Family Feud - Week 7

Daily Scripture Readings

Monday           Genesis 42:1-5

Tuesday         Genesis 50:15-21

Wednesday   Acts 4:1-12

Thursday         Philippians 1:12-17

Friday              Romans 8:26-30

Saturday        Matthew 16:13-20

Opening Prayer

Gracious God, as we study the story of Joseph, help us to remember that you work for good in all things.

In Jesus’ name, AMEN

READING:

As God’s beloved children, we get to share in the lavish benefits of God’s grace. But Romans 8:28 adds something more. We also get to share in God’s work in the world. This work isn’t just what we might call “religious” work. It isn’t only about church, evangelism, and mission. Rather, God is working with us in “all things” for good, including what we do in our daily jobs, in our parenting and grandparenting, in our cultural engagement, and in our citizenship.

One final comment about “all things.” Even as God is working with us for good in “all things,” we look forward to the day when God will restore “all things” to what God had intended from the beginning. Ephesians 1:10 reveals God’s plan for the future, namely “to bring all things together in Christ, the things in heaven along with the things on earth” (CEB, emphasis added). This is an essential aspect of our Christian hope, indeed, our Advent hope. Nothing will be left out when Christ returns to finish God’s work in the world. “All things” will be restored and unified as the brokenness of this world is mended by the grace and power of God in Christ.

Mark Roberts