21 The one who has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. And the one who loves me will be loved by my Father. I also will love him and will reveal myself to him.” – John 14:21
i loved how everything played out with jacob and esau. there was a lot of drama but for them to find peace was great and that was the Lord that made that happen. also john 14 Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. Jesus is the only way to the Father.
I’m encouraged just seeing that there are so many other women here who are also trying to get to know Jesus better. So thankful to know I am not alone, on Earth, and so thankful from this reading that Christ discusses giving us the Holy Spirit, so we are never alone. Just remarkable.
‘I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you” (John 14:18). As mom to a child who was orphaned by abandonment, this verse has special significance. Even the punctuation speaks to the emphasis Christ puts on His promise here. He could have stopped after “orphans,” but He reiterates and reassures, “I will come to you.” ⚓️
It’s crazy to me how Jesus says “ I am in the father and the father is in me.” And they still do not believe him. I am so blessed that he loves us for ever and shows faithfulness to us when we do not believe.
I can’t help but think how much harder it would have been for the disciples to understand Jesus when He said “I am in the Father and the Father is in me.” This seems to be to be incomprehensible for a follower of Christ to grasp, pre-resurrection. I am so thankful to live post resurrection and thankful for the faithfulness and belief of those who have gone before in the faith!
“But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept.” The love of a sibling is something so special. We have heard many stories of brothers and sisters in the bible but so often we fall out and fall out of touch. Forgive your brothers and sisters and embrace them with open arms just like Jesus did for us!
If we obey Jesus he will love us and bring peace of mind and heart!! How good! Praise God!!
I also love John 14:6. Sometimes waiting in faith and patience is hard for us. And sometimes it’s heard to know which direction we should be going in. But JESUS IS THE DIRECTION, he’s the way. That struck me this morning!
27“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful.
❤️ a reminder of Jesus’ ultimate gift
4So they gave to Jacob all the foreign gods which they had and the rings which were in their ears, and Jacob hid them under the oak which was near Shechem.
EARRINGS?
1“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.
27‘Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.
Troubled heart today, believe in God; do not let your heart be troubled. Okay, tall order, I’m hurt and disappointed in someone I love; matter of fact disappointed in my life in general. But choosing to believe in my good God.
I’m a couple months late, but trying to catch up. I am having a hard time feeling inspired by anything while reading about polygamy, rape, and constant name changes that I just can’t keep up with. Am I the only one???
John 14:27 is such a good reminder of how God works. He doesn’t give anything to us with the expectation of something in return. He gives to his children out of mercy and love.
“Esau ran to meet him and embraced him and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept” (33:4). Grace upon grace! Jacob expected war. He found mercy and forgiveness. Praise God for the overwhelming grace He shows to us! From enemy to child. Grace upon grace. ❤️
Why does Jacob get renamed to Israel twice? The first time in ch 33:28 and then again in ch 35:10. I know Jacob and Israel are used interchanged through out but it specifically says you will now be called Israel twice.
The first time it was giving him a new identity. Jacob means deceiver. God asks him his name in ch 32 – he wasn’t asking for his information. When Jacob answers, he is forced to confess not just his name, but really, his character. He was a schemer. God gives him a new name and says – that’s not who you are anymore. In the struggle, Jacob’s hip was injured. His plan had been to divide all those with him into camps and if Esau attacked, some of them could still get away. He wasn’t running anywhere with that hip though. God was breaking him of his dependence on his own wit to work things out for himself. He was forced to depend on God to be faithful to his promises to bless him, make him into a great nation.
The second time, I really feel like God was simply reminding him. Hey, you’re not the deceiver anymore. You’re Israel. You struggled with me, it changed you forever, and now you’re dependent on me. God follows that up with reminding him of his promises again. Really great story!!! I love it.
3Then let us arise and go up to Bethel, so that I may make there an altar to the God who answers me in the day of my distress and has been with me wherever I have gone.” These words resonated with me this a.m. for they are true for me too!
John 14: 18&19
18I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
19Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
Leah: I do too! But I believe there is value in switching over (not just based off of how an author or group of people decide to organize a reading plan)- even though I’m not sure what that is yet. Variety? Trying to hear God speak in continuity throughout the scripture? Not getting caught up in one way God speaks and being flexible? But it is seriously hard because the OT is so much of a story- it’s like any story- there’s dissonance when I don’t get to see what comes next!
Same sorts we still worship, fertility (family and business, which for them was farming and herding), money, the moon and sun…. anything that might help make life more pleasant, comfortable and easy.
Reading the Genesis account having just given birth to my first baby, I see so much more of the drama and difficult circumstances that arose in the life of Jacob. Even in the midst of specific situations, the simple truths of our new testament passage remain central: believe in God, believe in Christ Jesus sent of God, do His good works and know that Jesus even obeys the Father to glorify and love Him.
What are the foreign gods that so many hold despite knowing God and having had God speak to them before? And why does Jacob have children with four different women?
It’s the same today. People can experience the awesome power and healing of God but will gladly put that praise else we’re , on Drs, on luck, and themselves.
I love how Jesus says, “the ruler of the world is coming, but he has no claim on me”. Now that we are covered by Jesus sacrifice and are made new in him, the ruler of the world no longer has claim on us either! We are free! Praise Jesus ❤️
Wow! What a demonstration of forgiveness. Jacob toke Esau’s birth right and his father’s blessing yet he RAN to his brother, kissed him and cried with joy to see him. THIS is how God embraces us when we come to him. He doesn’t throw our record of wrongs in our face. He greets us with eagerness and tears of joy!! Let’s never keep ourselves from His presence due to guilt and shame!
Yes, this reminds me of the prodigal son story–unearned, undeserved forgiveness, love, and restoration! Yet Jacob is still wary of Esau, choosing to settle his family at Succoth…
Jesus doesn’t just tell the disciples how to love and how to serve, he shows them. He is loving The Father by obeying him all the way to the cross (V. 31). And how he washes the disciples feet to show his service and love for them (and to paint a picture of the ultimate act of service, love, and sacrifice— the cross). He didn’t just give examples, He was the example. The perfect example.
I love how in John it talks about because we love Jesus we obey Him. Our works & our obedience isn’t trying to earn His love but out of our love for Him. I think that is truly beautiful.
I really resonated with the story of Jacob & Esau reconciling because I just watched God reconcile family members in my own life. It is truly a MIRACLE to forgive a loved one who deeply hurt you, but through God’s grace & compassion we can find the strength to heal those wounds. Beautiful.
