Melting souls and False ways.

Reading: Exodus 20, Psalm 119:1-48, and Romans 6 

 

Scripture: Psalm 119:28-29 My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word! Put false ways far from me and graciously teach me your law!

 

Thoughts: This passage spoke to me this morning, as I struggle with sin in my life and the sorrow I feel for what that sin does to the ones I love. I know that I have hurt them with my anger and the lack of control that I can have. Like this psalmist was writing we need to be strengthened by the Word of God. Through Christ, we have had our sins separated from us as far as the East is from the West. We have been washed clean. Yet, we still need the Word of God to speak to us and through us. Holy Spirit will help us to see the living Word of God as we continually dive into it and diligently seek Him. As we seek our eyes will be opened to new things or speak differently because of our stage in life. Seek and ask for clarity that we may be taught. 

 

Prayer: Father God, I thank you that you sent your Son, that he bought me out of the slivery I had to sin. I thank you for the molding and refining you are working on in my life. I ask for help to continue to move away from evil and anger. I ask that you open my eyes to the revelations you have for me in your Word. Lead me in putting the false ways behind me and walking in your ways.

Watch you step!

Reading: Exodus 18-19, Psalm 19, and Romans 5

 

Scripture: Exodus 19:12-13 And you shall set limits for the people all around, saying, ‘Take care not to go up into the mountain or touch the edge of it. Whoever touches the mountain shall be put to death. No hand shall touch him, but he shall be stoned or shot; whether beast or man, he shall not live.’ When the trumpet sounds a long blast, they shall come up to the mountain.

 

Thoughts: I remember this being that if the people touched the mountain where God was, they would die, not be put to death. I envisioned a line where livestock wandered over there or someone got too close and touched it boom dead on the side of the mountain. God told Moses to warn everyone to keep away or the people would have to kill those who transgressed God’s command. God was setting up from early on in His relationship with Israel that sin leads to death and that when Israel had to carry out that death sentence they were not to touch that sin. That passage says to stone or shoot, so either they are shooting with a bow and arrow or everyone is picking up rocks and throwing them at the sinner until they are dead. The question I pose is how close to sin are we walking? Are our eyes lingering on things that are leading us astray? Are we listening to things that are drawing us away from God’s embrace? Are we watching things that may not be bad but are keeping us from the great things God has in store for us?

 

Prayer: Father God, I thank you for all you are, the provider of all things, that power and authority you pour out upon me. I thank you for your love and grace. I thank you for the provisions you pour out on us so that we may serve you better. I ask that you continue to mold me and make me in your image. Help me to walk in your ways keeping a distance between myself and sin. You are my Lord and my God.

The Good Life!!

Reading: Exodus 16-17, Psalm 24, and Romans 4

 

Scripture: Romans 4:7-8 Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.

 

Thoughts: I feel like I have missed this mirroring of the Sermon on the Mount. I have been listening to The Bible Project podcast on that teaching they are saying that the way the Greek word used for “blessed are” can also be translated as “the good life is.” I can see merit in both. We have the good life when our lawless deeds are forgiven and covered. We have the good life when the Lord does not count our sins. The world is all about having the good life. The good life in the world comes with money, things, power, and influence. Yet the true good life comes when we trust God and what his Son did for us forgiving our sins that the Lord does not count them. Let us live the good life.

 

Prayer: Lord God you are so wonderful, your wisdom and power overwhelm me. Your grace and mercy pour out on this world and I stand in awe of you. I thank you for the work you are doing in my life and the guidance you are leading me through. I ask that you help me to live the good life and walk in your forgiveness and mercy. Open my eyes to your ways that I may serve you more.

He is our healer.

Reading: Exodus 14-25 and Romans 3

 

Scripture: Exodus 15:26 saying, “If you will diligently listen to the voice of the Lord your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, your healer.”

 

Thoughts: I love hearing the promises of God, but also lately I feel like the things standing out to me have been about hearing God and obeying. Israel is being told that if they listen to God and do what is right in His eyes, so that none of the diseases that befell Egypt will come upon them. Ending with “I am the Lord, your healer.” Through Jesus we have been given back the authority that the evil one had taken from us by deceiving Adam and Eve. We are not called into sickness and infirmity; we are called to walk in authority and power. Jesus said He only does what He sees the Father doing. Then later said we would do greater things than He did. Let us seek Him and walk in that power and authority that we are given. 

