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THROUGH THE BIBLE - Genesis

JOSEPH

Read Genesis 37

Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made a richly ornamented robe for him. When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him. Genesis 37:3–4 NIV

* * *

Jacob and Rachel waited many years before Rachel conceived. By then, Jacob already had sons by his wife Leah and their two maidservants, Zilpah and Bilhah. Rachael's firstborn, Joseph quickly became his father's favorite. This special treatment of the younger son caused resentment and hatred, particularly by the sons of Jacob's concubines. Jacob must have forgotten the pain of his own father's preferential love for Esau, for now he was repeating the pattern. Both Isaac and Jacob suffered the loss of a son because of favoritism. Jacob had to flee to his relatives and Joseph was sold into slavery in Egypt.

* * *

Lord, help us to avoid comparing our children or grandchildren in an unfavorable way. Give us sensitivity to the feelings of each child and the ability to appreciate his or her unique personality and abilities. I pray like the Psalmist, "Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer." (Psalm 19:12, 14 NKJV)

* * *

Jacob tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and mourned for his son many days. All his sons and daughters came to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted.… Meanwhile, the Midianites sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh's officials.
Genesis 37:34–36 NIV

Creation vs. Evolution

Lexann
6 days ago
2 comments

Creation vs. Evolution

A spoof on the PC/Mac commercials.

THROUGH THE BIBLE - Genesis

[15]

WRESTLING WITH GOD

JACOB'S BLESSING

Read Genesis 31–32

Then Jacob prayed, "O God …“I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant.” Genesis 32:9a, 10a NIV

* * *

After years of hardship and deception by Laban, God miraculously increased Jacob’s wealth, and caused Laban to allow him to leave. Then, alone at night, after sending his family on ahead, God once again spoke to Jacob… A man approached him and they began to fight. Jacob wrestled all night long–evidently realizing this was a heavenly visitor. Jacob said to him, "I will not let you go unless you bless me." The man asked him, "What is your name?" "Jacob," he answered. Then the man said, "Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome." … So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, "It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared."(Genesis 32:26b–30) This strange encounter with the Lord left Jacob with an outward limp that would always remind him and his descendants that his blessings came from God.

* * *

Lord, I can see in this story of Jacob how much You value humility. If we are to be blessed, that blessing will come from You, not from our own struggles. You are Jehovah Jirah, our provider, and like Jacob I will say God has been gracious to me, and I have all I need. (33:11)

* * *

The sun rose above him as he passed Peniel, and he was limping because of his hip. Therefore to this day the Israelites do not eat the tendon attached to the socket of the hip, because the socket of Jacob's hip was touched near the tendon. Genesis 32:31–32 NIV

I AM THANKFUL...

Lexann
Nov 4, 2009
2 comments

For the wife who says, “It’s hot dogs tonight.”

Because she is home with me and not out with someone else.

For the husband who is on the sofa being a couch potato,

Because he is home with me and not out at the bars.

For the teenager who is complaining about doing the dishes,

Because it means she is at home, not on the streets.

For the taxes I pay,

Because it means I am employed.

For the mess to clean after a party,

Because it means I have been surrounded by friends.

For the clothes that fit a little too snug,

Because it means I have enough to eat.

For my shadow that watches me work,

Because it means I am out in the sunshine.

For a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning and gutters that need fixing,

Because it means I have a home.

For all the complaining I hear about the government,

Because it means we have freedom of speech.

For the parking spot I found at the far end of the parking lot,

Because it means I am capable of walking, and I have been blessed with transportation.

For my huge heating bill,

Because it means I am warm.

For the lady behind me in church who sings off key,

Because it means I can hear.

For the pile of laundry and ironing,

Because it means I have clothes to wear.

For too much e-mail,

Because it means I have lots of friends who are thinking about me.

For weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day,

Because it means I have been capable of working hard.

For the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours,

Because it means that I am ALIVE!

LETTERS TO THE CHURCHES - Hebrews

DISCERNER OF THE HEART

Read Hebrews 3 - 4

...exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

Hebrews 3:13 NKJV

* * *

Writing to his audience of Jewish Christians, the author of Hebrews reminds them of the penalty of unbelief. The children of Israel wandered in the wilderness for 40 years because they did not believe God. “For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. For we who have believed do enter that rest.

