Podcasts about in jacob

Who Does the Lord Know? (1) (audio) David Eells, 6/21/26 We received a question regarding Matthew 7:23 and how these people could say they know the Lord, and yet the Lord says, “I never knew you”. Also, Some people think that they are lost people, or that they were never really saved. And so I thought we could look at that today and identify who the Lord knows and those whom the Lord said He never knew. Let's look first in Mat 7:15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves. The Bible talks about false prophets quite a bit in both the Old and New Testaments. Sometimes they don't appear to have been apostate, but in some cases, they definitely are. This is true in 2 Peter chapter 2; and the Christians he's talking about there. I believe the whole chapter really is about false prophets. 2Pe 2:15 forsaking the right way, they went astray, having followed the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the hire of wrong-doing; Of course, the only one that can forsake the right way is somebody who's been there, and obviously, they are being an apostate or fallen away in this case. For instance in 2Pe 2:20-21 For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein and overcome, the last state is become worse with them than the first. 21 For it were better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy commandment delivered unto them. This and many other scriptures clearly refute the ”once saved always saved doctrine.  Another good example would be in Jude 11 Woe unto them! for they went in the way of Cain, and ran riotously in the error of Balaam for hire, and perished in the gainsaying of Korah. 12 These are they who are hidden rocks in your love-feasts when they feast with you, shepherds that without fear feed themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; This includes those who fell into the error of trying to be “a profit” instead of a prophet. But I just wanted to make that point, because some people say that all false prophets are lost people, and that's just not the case. Of course, a lot of times, when we talk about Christians, we really should identify Christians the way the Bible identifies Christians, and not the way the worldly church identifies them. The way the worldly church identifies Christians now is those who have been born in spirit. Their spirit has been born from God, and they have a new spirit. But it is more than that. that's not the way the scriptures identify as Christians. Scriptures identify Christians as those who walk and talk the way Christ walked and talked. Also, there's a big difference between somebody who's just been born in spirit and those who walk the way Christ walked, because you can have Christ's spirit and not live His life as Paul exhorted Christians in Rom 8:13 for if ye live after the flesh, ye must die; but if by the Spirit ye put to death the deeds of the body, ye shall live. That's an exhortation given to those who have the spirit of Christ because he went on to exhort that those who have the spirit of Christ should go on to receive the Spirit of God. Everyone who is born of God receives the Spirit of Christ and today, that's called a born-again Christian. As we read the text, we'll see that “Christian” is identified scripturally as something completely different. So keep that in mind that I'm talking about Christians in the way that the church uses the term, those who have been born in spirit. Back to Mat 7:16 By their fruits ye shall know them. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; (Again, now he's not just identifying prophets. Now he's broadening the scope. And in the next few verses, he uses the word “every” several times. So he's broadening the scope to talk about everybody, not just false prophets.) 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but the corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Now, this same verse is used in Matthew 3:10, where John the Baptist is rebuking the Covenant people of God; those religious leaders who made their stand on believing that Abraham was their father. Mat 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said unto them, Ye offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bring forth therefore fruit worthy of repentance: 9 and think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. 10 And even now the axe lieth at the root of the trees: every tree therefore that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.  I want you to notice here that He's talking about the Covenant people, thinking that because they were children of Abraham, they were entitled to God's blessings. And John told them that that's not the truth. The truth is, only bringing forth fruits worthy of repentance brings you into God's blessings. I think this is a good exhortation for Christians today, because Christians think, “Well, I'm a Christian, God's my Father so I can just go and do what I want to do now.” But this is not so. It says every tree that doesn't bring forth good fruit among us is hewn down and cast into the fire.  The scripture also says in Joh 15:2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit, he taketh it away:… Notice: Every branch in me… Now that can be no other than God's people, right? We're all responsible to bring forth fruit. The fruit is what identifies us as Christians, and the fruit here, as we see in the text, is the actions of your life. The fruit is love, the joy, the peace, the righteousness; all those things that Christ was and is. The actions of our life are the fruit of the inner life, that's what He's talking about; the fruit. Along the same line in several of Jesus's parables, He came looking for fruit on the fig tree. He wasn't looking for fruit on a tree that wasn't supposed to bring forth fruit. He was looking for fruit on a tree that was created to bring forth fruit. It is the fig tree that identifies God's people. Luk 13:6-9 And he spake this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came seeking fruit thereon, and found none. 7 And he said unto the vinedresser, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why doth it also cumber the ground? 8 And he answering saith unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: 9 and if it bear fruit thenceforth, well; but if not, thou shalt cut it down.  Notice: The Lord is the one who's going to cut it down. The Lord is long-suffering with us to bear fruit, but be that as it may, we've been given a certain amount of time to bear that fruit, and I think that's what He's talking about in Matthew 7, because as He goes on in Mat 7:20 Therefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven. Now he's identifying fruit as doing the will of the Father. The fruit of the Spirit is doing the will of the Father. He goes on to say, 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by thy name, and by thy name cast out demons, and by thy name do many mighty works? Let me make a point here. Do you suppose that it's possible that an apostate Christian could prophesy? I mean, prophesy from the Lord? We have examples in the scriptures of false prophets who prophesied in the name of the Lord. A good example is in 1 Samuel 19. This is talking about Saul after he had fallen away from the Lord; in fact, he had been rejected by the Lord. It says 1Sa 19:23 And he went thither to Naioth in Ramah: and the Spirit of God came upon him also, and he went on, and prophesied, until he came to Naioth in Ramah. 24 And he also stripped off his clothes, and he also prophesied before Samuel, and lay down naked all that day and all that night. Wherefore they say, Is Saul also among the prophets? Now, some people say, well, because he stripped off all his clothes, that doesn't seem like a godly thing to do, but I think what the Holy Spirit was showing to people around him was that he was walking naked before the Lord. He wasn't dressed up with Christ. He didn't have on his wedding garment, so on and so forth. He had fallen away in his works, because remember when we studied the garment, it symbolized your works, right? In Revelation 19, the righteous acts of the saints were the garment that the bride is wearing.  Now, I want you to notice this too; this same man had a demon that was sent from God to him. 1Sa 18:10 And it came to pass on the morrow, that an evil spirit from God came mightily upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as he did day by day. And Saul had his spear in his hand; 11 and Saul cast the spear; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall. And David avoided out of his presence twice. 12 And Saul was afraid of David, because Jehovah was with him, and was departed from Saul. Now this is the same Saul whom the Lord had departed from, who later prophesied in the name of the Lord, because the Spirit came upon him. Here, he prophesied in verse 10 by an evil spirit. He had obviously become a false prophet. Was it always that way? No, it wasn't always that way. He was the anointed of the Lord. But yet he became a false prophet. He became what we would know today as an apostate Christian. He was rejected in 1Sa 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as idolatry and teraphim. Because thou hast rejected the word of Jehovah, he hath also rejected thee from being king. So he had been rejected by the Lord, received an evil spirit by which he prophesied, and later even prophesied in the name of the Lord when the Spirit of the Lord came upon him. Now, going back to what I consider to be probably apostate Christians in Mat 7: 22 …Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by thy name,… And some people say, ‘Well, that wouldn't be possible if this person did not know the Lord at all to be able to prophesy by thy name.' And the point I want you to see here, too, is that it says by thy name and not in thy name; in the original, it says by thy name, meaning they could be prophesying true enough, but they weren't in the name. They weren't getting a reward because they weren't abiding in the name of the Lord. Another point, it says, and by thy name cast out demons, and by thy name do many mighty works? Do you remember what Jesus said in Matthew 12, when they accused Him of casting out demons by the prince of demons, Beelzebub? Mat 12:24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This man doth not cast out demons, but by Beelzebub the prince of the demons. 25 And knowing their thoughts he said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: 26 and if Satan casteth out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then shall his kingdom stand? 27 And if I by Beelzebub cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges. 28 But if I by the Spirit of God cast out demons, then is the kingdom of God come upon you. You know, I think you'll find that Satan doesn't cast out Satan; that even the most apostate Christians, because of their Covenant relationship with the Lord, still have authority to do that and can do it. I've seen people that the Lord identified to me as false prophets and actually did prophesy wrongly, and I've seen them cast out demons too. They had the Covenant relationship because of the Jews. The seven sons of Sceva were Jews. You see, the Jews were casting out demons. This wasn't new to the Jews to cast out demons. They had been doing that. And because of Covenant relationship, the Jews got healing, and they got deliverance. Even today, people, because of Covenant relationship, before being completely rejected by God, they can still cast out demons.  I know of a false prophet in particular who has identified too many people who cast out demons; in fact, he cast them out with me. Let me say this: a person who is lost, who does not know the Lord, how do they cast out demons? Those who have no Covenant relationship with the Lord; how do they cast out demons? Their father manifestly is Beelzebub, so how do they cast out demons? Well, what happened to the seven sons of Sceva when they tried to use “by Jesus whom Paul preacheth” to cast out demons in Acts 19:13 and then got whipped? They did not know the one who was creating the New Covenant. I think the point is that you have to be in some kind of a Covenant relationship in order to be casting demons out, because Satan doesn't cast out Satan.  The One who lives in you now casts out demons. 1Jn 4:4 … greater is he that's in you than he that is in the world. Who's in the world? Satan. Does Satan cast out his own kingdom? Jesus said, No, he doesn't do that. Well, here's the point. Were they casting the demons out by the Spirit of God or were they casting them out by Satan? Jesus said they couldn't cast them out by Satan. The lost people's authority is Satan. The one that lives in them is Satan. The point I'm making about these people here, these false prophets, is that many of them are apostate Christians. Remember, an apostate is one who is falling away from the truth and the grace of God. And it's somebody who is obviously saying, Lord, Lord, (so they obviously believed in their heart that Jesus was their Lord) Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy and by thy name cast out demons and by thy name do many mighty works? Notice they were not “in” thy name but God permitted this “by” thy name as a witness of Jesus. Who is it today that we know that is doing this in the name of the Lord, if it's not somebody who is abiding in His name, which is far more powerful?  