[Genesis 39-40]

H – Genesis 39:9b, “……How then can I do this great wicked-ness and sin against God?”

E – Joseph faced many ups and downs. He experienced mountain top highs and deep valley lows. But regardless if he was in the pit (Gen. 37), the palace, or prison, God was with him. In any situation Jospeh found himself in he refused to sin against God (v.9). 

Joseph asked a rhetorical question in v.9, “How can I do this?” He knew the answer. He knew that he shouldn’t and couldn’t do such a thing. His first and primary concern was that it was against God’s will. Another man’s wife is off limits. Second, Joseph didn’t want to loose the trust of his integrity. Potiphar, his master, trusted him with everything (v.8). Joseph, had worked hard to gain trust as he allowed the Lord to work in and though him. How could he break that trust? Thirdly, he simply couldn’t do it for the sake of Potiphar. I’m sure because of the position Joseph found himself in that he had a great respect for Potiphar. Why would he want to wrong Potiphar and jeopardize the favor shown to him?

Joseph held his integrity, turning and running away from what he knew he shouldn’t and couldn’t do. Yet, because of the manipulative lies of a woman that couldn’t get her way Joseph found himself back in an unexpected predicament; PRISON. However, this is the greatest thing we can read today to encourage our faithfulness to God, “But the LORD was with Jospeh” (v.21). It was from Jospeh’s obedience that he experienced the steadfast love and favor of God (v.21). And, that would be enough to give him the success needed to keep pressing in God’s purposes (v.23)

A – I cannot dictate all of my life’s journey. Sometimes things happen that are outside of my control. Figuratively speaking I know I have found myself in the uncertainty of the pit, the highs of the palace, and the lows of prison. And, I’m sure I will experience them all again and again. Wherever I am in life, I don’t have to experience it alone. The same God that was with Joseph (v.2, 3, 21, 23) is the same God that will be with me. And the same God that demanded obedience in the OT is the same God that demands obedience today. It is in obedience that I find steadfast love, favor, and successful victory. Therefore, continue to make safeguards in my life that would not lead me to sin against God, loose my integrity, and wrong others. 

R – Lord God, thank you for being with me. Regardless if I’ve been in the pit, the palace, or prison you have made yourself known to me when I take my eyes and problems off of me and look to you. Lord, you have been faithful to rescue me again and again. I praise you for giving me success when I’ve been wronged and forgiveness when I have wronged. Help me to control the things that I do or don’t do today as I look to you. 

In Jesus Name!

[Genesis 25-26]

H – Genesis 25:34, “Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.”

E – Rejecting Our Value!

I don’t know why but when I read the Bible I try to dramatize it as I read (really with any book). It helps in whatever I’m reading come to life in my mind and helps me comprehend it as well. When I read the story of Esau and Jacob I can’t help but picture Esau as a red Grinch (v.25) who never stayed home to go hunting and Jacob as a frail little boy living in his mom’s basement playing video games and watching youtube, only to get up to cook some food. And, don’t you know their nicknames fit the bill. You could call Esau “Ole Red” and Jacob “Heel-Grabber” or “The Cheat” (obviously that was his gamer handle). Now, we know that’s not the way it was. But, it is pretty funny reading “The Red Man ate red stew” (v.30). Come on, SMILE, it’s Friday!!!!!!

Let’s get to the point. There are 2 conflicting personalities within Esau and Jacob. Jacob, overvalued his life, being extremely selfish, to the point that he was willing to do what ever it took to gain more value. He would even lie, steal, and cheat just as long as he came out looking better with more. Esau undervalued his life to the point that he was willing to literally give it away. You may not think this is a big deal, but it’s huge; because its so much bigger than a birthright, who’s older, who does what, who gets what, etc.. 

Read these words, “Thus Esau despised his birthright.” This is the point: Esau undervalued who he was, where he came from, and what future blessings were ahead of him. Esau’s birthright was linked to God’s plan of redemption for the whole world. It was promised! Yet, Esau did not appreciate it.

On the contrary Jacob in Chapter 25 was not righteous, yet he recognized the spiritual value of “the birthright” he was going after. Surely, there would flow promised blessings? So, he went after it. [However, God later made Jacob realize that His promises are not acquired in this way].

