Focal Verse: "Then the man said, 'Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome.'" (Genesis 32:28)
This summer the ladies in our Wednesday night Mom's Bible Study are studying Women of the Bible. While I was preparing for a lesson on Leah and Rachel, I couldn't help but see something peculiar in my reading as I was studying about Jacob, Leah and Rachel's husband. The conclusion I've made about this peculilarity may or may not be correct, but I am certain the lesson is absolutely applicable. Bear with me a little on this one. We'll be going through a lot of necessary background before getting to the point.
In Genesis chapter 32, nestled between Jacob preparing to encounter his estranged brother Esau and his meeting up with Esau in chapter 33, is the story of Jacob wrestling with God. Although the passage isn't the easiest to understand, the point I want to focus on is God renaming Jacob, whose name means "he grasps the heal" or "he deceives." His new name, Israel, is what God chose to call his beloved nation.
Looking back a few chapters, we see that God renamed the patriarch of this nation, Abraham (who was Abram) and the matriarch Sarah (who was Sarai). Immediately after renaming them, they are both referred to by the narrator with their new names.
However, if you look at the events after Jacob wrestling with God and being renamed Israel, he was still referred to as Jacob. He wasn't referred to as Israel until Genesis 35:21. Looking at the placement of this change, it came on the heels of Jacob burying his beloved wife Rachel, who tragically lost her life in childbirth. He wasn't called Israel until after Rachel died.
Go with me on a sidenote for a second for a little more background on Rachel. You see little of Rachel's character in the Scripture, so it's hard to know if she was a godly woman. I have my doubts. What you do see of her is fighting with her sister Leah over having children. Even her motivations for wanting children seem questionable. After all, when her servant Bilhah had Jacob's second son, Rachel named him Naphtali, because she had "struggled with her sister and won." Also, when she finally was able to give birth herself, she named her son Joseph, which means "may he add," because as soon as Joseph came out she was wishing for another. But to cap it all off, Rachel stole her father Laban's gods as they were about to flee from him. And when her father came to look for them, she deceived her father to hide them. This doesn't sound like a woman who is dependent on God Almighty.
So that brings us back to Jacob. Jacob was in love with Rachel and in total worked 14 years just to have her as his wife. Even as Rachel was dying in childbirth and named her second son Ben-Oni, which means "son of my trouble," Jacob named him Benjamin, which means, "son of my right hand." Although Rachel's devotion to God may be a little hard to distinguish according to Scripture, Jacob's devotion to Rachel was crystal clear.
That brings me to a truth that is absolutely Scriptural, whether or not my theology on this particular instance is correct. Sometimes God may need us to sever a relationship with someone close to us for him to do his complete work in us. It's a very real possibility Rachel was a stumbling block to Jacob. She had his heart, but her own heart was divided in any kind of devotion to God.
(Now, before I go any further, I want to make it clear that I am NOT talking about severing a marital relationship. I firmly believe Scripture is clear that divorce is only permissable with infidelity, and even then I believe God desires to restore and heal the marriage in a way only He can. God is clear on His stance on marital vows. Instead, here I am talking about other relationships that may be a hindrance to us.)
Jesus said in Matthew 5:30, "And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell." Obviously Jesus was using the hand as a metaphor, but his point was clear. Whatever causes us to sin, or separates us from God, or keeps us from doing God's work, needs to be cut off.
That might mean putting distance between a good friend and yourself. It might be ending a relationship entirely. It might mean finding another job if you're tempted to pursue an extramarital relationship in the workplace.
And on the opposite spectrum, it could mean separating from a spiritual colaborer so you can each be more effective in God's work if you worked separately.
After Jacob left Rachel's tomb, he traveled and settled in the Promised Land, the place God had planned for him all along. One reason I question my example of Jacob and Rachel is because even after he is referred to as Israel, the narrator switches back and forth between both names in the events succeeding this one. However, I still believe we can gain a valuable lesson through this presumption. Sometimes we will be required to give up that to which we cling in order to flourish in our spiritual Promised Land, being mightily used by God.
The Treasure in Our Closet
Focal Verse: "How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" Psalm 119:103
A few weeks ago, my toddler came down with a cough. Not uncommon for him, we attributed it to allergies as usual. We medicated him with prescription cough and allergy medicine and waited for it to go away after a few days.
