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As Laban changed the terms of his agreement, Jacob noticed that the characteristics of his animal's offspring would change and favor himself. This outcome went well beyond Jacob's husbandry expertise, which yielded simply variegated lambs and kids

God has huge plans for Jacob (see Genesis 28:13-15), but first he has some character building to do. Through Laban, God is teaching Jacob "the law of the harvest"... that you reap what you sew. Jacob has sewn deceit and his crop has ripened. What will Jacob sew next season? Click HERE to sponsor a child today

WOW! Talk about a "fear of the LORD" moment. Imagine being Jacob. All you life your Father has told you of the promises God made to Abraham, but apart from those stories, Jacob lived far from those promises. Forever at odds with his brother Esau... conniving the birthright and his Father's blessings... and now on the run from certain death at the hands of his vengeance seeking brother. Then God intercedes in a dream, reinforcing the promises that Jacob recalls from his Father's teaching. God IS present, and near. Jacob hears that he is now the promise carrier, and that God's provision and protection are securely upon him. Dad's stories were true. His casual belief has become real, and Jacob's conversion is every bit as dramatic as Saul's. Click HERE to sponsor a child today

Issac had already conveyed the blessings that Jacob's birthright inferred. Issac wasn't going to reverse himself. Further he had opportunity to see Esau's heart... through the Hittite wives he had married and his threats to kill Jacob. Clearly it seemed that God had chosen Jacob to bear the blessings promised to Abraham and his descendants. Click HERE to sponsor a child today

As parents we need to recognize that our children are different

When Isaac discovered the ruse, he would not reverse the blessing

We don't know how God intended to ensure that that Jacob would rule over Esau. But we can be sure He didn't ordain it through deceit, lies and collusion. While God uses both good and bad to bring His promises to light, our choice of actions in response serve to reveal that which is in our hearts. Until we are all swept into Heaven, we will never know Rebekah's heart with certainty. Did she act out of pride for her beloved Jacob... did she fear that God had ordained her to see his prophecy come to pass... were there other motivations? We just don't know. But we do know that neither Rebekah nor Jacob acted in a manner which would bring honor and glory to their LORD. Click HERE to sponsor a child today

Rebekah inquired of the LORD and listened for His response. Yet, like Abraham before her, she felt compelled to move the LORD's prophesy forward through her own actions. Issac too, was a spiritual, leading his family in prayer for a son

Esau set aside his God-given preeminence as Isaac's first-born son. He spurned God's gift in exchange for the pleasures of his flesh. Like the one who discovered treasure in the field and sold all he had to acquire that field, Jacob was quick to take advantage of Esau's flesh and secure his future. Click HERE to sponsor a child today

What character flaws does Diotrephes exhibit?He is an unyielding, self-centered, power-mongering control freak, who has supplanted Jesus saying, "no one comes to the Father except through me" — after all "I know best" Can a person be a strong pastoral leader without developing these traits?Certainly, but it takes humility, selflessness and prayer. If you have tendencies in yourself towards pride and a controlling spirit, how can you fight against them?First of all you have to recognize your faults, and have a teachable heart. Repentance, prayer and submission to God's leading can then bear fruit. Click HERE to sponsor a child today

[*]What are the reasons given in these verses for supporting Christian workers in their ministry?John exhorts us to support our Christian brothers because it was for the sake of Jesus that they went out... they are His ambassadors. Through our support of them, we show our love for Him. [*]What reward comes with becoming a "co-worker," by assisting Christian workers?Co-workers, are partners

[*]Why does the Apostle John tell his readers to refuse hospitality to the false teachers?When a false teacher is invited to speak, the church, in the name of "tolerance" and "inclusion", implicitly sanctions what is said. This presents a stumbling block for less mature believers, as well has mature believers who are experiencing seasons of suffering and struggling with God's "absence" in their lives. As a result, some fall prey to disbelief. [*]What would refusing hospitality mean for a congregation (as opposed to an individual)?At a congregational level, refusing hospitality protects the church from the distortions of false teachers. At an individual level, refusing hospitality (shelter, food, clothing) runs counter to Christ's commandment that we love one another. [*]What is the border between tolerance and stupidity, when it comes to false teachers?When it comes to false teachers, tolerance = stupidity. [*]Do the divisions of denominationalism find justification in this verse? Why or why not?For the most part, Christian denominational differences are based on minor differences. It has often been said: On the "Majors"

[*]What is the danger of "running ahead" of Christ's teachings to "deeper truths"?The danger is that we will run away from Christ's teachings

Why does John exhort his "children" to "keep yourselves from idols"?John has told us that there is only one true God, and he came to earth in the person of Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, fully man and and fully God, co-equal/co-eternal with the Father and the Holy Spirit. "You shall have no other gods before me." Exodus 20:3 What idols distract us from the true God? What idols compete with God for attention in your life?Power, status, money, our children, our career, affirmation, pride... are everyday idols in the lives of Christians and non-Christians alike. My idols... well to differing degrees they are represented by that list. Click HERE to sponsor a child today

What are the two conditions to answered prayer in 1 John?Our obedience and God's will. How do we determine God's will so that we can pray boldly, confidently?God's will is revealed through His Word. When we read and study the Bible, the Holy Spirit aligns our will to His. How often will our prayers be answered when our main motive is to achieve our will?Uhhhh.... NEVER! Click HERE to sponsor a child today

