Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: Godly Sorrow
Date: Friday January 13, 2012
Today's Chapters: Genesis 42-44
Preview of Today's Message: Nothing we do goes unnoticed with God, whether it is righteous or not, so, we need to be careful that we do not get caught up in something that will haunt us years later. All Scripture quoted from the King James Version.
Hello My Friend,
No sin goes unpunished, we are all subject to the consequences of our own actions, but we can find consolation in Christ as we seek forgiveness, repent, and live for God. There are two kinds of sorrow, godly and ungodly, godly sorrow removes the distress or grief caused by sin, bringing life to the sinner. Ungodly sorrow adds to the distress and grief caused by sin, bringing death to the sinner. “Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.” - 2 Corinthians 7:9-11.
When Joseph's brothers sold him to slaves over twenty years ago they had no idea that their past would catch up to them. They soon discovered that no sin goes unpunished. There was a famine in the land just as Joseph revealed to Pharaoh from his dreams, it had spread abroad and was now in the land of Canaan. Jacob sent his sons, except Benjamin, to Egypt to get food, when Joseph saw them he knew instantly who they were, not revealing to them who he was he spoke harshly to them and put them in prison for a few days.
“And Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew them, but made himself strange unto them, and spake roughly unto them; and he said unto them, Whence come ye? And they said, From the land of Canaan to buy food...And Joseph said unto them, That is it that I spake unto you, saying, Ye are spies: Hereby ye shall be proved: By the life of Pharaoh ye shall not go forth hence, except your youngest brother come hither. Send one of you, and let him fetch your brother, and ye shall be kept in prison, that your words may be proved, whether there be any truth in you: or else by the life of Pharaoh surely ye are spies. And he put them all together into ward three days...And they said one to another, We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us. And Reuben answered them, saying, Spake I not unto you, saying, Do not sin against the child; and ye would not hear? therefore, behold, also his blood is required.” - Genesis 42:7,14-17,21,22.
Joseph's brothers probably never got over the fact that they deceived their brother as well as their father, but now realized that the trouble they were facing was the result of what they had done years ago. This is a reminder that everything we do comes back to us whether it be for good or bad, no matter how long it takes. If you are facing trials, first, think about what is going on. Has something come back from your past to haunt you? Is Christ your Savior? Have you gotten away from God? Have you been faithful to God? Regardless of what trials you are facing and why you are facing them the only way to endure them is through Christ. Jesus will give you rest, you just have to go to Him. When you find rest in Him through godly sorrow, you will find peace through Him. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11:28-30.
Joseph released all his brothers except for Simeon, for him to be released they had to return with Benjamin. When Joseph's brothers returned to Canaan and told their father, Jacob, that Simeon was in prison and in order for him to be released they had to bring Benjamin Jacob refused. The only thing left closest to Joseph, whom he thought was dead was Benjamin, to lose him would kill him. Now, after some time had passed and food was getting scarce Jacob knew they needed to go to Egypt and take Benjamin with them, reluctantly he sent them. So, here are Joseph's brothers heading back to Egypt with Benjamin, each one probably wondering what was going to happen to them once they got there. Do you know the best way to get a person back? Be nice to them. Joseph invites them to lunch, they get to his house and their fears overwhelm them.
“And the man did as Joseph bade; and the man brought the men into Joseph's house. And the men were afraid, because they were brought into Joseph's house; and they said, Because of the money that was returned in our sacks at the first time are we brought in; that he may seek occasion against us, and fall upon us, and take us for bondmen, and our asses. And they came near to the steward of Joseph's house, and they communed with him at the door of the house,..And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed themselves to him to the earth...And he lifted up his eyes, and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother's son, and said, Is this your younger brother, of whom ye spake unto me? And he said, God be gracious unto thee, my son. And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother: and he sought where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there. And he washed his face, and went out, and refrained himself, and said, Set on bread...And he took and sent messes unto them from before him: but Benjamin's mess was five times so much as any of their's. And they drank, and were merry with him.” - Genesis 43:17-19,26,29-31,34.
If we want God's blessings we also need to repent, which means to turn away from the sin that is causing the separation. Although God knows all that we do, unless we confess it to Him we will never be at peace, the guilt and shame alone will haunt us. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” - 1 John 1:9.
Their cares and fears were now over, and they ate their bread with joy, concluding they were now upon good terms with the man, the lord of the land. If God accept our works, our present, we have reason to be cheerful, but little did they know that Joseph had devised a plan to bring about their full confession. “And he commanded the steward of his house, saying, Fill the men's sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put every man's money in his sack's mouth. And put my cup, the silver cup, in the sack's mouth of the youngest, and his corn money. And he did according to the word that Joseph had spoken. As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away, they and their asses. And when they were gone out of the city, and not yet far off, Joseph said unto his steward, Up, follow after the men; and when thou dost overtake them, say unto them, Wherefore have ye rewarded evil for good?..And Judah and his brethren came to Joseph's house; for he was yet there: and they fell before him on the ground...Then Judah came near unto him, and said, Oh my lord, let thy servant, I pray thee, speak a word in my lord's ears, and let not thine anger burn against thy servant: for thou art even as Pharaoh.” - Genesis 44:1-4,14,18.
God has strange ways of getting us to repent, but when we do it takes a huge weight off our shoulders. The longer we take to repent the more guilt ridden we become, the more afraid we are of what can come of it. Fear from guilt has caused many people to destroy themselves, but God is always there with His mercy and grace, ready and willing to help all who come to Him. “To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; “ -Ephesians 1:6,7.
Today's Psalm: “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.” -Psalm 32:1.
Today's Proverb: “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” - Proverbs 16:18.
Today's Prayer: God, how thankful we are that You are in the restoration business. We, as the redeemed, are aware that we have fallen short in so many areas of our life. We have experienced multiple disappointments and sorrowful trials because of our mistakes and willful disobedience. But we are not without hope because You restore those who acknowledge their sin, call on You for help, and look You for guidance. Lead me and guide me Lord, show me how to cope and handle my situations with honor and glory to You. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Enjoy the rest of your day/night.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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Friday, January 13, 2012
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Remaining Faithful to God
Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: Remaining Faithful to God
Date: Thursday January 12, 2012
Today's Chapters: Genesis 39-41
Preview of Today's Message: Of all the people in the world, you will never find a more honest, dependable, hard working person than a true Christian. God not only blesses His faithful servants through their labor, He also blesses those around them as well, even if they have no interest in God. Why? That some may receive Him. All Scripture quoted from the King James Version.
