Bible Scripture and Hymn for Monday 28 February 2011

"Greetings in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"

Today's Blog Title: "Jacob's Return to Bethel"
Today's Scripture Reading: Genesis 35:1-15
Today's Key Verse: Genesis 35:3 "Let us arise and go up to Bethel, and I will make an altar to there to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and has been with me in the way which I have gone." 

In Chapter 34, we saw how Shechem had rape Dinah, Jacob's daughter.  We saw that Hamor the Hivite, and the father of Shechem, came to Jacob and had asked his permission for his son to marry Dinah.  We saw how angry the brothers of Dinah were over this defilement, and how they deceitfully told Hamor that if they were to follow there custom of circumcision, then they would "give our daughters to you, and we will take your daughters to us." (Genesis 34:16)

Because Shechem loved Dinah so much, he and his father went back to the males of the city and told them that they would have to be circumcised.  At the close of Chapter 34, we saw how Simeon and Levi, on the 3rd day of the circumcision and when they were in great pain, went in and killed all the males, looted the city, and brought back captive the women, small children, livestock and the wealth of the city.

As Chapter 35 opens, we see for the fifth time that God visits Jacob.  After the incident at the close of Chapter 34, God tells Jacob to go Bethel (House of God), where God had first appeared to him.  In verse 1, we will also note, that this is the first time in the Bible, that God commanded an altar be made for Him.

Jacob then commands that ALL idols were to be removed from his household. These gods were foreign gods of other people, not of Jacob.  The True and Living God was Jacob's God.  His whole household were to purify themselves and change their garments as they prepared for an encounter with the Living and Holy God.

Jacob, as God had commanded, made an altar to worship God and he recalled God's constant protection, and the fulfillment of His promises, as a reason to obey and worship God.  The people gave Jacob all the foreign idols and earrings, and Jacob and hid them under the terebinth tree.

As Jacob and his family traveled,  we see that God's protection was all around Jacob, and that no one from the surrounding cities pursued him or his family. "Wow" The Power of Our God.

In verse 8, we are told that Deborah, a nurse of Rebekah dies and she was buried under a terebinth tree below Bethel.  Starting in verse 9, we now read that God renews his everlasting covenant with Jacob.  God then validates his name change from Jacob to Israel, and reaffirms His promises to him.  God says to Jacob "I am God Almighty".  God used His great name to attest His strong relationship with Jacob.  The Living God made His will known and ascended back to heaven.  

Jacob now sets up a pillar.  This is the second pillar Jacob has set up at Bethel to commemorate God's revelation. At the close of verse 15, we see that Jacob consecrated the pillar by pouring wine and oil over it.

Today's Closing Question and Comment: "Does your experience with God enable you to influence your family and others?"  We see that Jacob takes all the foreign gods away from the people since there was only One True and Living God to serve.  God then visits Jacob and reaffirms the everlasting covenant with him by telling him, "I am God Almighty" thus confirms His strong relationship with Jacob.  Just as Jacob buried the idols from the old life, we as Christians, need to bury the baggage of the old life we lived before we knew Christ.

Jesus, draw me close, Closer, Lord, to You
Let the world around me fade away.
Jesus, draw me close, Closer, Lord to You
For I desire to worship and obey


Heavenly Father, As we continue to read over and over, from Your word of your continued faithfulness, we are thankful that we Serve a God who never changes, and who is always in total control of our lives and in every situation around us.  Help us to bury the baggage of our old life, that in doing so we might focus more on serving You.
                                                                                                         Amen

Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day.  Go in Peace and Seve the Lord with Gladness.  Love God More Today and always remember, when you have a spiritual defeat that yells, "I Can't", God will whisper "BUT I CAN".

Yours in Christ,
Cindi


























































































































































































































    

Weekend Bible Verse and Hymn for Sunday 27 February 2011

"Greetings in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"

Today's Bible Verse: Hebrews 4:16

"Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

Mercy, is a compassion for a suffer so great, that it moves one to help.  Here in this verse, mercy implies failure.  We come to God, because our sins have led us away from Him, and from rest.  

We as Christians should courageously approach God in prayer, because He is a throne of grace, and our High Priest sits at His right hand interceding for us.  The wonder of this passage is that, Jesus understands our weaknesses, and so we can come before God and find not recriminations but MERCY and GRACE.

Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest mot, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As thou hast been, Thou forever will be
Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me

Heavenly Father, How thankful we are, that we can boldly come before Your throne.  How thankful we are for Your Son Jesus Christ, who sits at Your right hand, and who intercedes for us before You.  Thank you Father for Your Mercy, and Grace which you so lovingly pour down upon us.
                                                                                                                      Amen

Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day.  Go in Peace and Serve the Lord with Gladness.  Love God More Today and remember that when you have a spiritual Defeat that yells, "I Can't", God whispers "BUT I CAN".

Yours in Christ,
Cindi

Weekend Bible Verse and Hymn for Saturday 26 February

"Greetings Everyone in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"

Today, I am going to send out a Bible Verse that deals with Grace.  Without God's wonderful and Loving Grace we would have no hope of eternal life. It is because of Grace, that God gives us through His Son Jesus Christ, that we have the hope of a seeing, and being with Jesus throughout eternity.

I am about to end a Woman's Bible Study with Catherine Martin, where we she talked about and we read from her book "A Woman's Walk In Grace".  What an eye opening experience it has been, to hear her talk about it and read about it from God's word.  To the women that read this blog, if you have not read her book, I would recommend that you get it and read it.  It will bless your life.

Today's Bible Verse: Galatians 2:20-21

"I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.  I do not set aside the GRACE  of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain."

In verse 20 the term "crucified with Christ" is the concept of identification with, or union with Jesus Christ.  In God's sight, the believer is so linked with Jesus, that His death is considered ours.  Even more, we are united with Jesus in His resurrection, and so have access to God's own power for holy living.

"Grace" is a word filled with unique meaning, a word that expresses a complex set of understanding about our relationship with our God.  (1) Grace views God's attitude toward us as one of love and acceptance. (Praise God) (2) Grace is an admission that unaided, we are trapped by sin and incapable of winning God's favor. (Thank You Father) (3) Grace is the triumphant announcement that God will come to the aid of all those who trust Him and He gives us salvation as a free gift (Thank You Jesus) (4) Grace is a way of life, it is an attitude that rejects the dependence of doing things with our own strength or abilities and yet affirms that through Jesus Christ we are able to live good and righteous lives. (Wow) (5) Grace is choosing to be and do good, relying on Christ for enablement, and knowing that without Christ, his death, and resurrection we would have been doomed to eternal separation from God our Creator.

If you have not received this free gift of GRACE, today can be that day.  In 1 John 1:9 it says,"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."  Jesus is The Way, The Truth, and The Life and He is knocking at your hearts door wanting to come in and fellowship with you, and you with Him.  Confess your sins, and open your hearts door, and He will come in, and with that free gift, your life will never be the same again.  Believe me, I, and all those that have accepted that free gift are here to tell you, that Jesus will be the best friend that you have ever had.  Even the angels in heaven will Rejoice and Praise God when we are saved through the wonderful and Loving GRACE of JESUS CHRIST.

Marvelous Grace of our living Lord, Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt
Yonder on Calvary's mount out poured, there where the blood of the lamb was spilled
Grace, Grace, God's Grace
Grace that will  pardon and cleanse within  
Grace, Grace, God's Grace
Grace that is greater than all our sins

Heavenly Father, Thank you for loving us so much that your gave us Your only Son Jesus Christ to die our death upon the cross of Calvary and with His death and resurrection we now are free of the death  penalty which we deserve but because of your Love and Grace we now have the hope of spending all eternity with you.  I pray Lord that if there is anyone out there today that is reading this that today will be the day that they invite you into there lifes and experience the life changing and eternal presence of You in there lifes.
                                                                                                             Amen

Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day.  Go  in Peace and Serve the Lord with Gladness.  Love God More Today and remember that a spiritual defeat yells, "I Can't" but God whispers, "BUT I CAN".

