maddog

1. Each will not harm the other by going pass the heap (Mizpah) 2. Jacob would not marry to replace Laban's daughters for status nor mistreat them 3. God would be their witness 4. A fellowship meal to cement the covenant The Mizpah monument identified the covenant they agreed upon: not to harm each other but be peaceable to each other.

I believe he knew that God would make the increase in wealth because God promised to be with him and his offspring. Although he knew that God was in the midst, he tricked Laban to think that it was because of the colored sticks. Once he was blessed at Penuel his faith and confirmation of his commitment enlarged geometrically as he received God's gifts. Many of us think that our achievements are a result of our own doing. The danger is that we become self sufficient, we don't need any outside help from God and anybody else. God created heaven and earth and all that is them. He owns everything. What we have is because God blesses us.

I believe he knew that God would make the increase in wealth because God promised to be with him and his offspring. Although he knew that God was in the midst, he misdirected Laban' attention so that Laban think that it was because of the colored sticks. Once he was blessed at Penuel his faith and confirmation of his commitment enlarged geometrically as he received God's gifts. Many of us think that our achievements are a result of our own doing. The danger is that we become self sufficient, we don't need any outside help from God or anybody else. God created heaven and earth and all that is them. He owns everything. What we have is because God blesses us.

God has plans for us but He needs to put us in the fire to extract the impurities. Jacob has a conversion but still needs his heart, mind, and soul transformed into the vehicle that can be used by God. It took Jacob 14 years to reach his usability. God is changing his selfishness that made him concerned excessively and exclusively with himself. His underhandedness and his seeking and concentrating on his own advantage, pleasure, or well-being without regard for others. God had to continue shaping him on thr "Potter's Wheel."

Jacob set up the stone to demonstrate his acceptance of God in his life. Use of oil sealed his commitment and resolve to follow God, if God protected and cared for him. He promises to have Yahweh as his God; to give 1/10th of all he received; and the stone would be the house of God.

I see myself in all. Issac-trust; Rebeckah-impatience; Esau- not seeing the hidden purpose; Jacob-avoiding trouble. All of us can identify at one time or another the flaws they had. I pray asking God to give me patience, wisdom, trustin the face of distrustful people; and having the ability to discern when to assert myself and when to stay in the shadows. Thank God He's working on my brokenness.

Jealousy rears its ugly head, resulting in tormoil, fighting, disrepect shown to parents and others. Can't say that it did. However, on the other hand, I'd have to admit this that I could get things from my parents when my siblings couldn't. That happened because I chose the time to ask when the seeds had been planted. We can love our children equally when we are honest and share with our children. Somethings older children get are not something younger ones should have.

She had a message from God, understanding that the only way this would happen she had to intervene. She should have trusted God to do what he said would happen. Too many times we do not wait on God. IWhat she did did not excuse from any culpability. He carried the same blanket as his mother, responsibility.

I would have to say she was. Chapter 25.23-24 describes he prayer to Jehovah and the message she received: the older shall serve the younger and she carried 2 nations. Issac was also a spiritual man evidenced by his seeking answers to his concerns from Jehovah. Based on his history, Issac is the more spiritual. Jacob's spirituality was handed down from his grandfather and father. His spirituality evolved from them. On the other hand, Esau went against God and his father when he took to wife a Cannanite women.

All of us have a birthright, an inheritance, to eternal life. We can "sell" our birthright when we embrace the "World" at the expence of the promises of God. We need to control our fleshly cravings and seek after a higher calling. Esau was not hungry "to death" but answered the carnal, immediate fulfilling, of his greedy flesh. Jacob was conniving and a momma's boy who followed his mother's instructions, since he was told that he would be the patriach of the family. He was an oppotunist.

Diotrephes is stuck on himself, sel-interested, malicious, braggard, threatened, power hungry, wants to be the go-to guy,and afraid of being challenged. One can be a strong pastoral leader if they follow God's plan for the Church. They also must have a strong prayer life, welcoming God's children to assist in the growth of the Gospel. Another point I see is before something is done, pray and ask for guidance, and have courage to reflect to make sure God is talking and not their inner self. When these traits boil up in my chest, I quickly go to prayer asking God to help me those thoughts and to help me keep the right perspective.

They are doing the work of the Lord;they go out in the name of Jesus;our way of serving Christ; our duty to provide for the messengers of the Most High God;we have an obligation to serve them because they are on a mission for Christ; we will be blessed for what we have done for them;also, we help further the Gospel of Jesus Christ. No matter how insignificant we think our helping is, we have a place with others who are serving in the vineyard. Not supporting Christian worker retards the growth of the Gospel. They are going out into the vinyards, highways and byways, to be beacons on the hill for those who are searching for Christ.

Giving hospitality to false teachers in the congregation can disrupt true teachings as the people try to discern the truth. It could light a fire of heresy in the assembly. The border is the H.S. that gives us discernment to seek out the truth. We tolerate other denominations as long as they teach the Gospel in truth. False teachers seek to do the devils work by leading people away from Christ and toward the death of sin.

"Running ahead" of Christ's teachings to "deeper truths" takes us away from the throne of Grace. "Running ahead" gives one leave to distort correct teachings toward a self-interest doctrine. "Deeper truths" that turns us away from God's love and our love for Him and His Son is opposed to the unadulterated word of the Gospel. To abide or continue in Christ and His teachings maintains our relationship. We live in love and share our love for our brother and sister because God has commanded us to love one another. When we abide/continue the H.S. will abide in us, protecting us and leading us in the way of Jesus.

Idols are anything that we cherish over the Son of God because they remove us from His protection. Idols can be defined as: money; self-righteousness;life of crime; belief that Christ was human and not divine. Whatever we hold in high esteem that is not the will of God is an idol. Idols that compete with God for our attention are, to name a few: jobs over Christ; personal interests; football games that interfer with our Sunday Worship; the length of time we spend in church (we give as much time as necesary for sporting events and concerts); and other recreational activities. These are items provided by God and we should give apropriate thanks for what He has provided.