I was in a situation where a preacher and his girl friend were trying to cast many demons out of a man who chased them out of the building. Previously the demon possessed man chased  the preachers deacon through a plate glass door, shattering it, and sending him to the hospital. So, they sent for me and told me their story. They watched from the doorway as I approached this man who thought to do the same to me. By the grace of God he cowered and was delivered. Many today are in “by” mode, meaning they are using the name of the Lord and not doing it in the name. I agree that some people profess the Lord and don't know the Lord or haven't been sent by Him. And all false prophets are not apostate Christians or just lost deceivers. ; not all of them. And I'm convinced that there is some chicanery going on even in Christian circles. I don't know if any of you are familiar with it, but I've been among some of them where they see a demon behind every bush. They cast demons out daily from everybody's flesh. But a lot of that's not demons, it's just run away flesh.  Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Now here's the point: is there such a thing as a Christian who's been born in spirit that God spoke to and said, “I don't know you” or “I never knew you?” Yes, we have examples of that. But first, before we get away from this, I want to read on because He says, I never knew you depart from me you that work iniquity. What is it for the Lord to know you? I want to look at that and what that means. When he says depart from me ye that work iniquity verse 24 went right on Every one therefore; (Meaning: He's talking about the same thing as just before this verse.) Every one therefore that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them, shall be likened unto a wise man, who built his house upon the rock: 25 and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon the rock. 26 And every one that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand: Notice, He didn't say whether you had the spirit of Christ or not; it all has to do with obedience. The difference between a foolish man and a wise man is strictly just one word; obedience. The born again spirit filled with the Holy Spirit gives us power to obey through faith in the sacrifice of Jesus. Our text deals with the fruit, which has to do with whether you're obeying. So the main difference between the wise and the foolish is hearing the words and doing them. Notice that both men here in this text heard the words, but only one obeyed, and that was the wise man. 27 and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and smote upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall thereof. And this is the test that follows. I want to make that point before we go on because I want to look at the foolish virgins briefly, because God spoke to them, and He says, I don't know you. Mat 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2 And five of them were foolish, and five were wise. Again, what's the difference between the wise and the foolish? It's just one thing, being a hearer and a doer by the anointing of God. 3 For the foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them: 4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. We know that in Pro 20:27 The spirit of man is the lamp of Jehovah, Searching all his innermost parts. The spirit of man is the lamp of the oil. And the oil being the life of God or the Holy Spirit is to be in that lamp. And there's a vessel that the wise virgins took with them that was also full of oil; that obviously the foolish did not bring. What do you think the vessel is that also has the oil? We've talked about the difference between the born again spirit and the born again soul, which is your mind, will, and emotions. This is the fruit of the Spirit being born in the soul.  The person who had just a born-again spirit, but brought forth no fruit in the soul through obedience will be rejected. They were not bearing the fruit of obedience so they could be born again in the soul. The vessel that they brought with their lamp is the vessel of their physical life because that's where you bear the fruit of the oil. That's where you bear the fruit of Christ to be seen by the world. Now, even the foolish virgins here had oil in their lamp or spirit. So you can't classify them as non-Christians? Or, what we've been calling Christians. You understand? Verse 5 Now while the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6 But at midnight there is a cry, Behold, the bridegroom! Come ye forth to meet him. 7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. This was another question someone had a while back about a word, so I went and looked it up. It's the Greek word, kosmeo. Kosmeo is the word we get cosmetics from. And it simply means ‘to arrange or to adorn'. It's not implying that their lamps were out and they lit them, you understand? It's just talking about adorning or arranging their lamps. They chose to translate it trim in this text; I don't think that's a very good word to use. To trim is to bring the wick up so the light shines best. Continuing in Mat 25:8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are going out. 9 But the wise answered, saying, Peradventure there will not be enough for us and you: go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 10 And while they went away to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage feast: and the door was shut. Notice that - the door was shut. That was ominous because that door being shut is mentioned in other places in the scripture, like in Luke 13:11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 13 Watch therefore, for ye know not the day nor the hour. He said, I know you not. Now these virgins did have oil in their lamps. So obviously what the Lord means by knowing you is more than just receiving a new spirit, a born-again spirit. There must be fruit born of that spirit life in order for the Lord to know you. And I want to look at that too. Before we go there, let's look at Luke too, because it has a very close parallel to this door being closed. Luk 13:25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, open to us; … (Obviously the same text there.) and he shall answer and say to you, I know you not whence ye are; 26 then shall ye begin to say, We did eat and drink in thy presence, and thou didst teach in our streets; 27 and he shall say, I tell you, I know not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. See, so many people are relying on their relationship with the Lord by what they know, by who they're connected with, by the fact that they're a Christian, that they've accepted Jesus as their Savior, but they're using none of the criteria of the scriptures. The only basis that God rebuked any of these people was for their disobedience. And we know that the only way we can obey is by having faith in the Lord and being filled with His Spirit. If we have faith, we'll obey. We'll overcome the sins that we struggle against because we fight the good fight of faith. It's not by works. I'm not trying to magnify our works; I'm trying to magnify the Lord's works through us. The criteria by which the Lord is going to judge any of us is going to be works. And he says to them, because of their evil works, not because they weren't Christians, because it's obvious to me from Matthew 25, and what we just read here, that He's talking to His children. But He says, I know not whence ye are… What causes the Lord to know us? First of all, many people are going to be found in this situation. In Matthew 25, there were 10 virgins. It was talking about the time of the coming of the Lord, how that five were ready, and five were not. That's only half of the people mentioned; half were not ready to meet the Lord, and half were. The very next parable is the parable of the talents, and again, there's no paragraph indentation, so He just goes on in Mat 25:14 For it is as when a man, going into another country, (In other words, he's telling you, watch, I'm going to show you the same thing in another way.) There were three groups at that time who had each been given talents. And one-third of them were rejected because they didn't bring forth the fruit that God put in, right? Doesn't the Bible say a third of the stars of heaven will be cast down to the earth? How come it was half of the virgins and yet a third of those with the talents? Because the virgins are those who are living on the earth when the Lord returns, and these men with the talents are standing before the judgment after death, after resurrection, you see? We're talking about those who are living at the time the Lord returns in order to be caught up to be with the Lord. What about the people who die? There are obviously three groups. A third of the stars of heaven were cast to the earth in the Book of Revelation. That's a third of the people. The scriptures say that Abraham's seed are as the stars; also, Jacob. The stars are likened to God's people. In Jacob's dream of the stars, they're the children of the bride chamber; it's in many, many places. There's the star glory in 1 Corinthians 15; the star glory is a person who's manifested star glory with the Lord. And some go on to moon glory and sun glory. But a third of the stars of heaven are being cast to the earth, and it goes on in Rev 6:13 and the stars of the heaven fell unto the earth, as a fig tree casteth her unripe figs when she is shaken of a great wind. That's not talking about angels, that's talking about God's people not coming to maturity. You see, this is what's happening to a third of the stars. And yet of the people who are alive and remain, half of those people do not enter to being with the Lord. During this end time many will fall in the great falling away. They were called, twice dead and plucked up by the roots. Do you suppose that if your lamp is going out, you would be called twice dead? I do and that's what he's talking about; there's a great falling away happening right there. I think during the tribulation period, probably a third of the Christians are going to take the mark and spiritually die, and out of the ones that are left, half of them are going to be rejected. This is what I feel from these two parables. In the parable of the sower in Mat 13, three out of four did not bear fruit and were rejected. But let's look now at the Lord and how He knows us. You know that the Lord foreknew a group of people in Rom 8:29 For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren: Let's see who the Lord knew. Okay, it's really important that we know who He foreknew because He didn't foreknow every Christian. I can prove that to you Notice who he's talking about; who was foreknown. Now, that's not knowing what's going to happen before it happens. Foreknew is like Adam knew his wife. The word ‘know' implies an intimate relationship. Rom 8:29 For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren: These people whom He foreknew here is not talking about He foreknew that they would overcome. He knew this person. He knew their nature before the world was created. Watch, it says, For whom He foreknew, He foreordained. (Everybody that He foreknew, He foreordained.) Notice to be conformed to the image of his son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Notice now, there's no way out of this verse. If you start in on one end of it, you've got to come out on the other end of it. The ones He foreknew, he foreordained, (He predestined) to be conformed to the image of his son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 and whom he foreordained, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. So, everybody that God foreknew from the foundation of the world will be conformed to the image of His Son. That doesn't mean everyone that we call ‘Christians'. So, Jesus pointed out this group; He called them 30-60 and a 100-fold fruit. Fruit of what? The fruit of Christ. The 30-60 and a 100-fold are going to be conformed to the image of Christ. These are the ones He foreknew. What is it to know God? Did God know anybody who was not in Covenant relationship? No, He didn't. I'm going to make this point at the very beginning that God only knows one family in all the earth, and that family is born again spiritual Israel. Amo 3:2 You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will visit upon you all your iniquities. Now keep that in your mind that the Lord has only known Israel from the foundation until now. Even though Israel was changed in the New Covenant, it's still Israel. He makes a point back in Rom 9:6 … For they are not all Israel, that are of Israel: In other words, ‘real Israel' is going to be picked out of the midst of mans ‘Israel'. You understand? Because remember, For many are called, but few chosen. Mat 22:14 That word chosen is eklektos, or elected. And Paul exhorts us to give diligence to make our calling and election sure. (2Pe.1:10) This group of people in Romans 8 was called and elect because in verse 33, he said who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? … So, he's specifically talking about the elect, not just the called. Now, everybody who's the elect has to be called because the word call means invited. You remember when Jesus came to the Jews, they were invited, but they all weren't elect, and the reason was that they didn't accept Jesus. So it's only Israel that He knows and specifically only those who are of faith in the Promises.  Let's look at Rom 11:1 I say then, Did God cast off his people? God forbid. He cast off all but the elect who are born from above for they are His people. There were some Israelites that He didn't cast off because Paul said, For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. So God didn't cast off the chosen or elect Israelites. But there were other Israelites that He did. 2 God did not cast off his people which he foreknew. Notice that. Nobody that God foreknew did He cast off. You know why? Let's read on, and we'll see why. 2 God did not cast off his people which he foreknew. Or know ye not what the scripture saith of Elijah? how he pleadeth with God against Israel: 3 Lord, they have killed thy prophets, they have digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. 