But again, look at Esau. Esau sacrificed spiritual provisions to satisfy his physical appetite. All Esau saw was he was hungry, there was food, and he was willing to do whatever was necessary to get it, even if that meant nonchalantly throwing his life away. Do you see it? When we satisfy our physical appetites we will throw away our spiritual provisions. And now, for this families religious heritage, Esau is disqualified to succeed his father. The Bible goes as far as saying in Hebrews 12:16, that Esau was considered “unholy” or “godless” because he rejected the greater blessing, GOD. Thus, rejecting his value. 

A – Don’t allow the physical to undermine the spiritual. Do what it takes. Cling to God, His Word, His Promises, and the Hope that comes through a relationship with King Jesus. 

The Bible gives two clear example of gratifying the desires of our flesh or walking in the fruit of Spirit in Galatians 5. We read in Galatians 5 that the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh (Galatians 5:17). This means I can’t gratify my fleshly appetite and walk in the Spirit at the same time. I’m doing one or the other. 

Know my value in Him. He loved me so much that even while I was a sinner, Jesus died for me. Now, by faith, I am part of the family of God. I have His inheritance. Therefore, I pursue holiness because He (My Father) is holy. 

R – Lord God, thank you for loving me. Thank you for the value you have placed on my life though the blood of Jesus. Lord, thank you that I am part of your family. Help me to never despise who I am and what family I belong to. Lord, you are everything, my most valued possession, and you are enough. 

In Jesus Name!

[Genesis 18-19]

H – Genesis 18:19, “For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring to Abraham what he has promised him.” 

E – Keeping the Way of The LORD!

It is no secret. As a man, husband, and father my greatest ministry is my home. So many times we sacrifice our homes primarily at the alter of ministering to ourselves (selfishly) or others (pridefully). Yes, we are called to minister to others (love your neighbor), but let’s establish priority and order.

God established a covenant with Abraham (Gen. 17). Within this covenant he was to walk with God and be blameless before Him (17:1). He was also to lead the generations after him to walk with God and to be blameless before Him. Now, in Genesis 18:9, God is reminding Abraham of the vitality of His covenant, as Abraham hears of the judgment and destruction that will come to Sodom and Gomorrah, where his nephew Lot and his family reside. 

Let’s break down this simplistic approach that God reminds Abraham of:

1. Remember I have Chosen you.

God chose Abraham for a specific purpose. First, Abraham knew the voice of God. He experienced the calling of God. He trusted in the direction of God and Abraham put his faith in God (He believed God). Second, God chose Abraham to be intimate with Him; to be in a divine relationship with Him. God’s purpose was for Abraham to walk with Him. How could Abraham fulfill what God desired of him if he didn’t first walk with God? It would be impossible. It would be out of his relationship with God that he could rightly live out his next purpose. —>

2. Command your household (wife, children, any offsprings) to walk with God.

Abraham was to lead his family in the way of the LORD as he walk with the LORD. This is a picture of discipleship and the importance of it. Notice the two differences and what would come from how Abraham and Lot lead their families. Abraham’s family flourished. Lot’s family crumbled. 

The word command here means to give charge or set order. It is the fathers duty, calling, and command to set charge and order over his family. The problem, even with Lot’s family, is that many allow our families to set their own path. In other words the man relinquishes his God appointed obligation and lets mother, children, others, set the direction for themselves or each  other around them. Yet, that is not the way of God. It is the man that He has been called to be spiritual leader, protector, provider, etc. over the family. 

Think about Deuteronomy 6:1-9, Psalm 103:13, Psalm 127:3-5, Proverbs 3:11-12, Proverbs 22:6, Malachi 4:6, Luke 15:20-24, Ephesians 6:4. I could have pages of references. You get the point. But, I’d encourage you to read a few of these. 

You and I are either leading our families to pursue after God (by example) or we are pushing them away (by example). Remember actions speak louder than words. 

3. Remember His Promises.

Our greatest act of Worship is to lead our families to Worship by walking in obedience to this Holy God, trusting that His greatest promise is His presence (I will be with you). 

For Abraham and his household, his divine election should result in a people (family) characterized by righteousness and justice, which in turn would result in the Lord fulfilling his promise of worldwide blessing (v.18). In other words, together, they would experience God (until a generation began to take their eyes off of the LORD). 