The moment when in Gen. 34: 1-2 when Esau ran to hug and kiss Jacob was so beautiful! It reminded me of when the father ran out to meet the prodigal son later on in the Bible. Thus is the power of forgiveness.
That is powerful. And Jacob was so nervous making all those arrangements to “soften” Esau up before their meeting. Wonder what changed in Esaus heart those 20 years when his brother was gone?
Esau gave his birthright to Jacob and his father Issac passed on his blessing to Jacob. Even though Jacob used deceit and lying to get these, God honored what Esau and Issac gave to Jacob. He chose to let them all live with the results and consequences of their actions instead of intervening. Sometimes God lets things unfold based on their choices.
Would anyone be able to explain to me why did God blessed Jacob in the bible when Jacob was a liar and a deceiver? Shouldn’t his brother Esau have received gods grace???
God honors His promises. Isaac blessed Jacob and God honored His covenant with Abraham by making the line continue through Jacob. And aren’t we all liars and practice some sort of deceit and yet He still chooses to use us for His glory and purpose. The same goes for Jacob.
I agree. I see this in my own life and in my children. What foolishness we engage in when we are young! In our teens and 20s We have such pride, yet we are a mess. These stories show that God doesn’t wait til we are cleaned up and wise before He decides to love and bless us. They do show that He uses time to teach and grow us. Ugh. Time… and only His grace and mercy bring us to a fuller wiser walk with Him and others.
I love all everyone’s different points of view of their understanding. What I took from the ot was when someone sins against me or my family we should not act but go to God and place it in his hands keeping my heart clean. It is hard I know because I’ve had to do this it may look weak or that we don’t take the act seriously (in this world) but judgement and vengeance is God’s. Forgiveness and love it truly can set you free from the bitterness and anger. Thank you Heavenly Father and my Lord Jesus Christ for your grace, mercy and love. Thank you also for these sisters in Christ. ❤
This parallel–between the frequent deception we see in Jacob’s story and the peace and counter-culture living Jesus offers–is prominent even today. There is so much deception in our world, it’s hard to know what is the truth. Everyone has their own agenda. I am so thankful today for the peace Jesus brings, not as the world gives. And for the Holy Spirit as a Counselor & Comforter. Wow.
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also.
This speaks a lot for me. Jesus brought me a lot closer to God. I am glad to have this special bond with him. ❤️
27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
A commonly-referenced verse, but a powerful one nonetheless. ❤️
I am constantly finding out new things that I take from the bible. I mean I could read the same passage over and over again but I will always learn something new from it every time I read it. I find that truly amazing
23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me.
26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
Notes for today:
1. What’s the significance between when the name Jacob is used and when the name Israel is used in the text?
2. Wasn’t Isaac already dead?
3. Wow! The assurances in John 14 are amazing. Jesus is preparing for us a place in Heaven!
3. It is amazing! He also said he and the father will come and make a home with “him” (us). We don’t have to wait till death to live out the kingdom. We can start now!
Savannah, I believe Israel is used in the context of his blessing from God. And Isaac believed he was near death when he blessed Jacob, but he ended up living much longer than he anticipated!
John 14:27″ …Not as the world gives do I give to you.” really hit me that the Helper does not always give us what we want, but often gives us things we do not understand that we need in that moment. Thankful for these words today!
26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
So thankful! I need Him so much everyday and He is so faithful!!
WOW! Reading John 14 this morning ( in very behind, I know) was an affirmation of Gods love for me and that even though I don’t understand this path right now, He is guiding me and has a plan for me. This affirmation from Jesus about dying so that we may live is the greatest love I have known and I’ve been blind to it for so long. I needed this scripture today to remind me of the love and Security I have even when my world Seems in turmoil.
Even though killing those men might have been extreme, I thought it was so touching that Dinah’s brothers stood up for her when she was defiled. It seems like that doesn’t happen enough in today’s society.
Yes! And I found myself wondering why God let these things happen to both Dinah and the men who were killed, but does He allow it because those men defiled Dinah?
Genesis reads like an amazing novel — I was so excited to read this morning and find out if Esau would attack Jacob or embrace him with open arms. My emotions ran wild as I read the passage — I was crying, laughing, horrified, touched…
Thankful for the Word and how the Lord still makes it come alive for us.
Love this passage of scripture:
“27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
After some of the difficulties the world has thrown my way this week this was exactly what I needed to read!
I absolutely agree, Grace!! Sometimes the world is cruel! I ask that I do not attribute that cruelness to God, but tend to those in dark places and help to show them the Lord’s kind spirit!
I love reading everyone’s comments! What stuck out to me was Jacob’s son, Benjamin. Rachel (?) has Benjamin and names him Ben Oni, which means “son of trouble.” While Jacob names him Benjamin, which means “son at my right hand” or something along those lines. Then we read john 14 and Jesus talks about the Father having a home for us. And it dawned on me that God could have called us “children of TROUBLE,” but instead he has given us a home and a purpose and love and allowed us to be DAUGHTERS OF HIS RIGHT HAND. How awesome is that?! He changes our name and identity just like that.
Danielle, for the most part I am concentrating on the Old Testament. It is not about quantity but quality…and you determine your quality. I am enjoying the commentaries, as it is pushing me to stay consistent in reading God’s word. I usually take a book of the Bible and just ponder on God’s word.
I like this app, as I don’t feel alone in my journey & can learn from others. My two cents: stay as consistent as possible in reading daily, read what you can & engage in the commentaries to motivate you the next day, and/or to see points from others perspective.
John 14 came at the perfect time for me all day I’ve been so worried about money troubles. But john 14 reminded me of god’s promise which is received through faith, realllyyy encouraged me. We’ve all been in that tunnel of the unknown and doubted the light, well stop doubting you are in god’s hands!
I was so overwhelmed by this reading from John. It’s the end of Jesus’ time on earth and he is giving his final words to his disciples and what do they do? Doubt him STILL! But our gracious and merciful Lord tells them to have peace. His love and patience never ceases to amaze me!
If you only consider one to be “healed” when they are in full health in their earthly body, than it would be accurate to say that not every believer is healed of every sickness or disease they incur. However, when you remember that every one who believes in Jesus receives a whole and perfect body upon resurrection, than you could rightfully say that God heals EVERY believer who calls upon Him for healing. His timing is not the same as ours, but Jesus heals and restores every believer who asks of Him. Sometimes that healing is instant, sometimes it takes time, and sometimes it only comes when we are caught up to eternity with Him. Hallelujah!
