Exodus 1-5 [The Message]

All mothers think their children are special. If they don’t, they should. But when others notice that special IT factor in a child, this may be evidence that God has a special calling or job for this child. This was said of baby Moses.

The circumstances of his birth were extraordinary. His survival was miraculous, as Pharoah had commanded the murder of all Hebrew boy births. No doubt God’s Holy Spirit was directing the actions of his family that led to his being placed in a floating basket where Pharaoh’s daughter would find him and adopt him.

Herein is a key. God will give you special instructions or challenges in raising this child. You may witness a miraculous way God preserves him/her and charts a distinctive path for their life. Pay close attention to God’s mandate and guidance.

George Frideric Handel was a special child. His parents were determined that he would be a doctor in the family tradition, but God had music in mind.

NEWCOMERS: This is our format. There is a daily reading recommended and a prevailing thought to take with you that day. Welcome.

-Dean

Gen. 46-50 [The Message]

When aged Jacob blessed Joseph’s sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, he pronounced both favor and the accompanying financial inheritance upon them. This was the right and responsibility of the father. Moments later, he did he same for all his sons. To him was given prophetic insight into the days ahead. He said, “I will tell you what to expect in your future.”

This is a wonderful combination of word and deed that fathers have the privilege of sharing. When a youth lacks a loving and active father in their life, they are in a sense being robbed of one of God’s intended blessings. A father can bestow these blessings regardless of his physical condition. An old man’s words of encouragement are one of his few possible contributions, but carry the greatest accompanying value.

Gen. 41-45 [The Message]

Joseph, the 30 year old newly appointed Prime Minister of Egypt was a graduate of TSOHK (The School of Hard Knocks), also known as HGU … Holy Ghost University. His major was “Survival.” Although his brothers had intended his murder, God used His furnace of affliction to toughen Joseph in preparation for the leadership challenges that would face him in the future. This is exactly why it is foolish and unprofitable to resist or bail out on the hardships God places in our path of development.

How about you? Have you been:

• hated and despised by your siblings
• accused of projecting a holier-than-thou attitude
• stripped and cast into a pit you can’t climb out of
• reported as dead to your parents
• sold into slavery
• hauled away to a hostile, foreign land
• falsely accused of gross sexual sin and lying
• sent to prison
• forgotten by those who could aid in your release?

Bill Gothard, a Christian teacher who heavily impacted the way we raised our family, shared this motto: “PBPGINFWMY” It means, “Please Be Patient – God Is Not Finished With Me Yet.”

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.