Two and a half weeks later, we were getting concerned. The medicine, along with other over-the-counter allergy and cough medicines a nurse suggested when we called the week before, wasn't helping. So at my husband's insistence, I called to get Drew in to see his pediatrician. I was transferred to a nurse I haven't talked to before, who told me that the peditrician was booked that day (a Friday). She told me to put a humidifier in his room. No matter how many times I tried to protest - but it has been almost 3 weeks!...but we have given him every medicine suggested!... but he has been coughing for almost 3 weeks! - she became more adamant about the humidifier and told me that if they did have an opening, the doctor would tell us the same thing.
I was not a happy first-time mommy after this conversation. A humidifier? We got one when Drew was a baby and used it a couple of times, but it never seemed to help then. It was just a waste of time and energy. But reluctantly, I dug deep into our linen closet and pulled out the thing. I wasn't even sure how to work it, so my husband had to help me. I'll try this over the weekend, I thought, and when it doesn't work, I'm calling to get him an appointment on Monday.
On Saturday, Drew's coughs miraculously became less and less frequent. By Sunday he was even better. Amazing! I let my baby cough for almost 3 weeks trying everything I knew when the one thing that was needed was right there in my closet.
I think that's sometimes how we view our Bibles. We start having problems in our lives, and we tend to try everything we know. We talk to friends. Immerse ourselves in our hobby. Eat for comfort. Drown out the world in a good TV show. But even after we've tried all of those things, the problems are still there. We don't even think that the solution may be in our closet...or in our car since we only get it out on Sundays anyway.
We don't even think of our Bibles because, well, we've tried it before, and it never worked. Maybe we've tried reading the Bible through but got stuck somewhere between Leviticus and Numbers in all of the laws and learning who begat whom. Maybe we're still using a version that bears no resemblance to how we speak and learn. Whatever the reason, we've given up on really believing that the Bible could ever make a difference in our lives.
If you are like many who can identify, you may wonder how you can get started really allowing God to transform your life through his Word. Like I had to do with the humidifier, you need to dust off your Bible. First, I believe it is important to evaluate the version you're using. If you're using a version with old engligh language, you may want to go to a more understandable translation.
Second, make a plan. Here are some suggestions, but feel free to enlist the advice of a pastor, Sunday School teacher, or an associate at your Bible bookstore:
1. Select a daily devotional. Many churches have these available for free every month.
2. Start reading the Psalms. You can start with Psalm 119, which has lots of verses about the importance of the Word of God in everyday life.
3. Read Proverbs, a chapter per day.
4. Choose one of the letters of Paul. My favorite is Philippians.
5. Read the Gospels. What is a better way to get to know how to be like Christ than to study how he lived?
6. Consider a Chronological Bible. This puts the chapters of the Bible into the order that scholars believe they actually happened. I particularly enjoy reading about David and reading his Psalms in light of the circumstances by which he wrote them.
7. Delve into a Bible Study. Beth Moore's studies are amazing but the lessons take longer than others. Priscilla Shirer's studies equip you to study the Bible on your own, and she suggests verses to study yourself.
Remember, the purpose of reading the Word of God isn't so you can do your duty to God for that day. If you read chapter after chapter but close your Bible gaining nothing, what difference did it make? Even if you only read a few verses but God tells you exactly what he has for you that day, that's an effective Bible study! Before you start reading, ask God to reveal what he wants to say to you. God longs to speak to us! He only wants us to listen!
If we truly take in and breathe the Word of God, we will be changed.
"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12)
A few weeks ago, my toddler came down with a cough. Not uncommon for him, we attributed it to allergies as usual. We medicated him with prescription cough and allergy medicine and waited for it to go away after a few days.
Two and a half weeks later, we were getting concerned. The medicine, along with other over-the-counter allergy and cough medicines a nurse suggested when we called the week before, wasn't helping. So at my husband's insistence, I called to get Drew in to see his pediatrician. I was transferred to a nurse I haven't talked to before, who told me that the peditrician was booked that day (a Friday). She told me to put a humidifier in his room. No matter how many times I tried to protest - but it has been almost 3 weeks!...but we have given him every medicine suggested!... but he has been coughing for almost 3 weeks! - she became more adamant about the humidifier and told me that if they did have an opening, the doctor would tell us the same thing.
I was not a happy first-time mommy after this conversation. A humidifier? We got one when Drew was a baby and used it a couple of times, but it never seemed to help then. It was just a waste of time and energy. But reluctantly, I dug deep into our linen closet and pulled out the thing. I wasn't even sure how to work it, so my husband had to help me. I'll try this over the weekend, I thought, and when it doesn't work, I'm calling to get him an appointment on Monday.
