Be still

A Lesson from Rebekah

9:00 AM

 Rebekah's Story is primarily found in Genesis 24- 27

Ever hear the saying, "God helps those who help themselves"? Studying Rebekah's life one might think she may have been the one to coin that phase, but did you know it's not found anywhere in the Bible? That's right! You can't find it anywhere, but people sure like to quote it as if it is! 


Rebekah's life started out so well! In fact, it's one of the most romantic love stories found in the Bible, but she and Isaac didn't go on to live happily ever after unfortunately. 

BUT, before we go too far into her story, let me ask you...

  • Do you ever grow impatient with God?
  • Do you ever feel the need to help God out in a given situation? 
  • Has there been a time when the "mama-bear" raised up within and you felt the overwhelming need to come to the rescue?
If so, then you can definitely identify with what Rebekah is going through in this passage,

"Now Rebekah was listening as Isaac spoke to his son Esau. When Esau left for the open country to hunt game and bring it back, Rebekah said to her son Jacob, “Look, I overheard your father say to your brother Esau, ‘Bring me some game and prepare me some tasty food to eat, so that I may give you my blessing in the presence of the Lord before I die.’ Now, my son, listen carefully and do what I tell you:  Go out to the flock and bring me two choice young goats, so I can prepare some tasty food for your father, just the way he likes it. Then take it to your father to eat, so that he may give you his blessing before he dies."- Genesis 27:5-10

Now hold on, before we go any further, we need to know that long ago before the twins were born, God had already revealed His plan for Rebekah's sons to Rebekah, 

Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was childless. The Lord answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant. The babies jostled each other within her, and she said, “Why is this happening to me?” So she went to inquire of the Lord. The Lord said to her,

 “Two nations are in your womb,

    and two peoples from within you will be separated;

one people will be stronger than the other,

    and the older will serve the younger.”- Genesis 25:21-23

Why would she feel the need to help God at this point when she had known God's plan for her sons all along? 

Ever been there? Even though you know God's word... even though you have faith that God is able, you still feel the need to help Him bring about the ideal circumstances? I have a time ... or two.

The most recent began a few years back when it seemed everyone could see the truth in this particular situation except this other person who had come against me. It was so clear in my mind and everyone else's it seemed, yet this person proceeded to believe the opposite was true. 

Unfortunately, it was also clear early on that nothing anyone could or would say would help change this persons mind and right away, as I went to the Lord for guidance and answers, He gave me the command in Psalm 46:10, 

(I love how this poster amplifies this verse for us)

"Trust Me and be silent". It's been several years since and still nothing has changed this person's mind. For along time I pinned this to my refrigerator so I could be reminded often, for I was tempted at times to take matters into my own hands!  Yet, by God's grace I've remained still and silent; still trusting the God who reigns over all.  

If only Rebekah had gone to the Lord seeking His guidance before she felt the need to take matters into her own hands. 

Charles Spurgeon asked his readers not be too hard on Rebekah for her misguided actions by pointing out, that  though she remembered God’s words to her, she forgot His power. Rebekah also ultimately ended up making a tremendous sacrifice in order to ensure Jacob received Isaac’s blessing, for she never saw Jacob again in her lifetime. Plus we can only imagine how this deception impacted Isaac and Rebekah's relationship moving forward. 

If Rebekah was able, I'm sure she would like us to know that when we take matters into our own hands rather than allowing God be God:

  • We miss the miracles. We miss seeing God's hand move in the situation.
  • We miss the blessings. We miss the chance to grow our faith knowing His ways are not our ways. (Isaiah 5:8-9)
  • We can harm relationships of all those involved 
  • And adversely impact lives and faiths of others. 
Failing to trust and moving forward without God is incredibly risky. So risky, in fact that I pray The Holy Spirit will cause us to stop short, remember Rebekah and turn to Him. 

