Tag: SOAP

Posted in Bible study, Come, Lord Jesus, Come, LGG Study

The Last Hour

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(Love God Greatly: Come, Lord Jesus, Come – week 1, day 5)

Today’s Reading: 1 John 2:18-19 (SOAP: 18-19)

18 Dear children, the last hour is here. You have heard that the Antichrist is coming, and already many such antichrists have appeared. From this we know that the last hour has come. 19 These people left our churches, but they never really belonged with us; otherwise they would have stayed with us. When they left, it proved that they did not belong with us. 1 John 2:18-19 NLT

John warns against the Antichrist*

John defines an antichrist as “he who denies the Father and the Son” (1 John 2:22), does not confess Jesus (1 John 4:3), and does not confess Jesus as coming in the flesh (2 John 1:7). We find him here in verses 18-19 of 1 John 2 talking about how many have already appeared and that this indicates “the last hour has come”. In verse 19, John also gives us details of how we will know them. The details are both shocking and concerning. First, the shocking detail is we will know them because they were part of our churches. Which leads me to the concerning detail, they were a part of our churches. They were those thought to be brothers and sisters in Christ, most likely even leaders in the church. The encouraging news is that once they go out from us we will know them for what and who they are, antichrists, those who are against Christ and who deny the Father and the Son. Surely our concern should be for their souls. However, it seems the greater concern for the body is knowing that they may be among us. At the very least it is certainly a reminder and encouragement to know the Scriptures well and be alert to the teaching we receive and the conversations we have, so that we are not duped into believing or following false teachers, preachers, or – as John so aptly names them -antichrists. One other thought that strikes me as important is that because they dwell among us they know the things we teach and how we act and what is expected which means they may be difficult to distinguish.

*The term ‘antichrist’ here is not the same as the term “The Antichrist” found in the book of Revelation.

Response to the Word

Father, help us to stay alert, not only does our adversary, the devil, prowl around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour, there may be antichrists among us. Perhaps it will be a teacher, a pastor, a friend, or a family member that we believe are true followers of Jesus Christ but who will sadly one day reveal themselves as being against Jesus and all that we believe. Oh give us eyes to see, minds that are alert, and hearts that are so filled with Your Word and awake to Your Spirit that we will not be deceived. Prod us to pray for these antichrists Father that their hearts will be changed while they dwell among us and they will turn to You and not against You. These things I pray in Jesus’ name and for Your glory!

Your Turn: Reflections

  • Is everyone who goes to church also going to heaven?
  • What does 1 John 2:18-19 say about this?
Posted in Bible study, Come, Lord Jesus, Come, From the Insideout, LGG Study

One Who Holds Evil Back

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Today’s Reading: 2 Thes 2:1-17 (SOAP: verses 7-8)

 For this lawlessness is already at work secretly, and it will remain secret until the one who is holding it back steps out of the way. 8 Then the man of lawlessness will be revealed, but the Lord Jesus will slay him with the breath of his mouth and destroy him by the splendor of his coming. 2 Thes. 2:7-8

Considering the amount of evil and “lawlessness” that is in the world today, would it surprise you to know that God is restraining evil even now? Well, that is what this passage is saying. Until the Holy Spirit, the only one who can truly hold back sin, is removed there is a restraint in force. Bibleref.com explains it like this:

Currently, the restrainer holds back lawlessness, but he will be removed someday. When he is out of the way, lawless activities will culminate through the man of lawlessness. But who is the restrainer? Only the Holy Spirit has the power to hold back sin from becoming full blown. He does this through His convicting ministry. Jesus taught that the Holy Spirit would convict the world of sin and righteousness and judgment (John 16:8). He will do so through Jesus’ followers, but at the rapture Jesus’ followers will be removed from the earth, and the earthly influence of Holy Spirit, who dwells in us, will be greatly diminished. While the Holy Spirit will still be on the earth, His unique sin-restraining ministry through saved believers will be gone: He will no longer convict the world of sin through believers. Therefore, lawlessness will reach an unprecedented manifestation.

https://www.bibleref.com/2-Thessalonians/2/2-Thessalonians-2-7.html

Paul warns the Thessalonians, as he has others, not to be easily shaken by false messages. He encourages them that the last days and the events that have been described will all happen in God’s timing and that the “lawless one” will be destroyed. We would be wise to hold on to this same encouragement from Paul. How much easier will it be to hold on the hope we have in Christ when we know that He is going to one day destroy His enemies.

