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CORNERSTONECONNECTIONS
APRIL022011
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5
Photo by Barin Von Foregger
keytext
“Then Pharaoh
“After she said him
had given to Joseph,
a drink,
‘Since God has made all thisfor
known
flashlight she said, ‘I’ll draw water
to you, there is nothey
one so
your
discerning
camels too, until have finished
“God was glorified by the faithfulness of His servant. It was His purpose that in purity and and wise as you. You shall be in
drinking’”
uprightness the believer in God should appear in marked contrast to the worshipers of charge of my palace, and all my
idols—that thus the light of heavenly grace might shine forth amid the darkness of hea- (Genesis
people are24:19, NIV).to your orders.
to submit
Only with respect to the throne will I
thenism” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 217).
be greater than you.’”
4. ____________________________________
5. ___________________________________ THE “Now the third day was Pharaoh’s
birthday, and he gave a feast for all his
STORY
officials. He lifted up the heads of the
Now answer these questions: chief cupbearer and the chief baker in
1. Which of these would you do again even the presence of his officials: He
though you didn’t want to do it originally? restored the chief cupbearer to his
2. Which of the above will you never do again? “The Lord was with Joseph position, so that he once again put the
3. Has anything good ever occurred out of a and he prospered, and he lived in cup into Pharaoh’s hand, but he
the house of his Egyptian master. hanged the chief baker, just as Joseph
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OUT Lord your God has been with you, and you have not lacked anything”
(Deuteronomy 2:7, NIV).
OF THE “All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to
poverty” (Proverbs 14:23, NIV).
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terpretation? selves fully to the work of the Lord, because
you know that your labor in the Lord is not
in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58, NIV).
other
Did Joseph ever take the easy way out? Explain.
eyes
“A free lunch is only found in
7
How did God answer Jacob’s prayer for the safety of His people years
ahead of the request?
mousetraps.”—John Capuzzi.
T he Bible says that “the Lord was with I of God. By simply going to www. biblegate
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Joseph and he prospered” (Genesis 39:2, way.com and doing a search for the words you
NIV). What does this mean? Can you go think are a theme for this week you might
through life saying that “the Lord is with you”? come up with your own list of texts that relate
Why do you think Joseph prospered because to what this lesson is about.
Texts credited to NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International
of this? Whose will came first in his life—his Version. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, International Bible
own, his employer’s, or God’s? Read the Punch Lines and focus on the last Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.
texts. What do they mean to you? Do you ever
Note that he was truly seeking what God feel as if you are working in vain? Have you
wanted for him, and in return he was honored ever felt that you are trying to do what God is
by those around him as being wise and hard- asking but can’t seem to get it right? Paul
working. How would that approach make a dif- knew the secret to contentment—faithfulness
ference in your life? anyway, through His grace.
8
Monday Thursday
ead the Key Text again. How would you aithfulness is a question of commitment.
R feel if someone said that to you? But no-
tice to whom Pharaoh gave credit first. He
F Are you committed to doing something re-
gardless of how you feel? Are you willing to try
seemed to understand where Joseph’s wis- something radical over the next few weeks?
dom and discernment had come from. Commit to something you know is good for
you (eating habits, exercise, etc.) and practice
What would cause people to see you as it for no less than a week. Once you have
someone who is filled with the wisdom of made it a week, try for two, and then try for
God? How often do you take time to listen for more. It is a good idea to keep a journal for
what God wants you to do? How does God yourself in order to track your successes. In this week’s reading*
speak to you? Besides through His Word, it three weeks you will have built a new habit. Patriarchs and Prophets,
might be that He tries to communicate with chapter 20.
you through circumstances; it might be It might not feel good all the time, but in the
through people in your life, or the leading of end you know it is good for you. It’s about *A special adaptation of Patriarchs and Prophets has
the Holy Spirit. Have you ever taken the time making a commitment to something and stay- been created just for you by the White Estate and the
to find out? ing faithful. Imagine how much better it will be Pacific Press Publishing Association. Get more info
about it at: www.cornerstoneconnections.net. By fol-
lowing this plan you will read at least one book of the
Conflict of the Ages Series each year.