In the whirlwind of our daily lives, we often find ourselves at crossroads, desperately searching for direction and purpose. Like Jacob, we may feel lost at times, yearning to find our way back to God. In Genesis 35:1, God instructs Jacob to return to Bethel, marking the beginning of a journey characterized by faith and divine encounter. This biblical narrative offers profound insights and lessons that are still relevant in our lives today.

Only believe. Belief is the basic requirement for Jesus to come and enter your life. What must you believe? That Jesus Christ is Lord.

“Perspicuity” means “clarity.” Everyone can understand God: The entrance of Thy words gives light; it gives understanding unto the simple.

The wrestling match symbolizes Jacob's inner turmoil and his desperate quest for divine favor and assurance. The darkness of the night mirrors Jacob's uncertainty and fear, while the physical struggle represents his lifelong battle for identity and blessing.

The Devil is a liar and tricks people into sin and Hell. ---He does this through Heresy, a lie about Christian doctrine. ---Gnosticism says Jesus is only a Spirit without a human body. ---The bible tells us how to know this is a lie. Every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: 1 John 4:3 *************************************************

Isaac obeyed the LORD's command to stay where he was, and NOT to go down into Egypt as his father and mother had done. God had called Abraham out of Ur and made him a travelling man!  I suspect that Isaac was patterning his life on his father's and continuing his pilgrimage.  But God had a different calling for Isaac, one that was uniquely his own.  It was a "stand and wait" command and difficult to obey because of opposition from the native peoples of Canaan. 

A good father, as described by the Bible, provides for his children (1 Timothy 5:8), ensuring their needs are met and they are well cared for. He prays for his children (Job 1:5), lifting them up in his prayers and seeking God's guidance and blessings for them.

Isaac obeyed the LORD's command to stay where he was, and NOT to go down into Egypt as his father and mother had done. God had called Abraham out of Ur and made him a travelling man!  I suspect that Isaac was patterning his life on his father's and continuing his pilgrimage.  But God had a different calling for Isaac, one that was uniquely his own.  It was a "stand and wait" command and difficult to obey because of opposition from the native peoples of Canaan. 

When Abraham* (1996-1821 BC) and Sarah* (1986-1859 BC) arrived, they replayed their trick of 24 years before when they went to Egypt:   And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech, king of Gerar, sent, and took Sarah. -Genesis 20:2

The Ascension was Jesus' promotion He earned it by giving His blood for our sins. He had willingly come down from heaven. To conquer death and give new life to all. Celebrate the day by getting ready for the place He's preparing for you!

When Abraham's nephew Lot separated from his uncle, he chose Sodom and became a citizen there. In 1920 BC, he did this despite the Bible's observation, but the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly. - Genesis 13:13

How do we as Christians know whether this powerful emotion-stirrin energy is from God or the devil? The apostle Jesus gives us a litmus test: Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try whether the spirits are of God: because many false prophets have gone out into the world.  Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:  And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of G

The LORD came to Abraham and Sarah to encourage them and show them He had not forgotten His call to them twenty-five years and one thousand miles away. He had not forgotten His promise that they would have a son, even though Sarah was ninety years old and Abraham one hundred. He assured them this was going to happen and even gave them a date. Sarah trusted Him to be faithful, the New Testament tells us.

The Bible: Big Book, Solid Truth, and Divine Love For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. Thy faithfulness is unto all generations

I need mercy right now, every day, every hour. Why? Because of a three-letter word, "sin." The devil works 24/7 to get me to disobey God. But Jesus has given me His Holy Spirit to keep me. Pray with me, as you read, for a clean heart and freedom from sin

I met Gregory by reading his Life of Moses. I love the Bible and reading biographies, and Gregory was 2 for 2. Gregory retold the simple Exodus narrative of Moses and found a process of spiritual growth we all can use. It's a continuous process of improvement flowing from the Word of God. Find a copy and read it prayerfully; you will grow. 

For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: - Jesus in Matthew 15:19

Theophanies come in different ways. Here, we see a majestic one for Abram and then a more personal and compassionate one for Hagar. Jesus knows all about us and our struggles and needs, and He does all things well. We see this for the Old Testament people and also for us, you and me.

Mysterious Melchizedek met Abram and gave him bread and wine and blessed him. Abram gave him tithes? Who was this priest and king?

God is holy, awesome, and majestic. Theophanies should humble us. Our God is a consuming fire (Heb. 12:29) . God condescends to us. Theophanies point to God’s gracious condescension to our weakness. Theophanies are visual—-they give tangible and physical proof of God. In a sense, they are God “writing it in the sky” for us.