Hello My Friend,
The one thing that every faithful servant of God runs into is the deception of others who envy or even desire to be with them, not because they are a Christian, but because they are good at what they do. Regardless of how we are treated, we need to keep doing the things God would have us do, no matter what situation we get into, He will always be there to help us resist temptation and endure the trials we face for remaining faithful to God.
“Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:14-23.
Joseph, probably had one of the worse days ever, having been sold by his own brothers as a slave. Joseph did not fight or try to escape, he took the long journey to Egypt along with other slaves, trusting that God would take care of him. He finds himself sold once again to Potiphar, an officer to Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. He became one of the best workers that Potiphar had, he was so good that he became Potiphar's personal servant. “And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither. And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand. And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.” -Genesis 39:1-4.
Someone was keeping a very close eye on Joseph, Potiphar's wife, she became infatuated with him and was determined to get him in bed with her. Joseph knew that even the mere thought of being with this woman would not only be dishonoring Potiphar, but it would be making him sin against God, he declines several times only to get himself in a bind when he was in Potiphar's house alone with his wife.
“And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her. And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within...And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison. But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.” - Genesis 39:7-11,20,21.
As long as we keep our eyes on God we can get out of every situation that we encounter, sometimes, we get wrongly persecuted for doing the right thing, but it's better to deal with the repercussions of not committing sin for the sake of man than committing sin for the sake of man. “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:..But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” - 1 Peter 4:12,15-17.
If anyone had a right to be discouraged and depressed it was Joseph, he faced one trial after another and now he is sitting in prison for a crime he did not commit. However, he remained optimistic that he would one day get out of there. The chance had come, Joseph met two men, the chief butler and the chief baker who were thrown in prison with him, they both had dreams and through God Joseph interpreted the dreams for them. The butler was free as the interpretation came to pass, but it was not until two years later that the butler remembered Joseph after Pharaoh had dreams and looked for someone to interpret them.
“And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river...Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it. And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace...And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants...And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou...And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnathpaaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt.” - Genesis 41:1,14-16,37,39,40,45.
Now, here is Joseph standing before Pharaoh himself to tell him what his dreams meant, he was not ashamed to say that God was the one who will interpret the dreams. After he interprets the dream something amazing happens, Pharaoh was so impressed, he had never known anyone who knew of this God that he was hearing about, he was so impressed that he not only released him from prison, but made him second in command to him. “Zaphenathpaneah.” The name Zaphenathpaneah means preserver of life, he received that name because he came up with the plan that would save his country. Today, we have a preserver of life, Jesus Christ, He is our Savior. The second we personally receive Him into our souls we are preserved, given eternal life. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” -Romans 10:9,10.
Today's Psalm: “The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.” - Psalm 121:7.
Today's Proverb: “The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.” -Proverbs 10:16.
Today's Prayer: God, we thank You for the privilege of being able to use the skills and talent You have given us to be used in the workplace. Help us to make a positive difference as we live out our Christian testimony while diligently performing our work duties. There is no perfect workplace, yet we as people who seek to honor You, will be able to deal with less than ideal circumstances as we do our work primarily for You. Knowing that it is from You that I receive the greater reward, let me remain faithful to You in all the situations I encounter. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Enjoy the rest of your day/night.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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Message Title: Remaining Faithful to God
Date: Thursday January 12, 2012
Today's Chapters: Genesis 39-41
Preview of Today's Message: Of all the people in the world, you will never find a more honest, dependable, hard working person than a true Christian. God not only blesses His faithful servants through their labor, He also blesses those around them as well, even if they have no interest in God. Why? That some may receive Him. All Scripture quoted from the King James Version.
Hello My Friend,
The one thing that every faithful servant of God runs into is the deception of others who envy or even desire to be with them, not because they are a Christian, but because they are good at what they do. Regardless of how we are treated, we need to keep doing the things God would have us do, no matter what situation we get into, He will always be there to help us resist temptation and endure the trials we face for remaining faithful to God.
“Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:14-23.
Joseph, probably had one of the worse days ever, having been sold by his own brothers as a slave. Joseph did not fight or try to escape, he took the long journey to Egypt along with other slaves, trusting that God would take care of him. He finds himself sold once again to Potiphar, an officer to Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. He became one of the best workers that Potiphar had, he was so good that he became Potiphar's personal servant. “And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither. And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand. And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.” -Genesis 39:1-4.
Someone was keeping a very close eye on Joseph, Potiphar's wife, she became infatuated with him and was determined to get him in bed with her. Joseph knew that even the mere thought of being with this woman would not only be dishonoring Potiphar, but it would be making him sin against God, he declines several times only to get himself in a bind when he was in Potiphar's house alone with his wife.
“And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her. And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within...And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison. But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.” - Genesis 39:7-11,20,21.
As long as we keep our eyes on God we can get out of every situation that we encounter, sometimes, we get wrongly persecuted for doing the right thing, but it's better to deal with the repercussions of not committing sin for the sake of man than committing sin for the sake of man. “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:..But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” - 1 Peter 4:12,15-17.
If anyone had a right to be discouraged and depressed it was Joseph, he faced one trial after another and now he is sitting in prison for a crime he did not commit. However, he remained optimistic that he would one day get out of there. The chance had come, Joseph met two men, the chief butler and the chief baker who were thrown in prison with him, they both had dreams and through God Joseph interpreted the dreams for them. The butler was free as the interpretation came to pass, but it was not until two years later that the butler remembered Joseph after Pharaoh had dreams and looked for someone to interpret them.
“And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river...Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it. And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace...And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants...And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou...And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnathpaaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt.” - Genesis 41:1,14-16,37,39,40,45.
Now, here is Joseph standing before Pharaoh himself to tell him what his dreams meant, he was not ashamed to say that God was the one who will interpret the dreams. After he interprets the dream something amazing happens, Pharaoh was so impressed, he had never known anyone who knew of this God that he was hearing about, he was so impressed that he not only released him from prison, but made him second in command to him. “Zaphenathpaneah.” The name Zaphenathpaneah means preserver of life, he received that name because he came up with the plan that would save his country. Today, we have a preserver of life, Jesus Christ, He is our Savior. The second we personally receive Him into our souls we are preserved, given eternal life. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” -Romans 10:9,10.
Today's Psalm: “The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.” - Psalm 121:7.
Today's Proverb: “The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.” -Proverbs 10:16.