Yours in Christ
Cindi    

Bible Scripture and Hymn for 25 February 2011

"Greetings Everyone in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"

Today's Blog Title: "The Dinah Incident"
Today's Scripture Reading: Genesis 34:1-31
Today's Key Verse: Genesis 34:25 "Now is came to pass on the third day, when they were in pain, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brothers, each took his sword, and came boldly into the city and killed all the males."

As this Chapter opens, we see that Dinah, the daughter of Jacob, went out to see the women of the land.  You may remember from Genesis 30:21, that Dinah was the born to Leah, and was the only daughter of Jacob, and since she didn't have any any sisters to hang around and talk with, it would been have been natural for her to seek the companionship of other women.

Shechem the son of Hamor, the Hivite, who was the prince of the country, noticed Dinah, and forced her to have intercourse (he raped her).  But despite what he did, he loved Dinah.  He "spoke to her heart".  He then appeals to his father to speak to Jacob, because it must have been the practice in those days that marriages were arranged by the parents.

When Jacob heard about what had happened, he must have been enraged.  His daughter had been defiled (made unclean).  His sons were in the field, and Jacob held his peace until they came in from the field.  When they were told they were angry that this had happened to there sister, and this act shouldn't have been done.  Hamor, the father of Shechem, spoke to them and asked that they permit Dinah to marry his son.  

The sons of Jacob, deceitfully tell Hamor and Shechem that they cannot allow this marriage because they were uncircumcised.  They then said, that if all the men were to become circumcised, then they would give there daughters to them, and you your daughters to us.  We see here that the sons of Jacob, were taking the symbol of their holy faith (circumcision), and using it as a weapon against their foes.

In verse 18  we see that Shechem loved Dinah very much and he was willing to have a circumcision as an adult.  Shechem and Hamor then go to the city and tell the males what they must do.  They then do as they were instructed, and have all the males in the city circumcised. 

It was now the third day of the circumcision, and the males were in  pain, and we see that the sons of Jacob, will take revenge for the rape of there sister.  They take up swords, and "boldly" went into the city, and let righteous anger over sin turn into unrighteous, unforgiving vengeance, and killed all the males in the city. They then took all the animals that were in the city, looted their houses, took there wealth, and took the women and children captive.   They took Dinah from Shechem's house, and then headed back home.


When they return home, Jacob rebukes his sons for there terrible behavior.  Instead of making the family a blessing to others, they were making the family "obnoxious" (to stink)  and because of this act, Jacob's family became an embarrassing odor to their neighbors, and he was afraid that since he was few in number, that they would gather together and raise against him, and destroy his family.

In the close of this Chapter, it is sad to note that Jacob's sons did not repent, but instead they protested their fathers rebuke.

Closing Question and Comment: " When someone does you wrong, is your anger so great that you plan revenge?  We saw today that what Shechem did to Dinah was wrong.  We saw that Shechem was indeed in love with Dinah and he and his father went to Jacob to ask that they be married. Jacob's sons tell Hamor and Shechem that this will be OK,  but they would have to circumcise all the males in the city.  Then while they were in great pain from this act they went into the city and killed all the males and plundered and looted the city.  Jacob rebuked his sons for the deceitful act.  It it interesting to note here, that now the sons of Jacob were as deceitful as there father had been with Esau.  So we have seen Jacob deceiving Isaac, Laban deceiving Jacob and now the sons of Jacob deceiving Hamor and Shechem.    We as Christians are not to judge other people but to forgive them.

Create in me a clean heart, Oh God, that I might serve You
Create in me a clean heart, Oh God, that I may be renewed
So fill me and heal me, and bring me back to You
Create in me a clean heart, Oh God, that I might Serve You

Heavenly Father,  Help us a humans, to realized that you are the Judge and to remind us that we are for forgive those that sin against us.  We are to turn the other cheek  so that in doing so, people will see the love of Christ shining within us.
                                                                                                  Amen
  
Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day.  Go in Peace and Serve the Lord with Gladness.  Love God More Today and remember a spiritual defeat yells "I Can't" but God whispers "BUT I CAN"

Yours in Christ,
Cindi

Bible Verse and Hymn for Thursday 24 February 2011

"Greetings Everyone in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"

Today's Blog Title: "Jacob and Esau Meet"
Today's Scripture Reading: Genesis 33:1-20
Today's Key Verse: Genesis 33:4 "But Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept."

Today we see the dreaded meeting that Jacob was going to have with his brother Esau.  They have not seen each other for over 20 years and for all Jacob knew, Esau was coming with 400 men  to destroy his family.  We see that Jacob when he saw that Esau was coming, aligned his family in a pattern that would protect him.  He had his favorite wife, Rachel, in the rear along  with Joseph his youngest.    In verse 3, we now see that Jacob bowed himself seven times, until he came close to his brother.  With this gesture, Jacob expressed his deep sorrow, for the way he had wronged Esau.

Now the most shocking thing happened that Jacob wasn't expecting, instead of taking revenge as Jacob had feared, Esau welcomed Jacob with joy.  We now see that Esau sees the woman and children who are with Jacob, and he asks, "who are these with you?"  Jacob then introduces his family to Esau.  The dreaded meeting now turned into a family reunion.  We need to look at what might be the reason, why Esau wasn't angry with Jacob anymore.  When Jacob had taken Esau's birthright and blessing, Esau was angry, and afraid that he would be doomed with poverty.  In fact, when Jacob gives presents to Esau, he tells Jacob in verse 9, "I have enough, my brother; keep what you have for yourself".  We see with the 400 men, that Esau had brough with him that  he has prospered materially.  As when they left 20 years earlier, Esau, still only cared about worldly wealth.  He no longer cared what his brother had taken, for spiritual blessings had no meaning to this totally worldly man.   We as Christians need to realize, that if we are satisfied with the good things of this world, then we will miss the most important thing: "Spiritual Blessings".

Once again we see as we have seen throughout this study of Genesis, that God was, is, and will always be in control.  "WOW"!!!!!!  What a blessed assurance that is.

In verse 10, we see that Jacob still presents his gifts to Esau, as if they were gifts to God.  He then fulfilled his promise to God in Genesis 28:22 where he said, "And this stone which I have set as a pillar, shall be God's House, and all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to you."
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Jacob, being a wiser man, wanted to bless Esau with what God had given him and he wanted to restore the broken relationship with his brother.

We see now see in verse 17, that Jacob, on his journey back home, stops and builds temporary shelters.  Jacob then comes back into the land of Canaan, through the Shechem, and lives outside the city because the city was devoted to pagan worship.  Jacob then purchases a some land.  Even though God had promised the entire land to Abraham they were buying it one piece at a time.

In the closing verse of Chapter 20, we see that Jacob who is now called "Israel",  builds an altar for the worship of the Lord.  The name of the altar, "God, the God of Israel", reflects that the God of his father Isaac, was now Jacob's personal God, for he had fulfilled His promises and protected him.

Today's Closing Question and Comment: "What happens inside you, when you try to avoid a problem?"  You can imagine how Jacob felt, to see Esau's change of heart then they met.  The bitterness that Esau felt 20 years earlier, of losing his birthright, and blessing to Jacob seemed gone.  Esau, was content with the worldly possessions that he had.  Life doesn't present any of us with a rose garden.  Life can deal us some bad situations.  We can feel cheated, but we dont't have to remain bitter.  We can remove bitterness from our lives by honestly expressing our feelings to God.  We need to forgive those that have wronged us, and be content with what we have.

Purify my heart, Touch me with cleansing fire
Take me to the cross; Your holiness is my desire
Breathe Your life in me, Kindle a love that flows from Your throne
Oh, purify my heart. Purify my heart.

