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Love is Unstoppable

Posted on April 15, 2015 by Mark Shields

Written about in the post Love Beyond Measure, a deal was made by Jacob with Laban (Rachel’s father) to work for him for seven years and in return Jacob could have his daughter in marriage. We are told in Genesis 29:20 that the seven years only seemed like a few days because of Jacob’s love for Rachel.

When love takes us over, the days fly by. Just like with Jacob, years of hard work seem like only a few days. Like this video, love can be an emotion that becomes unstoppable. What we think is impossible becomes possible: Unstoppable – Rascal Flatts.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. – 1 Corinthians 13:7

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Posted in Genesis, Love | Tagged Bethel, Christ, Endurance, Genesis, God, Hope, Jacob, Jacob’s Ladder, Love, Reward | Leave a comment

Love Beyond Measure

Posted on April 14, 2015 by Mark Shields

This map traces Jacob’s travels as written in Genesis 29. He set out from Beersheba, a desert town in the extreme south of Palestine. The he stops around the 2^nd or 3^rd night hundreds of miles away and has a dream at Luz or Bethel. This is where “Jacob’s Ladder” is mentioned. Then he arrives at his uncle’s home near Haran.

After Jacob meets Laban’s daughter Rachel, he falls in love and tells Laban that he would work for seven years for him if he would give Rachel to him in marriage. The seven years went by fast because of his love for Rachel. After seven years, Laban gave a feast with much to drink and eat. The night came and Laban had his daughter Leah taken to Jacob instead of Rachel. Jacob made love to Leah instead of Rachel (v. 24).

Upon awaking the next morning, Jacob realized it was Leah and not Rachel so he went to Laban to make his complaint known. Jacob had been a hypocrite by saying he would give Rachel to Jacob but not doing what he said by giving his older daughter Leah to him.

Laban then explained it was the custom to give the oldest daughter first and made a pledge to him. If Jacob would finish the bridal week with Leah, He would give him Rachel in exchange for another seven years of labor.

Jacob is being taught by God the lesson of trust but verify. People make agreements but then find ways to break the agreement. There is also a secondary lesson that I see. It is that our love for someone motivates us to work hard. It is much easier when we have something to look forward to and there is a reward for our work.

Jacob agreed to work for Laban for another seven years in return for his daughter Rachel in marriage. I found it interesting that this work arrangement is similar to what is called an indentured servant in more modern times. These were young people that worked for an employer in the 18^th century in exchange for passage to the American colonies.

As we continue our journey through life, let us be constantly reminded that there is an amazing future with God. Let us be aware of the reward when we dare to be different, work hard, and turn over our life to God. God has demonstrated his love beyond measure for us through is his Son and this puts us in the right frame of mind for an amazing day.

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Posted in Genesis, Love | Tagged Bethel, Christ, God, Jacob, Jacob’s Ladder, Love, Reward | Leave a comment

Questions for Reflection for Study of Genesis 29-32

Posted on April 13, 2015 by Mark Shields

Over the last few weeks, I’ve studied how Esau was talked out of his birthright because he only looked at what he wanted in the short term. The lesson to me was that we must be able to make decisions based not on what we want for the short term but what we want for the long term.

As I journeyed through Genesis 26, I studied Isaac and how he was not a perfect man who was somewhat deceptive and lacked courage to face his enemies. On the other hand, he listened to God and God blessed him.

We too face our enemies of today and we can influence future generations to not repeat our sins. The thought for me while studying Genesis 26 was the great need to offer our children the way that brings victory for the future. We owe it to those we love to be the best we can and to plant seeds for God’s blessings.

In the study of Psalm 27, Isaac was tricked into giving his blessing to Jacob rather than Esau. The lack of integrity has disastrous consequences for a family, community, or nation. When people are tricked into voting a certain way or buying a certain product that turns out not to be what they were told, they are harmed and the world becomes a broken place.