 

Prayer: Father God, you are greater than all things, you are the creator of all things. I stand in awe of your glory and majesty. I thank you for the work you are doing in my life. I long to shine your reflection on the world around me. I ask that you continue to refine me and remove the dross of my life. Help me to see your calling in my life so that I can better serve you. Help me to walk in your authority and power.

What is leading?

Reading: Exodus 12-13 and Romans 2

 

Scripture: Exodus 13:21-22 And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people.

 

Thoughts: Israel when wandering in the desert were given a cloud pillar by day and a giant torch by night to follow. Moses spoke with God, but everyone could see the presence of God. In a way, they had it easy, following because they could see when God moved. They were able to just follow behind where He led. Today we have the Holy Spirit living in us, He leads us and guides us if we listen. We need discernment to know if the leading and guiding that we are feeling is God or the deceiver. We need to check those things we sense against the Word of God, we will never be told to do anything that goes against the nature of God.  

 

Prayer: Father God, you call us into your love. You call us to follow your ways. I thank you for your Spirit that lives in me. I thank You that You do call us into fellowship with You and that You knew us before we were knit together in our mother’s womb. I ask that you help me to hear your leadings and know the way you are calling me to go. Move in me, that I may move for you.

Letting us run.

Reading: Exodus 10-11, Psalm 31, and Romans 1

 

Scripture: Romans 1:24-25 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.

 

Thoughts: It can be so appealing to worship the creation over the creator. Especially when it comes to our flesh, food can taste wonderful and look appealing, there are people we are attracted to and the pleasures that money and power can afford us. When we allow ourselves to continually push God aside for the fleeting pleasures of this world God will not hold us captive, He gives us a choice. When we play the Sunday morning Christian routine seeking after the world's pleasures and not seeking Him, we will find ourselves being left to pursue the world. We need to seek Him and His ways and long for the refining that He longs to do in our lives. Seek Him first.

 

Prayer:  Lord God you are worthy of all my attention, you are worthy of all my praise. You are my Lord and Savior. I lay all that I am at your feet. I ask that you refine me and remove the parts of my life that do not honor you. Fill me with your love and mercy. I ask that you help me to put you first, and long to do all things for your glory. Lead me and guide me each and every day.

Should I stay or should I go now?

Reading: Exodus 8-9 and Acts28

 

Scripture: Acts 28:30-31 He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.

 

Thoughts: Where are we going? We all have been given a direction and a destination. I admit I don’t understand some or most of what God has told me yet I continue to walk it out the best I can. Paul was told that he was going to be bound and delivered to Caesar, yet he was held for two years before starting to go to Rome. Then in the midst of his travel, he gets stranded in Malta for three months and then spends two years living on his own dime in Rome. Are we proclaiming God’s love and His kingdom to those around us? Paul was a prisoner in Rome yet with all his oppression he was still boldly and without hindrance speaking and preaching the truth. Why are we so afraid of a little name-calling or becoming a social pariah in some circles when people's eternal souls are on the line? What are we doing at each stage of the journey that God has us on? 

 

Prayer: Father God, you are worthy of all praise, you placed the sun and the moon and the stars in the sky. You created the land and the seas with a word and filled them will all living things. You own the cattle on a thousand hills and provide all we need. I thank you for all you have done for me, I thank you for your provisions and blessings. I thank you for the opportunity to steward those blessings to share with others your generosity.

Who are you blessings along the way?

Reading: Exodus 6-7 and Acts 27

 

Scripture: Acts 27:24 and he said, “Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.”

 

Thoughts: Are we listening to the calls and promises of God? Paul knew his call and promise were to testify before Caesar, not knowing how it would come about he continued to walk out his faith in prison and when being transported to Rome. When we seek God’s plan and walk out the orders we have been given we will be blessed. Just because Paul was with them and God had a plane for him, everyone was spared and only the ship and cargo were lost. As we walk our His calling what are we willing to give up and how can we pour out God’s love and bless those around us? 