On Saturday, Drew's coughs miraculously became less and less frequent. By Sunday he was even better. Amazing! I let my baby cough for almost 3 weeks trying everything I knew when the one thing that was needed was right there in my closet.
I think that's sometimes how we view our Bibles. We start having problems in our lives, and we tend to try everything we know. We talk to friends. Immerse ourselves in our hobby. Eat for comfort. Drown out the world in a good TV show. But even after we've tried all of those things, the problems are still there. We don't even think that the solution may be in our closet...or in our car since we only get it out on Sundays anyway.
We don't even think of our Bibles because, well, we've tried it before, and it never worked. Maybe we've tried reading the Bible through but got stuck somewhere between Leviticus and Numbers in all of the laws and learning who begat whom. Maybe we're still using a version that bears no resemblance to how we speak and learn. Whatever the reason, we've given up on really believing that the Bible could ever make a difference in our lives.
If you are like many who can identify, you may wonder how you can get started really allowing God to transform your life through his Word. Like I had to do with the humidifier, you need to dust off your Bible. First, I believe it is important to evaluate the version you're using. If you're using a version with old engligh language, you may want to go to a more understandable translation.
Second, make a plan. Here are some suggestions, but feel free to enlist the advice of a pastor, Sunday School teacher, or an associate at your Bible bookstore:
1. Select a daily devotional. Many churches have these available for free every month.
2. Start reading the Psalms. You can start with Psalm 119, which has lots of verses about the importance of the Word of God in everyday life.
3. Read Proverbs, a chapter per day.
4. Choose one of the letters of Paul. My favorite is Philippians.
5. Read the Gospels. What is a better way to get to know how to be like Christ than to study how he lived?
6. Consider a Chronological Bible. This puts the chapters of the Bible into the order that scholars believe they actually happened. I particularly enjoy reading about David and reading his Psalms in light of the circumstances by which he wrote them.
7. Delve into a Bible Study. Beth Moore's studies are amazing but the lessons take longer than others. Priscilla Shirer's studies equip you to study the Bible on your own, and she suggests verses to study yourself.
Remember, the purpose of reading the Word of God isn't so you can do your duty to God for that day. If you read chapter after chapter but close your Bible gaining nothing, what difference did it make? Even if you only read a few verses but God tells you exactly what he has for you that day, that's an effective Bible study! Before you start reading, ask God to reveal what he wants to say to you. God longs to speak to us! He only wants us to listen!
If we truly take in and breathe the Word of God, we will be changed.
"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12)
Sweet Spot
Focal Verse: “The Spirit has given each of us a special way of serving others” (1 Cor. 12:7 CEV).
I just finished reading Max Lucado’s book Cure for the Common Life. Before opening the cover (and after only reading the title), I fully expected the book to be about contentment. After all, whom of us after living the same routine day after day, week after week, doesn’t need a healthy dose of contentment?
After opening the cover, however, I discovered that my assumptions were incorrect. While contentment is something we can all use a little more of, Max went beyond teaching us to be content with where we are and gently pushed his readers to reevaluate whether we are living in our sweet spot.
Sweet spot. According to Max, our sweet spot is “a zone, a region, a life precinct in which you were made to dwell. He tailed the curves of your life to fit an empty space in his jigsaw puzzle. And life makes sense when you find your spot.”
You see, God didn’t create us to tarry on in a mundane life, day after day, just to get by. He made us to live in our sweet spot, where we will use the talents and interests he gave us to glorify him and to have fun doing it!
Do you know your sweet spot? If not, look at your life. What do you do well? What brings you joy? You’ll find your sweet spot when you identify the things you do well that you also love.
Once you’ve identified your sweet spot, realize that God created you in this special way to glorify him. “The Spirit has given each of us a special way of serving others” (1 Cor. 12:7 CEV).
Sure, God will call us to do things on occasion that aren't necessarily in our sweet spot. But he will also equip us for those tasks. I'm convinced he has called us to "live" in our sweet spot, and "visit" those places that aren't.