 Blessings, 

Sue


Abraham

Rebekah, Saying Yes To God No Matter The Cost - Genesis 24

3:35 PM



This week we study the life of Rebekah. A young girl with the courage of a lion. Whose faith and obedience to God can inspire us all. Her example of saying yes to God, paved the way for another girl to do the same. The young girl Mary, the mother of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. And as I write Rebekah’s story, I have to ask myself, “Am I willing to say yes to God no matter the cost?” How about you? 


Genesis 24 - “Rebekah, Saying Yes To God No Matter The Cost”


As Rebekah hurried to bring the freshly prepared dishes to the dinner guests, she couldn’t help but overhear the conversation between the servant and her father, Bethuel. The gold bracelets on her wrists the servant had given her, clinked together as she placed the plate of smoked fish on the table. Rebekah admired the way they glistened in the candle light. And she listened as the welcomed servant told her father of the marriage proposal.


Rebekah’s day had been nothing out the ordinary. So how could she have predicted that a regular evening trip to the watering well, would change her life forever? But change it did. And all because she offered a stranger a drink.


Rebekah’s  thoughts drifted back to a few hours before when she first happened upon the thirsty stranger. Her parents had raised her to have a servant’s attitude and a kind heart. So when she offered the stranger a drink, and to also water his camels, she thought nothing of it. But to this man, who introduced himself as the servant of Abraham, it meant everything!


For as the servant explained, he was on a mission for his master and had asked God for a sign. Rebekah was that sign! The man presented the girl with expensive golden jewelry, and Rebekah ran back to show her family. Returning to the well, Rebekah brought with her Laban, her brother. Laban invited the stranger and his entourage for a meal and lodging, and the group sat around the table where the servant revealed his assignment.


Rebekah’s thoughts were jolted back to the present when she heard the servant speak her name. She could hardly believe her ears! This messenger of Abraham wanted Rebekah to marry her uncle’s son, Isaac! The Isaac! Rebekah felt a twinge of excitement, because Isaac was a bit of a celebrity. For they had all heard the story of the great promise God had made to Abraham, and how that promise was fulfilled when, at 91, Sarah gave birth to their beloved son. And now God himself had chosen Rebekah to be Isaac’s bride! 


The commotion of it all caught up to Rebekah and she felt a bit dizzy. She sat down to collect her breath and her thoughts. Her father and brother agreed to Abraham’s proposal, and they carried on eating and drinking, celebrating late into the night. And when Rebekah finally crawled into bed, fear crept in as she realized the enormity of the change she was about to face. 


The next morning the servant and his men were ready to return to Abraham. Yet Rebekah’s family were reluctant to let her leave, asking for few more days. But when the servant declined, all eyes turned to Rebekah. This young girl who only a day before was living a simple, carefree life, now had a momentous decision to make. Would she leave everything she knew and everything she loved to step out in faith? Would she obey God leaving her future and the unknown to Him? After saying a silent prayer, Rebekah nodded her small head and replied, “Yes. I will go now with this man.”


As the caravan left the city, Rebekah settled in for the long journey ahead. Although she was filled with the sadness of leaving everything behind, she also had resolve. For Rebekah trusted in the promises of God, His goodness, and His love, no matter what. 


God rewarded Rebekah’s obedience. For what she didn’t know was that in a field far away, there was a man waiting. A great man of God who would love, honor, and cherish her, and whose heart she would heal. Although Isaac and Rebekah faced challenges throughout their lives, God remembered them. And He blessed the couple with sons who both became leaders of great nations. 


El Roi

A Lesson from Hagar

7:00 AM

  Hagar's story is found in Genesis 16 & 21


 


Even as a child I have always had a tendency to root for the underdog, however in our study of Sarah and Hagar this week, both of our women's lives are not perfect, and both have reasons enough for us to take pity on them.

  •  Both have unmet desires, or longings in their life. 
  • Both make mistakes. 
  • Both must deal with the consequences to their actions.
  • Yet, both are cared for by God. 
Sarah, whose name means, noble woman or princess was barren in a time when the primary role or a woman was to bear children. I can't imagine being so desperate as to offer my teenaged slave girl to my husband so that he could finally have an heir. Can you?

