Gen. 36-40 [The Message]

The story of Joseph’s plight from beloved son to slave to Prim Minister is amazing. His father’s grief, his brothers’ jealousy, the misunderstanding and false accusations from Potiphar’s wife, his prison time, and his capitulation to the highest position in the land, all blend together to show us how God’s plan, however painful, brings about His Will. What his brothers meant for evil, God meant for good.

Take a look at your life. Surely you have not been dealt injustice like Joseph’s. Yet, God in His transcendent wisdom unfolded a result that no Hollywood script writer could possibly dream up. It’s almost as if the greater the seeming tragedy, the greater the end results. Hold on. Trust God. He isn’t finished with you yet.

And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose. [Rom. 8:28 AMP]

Gen. 31-35 [The Message]

Jacob was afraid of his brother Esau when he returned from the East. He was a wealthy, blessed man now, but he was fearful for his life. Ever been there?

In a sense, he separated himself from all his wealth and spent a night alone with God. God came as a man and wrestled with Jacob all night. Jacob held on to the man and would not let Him go until he got what he wanted … a supernatural blessing. At the end of the tussle, the man (God) DID bless him.

Often our lives shake us to the core and we desperately need answers that only God can give. It might call for an extended time of prayer, so to speak wrestling with God. There is a point of climax, a point when you KNOW in your spirit that you have what you need from God. You are different because of it. You are changed. God leaves you and begins bringing about what you asked for. Through faith, you have prevailed with God.

Gen. 26-30 [The Message]

Jacob had no doubt been taught in the home the principle of giving a tenth to God. As he swore a vow to God at Bethel, the place where he saw the ladder to heaven in his sleep, he committed to return to God a tenth of all he was blessed with. His grandfather Abraham had done similar to Melchizedek, the king of Salem. It was a family tradition to give God a tenth of the increase.

This and many other principles of Godliness were no doubt taught in the homes of this Family of the Faithful. Their prosperity was miraculous. Their influence in God’s Kingdom is legendary. As we study their lives in scripture, we learn how to raise our children.

Gen.21-25 [The Message]

It was immediately after Abraham had placed Isaac upon the altar of sacrifice that God pronounced the full blessing upon him and his descendants. God said, “because you have gone through with this, and have not refused to give me your son … Oh, how I’ll bless you! And I’ll make sure that your children flourish—like stars in the sky! like sand on the beaches! And your descendants will defeat their enemies. All nations on Earth will find themselves blessed through your descendants because you obeyed me.”

Children will ONLY reach their full potential in life when they are given to God. One of the obvious ways we place them on the altar is through our prayer life. We make an altar of prayer and lift them to God and watch Him work in their life. Patty and I have proved this TRUE.

Gen 16-20 [The Message]

God commanded Abraham to circumcise all of the males in his family.

Abraham did not look at his schedule and plan a good date. He didn’t consult with all the men either. He demonstrated “Instant obedience.” Scripture says he did it “That same day.” He showed God that he was not putting any other task or event ahead of God’s command.

It’s too easy to rationalize away complicit obedience to God. This is truly a case where “Lean not upon your own understanding” applies.

The writer of Hebrews declared, “Today is the day of salvation.” There’s no better time to be obedient to God’s voice than TODAY.

Gen. 11-15 [The Message]

When considering the story of how generous God was with Abraham, we are reminded that we too are co-inheritors with him because of our faith.

Yes, material possessions are a part of it, but the biggest blessing is the Hereafter.

I recently received an inheritance from the estate of my mother and father. It’s a blessing, no doubt, but what they gave me in my spirit and upbringing are the true riches. They taught me to have faith in Christ. They showed me a life of faithfulness and blessing that belongs to each Christian. They showed me how a Christian family operates in this world. They showed me how to respond to loss. They taught me to be generous and loving. Truly, the inheritance I received apart from the financial was the greatest blessing and of the greatest value.

David and Mildred Demos who are now in Heaven. Greatly missed.

Gen. 6-10 [The Message]

A rainbow is more than a natural phenomenon. It’s a message from God.

God’s rainbow to Noah was a promise that He wouldn’t smite the earth and civilization again like he did. It was extremely significant.

God gave a sign to the families of Trinity Christian School at a gathering just before the kick-off of the new school year. This is a good place to train and nurture children and teenagers. I for one pray for their well being and favor with God and man everyday. My grand-daughters are there too.

Genesis 1-5 [The Message]

Let’s work through the Old Testament with The Message Bible.

The King James says, “Sin crouches, even lies at the door,” about the challenge Cain would endure his entire life. He was the carnal one whose offering was without faith. This take-care-of-me-first existence is the norm of most of the world. Sin HAS them.

Not so with Christians. Yes, sin is always there to take you down if you give in to it. You don’t have to live that way. Each time you give in to a carnal temptation, it becomes a stronger pull. RESIST the Devil and he will flee from you.

Life can be like a football game. When we are on offense, we are advancing God’s Kingdom here on earth … evangelism, service, Bible teaching etc. When we are on defense, we resist the advances of our enemy. He wants to destroy you. Block him out of your mind. Fill it with God’s Word.

Rev. 22 [The Message]

When we ultimately see what John saw in Heaven, we too will fall on our faces in submission and worship. God is worthy, but do we fully realize yet what He has done for us? Not really. Yet, we have these precious days here on earth to worship Him and do His Will.

Yes, the Psalmist declared, “Give Him the glory DUE unto His name.” One reason; when we do so, He gives us a glimpse of His glory and greatness and thereby changes our lives with a more Heavenly perspective on things. David learned that early when he was doing the mundane chore of caring for sheep. Probably much of the content of his later Psalms was formed in his spirit there on the hillsides of Bethlehem. He sang to the Lord NOT because God was in Heaven demanding it … he poured out musical worship to the Lord because he loved Him and received His love and faithfulness. [Ps. 23]

Rev. 21 [The Message]

When hearing the description of New Jerusalem, one is awed by the lavish details of the value and beauty of it. Yes, the finest of gold and precious gems and metals will be present in its construction, but all will pale compared to the light and glory of seeing Christ.

In this life we have a foretaste of the glory to come. We know what gold is and we value it. We are given glimpses of this city’s beauty and quality because we have precious gems in our jewelry to tease us of what is to come. We have occasional moments of God’s Holiness through worship. These all point to a reward for those whose names are in the Lamb’s Book of Life. [1 Cor. 2:9]

Our earthly goal – bring people to Christ so they can be there with us.