Jacob and his family soon noticed that Laban’s attitude towards them had changed. The relationship was deteriorating. God used this discomfort to send Jacob the message that it was time to go back to his father’s house and land.

This happens in the life of a Christian. Circumstances become more irritable, suggesting a change of direction or location. it could very well be God providing the incentive and desire for a change. It becomes more clear to you what you need to do as time progresses. He wants you to get the message.

His grace to endure your circumstances is lifting.

READ/HEAR: Gen. 31

When Jacob experienced the angelic stairway during his dream encounter with God, he stated, ” This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.”

Surely he never forgot that place and that experience. It made a spiritual milestone that would shape the rest of his life. God spoke and gave him precious promises.

Each of us needs a place where we meet with God. God remembers places also. He would later refer to Himself as the God of Bethel.

It is spiritually healthy to have a place where you meet with God everyday. He is there waiting for you to have empowering fellowship with Him.

READ/HEAR: Gen. 28-30

Jacob’s mother, Rebecca, schemed to position Jacob to receive the blessing from Isaac instead of Esau. Jacob played along with the ruse, living up to the meaning of his name … deceiver, crooked person.

God later changed his name to Israel which means prince with God … a king in the  making.

When he was buried, he was commuted at a threshing floor which means … straightened.

From deceiver, to prince (being straightened) to finally straightened. It speaks of our journey in righteousness.

READ/HEAR: Gen. 25-27

After Sarah’s death, Abraham sought to find a mate for his son, Isaac. He called his trusted servant in to travel back to the land of his family roots to find Isaac’s future wife. The scripture says God’s angel went ahead of the servant to prepare the way. It is strongly implied that the angel was a key to the success of the project.

The book of Hebrews describes angels as ministering spirits to the saints, and her we find another useful function … helping our children find the right mate.

It’s critical who your children marry. God’s assistance is wholly welcomed. Knowing that His angels are a part of the process can being comfort and structure to our prayer.

I begin TODAY including angelic assistance in my prayers for my grandchildren.Heaven is helping us build our families, one mate at a time.

READ/HEAR: Gen 23,24

Abraham offered his son, Isaac, on an altar as the Lord had directed him.

What parent could ever do that? It would be next to impossible. Yet, Abraham was compliant and experienced a great miracle as God’s angel stayed his hand which held a knife for the deed. His son was given back to him, with untold blessings beside.

Parents naturally have a preference in what their children will do in life. To give them up to the Lord’s purposes is the most noble calling. Likewise, untold blessings come back to parents who groom their children to be fully obedient to God’s call upon their lives.

READ/HEAR: Gen. 20-22

The Lord and two angels visited Abraham one afternoon while on their way to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah.  The dialogue between Abraham and the Lord is an interesting one. God must have been amused, yet impressed with Abraham’s heart for the cities. Of course, he knew that his nephew, Lot, lived there. Nevertheless, he appealed to God’s mercy nature by reducing the number of righteous inhabitants needed to spare the city from 50 to 10.

Prayer can be a dialogue between us and God whereby our requests impact the destiny of others.

Pray without ceasing.

READ/HEAR: Gen. 18,19

God asked Abraham to walk before Him faithful and blameless. Only Christ Jesus was really ever able to do that. All of us have sinned and fallen short.

It’s a noble goal, but in reality, its impossible. The Christian can aspire to such a walk only through the help of the Holy Spirit. He will always point us in the right direction.

The blamelessness is only available by the cleansing blood of Christ applied to our sin.

“If we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us  of our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. [1 Jn. 1:9]

READ/HEAR: Gen. 16,17

God told Abraham that his descendants would enfure 400 years of suffering … the Babylon captivity … but that they would come out of that trial with great riches.

This pattern is often ehibited when we go through periods of suffering. It’s no picnic to endure, but when its all over, we have someting we didn’t have when we entered it.

Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.  [Heb. 12:11]

READ/HEAR: Gen 12-15