Heavenly Father, Thank you Lord for the Bible, where your truths are revealed to us.  We read about the good in man, and the evilness of man and nothing is withheld from us.  We read of your promises to those that are faithful to you, and how each time, you were faithfully to those that worshiped you.  Help us Lord, as we read your word, to have open hearts, and open minds, that we might be filled with the Spiritual Food, that we need to grow and live for you.   
                                                                                                                                  Amen

Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day.  Go in Peace and Serve the Lord.  Love God More Today and remember when you have a Spiritual Defeat and you tell, I Can't" God whispers to you "BUT I CAN"

Yours In Christ,
Cindi

Bible Scripture and Hymn for 23 Februaty 2011

"Greeting Everyone in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"

Today's Blog Title: "Wrestling with God"
Today's Bible Verses: Genesis 32:22-32
Today's Key Verse: Genesis 32:26 "And He said, "Let me go, for the day breaks."  But he said, "I will not let You go unless You bless me!"

Today with be part 2 of the 2 parts of Chapter 32  Part 1 was titled "Esau Comes to Meet Jacob" and today's title is "Wrestling with God".

Jacob throughout his life had been struggling, even when he was born and at the moment of his birth, he was struggling with Esau.  He had just finished struggling serving Laban the past 20 years and now, right before his meeting with Esau, Jacob had the struggle of his life.  You may remember at his birth, (Genesis 25:26) Jacob had grasped his brothers heel, but now Jacob was clinging to the bodily form of the Living God.  There are those who believe, that the Man who Jacob wrestled with was the preincarnate Jesus Christ, while other believe it was an angel of God.  In either case, Jacob wrestled with a manifestation of God, and because of God's mercy he survived.

We are told that the Man could not turn Jacob away from the struggle, even though He could have easily defeated Jacob.  We are told that the Man touched the socket of Jacobs hip.  This touch was God's special  touch.  Like His special touch, when He touches the earth or our hearts.  In this scene we see that His touched caused pain, but yet Jacob would not give up.  The Man says to Jacob, "Let Me go for, the day breaks", but even in pain, Jacob refuses and says, "I will not let You go until You bless me!'.  "WOW"   Can you imagine wrestling all through the night with God and living to tell about it.  What mercy God shows here to Jacob.

The Man in verse 27 says to Jacob, "What is your name?"  He tells the Man that his name is Jacob, but then God tell him, that Jacob will no longer be his name, that his new name would be, "Israel, (Prince with God) for you have struggled with God and with men and have prevailed.  One day, we as Christians will stand before God, and He will tell us that we have prevailed for Him, and He will welcome us in His Kingdom.  What a day that will be!!!!!!

Jacob then asks the Man His name, since he had given Him, his name.  The Man did not answer him.  Jacob must have known, deep down, the answer to that question.  The Man whom he had wrestled with, was the Mighty God of of Abraham and Isaac and He was his God as well.

Jacob's experience with God that day, physically changed him, because he now limped, but the experience also had a deep spiritual impact on his life.

It is interesting to note that the Jews to this day do not eat from the muscle on the hip socket, because God had touched Jacob on his hip muscle and it had shrank.

Today's Question and Closing Comment: "In your struggles with live do you just let go and say "I Can't?  or do you hang onto God's promises that tells you "But I Can"?"  In this story today, we saw that Jacob all through his life had been struggling.  Jacob would have known that he was wrestling with God, because when the Man said "Let me go" Jacob responds with, "I will not let YOU go, until YOU BLESS ME".  That statement would indicated that he knew who the Man was because, the only one who could Bless him was God Himself.  I found it interesting that God then would ask Jacob what his name was.  The all knowing God knew his name, and when Jacob told him, God says that is no longer your name.  You will now be called "Israel"  (Prince with God).   Jacob then asks the Man what his name was, and did not receive a response.  Jacob knew in his heart the answer to his question.  God will one day reveal His name more fully to Moses.   

For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
So great is His mercy to me
And as far as the east is from the west, So far are my sins from me
Great is the Lord, His mercy endures forever and ever
Great is the Lord, His mercy endured forever, forever

Heavenly Father, How thankful we are for Your mercy and grace that saves us from unrighteousness.  Let our voices raise to You in thanksgiving and praise forever and ever, and may Your light shine within us that others will see You in us.
                                                                                                               Amen

Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day.  Go in Peace and Serve the Lord with Gladness.  Love God More Today and remember that when you have a Spiritual Defeat that Yells "I can't", God whispers to you "BUT I CAN".  

Yours In Christ
Cindi

Bible Scripture and Hymn for Tuesday 22 February 2011

"Greetings Everyone in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"

Today's Blog Title: "Esau Comes to Meet Jacob"
Today's Scripture Reading: Genesis 32:1- 21
Today's Key Verse: Genesis 31:1-2 "So Jacob went his way, and the angels of God met him.  When Jacob saw them, he said, "This is God's Camp."  And he called the name of that place Mahanaim." 

Today will be part 1 of 2 parts of Chapter 32 and will deal with verses 1-21.

In verse 32, we see a magnificent display of God's care for him.  God allowed Jacob to see, that he was not traveling alone.  Jacob when he saw them, realized that God's armies were encamped around him, and his family.

Jacob then sent messenger's to Esau, with a report of what has happened in his life these past 20 years, and a request for favor, which would mean grace.  The messenger's come back, and told Jacob that Esau was on his way to meet him, and he has four hundred men with him.  Jacob viewed his brothers coming as a threat to his family, especially with the 400 men that were with him.  Jacob, even earlier when he had  seen God's army around him, became terrified and afraid.  Jacob then divides his family into two groups, in case one were attacked, the other could be saved.

Jacob then prays to God to be delivered from Esau's rage.  Jacob in this prayer, appealed to the God who had spoken to Abraham and Isaac.   Jacob reminds God of his promises to him.  Perhaps, because of Jacob being afraid of the approaching of Esau and his men, he felt the need to remind the all knowing, never forgetting and eternal God of His promises to him.  We then see Jacob confess his humility before God's mercy with the words, "I am not worthy".  He then asks God to deliver him.  In his prayer request to God, he came right to the point and named his concern: "Esau".  Jacob at the end of verse 12, once again concludes with another appeal to God's promises.     

In verses 13-21, we now see that Jacob had prayed in faith and now he acted in faith.  He gave Esau an overabundance of gifts.  Jacob has decided that by giving the gifts at three different times he would appease Esau gradually.  Tomorrow will part 2 of Chapter 32 and will be titled: "Wrestling with God".
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Today's Question and Closing Comment: "When you have problems or concerns, do you try and handle them yourself or, do you take them to God in prayer?"  In today's readings, we see how far Jacob has matured.  He has obeyed  God's command.  He acknowledges his own unworthiness.  He admits his fears to himself and to God.  He shows concern for others and Jacob's final thought is one of confidence, based on God's commitment to him.  If you and I deal with our fears as Jacob did, with his, we too will overcome.  We as Christians today can base our prayers on God's proven character, and His promises to us from His Holy Word.

Lord, You're worthy to be praised, And I praise You
Lord, Your worthy to bow down to, And I bow down to you
Lord, Your worthy to be worshiped, And I worship You
I praise You, I bow down to You, I worship You

Heavenly Father, How thankful we are to you, that when we come before you with confessing hearts, and ask you to forgive us that You Lord ,are faithful and just to forgive us of our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  May we as Christians deal with our fears, by bringing them to you, as Jacob did today in our Scripture Reading. 

Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day.  Go in Peace and Serve the Lord with Gladness. Love God More Today and remember, in a Spiritual Defeat we yell, "I Can't" but God whispers, "But I Can".

Yours In Christ,
Cindi   

Bible Scripture for Monday 21 February 2011

"Greetings Everyone in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"

Today's Blog Title: "Laban's Covenant with Jacob"
Today's Scripture Reading: Genesis 31:43-55
Today's Key Verse: Genesis 31:55 "And early in the morning Laban arose, and kisses his sons an daughters and blessed them.  The Laban departed and returned to his place."

