Confidence in Desperation

“My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” Psalm 22:1 Confidence in Desperation Forsaken – When we hear these words, we usually think of Jesus on the cross.  We take these words at face value, believing that they are a cry of desperation from the Son as the guilt of the world’s sins came…

When God Remembers

“then I will remember my covenant with Jacob” Leviticus 26:42 When God Remembers Remember – What triggers God’s memory?  Oh, you might want to say, “But God never forgets anything.  He knows it all.”  Not so fast.  God Himself tells us that He no longer remembers our sins.  They have been forgotten and cast from…

The Right Heritage

“He chooses our inheritance for us, the glory of Jacob whom He loves.” Psalm 47:4 The Right Heritage Glory of Jacob – Have you considered your inheritance?  For most of us, that idea brings forth images of wills and gifts, taxes and lawyers.  In this culture, inheritance is often as much a burden as a…

Seeking God Face to Face

“This is the generation of those who seek Him, who seek Your face – even Jacob.” Psalm 24:6 Seeking God Face to Face Even – This verse presents us with a small problem.  If you consult other English translations, you will find this part of the verse is sometimes translated “the God of Jacob” or…

From Dust We Came

“So Jacob was left alone.  A man wrestled with him until the break of dawn.”  Genesis 32:24 From Dust We Came Wrestled – What isn’t obvious in English is the origin of the Hebrew verb, “to wrestle”.  But we need to know about its background to see the symbolism in this event.  “Wrestling” comes from…

God’s Reminders

“Sarah laughed to herself saying, “After I have become old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?”” Genesis 18:12 God’s Reminders Laugh – God changes Jacob’s name.  The new name, Israel, is a reminder of an encounter with the Holy One.  But Jacob wasn’t the first.  Years before, Jacob’s grandmother received a name…

Life in the Gaps

“Jacob named the place Peniel, “Because I have seen God face-to-face, and yet my life has been preserved.” Genesis 32:30 Life in the Gaps Peniel – When Jacob named geography, the name carried a significant meaning for him.  Bethel, the site of his famous dream about a stairway to heaven, means “the house of God”. …

The Kingdom of God

“for He is the living God and endures forever, and His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed, and His dominion will be forever.” Daniel 6:26 The Kingdom of God Dominion – We live in a world of practical atheism.  Many proclaim the reign of God, but live as though He has nothing to…

Recognizing and Honoring Authority

“While the word was in the king’s mouth, a voice came from heaven saying, “King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is declared: sovereignty has been removed from you.” Daniel 4:31 Recognizing and Honoring Authority Sovereignty – The book of Daniel is the story about a great man of faith, a great king and a greater God. …

Authority By Inspiration

“for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes” Matthew 7:29 Authority By Inspiration Authority – Jesus was a remarkable teacher.  He did not merely communicate information.  When you sat under his tutelage, you learned more than percepts and propositions.  You became witnesses of calling.  When Jesus taught, his words…