Hagar, whose name means, forsaken, stranger, flight or one that fears probably became a slave in Abraham's household while they were in Egypt . Imagine, as a teenager, being at the mercy of the whims of Sarah to the point of having to be impregnated by her husband, who by the way, was a very old man. The Bible never mentions Hagar ever loving Abraham, however,

When she knew she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress. Then Sarai said to Abram, “You are responsible for the wrong I am suffering. I put my slave in your arms, and now that she knows she is pregnant, she despises me. May the Lord judge between you and me.”  “Your slave is in your hands,” Abram said. “Do with her whatever you think best.” Then Sarai mistreated Hagar; so she fled from her. Genesis 16:5-6 

Let's pause for a moment...

Some of you reading this today can absolutely relate to Hagar fleeing from her situation. I'm sure all of us, if we're honest, have thought of ways we can escape a bad situation... quit your job, divorce, walking away from relationships, or current situations. Fleeing often seems more appealing than to stay and work to make things right. For Hagar, facing the possibility of death seemed more preferable than remaining under her mistress' care. 

The angel of the Lord found Hagar near a spring in the desert; it was the spring that is beside the road to Shur. And he said, “Hagar, slave of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are you going?” “I’m running away from my mistress Sarai,” she answered.  Then the angel of the Lord told her, “Go back to your mistress and submit to her.”  The angel added, “I will increase your descendants so much that they will be too numerous to count.” Genesis 16:7-10


This is the first time where we see the term "Angel of the Lord” mentioned in the Scriptures, and most theologians believe that this Angel may be a theophany, or Jesus in the Old Testament. 

It's also interesting to note that when Hagar was lost, scare and alone, the Lord meets her near a spring where she was seeking refuge. God found her because she was never out of His sight. In spite of all Hagar's shortcomings God still had a plan for her life! When no one else seemed to care, God loved her, knew her need, and encouraged her to return and do the right thing. 

I find it interesting that it was Hagar's attitude that started all this mess. Have you ever been there? Ever experienced a time when the consequence kept spiraling more and more out of control, growing worse and all anyone needed to do was to stop, repent, and go back to doing the right thing? 

It's Hagar's reaction to the Angel of the Lord's command that I want you to see most, 

She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” That is why the well was called Beer Lahai Roi; it is still there, between Kadesh and Bered. - Genesis 16:13-14 (emphasis mine)


El Roi, is the One who sees YOU, and those forsaken. The One who knows the strangers, the down-trotted, brokenhearted, and unloved. He is the One who formed us in our mother's womb; who gives courage to the frightened, and enables us to go back and do the right things. He is the One who knew her name before the beginning of time and knew the great nation that would come from Hagar.

 How powerful is that? He knows not only your name, but your future. The God who spoke planets into existence, sees us.  And tells us we are the apple of His eye. -Zechariah 2:8

Are you running right now? Or tempted to flee, give up and in? Are there trials your facing that you wish you could get out from? I truly believe, if we aren't in a trial at the moment we will be one day and I pray Hagar's story will be a great example to all of us!

Blessings, 

Sue

Adam and Eve

Punished But Not Forsaken - (Eve Genesis 2)

1:00 PM




We begin our study in the women of the Old Testament with Eve. In Genesis chapter 2, we are first introduced to God’s created helper to Adam. She is the first woman, wife, and mother of all the living. And even though she will forever be blamed for the fall of mankind, her story is also one of God’s mercy and new beginnings. For although God punished Eve, he never forsake her. 

The Story of Eve 

The sun was just beginning to rise as Eve strolled through the garden looking for something to eat. The morning dew glistened off the flower petals as the birds sang their good morning tune. Drinking in the fragrance of the air Eve thought, “What a perfectly glorious day!” Then, from the corner of her eye, she spied a very ripe and ruby colored pomegranate. And as she reached out to grab it, there was a rustle in the grass beside her.
 