Today is part 3, of 3 parts of Genesis Chapter 31.  In part 1 on Thursday, we saw "Jacob Flee Laban."  In Part 2 on Friday, we read how "Laban Pursued Jacob" and today we will talk about "Laban's Covenant with Jacob."

As verse 43 opens, we note that Laban considered Jacob's children part of his extended family, because he had adopted Jacob as a son, and a principle heir.  Laban then wants to make a coveant with Jacob, an agreement between equals. The word witness here in verse 44, refers to a lasting reminder of a significant agreement, and in today's language would be something that could be used in court.

Now we see that for the second time, that Jacob will  set up a stone as a  memorial.  You may remember that on his way to Haran, at Bethel (Genesis 28:18), some 20 years ago, he had set up a pillar to mark the spot where God had spoke to him.  Verse 45 tells us that they also made a stone heap, and made a meal to memorialized the agreement.  Laban and Jacob then had a meal, and ate some of the animals that had been sacrificed, while making the covenant.

Laban in verse 47, called the memorial "Jegar Sahadutha", but Jacob called it "Galeed".  It is interesting to note, that both names mean "Heap of Witness".  Another name given to the spot was Mizpah, which means "Outlook Point".  God above, would have His eyes on both men, to make them keep their covenant.

Neither of them were to cross these symbols to harm the other.  We now note that the wording of Laban in verse 53, would suggest that Abraham, Nahor and their father Terah all worshiped the same God, The God of Abraham.  The family possibly believed in the Lord as the one God, above many gods.

In verse 54 Jacob offers a sacrifice.  It is interesting to note here, that this sacrifice by Jacob is the only time in Genesis, where we see Jacob doing a sacrifice.  He then calls everyone together to eat bread.  The act of eating together, further solidified the agreement between the two men.  In the closing verse of Chapter 31, we see Laben rises early in the morning,  kisses his grandchildren and daughters goodbye, and heads back home.

Today's Question and Closing Comment: "When someone accuses you of wrongdoing, are you as forgiving as Jacob was to Laban?"  It is interesting to note, that if you recall in verses 36-42, how Jacob was anger with Laban for the way that he had pursued him and his family, and how he had worked for him for 20 years, and now Laban stood there accusing him of stealing his household idols(s).  We now see starting in verse 43, a change of direction from both men.  Laban, now wants to make a covenant with Jacob.  Perhaps Laban feared Jacob, because he knew that God was with him, and he was afraid that Jacob might come back to get even with him, for all the wrong that he had done him these past 20 years.  In any case, we see that Jacob was willing to make a covenant with Laban, and with that covenant they made peace with each other.  Once again, as we have seem throughout the Book of Genesis, God has been, and will always be, in total control.

Shall we gather at the river, where bright angel feet have trot
With its crystal tide forever, flowing by the throne of God?
Yes, we'll gather at the river, the beautiful, the beautiful river
Gather with the saints at the river, that flows by the throne of God

Heavenly Father,  As we come before You, we are thankful that You are the same from day to day, and that You will never change.  Give us the patience Lord, in dealing with others, and  that in being patient and loving, they will see You living in and through us. 
                                                                                                                           Amen

Have a God Filled and a Spirit Led Day.  Go in Peace, Serve the Lord with Gladness and Love God More Today.

Yours In Christ,
Cindi

My Fellow Men and Women in Christ

Hello Everyone

God has blessed me with the ability to write, and a very godly woman helped me set up this blog site to get the word out through the Internet the message of God.  Besides Christians in the United States, I see that there are about 9 other Countries that has visited this web site.  

I am requesting of those that read this Blog Site, if you would please take a few moments, and make comments as to what you think of this site, and if it is helping you in your daily walk with Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Since my salvation last July, God has blessed my life in so many ways, and He is not only in me, He is me.  I also write a daily "God's Words of Wisdom from the Bible" on my email site. This is sent out to those on my email listings.  If you would like to receive this additional writing, please email me at: cindilynn53@yahoo.com and I will add you to the mailing list.

God is Loving, Caring, Merciful and Gracious.  Jesus loved you so much, He stretched out His arms on Calvary's cross, and shed His blood and died our death upon that cross, that we might have Eternal Life if we but believe and trust in His Name, and accept His Free Gift.    

Everyone who has visited this site, I pray that God's blessings be with you and your families, and if you are going through struggles, my prayer is that God will lift you up, and protect you from those that would do you harm.  Always give God the Praise and the Glory, for one day you will stand before Him and He will say to you, "Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things.  Enter into the joy of your Lord." (Matthew 25:21)

May God's Richest Blessings be with all of you Today and Forever.

Your Friend and Sister in Christ,
Cindi



  

Weekend Bible Verse for Sunday 20 February 2011

"Greetings Everyone in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"

Today's Bible Verse: Hebrews 12:1-2

"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance 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 has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

Our life as Christians, is like a relay race.  Persons of faith who have ran before us, have passed the baton to us, and they now watch us carry on.  The weight mentioned in verse 1, is anything that would hinder us running the race as Christians. 

As we run, we can look back and see how Jesus ran His race.  When we look ahead, we can see Him rasied on high.   We need to constantly fix our eyes on Jesus, instead of our own circumstances.  Christ has done everything necessary for us to endure in our faith.  He is our example and model, for Jesus was focused on the joy set before Him.  His attention was not on the pain of the cross, but on the crown; not on the suffering, but on the reward.  Look to Jesus our example as a starter and finisher.

Encamped along the hills of light, Ye soldiers, rise
And press the battle ere the night, shall veil the glowing skies
Against the foe in vales below, let all our strength be hurled
Faith is the victory, that overcomes the world
Faith is the victory!  Faith is the victory!
O glorious victory, that overcomes the world

Heavenly Father, Thank you for the example that set for us, when you were here upon this earth.  Help us Lord, to fix our eyes upon you, and give us the victory that overcomes the world. 
                                                                                                                                            Amen

Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day.  Go in Peace, Serve the Lord with Gladness and Love God More Today.

Yours In Christ,
Cindi

Weekend Bible Verse for Saturday 19 February 2011

"Greetings Everyone in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"

Today's Bible Verse: Colossians 1:10-14

"That you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and long suffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.  He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins."

Wow!!!!  Paul here is telling us, that we need to walk worthy of the Lord in our daily life's. We need to live our life's in a manner, that reflects what God is doing for us and in us.  We as Christians need to dedicate our lives to the Living God, in order to please Him.

We as Believers are empowered not by our strength, but by God's strength.  We need to desire the very power of God Himself, working in our lives.  Our strength, only comes from God alone.

We as Believers can never be qualified on our own; instead, God makes us sufficient through Jesus Christ.  The inheritance that we receive as Christians, is NOT one that is earned, but is based on being QUALIFIED by God.  God the Father will qualify us, and Jesus Christ Himself, will reward us at the end of the race. 

In verse 13, the kingdom that we have been rescued from, is from the kingdom of darkness.  Jesus is the light, and He has rescued us from the domination  of darkness.  "PRAISE GOD"

Our redemption comes from Jesus Christ.  We are freed from the bondage to sin by the forgiveness of sins through the blood of Jesus Christ Our Lord and Savior. 

 Jesus Christ, the Son of God, whom loved us so much, that He stretched out His arms on the cross of Calvary, and shed His blood in our place upon that cross.  Is He knocking on your hearts door today?  Open your hearts door to him, and your life will never be the same.  Believe me I know, because on July 11th 2010 at 11:55 p.m, I opened my hearts door to His calling, and my life has never been the same.  What a joy He bestows upon those that are His.  As Catherine Martin says in her book,  A Woman's Walk in Grace, "God's Grace: Believe It, Receive It, Live It". 

Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it! Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb
Redeemed through His infinite mercy, His child and forever I am
Redeemed, redeemed
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb
Redeemed, redeemed
His child and forever I am.

