless both Jacob and Joseph. He would give them a large land. He would make great nations from them. Joseph would be so important that his father, mother, and brothers would bow down to him. Today's lesson tells about two other people who had funny dreams.
Joseph was in prison for something he didn't do. While he was there he was placed in charge of the other prisoners. Pharaoh's butler was in prison, too. The butler's job was to bring Pharaoh his food and drink.
One night the butler had a dream. He dreamed about a vine that had three branches. The vine budded and grew large bunches of grapes. The butler didn't understand the dream. So, he asked Joseph if he knew what it meant. Joseph said that God would help him understand the dream.
Joseph said that the dream was good news. He would soon have his job back. The butler was very happy. He said he would never forget what Joseph did for him. But, when he got out of prison, the butler did forget Joseph.
Two years later, Pharaoh began having dreams. One night he dreamed about fat cattle and big fat ears of corn. Then he dreamed about skinny cattle and sickly, skinny corn. Pharaoh called in all of his wise men. But, no one in all of Egypt could understand the dreams. Then the butler remembered Joseph. He said, "Joseph told me what my dream meant. I'm sure he can tell you about your dream."
So, Pharaoh called for Joseph. He told Joseph his dreams. Joseph said, "God is the one who can tell what the dreams mean. He will help me understand.”
Joseph told Pharaoh that there would be seven good years. Corn would grow, the cattle would be fat. After that, there would come seven bad years. The corn would dry up and die. The cattle would be skinny. People would go hungry. Joseph told Pharaoh to find a wise man whom he could trust. He should put him in charge of storing corn during the good years. That way there would be food to eat during the bad years.
Pharaoh thought this was a great idea! Joseph was the only man he knew who had God's Spirit and wisdom. So, Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of collecting and storing the corn. He had the most important job in all of Egypt.
God blessed Joseph because Joseph honored Him. God made him very wise. Joseph loved and obeyed God - even when things were going against him.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for
helping Joseph understand the dreams. You are the only One who could give him such wisdom. Help me trust you like Joseph did - even when things are going against me.
In Jesus' name.
Amen.
Sunday - Proverbs 1:6-7
Monday - Psalm 119:98-100
Tuesday - Psalm 119:129-130
Wednesday - Proverbs 1:5
Thursday - Proverbs 9:9-10
Friday - Proverbs 15:14
Saturday - Ephesians 1:17-18