4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have left for myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to Baal. 5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election (or chosen) of grace. Now the remnant is according to the election of grace. Notice that Israel did fall away, but not the elect, not the chosen, not the foreknown. Watch. 6 But if it is by grace, it is no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. In other words, by no more of your works, no more works of the law, are you going to be justified before God. 7 What then? That which Israel seeketh for, that he obtained not; but the election obtained it, … Notice, the elect or the chosen will obtain it. The foreknown will obtain it, and they will not be cast off. See, we're identifying something here. There were many people called out of Egypt who fell in the wilderness and did not make it to the Promised Land. The Bible says many are called, but few are chosen or ‘elect'. Who are the ones He foreknew? The many called or the few chosen? So, obviously, from this text you can see very clearly that the ones He foreknew were elect, meaning chosen, and they obtained it. Why did they obtain it? Let's see what it means to be known by God. Look at this verse very closely in Rom 11:19 Thou wilt say then, Branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in. 20 Well; by their unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by thy faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 21 for if God spared not the natural branches (Israel), neither will he spare thee. 22 Behold then the goodness and severity of God: toward them that fell, severity; but toward thee, God's goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. 23 And they also, if they continue not in their unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again.  The point I wanted to make is in verse 26 And so all Israel shall be saved. So what about all those who were cut off? They were Israel. They were called, but they were not elect. Remember what we saw back at the beginning of the chapter: those who were called and fell away in the wilderness. Those who rebelled against God, the ones whose hearts He hardened, He said, But the elect obtained it, and the rest were hardened. (Rom.11:7) Who is Israel? Who is the Israel that God foreknew? It's the elect. It is the foreknown. What about the rest of them? He didn't foreknow them. You know why? Because they didn't endure to the end in faith and obedience.  I want you to notice that everybody who was not foreknown and who was not written in the Lamb's Book of Life from the foundation of the world is going to be deceived and fall away. Everybody. We're talking about those called who fell in the wilderness. That's talking about the world, the flesh, everybody who is not foreknown is going to be deceived by the Beast.  Look at Rev 13:8 And all that dwell on the earth shall worship him, every one whose name hath not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb that hath been slain. Notice, it's everyone who is not written or not foreknown. Many Christians are called, meaning invited, but will not come to prove to be the elect, or chosen. They won't obtain the promise because of unbelief and are broken off. You understand what I'm saying? Remember they do not obtain the promise because they do not endure in faith. You can't obtain the promise that way. Look at Rev 17:8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and is about to come up out of the abyss, and to go into perdition. And they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, they whose name hath not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast, how that he was, and is not, and shall come. So everybody whose name was not written there is going to be deceived, but everybody whose name that is written there will see through it. They are the elect; they will obtain. They are the foreknown; they will obtain. They will be the ‘Paul out of Israel', who God chose to go on and to bear fruit.  Today, we see Israel as a type of Christianity. Out of that, there are some who are going to go on and be obedient. Because obedience proves your faith. If you have no obedience, if you do not obey, if you are not a doer of the word, you have no proof for your faith. The way God is going to prove that you walk by faith is by your works. Everyone who walks by faith will overcome. If we walk by faith, we will overcome the trials in this life; the sin, the works of the devil; we will win.  There's another point I want you to see. Jesus was the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, in Ephesians, where it also says God chose us; that's the word eklektos in Him, before the foundation of the world. Now, if Jesus was the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, when was He manifestly slain? Not until 2,000 years ago. Now, if our names were written in the Lamb's Book of Life before the foundation of the world, when are they manifestly written in the Lamb's Book of Life? They're manifestly written in the Lamb's Book of Life when you're born again. Therefore, you were foreknown just as Christ was foreknown. You see that? It is really important that you follow this now. It's manifest when you're born into the Kingdom. In God's plan and His foreknowledge. Just like Jesus was the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world, but He wasn't killed then. When God set His plan into manifestation, Jesus was sacrificed. But it might as well have been because God calls the things to be not as though they were.  So, when you were born from above you were written in the Book of Life. I'm not talking about in God's plan that He foreknew. I'm talking about when manifestly your name was written in. Because everyone who's born of God is written in His Book. But remember, the ones that He foreknew from the beginning were those who endured to the end and came into the manifestation of Jesus. Psa 87:4 I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon as among them that know me: Behold, Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia: This one was born there. 5 Yea, of Zion it shall be said, This one and that one was born in her; And the Most High himself will establish her. 6 Jehovah will count, when he writeth up the peoples, This one was born there. Selah. The point is, when you're born into the Kingdom, that's when God writes your name. He said, Rejoice not that you have power over the demons, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven. (Luk 10:20) So here's the point. Everybody that's born, including all of those that came out of Egypt, were written in that book. But some were blotted out. Who was it that was blotted out, before the full manifestation of Jesus? Remember, we're talking about those whom He foreknew before the foundation of the world who came into the image of His Son. But according to Rev 3:5, He that overcometh shall thus be arrayed in white garments; and I will in no wise blot his name out of the book of life,…. So you've got many names written in manifestly, and those who don't overcome are blotted out. Before what? Before the full manifestation, the ones who were foreknown. So all the Jews who came out of Egypt were written at that time. Also, every Christian who receives a new born-again spirit from God is written at that time. But only the ones who endure to bear fruit were foreknown. Therefore, of those who fall in the wilderness, He says, I know you not. I never knew you. Why? He didn't foreknow them. What was the main difference between those two groups of people, the wise and the foolish? The main difference was that they both heard the word, but only the wise became a doer of the word. In both Matthew 7 and Matthew 25, the difference between the wise and the foolish is the same. And yet, clearly, even the foolish had oil in their lamps. But their oil was going out. See, there's a great falling away coming because of tribulation, because of trials and people are going to fall away. Look at Psa 69:28 Let them be blotted out of the book of life, And not be written with the righteous. There will be those who will be written in Zion but the sinner in Zion will be destroyed out of it. Look in Isa 4:3 And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem; 4 when the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof, by the spirit of justice, and by the spirit of burning. God is doing a work of purging from the church those who are walking in wickedness, those who are guilty of blood, and walking in disobedience.  This scripture is very plain about being blotted out: Psa 69:28 Let them be blotted out of the book of life, And not be written with the righteous. There's another one where Moses was interceding for the people in Exo 32:32 Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written. 33 And Jehovah said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book. So those who are written among the living, those who have manifested fruit, those who came into the image of Christ through the Word. Those who are written at the end are going to be the ones that He foreknew. They're going to be the elect, the ones that He chose. He exhorts us in 2Pe 1:10 Wherefore, brethren, give the more diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never stumble: Look at 2Ti 2:19 Howbeit the firm foundation of God standeth, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his: and, Let every one that nameth the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness. See, the Lord knows them that are His and that's going to be the ones who depart from unrighteousness, so he's exhorting everybody that names the name of the Lord to depart from unrighteousness, to depart from iniquity. See, we're finding out who the Lord knows. Do you know who He knows? He knows Jesus. He knows the name, which is the nature and character of Jesus. Can you imagine God having relationship with us as Adam did with Eve? (That's what the word ‘know' means.) Imagine God having a relationship with somebody who is contrary to His nature? Do you understand that? God cannot know someone who is contrary to His nature and Word. 1 John 3:9 Whosoever is begotten of God doeth no sin, because his seed abideth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is begotten of God".   Just like He commands us Christians not to choose an unbelieving mate, right? Why did He tell us not to choose an unbelieving mate? Because we're not to know anybody with a contrary nature. What fellowship has light with darkness? So God knows and sows the Word who is Jesus. To the extent Jesus is in you, that's to the extent God knows you.  Who did Jesus say the Father would love? Every Christian? No, He didn't. Joh 14:23…If a man love me he will keep my word: and my Father will love him and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. What is the proof that you love God? Jesus said several times that the proof that you love God is that you obey his commandments. This is the one He knows. 1Co 8:3 but if any man loveth God, the same is known by him. In other words, we are proving our love for God by walking in faith and obeying His commandments. The ones that God knows or foreknew are the ones that love Him. Why? Because they not only hear the Word, they do the Word. The ones that God knows will come to know Him because of the foreknowledge part, like I said. It's in the mind of God. It's calling those things that be not as though they were. God spoke, and ever since He spoke this plan, it's been coming into existence. Don't miss it!  It was Jesus Who was foreknown to die for the world, but He wasn't manifest until Calvary. And you, who were foreknown to be in God, in Christ, before the foundation of the world, weren't manifest until you were born. Of those who are born and walk by faith and overcome and endure to the end, Jesus said, they shall be saved. Those who endure through the wilderness and enter into the Promised Land; they are the types of the elect. The very thing that causes you to go on is faith and if you don't understand that, then you can't overcome it anyway. Ever since Exodus chapter 3 the Lord revealed Himself to Moses. But you know Moses didn't know the Lord? He confessed it in Exodus chapter 33. He did not know the Lord. We are coming to know the Lord. The Lord is the nature of Jesus Christ.  And the more we come to know that nature of the real Jesus, the more we're coming to know the Lord. The one the Father knows, or even foreknew, was Jesus, because He was of like nature. God can only know that which is of like nature. Jesus said in Joh 14:9 If you have seen me you have seen the Father. He doesn't know the worldly person. He doesn't know the wicked person. He knows the righteous man that's inside of those who love Him. Exo 33:12 And Moses said unto Jehovah, See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name, See, the Lord had told Moses, I know thee by name. You know what the word ‘name' means? It's the same in the Hebrew as it is in the Greek. It's nature, character, and authority. The Lord told him, I know thee by name, and thou hast found favor in my sight. 