ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year, a chapter a day - Romans 13

Genesis 45:1–8 (NIV) CONTEXT: Joseph, who had been sold into slavery by his brothers, only to ascend ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. 8 

I will obey your decrees (v7-8).

you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8  ( Romans 8:31 ).

God is the overflowing fountain of all good. Who are you giving the credit to? Read / Listen Listen to passage & devotional: Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 125 Q. What does the fourth request mean? A. “Give us today our daily bread” means, Do take care of all our physical needs so that we come to know that you are the only source of everything good, and that neither our work and worry nor your gifts can do us any good without your blessing. And so help us to give up our trust in creatures and to put trust in you alone. Summary If you learned about the Greek gods in school, you likely remember how much drama was involved: from the intricate family feuds and love triangles to the epic battles and cunning schemes, their stories were full of intense and intrigue. There's a big difference between the mythological Greek pantheon and our Father, "who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them." Whereas the Greek gods were simply reflections of humanity, albeit with superhuman powers, the God of the Bible is the exact opposite. Humanity is created in His image, not vice versa. And although God certainly has superhuman powers, He is much more than an all powerful being; He is the very definition of goodness itself! The Belgic Confession, which we'll be learning about next year, describes God as being "the overflowing fountain of all good." Our Father shares this goodness with all people, both those who put their faith in Him and those who continue to rebel against Him. He shows kindness by plentifully providing for needs, sending rain from heaven even filling people's hearts with joy. We call this doctrine common grace. Dig Deeper Paul's awesome description of who God is comes in the context of a massive warning. Our sin impaired minds have always attributed the good blessings God gives to other things. In the past, fabricated idols were given credit. In our own day and age, governments, businesses or our own inflated egos are said to be the source of the good life we have. Whatever it is that you point to as the source of your abundance, if it's not the living God, then as Paul writes, it's a "worthless thing." "In the past," Paul writes, "He let the nations all go their own way (v16)." God keeps providing rain and joy to people regardless of who they attribute it to, but His patience will not continue forever. He will call all people to account. As you pray the simple words, "give us this day our daily bread," you're not just asking God for what you need, you're acknowledging that He is the only source of everything good in your life. AAA Prayer (About) ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Our Father, the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them, and who is the overflowing fountain of all good; ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that you will recognize Him as the source of blessing in your life and that He will continue to provide for your daily needs. ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year, a chapter a day - Revelation 9

As we've read in Romans 8:28, "In all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been Today: Romans 1

violent language to describe this ongoing process: you are to put to death the misdeeds of the body (Romans 8:13).

everyone, despised by the people. 7  All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads. 8   Warrior Who Saves Lamentations 3:19-23 - Great Is Thy Faithfulness John 3:16-18 - Simple Beauty 1 John 4:8- A Single Decree of Election Romans 4:1-8 - One and the Same Romans 4:9-17 - Chicken or Egg? 8:28), your present problems begin to seem much smaller. No, we must traverse it, for “if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering” (Rom 8:

ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year, a chapter a day - Romans 8

said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8