 

Prayer: Lord God you are so wonderful, your love overwhelms me. Creation shouts of your glory and majesty. I fall on my face and bow down before your glory. I thank you that you are willing to work through my failing and call me a friend and son. I thank you for your provisions that I get to steward. I ask that you help me to steward it well and that I can bless others with what you have given me. I ask that you help me to focus and seek your next steps.  

I don’t want to, don’t make me!!!

Reading: Exodus 4-5 and Acts 26

 

Scripture: Exodus 4:12-13 Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.” But he said, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.”

 

Thoughts: We all have a calling; we are to be the light to the world somewhere. Moses came over to check out a crazy phenomenon encounters God and is called to act. Most of us will never have a burning bush tell us our calling but God will speak and call us just the same. I know there have been times when like Moses I have said send someone else, I’m not good with talking, or whatever excuse I can come up with. Each of us has a microphone to speak into people's lives. Your life experiences and your job can be the harvest you are called to sow and/or reap. We can partner with someone but we have been called and we are to walk out that calling.

 

Prayer: Lord God, you know all there is about me, my strengths and weaknesses. You are my strength when I am weak, you are the authority I walk in when I walk out of your plan and calling. I thank you that you are stretching me to work on your plans. I thank you that you are the one who overcomes all obstacles that try to block the Gospel from reaching this world. Give me the boldness to speak your love so that this world may flourish and shine your glory.

Are these prayers getting to heaven?

Reading: Exodus 2-3 and Acts 25

 

Scripture: Exodus 2:23-24 During those many days the king of Egypt died, and the people of Israel groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help. Their cry for rescue from slavery came up to God. And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.

 

Thoughts: I know that there are times when I feel like my prayers and groaning can’t seem to make it past the ceiling. This was a great reminder that God hears us and remembers the promises that he made to not only us but our forefathers. We need to remember those promises made to us and write them down so that we have a record to pass on to future generations. He will not forget us. 

 

Prayer: Father God, I thank you that you remember us, you know us, you knit us together in our mother’s womb and know the hairs on our head. I thank you that you hear us, you hear our praise, you hear our dreams, you hear our groaning. I ask that you help us to know your leading and know your love so that we can walk in the faith of your overcoming.

Know the attacks.

Reading: Genesis 50, Exodus 1, Psalm 140, and Acts 24

 

Scripture: Acts 24:20-21 Or else let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the council, other than this one thing that I cried out while standing among them: “It is with respect to the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you this day.”

 

Thoughts: When we are accused or attacked for our faith do we know what we are being accused of? Paul not only knew that the Jews were trying to have him killed and that it was because of his understanding of who the Messiah was but also how He saved the world. Yet what the accusations were about if someone could be raised from the dead. We are told that we will be hated and persecuted because of our faith and belief in Jesus. Let us walk in your ways Lord and stand firm when those attacks come. 

 

Prayer: Father God, you are worthy of all praise, you are worthy of the attacks that will come my way because I follow you. You are worthy of all honor and glory. I thank you that you saved me, that you called me out of my sinful ways. I ask that you give me the wisdom to overcome the attacks that are seeking to remove my effectiveness for your kingdom.

What is your plan?

Reading: Genesis 48-49 and Acts 23

 

Scripture: Genesis 48:17-18 When Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on the head of Ephraim, it displeased him, and he took his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head. And Joseph said to his father, “Not this way, my father; since this one is the firstborn, put your right hand on his head.”

 

Thoughts: How often do we complain that it's God’s plan and not ours? Here Joseph noticed that his father was giving the younger the greater blessing and got upset. Just as Joseph didn’t know what God’s plan for his descendants would look like, we don’t know what God’s plan in our life looks like either. I started off trying to find easy ways to get famous or at least make lots of money. Today I am making more than I thought I ever would and God is blessing what we have. I would have never imagined I would be working where I do and being able to steward what the Lord sees fit to bless us with. 

 

Prayer: Father God you are greater than all things, your ways are wiser and grander than anything I could have foreseen. I thank you that you are molding me and refining me. I thank you that you give me the opportunity to steward a portion of your great wealth. You own the cattle on a thousand hills, you created all things and yet you know me. I ask that you help me to not complain that your plan is different than mine and your timing is different than mine. Lead me and guide me in your ways.

Who do you belong to?

Reading: Genesis 46-47 and Acts 22

 

Scripture: Genesis 46:27 And the sons of Joseph, who were born to him in Egypt, were two. All the persons of the house of Jacob who came into Egypt were seventy.