Lex, I don’t believe Jesus healed every person He came across. Do you have Scripture to support this so we can read and study this out some more? I do believe He healed those whom the Bible recorded & He knew would have faith to believe in Him and the Bible doesn’t record everything He did during His earthly ministry either (John 21:25) however, many did not believe, even His own brothers and people in His town. He couldn’t do anything and left because their of unbelief. (Mark 6:4-6, Luke 4:22-27). God never forces Himself on anyone. He also does not give us every desire of our heart because our hearts can be deceitful & laced with the wrong motives & If it’s not His will. (Jeremiah 17:9 & James 4:3). Paul’s desire was to have the thorn removed but it wasn’t (2 Corinthians 12:6-8) David wanted his son to live after he had an affair (2 Samuel 12:14-21) but he died, Jesus didn’t want to be separated from God while He took on our sin and asked for the God’s cup of wrath to be removed (Matthew 26:39, Mark 14:36 & Luke 22:42) are examples of people praying in faith but still being told no. I pray that the Holy Spirit convicts and teaches us. I ask Him to lead us into truth as only He can so that we all come with open eyes, ears and hearts to hear, receive and understand and obey The Lord’s Word as well as edify one another in love, in Jesus’ name, amen.
400 men with Esau. His brothers footsteps haunt. Jacob showed such courage. How beautiful for estranged brothers to embrace. Gen 33:1. Jacob longs for God but quietly limps away from the Dinah story. We know that Jacob is about to experience another great loss. We never know what’s around the corner. May we take care of today and follow God. “Let not your heart be troubled. ” Jn 14:1
Not sure how many times I’ve read These words from Jesus but today they have blown my mind. He really went out of his way to leave us comforted and at peace with solid direction.
How about this part, “12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.”
We will do even greater things than these?!
It has been on my heart and I have been talking to my family this week on how our primary/original body’s are supernatural and our secondary/ physical body are natural. We are to be stronger in our supernatural/spiritual body’s than we are our physical. We were designed to work with the power invested in us in our hands and mouth to do His works.
We weren’t designed to live anything less than a RADICAL life, yall! How amazing is our purpose?! Glory glory glory!!!
16″and I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever;”. I love how Jesus introduced the Holy Spirit here, and the use of upper case letters when doing this introduction. It just stands out to me so boldly. May the Spirit of Truth abide in you all today and everyday!
13 ‘Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 ‘If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.
These verses in John always kind of leave me puzzled as to what this really means!!! Obviously not EVERYTHING we ask in the name of Jesus will come about… There are things that we desire or ask for that are not what the Lord wants for us. Just interested to hear what insight others have over this scripture.
Hi Katie. I used to think that way too but that verse is repeated about 14 in the gospels– ask anything in my name and you’ll have it. Another verse says that if you ask anything according to my will you’ll have whatever you ask for. What is His will? It’s whatever is in His word. For example– Is it His will for you to be fully healthy? Always. Scripture after scripture shows that Jesus healed every single sick person he came across. It also says that the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well. So find those passages of scripture and pray those. It also says that we don’t get because we don’t ask! How true is that?! And when we ask, we don’t actually believe He’ll come thru for us. The Bible says that God doesn’t change and He doesn’t lie! So I think He wants us to take Him at His word and believe that He will do what he says he will do (give us whatever we ask for according to his will) because he is who he says he is (loving, mighty, willing, able, faithful). Believing that God wants to give us all good things that we ask for is a faith process. I’ve found that spending time learning about the character of Jesus and God is a good place to start building that faith. When you fully believe He loves you and is eager to show Himself strong as scripture says, then you can believe that he wants to give you every desire of your heart!
I’m not sure I quite agree with that. If God wanted all to be healthy then Paul who asked 3X to take away the thorn in his flesh would have been healed. I think we need to ask in or according to His name – which shows His character. So many names of God that we can run to and be safe (Prov 18:10) El Shaddai, Yahweh, El Roi, Jehovah, all show us a bit of who He is and why we can entrust ourselves to His care.
Heidi.. That is what comes to my mind as well!! So many times God doesn’t answer our prayers because he wants to use it to sanctify us, which is really a better answer to that prayer! I don’t disagree with you Lexi! I just find this verse a challenge to fully grasp or wrap my mind around. I want to pray in boldness and full faith in my sovereign God!! For us to pray and then in the back of our minds think that God probably won’t answer it is not God honoring. But how do we look at this verse and claim it when our prayers are not answered! I don’t believe for a second that Jesus lied here (obviously) I feel like something is missing! God’s word does need to be taken as a whole!
If I pray to God and ask Him for wealth beyond measure…it probably isn’t going to happen. I have had so much loss, and verses like this truly made me mad. I wondered why God didn’t answer the prayers of healing I sobbed and begged for when my grandmother was suffering from cancer. She wasn’t healed because I didn’t pray hard enough about it, but because God had ideas grander than my expectations. I still mourn her loss, and the other losses I have had in life, but that does not mean God’s sovereignty is any less perfect! God doesn’t give us things, nor does he take away things, unless it is to be a part of our story…a part of His story through us, His daughters and sons. Jesus prayed a prayer in his final hours asking God to pass the cup if possible…this is how we are to pray, with boldness, humbleness, and hearts for God. God not MY will, but Your’s. We never know what is in store for us later. Our greatest pains can lead to someone’s greatest healing!
I would have to disagree. He won’t make everything perfect here on earth. Because we are sinful and have corrupted our world. I have prayed so earnestly for sick loved ones, knowing that God can heal, but does he always? No. Because at that time it is better for that person to pass on. Perhaps their death will be a ministry opportunity. And he will only give you “those desires of your heart” which are in line with his will and word. In fact, the bible clearly demonstrates that life will be bad for us. “For in this world you will have troubles.” I mean, many of his own disciples were mistreated and killed. Did they not have enough faith? Jesus even cried out “let this cup pass” but he knew that it was ultimately the father’s will. Did Jesus not have enough faith?! Absolutely not. He had more faith than any of us as he was God. But he died bc that was the will of the father.
Bea, I completely agree! I’ve studied this passage quite a bit when looking at Christianity before I gave my life to Christ. What I discovered was that this verse wasn’t intended to make God our Santa or fairy godmother. God doesn’t always will for people to heal. Look at all the precious children in Africa who have an abundance of faith but still don’t have the basics like food, clean water, or many other physical needs.