Today's Prayer: God, we thank You for the privilege of being able to use the skills and talent You have given us to be used in the workplace. Help us to make a positive difference as we live out our Christian testimony while diligently performing our work duties. There is no perfect workplace, yet we as people who seek to honor You, will be able to deal with less than ideal circumstances as we do our work primarily for You. Knowing that it is from You that I receive the greater reward, let me remain faithful to You in all the situations I encounter. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Enjoy the rest of your day/night.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Are You 100% Sure That You Are Going To Heaven? You Can Be. Visit: God's Price
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Wednesday, January 11, 2012
A Peculiar People
Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: A Peculiar People
Date: Wednesday January 11, 2012
Today's Chapters: Genesis 36-38
Preview of Today's Message: Being peculiar is not something that we should try to overcome, it is something to embrace, to be thankful for, and most of all, it pleases God. All Scripture quoted from the King James Version.
Hello My Friend,
Growing up I was always the peculiar one in the family, not only was I the only girl, I did not like the typical things of a normal girl. While most girls would be playing with dolls I would be taking things apart, trying to figure out how they were made. I am still peculiar, while most women would jump at the opportunity to shop I want no part of shopping. I use to think being peculiar, even before I was a Christian, was something to try and overcome. We all want to fit in, right? Well, after spending some time in the world I realized why I am the peculiar one and why I never fit in with them in the first place. God's people certainly do not fit in with the world, that is why we are to separate ourselves from it.
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” -2 Corinthians 6:14-18.
Esau and Jacob were twins, both of them grew up in a godly home, both followed all the commands of God during their youth. However, Esau chose his own path, while Jacob chose the godly path, while they were reconciled, they knew their families needed to be separated. Esau's descendants, known as the Edomite's, dwelt in Seir, while Jacob's descendants, known as the Israelite's, dwelt in Canaan. While Esau was not the blessed son who would become the father of God's nations it was important that God address them here as later on we will see what part they played in the Israelite's lives centuries later. The word Edom means, red pottage, it was in remembrance of the foolish bargain that Esau made with Jacob when he sold his birth right over a bowl of red pottage. “And Esau took his wives, and his sons, and his daughters, and all the persons of his house, and his cattle, and all his beasts, and all his substance, which he had got in the land of Canaan; and went into the country from the face of his brother Jacob. For their riches were more than that they might dwell together; and the land wherein they were strangers could not bear them because of their cattle...And Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan.” -Genesis 36:6,7, 37:1.
God always tries to separate His people from those who live in the world, yet time and time again people forsake God's warnings for their flesh and end up in a big mess years later. We must learn, while being cordial, to separate ourselves from those who insist upon living in the world. “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” - Psalm 1:1-3.
Out of the twelve sons that Jacob had, the one who was the peculiar one of them all was Joseph, he was not like his half-brothers, he stayed to himself, did not get into trouble, and had Jacob's favor. “Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours. And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him. And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more. And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed: For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf. And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words.” - Genesis 37:3-8.
Joseph's dream was a vision that his brothers would one day bow down to him as they would a king, now, you can imagine why they were angry. They must have truly believed that his dreams were, in fact, prophetic since they did not disregard them and youthful nonsense. When God gives you a vision, it is usually one that others can not imagine, but if they have been around you for a while and know that you live your life for God they will not disregard them as nonsense, but will mock you. However, you can be sure that God is with you and it will come to pass, no matter how many obstacles you face in the process. “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” - Hebrews 12:1,2.
Their hatred and jealousy over Joseph caused them to plot and evil scheme to get rid of him. They had thought to kill him, but sold him instead, but made it look like he was killed. “Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brethren were content. Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt...And they took Joseph's coat, and killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood; And they sent the coat of many colours, and they brought it to their father; and said, This have we found: know now whether it be thy son's coat or no. And he knew it, and said, It is my son's coat; an evil beast hath devoured him; Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces.” - Genesis 37:27,28,31-33.
Now, you can imagine what Joseph must have been going through, wondering how his brothers could have done such at thing, perhaps relieved that he was sold rather than killed, wondering where his life was heading. Maybe he talked to God along the way, asking Him why this was happening to him. When people hurt us, especially family, I imagine we all question why God allows it to happen. However, God has a plan and purpose for all that we go through, every obstacle prepares us for that dream coming true. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” - Romans 8:28.
The word peculiar means to be singular; odd, extraordinary; differing from what is usual, being a child of God makes us extraordinary, different from the world, it separates us from the heathens. If you have received Christ as your Savior than you are a child of God, that means that you have God's favor and that you are extraordinary, it's okay to be the peculiar one, you are one of God's peculiar people. “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.” -1 Peter 2:9,10.
Today's Psalm: “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” - Psalm 139:14.
Today's Proverb: “For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.” -Proverbs 8:35.
Today's Prayer: God, there is nothing that we can do to obtain Your favor on our own, only by applying the shed blood of Your Son, Jesus Christ upon my soul can I obtain Your favor. Not only am I redeemed, I am one of Your children, a peculiar person, set apart from everyone else. Thank You for loving me and not giving up on me, and for pulling me day by day our of the darkness and in to Your marvelous light. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Enjoy the rest of your day/night.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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Message Title: A Peculiar People
Date: Wednesday January 11, 2012
Today's Chapters: Genesis 36-38
Preview of Today's Message: Being peculiar is not something that we should try to overcome, it is something to embrace, to be thankful for, and most of all, it pleases God. All Scripture quoted from the King James Version.
Hello My Friend,
Growing up I was always the peculiar one in the family, not only was I the only girl, I did not like the typical things of a normal girl. While most girls would be playing with dolls I would be taking things apart, trying to figure out how they were made. I am still peculiar, while most women would jump at the opportunity to shop I want no part of shopping. I use to think being peculiar, even before I was a Christian, was something to try and overcome. We all want to fit in, right? Well, after spending some time in the world I realized why I am the peculiar one and why I never fit in with them in the first place. God's people certainly do not fit in with the world, that is why we are to separate ourselves from it.
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” -2 Corinthians 6:14-18.
Esau and Jacob were twins, both of them grew up in a godly home, both followed all the commands of God during their youth. However, Esau chose his own path, while Jacob chose the godly path, while they were reconciled, they knew their families needed to be separated. Esau's descendants, known as the Edomite's, dwelt in Seir, while Jacob's descendants, known as the Israelite's, dwelt in Canaan. While Esau was not the blessed son who would become the father of God's nations it was important that God address them here as later on we will see what part they played in the Israelite's lives centuries later. The word Edom means, red pottage, it was in remembrance of the foolish bargain that Esau made with Jacob when he sold his birth right over a bowl of red pottage. “And Esau took his wives, and his sons, and his daughters, and all the persons of his house, and his cattle, and all his beasts, and all his substance, which he had got in the land of Canaan; and went into the country from the face of his brother Jacob. For their riches were more than that they might dwell together; and the land wherein they were strangers could not bear them because of their cattle...And Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan.” -Genesis 36:6,7, 37:1.
