Through the Word Today
How do you begin your day? Many Christians like to begin by reading and meditating on God's Word. Here's an easy way to add to your devotional life and increase your connection with God. Every day we post a devotion just for that day entitled Through the Word Today. We begin by listing a passage from the Bible, followed by a devotion based on that scripture. A short prayer concludes each day's reading.
Through the Word Today is also sent out as an e-mail devotion each morning. If you would like to receive the information automatically, please send your e-mail address to jan@crestlinechurch.org.
It is our sincere hope that you will start your day with your Savior each day!
God's amazing love.
03/10/2010 - 03/15/2010
Today's Reading: Genesis 32:1-16
And then Jacob prayed, "God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, God who told me, 'Go back to your parents' homeland and I'll treat you well.' I don't deserve all the love and loyalty you've shown me." Genesis 32:9 (MSG)
Do any of us deserve the love we receive from God? If we're extra-special good, we tithe ten percent of our income, we work in the church and give handouts to the needy, does that mean we deserve God's love? If not, is there anything we can do to deserve God's love?
We can never be good enough. We can never give back as much as God gives us. We can never do enough good work in our church to deserve God's love. God is so much more loving, more giving, and full of good works, that nothing we could ever do would compare to what He does for us. Jacob had finally learned this lesson.
Jacob had grown up with privilege. His father was the Big Man around the homestead. There were many servants to see to the needs of the family. But when Jacob scurried away from the camp that night, he found himself on the bottom of the food chain with his new family. Jacob learned that the love he received from his God was given through grace and not because of anything he himself had done.
Isn't that the most amazing part of grace--that it should be given so freely to someone like us?
El Shaddai, I've done nothing in my life that should merit Your love, but You give it to me freely, and I thank You. Please teach me to love others in the same selfless way that You love me and to show it, every day! Amen.
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The watchtower.
03/09/2010 - 03/14/2010
Today's Reading: Genesis 31:38-55
Laban said, "This monument of stones will be a witness, beginning now, between you and me." (That's why it is called Galeed--Witness Monument." It is also called Mizpah... Genesis 31:49, 50a (MSG)
When I was growing up, the Mizpah was a very popular piece of jewelry. Well, it was really two pieces of jewelry, because the verse, as it was written then The Lord watch between me and thee while we are absent one from another, was written on a heart made of two halves, each one on a necklace. One half was worn by a young man with the other half worn by his sweetheart. The sentiment was that God would watch over both halves of the couple when they couldn't be together.
But when we look closely at this verse, that isn't what it says at all! Laban set up the monument to be a "watchtower" that would watch over each of the two parties--Jacob and Laban--to be sure they didn't mistreat Laban's daughters and grandchildren when no one was watching and to be certain neither man crossed that line to attach the other. Laban was requesting that God would always be watching the two!
I don't know about you, but I like the other meaning best! Doesn't it give you comfort to think that God is watching over the ones you love when they are absent from you? You can experience that feeling of comfort every day, even without the Mizpah jewelry. All you have to do is place the well-being of your friends and family in God's hands. There is no safer place on earth!
Beloved Father, I love the warm feeling I get when I think of Your care for the ones I love. Please watch over each one as I name them before You now ______________. Amen!
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Words CAN hurt you!
03/08/2010 - 03/13/2010
Today's Reading: Genesis 31:22-37
Jacob answered Laban, "I was afraid. I thought you would take your daughters away from me by brute force. But as far as your gods are concerned, if you find that anybody here has them, that person dies." Genesis 31:31 (MSG)
Be careful with your words, they can come back to haunt you! I wonder if Jacob would remember these careless words down the road?
Although Jacob didn't realize it, Rachel had stolen some idols from Laban's house and hidden them among her own things. When Laban caught up with the runaways, he accused someone of stealing the idols. Since Jacob knew nothing, he became righteously indignant at being accused of a petty theft. And he replied to the accusation with a forceful statement--that the person who had stolen them would die.
These words spoken by Jacob could have brought about the death of his beloved Rachel, if the idols had been found in her possession. Thankfully, the items weren't discovered but Jacob didn't realize how true this statement would be! Rachel would indeed die an early death in just a few months' time as she gave birth to her second son. Be careful with your words. Be very careful!
I know I need to be more careful with the things I say, Lord. Please help me to guard my tongue, the hardest part of the body to tame! Instead, help me to use my tongue to praise Your holy Name! Amen.