When we ask according to God’s will…if we walk with a surrendered life to God we’ll ask for things that are in line with His will…His desires will become our desires (Romans 12:1-2 & John 15)
13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
I think that the key is that our prayer be in line with God’s will, which is to bring glory to God.
Jacob’s sons learned to solve their problems by deceit. They grew up with a mom, dad, and uncle that repeatedly used lying and trickery as ways to deal with unpleasant situations. Jacob changed. Yes, He still sinned. But at some point God truly got hold of his heart and changed him. How it must have grieved him to see his boys following in his footsteps! We teach things all the time – sometimes intentionally but often unintentionally!! How careful we must be to portray God correctly in our lives!
Some thoughts from today’s reading:
God told Jacob to go reside in Bethel. Bethel means the House of God!! Jacob told all of his family to get rid of their idols and purify themselves. God hadn’t given Jacob this instruction, but Jacob’s family was in a mess of a state and I love how he finally makes the wise decision to clean up his house!! And they buried all of those idols under the tree of Shechem. Shechem had disgraced his house, defiled his daughter, caused his sons to use the very sign of their covenant with God to exact horrible revenge, and as a result, Jacob’s entire household was in danger of being destroyed! But Jacob cleaned up his house and buried the idols under that very thing that had caused the distress and was on his way to Bethel!!!! To the House of God!!! I wonder if they had not allowed their house to become full of idols in the first place if the story would have played out differently??
We have victory! Always! No matter what pain, sin, heartache or mistakes are in our life, at any and every moment we can bury those things under God’s grace and love and be free to reside in Bethel!!! I love looking at the symbolism of all the names and what they mean!!! I think there are deeper things for us to learn than just reading the story literally. There are so many hidden treasures!!
Yes it’s pretty amazing. Yet despite his own grace he couldn’t extend it to others. What was done to Dinah was so vile but the lust shechem had seems similar to what Joseph had for Rachel.
Yet, there is no account of Jacob forcefully doing anything to Rachel. Yes he was mesmerized by her but it was love that drove him to work 7 (then 14) years for her. Not lust. Hard to really compare the two in my mind.
Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” God I pray that Your transcendent peace would flood our hearts, that Your grace would be enough, and that Your justice would relieve our troubled hearts. How great that even when I feel most at peace in my humanness, our heavenly Father has something far greater!
Jacob is now Israel! What a beautiful story of God’s constant love to an undeserving and unfaithful child. We see someone who went from a deceitful boy to a mature man who wrestled and was conquered by God by the touching of the hollow of his thigh. There was never any hope in Jacob’s strength (how he learnt this time and time again in his life!). His living hope lay in His own defeat. It was then that God changed His name and confirmed once again his blessed promises.
Reading Tozer’s thoughts on Jacob he says, “The degree of blessedness enjoyed by any man will correspond exactly with the completeness of God’s victory over him.”
Oh Jesus, yes, I am afraid of pain of suffering, but I am far more afraid of living a wasted life in my own strength. Conquer me completely oh Lord that I may know the blessedness of hope only in you!
What is great about this is that God softened Esau’s heart! Instead of continued bitterness and anger there was love and kindness! I wonder with Rachel’s death if that was her punishment for taking her father’s god idol.
Care, the great part is that God’s story is different from ours. He sees the “bigger” picture. As far as Rachel, I think if her father would of found the “god idol” her life would had not been spared. Even though she stole and lied, it seems God protected her. Rachel still had a purpose…she had to give birth to Benjamin (one pastor said, that the thing that Rachel mostly wanted (that is having children), ended up being the thing that took her life…sometimes what we really want, can cost us)! Anyway, later at one point, God told them to get rid of all their idols, and it seems everyone complied…I would imagine Rachel at this point finally relented (and hopefully repented!).
Thinking of how God will make all things right
Day 16! On a roll now!
Lord please bless us with a baby, after a year I’m putting all my faith in you and letting you take control! ❤️
In Jesus Name I pray
Amen ✝️
Lord please bless us with a baby, after a year I’m putting all my faith in you and letting you take control! ❤️ In Jesus Name I pray
Amen ✝️
Lord please bless us with a baby in your timing! ❤️ In Jesus Name I pray
21 The one who has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. And the one who loves me will be loved by my Father. I also will love him and will reveal myself to him.” – John 14:21
I will send someone in my place…. So thankful for the Holy Spirit
31 But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence. – John 14:31
i loved how everything played out with jacob and esau. there was a lot of drama but for them to find peace was great and that was the Lord that made that happen. also john 14 Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. Jesus is the only way to the Father.
Thank you Lord that you are with us and that Your Holy Spirit dwells in us. ❤️
I love seeing the words of Jesus in the book of John!
14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. – John 14:14
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John 14:27 – such comforting words. This chapter is probably one of my favourite Jesus passages!
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Genesis is moving so fast!
Thank you for giving me your Peace, Lord…
Playing catch up- so good!
I definitely needed to hear this today
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I pray others see my love for You through me
I need His peace today.
It is so good to see!
I’m encouraged just seeing that there are so many other women here who are also trying to get to know Jesus better. So thankful to know I am not alone, on Earth, and so thankful from this reading that Christ discusses giving us the Holy Spirit, so we are never alone. Just remarkable.
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It’s always good to remember the peace of the Lord. We are never alone.
Thank you Betsy! God transforms us!
What great reminders of God’s grace, mercy, and love in today’s readings ❤️
“Peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives.” So beautiful! What an awesome God we have! ❤️ day 16 done
‘I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you” (John 14:18). As mom to a child who was orphaned by abandonment, this verse has special significance. Even the punctuation speaks to the emphasis Christ puts on His promise here. He could have stopped after “orphans,” but He reiterates and reassures, “I will come to you.” ⚓️
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Such a powerful story and how hard would it be for his disciples to comprehend his words when he said “I am the father and the father is in me”
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Such a powerful story!
19Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.
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getting caught up:)
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Genesis 35:22 is missing
Let your heart not be troubled.
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It’s crazy to me how Jesus says “ I am in the father and the father is in me.” And they still do not believe him. I am so blessed that he loves us for ever and shows faithfulness to us when we do not believe.
I can’t help but think how much harder it would have been for the disciples to understand Jesus when He said “I am in the Father and the Father is in me.” This seems to be to be incomprehensible for a follower of Christ to grasp, pre-resurrection. I am so thankful to live post resurrection and thankful for the faithfulness and belief of those who have gone before in the faith!
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I love that Jesus talks about the Holy Spirit in relationship with us.