God always tries to separate His people from those who live in the world, yet time and time again people forsake God's warnings for their flesh and end up in a big mess years later. We must learn, while being cordial, to separate ourselves from those who insist upon living in the world. “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” - Psalm 1:1-3.
Out of the twelve sons that Jacob had, the one who was the peculiar one of them all was Joseph, he was not like his half-brothers, he stayed to himself, did not get into trouble, and had Jacob's favor. “Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours. And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him. And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more. And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed: For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf. And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words.” - Genesis 37:3-8.
Joseph's dream was a vision that his brothers would one day bow down to him as they would a king, now, you can imagine why they were angry. They must have truly believed that his dreams were, in fact, prophetic since they did not disregard them and youthful nonsense. When God gives you a vision, it is usually one that others can not imagine, but if they have been around you for a while and know that you live your life for God they will not disregard them as nonsense, but will mock you. However, you can be sure that God is with you and it will come to pass, no matter how many obstacles you face in the process. “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” - Hebrews 12:1,2.
Their hatred and jealousy over Joseph caused them to plot and evil scheme to get rid of him. They had thought to kill him, but sold him instead, but made it look like he was killed. “Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brethren were content. Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt...And they took Joseph's coat, and killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood; And they sent the coat of many colours, and they brought it to their father; and said, This have we found: know now whether it be thy son's coat or no. And he knew it, and said, It is my son's coat; an evil beast hath devoured him; Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces.” - Genesis 37:27,28,31-33.
Now, you can imagine what Joseph must have been going through, wondering how his brothers could have done such at thing, perhaps relieved that he was sold rather than killed, wondering where his life was heading. Maybe he talked to God along the way, asking Him why this was happening to him. When people hurt us, especially family, I imagine we all question why God allows it to happen. However, God has a plan and purpose for all that we go through, every obstacle prepares us for that dream coming true. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” - Romans 8:28.
The word peculiar means to be singular; odd, extraordinary; differing from what is usual, being a child of God makes us extraordinary, different from the world, it separates us from the heathens. If you have received Christ as your Savior than you are a child of God, that means that you have God's favor and that you are extraordinary, it's okay to be the peculiar one, you are one of God's peculiar people. “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.” -1 Peter 2:9,10.
Today's Psalm: “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” - Psalm 139:14.
Today's Proverb: “For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.” -Proverbs 8:35.
Today's Prayer: God, there is nothing that we can do to obtain Your favor on our own, only by applying the shed blood of Your Son, Jesus Christ upon my soul can I obtain Your favor. Not only am I redeemed, I am one of Your children, a peculiar person, set apart from everyone else. Thank You for loving me and not giving up on me, and for pulling me day by day our of the darkness and in to Your marvelous light. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Enjoy the rest of your day/night.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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Tuesday, January 10, 2012
At Peace With God
Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: At Peace With God
Date: Tuesday January 10, 2012
Today's Chapters: Genesis 32-35
Preview of Today's Message: A blessed change takes place when a sinner meets with God. Being justified by faith we have peace with God, knowing that all the guilt of our past is behind us and we are forgiven, no matter what we have done. All Scripture quoted from the King James Version.
Hello My Friend,
We have all done things in the past that we wish we could take back, but dwelling on them and haunting ourselves with them will not change the situation. Until we meet with God and hand it all over to Him we will never have peace with ourselves or with God. “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” - Romans 5:1-6.
As Jacob was heading back to Canaan I imagine he had a lot to think about, the things he did over the years, where he is now, he had not seen his brother in twenty years, what would come of him when he meets him face to face. It was time to make amends, some how, some way, he wanted Esau's forgiveness. He sent messengers to Esau to let him know that he was on his way to meet him only to find out that Esau was coming to meet him, with four hundred men. Fearing his and his families lives, Jacob did the only thing he could do, he began to pray.
“And Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, the LORD which saidst unto me, Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee: I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands. Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau: for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, and the mother with the children. And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.” -Genesis 32:9-12.
God is a forgiving God, He does not want to stay angry with us or even make us suffer for our past sins. When He says we are forgiven, He means we are forgiven. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” - I John 1:9. So, why don't we feel any better about ourselves after we repent? We need closure, something that makes amends to the wrongs that we have done. Sometimes, the only way to get that closure is to wrestle with God, what I mean is confront Him face to face. Tell Him how you feel and let Him show you how to make amends not only between God and yourself, but with anyone or thing that you have been wrestling with. That night, Jacob wrestled with God.
“And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.” -Genesis 32:24-28.
Sometimes we just have to beg and plead with God, confront Him with what He has promised. You can talk to God without disrespecting Him, He knows your frustration and even that you question His way of doing things from time to time. He likes you to remind Him of His promises, which tells Him that you paying attention to Him. “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.” - Hebrews 10:35-37.
The time had come for Jacob to meet Esau face to face, “And Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, Esau came, and with him four hundred men. And he divided the children unto Leah, and unto Rachel, and unto the two handmaids. And he put the handmaids and their children foremost, and Leah and her children after, and Rachel and Joseph hindermost. And he passed over before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother. And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept...And he said, What meanest thou by all this drove which I met? And he said, These are to find grace in the sight of my lord...Take, I pray thee, my blessing that is brought to thee; because God hath dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough. And he urged him, and he took it.” - Genesis 33:1-4,8,11.
Jacob and Esau found peace and forgiveness with each other, Jacob no longer had to wrestle with his conscience, and he is at peace with Esau and with God. Either we lean on God's plan for our lives or on our own, but until we get to the point where only God can do this, there is going to be a constant battle within ourselves. He must bring us to the end of our own strength before He strengthens us. “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” -James 4:7-10.
Today's Psalm: “ The humble shall see this, and be glad: and your heart shall live that seek God.” - Psalm 69:32.
Today's Proverb: “A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.” - Proverbs 29:23.