Heavenly Father, Install in us Lord, Your strength, and Your power, that we might serve You, and glorify You.  We cannot do it Lord, on our strength alone.  What a thought it is Lord, that we are indeed redeemed, and His child and forever WE are.
                                                                                                        Amen

Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day.  Go in Peace, Serve the Lord with Gladness and Love God More Today.

Yours In Christ,
Cindi

Bible Scripture and Hymn for Friday 18 February 2011

"Greetings in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"

Today's Blog Title: "Laban Pursues Jacob"
Today's Scripture Reading:  Genesis 31:22-42
Today's Key Verse: Genesis 31:24 "But God had come to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said to him, "Be careful that you speak to Jacob neither good nor bad.''

Today is part 2 of 3 parts of Chapter 31.  Yesterday, you may remember that God had told Jacob to arise and head back home. Jacob packed his family, his possessions and his livestock and took off to Canaan, unaware that Rachel had taken Laban's idol(s)

We are told in verse 22, that Jacob had been gone now for 3 days before Laban was told that Jacob had fled.  Laban then took men and went after Jacob, and on the 7th day caught up with him.  Since Jacob had his entire family, possessions and livestock with him, it wasn't to hard to find him, or even to catch up with him.

We see that in verse 24, that God had come to Laban in a dream, and had warned Laban to speak  neither good or bad to Jacob.  We have seen so far through this study, that God had warned Abimelech (Genesis 20:3,6), and now Laban not to harm His people.

Laban when talking to Jacob in verse 26 says to him, "Why have you taken my daughters and grandchildren away like a raiding party taking captives?" He then tells Jacob (verse 27),  I MIGHT have send you away with joy, and songs and you didn't even allow me the chance to kiss my daughters or grandchildren goodbye.

In verse 29, Laban tells Jacob that God had spoken to him about dealing with him (Only God's warning stilled Laban's rage) .  Laban speaks as if he understands the need for Jacob to to go back home but asks the question, "But why did you steal my god's (Idol(s))?"

Jacob then tells Laban that he left in secret, because he was concerned that Laban would not let him leave with his family.  Jacob then declares his family innocent of the stealing of the idol(s),
not knowing that Rachel had taken them.  But Laban was certain that Jacob that stolen them, and beings his search in Jacob's tent.  The last tent to search was Rachel's. We will note here the fact that Rachel had her own tent, which would indicate that Jacob was a man of wealth.  Rachel had hidden the idol(s) in her saddle bags and was sitting on them when her father came into her tent.  When she did not get up, she told her father that she could not rise because it was her time of the month, and Laban  did not ask Rachel to move because of a male taboo respecting a woman who was experiencing her monthly period.

Jacob, when Laban was done searching Rachel's tent recited the grief and misery that he had to deal with working for him.  He wants to know, what he had ever done to Laban, that would warrant his pursuing him and his family.  Jacob had made his point clear not only to Laban, but before his Laban's own men.  We see Jacob continuing in verses 38-41, to tell Laban how he had served Laban for 14 years for his two wives, and then another 6 years of tending his flocks.  Jacob also affirmed here, his superior skills in managing the herds and God's blessings.  He tells him that he has never eaten of his flock, and whenever any of his Laban's flock were killed by beasts of the field, he would replace them with sheep or goats from his flock, and furthermore Jacob described the seasonal discomforts that he had suffered while working for him.

In the closing verse of part 2 of this Chapter, Jacob tells Laban that if not for the fact that God was with him, he would have sent him away empty handed.  The Fear of Isaac, would mean that Isaac(Jacob's father), feared God with a reverential awe.  Jacob tells Laban, that God has seen the affliction that Laban had laid upon him, and the labor of his hands and that was why God had rebuked him in his dream.

Today's Closing Question and Comment: "How do you handle a situation where someone accuses you of doing something that you did not do?"  Jacob had been done for three days before Laban found out that Jacob had packed up and left without even a goodbye.   It took him 7 days to catch up with Jacob.  Laban seems to more upset about the stolen idol(s), than the fact that Jacob had left.  Jacob was angry that Laban had pursued him like a common thief, and when the idol(s) weren't found (because of Rachel sitting on them), he then lectures Laban about how he has treated him for the 20 years he had been there.
He basically tells him that if were not for God  being with Jacob, Laban would have left him empty handed and you may remember in Genesis 30:27 that Laban had asked Jacob to stay because he had learned by experience that the Lord was blessing him because of Jacob. 

Monday (God willing) we will finish Chapter 31 and then get ready for the meeting again of Jacob and Esau 20 years later.

The Lord our God is with us, He is mighty to save.
He rejoices over us with singing
The Lord gives praise and honor, taking all of our shame
He rejoices over us with singing
The Lord our God is with us, He is mighty to save
He rejoices over us with joy
The Lord our God is with us, He is mighty to save.
His delight is in us, He renews His love.

Heavenly Father,  Help us when we are accused of wrong doing to be filled with the Holy Spirit that we might be able to stand against those that wrongly accuse us.  May we, by our faith in you, allow others to see You in us, and that we might stand boldly before others for You. 
                                                                                                                                          Amen

Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day.  Go in Peace, Serve the Lord with Gladness and Love God More Today.

Yours In Christ,
Cindi            

     

Bible Scripture and Hymn for Thursday 17 February 2011

"Greetings Everyone in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"

Today's Blog Title:  "Jacob Flees from Laban"
Today's Scripture Reading: Genesis 30:1-21
Todays' Key Verse: Genesis 31:13  "I am the God of Bethel were you anointed the pillar and where you made a vow to me.  Now arise, get out of the land, and return to the land of your family."

Chapter 31 I have broken down into three parts (1) "Jacob Flees Laban" (2) "Laban pursues Jacob" (3) "Laban's Covenant with Jacob"   We now begin part 1 of Genesis 31 "Jacob Flees Laban".

In yesterday's blog, we saw that Laban at the time of Jacob's arrival had no sons.  Now as Chapter 31 opens, we that sons were born to Laban after Jacob's arrival.  Concerned about their welfare, they begin to accuse Jacob of being a thief.  

God then in verse 3, repeats the promises He made to Jacob at Bethel.  He promised to be with Jacob, as he returned to his homeland. In verse 4,  Jacob talked to Leah and Rachel about his wanting to go back to Canaan, and he did not command his wife's to tag along.  He was  careful to obtain their whole hearted agreement.  What a blow to "man the master" view of the biblical family.  As Jacob continues to talk to Leah and Rachel, it becomes apparent that Laban kept on switching the deal, as he watched the births of a variety of colored animals.  In fact Laban had changed Jacob's wages 10 times, but with every new deal, God always increased Jacob's herd.

Jacob in verse 11, tells them about God appearing to Him in a dream.  The Lord identified Himself, as the same God who revealed himself to Jacob at Bethel, and he is told to, "arise, get out of this land, and return to the land of your family."  Rachel and Leah in verse 14 agreed that it was proper to leave there father's home, even though the cultural ties would have ordinarily would have kept them there.  Perhaps the births of sons to Laban, displaced their inheritance.  Both daughters had resented the way that their father had sold them.  They also both agreed, that whatever God had taken from their father, belonged to them anyway.

In verse 17-21, we now see that Jacob has his family on camels, and all there possessions including livestock, and they were heading back to the land of his father Isaac.  But we read in verse 19, that while Laban was in the field shearing his sheep, that Rachel went into Laban's tent and stole his household idol(s). In this culture, possession of the household idol, or idols was the right of the principle heir.  Rachel did not steal the idol(s) to worship them, but to retain the rights of the principle heir for Jacob.  But for Jacob, the Lord's blessing was more important to him, than any rights that might have come from being Laban's heir. 

Today's Question and Comment: "If you owned a nice house, and had a great job and God were to come to you in a dream, and tell you that you need to move, how long would you have to think about it, until you packed up and moved?"  We see in this story today, that Jacob had wealth, a family of 7 sons and a daughter, and that God told Jacob to return to the land of his fathers, and that He would be with him, and that Jacob was ready.  He even consulted with Leah and Rachel and they both agreed to leave with him.  We need to be always mindful, of the voice of God and His directions for our life's and say, "Here I am Lord, Send Me".