 

Thoughts: As I was reading all the names and lineage of Jacob I noticed that there were grandkids that were counted as his descendants when normally I read these passages they just refer to the son. I felt when reading this passage reminded me of how we’re adopted into God’s family through Jesus’ sacrifice. We have become God’s children just as some of Jacob’s grandchildren were claimed as his own. Are we walking in the authority that is given to us through our adoption? Know who you are and what authority you walk in it.

 

Prayer: Father God, I thank you for sending your son to bridge the divide my sin could not traverse. Thank you for adopting me and washing my sins clean. I was like filthy rags and you have washed me white as snow. I stand in awe of you and that you could love and call someone like me. I long to stand at your feet and worship. I ask that you help me to remember who you say I am and not listen to the world and the arrows the evil one throws our way.

Is there an uproar around us?

Reading: Genesis 44-45 and Act 21

 

Scripture: Acts 21:34 Some in the crowd were shouting one thing, some another. And as he could not learn the facts because of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into the barracks.

 

Thoughts: The evil one is here to steal, kill, and destroy. One of his strategies to do so is through the confusion. Just as when the crows were shouting different things about the world is shouting so many different things at us, today there is so much confusion when it comes to truth, gender, and sexuality. We need to have the discernment to see through the lies and confusion that the evil one tells us. 

 

Prayer: Lord God, you are so wonderful, your creation shouts of your power. Your glory shines upon us. I thank you for your refining fire and your molding hands. I thank you for the molding and refining. I ask for your wisdom and discernment.

What are your dreams?

Reading: Genesis 42-43 and Acts 20

 

Scripture: Genesis 42:8-9 And Joseph recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him. And Joseph remembered the dreams that he had dreamed of them. And he said to them, “You are spies; you have come to see the nakedness of the land.”

 

Thoughts: Do we remember the dreams we are given by the Lord? God speaks through dreams and visions almost as much as he speaks through his word and his people. Are we remembering what dreams He put in our hearts or showed us in a dream or vision? Seek God and the visions and dreams that he has given us. We can do what He said we can do.

 

Prayer: Father God you are so wondrous, creation cries of your glory and majesty. Your grace and mercy abound and overflow in our lives. I thank you for all you are doing, your leading and guiding in my life. I ask you to bring to remembrance the dreams you have put in my heart that I have forgotten. Open my heart and mind the the plans you have for us.

Why are we chosen for the job?

Reading: Genesis 41 and Acts 19

 

Scripture: Genesis 41:38 And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find a man like this, in whom is the Spirit of God?”

 

Thoughts: How often do we look at our skills and think about how we got ourselves somewhere? Sure we have the skills and abilities that God has given us, but are we willing to let God take us where he wants to take us? Seeking God and his plan and being willing to go where He is taking us allows Him to fill us with his spirit and abilities beyond our capabilities. Let us be filled and empowered by Holy Spirit so that we can be like Joseph and be chosen because we are filled with the spirit of God of just the skills we have on our own. 

 

Prayer: Lord God you are worthy of all I have to give. I lay all I am and all I have at your feet. I thank you that you are working in my life. I thank you for the molding and refining you are doing in me, continue to remove the parts of me that are not honoring to you, and help me to grow in your love and grace. I ask that you fill me and grow me so that I may be a man who is called up because of you in my life and not for my own skill.  

Where are your eyes cast?

Reading: Genesis 39-40 and Acts 18

 

Scripture: Genesis 39:7 And after a time his master’s wife cast her eyes on Joseph and said, “Lie with me.”

 

Thoughts: Most of the when looking at the account of Joseph and Potiphar’s wife we focus on Joseph running away from her. As I was reading, I had the thought how often are we like Potiphar’s wife, casting our eyes on someone or something? My wife and I were looking at the needs we had for a more robust towing vehicle. We talked about things and started looking at what was in our budget as I continued to look I found myself looking at new and new vehicles longing for that couple-year-old that could pull more than we will ever need with all the add-ons you could ever want. I was allowing my eyes to be cast upon those trucks. Just as easy as it was to start dreaming about these trucks that were beyond what we could get, it is easy to look at someone who is not your spouse and think that the grass is much greener than mine. 