13 Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found favor in thy sight, show me now thy ways, that I may know thee. The Bible talks about the Jews, how they knew the doings of the Lord, but Moses knew the ways of the Lord. There's a difference in knowing His doing and knowing His ways. If you know His ways, you can walk with Him. If you only know His doings, sometimes you're just going from judgment to judgment. …that I may know thee, to the end that I may find favor in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people. 14 And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.  And in verse 17 And Jehovah said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken; for thou hast found favor in my sight, and I know thee by name. 18 And he said, Show me, I pray thee, thy glory. 19 And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and will proclaim the name of Jehovah before thee; Moses found out the name of the Lord in Exodus chapter 3. He told him the exact name. YHWH, I AM THAT I AM. So obviously, he's talking about a different name here. He's talking about the real name here.  Verse 19 And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and will proclaim the name (the Shem) of Jehovah before thee; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. 20 And he said, Thou canst not see my face; for man shall not see me and live. Moses represented the Law; you couldn't come into the likeness of Christ through the Law. So he didn't get to see the face of the Lord, but we have a promise in 1 Corinthians 13. Moses didn't see His face; he spoke to Him face to face, but he didn't see His face. There's a difference. We can speak to the Lord face to face, but not see Him. Now there's a difference. He spoke to God face to face, but he didn't see His face. For man shall not see me and live. In other words, as man, you can't know Him. And as man, you are not known by Him. 1Co 15:50 Flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. It is your spirit man that can know Him and be known by Him. The Holy Spirit helps our infirmity that we can know Him and see Him.  But He goes on to say, 21 and Jehovah said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon the rock: (The only place you can see God is standing upon the rock, right? That's Jesus, and you have to stand upon the Word of God.) 22 and it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a cleft of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand until I have passed by: 23 and I will take away my hand, and thou shalt see my back; but my face shall not be seen. Now, when He revealed the name of the Lord, the Lord said He was going to proclaim His name. It wasn't YHWH because He told him that 30 chapters before. Look at Exo 34:5 And Jehovah descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of Jehovah. 6 And Jehovah passed by before him, and proclaimed, Jehovah, Jehovah, (YHWH; it's YHWH, in the original, that's what He said.) a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness and truth; 7 keeping lovingkindness for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin; and that will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, upon the third and upon the fourth generation. This is His Nature, Character, and Authority, Which is the meaning of Name. Now, He just proclaimed the name of the Lord. But what Moses didn't know, and he asked God to show him, ‘Show me thy ways, so I'll know the one who's going with us.' See, this is knowing God. Knowing this person whose name represents the I AM, that's knowing God. The opposite is also true. God knows the same nature. He knows Jesus Christ. He knows Jesus in us. And it is Christ in us by Word and Spirit that is the hope of glory. Remember in Romans 8, the ones He foreknew, and you go all the way to the end of the verse that says, He also glorified. Everyone He foreknew, He glorified. Now in 1Co.13: 11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child: now that I am become a man, I have put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know fully even as also I was fully known. So knowing fully is seeing God face to face. Moses said, ‘I don't know You; reveal Yourself to me.' Therefore, he could not see Him face to face. Coming to maturity, bearing fruit, or manifesting Christ's likeness is coming to know Him face to face. It is coming to know Him fully as I was fully known. Who is going to come to know Him fully? Only those who were fully known will come to know Him fully and will see Him face to face.  Moses himself said, ‘I don't know You yet.' By the Law, you can't know God face to face. That's why Moses didn't enter into the Promised Land as a type and a shadow because the Law could not make perfect. It's also why Moses couldn't see God's face; he could only see His shadow, His back parts. Did you see that? By the Law, all they could see was shadow, so God said I'll let you see My hinder parts but He wouldn't let you see His face because by the Law you can never come to know God. It's only by His grace that you can come to know God.  Now Moses was asking for this, ‘Let me know the One Who's going to go with us.' In the New Testament, our Moses is Jesus; He did know God face to face. And we're coming to know God face to face through His grace and through His sacrifice. But the ones that are going to fully know God are the ones that were fully known by God before the foundation of the world. All the rest of them are going to fall away, just like those people in the wilderness. They were written in, but blotted out before coming to the fullness of God, which was what? The Promised Land. Did you know that, as a child, we can speak to God face to face? And God can speak to us face to face as a child of God. And the reason we can speak to God as a child is because of our Covenant relationship. But coming to know the Lord is seeing Him face to face by faith. 2Co 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit. That's coming into His nature, coming into His life, coming to know Him. Moses knew the literal name, Y-H-W-H, but he didn't know the One that name just represented. Remember we build on the foundation and we need to able to stand upon the rock when the wind blows and the rain beats against that house. Look, what is the firm foundation of God that stands? It's the name of the Lord. And that everybody who names the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness. We can't stand on that rock in our own strength. I know I've shared this vision that my wife had years ago, how that I was standing on this rock wearing what was like metal leg braces.  The ones who are foreknown are going to stand on that rock of the Word and this shows us it won't be by their own strength, but by the strength of the Lord. So that's why it's our faith that counts. If it were by our works, it would be our strength that would cause us to stand but it's not. We can praise God for this, because it's not by our works. It's by grace, and the only way to get grace is faith in the promises. I thank God that Jesus freely gave us this salvation that we're talking about. We can accept it by faith without trying to work it up in ourselves. Everybody seems to go through that stage of trying to earn their salvation and failing miserably because it's got to be freely given by grace. It's got to be the strength that God supplies, and God supplies that strength by simply believing the word of God, not walking by sight, but believing the word of God. We believe that Jesus took away our sins. Initially we can't see that, but as we believe that He did it will happen. Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. We proclaim and confess the word; that's standing upon the rock and that's the only place you can see the Lord. Right now, maybe we speak to Him more face-to-face than see Him face to face. But we're going to know fully, if we walk by faith, even as we were fully known. Can you imagine that? You're going to know God fully as you were fully known. That's a tremendous promise! I mean, we want to know God, and gradually, the more we stand upon the rock, the more we're going to see His face. It's progressive, it's not an instantaneous thing.  When Moses stood upon the rock and the Lord proclaimed the Name, He proclaimed the nature of God there. This is the way God is, and yet, we're only learning the nature of God a little by little, line upon line, here a little and there a little. We're learning His nature. A lot of people are building things upon the foundation of God that have got to be torn back down, like in 1 Corinthians chapter 3. People build on it, the wood, hay, and the stubble of their own works, own doctrines, and religious establishment. All those dead things have to be burned back down by tribulation, and then start over. We build upon the foundation, which is Christ. There's no other foundation that can be laid that will work. That's what Paul was saying. Some people are on the shifting sand, yet some who are really on the right foundation, but they're building wrong things on the right foundation, the right foundation being that Jesus took away our sins.  But again, you can make the same mistake the Pharisees made in making of no effect the Word of God by their traditions. This is what the worldly church is famous for. This is what the Jews were famous for and Jesus rebuked them several times for that. If you make of no effect the word of God by your traditions, you're not standing upon the rock, and you're not going to see His face.  We have to come to know this Lord. We have to humble ourselves to His word. People have ulterior motives for believing what they believe, which is religion's way; they have different reasons for believing what they believe and they don't like to be wrong. They want to be seen as right. They live purely for the glory of men. And so they never change their mind even when you can show them all the verses in the word. They're building other things on the foundation and those things are going to be torn down by tribulations that are coming. Hopefully, many people will repent and rebuild the right things on the right foundation and bear fruit. That's why tribulation is coming. It's coming to tear down, to shake, the things that can be shaken, shake them right down to the ground so that God can rebuild the truth. There's going to be a great outpouring of truth in the tribulation period for those who love the truth. But sadly, for those who will believe a lie, there's great deception coming. That deception is going to blot a lot of names out of the Book of Life so that those who are foreknown will be there alone. Those that are left in Zion will be holy, you understand, because the spirit of fire has cleansed it, so the way is to walk by faith, to stand upon the Word of God continuously, and not be swayed by the traditions of men, by Babylon's wood, hay and stubble. Babylon really has been around since, as people say, the Tower of Babel, but really the nature of Babylon has been around since the very beginning. Religion is supplanting God's way. The problem is, all we like sheep have gone astray, each one after his own way, and that's why we've got so many religions. But we've got God's standard to go by. God's way, and you really can't accept anything else. Religion's ideas, how to organize the church, and how to do the works of God. Religion's ideas are Babylon. God's people, historically, the Jews were taken captive by Babylon, and will later be delivered from the bondage of Babylon to build Zion, and that's really the Christian walk. Every Christian starts out taken captive to Babylon. That's the false ideas of ways God wants things done, false ideas of the nature of God, the name of God, and their false image of Jesus. Everyone needs to be delivered from all that. Their false teachings, church doctrines, traditions of men, etc., and go to Zion where the truth is. The Lord Jesus is our Zion; the true Word is our Zion. It's seeing God the way God wants to be seen; it's knowing God the way God wants to be known, and without knowing God the way God wants to be known, He doesn't know you. Do you know who God knows? It's the inner man, the seed of Christ that's on the inside of us. God knows Him.  And the point is, if we're not like those virgins taking the vessel of oil along with the lamp with the oil, then we're not bearing fruit in the area of the soul. Their lamps went out because they didn't carry the oil in the vessel. In these days, people don't think it's necessary to obey. But bearing fruit in the area of the soul comes from obedience. Peter said that, and it's something we need to see. 1Pe 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth unto unfeigned love of the brethren, love one another from the heart fervently: 23 having been begotten again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the word of God, which liveth and abideth. In other words, we're still being born again; we're being born again in our soul. And our souls are being purified, and we're walking in holiness. Heb 12:14 Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no man shall see the Lord: 1Jn 3:2 Beloved, now are we children of God, and it is not yet made manifest what we shall be. We know that, if he shall be manifested, we shall be like him; for we shall see him even as he is. 3 And every one that hath this hope set on him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. Mat 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. And Jesus said in Joh 6:46 Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he that is from God, he hath seen the Father. Who is Christ in you. For a more complete teaching on those who are chosen and the elect, see our book Predestined Called and Elect on our Website.