Today's Prayer: God, we regularly come to You asking for peace regarding situations that we don’t understand or have no personal ability to change. Way too often troubling circumstances capture our emotions and rob us of the peace promised to those who place their trust in You. Help us not to be tossed about by the changing circumstances in our lives, but to be steadfast as we discipline our mind to be fixed upon You. Only then will we know the true life sustaining peace that comes from our relationship with Your Son, Jesus Christ. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Enjoy the rest of your day/night.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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Message Title: At Peace With God
Date: Tuesday January 10, 2012
Today's Chapters: Genesis 32-35
Preview of Today's Message: A blessed change takes place when a sinner meets with God. Being justified by faith we have peace with God, knowing that all the guilt of our past is behind us and we are forgiven, no matter what we have done. All Scripture quoted from the King James Version.
Hello My Friend,
We have all done things in the past that we wish we could take back, but dwelling on them and haunting ourselves with them will not change the situation. Until we meet with God and hand it all over to Him we will never have peace with ourselves or with God. “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” - Romans 5:1-6.
As Jacob was heading back to Canaan I imagine he had a lot to think about, the things he did over the years, where he is now, he had not seen his brother in twenty years, what would come of him when he meets him face to face. It was time to make amends, some how, some way, he wanted Esau's forgiveness. He sent messengers to Esau to let him know that he was on his way to meet him only to find out that Esau was coming to meet him, with four hundred men. Fearing his and his families lives, Jacob did the only thing he could do, he began to pray.
“And Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, the LORD which saidst unto me, Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee: I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands. Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau: for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, and the mother with the children. And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.” -Genesis 32:9-12.
God is a forgiving God, He does not want to stay angry with us or even make us suffer for our past sins. When He says we are forgiven, He means we are forgiven. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” - I John 1:9. So, why don't we feel any better about ourselves after we repent? We need closure, something that makes amends to the wrongs that we have done. Sometimes, the only way to get that closure is to wrestle with God, what I mean is confront Him face to face. Tell Him how you feel and let Him show you how to make amends not only between God and yourself, but with anyone or thing that you have been wrestling with. That night, Jacob wrestled with God.
“And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.” -Genesis 32:24-28.
Sometimes we just have to beg and plead with God, confront Him with what He has promised. You can talk to God without disrespecting Him, He knows your frustration and even that you question His way of doing things from time to time. He likes you to remind Him of His promises, which tells Him that you paying attention to Him. “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.” - Hebrews 10:35-37.
The time had come for Jacob to meet Esau face to face, “And Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, Esau came, and with him four hundred men. And he divided the children unto Leah, and unto Rachel, and unto the two handmaids. And he put the handmaids and their children foremost, and Leah and her children after, and Rachel and Joseph hindermost. And he passed over before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother. And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept...And he said, What meanest thou by all this drove which I met? And he said, These are to find grace in the sight of my lord...Take, I pray thee, my blessing that is brought to thee; because God hath dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough. And he urged him, and he took it.” - Genesis 33:1-4,8,11.
Jacob and Esau found peace and forgiveness with each other, Jacob no longer had to wrestle with his conscience, and he is at peace with Esau and with God. Either we lean on God's plan for our lives or on our own, but until we get to the point where only God can do this, there is going to be a constant battle within ourselves. He must bring us to the end of our own strength before He strengthens us. “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” -James 4:7-10.
Today's Psalm: “ The humble shall see this, and be glad: and your heart shall live that seek God.” - Psalm 69:32.
Today's Proverb: “A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.” - Proverbs 29:23.
Today's Prayer: God, we regularly come to You asking for peace regarding situations that we don’t understand or have no personal ability to change. Way too often troubling circumstances capture our emotions and rob us of the peace promised to those who place their trust in You. Help us not to be tossed about by the changing circumstances in our lives, but to be steadfast as we discipline our mind to be fixed upon You. Only then will we know the true life sustaining peace that comes from our relationship with Your Son, Jesus Christ. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Enjoy the rest of your day/night.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Are You 100% Sure That You Are Going To Heaven? You Can Be. Visit: God's Price
Missed A Devotional? Visit: The King James Bible Study Blog
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Monday, January 9, 2012
Reaping What You Sow
Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: Reaping What You Sow
Date: Monday January 09, 2012
Today's Chapters: Genesis 29-31
Preview of Today's Message: When we continue to do things our own way eventually it catches up to us, sooner or later it comes with some consequences, perhaps not in the form of judgment, but in the form of reaping what you sow. All Scripture quoted from the King James Version.
Hello My Friend,
Let's face it, it we left it up to our form righteousness to get to heaven or receive blessings from God we would all be thrown to the curb. Why? “There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.” - Romans 3:11. We base our righteousness on what we think God wants us to do rather than what He is actually telling us to do. However, praise God for His mercy and grace that we get our righteousness through Christ and not of our own merit. “Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;” - Titus 3:1-6.
Jacob was very good at getting the things he desired in a sly, subtle way, he schemed his way to be given birthright over his brother Esau, he schemed his way to receive the blessings of his father. Those schemes were the reason he was running for his life and heading for Haran. Scared and at a lost, God spoke to him and assured him that He had not given up on him and that he would be the father of many nations. What he did not realize was that his scheming days were about to catch up to him. After arriving in Haran he almost immediately found the woman he was going to marry, he met her father and agreed to work seven years for her hand in marriage.
“And it came to pass, when Laban heard the tidings of Jacob his sister's son, that he ran to meet him, and embraced him, and kissed him, and brought him to his house. And he told Laban all these things. And Laban said to him, Surely thou art my bone and my flesh. And he abode with him the space of a month. And Laban said unto Jacob, Because thou art my brother, shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought? tell me, what shall thy wages be? And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured. And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter. And Laban said, It is better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man: abide with me. And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her.” -Genesis 29:13-20.
For seven years Jacob served his future father-in-law anticipating the day he can have Rachel for his wife, only to get the surprise of his life when Laban gave him Leah to wed instead. It took an entire night for him to realize that he was with Leah. I often wondered how he could not have known that it what Leah, but the reason he was deceived was that in ancient times the wife was covered with a veil, it was a sign of purity and humbleness, he must not have taken off the veil until the next morning. This is the first of repercussions Jacob receives for the scheming of his former days. Everything we do today becomes the path for the things we receive tomorrow and while we may not even receive any chastening for what we do, we will reap what we sow. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” - Galatians 6:7-9.
Jacob, loved Rachel so much that he was willing to do anything to have her as his wife, he served Laban another seven years to be able to marry her. As you can imagine two sisters being married to the same man would cause some envy and strife, especially when Leah knew how much Jacob loved Rachel. Leah envied the love Jacob had for Rachel and Rachel envied the many children that Leah had with Jacob. This love triangle brought two more women into the picture, Rachel and Leah's handmaids.
