Genesis 36:2
“Esau took his wives from the daughters of Canaan…”

Esau was the son of Isaac and the twin brother of Jacob. His life is a study of contrasts. He was an incredibly successful business man, the founder of a nation and upon the return of Jacob from Haran, Esau even serves as a beautiful picture of forgiveness. On the other hand we read that Esau was a secularist who gave little thought to how his decisions would affect eternity; when he was younger he sold his birthright for a bowl of soup and later lost his inheritance to a conniving brother. Perhaps the greatest illustration of his temporal mindedness was in his choice of a bride. Ignoring the warnings of his parents, he chose a wife from among the canaanites whose lives were diametrically opposed to the worldview of Abraham and Isaac.

Sadly, Esau is not alone in this decision. Many people have made very poor relationship decisions driven by loneliness, low self worth, fear of never being loved by another or in some cases simply settling for the first person who shows interest in them. None of these are wise ways to select a suitable marriage partner. Instead we must learn to wait upon the Lord, “fish in the right pond” and allow God to make us into a person who would be a suitable spouse.

Don’t let loneliness or hopelessness drive you to search in the wrong places for someone to spend your life with.

Pastor Jim

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Genesis 33-34 & Matthew 17
Old Testament: Genesis 33- Face Of God

Genesis 33:10
“And Jacob said, ‘No, please, if I have now found favor in your sight, then receive my present from my hand, inasmuch as I have seen your face as though I had seen the face of God, and you were pleased with me.’” … Read More

Genesis 34- Double Standard

Genesis 34:14
“And they said to them, ‘We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one who is uncircumcised, for that would be a reproach to us.’”

If this verse were standing alone in Scripture, it would warrant our unwavering obedience. One of the great pitfalls for Israel, and for us, is when we get involved in unhealthy and ungodly relationships. This has been the downfall of godly men and women throughout the ages, and we would do well to consider ourselves and make sure we … Read More

New Testament: Matthew 17- Glimpse Of Heaven

Matthew 17:1
“Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; . . .”

This event had a tremendous impact upon Peter. Years later, when writing his first… Read More

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Genesis 31-32 & Matthew 16
Old Testament: Genesis 31- God In My Pocket

Genesis 31:34
“Now Rachel had taken the household idols, put them in the camel’s saddle, and sat on them. And Laban searched all about the tent but did not find them.”

… Read More

Genesis 32- The Champion

Genesis 32:28
“And He said, ‘Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.’”

The Bible is filled with fascinating stories and amazing promises. I think it is safe to say, the most amazing events ever recorded are written in the pages of our Bibles. Of all these stories, this one records perhaps the… Read More
New Testament: Matthew 16- Gates Of Hell

Matthew 16:18-19
“And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”… Read More

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Genesis 29-30 & Matthew 15
Old Testament: Genesis 29- Dysfunctional

Genesis 29:26
“And Laban said, ‘It must not be done so in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn.’”

All families have some level of dysfunction, but Jacob’s household was a mess. What started with a surprise unveiling the morning after the wedding, grew into a family with two wives competing for the love of one husband. As time moved on, things got worse rather than better. Children were born into the family out of wedlock, and his… Read More

Genesis 30- Plotting And Scheming 

Genesis 30:32
“Let me pass through all your flock today, removing from there all the speckled and spotted sheep, and all the brown ones among the lambs, and the spotted and speckled among the goats; and these shall be my wages.”

After faithfully serving Laban for twenty years, Jacob decided it was time to return to Canaan. As he prepared to depart, Jacob and Laban met together to discuss his future wages. They determined that all the speckled and spotted sheep would belong to Jacob … Read More

New Testament: Matthew 15- Ministry Principles

Matthew 15:36
“And He took the seven loaves and the fish and gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitude.”

It is against the law to give away what you do not own. If it does not belong to you, it is not yours to give. That is one of the most basic principles that; … Read More

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Genesis 27-28 & Matthew 14
Old Testament: Genesis 27- It Must Be The Lord

Genesis 27:20
“But Isaac said to his son, ‘How is it that you have found it so quickly, my son?’ And he said, ‘Because the LORD your God brought it to me.’”

