In chapter 27 of Genesis, it has become apparent Isaac wants to bless Esau before he dies.  When Rebekah learned that Isaac was preparing to bless Esau, she quickly devised a plan to trick him into blessing Jacob instead.  Although God had already told her that Jacob would become the family leader, Rebekah took matters into her own hands.  She resorted to doing something wrong to try to bring abou...  Read More

In today's chapters, we can read about Abraham’s life coming to an end. We can identify the impact of how trusting and obeying God marked his life, the promises that were fulfilled, resulting in blessings to him and his offspring, especially Isaac. We get to know how Isaac started his family, the dynamics between them; several situations they live, and the way they faced them.  Read More

Have you heard Kyle say “God doesn’t want to know if you can, He wants to know if you will”? Genesis 22 comes to my mind when I think of that chapter. God challenged Abraham and Isaac to obedience and they passed the test. God knew it would be so very hard for Abraham to sacrifice his son, as God himself did. God allowed Abraham to say “yes”, but then allowed him the grace of the ram to take Isaac’s place. He wanted to know if Abraham would.  Read More

Summaries for Genesis chapters 19 to 21: Genesis 19: Sodom and Gomorrah are destroyed. Lot's wife turns into a pillar of salt. Lot's daughters conceive children by him. Genesis 20: Abraham claims Sarah is his sister. King Abimelech takes her, but God warns him. Abimelech returns Sarah and gives gifts to Abraham. Genesis 21: Isaac is born. Hagar and Ishmael are sent away but God provides for them. Abraham makes a treaty with Abimelech. These chapters may bring up more questions than answers. Remember people make horrible mistakes thinking they are right in their words or actions. God shows us His Patience, Love and Mercy.  Read More

Genesis 16: This chapter tells the story of Hagar and Ishmael. Sarai, Abram's wife, is unable to bear children and gives her Egyptian maidservant, Hagar, to Abram to conceive a child. Hagar becomes pregnant, leading to conflict. Sarai mistreats Hagar, causing her to flee. An angel of the Lord finds Hagar and tells her to return and submit to Sarai, promising that her descendants will be numerous. Hagar gives birth to Ishmael. Genesis 17: God establishes His covenant with Abram, changing his name to Abraham, meaning "father of many nations." God also changes Sarai's name to Sarah and promises that she will bear a son, Isaac. The covenant includes the requirement of circumcision for all male descendants as a sign of the covenant. Genesis 18: Three visitors, who are angels, come to Abraham and Sarah. They announce that Sarah will have a son within a year. Sarah laughs in disbelief because of her old age. The visitors then reveal that they are on their way to Sodom and Gomorrah to investigate the outcry against the cities. Abraham pleads with God to spare the cities if righteous people can be found there, and God agrees to spare them if ten righteous people are found, after what looked like a bargaining conversation. In these chapters you there are many principles, applications, and action steps we can glean from. Pray, meditate on God and where you are at this stage in your life.  Read More

New International VersionThe LORD’s Covenant With Abram After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision:                                                                       “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield,[a]  your very great reward.[b]” 2 But Abram said, “Sovereign LORD, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit[c] my estate is Eliezer of D...  Read More

Job 40: God continues His response to Job, challenging him to answer His questions. God describes the behemoth, a powerful creature, to illustrate His own power and the limitations of human understanding. Job 41: God describes another mighty creature, the leviathan, emphasizing its strength and the futility of human attempts to control it. This further underscores God's unmatched power and wisdom. Job 42: Job humbly acknowledges God's greatness and repents for his earlier words. God restores Job's fortunes, giving him twice as much as he had before. Job's friends are rebuked for their incorrect assumptions about God's justice, and Job intercedes for them. The book concludes with Job living a long and prosperous life.  Read More

Who is this? I will question you! Where were you?” Who…? Have You….Surely you know….Have you commanded….Have you determined?.... Have you seen?.....Do you comprehend…Where —-GOD  Read More

DAWSON “Daws” TROTMAN, founder of the Navigators, drowned while saving a swimmer. Eyewitnesses tell the story of disbelief and great sadness on Schroon Lake that day. Lila, Dawson’s widow was there and someone shouted, “Oh, Lila, he’s gone. She replied calmly…. Our God is in the heavens, and he does as He wishes. Psalm 115:3 That response may seem strange to us. Elihu suggests that our actions, wh...  Read More