Here is a great question. Are you and your family experiencing God? How many of us are/will lead our family to pursue holiness, walk with God, be self-controlled, practice humility, love all people, be thankful for all that God has provided, live for something greater than ourselves, stand up for the helpless, serve the world around us, and greatest of all do everything for the glory of God?

A – Remember what God has rescued me from. Remember what God has rescued me for. Walk with God, set the example of walking with God, and set order for my family to do the same. 

R – Lord God, thank you for these great reminders and truths today from you Word. Thank you for calling me, purposing me, and providing everything I need to fulfill it. Lord, help me to take my calling seriously. Thank you for my family. Lord, I pray you would grow us up to be mighty warriors for King Jesus. Thank you for my faith family. God I pray we would be united together around the truths of your Word. Thank you for our community. Help us together to see our community and the needs around it so that we may serve others, share the Gospel, and glorify you. 

In Jesus Name!

[Genesis 16-17]

H – Genesis 17:1–2, “[1] When Abram was ninety-nine years old the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless, [2] that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly.” 

E – The God of Countless 2nd Chances!

As I read through the story of Abram and Sarai (Abraham and Sarah) if find myself asking the same questions they asked God and thought to themselves when they were told they would be used to multiply the earth and build nations in their old age: What? How? When? Yet, we have the privilege of knowing God’s response through His Word; “nothing is to hard for Him” (18:14). This was His plan and it was not to be improvised. 

However, after the “WHAT?” of Abram and Sarai, they took matters into their own hands. Sarai gave her maidservant Hagar to Abram. They conceived and Hagar bore a son and named him Ismael. There is now jealousy and contempt between Hagar and Sarai. And, now the story seems like a soap-opera. But, God never wavered away from His desire. He could have easily wrote Abram and Sarai off and used somebody else. But, He didn’t. That was not His sovereign plan. Abraham and Sarah was His plan. And for Abraham and Sarah to be His plan there was implemented MERCY. 

After blatant disobedience, God gave them a command. These commands of obedience have been consistent throughout history. I believe because it was given to the patriarch of God’s children, the nation of Israel to be past from Abraham throughout the generations. 1) walk before God, 2) be blames, 3) lead others to do the same. 

1. Walk Before God. To walk with someone means that you are associated with someone. It’s a personal implication of being in a tight relationship with another. Can you hear God? Hey Abram! You made a mess, but come walk with me, I want to be in a constant relationship with you. Wow!

2. Be Blameless. To be blameless means to be free of guilt. It’s a picture of one not taking action to be blamed. You could say it is doing the right thing because it is the right thing. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about doing the wrong thing or being blamed. 

3. Lead Others to do the same. Abrahams biblical mandate was to obey God and lead the generations to do the same. It is a picture of discipleship. A leader, leading others to pursue after another. Abraham was to lead others to pursue after God.

These commands lead to two outcomes. God tells Abraham: 1) I will confirm my covenant with you, and 2) I will greatly increase your number. Here, however, a conditional dimension is explicit, indicating that this covenant will benefit only those who walk before God and are blameless (17:9). In other words I have the blessing of His covenant when I obey Him.

A – Today we have the same commands: walk with Him, be blameless, and lead others to do the same. Even if I mess up today He is the God who’s mercies are new every morning. So, I make a daily conscious decision to wake up, walk with Him, be blameless, and lead others to do the same. 

What a wonderful day to walk with the God of 2nd Countless Chances. 

R – Lord God, thank you for being the God of countless second chances. Thank you for desiring a relationship with me. Thank you for using me despite my past failures. Thank you for mercy, grace, and the gift of redemption. Lord, help me to believe your promises are yes and amen. Lord help me, through your Spirit, to constantly walk with you, blameless in your sight through the blood of Jesus, and lead others to walk with you as well.

In Jesus Name!

[Genesis 11-12]

H – Genesis 11:4, “Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.””

E – Self-Sufficient

The Tower of Babel is an interesting story. The people of earth spoke one language, were ambitious and united in an agenda, and self confident in what they were attempting. When you read that it seems like the perfect team. That’s what I want. We can get things accomplished that way. Yes, however, at what expense? 

These untied people were united without recognizing the one of all sufficiency, The LORD. They were self centered, self sufficient, self reliant, seeking self interest. They must have missed the memo of what happened in the Garden of Eden and what happened in the days of Noah. They were, as a society, seeking an independence apart from God, which at its core raises up excessive pride. But, when I step away from pointing the judgmental finger at these people and put the bullseye on me, it’s easy to see myself there as well, at times; doing my own thing, building my own tower, caring about my own name. 