Isaac was ill and thought death was at his doorstep, so he sent his son Esau into the field to hunt and make him his favorite… Read More
Genesis 28- Terms And Condition

Genesis 28:20-21
“Then Jacob made a vow, saying, ‘If God will be with me, and keep me in this way that I am going, and give me bread to eat and clothing to put on, so that I come back to my father’s house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God.’” … Read More

New Testament: Matthew 14- Why Do You Doubt?

Matthew 14:31
“O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

As Peter’s eyes left Jesus and began to focus on his surroundings, his great faith failed and he began to sink. In desperation he cried out, “Lord, save me” to which Jesus … Read More

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Genesis 25-26 & Matthew 13
Old Testament: Genesis 25-When All Else Fails

Genesis 25:21-22
“Now Isaac pleaded with the Lord for his wife, because she was barren; and the Lord granted his plea, and Rebekah his wife conceived. But the children struggled together within her; and she said, ‘If all is well, why am I like this?’ So she went to inquire of the Lord.”

Have you ever heard the phrase, “When all else fails”? This seems to be the approach of many… Read More

Genesis 26- Curse Or Choice

Genesis 26:7
“And the men of the place asked about his wife. And he said, ‘She is my sister’; for he was afraid to say, ‘ She is my wife,’ because he thought, ‘lest the men of the place kill me for Rebekah, because she is beautiful to behold.’”

A few years back, an interesting term began to circulate through the… Read More

 

New Testament: Matthew 13- Shining Like The Sun

Matthew 13:43
“Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

While explaining the Parable of the Tares, Jesus spoke of the harvest at the end of the age, when all humanity will… Read More

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Genesis 23-24 & Matthew 12
Old Testament: Genesis 23- Foreigner

Genesis 23:4
“I am a foreigner and a visitor among you…”

Abraham was not an emperor or a king, He was not an author, an artist or even a relatively famous man in his day. Yet, he has become one of the most influential… Read More

Genesis 24- Finding A Wife

Genesis 24:4
“You shall go… and take a wife for my son Isaac.”

Relationships are a key part of life. Healthy relationships lead to a good life, and unhealthy relationships will make life very difficult. The most important earthly relationship is marriage, and who you marry is one of the most… Read More

New Testament: Matthew 12- Unforgivable

Matthew 12:31-32
“Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.”… Read More

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Genesis 21-22 & Matthew 11
Old Testament: Genesis 21- The Battle Won

Genesis 21:10
“Therefore she said to Abraham, ‘Cast out this bondwoman and her son; for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, namely with Isaac.’”… Read More

 

Genesis 22- Instead Of Me

Genesis 22:2
“Then He said, ‘Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.’”

Jesus declared the whole Bible… Read More

New Testament: Matthew 11- The Coming one

Matthew 11:3
“Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?”

The circumstances of life often cause us to question God. It is hard sometimes to reconcile what we are going through with who God is; compassionate… Read More

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Genesis 19-20 & Matthew 10
Old Testament: Genesis 19- You’re Kidding

Genesis 19:14
“So Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who had married his daughters, and said, ‘Get up, get out of this place; for the Lord will destroy this city!’ But to his sons-in-law he seemed to be joking
… Read More

Genesis 20- Turning Around

Genesis 20:2
“Now Abraham said of Sarah his wife, ‘She is my sister.’ And Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah.”

Abraham’s journey had led him to the far south of the promised land, to an area that had begun to be occupied by the Philistines. Because of the… Read More

New Testament: Matthew 10- The Twelve

Matthew 10:2-4
“Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him… Read More

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Genesis 17-18 & Matthew 9
Old Testament: Genesis 17- Change

Genesis 17:5
“No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations.”

Juliet asked Romeo, “What… Read More

Genesis 18- Impossible

Genesis 18:14
“Is anything too hard for the Lord?”

This question was not asked on a theology exam, but in a real life situation. A one hundred year old man, and a ninety year old barren woman, were promised a child from whom a great nation would be established. The promises of God were met head on by the circumstances of life, making them seem so far-fetched, both Abraham and Sarah laughed. It was not improbable for a 90 year old woman to have a child, it was impossible. Not… Read More

New Testament: Matthew 9- Be Of Good Cheer

Matthew 9:2
“Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, ‘Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.’”

This chapter introduces us to a man who is facing one of life’s greatest challenges; that of a terrible physical disorder. Being a paralytic would mean he not only missed out on much of the experiences of life that we take for granted, but also, he would be totally dependant upon others. He … Read More