“And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die... And she gave him Bilhah her handmaid to wife: and Jacob went in unto her. And Bilhah conceived, and bare Jacob a son...When Leah saw that she had left bearing, she took Zilpah her maid, and gave her Jacob to wife. And Zilpah Leah's maid bare Jacob a son...And Leah said, God hath endued me with a good dowry; now will my husband dwell with me, because I have born him six sons: and she called his name Zebulun. And afterwards she bare a daughter, and called her name Dinah. And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb. And she conceived, and bare a son; and said, God hath taken away my reproach: And she called his name Joseph; and said, The LORD shall add to me another son.” -Genesis 30:1,4,5,9,10,20-24.
Envy and strife is the number one cause of feuds between family and loved ones, it can destroy relationships as I am sure Jacob had a lot to deal with having four wives and thirteen children and on top of that a conniving father-in-law. Once again, we reap what we sow and while not all of our endeavors are wicked to get what we want, they still bring about the same result upon ourselves. “Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.” -Colossians 3:34,25.
Jacob was not quite done with his scheming, after twenty years of dealing with Laban he came up with a scheme to get all of his father-in-law's cattle before convincing Leah and Rachel to leave and head back to Canaan with all his children. They left in the middle of the night, three days later Laban realized that they were gone and went after them.
“Then Jacob rose up, and set his sons and his wives upon camels; And he carried away all his cattle, and all his goods which he had gotten, the cattle of his getting, which he had gotten in Padanaram, for to go to Isaac his father in the land of Canaan...And it was told Laban on the third day that Jacob was fled. And he took his brethren with him, and pursued after him seven days' journey; and they overtook him in the mount Gilead. And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said unto him, Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad...Now therefore come thou, let us make a covenant, I and thou; and let it be for a witness between me and thee...If thou shalt afflict my daughters, or if thou shalt take other wives beside my daughters, no man is with us; see, God is witness betwixt me and thee...And early in the morning Laban rose up, and kissed his sons and his daughters, and blessed them: and Laban departed, and returned unto his place.” -Genesis 31:17,18,22-25,44,50,55.
Jacob's personal history is the sad tale of deceit and wrong done to him as a result of the wrong that he had done to others, regardless, God used every one of his schemes to His advantage as He got him in His willone way or another. God blessed Jacob with quite a bit even though he did not do much in the will of God, imagine what he would have gotten had he allowed God to work in his life. This is just another example of just how forgiving and merciful God is toward all His people. “He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed. Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore. For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off. The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.” -Psalm 37:26-29.
Today's Psalm: “The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.” - Psalm 103:8.
Today's Proverb: “The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.” -Proverns 11:17.
Today's Prayer: God, I am in awe of Your invitation that bids me come and offer my all. My all seems so insignificant in comparison to Your Holiness, Your power. Though I am completely unworthy to be called Your child, You embrace me wholly with Your infinite mercy, grace, and absolute acceptance of me. Though I’ve given You my heart it will be a lifetime struggle to surrender to You my all, but it is not in my own strength or capability, but in Your merciful embrace that little by little I let go of myself and let Jesus lead me in righteousness. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Enjoy the rest of your day/night.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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Message Title: Reaping What You Sow
Date: Monday January 09, 2012
Today's Chapters: Genesis 29-31
Preview of Today's Message: When we continue to do things our own way eventually it catches up to us, sooner or later it comes with some consequences, perhaps not in the form of judgment, but in the form of reaping what you sow. All Scripture quoted from the King James Version.
Hello My Friend,
Let's face it, it we left it up to our form righteousness to get to heaven or receive blessings from God we would all be thrown to the curb. Why? “There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.” - Romans 3:11. We base our righteousness on what we think God wants us to do rather than what He is actually telling us to do. However, praise God for His mercy and grace that we get our righteousness through Christ and not of our own merit. “Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;” - Titus 3:1-6.
Jacob was very good at getting the things he desired in a sly, subtle way, he schemed his way to be given birthright over his brother Esau, he schemed his way to receive the blessings of his father. Those schemes were the reason he was running for his life and heading for Haran. Scared and at a lost, God spoke to him and assured him that He had not given up on him and that he would be the father of many nations. What he did not realize was that his scheming days were about to catch up to him. After arriving in Haran he almost immediately found the woman he was going to marry, he met her father and agreed to work seven years for her hand in marriage.
“And it came to pass, when Laban heard the tidings of Jacob his sister's son, that he ran to meet him, and embraced him, and kissed him, and brought him to his house. And he told Laban all these things. And Laban said to him, Surely thou art my bone and my flesh. And he abode with him the space of a month. And Laban said unto Jacob, Because thou art my brother, shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought? tell me, what shall thy wages be? And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured. And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter. And Laban said, It is better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man: abide with me. And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her.” -Genesis 29:13-20.
For seven years Jacob served his future father-in-law anticipating the day he can have Rachel for his wife, only to get the surprise of his life when Laban gave him Leah to wed instead. It took an entire night for him to realize that he was with Leah. I often wondered how he could not have known that it what Leah, but the reason he was deceived was that in ancient times the wife was covered with a veil, it was a sign of purity and humbleness, he must not have taken off the veil until the next morning. This is the first of repercussions Jacob receives for the scheming of his former days. Everything we do today becomes the path for the things we receive tomorrow and while we may not even receive any chastening for what we do, we will reap what we sow. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” - Galatians 6:7-9.
Jacob, loved Rachel so much that he was willing to do anything to have her as his wife, he served Laban another seven years to be able to marry her. As you can imagine two sisters being married to the same man would cause some envy and strife, especially when Leah knew how much Jacob loved Rachel. Leah envied the love Jacob had for Rachel and Rachel envied the many children that Leah had with Jacob. This love triangle brought two more women into the picture, Rachel and Leah's handmaids.
“And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die... And she gave him Bilhah her handmaid to wife: and Jacob went in unto her. And Bilhah conceived, and bare Jacob a son...When Leah saw that she had left bearing, she took Zilpah her maid, and gave her Jacob to wife. And Zilpah Leah's maid bare Jacob a son...And Leah said, God hath endued me with a good dowry; now will my husband dwell with me, because I have born him six sons: and she called his name Zebulun. And afterwards she bare a daughter, and called her name Dinah. And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb. And she conceived, and bare a son; and said, God hath taken away my reproach: And she called his name Joseph; and said, The LORD shall add to me another son.” -Genesis 30:1,4,5,9,10,20-24.