Families can be torn apart by strife. History tells us that in the case of Isaac’s family, Rebekah never saw her son again, Jacob’s brother wanted to kill him, Esau became the founder of an enemy nation, and Jacob was exiled from his family for years.

After the dream that Jacob had at Bethel as written about in the post An Amazing Future in His Presence, he acted promptly and stepped ahead with a purpose. The world tells us that everything is limited but with God, everything is unlimited and the blessings are multiplied.

Our growing faith gives us hope and optimism for a blessed future that provides momentum to apply our faith as we journey through life. The mission of this blog is to bring out ways to apply God’s Word in our life at work, at home, and within our neighborhoods. The below questions for reflection for the upcoming study are laid out below to help bring out some thoughts and ideas over the next two weeks.

Genesis 29
In what ways is Laban a hypocrite? In what ways is God teaching Jacob? What counterparts does Jacob have today?

Genesis 30
In what ways do Jacob, Rachel, Leah, and Laban show an understanding of God’s omnipotence and sovereignty? Was Jacob shrewd or did he cheat by controlling the breeding of the flock? How are you relating now to someone who has wronged you?

Genesis 31
How does Jacob know he should return to Canaan? What is Rachel and Leah’s opinion of their father? What is the significance of the covenant at Mizpah (contrast with its popular use)?

Genesis 32
In what ways has God shown love and faithfulness to Jacob? In what way is Jacob trying to take care of the situation with Esau? What do these actions reveal about Jacob’s character? Who is this man that Jacob wrestles with? What has Jacob learned along his spiritual journey?

The above reading plan will be used as I share over the next few posts. It’s important to have a plan. I’m thankful that Jesus is God’s plan for us and by accepting Him as Savior; we have taken the steps necessary to make this day with Him amazing! At this link: God’s Plan for Us, is a post about accepting God’s plan or reaffirming our “YES” for Christ.

Feel free to respond with a short note or a comment about any of the questions above. Also, I welcome any other thoughts or ideas, favorite inspirational videos, photos, or favorite Bible verses. Just add them to the comments or to a Facebook page I’ve set up at this link: This Day With God.

Resources and Supplementary Helps Used in Posts
Adeney, Carol. This Morning with God. Downer Grove Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1978
First United Methodist Waco Podcast
Christ Notes
Family Times
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Posted in Bible Study, Devotionals, Genesis, Questions for Reflection | Tagged Bible, Blessings, Communities, Faith, Families, Genesis, God, History, Humility, Isaac, Jacob, Jesus, Lesson, Optimism, Prayer, Reflection, Rewards, Sacrifice, Success | Leave a comment

Regular People Doing Extraordinary Things Because of an Amazing God

Posted on April 10, 2015 by Mark Shields

I’ve been studying In Genesis for a while now. In Genesis 10, there is a list of names; descendants from the sons of Noah. They were not extraordinary people and this is the only place they were mentioned in the Bible. That’s the whole story of the Bible. It is not about great people doing things for God; it is just regular people doing extraordinary things because of an amazing God.

God knows each of us by name and has a place for everyone. This is important because positive results are assured when our place is discovered and we are constantly taking action to improve. Here’s a link to a poem written to motivate us toward this attitude of stepping ahead with the power of God today: Power Every Hour.

Posted in Genesis, Initiative | Tagged Dream, Freedom, Generations, Good Deeds, Holy Spirit, Potential, Profession, Societies | 2 Comments

Blessings Multiplied

Posted on April 9, 2015 by Mark Shields

After the dream that Jacob had at Bethel as written about in the post An Amazing Future in His Presence, he acted promptly and stepped ahead with a purpose. The world tells us that everything is limited but with God, everything is unlimited and the blessings are multiplied.

Jacob’s dream gave him hope and optimism for a blessed future. It gave him momentum to apply his faith and do what is right including giving a 10th of all he would receive to God. Today’s video is about God’s love and our growth potential in His presence: Multiplied – Needtobreathe.