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God is everywhere!
03/07/2010 - 03/12/2010
Today's Reading: Genesis 31:1-21
That's when God said to Jacob, "Go back home where you were born. I'll go with you." Genesis 31:3 (MSG)
You know all those sheep and goats that were born speckled and streaked? That was God at work. God had been watching over Jacob as he worked all those years for Laban, seemingly for no pay. God wanted the boy rewarded, though, and He showed Jacob how pure white sheep and goats could bear kids and lambs that were spotted and speckled.
After all these years Jacob could see through the scheming of his uncle Laban, and when God said "go," he was more than ready to do just that. Already Jacob had learned that God wasn't confined to just one place in the world, but wherever Jacob went, God was already there. Now God was telling him to go back home.
A different man prepared for that trip back home than the one who had traveled to Haran many years before. Jacob had grown up--in many different ways. He'd been running away from his brother Esau when he went to Haran and he arrived empty-handed. Now he would go back to face the music with his brother with two wives, two concubines, eleven sons and a daughter--and huge flocks and herds. Yes, God had definitely been with Jacob on his travels, wherever he went!
I know there is no place on this earth where You can't be found, Father. I'm so grateful that You aren't limited to one place but can be everywhere simultaneously. Please keep watch over me as I journey through this world, and prepare me for the world to come! Amen.
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Laban meets his match.
03/06/2010 - 03/11/2010
Today's Reading: Genesis 30:19-43
"Go through your entire flock today and take out every speckled or spotted sheep, every dark-colored lamb, every spotted or speckled goat. They will be my wages." Genesis 30:32 (MSG)
I think old Laban had finally met his match in young Jacob. For fourteen years Jacob had tirelessly worked for his uncle, earning only his two wives. When he wanted to take his wives and children and go back to his home, the two men worked out an agreement.
All the goats and sheep that were pure white would belong to Laban, the spotted and speckles ones would belong to Jacob. The agreement was for Laban to separate the mottled ones immediately and put them in a flock for Jacob. But he didn't! He removed them all and put them under the care of his sons where Jacob couldn't have access to them. But this time Jacob was more than a match for Laban--he had the sheep and goats mate in front of streaked branches which inspired them to have speckled offspring. Jacob finally got paid for the hard work he had done for his father-in-law.
Laban should have wanted to see his daughters and grandchildren well cared for, but perhaps he tricked Jacob with the flocks so the family wouldn't split up--and he would lose the best worker he had! Whatever his motives, they backfired on him as Jacob grew richer. Even Laban finally realized that the hand of God was on Jacob,
You sometimes choose to bless us with material goods to see how we will use them for Your Kingdom, Lord. Other times You choose to bless us only spiritually. No matter how the blessings come, we're grateful for them all. Today we just praise Your holy Name and thank You for those blessings. Hallelujah! Amen.
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Only God is God.
03/05/2010 - 03/10/2010
Today's Reading: Genesis 30:1-18
Jacob got angry with Rachel and said, "Am I God?" Genesis 30:2a (MSG)
Poor Jacob! He had quite a problem on his hands! There was a whole passel of women squabbling over their positions in his house and all of them wanted children by him. One, however, wasn't producing children and she was upset about it. VERY upset! It didn't make things any better that she was the favored wife, either!
A woman's job in those days was to produce children. God had told Noah that the people were to go forth and multiply, so that's they did. It wasn't at all unusual for a man to have several wives, as did Jacob. It was therefore a disgrace when a woman didn't bear children. Rachel may have been the most-loved wife, but she was humiliated by her fruitful sister over the fact that she didn't have children. Jacob, as might be expected, was caught in the middle and he finally reaches the point where he comes to the conclusion God wanted him to see all along--Jacob wasn't God, only God is God!
It takes us a while before we can finally "see" the point God is making with us. Many times we're faced with a ridiculous situation before the point is finally driven home and we can at last understand what God wanted to teach us. Each one of us has to realize that WE aren't God--only God is God! We can't see what God sees, we can't feel as God feels, we can only put our trust in Him to see us safely through the maze of life!
You alone are God, Precious Lord, and I, for one, am glad! No one else is capable of running the universe, yet close enough to hear my little whispered prayers. Please forgive me when I whine to You as Jacob's wives whined to him. Please help me to always trust in Your guidance. Amen!
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