Response to the Word

Father, again – help me – help us – not be shaken by false messages. And keep us faithfully living as salt and light in Jesus’ Name!

Your Turn:

Reflections
  • Based on 2 Thes 2:7-8, how will the Lord destroy the lawless one mentioned in these verses?
  • What does that show you about our Lord?
Posted in Bible study, Come, Lord Jesus, Come, LGG Study

Scoffers Will Come

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Today’s Reading: 2 Peter 3:1-13; (SOAP: verses 3-4)

knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. 4 They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.”

2 Peter 3:3-4 ESV

Putting It In Perspective:

To put these verses in perspective, according to the Cambridge English Dictionary a scoffer is someone who laughs and speaks about a person or idea in a way that shows that they think that person or idea is stupid or silly. This is important for us to understand as we prepare our minds and hearts for the last days.

Scripture paints a vivid picture of how the disciples and apostles carried on the work of Christ after He ascended into heaven. It also gives details of how they were persecuted, challenged with questions, arrested, and stoned to death because of their beliefs and the message they shared. Without question they were made to feel stupid and silly for the message they preached and the beliefs they professed but they continued to deliver the message with great conviction. Likewise, there will be those today who make us doubt our beliefs, perhaps leaving us feeling stupid or silly for what we profess but we must hold tight to the TRUTH and continue to make it known as we wait for His return.

We must hold tight to the truth and continue to make it known as we wait with Hope for His return.

Response to the Word:

Father, keep me alert to the scoffers and ready to share the truth and please overwhelm any seeds of doubt the scoffers plant. Remind me often of Your promises and help me to wait with hope and confidence, faithfully spreading the message and encouraging others to hold on to the hope we have been given in Christ. It is so tempting to pray “come quickly Lord Jesus but I am reminded of those who have not yet believed and my prayer is changed to – thanking You for the strength You give us as we wait and for Your mercy that is not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance. – In Jesus’ Name – Amen

Your Turn:

Reflection
  • What should our response be to the scoffers and naysayers in our lives?
  • What do you think is the best way to love them?
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Posted in Bible study, Come, Lord Jesus, Come, LGG Study

In the Days of Noah

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Today’s Reading: Luke 17:26-37 (SOAP: verses 26-27) 

Just as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man. They were eating and drinking and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.

Luke 17: 26-27
The Flood Is Coming

When asked by one of the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus’ reply was that – “The Kingdom of God can’t be detected by visible signs. You won’t be able to say, ‘Here it is!’ or ‘It’s over there!’ For the Kingdom of God is already among you.” (Luke 17:20-21 NLT) He continues the conversation with His disciples letting them know that there would false claims of the kingdom’s arrival and warned them not to follow those people. He then makes the comparison to the days of Noah so they would understand that just as the people in Noah’s day were living life as usual and totally caught off guard when the flood came – so it would be when the Son of Man comes.

If you go back and read the story of Noah, you will see that Noah doesn’t just wait for the flood waters to come but he follows the Lord’s instructions and he makes ready for the flood.

“When everything was ready, the Lord said to Noah, “Go into the boat with all your family, for among all the people of the earth, I can see that you alone are righteous.”

Genesis 7:1
God’s Call To Us

God called Noah to build an ark and was specific in telling him when it was time to go into the ark as well as who and what to take aboard. God isn’t sending another flood but He is sending His Son for those that are His and He called us to be ready. “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ” is the command and the outcome, like Noah’s, is “[we] will be saved”. He also gave us another command that is not included or even eluded to in the account of Noah – and that is to tell others the good news so that they might believe and be saved, Mark 16:15. Jesus, Himself, set the example as He went about preaching “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near”. Scripture makes it clear that only those covered by the blood of Christ will be saved, and this salvation only happens by grace through faith, Ephesians 2:8-9. It is a gift of God to all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Noah received a lot of detailed instructions as to the building of the ark and he completed it and was ready when the waters rose. What about you? Will you be ready when the Son of Man returns? Have you believed in the Lord Jesus Christ? Oh how I hope you have. If you haven’t please message me and let me share His message with You – so that when He returns or when death comes you will find favor in the eyes of the Lord.