“But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept.” The love of a sibling is something so special. We have heard many stories of brothers and sisters in the bible but so often we fall out and fall out of touch. Forgive your brothers and sisters and embrace them with open arms just like Jesus did for us!
Done. Thankful that Lord brought me in 2020
If we obey Jesus he will love us and bring peace of mind and heart!! How good! Praise God!!
I also love John 14:6. Sometimes waiting in faith and patience is hard for us. And sometimes it’s heard to know which direction we should be going in. But JESUS IS THE DIRECTION, he’s the way. That struck me this morning!
27“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful.
❤️ a reminder of Jesus’ ultimate gift
4So they gave to Jacob all the foreign gods which they had and the rings which were in their ears, and Jacob hid them under the oak which was near Shechem.
EARRINGS?
1“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.
27‘Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.
Troubled heart today, believe in God; do not let your heart be troubled. Okay, tall order, I’m hurt and disappointed in someone I love; matter of fact disappointed in my life in general. But choosing to believe in my good God.
I’m a couple months late, but trying to catch up. I am having a hard time feeling inspired by anything while reading about polygamy, rape, and constant name changes that I just can’t keep up with. Am I the only one???
I am also behind! Stick with the main narrative. There’s so much good stuff in there.
John 14:27 is such a good reminder of how God works. He doesn’t give anything to us with the expectation of something in return. He gives to his children out of mercy and love.
“Esau ran to meet him and embraced him and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept” (33:4). Grace upon grace! Jacob expected war. He found mercy and forgiveness. Praise God for the overwhelming grace He shows to us! From enemy to child. Grace upon grace. ❤️
Why does Jacob get renamed to Israel twice? The first time in ch 33:28 and then again in ch 35:10. I know Jacob and Israel are used interchanged through out but it specifically says you will now be called Israel twice.
I guessed it was because the angel first blesses and renames him and then God sort of makes it official?! That’s what I thought not a fact!
The first time it was giving him a new identity. Jacob means deceiver. God asks him his name in ch 32 – he wasn’t asking for his information. When Jacob answers, he is forced to confess not just his name, but really, his character. He was a schemer. God gives him a new name and says – that’s not who you are anymore. In the struggle, Jacob’s hip was injured. His plan had been to divide all those with him into camps and if Esau attacked, some of them could still get away. He wasn’t running anywhere with that hip though. God was breaking him of his dependence on his own wit to work things out for himself. He was forced to depend on God to be faithful to his promises to bless him, make him into a great nation.
The second time, I really feel like God was simply reminding him. Hey, you’re not the deceiver anymore. You’re Israel. You struggled with me, it changed you forever, and now you’re dependent on me. God follows that up with reminding him of his promises again. Really great story!!! I love it.
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I love where it says the a Holy Spirit will bring remembrance to what Jesus has said!
Agree! I sometimes miss the change to the New Testament and then I’m like “oh yeah…” because I’m trying to figure out how it relates! Lol.
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3Then let us arise and go up to Bethel, so that I may make there an altar to the God who answers me in the day of my distress and has been with me wherever I have gone.” These words resonated with me this a.m. for they are true for me too!
John 14: 18&19
18I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
19Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
Leah: I do too! But I believe there is value in switching over (not just based off of how an author or group of people decide to organize a reading plan)- even though I’m not sure what that is yet. Variety? Trying to hear God speak in continuity throughout the scripture? Not getting caught up in one way God speaks and being flexible? But it is seriously hard because the OT is so much of a story- it’s like any story- there’s dissonance when I don’t get to see what comes next!
Same sorts we still worship, fertility (family and business, which for them was farming and herding), money, the moon and sun…. anything that might help make life more pleasant, comfortable and easy.
I feel the same way!
1“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. ❤️❤️ -ellie
Reading the Genesis account having just given birth to my first baby, I see so much more of the drama and difficult circumstances that arose in the life of Jacob. Even in the midst of specific situations, the simple truths of our new testament passage remain central: believe in God, believe in Christ Jesus sent of God, do His good works and know that Jesus even obeys the Father to glorify and love Him.
What are the foreign gods that so many hold despite knowing God and having had God speak to them before? And why does Jacob have children with four different women?
It’s the same today. People can experience the awesome power and healing of God but will gladly put that praise else we’re , on Drs, on luck, and themselves.
Day 16
John 14 felt like a love letter ❤️
Please Lord help me have the desire to be in your word everyday ❤️
I love how Jesus says, “the ruler of the world is coming, but he has no claim on me”. Now that we are covered by Jesus sacrifice and are made new in him, the ruler of the world no longer has claim on us either! We are free! Praise Jesus ❤️
This stuck me today also. I love that he has no power over us.
Wow! What a demonstration of forgiveness. Jacob toke Esau’s birth right and his father’s blessing yet he RAN to his brother, kissed him and cried with joy to see him. THIS is how God embraces us when we come to him. He doesn’t throw our record of wrongs in our face. He greets us with eagerness and tears of joy!! Let’s never keep ourselves from His presence due to guilt and shame!
Yes, this reminds me of the prodigal son story–unearned, undeserved forgiveness, love, and restoration! Yet Jacob is still wary of Esau, choosing to settle his family at Succoth…
Yes this is SO powerful!!!!
Unconditional ❤️
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Jesus doesn’t just tell the disciples how to love and how to serve, he shows them. He is loving The Father by obeying him all the way to the cross (V. 31). And how he washes the disciples feet to show his service and love for them (and to paint a picture of the ultimate act of service, love, and sacrifice— the cross). He didn’t just give examples, He was the example. The perfect example.
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I love how in John it talks about because we love Jesus we obey Him. Our works & our obedience isn’t trying to earn His love but out of our love for Him. I think that is truly beautiful.
The Chapter in John really touched my heart today. I think I bookmarked the entire chapter. Such hope Jesus gave his disciples and now gives us!
I really resonated with the story of Jacob & Esau reconciling because I just watched God reconcile family members in my own life. It is truly a MIRACLE to forgive a loved one who deeply hurt you, but through God’s grace & compassion we can find the strength to heal those wounds. Beautiful.
The moment when in Gen. 34: 1-2 when Esau ran to hug and kiss Jacob was so beautiful! It reminded me of when the father ran out to meet the prodigal son later on in the Bible. Thus is the power of forgiveness.
That is powerful. And Jacob was so nervous making all those arrangements to “soften” Esau up before their meeting. Wonder what changed in Esaus heart those 20 years when his brother was gone?