 

Prayer: Father God you are worthy of all praise, you are greater than any other. I thank you that you are leading and guiding us. I thank you that you have given us authority over the temptations in our lives and give us a way out. I thank you for all your blessings and all that you are doing for us. I thank you for the opportunity to serve you and steward those things in our lives you have blessed us with. I ask you to open our eyes and ears to see and hear your plan.

You are very Religious.

Reading: Genesis 37-38 and Acts 17

 

Scripture: Acts 17:22-23 So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.

 

Thoughts: There are so many ways to be religious. Being religious is about putting our faith in something. I believe that it takes a lot more faith to believe that billions of years ago randomly the universe sprung from nothing and our planet randomly sparked life on it that evolved into what we have today. Then to believe that an all-powerful God spoke the world and life into existence. We can be religious about money and things. Chasing after the big green god and the things it will get you. I feel like the biggest question is are we being religious about our relationship with God? Has our relationship with God become routine or just another thing we do? There have been times when I have just been going through the motions and my faith was more religious but God has spoken through that calling me back into a relationship with Him. 

 

Prayer: Father God, you are worthy of all praise. Your love pours out on us calling us to a relationship and not religion. You do not call us to a list of rules but to a relationship with a loving creator. I thank you for loving me and calling me even when I was in the throes of sin. I thank you that you are leading and guiding me. I ask that you help me to see when and if something in my life is becoming religious or leading me from you.  

Where is your home?

Reading: Genesis 36 and Acts 16

 

Scripture: Acts 16:36-37 And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go. Therefore come out now and go in peace.” But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and do they now throw us out secretly? No! Let them come themselves and take us out.”

 

Thoughts: Paul a Roman citizen had certain rights, being that he brought up that they were beaten and had not been condemned means that his accusers were in the wrong, but I believe their lives were on the line as well if he pressed for retribution. We have been adopted into God’s family and been given citizenship to Heaven. We will be attacked for what we believe, depending on where we live, and what those around us believe will determine what kind of attacks they are. Remember where our home is and with whose authority we have. 

 

Prayer: Father God, I thank you for adopting us, for bringing us into your family. I thank you that you are working in me, that you are refining me using the refiner’s fire to remove portions of me that do not glorify you. I ask that you help me to walk in your authority and lead with your power.

What did he say?

Reading: Genesis 34-35 and Acts 15

 

Scripture: Acts 15:1 But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”

 

Thoughts: Here in Acts just as the Church was starting, those with a particular slant on how the church should be run show up to teach something different. Here it was you need the law and Jesus. Today there are those who doing the same thing saying we need Jesus plus something else. I also have been hearing churches affirming lifestyles that the Bible says are sinful. Churches can lean too far into traditions and customs getting off the mark and churches can go too far into accepting sins into the church. We are to call our sin in our brothers and sisters' lives so that they are not continuing to walk in sin yet we are still to call those who are in the throws of sin to come out into the love of Christ. Once in a relationship, God will call them to confess and repent.

 

Prayer: Lord God, you are worthy of all praise. Your creation shouts of your glory. I thank you for your Word and the truth within. I thank you for your rhema word speaking into my life. I thank you that you have given me those around me to help me when I stray. I thank you that you are working in my life to bring me closer to you and lead me on your path.  

Fortune and Golory.

Reading: Genesis 32-33 and Acts 14

 

Scripture: Acts 14:15 Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.

 

Thoughts: Fame and notoriety are alluring to almost everyone. We want wealth and prosperity with as little effort as possible. As Paul and Barnabas shared the good news they were allowed to take the fame and wealth that these people were trying to put on them. They took the attention they were getting and pointed it back to God. We have talents and abilities that God has given us and are we using them to point to the one who gave them to us or seeking the attention that came from those gifts? 

 

Prayer: Father God you are the creator of all things, everything I am is because you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I thank you for the gifts and talents that you have placed in me. I thank you for the provisions and blessings you pour out on us. I thank you for the refiner’s fire that brings to the surface the dross that needs to be removed and purifies me so that I may reflect your glory. Open my eyes and ears to your leading and your directions so that I may walk the narrow path.

A work coming!!!