Job, chapters 32-34 introduces Elihu, a younger friend of Job who has been listening patiently to the dialogue between Job and his three friends. In chapter 32 in NIV bible I noticed 26 times Elihu used the words, “I, me, my” and used “You, they, them “ 13 times. As I went to chapters 33 and 34 it was 40 times for the words “ I, me, my” and 18 times for “you, Job, your” and only 2 times for the use of the word “us” All this seems like Elihu has a lot of zeal, knowledge, and wisdom but maybe lacking in humility. He says some things that are correct , but he too joins in a condemning voice to Job. We need to be careful how we use our words, our tone, our facial expressions, and body language. We may be saying the right words but from a wrong attitude.  Read More

Job 29Job is remembering when his life was good and glorious. In verse 2 and 3  "he says oh that I was in the months gone by as in the days when God watched over me when his lamp shown over my head and by his light I walked through darkness.".Job had the respect of the people, the young men, the children, the old man, and the leaders. He says even the princess stopped talking and put their heads o...  Read More

In Job 24-28, Job continues to question why the world is not fair. Have you ever found yourself with those same thoughts tumbling through your head? Do you question why God does not seemingly intervene to protect the innocent or punish apparent evil? This passage also gives us insight into God’s wisdom as Job invites us to see the peace that is available when you trust God’s ways instead of relying on human reasoning.   Read More

Job, what a powerful book of the Old Testament. There is so much “meat” for believers in this book, and diving into these teachings allows us a better understanding of ourselves and our Father in Heaven. There are Bible scholars who believe  (with scriptural reference) that Job is the first Bible book written, with potential reference to Job and one of his friends in  Genesis 36:33. That stated, n...  Read More

Real: Life Principles: What truths or principles are found?Job is feeling like his days on earth are done.  He feels defeated. He feels that his glory days are over.  But, he still put his hope and faith in God.  Even after everything he has gone through, he knows God will do justice.Bildad continues blaming Job that his troubles were caused by his sins.  Bildad accuses Job of not even knowing God...  Read More

Real: Life Principles: What truths or principles are found?Job mentioned that life is short and full of trouble. We know that John 16:33 states, "In this world you will have trouble but take heart I have overcome the world. This is why we need Jesus.Job mentioned who can produce something pure from what is impure.  We sin because we are born sinners. This is why we need Jesus. Job mentioned a tree...  Read More

Real: Life Principles:Humility when your suffering: Instead of trying to justify ourselves or argue with God, we should approach him with humility and acknowledge our dependence on his grace.Trust in God's greater knowledge: Zophar emphasizes that God's wisdom and knowledge far exceed ours, meaning we should trust that even if we do not understand our circumstances, God does.Seek genuine repentanc...  Read More

Job chapter 9 is an excellent reflection of the importance of a mediator between us, as humans, and God. Job acknowledges God’s wisdom and strength, but also recognizes that God is too powerful and distant for mortals to understand. While Job wished for a mediator, we have that mediator in the form of Jesus Christ who also gave us an intercessor in the Holy Spirit. Real: Life Principles: What trut...  Read More

Real: Life Principles: What truths or principles are found? Life on Earth guarantees changes and challenges. Job was characterized as a man who was devoted to God and hated evil.Job’s faith was not just for him but overflowed to his family, friends, and others.Job’s godly character was challenged from all kinds of different angles.Satan is constantly seeking someone to devour on Earth. Satan blame...  Read More

As the past year comes to an end, we can look at the new year as new beginnings. Genesis Chapter 8; some Bibles title this chapter as “the God of New Beginnings”. It is a great demonstration of inspiration. Noah trusted God’s promise and his faith showed in vs. “10 He waited another seven days, and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark. 11 And the dove came back to him in the evening, and behold, in her mouth was a freshly plucked olive leaf.”  Read More

Genesis chapter 6 begins the story of Noah and the Ark. We probably all know the story from the time that we were a child. We can recall various concepts and themes of the passage as well as many of the details. But sometimes things are in the story that we read right over without fully grasping what is being given to us.   Read More

Genesis 3 presents what is often referred to as "The Fall." This chapter holds deep insights into human nature, our relationship with God, and the consequences of our choices. Let’s explore this passage through three points: Real: life principles, Relevant: life applications, and Ready: life action steps.  Read More