Genesis 28: 11 "...Jacob found a stone for a pillow and lay down to sleep..."
Jacob is traveling to Paddan-aram to find a wife. Along the way he stops to sleep. He finds a stone for a pillow and drifts off to sleep. While he is sleeping he dreams of a stairway leading him to heaven where God tells him that he will bless and protect him. Jacob wakes up and uses his stone pillow to create an altar for God right there at a place he names "Bethel" meaning the house of God.
I find it odd that this story includes this little detail about a stone pillow. And why did Jacob use a stone for a pillow? It seems to me sleeping flat on the dirt would be more comfortable than a stone for a pillow! Yet this story includes the stone pillow. And while on this hard pillow Jacob hears from God and then he uses this pillow to build an altar for God. Sometimes all we have in life is a stone pillow. But God has this amazing way of taking the mundane, simple, and lowly things to do great things. September has been one big stone pillow for me. Yet on this 30th day of September I am seeing him more clearly and feeling his love more deeply than I have in some time.
Dear Jesus, stone pillows suck, but thank you for them. Help me to sleep peacefully tonight. Amen.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Plainly in Me
Genesis 26: 28 "They replied 'We can plainly see that the Lord is with you. So we decided we should have a treaty, a covenant between us.'"
One day, Abimelech and his advisors come to visit Isaac and make a treaty with him. There have been some hostile relations in the past between Abimelech and Isaac (and Abraham) but now they want peace. Isaac agrees and they form a treaty.
Abimelech and his advisors see something different in Isaac. To be honest, it was most likely they noticed his abundant crops and how God was blessing him, but the greater point is they noticed something. In fact they noticed something that Isaac had little to do with! They noticed God. Do people notice anything in me? Do they notice God? Is there anything about my life that people can see and know about me, before they ever even meet me? That is the sign of a true follower of Jesus.
Dear Jesus, help make your presence noticable in me.
One day, Abimelech and his advisors come to visit Isaac and make a treaty with him. There have been some hostile relations in the past between Abimelech and Isaac (and Abraham) but now they want peace. Isaac agrees and they form a treaty.
Abimelech and his advisors see something different in Isaac. To be honest, it was most likely they noticed his abundant crops and how God was blessing him, but the greater point is they noticed something. In fact they noticed something that Isaac had little to do with! They noticed God. Do people notice anything in me? Do they notice God? Is there anything about my life that people can see and know about me, before they ever even meet me? That is the sign of a true follower of Jesus.
Dear Jesus, help make your presence noticable in me.
Monday, September 27, 2010
A Timely Lamb
Genesis 22:8 "God will provide a lamb, my son."
God has asked Abraham to sacrifice his own son, Isaac as a burnt offering. Without question, Abraham brings Isaac to Mt. Moriah and prepares to sacrifice him.
I know the ending to this story. The ending is predicted by Abraham in verse eight. God indeed provides a lamb-a ram caught in a nearby bush. But in verse eight, Abraham had no sure way to know this would happen. In verse eight he is prepared to kill his son-his only son. Everything he has and is, his reputation, legacy and wealth ultimately rest on this boy's shoulders. And God asks Abraham to kill him. Abraham relied on faith and trusted that God would provide. Today I need to rely on God and trust that he will provide the lamb. Even when circumstances are stacked against me, I must rely on God's faithfulness. He is always faithful.
Dear Jesus, help me to rely on you, the final lamb today. Amen.
God has asked Abraham to sacrifice his own son, Isaac as a burnt offering. Without question, Abraham brings Isaac to Mt. Moriah and prepares to sacrifice him.
I know the ending to this story. The ending is predicted by Abraham in verse eight. God indeed provides a lamb-a ram caught in a nearby bush. But in verse eight, Abraham had no sure way to know this would happen. In verse eight he is prepared to kill his son-his only son. Everything he has and is, his reputation, legacy and wealth ultimately rest on this boy's shoulders. And God asks Abraham to kill him. Abraham relied on faith and trusted that God would provide. Today I need to rely on God and trust that he will provide the lamb. Even when circumstances are stacked against me, I must rely on God's faithfulness. He is always faithful.