Eve looked down and saw a serpent who had positioned himself on a rock to bask in the sunshine. Eyeing the fruit in her hand, with a low hiss the serpent asked, “Isn’t it true that God doesn’t want you eating from the trees of the garden?” “Not true at all!”, exclaimed Eve. “God allows us to eat freely of every fruit! Well…. except the fruit from that one,” she said pointing to a large tree in the middle of the garden. “But that’s God’s special tree. And not only can’t we eat from it, we can’t even touch it. Because if we do, we shall surely die!”
 

“Ha!”, cried the serpent. “You won’t die! God only tells you that to keep you away. Because He knows if you eat its fruit you’ll become like God Himself, knowing good and evil.” Eve rolled his wicked words around in her mind, and for the first time, she began to doubt the goodness of God. The fruit it so temptingly dangled truly was beautiful to behold, and Eve could almost taste its sweetness. Why would God withhold such a delight? Surely it must be good to eat, and wouldn’t her Father be pleased at her desire for wisdom? So Eve pulled the fruit from its branch, and ran back to her husband.
 

Finding Adam, she broke off a two pieces of the forbidden fruit. Handing one to her husband, Eve quickly gobbled up the other. The taste was like nothing she had experienced. But instead of the glorious sweetness she expected, the fruit filled her with the bitterness of shame and guilt. She felt dizzy, nauseous, and threw the remaining fruit on the ground. She looked at her husband in desperation and was horrified to see him staring back her with the same bewildered look. Both of them truly seeing each other’s nakedness for the first time, ran and hid amongst the trees. And gathering together a few fig leaves, they fashioned themselves some coverings.
 

While they were trying to process what was happening to them, they heard God walking in the garden. But instead of joyfully rushing into the arms of their Father as they usually did, they continued hiding. It was only when they heard God shout out, “Adam where are you?”, that her husband, afraid and ashamed, came, with Eve in tow, to face God and confess what they had done.
 

With her head hung in shame, Eve couldn’t bring herself to look at God. She knew the disappointment and sadness in His eyes were more than she could bear. Her Father had given her everything, and this was how she repaid Him. Oh how she wished she could turn back time and undo her great mistake. The sorrow in her heart filled her eyes with tears. And as they ran down her cheeks, Eve tasted for the first time, the salty bitterness of regret.
 

God’s punishment was swift and severe. They were banished from the garden. Forever banned from its life of ease, beauty, and perfect peace. There would be no more walks with God in the cool of the morning, nor shielding from the sting of death.
 

As Eve walked out the garden towards her new life of toil, she took one look back at the paradise lost to her forever. Even though there was pain and remorse in her heart, there was also hope. She turned and smiled gently at Adam. “What is there to smile about?” he asked his wife. Taking his hand and placing it on her belly where a new life was growing inside her Eve replied, “Because even though God has punished us, He hasn’t forsaken us.”

Esau

How Bad Do You Want It?

6:32 AM



Are you familiar with the story in Genesis 32 where Jacob wrestles with God? Jacob, who twenty years earlier had fled to the land of Paddan-aram to escape the fury of his twin brother Esau whose birthright he had stolen, was now headed back to his home of Canaan with his wives, children, servants, and livestock.

He sends a messenger ahead to inform Esau of his coming, and much to his dismay Jacob learns that his brother is on his way with four hundred men by his side! Afraid this could only mean destruction, Jacob divides everyone and everything into two camps with the hopes that if one is destroyed the other will be spared. And after praying to God for deliverance, Jacob sends his entire company ahead in groups one after the other, until finally he is the only one left. 

