January 2, 2020
BY FAITH EVE NAMED HER SON THE APPOINTED ONE Eve must have received a word from the Lord concerning her third son. For she named him “Seth,” which means “appointed.” By faith she named him as the appointed “seed” that replaced her righteous son Abel, whom her firstborn Cain had killed. How filled with grief
January 1, 2020
GOD’S PROVISION TO HELP US MARK OUR TIME ON EARTH Nearly every measurement of time was set in motion by God from the beginning. Our clocks and calendars are only manmade tools to mark the “signs and seasons” which God ordained from the start. The 24-hour day and the 365-day year are set by the
July 28, 2019
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Genesis 2:18-25
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family
The family was originally God’s idea. He created us and ordained the first family. And He offers to be the Builder of our families when we make Him Lord. Who is the “builder” of your family? What activities are given top priority for your family? How is your family doing? How is your marriage? Your parenting? Your teens? Have you made God its Builder?
In the book of Genesis, Moses wrote that God was the builder of the very first family, creating Adam and Eve and establishing them as the parents of all the living. We can trust God as the builder of our families.
January 23, 2019
DO NOT FEAR GOD’S PURPOSE FOR YOUR LIFE The Lord spoke to Jacob in a vision the night after he offered sacrifices in Beersheba on his way to Egypt. Surely old Jacob was concerned about leaving the land promised to his family since his grandfather Abraham had obeyed the Lord and brought the family there.
January 22, 2019
JOSEPH, A FORESHADOWING OF CHRIST Joseph sees God’s purpose in being sold into slavery in Egypt. He forgives his brothers and welcomes them to live under his care. There is a foreshadowing of Christ in Joseph– the way he suffers betrayal and injustice before rising to become their savior and lord. The dreams he had
January 19, 2019
THE DREAMER GIVES GOD THE GLORY Joseph had thoughtlessly shared his dreams with his older brothers, predicting how they would one day bow down to him. In their jealousy, they sold him into slavery. Yet after years in slavery and prison, Joseph had changed. He was humbled, giving God all the glory for any power
January 17, 2019
STAYING NEAR THE TOWER OF THE FLOCK Jacob, whom God had named Israel, finally found a place to pitch his tent. The place was called “Migdal-eder,” which means “Tower of the Flock.” It described a hill with a tower where the shepherds could watch over their sheep. Migdal Eder was located between Jerusalem and Bethlehem.
January 16, 2019
A NEW NAME AND A NEW IDENTITY Jacob got a new name after wrestling all night with God. The name “Jacob” means “grasping the heel” or “pulling the leg.” It was given to him because he was born grasping his twin brother Esau’s heel at birth. Perhaps we get the cliche, “you’re pulling my leg,”
January 11, 2019
BIBLE HISTORY AND CURRENT EVENTS Isaac and Ishmael buried their father, Abraham, in the same tomb he had bought to bury Sarah. These two sons became two great peoples. The Jewish nation came from Isaac and the Arab nations from Ishmael. They stood united at their father’s funeral, but enmity has existed between them until
January 10, 2019
FINDING A WIFE FOR THE FATHER’S SON Abraham instructed his most faithful servant to go to his homeland and find a wife for Isaac, his son. In this narrative a picture of God the Father sending the Spirit to the Bride of Christ, which is the Church, might be seen. Like the Spirit, the servant