A Life of Jealousy

January 27, 2010
Genesis 29-30

There must have been no peace in Jacob's home!  I suppose he kind of deserved it after all of the grieve he caused in his own home.

Leah and Rachel are competing about everything.  They compete for the love of Jacob.  They compete for how many children they can have.  At one point they even compete for who can spend a night with Jacob.  Sibling rivalry can be an ugly thing.  How much different would it have been if these two sisters dwelt together in peace and love?

How peaceful has your home been lately?  Has there been a trivial spirit of competition?  If so, determine not to allow that spirit to dominate your home.

From the kids
Joy says that this is the reason polygamy doesn't work.  :)
Alex says that no one could be that oblivious to not know who you were sleeping with until morning!

God if You....Then I'll

January 26, 2010
Genesis 27-28


Jacob comes from a long line of deceivers.  It started in a small way with Abraham.  Abraham lied about Sarah twice in order to save his own life, saying that she was his sister.  Isaac, his son, does the same thing with Rebekah.  Jacob tricked Esau from his birthright for a bowl of lentil soup.  Rebekah and Jacob trick Isaac into giving him Esau's blessing.

Now Jacob tries to finagle a deal with God.  He says God if you'll bless me on my journey then I'll serve you as God.  God does bless him in many ways, but I think He was not satisfied with this arrangement as a final relationship with Jacob.

Have you tried to make a deal with God?  Is your attitude, God if you do this, I'll do that?  If so, repent and change your heart today.  God was dissatisfied with this arrangement with Jacob, and certainly He is with you as well.

Become What You Believe

January 22, 2010
Genesis 25-26; Psalm 7:6-8; Proverbs 3:9-10; Matthew 9:18-38


After praising the woman with the issue of blood, Jesus meets some blind men on the way.  He asks them, "Do you really believe I can do this?"  (referring to healing them).  They reply yes!  Jesus says, according to the Message Bible, "Become what you believe."

All the pressure was then on their faith.  Not on what Jesus could or would do for them.  We have all become what we believe.  If we believe we are no good, we've become no good.  If we believe we are useful, we've become useful.

The key is to change what we believe.  I wonder how the blind men changed their beliefs.  Was it because of hearing all of the testimonies?  Was it because of Jesus' words?

We can change what we believe so that we produce different results too.  Surround yourself with testimonies of how good the Lord has been. Read God's Word.  Faith comes by hearing God's Word.  After changing what you believe to what God wants us to believe, then you will become what you believe!!

From the kids
We all wondered if King Abimilech was suspicious regarding Rebecca since his father had done the same thing with Sarah

Joy thought it was funny because the Message Bible reads that they were bringing casseroles!  :)

Don't Assume You Know It All

January 21, 2010
Genesis 23-24; Psalm 7:1-5; Proverbs 3:7-8; Matthew 9:1-17


A common trap for teenagers in this day is to think they know more than the adults around them.  Some times they do!  I mean who do you go to when your cellular device isn't working correctly?  If you're anything like me, I go to one of the teens in the house.

The question isn't whether or not one person knows more than another.  The real question is a matter of humility and a lack of pride in your own intellect.  The Message Bible says in Proverbs 3:7, "Don't assume you know it all."

It's the assuming that makes us look both foolish and full of pride.  Be careful to have a humble and teachable attitude.  Don't forget the reason why you know most of what you do.  It's the adults and the leaders around you who have laid their lives down for you that have taught you most of what you know. Demand of yourself that you act with an attitude of respect toward them.

From the kids
Joy noticed how sad Abraham was at the death of Sarah.

She also wondered why the people in Jesus' home town had pigs!

Don't Try to Figure Out Everything On Your Own!

January 20, 2010
Genesis 20-21; Psalm 6:6-10; Proverbs 3:5-6; Matthew 8:18-34


The Message Bible says,
Trust God from the bottom of your heart; 
   don't try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
   he's the one who will keep you on track.

How easy it is to feel that it is our responsibility to try and figure everything out on our own.  I know that I am definitely not qualified to figure things out on my own, but I still fall into the trap of thinking it is my Christian duty.  Then, after I mess things up, I dislike myself.

How much happier we would all be if we understood our limitations and allowed Christ to help us in them.  He wants us to depend on Him.  He will never allow our life to be such that we are completely independent of Him.  It pleases God when we trust in Him.  Our pride never pleases God.

Make a committment today to trust God from the bottom of your heart.  Let Him help you figure things out.  He knows everything.  What a wonderful counselor we have!

From the kids

Alex wondered how Abraham recognized God's voice without the Word of God to compare it to.

We all noticed lots of types and symbols in the reading of Abraham being willing to sacrifice Isaac.  Especially that Isaac carried the wood he was to be sacrificed with just like Jesus carried the cross he was to be crucified on.

Living A Live of Gratitude

December 19, 2010
Genesis 19-20; Psalm 6;1-5; Proverbs 3:1-4; Matthew 8:1-17


Jesus is speaking to a leper whom He has just healed and says, "Your cleansed and grateful life, not your words, will bear witness to what I have done." Matthew 8:4 (Message)

We are to be bold witnesses with what we say, but even more importantly we should be as this leper...We should be so grateful for what the Lord has done for us personally that it causes us to live a life in gratitude towards our Lord and Savior.  What has He done for you, personally?  Saving you from a life of sin is more than enough to live your life in joy for Him, but I challenge you to think of things He has done for you personally.  You will be surprised at the amount of things you have to be grateful for.  

If you think about it, this thought makes Romans 12:1-2 even easier to do.  Isn't it our reasonable service to make our bodies a living sacrifice when we live a life of gratitude?  Doesn't the world cry out for people who show their Christianity rather than just talk about it?

From the kids

Joy noted that although Lot's children were removed from Sodom, they were still influenced by their time there and were sexually perverted.

Alex was so sleepy, he had a hard time staying awake.  :(

Waiting in Expectation

January 14, 2010

Genesis 15-16; Psalm 5:1-7; Proverbs 2:6-9

I ready too much in Matthew again yesterday!!

Psalm 5:3 says,

"in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation."

Today, inventory what you have requested from God. Are you waiting in expectation? Everyone loves to see a child take a trusted adult at their word and get excited about something they have requested.

In obedience to this scripture, we made some requests this morning, and now our job is to wait in expectation. No matter what. This can be difficult because sometimes circumstances look like God has forgotten our requests, but He loves to be taken at His Word. He loves it when we expect Him to come through for us.

From the kids

Alex is trusting God for an HD camera. He is very talented with film, and uses it for the glory of God.

Joy is believing to go to Driver's Ed soon. (We home school our children and have to pay a tidy sum for driving instruction.)

I am believing for a way to bring income to my family without disrupting my other responsibilities to them.