Marriage is beautiful, but not always blissful. In Jacob's multiple marriages, we see some of the harsh realities that are faced when two become one. Still, even when disappointment hits deep and wide, the grace of God runs deeper and wider. Genesis 29 : 14 - 30 : 24 Speaker: Kyle Idleman

It's only natural to evaluate a person's potential based on the obvious resources he/she possesses. The more money, talent, good looks, education, intelligence or social standing he/she has the more we expect him/her to succeed in life. And often this proves to be true. In the world these are the things that tend to make us successful. But when we turn to spiritual matters, these benefits can quickly become obstacles. We can find ourselves trying to serve God using the world's resources. Ironically, it seems when we enter the spiritual arena, it's the people who lack such resources and advantages that frequently take the lead. In Jacob's blessing of his grandsons we see this strange twist of circumstances once again. A person with no apparent reason to be favored receives God's blessing in measures beyond someone who seemed to have a rightful claim on it. Just as had happened over the past two generations, a younger son took the blessing from his older brother. In this study we'll try to understand why this happened and then apply what we learn to us today. To receive a free copy of Dr. Steve Schell's newest book Study Verse by Verse: Revelation, email us at info@lifelessonspublishing.com and ask for your copy at no charge!  Also check out our website at lifelessonspublishing.com for additional resources for pastors and leaders. We have recorded classes and other materials offered at no charge.  