What is the difference between saying "this life is in the Christian Church" and "this life is in his Son"? What should we be doing differently so that we teach a faith relationship rather than a religion?Those that pursue a life within the Christian Church, pursue a life with other "believers", not Christ. In the church they enjoy the social aspects of like-minded people, but they do not "enjoy" a relationship with Christ. For them life in the Christian Church is little different that life in the Country Club, or life in the Tennis Leagues. Life in His Son is a relational commitment, forged in repentance and cast in a growing longing to praise Him and bring glory to His name. It is permanently heart changing. When we act out of conformity to God's rules, we are practicing religion. When our obedience to God springs from the heart out of love, respect, thankfulness, appreciation, and reverence, our relationship radiates the fullness of our faith in Him. To teach a faith in Jesus requires us to preach the Gospel, and live out the Gospel... making Christ the basis of all that we do... taking the blessings and grace He has bestowed upon us, and passing His blessings and grace onto others. What is the difference between "faith" and "faith in Jesus"?When we have faith in Jesus are actions spring from the blessings He has poured into our lives... the forgiveness we received, the righteousness we exchanged for our sins, our adoption as heirs into His family, and our glorification to become like Jesus. Faith in Jesus is based entirely on what He did for us at the cross. Faith in anything else (works, baptism, "the prayer") is false teaching. Click HERE to sponsor a child today

[*]How does a defeatist mentality differ from a belief that in Christ we have overcome the world? What part does faith have in this overcoming? What part does unbelief have in a defeatist mentality?When we are in tumultuous seasons, knowing that Christ has defeated sin and restored our relationship with the Father, brings us hope to continue amidst our personal trials

[*]What kind of fear should we have towards God?Great reverence and respect for who He is

[*]Why is the statement, "God is love," so important? What does it say about God's nature?All that God does is done with love for His chosen ones. That doesn't mean He is a jolly, coddling, spoiling "grandfather", nor does it mean that he never invokes elements of discipline at His displeasure with us. He is our Heavenly Father

What in us is greater than false prophets and even Satan? In what sense have we overcome them? In what way will we overcome them in the future?God dwells within us! As believers the Holy Spirit resides in us, shaping us, guiding us, transforming us into the image of Jesus Christ. Day-by-day the Holy Spirit is alive within us, equipping us for spiritual warfare. The gods of this world were defeated at Calvary, and while they still roam "free" on earth, they are shackled to the cross at Calvary. Jesus victory is complete, and we are co-victors in Him. With God on our side, we cannot be defeated. How should this truth affect fear in our lives?This truth gives us confidence. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Christ is with me; His rod and staff, they comfort me. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in His house forever. Click HERE to sponsor a child today

[*]Why is believing that Jesus was God in the flesh so important? Why doesn't Satan want us to believe that?If Jesus didn't come in the flesh, the trials where He was tempted by Satan, were not trials at all. If Jesus didn't come in the flesh, he would not have felt the weight of sin and His isolation from the Father on the cross. If Jesus didn't come in the flesh, then His role of the unblemished lamb was a fraud. If Jesus didn't come in the flesh, then there is no hope for us ... and isn't that where Satan wants us ... doubting in Christ. [*]What are the implications of the fact that Jesus could live out his divine life in a human body like ours?There are many. Foremost, Jesus left His glory behind to serve us; to be born in an animal trough to peasants; to grow up as a Jewish laborer, and after waiting thirty years in a sin filled world, to begin His ministry where he was ridiculed, spurned, persecuted, betrayed by a close friend, and put to death by those He served. And through it all, led by the Holy Spirit, He lived a perfect, sinless life

[*]We know that God doesn't "owe" us anything. So what is the relationship between obedience and answered prayer? Do we "earn" God's favor through obedience?We cannot "earn God's favor" because our best works are filthy rags in His eyes. Only when we are cloaked in the robes of Jesus' righteousness and ask in faith, can we expect God to answer our prayers

[*]What does it mean to "lay down your life for your brothers"? What are some concrete examples of this kind of love in action within the Christian community?Jesus calls us to set aside our lives and our desires to serve our brothers. Missionaries represent the sacrificial giving that we are called to do. Leaving the comfort of their former lives, missionaries risk disease, expose themselves to physical discomfort, and leave behind their extended families, to live a selfless existence bringing the Gospel message to those in need of its saving grace. [*]If you are in a large congregation, how can you get to know other members so you'll be able to lay down your life for them

How can anger turn into hatred in our hearts?Without forgiveness, we have no means to quench our anger. Unresolved anger burns within us—consuming us—igniting hatred for the object of our anger. In what way do anger and hatred relate to murder?Unrestrained hatred robs us of rationality and sees murder as our rightful judgment against those who have wronged us. How can we get rid of stored-up anger in our hearts so that we may love those who have offended us?We need only to look to the cross and see what Jesus did for us. Wrongly accused and persecuted, he died for us, bearing our sins, so that our relationship with the Father might be eternally restored. We who have been forgiven so much, must put down our anger and forgive those who have offended and afflicted us. If we are truly saved people, others will recognize Jesus through our forgiveness. But if we withhold forgiveness, we are NOT his children. Click HERE to sponsor a child today

Why did Cain resent Abel? Why did Cain kill Abel?Cain was jealous that God favored Abel's sacrifice while rejecting his own. Cain's offering lacked sincerity and God rebuked him. But Cain rejected God's admonishment and was overtaken by evil and murdered his brother. How does the story of Cain and Abel illustrate Jesus' explanation of why the world hates us?The mere presence of Christians exposes worldly sin and reminds pagans that they will be held accountable of the Day of Judgment. In denial and hatred of God they lash uncontrollably out at God's people. Click HERE to sponsor a child today