Reading: Genesis 31 and Acts 13

 

Scripture: Acts 13:41 Look, you scoffers, be astounded and perish; for I am doing a work in your days, a work that you will not believe, even if one tells it to you.

 

Thoughts: This passage, this warning given by one of the prophets of old is telling people of a work that is coming. By the time this was said the prophets had been silent for about four hundred years John was warning of works happening in his days. God is still doing works today. God’s ways are so much higher and greater than ours that we only hear and see in part. I wait in anticipation for the day when I get to see the entire picture of his plan. I thank Him for the part that I get to play be it small, minuscule, or larger than I know. Are we scoffing at the works being done around us because we don’t understand or are we seeking to bring God the glory through the works we see done?

 

Prayer: Lord God, you are doing such great work in us and in this world. You are leading and guiding us. You give us what we can handle and what we need to grow. I thank you for allowing me to be a part of your plans and that you are leading me in how to work the portion that I get to work. I thank you that you are always here with me even when I fall and need to return. I lay my life before you and ask that you help me to remove the things that lead me astray.

How dangerous are you?

Reading: Genesis 29-30 and Acts 12

 

Scripture:  Acts 12:2-3 and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people.

 

Thoughts: Peter an uneducated fisherman who walked with Jesus for three years. When he was arrested they saw him so dangerous that they put him with four squads of soldiers. A squad today is four to ten soldiers. By today's standards, he was being guarded by sixteen to forty trained soldiers. We walk around with our Christian logo t-shirts and try to be as nice as possible. We are not called to be nice, we are called to as warriors to enter the battle. We have been given the Armor of God. We need to remember to put it on. Are we going to be seen as enough of a threat to have several squads assigned to us?

 

Prayer: Lord God, you are the commander and chief, you are the creator of all things and I submit my life to you. I thank you for the opportunity to serve you and to follow the plans you have for me. I thank you for the ability to speak your name and steward a portion of all that is yours. I thank you for your provisions and the blessing that you are pouring out on us. I ask for more boldness so thatx I may be worthy of the four squads of soldiers.

Sinning to bring about God’s plan?

Reading: Genesis 27-28 and Acts 11

 

Scripture:  Genesis 27:11-13 “But Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, “Behold, my brother Esau is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man. Perhaps my father will feel me, and I shall seem to be mocking him and bring a curse upon myself and not a blessing.” His mother said to him, “Let your curse be on me, my son; only obey my voice, and go, bring them to me.”

 

Thoughts: Jacob being fearful of the curse that could come down upon him from his father brings up the big difference between him and his brother. Yet his mother told him to continue with the plan. Yes, there was a prophecy in Genesis 25:23 that said there were two nations in her womb and the older would serve the younger and this was her way of making that happen after Jacob had already bought this brother's birthright for a bowl of soup. Not sure if this was God’s plan to divide this family, but I doubt that God would have required sin but sometimes he works his plan despite sin. Are we taking part in a sin or complicit in a sin trying to bring about something we think we heard God say? 

 

Prayer: Lord God, your ways are higher than my ways, you know the path that will lead to your glory in our lives. I ask that you help me to see that path and walk in your way. I lay my pride and my arrogance at your feed and pray that I am not leading anyone into sin and that we seek your ways and your plan for our life.

Digging someone elses wells.

Reading: Genesis 25-26 and Acts 10

 

Scripture: Genesis 26:20-22 The herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac’s herdsmen, saying, “The water is ours.” So he called the name of the well Esek, because they contended with him. Then they dug another well, and they quarreled over that also, so he called its name Sitnah. And he moved from there and dug another well, and they did not quarrel over it. So he called its name Rehoboth, saying, “For now the Lord has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.”

 

Thoughts: God has a plan, a place, and a blessing that He wants to bestow upon us, yet I know that my impatience and stubbornness have delayed some of these blessings. Isaac’s herdsmen dug two wells that they just gave to other herdsmen. Instead of fighting over who gets the water, they showed God’s love by just going a digging another. After all the work of digging three wells, they saw the blessings of space that God gave them. Is there something in your life that you are holding onto just because you put work into it? Do we have something that we need to let go of so that God can lead us to a place where we can be fruitful? 