Scared and alone, Jacob is approached by a strange man who mysteriously shows up and wrestles with him until daybreak. But this is no mere man. It is God Himself. And after deciding the match has gone on long enough, God dislocates Jacob’s hip with a touch of His hand and demands to be let go. But instead of releasing the Lord Jacob cries out, “I will not let you go until you bless me.” (Gen. 32:26) 


Jacob wanted that blessing from God and nothing would stop him until he got it. No amount of pain, fatigue, or fear was going to keep him from prevailing! So how about you? Is there a blessing that you want from God? Are you willing to be a warrior like Jacob to get it? Will you go to the mat with God wrestling in the dirt, fighting through the pain, enduring the exhaustion, and never letting go unless He blesses you? God rewarded Jacob’s dedication with that blessing he battled so hard for, and promises the same to us. All we have to do is ask ourselves, “How bad do you want it? “



Endurance

Safe In God's Hands {Gen. 46:1-50:26}

5:11 AM

Monday Jan. 15 {Safe In God’s Hands} Gen. 46:1-50:26  


The story of Joseph is a hard one to read. It seemed he couldn’t catch a break. Author A.W. Tozer once said, 'It is doubtful that God ever used anybody greatly without first hurting him deeply”, and Joseph knew this firsthand. But even through his lowest of lows and highest of highs, Joseph recognized that it was the hand of God working in all things to bring about His will. 

With all of the trials that he faced, it would have been easy for Joseph to get stuck in self pity and discouragement. He could have turned away from God, blaming Him for his misfortunes. He could have used his power and authority to take vengeance against his brothers for their brutal betrayal. But he didn’t. Instead Joseph humbled himself before the Lord and submitted to His will. He held on to the truth that God is always in control. Always. Joseph trusted  in the knowledge that, “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Rom. 8:28)


When tough times have come into my life, too often my first response has been anger or to question God and cry out, “Why me?” I have tried to rely on my own abilities to control or change the situation instead of being like Joseph; riding out the storm, content in trusting in God’s perfect plans and timing. Pridefully I've tried in vain to follow my own path instead of the path God has laid out for me.

During those times when I feel the pull of a “woe is me attitude”, I remember the strength of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He willingly faced endless adversity and endured unmeasurable suffering to fulfill the plans of God. And because of His sacrifice, we are saved. Although I might not understand God’s reasons for the tribulations in my life, God knows. And that’s enough for me. What I do know is that He loves me, always has my  best interests at heart, and wants me to cast all of my anxiety onto Him. (1Peter 5:7). 

At the time of his troubles, Joseph didn’t yet know the great things God was going to accomplish through him. And when we are knee deep in our troubles we might not see the great things God wants to accomplish through us too. No matter the difficulty, even if as in Joseph’s case it’s the wickedness of others, God is there. I love how the iworship Bible says, “He’s watching. Working. Writing a masterpiece.” And in writing this masterpiece, God may use our suffering to result in not only a great blessing for ourselves, but for others as well. For just as Joseph declares to the brothers who treated him with treachery, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.” (Gen. 50:20)

No matter what you are going through right now, remember that He has a purpose and a plan. God loves you more than you can ever know, so trust Him. He will will keep you safe in His hands, and there are no better hands to be in!




Genesis

SoulSearching Sunday - Week Two

12:00 AM

SoulSearching Sunday!
Sunday, January 14, 2018

Week Two

Welcome!  We pray that you have all had a precious time worshipping the Lord this morning!  Below you will find some thought provoking questions that will provide you a starting point to your journal writing to complete this week.  We pray that you will find this time soul satisfying!

 Our reading this week was Genesis 21:1 - 45:28.

1. How has God provided for your needs? List specific actions He has taken on your behalf and offer Him praise for them. Do you lack anything? Ask God to provide for you out of the abundance of His blessings.

 2. What issues or struggles make worship difficult right now? Ask God to strengthen you through these circumstances. And be encouraged that wrestling with God brings you into intimate contact with your Creator.

 3. What family member comes to mind when you think of restored relationships? Pray that God would heal the brokenness in your family and restore joy in those relationships.


 See you next week!



Genesis

A Loving Invitation {Genesis 31:1-36:43}

10:30 PM



For so many years Jacob was a “supplanter” , someone who would always have his way. He became a successful man like many we would actually know, but he lacked of something no money could buy: the Peace of God.  Jacob was about to meet his brother and the angels of God appeared to Jacob, to encourage him with the assurance of the Divine protection, (32:1-2). This encouraged him to carefully plan meeting his brother… his enemy, but still he was consumed by fear! (32:2-8). Would this meeting be peaceful?