Envy and strife is the number one cause of feuds between family and loved ones, it can destroy relationships as I am sure Jacob had a lot to deal with having four wives and thirteen children and on top of that a conniving father-in-law. Once again, we reap what we sow and while not all of our endeavors are wicked to get what we want, they still bring about the same result upon ourselves. “Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.” -Colossians 3:34,25.
Jacob was not quite done with his scheming, after twenty years of dealing with Laban he came up with a scheme to get all of his father-in-law's cattle before convincing Leah and Rachel to leave and head back to Canaan with all his children. They left in the middle of the night, three days later Laban realized that they were gone and went after them.
“Then Jacob rose up, and set his sons and his wives upon camels; And he carried away all his cattle, and all his goods which he had gotten, the cattle of his getting, which he had gotten in Padanaram, for to go to Isaac his father in the land of Canaan...And it was told Laban on the third day that Jacob was fled. And he took his brethren with him, and pursued after him seven days' journey; and they overtook him in the mount Gilead. And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said unto him, Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad...Now therefore come thou, let us make a covenant, I and thou; and let it be for a witness between me and thee...If thou shalt afflict my daughters, or if thou shalt take other wives beside my daughters, no man is with us; see, God is witness betwixt me and thee...And early in the morning Laban rose up, and kissed his sons and his daughters, and blessed them: and Laban departed, and returned unto his place.” -Genesis 31:17,18,22-25,44,50,55.
Jacob's personal history is the sad tale of deceit and wrong done to him as a result of the wrong that he had done to others, regardless, God used every one of his schemes to His advantage as He got him in His willone way or another. God blessed Jacob with quite a bit even though he did not do much in the will of God, imagine what he would have gotten had he allowed God to work in his life. This is just another example of just how forgiving and merciful God is toward all His people. “He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed. Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore. For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off. The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.” -Psalm 37:26-29.
Today's Psalm: “The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.” - Psalm 103:8.
Today's Proverb: “The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.” -Proverns 11:17.
Today's Prayer: God, I am in awe of Your invitation that bids me come and offer my all. My all seems so insignificant in comparison to Your Holiness, Your power. Though I am completely unworthy to be called Your child, You embrace me wholly with Your infinite mercy, grace, and absolute acceptance of me. Though I’ve given You my heart it will be a lifetime struggle to surrender to You my all, but it is not in my own strength or capability, but in Your merciful embrace that little by little I let go of myself and let Jesus lead me in righteousness. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Enjoy the rest of your day/night.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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Sunday, January 8, 2012
Through God's Grace
Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: Through God's Grace
Date: Sunday January 08, 2012
Today's Chapters: Genesis 26-28
Preview of Today's Message: It is amazing when you see God bless the faithful servant, what is even more amazing is that even when we are out of His will we continues to bless us through His grace. All Scripture quoted from the King James Version.
Hello My Friend,
“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:” -Ephesians 2:4-8.
Salvation is not given to us by some merit in our part, it is God's gift to all who believe in the death, burial,and resurrection of Christ and personally received Him into their lives. God has graciously quickened us, saved us, made us new creatures, and prepared us to do good works, but it is through God's grace that we can mess up time and time again and still receive His blessings.
We do not hear much about Isaac's life beyond him being the promised seed that God promised Abraham. Much of this is due to the fact that he tried to altar God's will, but in every event God used some way to get His will back in order. First, we learn of a famine and just like his father he feared he would be killed for his wife and denied that Rebekah was his wife, but even through that lie God's grace blessed Isaac.
“And the LORD appeared unto him, and said, Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of: Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father;..And it came to pass, when he had been there a long time, that Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out at a window, and saw, and, behold, Isaac was sporting with Rebekah his wife. And Abimelech called Isaac, and said, Behold, of a surety she is thy wife: and how saidst thou, She is my sister? And Isaac said unto him, Because I said, Lest I die for her...And Abimelech charged all his people, saying, He that toucheth this man or his wife shall surely be put to death. Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him...And Abimelech said unto Isaac, Go from us; for thou art much mightier than we.” - Genesis 26:2,3,8,9,11,12,16.
Only a God as amazing as the Almighty, living God can bless a person even when they have trusted their own will before His. That is the power of His mercy and grace. “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:” - 2 Corinthians 9:8.
Even before Esau and Jacob were born it was foretold that Jacob would be the blessed seed that would continue the covenant God made with Abraham, that he would be the father of many nations. However, Isaac tried to altar God's will by blessing Esau with everything he had and Jacob with nothing. Through a scheme, helped by his mother, Jacob got that blessing.
“And Rebekah spake unto Jacob her son, saying, Behold, I heard thy father speak unto Esau thy brother, saying, Bring me venison, and make me savoury meat, that I may eat, and bless thee before the LORD before my death. Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to that which I command thee...And she gave the savoury meat and the bread, which she had prepared, into the hand of her son Jacob. And he came unto his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I; who art thou, my son? And Jacob said unto his father, I am Esau thy first born; I have done according as thou badest me: arise, I pray thee, sit and eat of my venison, that thy soul may bless me...And Jacob went near unto Isaac his father; and he felt him, and said, The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau. And he discerned him not, because his hands were hairy, as his brother Esau's hands: so he blessed him.” - Genesis 27:6-8,17-19,22,23.
It did not take long before Esau returned and threatened to kill Jacob, for taking not only his birthright from him, but his blessing too. “And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob. And these words of Esau her elder son were told to Rebekah: and she sent and called Jacob her younger son, and said unto him, Behold, thy brother Esau, as touching thee, doth comfort himself, purposing to kill thee. Now therefore, my son, obey my voice; and arise, flee thou to Laban my brother to Haran; And tarry with him a few days, until thy brother's fury turn away; Until thy brother's anger turn away from thee, and he forget that which thou hast done to him: then I will send, and fetch thee from thence: why should I be deprived also of you both in one day? And Rebekah said to Isaac, I am weary of my life because of the daughters of Heth: if Jacob take a wife of the daughters of Heth, such as these which are of the daughters of the land, what good shall my life do me?” - Genesis 27:41-46.
Isaac realized that he was wrong in trying to give the blessings that should have been Jacob's to Esau, he did not reprimand him or Rebekah for what they did, instead he blessed Jacob with the blessings that he rightfully should have given him. He then sent him to Laban's to find a wife and also be protected from his brother. As Jacob was heading toward Haran he had no idea where he was headed, unlike Abraham and Isaac they had God guiding them, but Jacob knew he was leaving because he deceived his brother and was really fearing for his life. However, he was not alone, God was, in fact, guiding him. In a dream, God reveals that his seed will be the blessed promised seed and that He would always be with him.
