Genesis
If our first reaction to any event – good or bad – is to come to the Lord, we will always be prepared to turn to Him. He wants to be a part of our life at the highs, the lows, and the normal every day. He can add things to our
Genesis
God doesn’t want us to be doormats, but God does tell us, “Blessed are the peacemakers.” We are never called to be taken advantage of, but we are called to restore relationships. In Jesus, we see sacrificial love. In God, we see a being ready to forgive and welcome
Genesis
If we are rooted in God’s character, even when we err we can bring glory to the name of God. Nobody gets every judgment call correct. Fortunately, God’s glory is not based on our ability to get every call right. God is still a glorious God regardless of
Genesis
God allows us to stay rooted in the truth when the world schemes around us. The truth is sometimes hard to speak. The truth is sometimes embarrassing to reveal. The truth can sometimes make us feel like others will be disappointed in us. While these statements can be accurate, only
Genesis
Opening oneself to God may be a decision made in the moment, but learning to align our heart with His is the work of a lifetime. Following God is a process that requires growth. Growth takes practice. Practice takes time. Jacob does something amazing in this passage that illustrates his
Genesis
God doesn’t need perfect people; He needs people open to following. God’s plan spans generations. His hands move across nations and through time in ways we could never fathom. He doesn’t need us to generate some incredible plan. He wants us to come along side of Him
Genesis
We often reap what we sow. If I go out of my house and treat everyone with contempt, most people will treat me with contempt in return. On the other hand, if I smile at everyone while wishing blessings upon them, I shouldn’t be surprised when people smile back.
Genesis
God’s hands produce incredible things through broken people because He is glorious. As James says in his letter, all good things come from the Father. He deserves the credit. He may work through me and you to produce something great, but we do not deserve the credit. He redeems
Genesis
Thankfully, God redeems our choices and restores the value for what He intended us to receive. We’re not perfect. We lose sight of the prize all the time. We lust after what feels good on the surface and ignore things meant to genuinely feed us on a deeper level.
Genesis
God is there for us in the middle of whatever life brings. He does not forsake us. He sees our situation; He understands the sinfulness that put us in in the situation. He knows we have messed up His perfect creation. He comes to us and shows us His love
Genesis
Sometimes human nature makes life interesting. We are all different people. We have different values. Our goals are more individual than they are communal. When we get together, human interactions can be interesting to navigate. Once he completed the seven years, Jacob asked for his wages. Laban tricks him, swaps
Genesis
Love is always worth it. Given that yesterday was Valentine’s Day, I feel like I just barely missed the boat with today’s opening line. It’s still a good message. Love is always worth pursuing. Love can be a great challenge, but the reward is always greater than