Jacob then prays with thankful acknowledgment of undeserved favors; he humbly confessed his unworthiness, his fears and distress!  He was finally seeking God with all his being! He was confessing with faith God’s promises to him: “ 12 And You [Lord] said, ‘I will certainly make you prosper and make your descendants as [numerous as] the sand of the sea, which is too great to be counted.’”   (32:9-12) For a while this prayer seemed to calm him a bit, then he continued to plan the meeting with Esau by sending  a great present to him: “… For he said [to himself], “I will try to appease him with the gift that is going ahead of me. Then afterward I will see him; perhaps he will accept and forgive me.” 21 So the gift [of the herds of livestock] went on ahead of him, and he himself spent that night back in the camp.” (32:13-21) Then he sends his wives, children and servants ahead of him and is left alone.

 “A great while before day, Jacob being alone, more fully spread his fears before God in prayer. While thus employed, One in the likeness of a man wrestled with him. When the spirit helpeth our infirmities, and our earnest and vast desires can scarcely find words to utter them, and we still mean more than we can express, then prayer is indeed wrestling with God. However tried or discouraged, we shall prevail; and prevailing with Him in prayer, we shall prevail against all enemies that strive with us. Nothing requires more vigor and unceasing exertion than wrestling. It is an emblem of the true spirit of faith and prayer. Those who would have the blessing of Christ, must resolve to take no denial. The fervent prayer is the effectual prayer. “  M. Henry

Jacob was blessed, and His name was changed from, Jacob =“supplanter” to Israel= “a prince with God”

Jacob gives a new name to the place. He calls it Peniel, “the face of God, “because there he had seen the appearance of God, and obtained the favor of God! (32:30-31)

What about you? Are you anxious about a particular situation in your life? Are you feeling distressed, weary? Let me remind you of a loving invitation from our Heavenly Father to you:

1 Chronicles 16:11 (AMP)
10 Glory in His holy name; Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.11 Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face continually [longing to be in His presence].

Psalm 27:8 (AMP)
8 When You said, “Seek My face [in prayer, require My presence as your greatest need],” my heart said to You,“Your face, O Lord, I will seek [on the authority of Your word].”

Amos 5:4(AMP )4 For thus says the Lord to the house of Israel,
“Seek Me [search diligently for Me and regard Me as more essential than food] so that you may live.

Jesus said:  “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened [by religious rituals that provide no peace], and I will give you rest [refreshing your souls with salvation].” (Matt. 11:28)
We must remember: “If God is for us, who is against us?” If He is for us, we have the victory! 

Neither human nor demonic opposition can thwart the purposes of our sovereign God (Romans 8:31-39). Let us Praise Him as we wait on that which God has promised to do! Let us take a lesson from Jacob and hold fast to the One who has promised to never let us go!

Blessings!
Mari



Becky Austin

Trusting the Outcomes to God (Genesis 28:10 - 30:42)

2:31 AM




When you are in love, even time has a special quality all its own. Jacob loved Rebecca and willingly served 7 years with the joyful expectation of making her his wife.   “So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her.” (29:20)
But, Jacob’s happily ever after would prove a bit more complex than what he hoped for. Jacob would have to deal with  disappointment and delayed gratification for Jacob would have to deal with a difficult in-law. 

Meet Laban.  Laban is manipulative and self-seeking. He tricks Jacob, substituting the less favored wife, Leah and then requiring another 7 years labor from Jacob to secure Rachel as his 2nd wife. All the years that Jacob remains there serving Laban he is blessed by God with many children and Laban too prospers because of God’s favor toward Jacob. It’s no wonder that when Jacob wants to take his family and return to his own people that Laban tries to manipulate circumstances to his favor with no concern for Jacob. Jacob agrees to stay longer but asks for the spotted and speckled sheep and goats. Jacob agrees but once again he tries to turn the odds in his favor. 
 “But that day Laban removed the male goats that were striped and spotted, and all the female goats that were speckled and spotted, every one that had white on it, and every lamb that was black, and put them in the charge of his sons. And he set a distance of three days’ journey between himself and Jacob, and Jacob pastured the rest of Laban’s flock.” (30:35-36)