It didn’t take long for the LORD to reveal to these Babelonites that they were not as big, powerful, successful, and sufficient as they thought they were. From the responses of the people, “come let us make a name for ourselves,” the LORD responded, “Come, let us go down and there confuse their language,…….(v.7)”. I can hear the conviction of His Spirit in my heart and head, “So you think YOU have it all figured out? How far do YOU think you can get without me?” I’ve had to hear that more than a few times in my life and it didn’t take long for me to realize I don’t have it all figured out and I can’t do anything without Him. I need HELP!

Obviously, there are consequences galore to the excessive pride of man and this generation was no exception. There is one other clear picture. Even in and through our messes the LORD is still doing a work for His Glory. Though the people were confused, scattered, new languages spoken, and nations formed, the Lord had a plan for the “Good News” of His Glory to spread through a people dependent on Him. 

A – My dependance can never be in me. I must fight against it. My dependance must be in The Lord. Therefore, I humble myself each day, take up my cross, and follow Him. 

R – Lord, I’m nothing without you. Help remind me of that truth. I breathe because you allow it. I move because you allow it. I am because you allow it. Lord, may everything I do be out of overflow and response to what YOU are doing in and through my life. Use my life for your Kingdom and your glory. 

In Jesus Name!

[Job 1-2]

H – Job 1:1, “There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil.”

E – Integrity!

Integrity is defined by the Oxford Dictionary as being honest and having strong moral principles. In other words a person with integrity behaves ethically and does the right thing, even when no one else is looking. Or, from Job’s story, even when things get really bad. 

Job happens to be one of the most prominent figure in the Old Testament. He was wealthy, had plenty of resources, had a lot of servants, and was respected (1:2). However, Job was also a  man of integrity. Even while being extremely blessed through possessions Job was blameless (free of guilt) and upright (in conformity with justice, law, or morality). He did not let his prominence puff up his ego. Job kept priorities in perspective and had a healthy fear of God, to the point that he rejected and turned away from all forms of evil. 

However, a person with integrity never got be a person of integrity without trials to prove their integrity. Job was no exception. Most of us only have small trials here and there. Yet, the enemy (Satan) was allowed full access to Job’s possessions (1:8) and in the realm of a few hours imagine loosing your oxen (500), sheep (7,000), servants (many), camels (3,000), and even all your children (all 10). That is worse than a bad day. That’s a nightmare. That is an I don’t want to even imagine for one second type of pain and heartbreak. There is no doubt that it was certainly painful heartbreak for Job. He reveals to us his humanity by getting up, tearing his cloths, shaving his head, and falling back to the ground (1:20). It was all signs of grief and anguish. How could it not be? Yet, his next response is one that was/is culturally unexpected; He Worshipped!

In all of Job’s grief and anguish he worshipped the LORD. He did not shake his fist skyward and scream, “Why me, Lord?” but bowed to the ground in humble acknowledgment of God’s sovereign will. Do I understand it? NO! But, it is something that Job wisely acknowledged. It was the LORD who had given all and it was the LORD who allowed all to be taken away (1:21). His only response was to bless the name of the LORD.

And, if things couldn’t get worse read Chapter 2. 

However, he remained fast and held his integrity (2:3). He didn’t let others (His wife or friends) dictate how he would respond to the LORD in all that had happened. 

A – Regardless of trials that come my way, situations I face, and circumstances that I must endure I need to be reminded of God’s Sovereignty. That alone should help me be like Job; blameless (free of guilt) and upright (in conformity with justice, law, or morality) because of a healthy reverent awe fear of the Lord God that would lead me to Worship Him in spirit and truth. 

R – Lord God, I acknowledge your sovereignty. Thank you for placing your hand on my life. I know that you will never allow me to face the things that come my way without being there for me and for that I worship you. Lord lead me to blameless and upright living. Help me to not be persuaded by others in to how I respond to you. I pray I will be a man of integrity. 

In Jesus Name!

[Genesis 3-4]

H – Genesis 4:26b, “At that time people began to call upon the name of the LORD.”

E – What does it take to call on His name?

