As a new year gets fully underway and the routine settles in, one could ask if any connection at all could be made with someone beyond “us”. However, today’s chapter shows how a “prophetic message” when divine intervention is finally experienced, isn’t actually so easy to follow…
READ GENESIS 32 (If you prefer audio, click the audio icon above the script box or use the dropdown arrow for a different language text) When finished, make notes if you’d like, of what stands out for you. Feel free to use the “Leave a Comment” box on this page below to also write some of your thoughts to me.
A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
Speaking of Believers in the Creator God, someone once said that religion was for women and wimps. But far from being a crutch for weak-willed people and those too stupid to think logically, HIStory has proven how the “adventure of faith” can instead be a white-water-raft-ride through every emotion imaginable. For example, in my January 4th Breadcrumb we saw how it took Noah 100 years of hard labour to build his football-stadium-size boat[a], which was no doubt completed under a cloud of humiliation with no real proof at all that a flood would, or even could, happen. You may also remember from our January 12th Breadcrumb how the heavily pregnant Hagar had to return and submit to the authority of an abusive mistress.[b] Then in our January 15th Breadcrumb we saw how Abraham died without seeing God’s promises come true.[c]
Today’s scene from this epic storyline is yet another example of the problem with prophecy. With his life on the line, Jacob clings onto God who appeared in the form of a man once again. [v24-30] After physically wrestling with Him all night in the hope of a blessing, Jacob’s life, his possessions, and his entire family remained in danger while he still had to “face the music” with his brother Esau. If that wasn’t enough, like Mark and I, Jacob who was rename Israel seems to have ended up with what probably became a permanent limp through this life. [v31-32]
Yet as difficult as it is to trust our Maker at every turn, the story that you and I are fully part of is not over yet. In fact, this 8000-year-old drama that is still unfolding today is only just beginning… Read More… CLICK on “18 January – Additional Notes”
But what about your thoughts – can you tell me what today’s “breadcrumb” is? Leave a note in the “Comments” box below to tell me what you think of today’s chapter.
Wanting to connect with the only One worst wrestling for a blessing? The rest of this webpage uses Jesus’ own prayer to help….[d]
THE LORD’S PRAYER:
1. Praise: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name. Your Kingdom come! Your Will be done on earth as it is in heaven …”
Blessed be the Lord, the God of the universe! From everlasting even to everlasting let all the people say, “Amen.” Praise the Lord! [Psalm 106:48]
2. Ask: “…Give us today our daily bread…”
The World: Use the link to pray for Africa[e]
Your Country: Ministry among international students
Yourself: The needs of your immediate family
Your concerns for today
I want to give you my attention, Lord God. Help me to seek You by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth and ashes. [Daniel 9:3]
3. Admit: “…Forgive us our sin as we forgive those who sin against us…”
Jesus said: “Whenever you pray, forgive, if you’ve anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you for your transgressions.” [Mark 11:25]
4. Protect: “…Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.”
Father, help me not to rebel against You. Help me not to fear those around me for Your word says: “The Lord is with us; do not fear them.” [Numbers 14:9]
“For Yours Lord is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory now and forever. Amen!”
When questioned, tested, tricked or in His hour of great need, Jesus spoke what was previously written in God’s Word.[f] So, the final section on this page is about memorizing our Maker’s script through 10 topics. Following these will help you learn 52 portions from His Handbook in a year! THIS WEEK’S MEMORY VERSE: Topic = The Creator God’s Salvation Plan
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” [John 3:16]
[a] Compare Genesis 5:32 with Genesis 7:6 (100 years)
[b] Genesis 16:7-9
[c] Genesis 25:7-11
[d] Matthew 6:9-13
[e] http://www.operationworld.org/africa/owtext.html
[f] Matthew 4:4,6,7,10; 11:10; 21:13; and 26:24,31