Sometimes God requires us to deal with difficult people who try to manipulate and use us for their own benefit. Sometimes it can seem like the odds are stacking up against us.  We have 2 choices.
  1. We can get caught up in the frustrations and circumstances and allow bitterness, anger, and despair to overcome us. 
  2. We can endure, trusting in the promises of God and his desire to bless us in spite of our circumstances. 
Jacob chose to endure and trust God for favorable outcomes. He put an action plan in to place and let God provide what he needed.  When studying about the sticks Jacob used to promote speckled and spotted sheep, I found conflicting opinions. I found a few articles that presented some scientific basis that might have been involved in influencing the genetics of the sheep to promote speckled and spotted offspring from solid colored animals. I also found many articles saying there was no genetic explanation and it was just simply God at work. Either way, the glory belongs to God and Jacob knew where his help came from.

 God may have required Jacob to be patient and endure many challenges but he was faithful to his promises to bless him. God intervened to offset all that Laban had done to manipulate and control Jacob’s circumstances. 
“...So the feebler would be Laban’s, and the stronger Jacob’s. Thus the man increased greatly and had large flocks, female servants and male servants, and camels and donkeys.”(30:42-43)

Do you have difficult people in your life? Parents, in-laws, siblings, employers, co-workers, etc? You have the same choices Jacob had.  You can be a bitter, distraught, self-pitying victim and take matters into your own hands.  Or, you can persevere, endure, take action as directed by God and trust the final outcomes to Him. 

blessings

God's Messages to Us Through Jacob {Genesis 25:19-28}

12:00 AM



The very first time I decided to read through the Bible, I began in the middle of the year with the New Testament. I finished Revelations in December and started reading Genesis in January. I was completely taken aback by the sharp contrast of seeing God in all His glory, worshiped incredibly at the end of the Bible and seeing the sin of man and his lack of worship on display in the beginning. I couldn’t help but wonder how or why Almighty God would ever want to deal with man! Have you ever wondered the same?

Jacob’s parents knew that their son, Esau, sought to kill Jacob so they sent him away. Jacob left Beersheba and set out for Harran. Along the way, Jacob stopped for the night to sleep. He placed a stone under his head to use as a pillow. Do you find yourself wondering how Jacob is feeling at the moment? Was he sorry, worried, fearful (remember he was never the adventurer)?

While sleeping, Jacob dreams of a stairway that reached from the ground to heaven. Along the stairway, angels of God were moving up and down, and above the stairway, Jacob sees God who tells Jacob,

“I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread from the west to the east, from the north to the south. All people on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go and will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until my promise is fulfilled.”

When Jacob woke, “[he] took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on its top.  He called the name of that place Bethel…

 Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey so that I may one day return safely to my father’s household, then the Lord will be my God and this stone I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house and everything that you give me, I will give back one tenth.”

Here’s the exciting messages Jacob has for us that we can hold onto to:

God never gives up on us!

Jacob is a perfect example of how sinful man/woman can be drawn nearer to God!  Jacob had made a mess of things because of his selfish desires and was NOT seeking God, but in spite of all Jacob had done... in spite of his evil intentions and heart, God came to him and gives him a precious promise, “I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread from the west to the east, from the north to the south. All people on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go and will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until my promise is fulfilled.”

Just like with us. God seeks US, and blesses us with great and precious promises when we are not worthy or deserving of any of it!

God is with Jacob no matter what, and He will also be with us!

We’ll see this scenario played out quite often in the Bible. Even though, up to this point, Jacob’s actions have been less than worthy of God’s grace, God reiterates his plan to Jacob. When God gave the message found in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you… plans for [your] welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.” It was during a time of discipline to give them hope, which is exactly what God is doing here with Jacob.

God’s plans for us will always be fulfilled!