Esau gave his birthright to Jacob and his father Issac passed on his blessing to Jacob. Even though Jacob used deceit and lying to get these, God honored what Esau and Issac gave to Jacob. He chose to let them all live with the results and consequences of their actions instead of intervening. Sometimes God lets things unfold based on their choices.
Would anyone be able to explain to me why did God blessed Jacob in the bible when Jacob was a liar and a deceiver? Shouldn’t his brother Esau have received gods grace???
God honors His promises. Isaac blessed Jacob and God honored His covenant with Abraham by making the line continue through Jacob. And aren’t we all liars and practice some sort of deceit and yet He still chooses to use us for His glory and purpose. The same goes for Jacob.
I agree. I see this in my own life and in my children. What foolishness we engage in when we are young! In our teens and 20s We have such pride, yet we are a mess. These stories show that God doesn’t wait til we are cleaned up and wise before He decides to love and bless us. They do show that He uses time to teach and grow us. Ugh. Time… and only His grace and mercy bring us to a fuller wiser walk with Him and others.
I love all everyone’s different points of view of their understanding. What I took from the ot was when someone sins against me or my family we should not act but go to God and place it in his hands keeping my heart clean. It is hard I know because I’ve had to do this it may look weak or that we don’t take the act seriously (in this world) but judgement and vengeance is God’s. Forgiveness and love it truly can set you free from the bitterness and anger. Thank you Heavenly Father and my Lord Jesus Christ for your grace, mercy and love. Thank you also for these sisters in Christ. ❤
So encouraging!! Thank you! Thanks be to God!
This parallel–between the frequent deception we see in Jacob’s story and the peace and counter-culture living Jesus offers–is prominent even today. There is so much deception in our world, it’s hard to know what is the truth. Everyone has their own agenda. I am so thankful today for the peace Jesus brings, not as the world gives. And for the Holy Spirit as a Counselor & Comforter. Wow.
Love this thought.
Such an amazing reminder of God’s care and loving provision.
Lord please show me the way. Amen.
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also.
This speaks a lot for me. Jesus brought me a lot closer to God. I am glad to have this special bond with him. ❤️
27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
A commonly-referenced verse, but a powerful one nonetheless. ❤️
I am constantly finding out new things that I take from the bible. I mean I could read the same passage over and over again but I will always learn something new from it every time I read it. I find that truly amazing
Thank you Lord for your everlasting faithfulness. John 14 is so full of hope!
23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me.
26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
What a challenge and a hope – so grateful
Praise the Lord for his timely word!!! ❤️❤️
Notes for today:
1. What’s the significance between when the name Jacob is used and when the name Israel is used in the text?
2. Wasn’t Isaac already dead?
3. Wow! The assurances in John 14 are amazing. Jesus is preparing for us a place in Heaven!
3. It is amazing! He also said he and the father will come and make a home with “him” (us). We don’t have to wait till death to live out the kingdom. We can start now!
Love this promise
Savannah, I believe Israel is used in the context of his blessing from God. And Isaac believed he was near death when he blessed Jacob, but he ended up living much longer than he anticipated!
Savannah- look at yesterday’s comments- I posted
Something about the name change that I think will help you
Jesus GIVES peace. A whole entire world searching for peace and the solution is so simple.
I find peace in His words. Peace as soon as I bend my knees and pray. Peace whenever I am doing something that’s pleasing to Him.
The devil on the other hand, he sows seeds of doubt, hate and a dirty conscience. None of these reap peace.
Isn’t it lovely though when Jesus calls us to let go? Let go of that Hate. The doubt. And be cleaned. And be at peace!
He’s coming back for me. For you. For all who believe on Him.
We are never alone for He is always with us.
Not only coming back, but here now making a home with us:)! So so exciting.
Genius 34 is crazy!! That Jacobs son killed all those people for what they did to their sister. Do not mess with them.
John 14:27″ …Not as the world gives do I give to you.” really hit me that the Helper does not always give us what we want, but often gives us things we do not understand that we need in that moment. Thankful for these words today!
26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
So thankful! I need Him so much everyday and He is so faithful!!
WOW! Reading John 14 this morning ( in very behind, I know) was an affirmation of Gods love for me and that even though I don’t understand this path right now, He is guiding me and has a plan for me. This affirmation from Jesus about dying so that we may live is the greatest love I have known and I’ve been blind to it for so long. I needed this scripture today to remind me of the love and Security I have even when my world Seems in turmoil.
It’s okay that you’re behind! You’ve got plenty of time to catch up.
Stay determined!
Don’t give up
What was considered a year in this time? People are said to live 180+ years.
Even though killing those men might have been extreme, I thought it was so touching that Dinah’s brothers stood up for her when she was defiled. It seems like that doesn’t happen enough in today’s society.
Very true Kelly. It seems society has shifted to “me, myself & I”… A man standing up for a woman is powerful.
Yes! And I found myself wondering why God let these things happen to both Dinah and the men who were killed, but does He allow it because those men defiled Dinah?
Genesis reads like an amazing novel — I was so excited to read this morning and find out if Esau would attack Jacob or embrace him with open arms. My emotions ran wild as I read the passage — I was crying, laughing, horrified, touched…
Thankful for the Word and how the Lord still makes it come alive for us.
You should read The Red Tent! It’s a novel about this story from the perspective of the women. So good!!
Love this passage of scripture:
“27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
After some of the difficulties the world has thrown my way this week this was exactly what I needed to read!
I absolutely agree, Grace!! Sometimes the world is cruel! I ask that I do not attribute that cruelness to God, but tend to those in dark places and help to show them the Lord’s kind spirit!
I love reading everyone’s comments! What stuck out to me was Jacob’s son, Benjamin. Rachel (?) has Benjamin and names him Ben Oni, which means “son of trouble.” While Jacob names him Benjamin, which means “son at my right hand” or something along those lines. Then we read john 14 and Jesus talks about the Father having a home for us. And it dawned on me that God could have called us “children of TROUBLE,” but instead he has given us a home and a purpose and love and allowed us to be DAUGHTERS OF HIS RIGHT HAND. How awesome is that?! He changes our name and identity just like that.
This is great.
Anyone else having a hard time reading two books split up at the same time? I find myself having to go back and refresh what I read.
Danielle- I was having a really hard time. I started using a spiral notebook to take notes. It has really helped a lot.
I’m actually really enjoying it. I love seeing the theme of the Bible carried throughout.
Danielle, for the most part I am concentrating on the Old Testament. It is not about quantity but quality…and you determine your quality. I am enjoying the commentaries, as it is pushing me to stay consistent in reading God’s word. I usually take a book of the Bible and just ponder on God’s word.