Response to God’s Word

Father – rescue the perishing. Thank you for saving me and for the hope of eternity. Use me to tell others the good news so that they will be saved and have the hope of eternity through the blood of Jesus! In whose name I pray – Amen

Your Turn:
Reflections
  • How are the days of Noah similar to today?
  • How are they different?
Posted in Bible study, Come, Lord Jesus, Come, LGG Study

The Last Days

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Today’s Reading: 2 Timothy 3 (SOAP verses 1-5)

 But understand this, that in “the last days”* there will come times of difficulty.  For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,  heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. 

2 Timothy 3:1-5 ESV

*Because we will read and discuss the term “in the last days” a lot in the coming weeks I wanted to define it a bit at the onset. We will learn more as we go but I believe it will be helpful to have some understanding now to help clarify what we are studying.

Acts 2:17; 2 Peter 3:3; James 5:3; and Hebrews 1:2 all make references to “the last days”. According to Bibleref.com, the term “last days’ is not always a reference to a time yet to come but can also refer to one already here – in this case – since the church age began.

BibleRef.com on “last days”, 2 Timothy 3:1
understanding the Passage

Because the passage begins with, “But, understand this…” to truly understand Paul’s meaning we must look back to what was just said. In this case, 2 Timothy 2, where he has just been encouraging Timothy to be a good worker in the faith, an honorable vessel for the Lord, one that God would approve and who correctly explains the word of truth. Paul tells Timothy to live as one who flees youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart so that those who have been caught up in the ways of the devil might be turned to the Truth of God. This leads us to the passage before us today – “But understand this, in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,  heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good,  treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,  having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people …”

Paul saw the reality of these people in his day and they still grow worse today. Surely we understand Paul’s warning that the “last days” will be difficult ones. Because we understand it we would be wise to look at the rest of the passage and ask ourselves the following questions:

  • Whose teaching am I following? (2 Timothy 2:15-19)
  • Am I equipped well, so that I won’t be misled? (Ps. 119:11) (2 Tim. 3:16-17)
  • Am I confident and continuing in the Scriptures? (Pro. 4:20-24)
  • Am I dedicated, committed to follow) God? (Joshua 24:15) (Ps 37:5) (Luke 9:23-24)

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT
Response to the Word

Father – the day is coming and has now come and we see the reality of Paul’s words with our eyes! Help us to to be dedicated and stand firm in godly living. Do not let us be led astray. Do not let us grow weary and lose heart and please keep us alert to Your Spirit who reminds of Your Word and corrects us when we are wrong. Keep us alert not only to Your Word but to our brothers and sisters in Christ who are standing on shaky ground or who have wandered from the faith – that we might encourage and exhort them to stand firm. Move us to pray for those who are evil and those who are weak, that their eyes might be opened and their hearts might believe and be forever changed through salvation in Jesus Christ! – To Your Glory! – Amen

Your Turn
Reflections: I invite you to share your answer in the comment section –
  • According to 2 Timothy 3:1-5, what are some ways we can live differently than the people described in these verses?

Only through the Scripture will we be able to stand firm –

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Posted in Bible study, Come, Lord Jesus, Come, LGG Study

Come, Lord Jesus, Come

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A Love God Greatly Study: Preview for Week 1, In The Last Days

Our Verse for the Journey: Hebrews 10:24-25

For this journey our verse(s) come from week 6 of our study. I encourage you to write the verses down on a note card or even several cards so that you have one in your car, your kitchen, your bedroom, your desk at work …. wherever you frequently find yourself. Read it at least 3 times every day, and over the course of the 6-week journey, begin trying to remember the words or phrases without looking. Lean on the Spirit for help – after all, John 14:26 says that our advocate, the Holy Spirit, was given to teach us all things and to remind us of all He said.

Why?

I believe that it is important to hide Scripture away in our hearts, to be familiar with all of it, and to remember as much of it as we can. after all it promises benefits in this life and in the life to come. Such as …

  • It brings life to those who find them and healing to the whole body (Prov. 4:20-22)
  • It is a light to guide our path (Ps. 119:105)
  • It is a weapon against sin (Ps 119:11)
  • It judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Hebrews 4:12)
  • It trains us in righteousness and prepares us for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
  • It helps us stay pure (Ps 119:9)
  • It’s a way to know God and what He wants for His children (John 1:1) and expects from them (James 1:22)

Throughout every journey, we will read and sometimes reread many passages, the LGG Studies will promote a memory/focus verse each week, but I like to zero in on one verse that we look at throughout the entire study with the hope of knowing it by the end of the journey. Before you say “I can’t,” remember we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Phil 4:13), especially when it is something He wants us to do – and I promise you, without question, He wants us to be so familiar with His Word that it’s like we have it hidden in our heart. There are all sorts of creative ways to remember and become more and more familiar with His Word. I’ll be happy to share them with you throughout the weeks ahead.