God reiterates to Jacob the covenant he made with Abraham and Isaac, promising them land and descendants. The path Jacob took to get where he was was full of deception but, God’s plan for Abraham’s people would still be fulfilled no matter what, and that’s also true in each of our lives. We can rest assured God’s plans will succeed no matter how we mess up.

Jacob makes a vow, but why was Jacob’s promise conditional?

There have been various translations of this section but most agree that Jacob’s vow appears to be conditional. However, they also agree that the emphasis does not necessarily have to be placed on the word “if”. Jacob could have meant something along the lines of “when I return home safe and alive, I will make him my God forever”.
In Jacob’s day, vows were as serious, and binding, as a written contract today. Jacob’s affirmation to follow God was a well-thought-out promise that he certainly intended to keep.

How about you? Have you vowed to follow God? Have you placed conditions on that vow? Or have you vowed to follow Him no matter the consequences? Would you today, build an altar to God and reiterate any vow you’ve made to Him and your intent to keep it!?

Abraham

The Endurance of Abraham {Gen. 21:1-23:20}

12:00 AM

Monday January 8 Genesis 21:1-23:20



After a bout of sickness, I found myself sitting at my doctor’s office whining, “I can’t take it anymore. I just want to be done with this and get well!” After two trips to the emergency room I thought I was on the mend, only to be hit with another complication. My doctor looked at me and said, “Listen, I know it’s hard but if you stay on the antibiotics I gave you, you will get better. It just takes time. Trust me.” Enduring and trusting are never easy. And no one knew this better than Abraham. He endured and trusted God even when tested to his very core.

When Abraham was 75 years old, God promised to make him a great nation. The years came and went, and as each one passed no fulfillment of God’s promise came. But instead of giving up or giving in to discouragement, Abraham “believed in the Lord.” (Gen. 15:6) He remained steadfast in his faith. And finally, at the age of 100, Abraham received the son he had waited for which much anticipation. His beloved Isaac. But just when Abraham thought his joy complete, God asked of him the seemingly impossible; the sacrifice of his son.

As a parent myself, I can’t even begin to imagine the confusion and sorrow Abraham must have felt because of God’s request. Regardless, Abraham continued to trust and place his hope in the Lord. And even though he didn’t understand, Abraham endured and obeyed. Because of His actions not only did God spare Isaac, He promised to bless Abraham greatly. “In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.” (vs. 22:18) A promise fulfilled through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

What about you? If God asked you to sacrifice what you love the most could you do so obediently and without hesitation? God wanted Abraham, and each of us, to learn to wait, trust, and hope in Him, no matter what He asks of us. And when we do, God promises to bless our obedience greatly! For He is the Everlasting God who is faithful from the eternal past, and trustworthy forever without end! (Ps. 90:2, 93:2, Is. 26:4)


Genesis

SoulSearching Sunday - Week One

12:00 AM



SoulSearching Sunday!
Sunday, January 7, 2018

 Week One 

 Welcome!  We pray that you have all had a precious time worshipping the Lord this morning! We would like to offer you, on a weekly basis, an opportunity to journal your journey through the readings of the past week.  Below you will find some thought provoking questions that will provide you a starting point to your writing.  We pray that you will find this time soul satisfying!
Our reading this week was Genesis 1:1 - 20:18.

 1.  Do you cling to the promises of God? List four or five of His promises to you and thank Him for His unending faithfulness. Ask Him to grow your faithfulness in response to His.

 2.  How has God intervened on your behalf? Think of the times that you have been spared suffering, heartache, or even minor inconvenience because of His great love.  Give praise to God who helps us in our time of need.

 3.  Have you completely opened your heart to God? In what areas are you tempted to exclude Him. When you feel most alone, remember that God loves you, that He sees you, and that He has been faithful to His people throughout history.

 See you next week!

Genesis

Scripture Saturday - Genesis 22:14

12:00 AM


Scripture Saturday
January 6, 2018




Abraham named the place Yahweh-Yireh (which means “the Lord will provide”). To this day, people still use that name as a proverb: “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.”
(NLT)

 Have a blessed and precious day and week everyone!