The Grip of Grace – Week 1Wrestled by Grace (Genesis 32:24–32)God does not withdraw from our wrestling. He steps into it with us. In Jacob's story we see that God meets us in our loneliness, marks us with reminders of His grace, and transforms us through the struggle. What feels like a battle can become the place where God reshapes our identity and deepens our dependence on Him. The place of your greatest wrestling can become the place where grace grips you and makes you new.

In Jacob's wrestle with God, the battle wasn't just about survival—it was about transformation. God doesn't simply fix our problems; He reshapes our identity, replacing fear, shame, and false labels with His truth and purpose. When you wrestle with God, you don't leave the same—you leave with a new name, a new confidence, and the freedom to live as who God says you are.

Exile means a forced absence from one's home. It's a consistent theme throughout the story of God's people. Sometimes, it's the consequence of sin (Adam and Eve; Assyrian and Babylonian. exile); more often it's a call to faith (Abraham, Joseph, slavery in Egypt, David, the New Testament command to believers to live as exiles). In Jacob's case – and in ours – there's both. This message gives three expectations for exiles from Genesis 28. 

Jacob's ladder is one of the most iconic dreams in the Bible. In Jacob's dream, God tears open heaven to show that we don't climb our way up to Him — He comes down to us. Centuries later, this dream would find its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ – The true Ladder between heaven and earth.   Speaker: Jake Wright Text: Genesis 28:10–22  

Have you ever thought about what you'd like to use your last words for? In Jacob's deathbed scene, he speaks prophetic blessings to his 12 sons. These words set the trajectory for the tribes that come from these men, and also give us a glimpse of life in the Church. In his first three sons—Reuben, Simeon, and Levi—we learn what God is able to do even through sinners whose sins echo down to the next generation.

God's will was that the covenant promises would pass on to the next generation in the unexpected way. That's the divine pattern. He uses the weak to shame the strong. In Jacob's adoption of Ephraim and Manasseh, we see Jacob embrace this divine pattern. After years of learning to discern the grace of God, he gets it right. This gracious God still works like this in the world today. And because that's the case, we're called, like Joseph, to put away our assumptions, and embrace God's way of grace. 

Esau sold his birthright as the firstborn of Isaac to his brother Jacob for a bowl of stew.   This story helps us see the difference between someone who COVETS the inheritance so much they would risk anything to have and keep it, and someone who disregards the value of that inheritance when faced with pressure.   In Jacob we see someone who was willing to risk it all to have the inheritance of the first born, and while he went about obtaining his brother's blessing in underhanded ways, he was finally confronted by God Himself, Who commended him for wrestling with God and with man, and for being so tenacious about the promise of God to his father and grandfather, Isaac and Abraham.   On the other hand we see Esau. When faced with hunger and pressure from the outside, he lost sight of the unmatched value of his birthright in the lineage and the promise of God. The promised Messiah came through Jacob rather than Esau, and it was JACOB who now bears the name of Israel forever because he persevered in his wrestle with God and man.   We can learn so much about our inheritance in Christ Jesus from this story and example in scripture, and we learn from THE WAY OF ESAU what we should NOT DO and how we can guard our hearts against the things that come to steal that glorious inheritance as we are united with Christ Jesus, the First Born from heaven.

As we continue our study of Christophanies, we turn to Genesis 32—the story of Jacob and Esau. Here, God reveals Himself as the one who delivers, especially from fear. He often does this by disrupting our solitude, breaking our self-reliance, and drawing us into dependence on Him as He delivers us from sin. In Jacob's struggle, we see that true deliverance begins when God lovingly breaks us in order to remake us.