Week 1 Challenge:

We know Jesus is coming back! Though we don’t know the exact day or time, we do know each day we are given is one day closer to His return. Keeping that truth in mind this week, set aside time to:

  • pray for the salvation of any of your unsaved family and friends.
  • Pray that God will use you in their lives to help them experience Him through you.
  • Pray that God will open their hearts and minds to His saving grace and for their need for it.
  • Pray for the Holy Spirit to move powerfully through you and –
  • pray for these friends and family members to respond to God’s free gift of salvation.
Posted in Bible study, Choosing God Instead of the World, LGG Study

The Grand Finale

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WEEK 6, DAY 5 OF CHOOSING GOD INSTEAD OF THE WORLD, A LOVE GOD GREATLY STUDY

Scripture Reading: Genesis 1:31, 3:4-6, 6:5-8, 18:22-25, (SOAP – Genesis 50:19-20)

But Joseph answered them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 As for you, you meant to harm me, but God intended it for a good purpose, so he could preserve the lives of many people, as you can see this day.  NLT
OBSERVATION:

THE GENESIS SAGA:

Ah, the grand finale of Genesis. It was in our reading and devotional yesterday, and we are circling back to it today. Too much? I don’t think so. It bears great witness to Joseph’s character and to God’s sovereignty, both wonderful examples and encouragement to the Christian faith.

As we noted yesterday, following the death of their father, the brother’s treacherous act of selling Joseph into slavery comes back to haunt them, prompting them to fear Joseph’s revenge in the absence of their father. Joseph reassures his brothers that there will be no revenge – that is left in the hands of God. While what they did was intended to harm him God not only knew and allowed it but He used what they were doing for His good purpose. The purpose, as He points out, was to preserve the lives of many people, which they can clearly see has been accomplished.

Other Notable Observations:

  • God pronounced His creation – “very good!”
  • The man and woman fell prey to the serpent’s words and chose the fruit instead of God
  • The LORD regretted making humankind because their wickedness was so great
  • Noah found favor in the sight of the LORD
  • Abraham pleaded with God to not destroy the good with the evil
APPLICATION: HOW THEN SHOULD WE LIVE?

We must not let our sins of the past make us fearful of the present or future.

We must trust in God and His power to accomplish good purposes even out of evil actions.

Prayer: Response to God’s Word.

Father, thank You for the beautiful story of Jacob and Joseph and the cast of characters that have been a part of this study. A study that has focused us on choosing You instead of what the world offers and we so often desire. Thank You for Your sovereignty, Your Presence, and Omniscience that gives us hope – even in the things that seem hopeless. We live in a world that is rampant with evil but we are reminded that You are always at work to accomplish Your “good purposes – for Your Kingdom, Your people, and the world.” Fix our eyes on You so that we do not lose sight of Your calling on our lives to trust You in all things. – In His Name and power – Amen!

YOUR TURN:PERSONAL REFLECTIONS
  • In what ways have you seen God turn something intended by others to harm you into something good?
Posted in Bible study, Choosing God Instead of the World, LGG Study

Reassurance and A Call for Courage

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WEEK 6, DAY 4 OF CHOOSING GOD INSTEAD OF THE WORLD, A LOVE GOD GREATLY STUDY

Scripture Reading: Genesis 49:29-50:26; Exodus 13:19; John 14:1-3 (SOAP – John 14:1-3)

 “Do not let your hearts be distressed. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 There are many dwelling places in my Father’s house. Otherwise, I would have told you, because I am going away to make ready a place for you. 3 And if I go and make ready a place for you, I will come again and take you to be with me, so that where I am you may be too. John 14:1-3NLT
OBSERVATION:

Today’s Focus Verse: John 14:1-3

The words found in John chapter 14:1-3 are words of reassurance spoken by Christ to His disciples. “In the last few moments, Jesus has indicated one of the disciples is a deceiver (John 13:21) and predicted Peter will deny knowing Him at all (John 13:38; Luke 22:34). This comes in the context of frequent references to His impending death (John 12:7, 23–24).”1 His words may sound like a pep talk to be more upbeat but in reality the term for “troubled” or “distressed” is more of “a call for courage.” Like Jacob and Joseph, who trusted in God’s promise yet to come we must trust Jesus when He says He will come again to take us to be with Him.

