Daily Devotion for August 8, 2017

Prayers
Scripture
Lord's Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever.
Ashley Cleveland reinterprets the old spiritual, Keep Your Lamps Trimmed, in Texas blues-rock style.
1 Keep your lamps trimmed and burning,
keep your lamps trimmed and burning,
keep your lamps trimmed and burning,
for the time is drawing nigh.
Refrain:
Children, don't grow weary,
children, don't grow weary,
children, don't grow weary,
for the time is drawing nigh.
2 Darker midnight lies before us,
darker midnight lies before us,
darker midnight lies before us,
for the time is drawing nigh.
3 Lo, the morning soon is breaking,
lo, the morning soon is breaking,
lo, the morning soon is breaking,
for the time is drawing nigh.
4 Christian, journey soon be over,
christian, journey soon be over,
christian, journey soon be over,
for the time is drawing nigh.
Traditional
Prayer to be Ready
Keep me, O Lord, while I tarry on this earth, seeking after you each day, in a loving and faithful walk with you; that when you come, I may be found not hiding my talent, nor serving my flesh, nor with my lamp empty or hidden; But waiting ready for my Lord, longing for you, my glorious God forever and ever.
Prayer for Unity Among Christians
O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Saviour, the Prince of Peace; Give us grace to take to heart the great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions. Take away all hatred and prejudice, and whatever else may hinder us from godly union and concord: that as there is but one Body and one Spirit, and one hope of our calling, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of us all, so we may be all of one heart and of one soul, united in one holy bond of truth and peace, of faith and charity, and may with one mind and one mouth glorify you; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
To Receive God
God, of your goodness give me yourself for you are sufficient for me. I cannot properly ask anything less, to be worthy of you. If I were to ask less, I should always be in want. In you alone do I have all.
Meditation
[God will give us all.]
Parting Prayer
Lord, pour your love into my heart, that I may love you above all things, and my neighbors as myself. Through Christ our Lord.
Think of the day ahead in terms of God with you, and visualize health, strength, guidance, purity, calm confidence, and victory as the gifts of His presence.

Proverbs 16:29 (NKJV)
A violent man entices his neighbor,
And leads him in a way that is not good.

Genesis 41:1-24 (abridged) (ESV)
Joseph Interprets Pharaoh’s Dreams [1]

fter two whole years, Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing by the Nile, and behold, there came up out of the Nile seven cows attractive and plump, and they fed in the reed grass. And behold, seven other cows, ugly and thin, came up out of the Nile after them, and stood by the other cows on the bank of the Nile. And the ugly, thin cows ate up the seven attractive, plump cows. And Pharaoh awoke.
And he fell asleep and dreamed a second time. And behold, seven ears of grain, plump and good, were growing on one stalk. And behold, after them sprouted seven ears, thin and blighted by the east wind. And the thin ears swallowed up the seven plump, full ears.
And Pharaoh awoke, and behold, it was a dream. So in the morning his spirit was troubled, and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was none who could interpret them to Pharaoh.
Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, “I remember my offenses today. When Pharaoh was angry with his servants and put me and the chief baker in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, we dreamed on the same night, he and I, each having a dream with its own interpretation. A young Hebrew was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard. When we told him, he interpreted our dreams to us, giving an interpretation to each man according to his dream.
And as he interpreted to us, so it came about. I was restored to my office, and the baker was hanged.”
Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they quickly brought him out of the pit. And when he had shaved himself and changed his clothes, he came in before Pharaoh. And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.”
Joseph answered Pharaoh, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.”
Then Pharaoh [told his dreams to Joseph].
Notes on the Scripture
The reading is long today, because it is straightforward and easy to follow. The Pharaoh is disturbed by the vivid and weird dreams, which seem connected, and none of his magicians can help him understand them. The cupbearer finally remembers his promise (after two years) to recommend Joseph to the Pharaoh. But Joseph does not credit himself with the power of interpretation; rather, he gives the glory to God.