THE SALVATION OF THE SOUL AND THE SPIRITUAL STRUGGLE We're finishing up Module One of our Salvation of the Soul series with this sixth and final session. We've explored how, in response to early experiences of forsakenness, a person can create a protective helper part in their soul. These strategies becomes embedded and trapped as immature attempts to protect us from harm, leading to more unnecessary suffering over a person's life. We've learned that our spirit can discover and gently engage with these outdated parts, not as enemies, but as once-useful protectors doing their best. With spiritual authority and compassion, we can invite them to step aside and make room for our true Helper—the Holy Spirit—who reveals to us our God-designed self, united with Jesus and the Father. There is a graphic story of a spiritual struggle in Genesis 32 about Jacob who wrestles with God, where God appears to Jacob in the form of an angel. Jacob's life had been one continuous struggle, creating many unhelpful helper parts in his soul, using his own wits and skills and devious ways to get what he believed was due to him. His twin brother Esau came out of the womb before him, but Jacob grabbed his heel to get there first and it went on from there because it was in Jacob's spirit to want the blessing of God upon his life - that was his heart, and we discover later that it was not Esau's heart. But Jacob had lied and cheated and achieved many successes and some failures by constantly putting his unhelpful helper parts to use. He got to the point in in his life after cheating his brother Esau and pretending to his blind father Isaac that he was his brother, to get the first born blessing and  manipulating his father-in-Law Laban that he knew there had to be change in his life that only God could achieve in him. He was about to meet up with Esau again after many years in a proposed meeting for reconciliation, and he was worried that Esau might even exact revenge upon him. He let his family go on ahead and stayed alone and in the night, he finds himself in a spiritual struggle with God in the form of an angel and wrestles with God. In Jacob's wrestle with God, he became both a loser and a winner in the same encounter, just as we do with God because we can't beat God, but we stay in the struggle because God's blessing means more to us than any other blessing. And Jacob refused to let God go until God had blessed him. So in his willingness to have attitudes and behaviours overcome in his soul, he showed God that he was sincere in his spirit. And then God mercifully affirmed him in that by saying, ‘you have prevailed with God'. So, he didn't beat God, but God still declared him a spiritual winner. His spirit yielded to God and his soul surrendered its many unhelpful helpers, and he won God's blessing. They had thought they knew better than God in their grasping for blessings rather than faithfully receiving them from God. That is what our helper parts do – until they get to know and faithfully trust God for his best for us. But we can say to our souls to hold fast to the confession of your hope without wavering for he who has promised is faithful. (Hebrews 10:23). And God was faithful to Jacob with his promise despite Jacob's wayward ways. God changed not only his nature, but also changed his name from Jacob to Israel, which means prevailing with God. So our spiritual struggle with God is not against God, it's with God, and he says ‘we can walk together'. Israel also means prince. He received a new identity and a new place of authority in the purpose of God for his life. But he also received a permanent limp where his hip bone was damaged when the angel struck him and that finished the struggle, and this left Jacob with a new moment by moment awareness of his vulnerability. Now this is being a real person, and his unhelpful helper parts were no longer hidden, but they were no longer ruling his life if and when they were triggered. He now knew what to choose, and he knew how to choose, and he knew how to live in God's blessing, and that limp kept reminding him - you're vulnerable. He could glory in his spiritual struggles and infirmities, because when he was weak God was strong in him and with him.  Paul also tells us of his many spiritual struggles, and he encourages us in our spiritual struggles. He said when I am weak the power of Christ can rest upon me. (2Corinthians 12:9). Our spirit knows all the parts of us, and our struggles are like weighty burdens that our helper parts are carrying, and they often confuse our interpretations of situations, and they allow self-focussed emotional reactions and errors of judgment to occur – the missing of the mark – the sin which we later regret. The Bible speaks of these burdens and struggles in the book of Hebrews. ‘Lay aside the weights and the sin that so easily besets us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. (Hebrews 12:1)  This is what is meant by our besetting sin – the repetitive missing of the mark, driven by entrenched unhelpful helpers.  Jesus tells us to lay aside our burdens and come to Him for rest: Come to me, all you who labour and are heavy burdened (phortizo 5412 - to overburden with ceremony or spiritual anxiety – our spiritual struggle). Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28).  His yoke is easy because he offers us grace to walk closely with him, bonded and supported. Instead of carrying the heavy weight of old soul helper parts struggles and confusion, we now take on a lighter burden – a lighter spiritual struggle - the challenge of trusting Jesus. But even that faith comes from Him; He is the author and finisher of our faith. He's saying, “I'm doing the heavy lifting—believe in me.” Jesus lifts the pain and failure we carry and gives us rest. We are no longer bonded to unhelpful soul strategies -we are yoked with Him.  This becomes an intelligent and spiritual process of our human spirit, together with the Holy Spirit, having dialogue with those parts with curiosity, and having those parts indicate to us what they feel, what they think, and what do they think they have to do in order to keep our whole system in balance at the time. And we now become Unbonded from them and bonded to Jesus through the New Helper – the Holy Spirit who brings the truth of what's been going on and what will now go on in our faith walk with Jesus. God planned in eternity for the saving of our soul and to become transformed into a Life-giving Spirit, after his likeness, not just in his image. Jesus became that life giving spirit by becoming human when he was already a life-giving spirit in heaven. And we become a life-giving Spirit by becoming partakers of his Divine nature. He planned that before Adam even sinned. We could say that Jesus had already saved us before Adam even fell. The faith process of the transformative work of coming into the likeness of Jesus as a life-giving Spirit is outlined in Ephesians chapter four. Paul knew the experience of having the ‘Old Man' – the nature of Adam within him while at the same time having the ‘New Man' – the Spirit of the life of Christ Jesus within him. He explains to us the process of making the inner exchange from living as the old creation to living in the New Creation – from a mindset of separation to a mindset of togetherness. Put off your old man (the old self in the likeness of Adam), which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt (phtherio -wasteful and ruinous manner) through deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the New Man (the New self), created after the likeness of God in true righteousness (which means being aligned with God's ways) and holiness (set apart for his destined  purpose for your life). (Ephesians 4:22),  Paul is inviting us into something wonderful. He says we can invite our old self to stand aside, our old helpers forming the soul of our human nature and trying to drive our life with these old attitudes and habits. And welcome home the new creation self that is created after the likeness of God, aligned with his heart and devoted to him.  God says, you aren't that old image with that deficient soul. You are in Christ, you are a new creation, and I want you to know who you are and I want you to live your new life as I created it to be lived. This is a determination of God and we no longer need to get in the way. Each part of our orphan spirit's heart that has been wounded can now be healed. Every lie that we've wrongly believed about ourselves is now able to be corrected and brought into line with God's idea of who we truly are. Whatever other people's negative ideas have done to us to devalue our true worth are erased by faith. That life changing process becomes the way of life. It becomes the way of discipleship to Jesus who knew how to be still and know his Father's ways and his guidance and direction. But for that to happen we need to embrace that same practice of being still and knowing God. The next module of the series is all about that. It is called the Practice of Presence Prayer.  When Christianity became Christendom in the 4th century the church became political and warlike and financially rich and powerful with a form of godliness but denying the power thereof (2Timothy 3:5). However there remained (and still does) a silver river of redemption, a river of life flowing through dedicated Godly men and women who gave themselves to contemplative practices and the Scriptures and pastoral care and teaching that were modelled by the early Church Fathers. This river has been flowing over all those hundreds of years, and I will be sharing the Scriptural foundations of that transformative way of receiving the salvation and healing of our souls and becoming a life-giving Spirit. Paul O'Sullivan – pauloss@me.com

This episode is part 12 in a series going through the story of the Book of Mormon.In Jacob chapter 6, Jacob uses the allegory of the vineyard from the prophet Zenos mentioned in the previous chapter to call the people of Nephi to reflect and repent. Of course, I point out where I see statements that are borrowed from the Bible.In Jacob chapter 7, Jacob encounters a heretic named Sherem who teaches that no "Christ" will come. After Jacob rebukes him, God strikes Sherem with a fatal illness. Sherem renounces what he taught before. We are left unclear if this was a deathbed conversion or just a heretic fearing judgment from God.I discuss a little about the last statement from the book of Jacob, which is "Brethren, adieu."Further research:Book of Mormon in videoJoseph Smith: The Prophet of the RestorationThe Book of Mormon online: Jacob [chapters 6, 7]*** Please contribute to the Hurricane relief fund for A.M. Brewster ***We value your feedback!Have questions for Truthspresso? Contact us!

This episode is part 12 in a series going through the story of the Book of Mormon.In Jacob chapter 6, Jacob uses the allegory of the vineyard from the prophet Zenos mentioned in the previous chapter to call the people of Nephi to reflect and repent. Of course, I point out where I see statements that are borrowed from the Bible.In Jacob chapter 7, Jacob encounters a heretic named Sherem who teaches that no "Christ" will come. After Jacob rebukes him, God strikes Sherem with a fatal illness. Sherem renounces what he taught before. We are left unclear if this was a deathbed conversion or just a heretic fearing judgment from God.I discuss a little about the last statement from the book of Jacob, which is "Brethren, adieu."Further research:Book of Mormon in videoJoseph Smith: The Prophet of the RestorationThe Book of Mormon online: Jacob [chapters 6, 7]*** Please contribute to the Hurricane relief fund for A.M. Brewster ***We value your feedback!Have questions for Truthspresso? Contact us!

This episode is part 11 in a series going through the story of the Book of Mormon.In Jacob chapter 5, Jacob relays the "mystery" he just mentioned. It's something the Nephites as children of Israel should have read or heard. A prophet named Zenos wrote an allegory of Israel as an olive tree. This allegory clearly borrows from several passages of the Bible, but adds far more detail.Did you know that an ancient prophet in Israel wrote a story depicting how the church would have a lot of denominations bearing wild fruit? Did you know his story also described the origin and fate of the Book of Mormon's Lamanite and Nephite peoples?Amazing prophecy! Or, perhaps, it was all Joseph Smith with 20/20 hindsight and imagination.Sources Cited:The Biblical Antiquities of Philo chapter 25"Is Anything Known of the Prophet Zenos Outside of the Book of Mormon?" Scripture Central, August 20, 2020.Encyclopedia of Mormonism, s.v. "Zenos," accessed April 6, 2025.Further research:Book of Mormon in videoJoseph Smith: The Prophet of the RestorationThe Book of Mormon online: Jacob [chapter 5]*** Please contribute to the Hurricane relief fund for A.M. Brewster ***We value your feedback!Have questions for Truthspresso? Contact us!Mentioned in this episode:Affiliate Link: Blackout CoffeeBlackout Coffee is a coffee company that supports traditional American values of strong families, personal responsibility, and patriotism. Blackout Coffee delivers to active duty military and first responders. Be Awake, Not Woke with their rich and flavorful coffees, teas, and hot cocoas.Blackout Coffee

