Reading for today: Genesis 28:1-5, Acts 5:33-42

“May God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and increase your numbers.”  Genesis 28:3

A blessing from God - how awesome!  Jacob was blessed by God just as He promised.  Have you been blessed by God?  Has He given you a family, a home, a job, and His son Jesus - the best blessing of all?  Let’s reflect today on ALL the blessings God has given us.

Reading for today: Genesis 27:41-46, Acts 5:22-32

“Esau held a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing his father had given him.”  Genesis 27:41

How do we respond when someone does us wrong?  Do we react as Esau did, holding a grudge and plotting revenge, or do we strive to become Christ-like: forgiving, loving.  Our prayer today is that we turn the other cheek and have a heart like that of Christ.

Reading for today: Genesis 27:30-40, Acts 5:17-21

“When Esau heard the words of his father, he cried out.”  Genesis 27:34

In the very moment of being famished, the smell of Jacob’s tasty stew seemed more desirable to Esau than his birthright.  Esau despised his birthright, a big thing far off, for a small thing immediately available.  Unbelief is like that; it distorts the true value of precious things.  Faith, on the other hand, beholds the promises of God and believes them, setting its hope upon them. It forsakes some pleasures, for the sake of eternal ones!

Reading for today: Genesis 27:14-29, Acts 5:12-16

“So he went to him and kissed him. When Isaac caught the smell of his clothes, he blessed him and said.”  Genesis 27:27

There is a distinct line between God’s will and man’s actions.  God does not move people around a checkerboard of life, as though they were merely pieces used to accomplish His objectives.  God’s will and purpose for His people is always true to His purity and righteousness.

Sunday, April 6, 2008

Reading for Today: Genesis 27:1-13, Acts 5:1-11

“Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to what I command you.”  Genesis 27:8
In the story of deception we see Rebecca eaves-dropping on Isaac and Esau. She then convinces her son Jacob to be part of a deception stating in verse 13: “Let your curse be on me, my son; only obey my voice, and go, got them for me.”  It seems that Jacob feels he’s “off the hook” and agrees to deceive his father and brother.  Later in the story we see the consequences of his deception. Let this story remind us that there are always consequences to our actions.  Whose voice are you obeying today?

Reading for Today: Genesis 26:26-35, Acts 4:32-37

“We have certainly seen that the Lord is with you.”  Genesis  26:28

Do people know that the Lord is with you?  Sometimes we can be in a “woe is me” kind of place, focusing on what we don’t have instead of remembering and being thankful for all that God has done and is doing on our lives.  We need to be careful to represent God properly so people around us can be certain that they are seeing the Lord with us.

Reading for Today: Genesis 26:19-25, Acts 4:23-31

“…they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the Word of God with boldness.”  Acts 4:31

Only through the leading and strength of the Holy Spirit can we speak the Word of God with boldness and clarity.  I don’t know about you, but when I try to speak of God and His word in my own strength I stumble over just about every word and can’t get my thoughts straight.  Thank God that He can speak through us and give us clear thinking so we can share His truths with boldness.

Reading for Today: Genesis 26:12-18, Acts 4:13-22

“For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”  Acts 4:20

How many times have you found out some exciting news that you just had to share it with your friends and family?  Maybe it was an engagement, or a new baby on the way.  How much more should we want to tell of the miracle God has done in our hearts and the things we have heard that He has done in others.  Let’s go out and speak the things which we have seen and heard.

Reading for Today: Genesis 26:7-11, Acts 4:5-12

Acts 4:12  “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”  Acts 4:12

I love worship songs that have Jesus’ name in them. I am sure you have your favorites, too. There is something special that happens in our spirit when we sing out His name and remember all that He has laid down for us.  In that one name we find our Savior, our friend, the Lover of our souls, our all in all, the beginning and the end.

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Reading for Today: Genesis 26:1-6, Acts 4:1-4

“Dwell in this land, and I will be with you and bless you;…”  Genesis 26:3
When we are obedient to dwell in the Land that God has called us to, He has promised to be with us and bless us.  Sometimes it might not be the land that we would choose for ourselves, but we need to remember that He knows the places to make us grow.