I like this app, as I don’t feel alone in my journey & can learn from others. My two cents: stay as consistent as possible in reading daily, read what you can & engage in the commentaries to motivate you the next day, and/or to see points from others perspective.
Maybe you can read the OT in the morning and the NT in the evening? It’s still two books, but maybe giving time between each will help?
John 14 came at the perfect time for me all day I’ve been so worried about money troubles. But john 14 reminded me of god’s promise which is received through faith, realllyyy encouraged me. We’ve all been in that tunnel of the unknown and doubted the light, well stop doubting you are in god’s hands!
I was so overwhelmed by this reading from John. It’s the end of Jesus’ time on earth and he is giving his final words to his disciples and what do they do? Doubt him STILL! But our gracious and merciful Lord tells them to have peace. His love and patience never ceases to amaze me!
John 14:23! Does this excite anyone else as much as it excites me??! :D
Yes! I love the imagery of making a home with us! Doing life together, committed to one another ..awesome!
If you only consider one to be “healed” when they are in full health in their earthly body, than it would be accurate to say that not every believer is healed of every sickness or disease they incur. However, when you remember that every one who believes in Jesus receives a whole and perfect body upon resurrection, than you could rightfully say that God heals EVERY believer who calls upon Him for healing. His timing is not the same as ours, but Jesus heals and restores every believer who asks of Him. Sometimes that healing is instant, sometimes it takes time, and sometimes it only comes when we are caught up to eternity with Him. Hallelujah!
Great way of thinking about it, Sheena!
Amen…Plus, all believers are spiritually healed of our sin sickened heart at the time we trust in Jesus — which the most important healing of all!
Great way to look at things SheenaBean… Thanks for sharing!
I think many of us look to God as Santa Claus or a cosmic sugar daddy…
Or a genie in a lamp.
Lex, I don’t believe Jesus healed every person He came across. Do you have Scripture to support this so we can read and study this out some more? I do believe He healed those whom the Bible recorded & He knew would have faith to believe in Him and the Bible doesn’t record everything He did during His earthly ministry either (John 21:25) however, many did not believe, even His own brothers and people in His town. He couldn’t do anything and left because their of unbelief. (Mark 6:4-6, Luke 4:22-27). God never forces Himself on anyone. He also does not give us every desire of our heart because our hearts can be deceitful & laced with the wrong motives & If it’s not His will. (Jeremiah 17:9 & James 4:3). Paul’s desire was to have the thorn removed but it wasn’t (2 Corinthians 12:6-8) David wanted his son to live after he had an affair (2 Samuel 12:14-21) but he died, Jesus didn’t want to be separated from God while He took on our sin and asked for the God’s cup of wrath to be removed (Matthew 26:39, Mark 14:36 & Luke 22:42) are examples of people praying in faith but still being told no. I pray that the Holy Spirit convicts and teaches us. I ask Him to lead us into truth as only He can so that we all come with open eyes, ears and hearts to hear, receive and understand and obey The Lord’s Word as well as edify one another in love, in Jesus’ name, amen.
400 men with Esau. His brothers footsteps haunt. Jacob showed such courage. How beautiful for estranged brothers to embrace. Gen 33:1. Jacob longs for God but quietly limps away from the Dinah story. We know that Jacob is about to experience another great loss. We never know what’s around the corner. May we take care of today and follow God. “Let not your heart be troubled. ” Jn 14:1
Not sure how many times I’ve read These words from Jesus but today they have blown my mind. He really went out of his way to leave us comforted and at peace with solid direction.
How about this part, “12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.”
We will do even greater things than these?!
It has been on my heart and I have been talking to my family this week on how our primary/original body’s are supernatural and our secondary/ physical body are natural. We are to be stronger in our supernatural/spiritual body’s than we are our physical. We were designed to work with the power invested in us in our hands and mouth to do His works.
We weren’t designed to live anything less than a RADICAL life, yall! How amazing is our purpose?! Glory glory glory!!!
Beautiful Elizabeth! Great way to ponder this reading today!
16″and I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever;”. I love how Jesus introduced the Holy Spirit here, and the use of upper case letters when doing this introduction. It just stands out to me so boldly. May the Spirit of Truth abide in you all today and everyday!
13 ‘Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 ‘If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.
These verses in John always kind of leave me puzzled as to what this really means!!! Obviously not EVERYTHING we ask in the name of Jesus will come about… There are things that we desire or ask for that are not what the Lord wants for us. Just interested to hear what insight others have over this scripture.
Hi Katie. I used to think that way too but that verse is repeated about 14 in the gospels– ask anything in my name and you’ll have it. Another verse says that if you ask anything according to my will you’ll have whatever you ask for. What is His will? It’s whatever is in His word. For example– Is it His will for you to be fully healthy? Always. Scripture after scripture shows that Jesus healed every single sick person he came across. It also says that the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well. So find those passages of scripture and pray those. It also says that we don’t get because we don’t ask! How true is that?! And when we ask, we don’t actually believe He’ll come thru for us. The Bible says that God doesn’t change and He doesn’t lie! So I think He wants us to take Him at His word and believe that He will do what he says he will do (give us whatever we ask for according to his will) because he is who he says he is (loving, mighty, willing, able, faithful). Believing that God wants to give us all good things that we ask for is a faith process. I’ve found that spending time learning about the character of Jesus and God is a good place to start building that faith. When you fully believe He loves you and is eager to show Himself strong as scripture says, then you can believe that he wants to give you every desire of your heart!
Amen Lex!!!!
Yes yes yes! Amen! ❤️
So true! Amen!
I’m not sure I quite agree with that. If God wanted all to be healthy then Paul who asked 3X to take away the thorn in his flesh would have been healed. I think we need to ask in or according to His name – which shows His character. So many names of God that we can run to and be safe (Prov 18:10) El Shaddai, Yahweh, El Roi, Jehovah, all show us a bit of who He is and why we can entrust ourselves to His care.
Heidi.. That is what comes to my mind as well!! So many times God doesn’t answer our prayers because he wants to use it to sanctify us, which is really a better answer to that prayer! I don’t disagree with you Lexi! I just find this verse a challenge to fully grasp or wrap my mind around. I want to pray in boldness and full faith in my sovereign God!! For us to pray and then in the back of our minds think that God probably won’t answer it is not God honoring. But how do we look at this verse and claim it when our prayers are not answered! I don’t believe for a second that Jesus lied here (obviously) I feel like something is missing! God’s word does need to be taken as a whole!