We believe, and we know, we believe You are the Holy One of God!
We believe and we know, You are the Way, The Truth, The Life,
You are the Lord

Heavenly Father, Renew in our hearts, to sing praises to You in the morning, at noontime, and in the evening.  Open our hearts, that they will be full of your praise, open our eyes, that we might see the beauty of your creation, open our minds, to the knowledge of your word, and open our ears Lord, to listen to your voice.   Lord, fill us with the power to live our lives for you.

                                                                                                                         Amen

Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day.  Go in Peace, Serve the Lord with Gladness and Love God More Today.

Yours in Christ,
Cindi

                              

Bible Scripture and Hymn for Wednesday 16 February 2011

"Greetings in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"

Today's Blog Title: "Jacob's Agreement with Laban"
Today's Scripture Reading: Genesis 30:25-43
Today's Key Verse: Genesis 30:27 "And Laban said to him, "Please stay, if I have found favor in your eyes, for I HAVE LEARNED by experience that the LORD HAS BLESSED ME for your name sake."

Wow!!!!  What a statement that is, when someone realizes that God has blessed them because of you, and wants you to stay.     

As part 2 of Genesis 30 opens, we read in verse 25, that with the birth of Joseph by his "beloved" Rachel, Jacob was ready to go to his own place, Canaan, because God had promised him that land.  In our reading thus far there have been no mention of any sons of Laban during Jacob's visit only daughters.  Laban probably didn't have a son at the time, therefore he adopted Jacob as his son and principle heir.  As the principle heir, Jacob and his family, were regarded as part of Laban's household.  We will later see in Genesis 31, Laban will have fathered sons, who would threaten Jacob's status in the family, and He will ask Laban to leave.

You will recall back in Genesis 12:2-3, that God had promised to bless others through Abraham's descendants.  Now we see that God blessed Laban through Jacob, and later in our study of Genesis, we will see He would bless an Egyptian household through Joseph.

In verse 28, Laban says, "Name me your wages, and I will give it".  You can imagine Jacobs thinking with these hollow words, given his prior experience in striking deals with Laban.  Jacob then tells Laban, that at feeding time for the sheep, that he would go through and remove all the speckled and spotted sheep, and all the brown lambs, and also all the spotted and speckled among the goats, and that would be his wages.  Laban realized, that the speckled and spotted would be the smaller portion of the flock, and that this deal would be to his advantage.  Jacob then asserted his trustworthiness by saying,  that if there be any among his flock that are not spotted and speckled or brown then you can consider them stolen.

Laban then agrees to these terms of wages for Jacob.  In order that the herds not get mixed up, Laban traveled a three days journey, and we see that Jacob was still tending Laban's flock.  In verse 37, Jacob now places sticks of various colors in the water troughs, to show his belief that God would bless him with more spotted and speckled lambs.  Indeed, God did bless Jacob as he had promised.  Jacob then added all the spotted and speckled animals to his heard.

We see that with the multicolored rods, Jacob asked God to bless him with spotted and speckled animals from the stronger livestock in Laban's herd.  God did that, and as Chapter 30 closes we see that Jacob became wealthy.

Today's Closing Question and Comment: "Does your life so shine with Jesus that others want to be around you?"  As we saw into writings, that Laban saw how God was blessing him because of Jacob.  Laban wanted Jacob so much to stay that he now offered wages to Jacob, to keep him around.  All Jacob wanted was all the speckled sheep and goats and all the brown lamps from Laban's flock.  Laban must have thought what a deal and the wage agreement is made.  God in his dealings with us His sheep is our Shepard and He wants us all to be strong in serving Him.  When we as his sheep have a "spiritual failure" we yell out "I Can't" But HE as OUR SHEPHERD speaks to us and says, "BUT I CAN"  Wow!!!!  What a Loving and Caring God We Serve.

Shepherd of my soul, I give you full control, Wherever You may lead I will follow
I have made the choice to listen to your voice, Wherever You may lead I will go
Be it in a quite pasture or by a gentle stream, the Shepherd of my soul is by my side
Should I face a mighty mountain or a valley dark and deep
The Shepherd of my soul will be my guide

Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day,  Go in Peace, Serve the Lord with Gladness and Love God More Today.

Yours In Christ,
Cindi

Bible Scripture and Hymn for Tuesday 15 February 2011

"Greetings in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"

Today's Blog Title: "The Surrogate Wife's"
Today's Scripture Reading: Genesis 30:1-24
Today's Key Verse: "Then God remembered Rachel, and God listened to her and opened her womb.  And she conceived and bore a son, and said, "God has taken away my reproach."  So she called his name Joseph, (which means "He will add) and said, "The Lord shall add to me another son." 

Today will be part one, of two parts from Genesis Chapter 30.  In verse 1, we are told that Rachel envied her sister, which would describe a strong inner feeling of rage, and in fact her envy was just like that of Sarai's, against Hagar back in Chapter 16.  Rachel tells Jacob, "Give me children, or I will die".  Jacob then, because of this comment, becomes angry at Rachel and says to her, "Am I the place of God who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?" 

 Rachel wanted a child so bad, that she gave her maid Bilhah to Jacob as a surrogate wife (which in Chapter 16 we read that Sarai did the same thing with Hagar with Abraham).  In this time period, a maid could be given to the husband as a surrogate, to protect an infertile wife, because a woman could have been divorced if she failed to conceive.

Bilhah conceives twice and bares Rachel two sons.  Dan (which means Judge) because God had answered her pleas, and because of her struggles with Leah, and that she had prevailed, she name the second son Naphtali.

Now Leah realized that she was now infertile, and sends her maid Zilpah into Jacob, and her maid has two more sons for her.  The first was Gad (which means "A troop comes") and the second son from Zilpah, she named Asher, because she was happy about her numerous sons.

In verse 14, we see that Reuben while harvesting wheat found mandrakes in the field, and brought them to his mother Leah.  Mandrakes during that time, were regarded as an aid to conception.  Their smell was associated with lovemaking.  This discovery of mandrakes led to another problem between Leah and Rachel, because Rachel had asked her sister for some of them.  Leah's response to that question in verse 15 was, "Is it no small matter that you have taken away my husband? Would you take away my son's mandrakes also?"  So in other words she said, "NO WAY".  

Jacob comes in from the field, and Leah basically hires him to be with her that evening with the mandrakes that Reuben had brought to her.  We now see that Leah's womb was reopened and she bore Jacob two more sons, Iaachar and Zebulun.   Leah was still hoping that Jacob would love her, and dwell with her because she had bore him 6 sons.  Leah now conceives again, and this time we see the first daughter born to Jacob.  She was given the name Dinah.

Now in verse 22, we see that God enabled Rachel to have a child.  In that verse there are 3 key words that show us that conception is a gift from God: (1) remembered (2) Listened (3) Opened.  Once again, we see that God does things in accordance to His will, and time plan, and not ours.  You have to remember that in Rachel's culture, a woman without child was scorned.  By giving Rachel a son, God had removed her shame, and brought great joy to her life. What a Loving and Caring God we serve.  So far between Leah, Bilhah, Zilpah and Rachel 11 of the future tribes of Israel have been born.

Tomorrow God willing, we will continue with  verses 25-43.

Today's Closing Question and Comment: "Do you pray for things now, or in accordance with God's will?"   Prayer is a privilege that we as believers have, because of our faith and trust in Jesus Christ.  Jesus listens to us, and intercedes for us before His Father.  Sometimes when we pray, and it seems like He isn't listening to us, because our prayers aren't being answered we just need to remember, that God does things in accordance to His Will, and His Time Plan for us.  We saw today, how God listened to the prayers and pleas of Leah, and she conceived and then we saw, how God enabled Rachel to have a son, and the joy that it brought to her.  God does answer prayer.  We need to just be : PATIENT, WAIT, and LISTEN.

Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer! Thy wings shall my petition bear
To Him whose Truth and Faithfulness, engage the WAITING soul to BLESS
And since HE bids me seek His face, BELIEVE His WORD and TRUST His GRACE
I'll cast on Him my EVERY CARE, and WAIT for THEE, Sweet hour of prayer

Have a God Filled and a Spirit Led Day.  Go in Peace, Serve the Lord with Gladness and Love God More Today.

Yours In Christ,
Cindi

Bible Scripture and Hymn for Monday 14 February 2011

"Greetings Everyone in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"
"Happy Valentines Day"
Today's Blog Title: The Children of Leah"
Today's Scripture Reading: Genesis 29:31-35
Today's Key Verse: Genesis 29:31 "When the Lord saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren."

In the verse 31, "unloved", actually would mean "hated".  We see that God saw that Leah was unloved, and graciously enabled Leah to conceive a child, because of the fact that she was unloved.  Although Rachel was Jacob's favorite, and beloved wife, she was not able to conceive.  We see here that Rachel's desire was the ability to conceive, and Leah's desire, was the love of Jacob, which that he was bestowing on Rachel.

Leah praised the Lord at the birth of her first son Reuben, and with the birth of a son for Jacob, Leah said, "Now, therefore my husband will love me."  Leah then again has another son and she call his name Simeon which would mean, "the Lord hears" because He had heard her prayers, and He knew about her tragic relationship with Jacob.

In the closing verses of Chapter 29, we see that Leah gives birth to two more sons, Levi and Judah.  The name Levi implies, "Attached to the Lord" and later God will chose the tribe of Levi to become priests, and care takers of the tabernacle.  Leah was still hopeful that Jacob would love her as much as he did Rachel, since she had now given him four sons.  After the birth of Judah, we read that Leah stopped conceiving.  So we see that Leah, produced through the grace of God four of the 12 future tribes of Israel.

Today's Closing Question and Comment: "What are the qualities that make up the way that you love others?"  People often wonder, if waiting a long time for something they want is worth it.  Jacob waited seven years to marry Rachel.  After being tricked, he agreed to work another seven years for her.  The most important goals and desires are worth working and waiting for.  We watch movies and television which have created the illusion, that people have to wait only about an hour or so to solve there problems, or get what they want.  Don't be trapped into thinking the same thing is true in the real life that we live.  PATIENCE is hardest when we need it the most, BUT PATIENCE is the KEY  to ACHIEVING YOUR GOALS.

Put on the garment of praise, for the spirit of heaviness
Lift up your voice to God, Praise with the Spirit
And with understanding, Oh magnify the Lord

Heavenly Father, As we seek your guidance for our life's, we ask that you give us the patience to wait upon you, in all aspects of our life's, that in doing so, you will bless our lives in all that we do.

                                                                                                                              Amen

Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day.  Go in Peace, Serve the Lord with Gladness and Love God More Today.

Yours In Christ,
Cindi

Weeekend Bible Veres and Hymn for Sunday 13 February 2011

"Greetings Everyone in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"

Today's Scripture Reading: James: 4:7-10 "Therefore submit to God.  Resist the devil and he will flee from you.  Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.  Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double minded.  Lament and mourn and weep!  Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.  Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up."

Theses three verses contain 10 sharp commands calling for immediate action.  They tell us how to humble ourselves before God, so that we can experience His grace.  The 10 commands are: (verse 7) submit and resist, (verse 8) come near, wash, purify, (verse 9) grieve, mourn, wail, change and (verse 10) humble.  Together these verses picture a complete reversal of the attitude that shape the spiritual immature and unfaithful.    

We must submit to God by abandoning our selfish pride.  Submitting to God also means we must put on the whole armor of God, an image that includes everything from placing our faith in Him, to getting into the reading of the truth of His word.   We MUST RESIST any temptation that the devil throws our way. However powerful Satan is, if we set ourselves against him he is unable to prevail against us and he will flee from us. Wow!!!!!  How powerful is our God, that when we as believers have Him within us, that Satan cannot stand against us and he flees.  "PRAISE GOD"

Your words, Lord, are awesome, Your power is great.
Your power is great, Your works Lord are awesome.
Your power is great.
You will reign forever, In power You will reign
You will reign forever, In power You will reign
Because of Your Greatness, all the earth will sing
Because of Your Greatness, all the earth will sing
Great are You works, Lord, Great are Your deeds
Awesome in power, so awesome to me

Heavenly Father, Thank you for the Holy Spirit that dwells within us, that when Satan attacks us we are able to resist him and he flees from us.  Thank you for Your Love, Your Mercy and Your Grace.  May we as your children, give You the praise forever and ever.
                                                                                                                        Amen

Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day. Go in Peace, Serve the Lord with Gladness and Love God More Today.

Yours In Christ,
Cindi

Weekend Bible Verse and Hymn for Saturday 12 February 2011

"Good Morning Everyone In the Name Of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"

Today's Blog Scripture: Romans 8:11 "But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you,  He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you."

We see here, that the solution to the problem of the flesh is the Holy Spirit.  He gives life to our mortal bodies.  Being spiritually minded means, that we overcome the deadness of the body, and experience life and peace.  This is the resurrection of life.

This verse affirms one of the most exciting of the Spirits ministries.  The Holy Spirit vitalizes with us here and now, even though we are sinful, infusing us with the same power which raised Jesus from the dead, enabling us to live holy lives.  Everyone of our spiritual failures shouts out, "I can't", but every spiritual victory affirms, "But  He can".  Wow!!!  I love those words "HE CAN".  What a blessed assurance we have in Jesus Christ Our Lord and Savior.

Open the eyes of my Heart Lord, Open the eyes of my heart
I want to see You, I want to see You
To see You high and lifted up, shining in the light of Your glory
Pour out your power and love, as we sing holy , holy holy
Open the eyes of my heart Lord, Open the eyes of my heart
I want to see You, I want to see You

Heavenly Father, How thankful we are that you take our, "I Cant", and remind us that "You Can".  What a promise that is to us as believers, knowing that there is nothing to hard or impossible for you.   Open the eyes of our hearts Lord, that we may see You, and sing holy, holy, holy every moment of our lives, both here in this world, and when we spend all eternity with you in heaven.
                                                                                                Amen

Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day.  Go in Peace, Serve the Lord with Gladness and Love God More Today.

Yours In Christ,
Cindi

Bible Scripture for Friday 11 February 2011

"Greetings Everyone in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"

Today's Blog Title: "Jacob Marries Leah and Rachel"
Today's Scripture Reading: Genesis 29:15-30
Today's Key Verse: Genesis 29:25 "And it came to pass in the morning, that behold, it was Leah.  And he said to Laban, "What is this you have done to me?  Was it not for Rachel that I served you?  Why then have you deceived me?"

When reading today's key verse, I wonder if Jacob at last, grasped how it felt to be deceived and cheated. God is always there, teaching us lessons in life.  It would seem fair to say like the saying, "what comes around goes around", was true here in Jacobs case.

As we start part 2 of Chapter 29 in verse 15 we see Laban asking Jacob what wages would he want.  We are then told that Laban had two daughters Leah the oldest and Rachel the youngest.  Leah's name may be a term of endearment meaning "Wild Cow", while Rachel's name meant "Ewe Lamb".  Leah had a special loveliness in her eyes, but Rachel had a beautiful form.  Rachel's description here is similar to the descriptions of Sarai (Genesis 12:11) and of Rebekah (Genesis 24:16).

In verse 18, we see a rare Biblical example of "love at first sight".  You will remember that Jacob's father Isaac, felt the same way when he first saw Rebekah, Jacobs mother.  We see that Jacob tells Laban that he will serve him for 7 years for his daughter Rachel.  Wow!!! What a stunning demonstration of the value Jacob placed on Rachel.