Let me give you an example. My "sweet spot" is studying, writing, teaching, and organizing events (not to be confused with organizing the house, as my husband would quickly point out). If I had it my way, every second of every day would be spent on these tasks, and I would be happily serving God in the area he called me to live. But there are times when God calls me to do things not in my sweet spot. For instance, when Drew was a few months old, I noticed that the same three couples were rotating in our church nursery during the morning worship service. I felt bad that these couples were missing out on worship every three weeks. Now I'll tell you that although I love my baby, working in the nursery is far from my sweet spot. But I saw the need and my husband and I agreed to put ourselves on the rotation. It wasn't easy. In fact, it got harder. When we signed up, another couple dropped out, and at the same time there was a "baby boom" of sorts in our church, so four people ended up having to be in the nursery most weeks. This meant that those of us who helped in the nursery ended up working in it 2 out of every 3 weeks, which was not a fun job for me. Yet, the need was there. God was bringing in new couples with babies, and this was a ministry we needed to help with.
Yes, sometimes true servanthood will require sacrifices and it won't always be the most desirable tasks. After all, I doubt Jesus felt that feet-washing was his sweet spot. What if he allowed someone else to take on that task while he continued in his sweet spot of teaching? If we see a need that God calls us to meet that doesn't fit with our sweet spot, we are not to excuse ourselves from the responsibility.
But I'm convinced that God called us to spend most of our time and energy serving in the areas in which we were equipped. As Paul says, "We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully" (Romans 12:6-8).
By identifying our sweet spot, we first recognize that God is the author of it. He is the one who gave us these talents, abilities, and desires, for His purpose. Then we can seek where God wants to use these gifts. Finally, when we are living in our sweet spot, we are enjoying the life God created for us and we're serving and glorifying Him. What could be sweeter?
I just finished reading Max Lucado’s book Cure for the Common Life. Before opening the cover (and after only reading the title), I fully expected the book to be about contentment. After all, whom of us after living the same routine day after day, week after week, doesn’t need a healthy dose of contentment?
After opening the cover, however, I discovered that my assumptions were incorrect. While contentment is something we can all use a little more of, Max went beyond teaching us to be content with where we are and gently pushed his readers to reevaluate whether we are living in our sweet spot.
Sweet spot. According to Max, our sweet spot is “a zone, a region, a life precinct in which you were made to dwell. He tailed the curves of your life to fit an empty space in his jigsaw puzzle. And life makes sense when you find your spot.”
You see, God didn’t create us to tarry on in a mundane life, day after day, just to get by. He made us to live in our sweet spot, where we will use the talents and interests he gave us to glorify him and to have fun doing it!
Do you know your sweet spot? If not, look at your life. What do you do well? What brings you joy? You’ll find your sweet spot when you identify the things you do well that you also love.
Once you’ve identified your sweet spot, realize that God created you in this special way to glorify him. “The Spirit has given each of us a special way of serving others” (1 Cor. 12:7 CEV).
Sure, God will call us to do things on occasion that aren't necessarily in our sweet spot. But he will also equip us for those tasks. I'm convinced he has called us to "live" in our sweet spot, and "visit" those places that aren't.
Let me give you an example. My "sweet spot" is studying, writing, teaching, and organizing events (not to be confused with organizing the house, as my husband would quickly point out). If I had it my way, every second of every day would be spent on these tasks, and I would be happily serving God in the area he called me to live. But there are times when God calls me to do things not in my sweet spot. For instance, when Drew was a few months old, I noticed that the same three couples were rotating in our church nursery during the morning worship service. I felt bad that these couples were missing out on worship every three weeks. Now I'll tell you that although I love my baby, working in the nursery is far from my sweet spot. But I saw the need and my husband and I agreed to put ourselves on the rotation. It wasn't easy. In fact, it got harder. When we signed up, another couple dropped out, and at the same time there was a "baby boom" of sorts in our church, so four people ended up having to be in the nursery most weeks. This meant that those of us who helped in the nursery ended up working in it 2 out of every 3 weeks, which was not a fun job for me. Yet, the need was there. God was bringing in new couples with babies, and this was a ministry we needed to help with.
Yes, sometimes true servanthood will require sacrifices and it won't always be the most desirable tasks. After all, I doubt Jesus felt that feet-washing was his sweet spot. What if he allowed someone else to take on that task while he continued in his sweet spot of teaching? If we see a need that God calls us to meet that doesn't fit with our sweet spot, we are not to excuse ourselves from the responsibility.
But I'm convinced that God called us to spend most of our time and energy serving in the areas in which we were equipped. As Paul says, "We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully" (Romans 12:6-8).
By identifying our sweet spot, we first recognize that God is the author of it. He is the one who gave us these talents, abilities, and desires, for His purpose. Then we can seek where God wants to use these gifts. Finally, when we are living in our sweet spot, we are enjoying the life God created for us and we're serving and glorifying Him. What could be sweeter?
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