"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
Monday, February 14, 2011
Sunday, February 13, 2011
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
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
Saturday, February 12, 2011
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
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
Thursday, February 10, 2011
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
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
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
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
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
"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
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Bible Scripture and Hymn for Tuesday 8 February 2011
"Greetings in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"
Today's Blog Title: "Jacob Escapes from Esau"
Today's Scripture Reading: Genesis 27:28-46
Today's Key Verse: Genesis 27: "So Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father blessed him, and Esau said in his heart, "The day of mourning for my father are at hand, then I will kill my brother Jacob."
Yesterday, was part 1 of Chapter 27, where we saw how Jacob, with the help of his mother Rebekah, went into his father Issac, to receive the blessing that was suppose to go to the first born. Now we will read in part 2, how the the deceit of Jacob, resulted in his having to flee for his life.
Isaac begins the blessing in verse 27, ironically by by the smell of his son's clothing. In verse 28, we read of the blessing to Jacob instead of Esau. Isaac predicted that Jacob's descendants would obtain supremacy over other peoples. Jesus, as the King of kings and who was a descendant of Jacob would ultimately fulfill this predication. Isaac in his blessing intended that Jacob would bow to Esau, but because of Jacob's deception and the poor eyes sight of Isaac he blessed Jacob instead. With the blessing of Isaac, Jacob became heir to the everlasting covenant between Abraham's descendants and the Lord.
As soon as Issac had blessed Jacob, Esau returns from the field from his hunt, and then prepares the meal his father had requested. When Esau comes into his fathers tent with the prepared meal, he says to Isaac "Let my father arise and eat of your son's game that your soul may bless me." Isaac says, "Who are you?" You would have to assume that Isaac recognized the voice of Esau. You will recall in 27:22, that Isaac had Jacob come close to him, because the voice was that of Jacob. Isaac then asks a question which he already had the answer to, "Who? Where is the one who hunted game and brought it to me?" I ate, and I have blessed him, and indeed he shall be blessed." Isaac knew the voice of Esau, and in despair realized that he had been deceived by Jacob. In those times, words could not be easily withdrawn as they often are today. Isaac's words of blessing were backed by the power of the Lord, and could not be withdrawn.
In verse 34, we see that Esau's anguish was so unbearable that he cried, and asked his father to bless him. Isaac tells him, that Jacob had came with deceit and had taken his blessing. Esau then says, "He has taken away my birthright and now my blessing". Perhaps Esau as the firstborn, had hoped to overcome the lost of his birthright with his fathers powerful blessing. But as we see, Jacob had obtained both, the birthright and the blessing through deceit, and the blessings of his father to Jacob were irrevocable.
Esau now asks his father "Have you only one blessing?" The blessing to Esau was weaker than the blessing for Jacob, and was probably along the lines that Abraham gave to Ishmael in 16:11-12. This weaker blessing to Esau, affirmed that Esau's descendants would serve his brother yet some day they would free themselves from domination.
In verses 42-45 we see that Esau had revealed to someone his plan to kill Jacob and this word got back to Rebekah. Here again we see that his mother, intervened to help her "favorite" son. In the closing verses of this Chapter, we see that Rebekah tells Jacob to flee to her brother in Hanan. For she feared that she might lose both her sons in one day, one to death and the other to exile as Cain when he killed Adam his brother. This action sadly, would be the last time that she would see Jacob because we will see later that she will die before Jacob returns. The Chapter closes with Isaac and Rebekah, talking about Jacob's future wife because they had regretted Esau's marrying Hittite women. It would be reasonable to assume, that Rebekah had sent him to Laban not only because he was her brother, but because Isaac had found Rebekah in Haran.
Today's Closing Question and Comment: "Do we need to be deceitful to obtain the blessings of God?" In today's Scripture, we saw that a father's oral blessing had the force of a will, and would stand up in court. Isaac's blessing was important. The blessing that Isaac bestowed upon Jacob, incorporated elements of the original Abrahamic Covenant. It was clear to Isaac, that the most important thing he had to hand down to his son, was his relationship with God. Isaac when he had realized that he had been tricked, came to realize that God had chosen Jacob, and not Esau his favorite son. Isaac submits to God's will, and confirms his blessings to Jacob. He does have a blessing for Esau: material property. Esau was angry with his brother, but he actually received everything he ever cared about.
Open the eyes of my heart Lord, open the eyes of my heart Lord
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 up the eyes of my heart Lord, Open up the eyes of my heart
I want to see you, I want to see you
Holy, holy, holy, we cry holy, holy holy
You are holy, holy, holy, I want to see You
Heavenly Father, Open the eyes of our hearts that we may see You. Thank you for loving us and sending your Holy Spirit to us to live within us and guide us. May we always bring honor and glory to Your Name which is above every name and may others see You in us.
