New Beginnings, Day 29 Recognize where our blessings come from. Read Genesis chapter 29. A lot happens in this chapter, and we learn a lot about Jacob and who he is. We also realize that he meets his match in his uncle Laban, as far as deceitfulness is concerned. But today, this verse about Leah really struck me. Leah was in a difficult situation. She was unloved in marriage and God saw that. God took care of her, but Leah didn’t recognize that. The first three sons she had, she thought she could use that to be able to make Jacob love her, instead of recognizing where those blessings came…

New Beginnings, Day 28 Stairway to heaven. Read Genesis chapter 28. Despite what any song may say, this is the original, and the only stairway to heaven. As we read about Jacob’s dream and seek to understand how this applies to him, we see that God was letting him know he’s with him. He is there. It didn’t matter what Jacob was going through and didn’t matter where he was going to, he needed to understand that God was always going to be with him. As we go through new beginnings and move toward the new things that God has for us, we need to understand that God is with…

New Beginnings, Day 27 “Do what I say.” Read Genesis chapter 27. Parents have a greater responsibility. Similar to leaders, they are giving advice and counsel to others so what they tell people to do matters. Rebekah wanted what she wanted for her don and she directed him to do it. While she said to let the consequences fall on her, it’s hard to believe that she had really thought them through. Do we make rash decisions and then lead others in those as well? Do we really think through the consequences of what we are saying and directing others to do? How can we lead people to do like…

New Beginnings, Day 26 Peace. Read Genesis chapter 26. In this chapter, we learn much more about Isaac the man. Typically throughout scripture, we think of Isaac as either the son of Abraham or as the father of Jacob and Esau. Rarely do we think of him as his own person. This chapter allows us to get a glimpse into who Isaac was as a man. We see that he had several of the same faults as his father, but we also see him as the consummate peacemaker. He is always looking for a way in which to live in peace and harmony with those around him. It does not…

New Beginnings, Day 25 Excessive. Read Genesis chapter 25. Rebekah wasn’t the only woman to have her kids wrestle around in her womb, but it must have been so excessive since she went to ask God about it. It’s amazing to think about how much movement would have been considered excessive, and just how much fussing and fighting was going on between Jacob and Esau before they were even born. God obviously had planned for all of that, but it’s interesting to realize that Rebekah wanted to understand what that plan was and why things seemed to be unusual. Do we try to fix them or do we go to…

New Beginnings, Day 24 Take action. Read Genesis chapter 24. As we read through this chapter today, we see the amazing story of God’s provision through relationship. There is a plan for Isaac and God makes a way for Rebekah to be identified as the one for him, but ultimately, Rebekah has to make a choice and a decision to actually go with the servant. She had people on both sides of the issue around her. But, she made the decision to go. For us, we are always going to be asked by God to be obedient, but there will always be action that must be taken. We need to…

New Beginnings, Day 23 Abraham experiences loss. Read Genesis chapter 23. After the incredible faithfulness of God from yesterday’s chapter, it can be a little difficult to read this chapter and understand that Abraham experiences loss. He grieves just like any of us who have gone through tremendous loss. He looks to find a way to honor Sarah and her memory and buys a field for her burial. He doesn’t even argue over the price with the person. He pays the full price the person asks for the field. When we experience loss, part of learning to move forward through that is finding a way to honor that person in…

New Beginnings, Day 22 God’s provision. Read Genesis chapter 22. This chapter has always intrigued me because there is so little emotion written into the text. We see the facts of what happens, but not the emotions. Given everything that is going on, we know this had to be a tremendously emotional event in the lives of everyone involved. Yet very little time is spent by the Holy Spirit conveying the emotions of the moment. Ultimately the emotions of the moment aren’t what matters. We can be feeling any number of ways when God asks us to do his will. That is not the focus. The focus is on obedience…

New Beginnings, Day 21 Laughter. Read Genesis chapter 21. A couple of chapters ago we saw Sarah get called out and criticized for laughing at God’s plan for her, and yet here we see her laughing in a different way. God has fulfilled what he promised her, and she laughs at the amazingness of God. The laughter is a rejoicing and a praising, not a mocking. She invites everyone else to rejoice and praise through laughter with her. When we look at the amazing things that God does, we can enjoy them. Laughter is a part of enjoyment and our ability to enjoy the movement of God in our life…

New Beginnings, Day 20 Oops. Read Genesis chapter 20. Abraham has seen God do amazing things. He has heard God tell him that he’s going to continue to do amazing things, and yet, Abraham makes a massive mistake and doesn’t trust God. Abraham finds himself in a situation surrounded by several powerful countries, and he resorts back to an old trick of his, which is saying that his wife is actually his sister. He’s afraid for his life thinking that people will kill him to be able to take his wife. What happens is that they end up taking her anyway, but this time God is extremely upset and punishes…