Kristi Burchfiel

VERSE:Genesis 28:11b–for he thought, “I am afraid that he too may die like his brothers.” So Tamar went and lived in her father’s house.TRUTH:Have we ever failed to do something out of fear? We are to be obedient to God no matter what is going on in our lives and not give in to fear.RESPONSE:Lord, help me to be obedient to You regardless of any fear I have.

VERSE:Genesis 37:5–Then Joseph had a dream and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him even more.TRUTH:Jealousy is so common; we’re jealous of others and others are jealous of us. God has purpose and plan for everyone and we are to be faithful to Him regardless of what He seems to be doing for others or what others think of us.RESPONSE:God, help me to not be jealous of other people and to be at peace being faithful to You throughout this New Year.

VERSE:Genesis 36:7–For their property had become too great for them to live together and the land where they sojourned could not sustain them because of their livestock.TRUTH:God had again blessed Jacob and Esau. They increased and grew and they eventually had to separate. God knew that Jacob’s descendants would have difficulty resisting the sins that Esau’s descendants had already committed. Sometimes change is difficult, but God knows what is best and He works these situations out for His glory.RESPONSE:Lord, as we look forward to a New Year, thank You for the blessing of this past year. Help us go through the changes that will come this year and may You…

VERSE:Genesis 35:4–So 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.TRUTH:When we come to God, we must decide that we are leaving everything for Him. We must take all the other things which we were relying on and trusting in and let them go. The Lord is the only one worthy of our trust and we must follow Him completely.RESPONSE:Lord, I praise You and thank You for being my one and only. Help me to know and find all things through You.

VERSE:Genesis 34:13–But Jacob’s sons answered Shechem and his father Hamor with deceit, because he had defiled Dinah their sister.TRUTH:Being wronged does not give us the right to wrong others. These brothers were understandably outraged at the treatment of their sister. But, that does not justify their slaughter of all the men of the city. Do we try to justify our actions or do we allow God to speak and work on our behalf.RESPONSE:God, I thank You for all that You do and the way You defend me. I pray You will help me to wait on Your timing when facing situations where I have been wronged.

VERSE:Genesis 33:8–And he said, “What do you mean by all this company which I have met?” and he said, “To find favor in the sight of my lord.”TRUTH:What are we willing to sacrifice to be reconciled to people. For Jacob, he sacrificed many things to be able to be at peace with his brother. Do we value peace? Are we willing to sacrifice in areas that God gives us to be reconciled with others.RESPONSE:Lord, help me to live at peace and teach me what I ought to sacrifice to be reconciled with others.

VERSE:Genesis 32:28–He said, “Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel; for you have striven with God and with men and have persevered.”TRUTH:Many times, instead of taking us around or out of the difficult times, God allows us to come through the difficulties. God helps us to come through and to know what it means to depend on God as we go through these times.RESPONSE:Lord, thank You for the struggles. Help me to see You more clearly as I move through the difficulties in life.

VERSE:Genesis 31:19–When Laban had gone to shear his flock, then Rachel store the household idols that were her father’s.TRUTH:Certain things can be very difficult to let go of. The Lord knows this and calls us to leave everything and follow Him. Rachel couldn’t let go of the idols and as a result, was willing to steal to be able to have them. What are we holding on to that causes us to sin?RESPONSE:Lord, I pray You will help me leave everything behind and follow You.

VERSE:Genesis 30:26–Give me my wives and my children for whom I have served you, and let me depart; for you yourself know my service which I have rendered you.TRUTH:Jacob had stayed and faithfully served Laban according to their arrangement. No he wanted to go and provide for his own family directly. Do we stand up and take responsibility for the areas that God has given us?RESPONSE:Lord, as we celebrate Your birth, help me take responsibility for the areas You have given me.