“And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed; And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of. And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not.” - Genesis 28:12-16.
God's grace is beyond measure, only through God grace can we be saved from death and hell, only through God's grace can we go against His will and still be blessed, only through God's grace can we sin and not be condemned for it. We might not always be in God's will, we might not pray enough, read enough, give enough, serve enough, or even acknowledge Him enough, but that is what His grace is for. “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” - 1 Peter 5:10.
Today's Psalm: “Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.” -Psalm 45:2.
Today's Proverb: “Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:” -Proverbs 3:3.
Today's Prayer: God, only through the death of Your Son could we know the full extent of Your grace. Though our sins bring untold loss, Your grace brings infinite gain. Your grace exceeds our expectation, it is a refuge for our sinful souls. Thank You, for Your grace, it is incomprehensible, infinite, and indiscriminate to all those who call upon Your Son to save them. Lord, be with us in all that we do, lead us and guide us through the mercy and grace that only You can provide, while others frown upon us, Your grace is sufficient enough to keep our heads up high no matter how many times we fall. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Enjoy the rest of your day/night.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Are You 100% Sure That You Are Going To Heaven? You Can Be. Visit: God's Price
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Message Title: Through God's Grace
Date: Sunday January 08, 2012
Today's Chapters: Genesis 26-28
Preview of Today's Message: It is amazing when you see God bless the faithful servant, what is even more amazing is that even when we are out of His will we continues to bless us through His grace. All Scripture quoted from the King James Version.
Hello My Friend,
“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:” -Ephesians 2:4-8.
Salvation is not given to us by some merit in our part, it is God's gift to all who believe in the death, burial,and resurrection of Christ and personally received Him into their lives. God has graciously quickened us, saved us, made us new creatures, and prepared us to do good works, but it is through God's grace that we can mess up time and time again and still receive His blessings.
We do not hear much about Isaac's life beyond him being the promised seed that God promised Abraham. Much of this is due to the fact that he tried to altar God's will, but in every event God used some way to get His will back in order. First, we learn of a famine and just like his father he feared he would be killed for his wife and denied that Rebekah was his wife, but even through that lie God's grace blessed Isaac.
“And the LORD appeared unto him, and said, Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of: Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father;..And it came to pass, when he had been there a long time, that Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out at a window, and saw, and, behold, Isaac was sporting with Rebekah his wife. And Abimelech called Isaac, and said, Behold, of a surety she is thy wife: and how saidst thou, She is my sister? And Isaac said unto him, Because I said, Lest I die for her...And Abimelech charged all his people, saying, He that toucheth this man or his wife shall surely be put to death. Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him...And Abimelech said unto Isaac, Go from us; for thou art much mightier than we.” - Genesis 26:2,3,8,9,11,12,16.
Only a God as amazing as the Almighty, living God can bless a person even when they have trusted their own will before His. That is the power of His mercy and grace. “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:” - 2 Corinthians 9:8.
Even before Esau and Jacob were born it was foretold that Jacob would be the blessed seed that would continue the covenant God made with Abraham, that he would be the father of many nations. However, Isaac tried to altar God's will by blessing Esau with everything he had and Jacob with nothing. Through a scheme, helped by his mother, Jacob got that blessing.
“And Rebekah spake unto Jacob her son, saying, Behold, I heard thy father speak unto Esau thy brother, saying, Bring me venison, and make me savoury meat, that I may eat, and bless thee before the LORD before my death. Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to that which I command thee...And she gave the savoury meat and the bread, which she had prepared, into the hand of her son Jacob. And he came unto his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I; who art thou, my son? And Jacob said unto his father, I am Esau thy first born; I have done according as thou badest me: arise, I pray thee, sit and eat of my venison, that thy soul may bless me...And Jacob went near unto Isaac his father; and he felt him, and said, The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau. And he discerned him not, because his hands were hairy, as his brother Esau's hands: so he blessed him.” - Genesis 27:6-8,17-19,22,23.
It did not take long before Esau returned and threatened to kill Jacob, for taking not only his birthright from him, but his blessing too. “And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob. And these words of Esau her elder son were told to Rebekah: and she sent and called Jacob her younger son, and said unto him, Behold, thy brother Esau, as touching thee, doth comfort himself, purposing to kill thee. Now therefore, my son, obey my voice; and arise, flee thou to Laban my brother to Haran; And tarry with him a few days, until thy brother's fury turn away; Until thy brother's anger turn away from thee, and he forget that which thou hast done to him: then I will send, and fetch thee from thence: why should I be deprived also of you both in one day? And Rebekah said to Isaac, I am weary of my life because of the daughters of Heth: if Jacob take a wife of the daughters of Heth, such as these which are of the daughters of the land, what good shall my life do me?” - Genesis 27:41-46.
Isaac realized that he was wrong in trying to give the blessings that should have been Jacob's to Esau, he did not reprimand him or Rebekah for what they did, instead he blessed Jacob with the blessings that he rightfully should have given him. He then sent him to Laban's to find a wife and also be protected from his brother. As Jacob was heading toward Haran he had no idea where he was headed, unlike Abraham and Isaac they had God guiding them, but Jacob knew he was leaving because he deceived his brother and was really fearing for his life. However, he was not alone, God was, in fact, guiding him. In a dream, God reveals that his seed will be the blessed promised seed and that He would always be with him.
“And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed; And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of. And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not.” - Genesis 28:12-16.
God's grace is beyond measure, only through God grace can we be saved from death and hell, only through God's grace can we go against His will and still be blessed, only through God's grace can we sin and not be condemned for it. We might not always be in God's will, we might not pray enough, read enough, give enough, serve enough, or even acknowledge Him enough, but that is what His grace is for. “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” - 1 Peter 5:10.
Today's Psalm: “Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.” -Psalm 45:2.
Today's Proverb: “Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:” -Proverbs 3:3.
Today's Prayer: God, only through the death of Your Son could we know the full extent of Your grace. Though our sins bring untold loss, Your grace brings infinite gain. Your grace exceeds our expectation, it is a refuge for our sinful souls. Thank You, for Your grace, it is incomprehensible, infinite, and indiscriminate to all those who call upon Your Son to save them. Lord, be with us in all that we do, lead us and guide us through the mercy and grace that only You can provide, while others frown upon us, Your grace is sufficient enough to keep our heads up high no matter how many times we fall. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Enjoy the rest of your day/night.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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