(4:2-3a)

The rest that comes to the children of God in our day is through faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In our struggle against sin, He is the one who gives us rest. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:15-16

* * *

Lord, I come to you today bowing before your throne to find grace to help in my time of need.

* * *

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a Discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 NKJV

AVATAR

Lexann
Nov 3, 2009
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COOL!

Avatar

I know what I'm going to go see over the Christmas holiday!

Global Warming or Global Governance?

Lexann
Oct 29, 2009
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Global Warming or Global Governance?

This video is long (1 hour 20 minutes), but is worth watching. It is also a couple years old. The Kyoto Treaty is dead, and we have a new President. But the new President's Global Government agenda is even more radical than past Presidents, and I have no doubt that he will sign the Copenhagen Treaty which is 10 times worse for the US than the Kyoto treaty was. Please be diligent. Do not allow your Senator to ratify the Copenhagen Treaty in December of this year! Call him/her! Stay on them! Stop them from destroying our country and our freedom through global warming propaganda! Please share this information with everyone you can!

Another good reference for arming yourself against the GW radicals is this: Not Evil Just Wrong. It is an excellent and informative video about the true human cost of this hysteria. It was created by two former liberals who believed the Green-Peace-type environmental hype, until while making a documentary on the "evils" of mining and free enterprise they saw the actual devistation brought to poor communities by the activism of radical environmentalists.

THROUGH THE BIBLE - Genesis

sharetheword
Oct 26, 2009
3 comments

14]

HIS OWN PURPOSE

RACHEL AND LEAH

Read Genesis 29:1–30:24

* * *

Jacob said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? I served you for Rachel, didn’t I? Why have you deceived me?” Genesis 29:25b NIV

* * *

No one can read this account of Laban’s blatant deception without feeling sorry for Jacob and Rachel, and especially for Leah. Some would say Jacob deserved to be tricked, since he had done the same to Esau.

* * *

But through it all, in spite of the actions of sinful men, God’s plan moved forward: Jesus came from the tribe of Leah’s son Judah, and God used Rachel’s son Joseph to save his people from extinction.

* * *

Looking at this whole story in hindsight we can say with the apostle Paul, “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began–" (Romans 8:28; 2 Timothy

* * *

Lord, help me to think in terms of the big picture, even when I can’t understand why things happen the way they do. Grant me the faith to believe that You have a much larger purpose in it all, which will work for our good and Your glory, even for generations to come.

* * *

… and when she (Leah) gave birth to a son she said, “This time I will praise the LORD.” So she named him Judah … Then God remembered Rachel … She gave birth to a son and named him Joseph … Genesis 29:35; 30:22‑24a NIV

LETTERS TO THE CHURCHES - Hebrews

lovetheword
Oct 22, 2009
1 comment

HE BECAME A MAN

Read Hebrews 1 -2

In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. Hebrews 1:1-2 NIV

* * *

The book of Hebrews begins by introducing Jesus, the Son of God, the Creator of the universe - the One who actually knows what happened, because He was there when it all began. But Jesus was not only there at the beginning, He remains as the power who holds it all together. “God’s Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. (1:3a)

There is no other power in the Heavens or on earth superior to Him. The author of Hebrews writes, “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor... (2:9a) Jesus voluntarily gave up His exalted position to identify with us and pay the price for our sin. so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death-that is, the devil- and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. (2:14b-15)

* * *

Thank you Lord that you paid the ultimate price for our sin and that we can trust You as the One who sustains all things. Bless our home with Your presence and help us to share the good news that the Creator of the universe has become our Saviour.

* * *

Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. Hebrews 2:18 NIV

LETTERS TO THE CHURCHES - Titus

lovetheword
Oct 15, 2009
4 comments

[35]

READY FOR EVERY GOOD WORK

Read Titus 2 and 3

Those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men. Titus 3:8b NKJV

* * *

Paul’s letter to Titus instructs him to appoint godly men as elders of the church. These men will have a difficult job ahead of them because there are already disputes among the people. “Remind them,” he writes, “to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. (Titus 3:1-2)

The quest for a gentle peaceable life should begin at home, so he tells Titus to gently instruct the older believers to live consistent Christian lives as examples for the young people. For instance, the older women were to “admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.” (Titus 2:4-5)

* * *

Lord, help us to make every effort to be at peace with those in the church and without. May our behavior reflect the graciousness of your mercy toward us. When our hearts are troubled, give us peace and wisdom to know how to respond.

* * *

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age. Titus 2:11-12 NKJV