1 All quotes from BibleRef.com on John 14:1

THE GENESIS SAGA:

We have traveled a long way with Jacob, watching him from the time he was in his mother’s womb up to his dying breath in Egypt. We will now travel back with him to Canaan, where he will be buried with his father and his father before him, an important expression of his faith in the promise that God would one day make him into a great nation. We are given a front row seat to the days following his death and to the Egyptian’s way of mourning, including the embalming of his body which was typically a custom reserved for those of status, such as Joseph. Although in this case the embalming would have helped keep Jacob’s body from decaying on their long trip back to Canaan.

Following the days of mourning and burial the brothers began to think about the situation and played the ‘what if’ game – “What if Joseph bears a grudge and wants to repay us in full for all the harm we did to him?” Joseph once again assures them that he is content that what they meant for evil God meant for good and by it had preserved the life of many people. He tells them not to be afraid and consoles them — now this is love.

Joseph’s death is recorded in this same chapter. When he was 110 years old. Before he died, like his father, he trusted in the promise yet to come and was concerned about the final resting place of his bones and he made the “sons of Israel” promise to carry his bones up from Egypt to the land God would one day lead them to in fulfillment of His promise. (Note: Our reading from Exodus 13:19 is the fulfillment of his bones being taken up from there.)

Other Notable Observations:
  • Joseph had to request permission from Pharaoh and Pharaoh gladly allowed it
  • Joseph was not looking to ‘escape’ his life in Egypt
APPLICATION: HOW THEN SHOULD WE LIVE?

There are many different customs and various traditions when it comes to burials and funerals today. Embalming and cremation are both common choices now. Viewings and services are less and less a two-day event and are even veering toward celebrations of life rather than loud mourning and wailing. Regardless of how different these practices are from Jacob’s time the thing that hit me most in reading today’s passages is we do not have to worry about where our bones will be. Christ has given us His full assurance that He will come again and take us to be with Him.

Jesus encourages the people not to let death be a cause for fear or stress, but rather a call for courage. It’s a courage that comes from trusting in God, the Father and the Son – knowing God’s provision through the Son and the Son’s provision through His death and resurrection.

Prayer: Response to God’s Word.

Father God, thank You that we do not have to worry about where our bones are buried, or for that matter where the bones of Jesus are buried. Thank You for the work of Jesus on our behalf – who made a way for us to take Him with us everywhere we go and has gone before us to prepare a place where we will be forever with You – to which I say Hallelujah and Amen!

YOUR TURN:PERSONAL REFLECTION:
  • Have you accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior? If so, do you believe He is preparing a place for you?
  • How can you live in light of this marvelous promise?
Posted in Bible study, Choosing God Instead of the World, LGG Study

Living Dependent On God

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WEEK 6, DAY 3 OF CHOOSING GOD INSTEAD OF THE WORLD, A LOVE GOD GREATLY STUDY

Scripture Reading: Genesis 49:1-28; Psalm 139:1-6 and 16 (SOAP – Psalm 139:16)

Your eyes saw me when I was inside the womb.
All the days ordained for me
were recorded in your scroll
before one of them came into existence.  Psalm 139:16  NLT
OBSERVATION:
Today’s Focus Passage:

I love knowing that God is all-knowing (omniscient), all-present (omnipresent), and all-powerful (omnipotent). While we might find ourselves wishing He didn’t see and know every thought, word, deed, or – thing left undone, especially those things that we know He would be less than pleased with – the Bible makes it very clear – nothing escapes Him! He knows when we sit down and get up. He knows our motives and is aware of every word, or as David says, “thoroughly aware”. While the reality of this may be a bit daunting at times, God’s all-knowing power is a blessing beyond our comprehension. It serves as both conviction and warning, but is equally a source of encouragement to know that He has seen us and known us since before we were born. He knows everything about us, everyday of our lives from beginning to end. This is the encouragement we need to live, as Joseph did, dependent on God instead of self or the world. There is something freeing about placing my trust in the One who knows everything and everything about me.