Dear Jesus, help me to rely on you, the final lamb today. Amen.
Friday, September 24, 2010
The Buck Stops...with My Wife!
Genesis 20:2 "Abraham told people there that his wife, Sarah, was his sister. So King Abimelech sent for her and had her brought to him at his palace."
For the second time, Abraham tells people his wife Sarah is just his sister, intentionally hiding the fact that she is indeed his wife. He did this before with Pharoah in chapter twelve while in Egypt. It seems Abraham does this to save his own skin and avoid any trouble while out on the road.
It appears easy for Abraham to throw his wife under the bus to save his own neck. In front of Pharoah and again with Abimelech, Abraham lies and sacrifices his wife for his own good. I think passing the buck, and throwing others under the bus is something we often do. Instead of standing up, being brave and facing adversity, we blame others, shift responsibility and sometimes down right lie to avoid hardships. How often do I repeat Abraham's mistake? Abraham ended up hurting himself, his wife, and many others more than if he had just stood up like a man and told the truth.
Dear Jesus, help me not skirt responsibility and lead well. Amen.
For the second time, Abraham tells people his wife Sarah is just his sister, intentionally hiding the fact that she is indeed his wife. He did this before with Pharoah in chapter twelve while in Egypt. It seems Abraham does this to save his own skin and avoid any trouble while out on the road.
It appears easy for Abraham to throw his wife under the bus to save his own neck. In front of Pharoah and again with Abimelech, Abraham lies and sacrifices his wife for his own good. I think passing the buck, and throwing others under the bus is something we often do. Instead of standing up, being brave and facing adversity, we blame others, shift responsibility and sometimes down right lie to avoid hardships. How often do I repeat Abraham's mistake? Abraham ended up hurting himself, his wife, and many others more than if he had just stood up like a man and told the truth.
Dear Jesus, help me not skirt responsibility and lead well. Amen.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Abram's Faith
Genesis 15: 6 "And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord declared him righteous because of his faith."
God has called Abram to move far from his homeland. He picks up and moves without giving it a second thought. He ends up getting involved in a war to rescue his nephew and throughout it all, he struggles knowing he has no children to pass on his name. Dspite this all, Abram remains faithful and obedient to God. He believes in God and God declares him righteous because of it.
Abram's faith is inspiring. Faced with difficult challenges such as a massive family migration, a bloody conflict and no children, Abram continues to believe God is there for him and will bless him. Today I sit amidst uncertain times. Do I have the faith of Abram to see me through. Does God think I am righteous? Abram's faith continued despite his circumstances. My faith needs to increase and persevere despite my circumstances.
Dear Jesus, give me your faith and help me persevere this week. Amen.
God has called Abram to move far from his homeland. He picks up and moves without giving it a second thought. He ends up getting involved in a war to rescue his nephew and throughout it all, he struggles knowing he has no children to pass on his name. Dspite this all, Abram remains faithful and obedient to God. He believes in God and God declares him righteous because of it.
Abram's faith is inspiring. Faced with difficult challenges such as a massive family migration, a bloody conflict and no children, Abram continues to believe God is there for him and will bless him. Today I sit amidst uncertain times. Do I have the faith of Abram to see me through. Does God think I am righteous? Abram's faith continued despite his circumstances. My faith needs to increase and persevere despite my circumstances.
Dear Jesus, give me your faith and help me persevere this week. Amen.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Compromise
Gen. 13:9 "I'll tell you what we'll do. Take your choice of any section of the land you want, and we'll separate."
Abram and Lot have been traveling together and both have experienced growth in their wealth and herds. With their herds and herdsman numbers growing, the land begins to get a bit small for both camps to coincide peacefully. Abram recognizes this and takes charge and comes up with a plan. He tells the plan to Lot, and Abram solves the problem.