Jacob's love for Rachel was so great, that the 7 years of service to Laban seemed to him like just a few days.  Laban then has a big feast which would indicate that there was drinking.  In those days a public feast in recognition of the union made the marriage between Jacob and Leah official, even though Leah was the wrong woman.  We see that Jacob in the morning realizes that he had been deceived.  The word deceived means, "to act treacherously with" or "to betray".  Jacob the deceiver had been deceived by Laban.

Laban statement to Jacob, that it is a cultural thing that the youngest cannot be married before the oldest, would be doubtful.  By this deceit, Laban got Jacob to work for him for another 7 years.  We now see just how much Jacob loved Rachel, because he worked another 7 years for the woman whom he really wanted, and loved.  As we close part 2 of Genesis 29, in verses 28-30, we see that after Jacob worked another 7 years for Rachel, that all his labor came to fruit, in that he finally had Rachel as his wife, as well as Leah, but Jacob loved Rachel more than Leah, and Jacob served Laban another 7 years.

Closing Question and Comment: "Do you keep on trusting the Lord when life takes unexpected turns?"  The story of Jacob's marriages, reminds us of the wisdom of God's original design.  How deeply it hurt Leah, to married to a man who did not love her. How tragic the pain felt by a childless Rachel, and Leah's attempt to get back at her sister, through her own ability to bear children.  God's way really is always best.

Oh God, awesome in power,
Oh God, gentle in love.
Oh God, You are my God and I love You.
Oh God, full of compassion,
Oh God, faithful and true.
Oh God, You are my God and I love You

Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day.  Go in peace, Serve the Lord with Gladness and Love God More Today.

Yours In Christ,
Cindi        

Bible Scripture and Hymn for Thursday 10 February 2011

"Greetings Everyone in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"

Today's Blog Title: "Jacob Meets Rachel"
Today's Blog Scripture: Genesis 29:1-14
Today's Key Verse: Genesis 29:14 "And Laban said to him, "Surely you are my bone and my flesh."  And he stayed with him a month."

I will be breaking Chapter 29 down into 3 parts.  The first part will be "Jacob Meets Rachel.  Part 2 "Jacob Marries Leah and Rachel" and part 3 "The Children of Jacob".

The people of the east were not Canaanites, so Jacob would be obeying the command of his father not to take  a wife for himself from the Canaanites.  Jacob looked and saw shepards gathered at a well.   As with the case with Abraham's servant, when he met Rebekah at the well, so would Jacob meet Rachel at a well, and perhaps it was the same well.  Because God allowed a number of events in the Bible to occur at wells, they would become a symbol of God's blessing and care.  Even in John 4:1-30, we read about Jesus and the Samaritan woman meeting at a well.

Jacob starts talking to the shepards at the well, and asks them if they knew Laban, and they replied that they did.  The discussion then goes into general questions about his health, and well being, and just as they were answering, Rachel appears at the well.  The name Rachel is a term of endearment meaning, "Ewe lamb".  Rachel was a cousin of Jacob.

Rachel was at the well now with her sheep, and Jacob walks over and rolls the stone away from the mouth of the well, and waters her sheep and then kisses Rachel, and tells her who he is.  Doubtless Jacob had heard the story of his mothers encounter with the servant of Abraham, many times.  He knew that their meeting was from God.

Jacob tells Rachel that he was Rebekah's son, and she runs off to tell her father.  Her father then runs back to the well, embraces him and takes him back to his house.  In the closing of part 1, we see in verse 14 that Laban now tells Jacob, "You are my bone and my flesh" and Jacob stayed with him for month.  

Closing Question and Comment: "Are you allowing God, to guide you, in the direction that he wants you to go?" We saw here in part 1, that Jacob had in his  journey, came upon shepards laying by a well with there flocks.  There was a stone on the mouth of the well.  Jacob then starts making small talk with the shepards, and ask them if they knew Laban.  When they said that they did, he started asking about his health, and the shepards said that he was well.  Just as they had said that, they said, "hey look there is Rachel, his daughter."  Jacob falls in love with Rachel, just as his father Isaac, had when he meet Rebekah for the first time.  Jacob then removes the rock from the mouth of the well, and waters Rachel's sheep, perhaps the same way that Rebekah had done for the servant of Abraham.  This thought must have gone through his mind, as he watered the sheep, and he knew that this meeting was from God.  He then gives her a kiss, and tells her who he is.  She then leaves her sheep with him, and goes and tells her father, who comes to invite him to his house.  Wow!!!  God in his wisdom was in control of the situation then, just as He is in total control today.

What a mighty God we serve!
What a mighty God we serve!
Angels bow before Him,
Heaven and earth adore Him,
What a mighty God we serve

Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day.  Go in Peace, Serve the Lord with Gladness and Love God More Today.

Yours In Christ,
Cindi
   
  

Bible Scripture and Hymn for Wednesday 9 February 2011

"Greetings in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"

"Today's Blog Title: "Jacob Meets God"
Today's Blog Scripture: Genesis 28: 1-22
Today's Key Verse: Genesis 28:15 "Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you."

Are we closed Chapter 27, we saw Rebekah discussing with Isaac, about Jacob's future wife.  They had already regretted  Esau's marrying Hittite women, who brought there pagan religion and their false god's.

As Chapter 28 opens, we see that Isaac agrees with Rebekah that intermarriage with the pagan women of Canaan was dangerous.  These women would bring their false god's into the household.  Isaac calls Jacob into them, and tells him that he would not take a wife from the Canaanite women but would go to Laban, Rebekah's brother, to take a wife.  In verses 3-4 Isaac now formally passes on to Jacob, the blessing that God had first given to his father Abraham.

In verses 6-9, we see that Esau attempts to find favor in Isaac's eyes, by doing what Isaac wished, by marrying Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael.  Esau believed that marrying a non pagan women, would met the standard that Isaac had given Jacob.  Sadly though, Esau could not regain his lost blessing.  Was Esau insensitive, or were Isaac and Rebekah at fault?  Parents are responsible to counsel and to guide.

The promise made to Jacob, takes the same form as those originally made to Abraham.  God states, unconditionally, what He will do. This is the most awesome aspect of the scene, not the drawing back of the veil that separates's the natural and supernatural realms.  God makes "I will" promises to mere human beings.  He chooses to be with us, to watch over us wherever we go, and never to leave us till He has accomplished all He has promised.   

In verse 17, afraid would indicate a fear of God similar to terror, but then awesome would indicate a fear of God, similar to wonder and worship.  In Jacob's dream, these two emotions were mixed together.  God and heaven, had come down to the very place were he was sleeping.  Jacob to celebrate the event, set a stone on end and poured oil on top of it to consecrate it to the Lord, and called the place Bethel which means, "House of God.  In verse 20, Jacob makes a conditional vow to be faithful to God, and based it on God's promises to him. 

As this Chapter closes we see that Jacob promises to give a tenth of his possessions to God.  In Deuteronomy 14:22 you will read that the Mosaic Law would require a tenth to God.   

Closing Question and Comment: "In what places in your life has God been the most real?"  God's covenant promise to Abraham and Isaac was offered to Jacob as well.  But is was not enough to be Abraham's grandson; Jacob had to establish his own personal relationship with God.  God has no grandchildren; each of us must have have a personal relationship with Him.  It is not enough to hear wonderful stories about Christians in your family, you need to become part of the story yourself.  You and I need just such a faith that accepts the promises of God, and because we realize that God is with us, we will see a bright new future ahead.

There is nobody else so worthy of praise. No one so wonderful in so many ways, Oh Lord
You are the one who can claim the highest place, Up in heaven and in our hearts too.
There is nobody else, Oh Lord, nobody like You  

Heavenly Father, How we thank You for our personal relationship with you.  Lord, there is no one but You, who is worthy of our daily praise, and because of your promises, we know who holds the future, and life is worth the living, because You Live.              
                                                                                                                   Amen

Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day.  Go in Peace, Serve the Lord with Gladness and Love God More Today.

Yours In Christ,
Cindi