THE GENESIS SAGA:

As Jacob nears the end of his life he calls his sons together to share what he knows about the days ahead of them. His words are both a revelation of how their choices have affected their future and confirmation of which of the twelve will receive his greatest blessing. I think what I love most about the words he spoke to and about Joseph is that they were full of encouragement. Jacob had lived 147 years and was able to assure Joseph that he would succeed because his God, the God of his father, the Powerful One, the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel, would help him. The Sovereign God would richly bless him. The blessings he would know would be greater than any tangible or desirable thing he could hope for.

Other Notable Observations:

  • Joseph’s line, through his sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, would multiply greatly
APPLICATION: HOW THEN SHOULD WE LIVE?

Clearly from David’s words in Psalm 139 and the example we have seen in Jacob and Joseph through this journey – we should live dependent on God – the Powerful One, the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel, the Sovereign God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. We would be wise to live as James taught – not as those who say, today I will do this or that – but If the Lord is willing, then we will live and do this or that James 4:14-15 As we have seen and said many times along the way, we should live by FAITH not by sight – faith not just in Jesus but in God’s omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent power.

Prayer: Response to God’s Word.

Father, You have already plotted the course of my life, You know the beginning from the end. I praise You for this knowledge – it is comfort and peace and strength, as well as – much needed conviction. Help me to live in dependence on You, walking by faith and not by sight, and fully surrendered to Your all-knowing, all-wise, all powerful, and present will. To Your honor and eternal glory – Amen!

YOUR TURN:PERSONAL REFLECTIONS
  • What is your reaction to hearing that God knew all of your days before one of them came to be?
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Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study

By Faith

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WEEK 6, DAY 2 OF CHOOSING GOD INSTEAD OF THE WORLD, A LOVE GOD GREATLY STUDY

Scripture Reading: Genesis 47:28-48:22; Isaiah 55:8-9; Philippians 1:6; Hebrews 11:13 and 21 (SOAP – Proverbs 8:12-17)

13 These all died in faith without receiving the things promised, but they saw them in the distance and welcomed them and acknowledged that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth. ... 21 By faith Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph and worshiped as he leaned on his staff.  NLT
OBSERVATION:
Today’s Focus Verse(s): Hebrews 11:13 and 21

The author of Hebrews writes of those who not only lived by faith but “died in faith without ever receiving the things promised.” Consider Jacob, who was told that he would become a great nation, but at a time very near his death he still had not seen this come to pass. Yet, like his fathers before him – he still believes and prepares for death by passing the blessing on to the generations coming behind him. The author of Hebrews makes it clear that the faith of God’s people was always looking forward to what they could not see but chose to trust was coming. This is the faith we are meant to have, which is why the Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians about walking by faith and not by sight.

For we walk by faith and not by sight.

2 Corinthians 5:7

THE GENESIS SAGA:

Jacob had lived in Egypt for seventeen years now and was 147 years old. Scripture says, “The time for Israel to die …” After securing Joseph’s promise to bury him – not in Egypt – but in his own burial place the time came when Jacob told Joseph that his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, would be like his own. Shortly after this, he pronounced a blessing on the boys. However, even though Joseph took great care to place the boys in a position that would have ensured Jacob’s blessing on the older – he looked up to find that for some reason Jacob had crossed his hands and had pronounced the blessing belonging to the oldest son, Manasseh, on Ephraim. Jacob let Joseph know it wasn’t a mistake that the younger would be greater, but assured him that the boys would both become great nations.

Other Notable Observations:

The other verses included into today’s journey point us to trusting and respecting that God is in complete and perfect control of all things.

APPLICATION: HOW THEN SHOULD WE LIVE?

We are to walk, worship, and pray by FAITH, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7)

We would do well to remember that TRUST > SIGHT

Prayer: Response to God’s Word.

Father, thank You for the saints who have gone before us. Help us to walk by faith – in Jesus’ Name! – Amen

YOUR TURN:PERSONAL REFLECTIONS
  • In what area of your life is it easiest for you to trust God?
  • In what area of your life is it most difficult for you to trust God?
  • Why is it necessary to submit to God’s plans when they are different from yours?