When we are fully aligned with God, what we ask/desire is His will.
If I pray to God and ask Him for wealth beyond measure…it probably isn’t going to happen. I have had so much loss, and verses like this truly made me mad. I wondered why God didn’t answer the prayers of healing I sobbed and begged for when my grandmother was suffering from cancer. She wasn’t healed because I didn’t pray hard enough about it, but because God had ideas grander than my expectations. I still mourn her loss, and the other losses I have had in life, but that does not mean God’s sovereignty is any less perfect! God doesn’t give us things, nor does he take away things, unless it is to be a part of our story…a part of His story through us, His daughters and sons. Jesus prayed a prayer in his final hours asking God to pass the cup if possible…this is how we are to pray, with boldness, humbleness, and hearts for God. God not MY will, but Your’s. We never know what is in store for us later. Our greatest pains can lead to someone’s greatest healing!
I would have to disagree. He won’t make everything perfect here on earth. Because we are sinful and have corrupted our world. I have prayed so earnestly for sick loved ones, knowing that God can heal, but does he always? No. Because at that time it is better for that person to pass on. Perhaps their death will be a ministry opportunity. And he will only give you “those desires of your heart” which are in line with his will and word. In fact, the bible clearly demonstrates that life will be bad for us. “For in this world you will have troubles.” I mean, many of his own disciples were mistreated and killed. Did they not have enough faith? Jesus even cried out “let this cup pass” but he knew that it was ultimately the father’s will. Did Jesus not have enough faith?! Absolutely not. He had more faith than any of us as he was God. But he died bc that was the will of the father.
Bea, I completely agree! I’ve studied this passage quite a bit when looking at Christianity before I gave my life to Christ. What I discovered was that this verse wasn’t intended to make God our Santa or fairy godmother. God doesn’t always will for people to heal. Look at all the precious children in Africa who have an abundance of faith but still don’t have the basics like food, clean water, or many other physical needs.
When we ask according to God’s will…if we walk with a surrendered life to God we’ll ask for things that are in line with His will…His desires will become our desires (Romans 12:1-2 & John 15)
13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
I think that the key is that our prayer be in line with God’s will, which is to bring glory to God.
Praying that Jesus’ words touch you all today.
Jacob’s sons learned to solve their problems by deceit. They grew up with a mom, dad, and uncle that repeatedly used lying and trickery as ways to deal with unpleasant situations. Jacob changed. Yes, He still sinned. But at some point God truly got hold of his heart and changed him. How it must have grieved him to see his boys following in his footsteps! We teach things all the time – sometimes intentionally but often unintentionally!! How careful we must be to portray God correctly in our lives!
Some thoughts from today’s reading:
God told Jacob to go reside in Bethel. Bethel means the House of God!! Jacob told all of his family to get rid of their idols and purify themselves. God hadn’t given Jacob this instruction, but Jacob’s family was in a mess of a state and I love how he finally makes the wise decision to clean up his house!! And they buried all of those idols under the tree of Shechem. Shechem had disgraced his house, defiled his daughter, caused his sons to use the very sign of their covenant with God to exact horrible revenge, and as a result, Jacob’s entire household was in danger of being destroyed! But Jacob cleaned up his house and buried the idols under that very thing that had caused the distress and was on his way to Bethel!!!! To the House of God!!! I wonder if they had not allowed their house to become full of idols in the first place if the story would have played out differently??
We have victory! Always! No matter what pain, sin, heartache or mistakes are in our life, at any and every moment we can bury those things under God’s grace and love and be free to reside in Bethel!!! I love looking at the symbolism of all the names and what they mean!!! I think there are deeper things for us to learn than just reading the story literally. There are so many hidden treasures!!
Thank you for sharing!!! Great insight!!!
I agree! There is so much more to gain than we realize. Thanks for sharing!
Yes it’s pretty amazing. Yet despite his own grace he couldn’t extend it to others. What was done to Dinah was so vile but the lust shechem had seems similar to what Joseph had for Rachel.
Yet, there is no account of Jacob forcefully doing anything to Rachel. Yes he was mesmerized by her but it was love that drove him to work 7 (then 14) years for her. Not lust. Hard to really compare the two in my mind.
Joseph had lust for his mom, Rachel?
Rebekah was Jacob’s mom, married to Isaac. Rachel was Jacob’s wife.
27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
What a great and constant reminder we have.
I really loved that verse. It really helped me today and I think I most definitely needed to read and hear that from our glorious God!
Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” God I pray that Your transcendent peace would flood our hearts, that Your grace would be enough, and that Your justice would relieve our troubled hearts. How great that even when I feel most at peace in my humanness, our heavenly Father has something far greater!
Amen !
Jacob is now Israel! What a beautiful story of God’s constant love to an undeserving and unfaithful child. We see someone who went from a deceitful boy to a mature man who wrestled and was conquered by God by the touching of the hollow of his thigh. There was never any hope in Jacob’s strength (how he learnt this time and time again in his life!). His living hope lay in His own defeat. It was then that God changed His name and confirmed once again his blessed promises.
Reading Tozer’s thoughts on Jacob he says, “The degree of blessedness enjoyed by any man will correspond exactly with the completeness of God’s victory over him.”
Oh Jesus, yes, I am afraid of pain of suffering, but I am far more afraid of living a wasted life in my own strength. Conquer me completely oh Lord that I may know the blessedness of hope only in you!
What a powerful Tozer thought and so true!
Awesome!!! Love Tozer!! And your words…..
Love this! So true and powerful!
What is great about this is that God softened Esau’s heart! Instead of continued bitterness and anger there was love and kindness! I wonder with Rachel’s death if that was her punishment for taking her father’s god idol.
God used the lesser man, Jacob. He was always the deceitful wimp. But if Esau had 400 men with him, looks like God blessed Esau in his own way too. (:
Such an incredible story of forgiveness. God kept a promise to him and Esau livestock a great life.
Care, the great part is that God’s story is different from ours. He sees the “bigger” picture. As far as Rachel, I think if her father would of found the “god idol” her life would had not been spared. Even though she stole and lied, it seems God protected her. Rachel still had a purpose…she had to give birth to Benjamin (one pastor said, that the thing that Rachel mostly wanted (that is having children), ended up being the thing that took her life…sometimes what we really want, can cost us)! Anyway, later at one point, God told them to get rid of all their idols, and it seems everyone complied…I would imagine Rachel at this point finally relented (and hopefully repented!).
Love this!