 

Prayer: Father God you lead me to green pastures, you bring me to still waters. Your path and your plans are better than mine. I thank you for your provisions and the blessings you have for us. I thank you for the molding and refining that you are working in me and the refining yet to come. I long to walk in your ways and be the light to the world. I ask that you help me to see and hear you so that I may follow after you, walking in your ways.

Can you follow directions?

Reading: Genesis 24 and Acts 9

 

Scripture: Acts 9:6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.

 

Thoughts: Just after encountering Jesus, Saul was given directions. Then let his companions lead him into town to wait for further instructions. I know that I struggle with both listening and waiting. How are we reacting to the directions from God? I know that when I start straying from the plan God has for me I find that is when I have diminished capacity to hear what he is saying. When we are struggling to from God I try to go back to the last thing I know I was told to do and do that, and continue to do that until I hear from Him again.

 

Prayer: Lord God you are infinitely patient with me and I thank you that you are willing to wait for me to get a clue. I thank you for your leading and guidance. I thank you for the provisions in my life that you give me the opportunity to steward. I ask that you help me to recognize when I stray and call me back to your path. Be that light to my path and the lamp to my feet.   

Do you undersand what you are reading?

Reading: Genesis 22-23 and Acts 6

 

Scripture: Acts 8:30-31 So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

 

Thoughts: Every day we are inundated with all kinds of information, the internet was dubbed The Information Superhighway thirty-plus years ago and today it is wider and deeper than ever before. We are voluntarily trying to drink from a firehose. We are no longer seeking truth and wrestling with the information we have, we are taking in the hundreds of millions of videos and posts on social media and not looking at the validity of the statements being made. The Bible says to meditate on it. This mediation is not sitting with your legs crossed saying “OOMM” it is more of a picture of a cow chewing its cud. We are to chew on the Word of God and roll it over in our hearts and minds until we get the nutrients we need from it.   

 

Prayer: Father God you are worthy of our devotion, you are worthy of our praise. I thank you for your Word and the opportunity to dive into it every day. I thank you for the ability to seek you and your ways. I thank you for the blessings you are pouring out on us and ask that you help us to pour out that blessings on others. Lord lead me and guide me as I go about my day.

Blessing Overflow

Reading: Genesis 20-21 and Acts 7

 

Scripture: Genesis 21:12-13 But God said to Abraham, “Be not displeased because of the boy and because of your slave woman. Whatever Sarah says to you, do as she tells you, for through Isaac shall your offspring be named. And I will make a nation of the son of the slave woman also, because he is your offspring.

 

Thoughts: How often do we divert from God’s plan and try things our way? Abraham and Sarah struggled to have kids so in those days the next best thing was to secure kids through a servant. God’s plan was still to bless Abraham and Sarah with a child. Even though Ishmael was not part of God’s redemption plan he was still blessed. Yes, we will make mistakes in our lives yet God is seeking to bless us and His blessings may spill over onto our mistakes.

 

Prayer: Father God, you are so wonderful. The peace and Joy you pour out on us every day. I thank you for the blessings you are pouring out on us, and the opportunities to steward these blessings. I ask you to help me to seek and trust your plan instead of following my own desires. Lead me and guide me.

Get Going!!!

Reading: Genesis 18-19, Acts 6, and Psalm 61

 

Scripture: Genesis 19:15-16 As morning dawned, the angels urged Lot, saying, “Up! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be swept away in the punishment of the city.” But he lingered. So the men seized him and his wife and his two daughters by the hand, the Lord being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city. 

 

Thoughts: This passage stuck out to me partly because it seems like it is pointing out the title of its blog The Breeze and the Two-by-Four. We need to listen more to the voice of God that many times comes in the form of whispers and nudges that we need to compare to the Word to discern where those whispers and nudges come from but then there are the times when God is overt and says this is the way to go. Lot was told to go in an overt way and continued to lallygag, then the angel basically said enough and picked him and his family up and dumped them on the road and said, “Get going.” Is there something in your life that you are lallygagging doing or maybe not head because you have let life get too loud?  

 

Prayer: Father God your ways I higher them our ways, you are worthy of all praise and honor. I thank you for this day and the beauty that you put into it. I thank you that you are providing for all our needs and blessing our stewardship. I thank you for the opportunity to work in your plan and grow in your likeness. I ask that you continue to mold me and guide me in all your ways. Help me to hear your whispers that there may not be a need to take out the two by four.