I couldn’t help but pose that question to myself. It’s the first instance in God’s Word that you see someone or a group of people call upon the name of the LORD. It was a pivotal moment in history. There had been a lot of heartache and hurt due to the turning away from the truths of God’s declarations from the beginning of humanity. 

Adam and Eve turned away from His truths, giving in to deception, hiding themselves from the presence of God in great sin and shame. Cain disregarded God’s truths by not giving the LORD his best and hardening his heart against his brother, killing him, being sent away from the presence of God. Lamech continued in this selfish rebellion (until Genesis 5:29-29) by beginning polygamy and allowing another to provoke him to the point of murder as well, even to the point of celebrating his sin. What a great family heritage. Yet, there was one that came to their senses, Seth. 

While still living with great remorse and hurt after Abel’s death, Eve gave birth to another son named Seth. This son was different than his brothers. He had heard about the beginning, the fall, and now humanity’s rebellion from the presence of God. So, when it came time for his son, Enosh, to be born he wasn’t content in the way things had gone. Maybe it was time to listen to the LORD’s Words. To get to that point he had to call upon Him.

What is interesting is the word call also means “to proclaim,” which refers to men testifying about God to one another. It was through Seth’s family that organized, corporate worship of the one true God began to enter the fallen world. Think on this…. It only took one person to call upon the name of the LORD. It only took one person to break the bondage of generational sins.  It only took one person to say enough is enough. It only tool one person to realize there was more to life than what was handed down. It only took one person to set a new precedent of how a family should walk out the LORD’s truths and proclaim them. 

Here is the picture; there is hope for sinful humanity. All we have to do is call upon His great name.

What will it take for you to call upon the LORD? Will you be that person?

A – I have found myself over and over again running away from the presence of the Lord by doing things my way. I have found myself in the predicament of doing things because others did them. But, what a great reminder of the love of God and hope when we call upon His name. 

May that be my application. Never cease to call upon and proclaim His name. 

R – Lord God, thank you for hope. Thank you for not giving up on sinful humanity. You are so good and gracious. Your mercy is unending. Lord, help me to slow down, humble myself, call upon your name, and proclaim it to those you put into my path. 

In Jesus Name!

[Genesis 1-2]

H – Genesis 1:1a, “In the beginning God…….”

E – He is in control!

If you are like me I really don’t get tired of starting a new year, a new reading plan, new goals, and new focus with new priorities. During a time of renewed focus there is usually a whole lot of I, me, we type of stuff going on in my head. How can I do this? What will happen to me if ……? What can we do better? Certainly those are not bad questions at the core and even needed. Especially when a lot of individuals are predicting 2023 to be a year of doom and gloom (don’t watch the news, it is depressing, ha). However, to get to the core of who I am, who I need to be, and where my focus should truly be, I need to take the blinders off of I, me, and we and put it somewhere else. The question is, where do I start?

Let’s start at the beginning. 

Notice every initiative in the first two chapters of Genesis. My count was around the 40 mark for every time you read the words: God created, saw, said, separated, called, made, blessed, formed, took, commanded, and caused. Everything from the very beginning is simply God. The beginning was by His initiative and His authority. 

It was by His authority that everything became so. Notice again every time that God acted, “it was so”.  Wow! What a reality to His powerful Sovereignty. God ______________ and it was so. This LORD God is in control. These were not half-hazard commands of “I hope so’s”. These were intentional commands and they were ‘yes’. He alone had/has the power to speak to every detail of creation and it be done with an emphatically, ‘yes’.

When God took the initiative and it was so, it was perfect. Again, notice every time that God acted and it was so, the writer proclaimed “God saw that it was good,” or better translated, “He was gratified or glorified”. Isn’t that a great truth? When God acts, He is Glorified.

This God who is in control has all authority and power and dominion and it is all for His glory.

There is one other thought as I begin reading in Genesis on this new year. For every beginning there is an end (I’ve read Revelation – 😉 ). And, from beginning to end, this God is in control.

A – Allow God to be my beginning and my end. Submit to His authority, trust His sovereignty, cling to His power, and glorify Him with every good thing He has allowed into my life. 

R – Lord God, you are good. From the very beginning until the very end, you are good. Lord, i proclaim you have all authority, and power, and dominion over my life. God, may you alone be glorified in and through my life. 

In Jesus Name!