I like the fact that Abram recognizes the problem and acts on it quickly. And he also finds a nice compromise between he and Lot. I think oftentimes compromise is seen as weakness in our world. However I think compromise shows humility and an "others first" mentality. Certainly there are things we should never compromise but when we can extend grace and love through compromise, we should.
Dear Jesus, help me to think of others more than myself and help me find compromise when I can. Amen.
Abram and Lot have been traveling together and both have experienced growth in their wealth and herds. With their herds and herdsman numbers growing, the land begins to get a bit small for both camps to coincide peacefully. Abram recognizes this and takes charge and comes up with a plan. He tells the plan to Lot, and Abram solves the problem.
I like the fact that Abram recognizes the problem and acts on it quickly. And he also finds a nice compromise between he and Lot. I think oftentimes compromise is seen as weakness in our world. However I think compromise shows humility and an "others first" mentality. Certainly there are things we should never compromise but when we can extend grace and love through compromise, we should.
Dear Jesus, help me to think of others more than myself and help me find compromise when I can. Amen.
Wednesday, September 08, 2010
Crouching Sin
Genesis 4:7 "If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it."
Cain has just killed Abel and he is feeling pretty guilty about it. God knows what he did and calls him on it.
I like the fact that God is kind of toying with Cain here a bit. And he makes a good point. If we do what is right, what do we have to fear? We'll sleep well at night, have many friends, and avoid a lot of trouble. But it's when we sin, when we have to deal with awful consequences. And many times, the consequences of sin are long lasting and far reaching. Our sin and it's affect crouches at our door. It waits for us at every turn and at every moment. Today's lesson learned.
Dear Jesus, help me to choose what is right and avoid that crouching sin. Amen.
Cain has just killed Abel and he is feeling pretty guilty about it. God knows what he did and calls him on it.
I like the fact that God is kind of toying with Cain here a bit. And he makes a good point. If we do what is right, what do we have to fear? We'll sleep well at night, have many friends, and avoid a lot of trouble. But it's when we sin, when we have to deal with awful consequences. And many times, the consequences of sin are long lasting and far reaching. Our sin and it's affect crouches at our door. It waits for us at every turn and at every moment. Today's lesson learned.
Dear Jesus, help me to choose what is right and avoid that crouching sin. Amen.
Tuesday, September 07, 2010
Work
Gen. 3:19 "All your life you will sweat to produce food, until your dying day..."
Adam and Even have both been deceived by the serpent in the Garden and disobeyed God. Upon hearing this, God hands out some pretty severe and long lasting punishments. The woman gets pain in child birth and the man has to work hard all his life just to eat.
Work. Most people hate it. Some people with great jobs like pro athletes and reality TV stars love their work. Is it a punishment or a blessing? In Gen. 1 God commands us to subdue the earth and work as if it is a duty or calling. In Gen. 3 it is a consequence for disobedience. So I guess it makes sense that we have this love-hate relationship with work. I love my work. Today is the first day of the school year and HangTime and One.Eighty begin next week. I am anxious to get back into a regular schedule. Today, I see work as a blessing. I pray I always view it that way.
Jesus, guide me in my work today. Amen.
Adam and Even have both been deceived by the serpent in the Garden and disobeyed God. Upon hearing this, God hands out some pretty severe and long lasting punishments. The woman gets pain in child birth and the man has to work hard all his life just to eat.
Work. Most people hate it. Some people with great jobs like pro athletes and reality TV stars love their work. Is it a punishment or a blessing? In Gen. 1 God commands us to subdue the earth and work as if it is a duty or calling. In Gen. 3 it is a consequence for disobedience. So I guess it makes sense that we have this love-hate relationship with work. I love my work. Today is the first day of the school year and HangTime and One.Eighty begin next week. I am anxious to get back into a regular schedule. Today, I see work as a blessing. I pray I always view it that way.
Jesus, guide me in my work today. Amen.
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