Amen
Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day. Go In Peace, Serve the Lord in all that You Do and Love God More Today.
Yours In Christ
Cindi
Today's Blog Title: "Jacob Escapes from Esau"
Today's Scripture Reading: Genesis 27:28-46
Today's Key Verse: Genesis 27: "So Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father blessed him, and Esau said in his heart, "The day of mourning for my father are at hand, then I will kill my brother Jacob."
Yesterday, was part 1 of Chapter 27, where we saw how Jacob, with the help of his mother Rebekah, went into his father Issac, to receive the blessing that was suppose to go to the first born. Now we will read in part 2, how the the deceit of Jacob, resulted in his having to flee for his life.
Isaac begins the blessing in verse 27, ironically by by the smell of his son's clothing. In verse 28, we read of the blessing to Jacob instead of Esau. Isaac predicted that Jacob's descendants would obtain supremacy over other peoples. Jesus, as the King of kings and who was a descendant of Jacob would ultimately fulfill this predication. Isaac in his blessing intended that Jacob would bow to Esau, but because of Jacob's deception and the poor eyes sight of Isaac he blessed Jacob instead. With the blessing of Isaac, Jacob became heir to the everlasting covenant between Abraham's descendants and the Lord.
As soon as Issac had blessed Jacob, Esau returns from the field from his hunt, and then prepares the meal his father had requested. When Esau comes into his fathers tent with the prepared meal, he says to Isaac "Let my father arise and eat of your son's game that your soul may bless me." Isaac says, "Who are you?" You would have to assume that Isaac recognized the voice of Esau. You will recall in 27:22, that Isaac had Jacob come close to him, because the voice was that of Jacob. Isaac then asks a question which he already had the answer to, "Who? Where is the one who hunted game and brought it to me?" I ate, and I have blessed him, and indeed he shall be blessed." Isaac knew the voice of Esau, and in despair realized that he had been deceived by Jacob. In those times, words could not be easily withdrawn as they often are today. Isaac's words of blessing were backed by the power of the Lord, and could not be withdrawn.
In verse 34, we see that Esau's anguish was so unbearable that he cried, and asked his father to bless him. Isaac tells him, that Jacob had came with deceit and had taken his blessing. Esau then says, "He has taken away my birthright and now my blessing". Perhaps Esau as the firstborn, had hoped to overcome the lost of his birthright with his fathers powerful blessing. But as we see, Jacob had obtained both, the birthright and the blessing through deceit, and the blessings of his father to Jacob were irrevocable.
Esau now asks his father "Have you only one blessing?" The blessing to Esau was weaker than the blessing for Jacob, and was probably along the lines that Abraham gave to Ishmael in 16:11-12. This weaker blessing to Esau, affirmed that Esau's descendants would serve his brother yet some day they would free themselves from domination.
In verses 42-45 we see that Esau had revealed to someone his plan to kill Jacob and this word got back to Rebekah. Here again we see that his mother, intervened to help her "favorite" son. In the closing verses of this Chapter, we see that Rebekah tells Jacob to flee to her brother in Hanan. For she feared that she might lose both her sons in one day, one to death and the other to exile as Cain when he killed Adam his brother. This action sadly, would be the last time that she would see Jacob because we will see later that she will die before Jacob returns. The Chapter closes with Isaac and Rebekah, talking about Jacob's future wife because they had regretted Esau's marrying Hittite women. It would be reasonable to assume, that Rebekah had sent him to Laban not only because he was her brother, but because Isaac had found Rebekah in Haran.
Today's Closing Question and Comment: "Do we need to be deceitful to obtain the blessings of God?" In today's Scripture, we saw that a father's oral blessing had the force of a will, and would stand up in court. Isaac's blessing was important. The blessing that Isaac bestowed upon Jacob, incorporated elements of the original Abrahamic Covenant. It was clear to Isaac, that the most important thing he had to hand down to his son, was his relationship with God. Isaac when he had realized that he had been tricked, came to realize that God had chosen Jacob, and not Esau his favorite son. Isaac submits to God's will, and confirms his blessings to Jacob. He does have a blessing for Esau: material property. Esau was angry with his brother, but he actually received everything he ever cared about.
Open the eyes of my heart Lord, open the eyes of my heart Lord
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 up the eyes of my heart Lord, Open up the eyes of my heart
I want to see you, I want to see you
Holy, holy, holy, we cry holy, holy holy
You are holy, holy, holy, I want to see You
Heavenly Father, Open the eyes of our hearts that we may see You. Thank you for loving us and sending your Holy Spirit to us to live within us and guide us. May we always bring honor and glory to Your Name which is above every name and may others see You in us.
Amen
Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day. Go In Peace, Serve the Lord in all that You Do and Love God More Today.
Yours In Christ
Cindi
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