This episode is part 11 in a series going through the story of the Book of Mormon.In Jacob chapter 5, Jacob relays the "mystery" he just mentioned. It's something the Nephites as children of Israel should have read or heard. A prophet named Zenos wrote an allegory of Israel as an olive tree. This allegory clearly borrows from several passages of the Bible, but adds far more detail.Did you know that an ancient prophet in Israel wrote a story depicting how the church would have a lot of denominations bearing wild fruit? Did you know his story also described the origin and fate of the Book of Mormon's Lamanite and Nephite peoples?Amazing prophecy! Or, perhaps, it was all Joseph Smith with 20/20 hindsight and imagination.Sources Cited:The Biblical Antiquities of Philo chapter 25"Is Anything Known of the Prophet Zenos Outside of the Book of Mormon?" Scripture Central, August 20, 2020.Encyclopedia of Mormonism, s.v. "Zenos," accessed April 6, 2025.Further research:Book of Mormon in videoJoseph Smith: The Prophet of the RestorationThe Book of Mormon online: Jacob [chapter 5]*** Please contribute to the Hurricane relief fund for A.M. Brewster ***We value your feedback!Have questions for Truthspresso? Contact us!Mentioned in this episode:Affiliate Link: Blackout CoffeeBlackout Coffee is a coffee company that supports traditional American values of strong families, personal responsibility, and patriotism. Blackout Coffee delivers to active duty military and first responders. Be Awake, Not Woke with their rich and flavorful coffees, teas, and hot cocoas.Blackout Coffee

This episode is part 10 in a series going through the story of the Book of Mormon.In Jacob chapter 3, Jacob continues his sermon against the people of Nephi for their pride, greed, and polygamy. I discuss a little about the polygamy issue I raised in the last part. Jacob also warns the Nephites that, if they don't repent, they could end up with darker skin than the Lamanites. Apparently, in the ancient Americas, sin affects skin. And darker skin is a curse from God.Jacob chapter 4 talks about how the brass plates record many clear prophecies about Jesus: the atonement, that He is the "only begotten Son" and that Abraham and Isaac are a picture of God the Father and Jesus. Because the Jews in captivity became stiffnecked against the clear prophecies that even the prophets before them received, God took away these clear prophecies and gave them words harder to understand.The LDS church argues that Joseph Smith restored the true church from apostasy. The Book of Mormon claims that the Bible we have today has lost "plainness."Further research:Book of Mormon in videoJoseph Smith: The Prophet of the RestorationThe Book of Mormon online: Jacob [chapters 3, 4]*** Please contribute to the Hurricane relief fund for A.M. Brewster ***We value your feedback!Have questions for Truthspresso? Contact us!

This episode is part 10 in a series going through the story of the Book of Mormon.In Jacob chapter 3, Jacob continues his sermon against the people of Nephi for their pride, greed, and polygamy. I discuss a little about the polygamy issue I raised in the last part. Jacob also warns the Nephites that, if they don't repent, they could end up with darker skin than the Lamanites. Apparently, in the ancient Americas, sin affects skin. And darker skin is a curse from God.Jacob chapter 4 talks about how the brass plates record many clear prophecies about Jesus: the atonement, that He is the "only begotten Son" and that Abraham and Isaac are a picture of God the Father and Jesus. Because the Jews in captivity became stiffnecked against the clear prophecies that even the prophets before them received, God took away these clear prophecies and gave them words harder to understand.The LDS church argues that Joseph Smith restored the true church from apostasy. The Book of Mormon claims that the Bible we have today has lost "plainness."Further research:Book of Mormon in videoJoseph Smith: The Prophet of the RestorationThe Book of Mormon online: Jacob [chapters 3, 4]*** Please contribute to the Hurricane relief fund for A.M. Brewster ***We value your feedback!Have questions for Truthspresso? Contact us!

What do we do when we face paralyzing fear? In Jacob's time of fear, he prayed. That's the mark of spiritual transformation. Jacob came to Laban's territory prayerless, but now he departs in holy prayer. This passage shows us what it looks like to lean on Christ in times of fear, and through prayer to carve out a different path by honestly remembering how good the Lord has already been to us, and expressing what we need from Him in the moment.

In Jacob, dood in Qatar is te horen hoe journalist Lex Boon en kunstdetective Arthur Brand verwikkeld raken in een intrigerende zaak rondom de raadselachtige dood van de Nederlandse Jacob in Qatar. Jacob is daar werkzaam voor het privémuseum van een steenrijke sjeik, als hij in 2021 dood wordt aangetroffen in zijn bed. Dat gebeurt een paar maanden nadat de voormalige Nederlandse directeur, Kees Wieringa, een onthullend boek heeft uitgebracht over de giftige werksfeer en de dubieuze praktijken in het museum. Wist Jacob te veel?  Jacob, dood in Qatar is een podcast van Lex Boon, geproduceerd door Submarine, onder begeleiding van Marion Oskamp en Simn Heijmans. DOCS is de documentaire podcast van de publieke omroep onder eindredactie van NTR en VPRO. Presentatie: Dija Kabba Meer informatie: 2doc.nl/docs, vragen of reacties kun je sturen naar: docs@ntr.nl

In Jacob, dood in Qatar is te horen hoe journalist Lex Boon en kunstdetective Arthur Brand verwikkeld raken in een intrigerende zaak rondom de raadselachtige dood van de Nederlandse Jacob in Qatar. Jacob is daar werkzaam voor het privémuseum van een steenrijke sjeik, als hij in 2021 dood wordt aangetroffen in zijn bed. Dat gebeurt een paar maanden nadat de voormalige Nederlandse directeur, Kees Wieringa, een onthullend boek heeft uitgebracht over de giftige werksfeer en de dubieuze praktijken in het museum. Wist Jacob te veel?  Jacob, dood in Qatar is een podcast van Lex Boon, geproduceerd door Submarine, onder begeleiding van Marion Oskamp en Simn Heijmans. DOCS is de documentaire podcast van de publieke omroep onder eindredactie van NTR en VPRO. Presentatie: Dija Kabba Meer informatie: 2doc.nl/docs, vragen of reacties kun je sturen naar: docs@ntr.nl

In Jacob's last words to his sons, Jesus reveals his unearned grace in an unexpected way. Whether we're wrestling with past mistakes like Judah or enduring trials like Joseph—we can be confident Jesus is at the center of it making all things new.

In Jacob's last words to his sons, Jesus reveals his unearned grace in an unexpected way. Whether we're wrestling with past mistakes like Judah or enduring trials like Joseph—we can be confident Jesus is at the center of it making all things new.

Today is a day of great mysteries revealed by the Lord. Join Prophet Hari Rao as he unveils the importance and power of a name. As you listen, may these profound truths sink deep into your spirit. While what you hear with your ears might be forgotten, what you receive in your spirit will remain.Jacob, a deeply flawed man named "deceiver" at birth, lived up to his name by deceiving his own family. Despite this, God was not intimidated by Jacob's mess or afraid to associate with him. Like Jacob, we all have lived up to the names given to us, which have become part of our identity. Sometimes, life is a journey of undoing a name. God, however, is not deterred by our frailties. When you come to God, you come to someone who can turn your life around.Jacob deceived his father and brother, usurping the blessing of the firstborn and stealing Esau's birthright. We often equate blessings with material possessions, but Jacob understood the power of the words his father was about to speak over his brother. Truly spiritual people understand that everything proceeds a word. Words spoken by a spirit are always more valuable than substance.Jacob's encounter in Genesis 28 occurs at the same location where his grandfather, Abraham, also encountered God and raised an altar to honor Him. This location had transformed from a mere physical place into a spiritual portal; the altar activated the spiritual DNA of the man who worshiped there decades ago. This is how you secure future generations. Your consecrations, altars, and sacrifices can speak for generations long after you are gone. You shape the future through the covenants you make, the prayers you pray, and the altars you raise. A legacy is not just an institution you build but the life you live before God.In Jacob's dream, he didn't just see a ladder; he saw mysteries, truths, and dimensions tabernacled in the Lord Jesus. The ladder is not just a physical element; it signifies a hierarchy of truths and mysteries. The distance between heaven and earth is bridged by truth, which is Jesus Himself. Jacob is now encountering this mystery and truth, receiving understanding from God. Every mystery conceals a reality, and this ladder leads Jacob to the God of his father. He learned mysteries that could provoke an encounter. Understanding these truths grants access to hidden realities.Jacob made a covenant with God, vowing to serve Him if he could return to his father's house in peace. Now, sixteen years later, Jacob wrestled for this covenant as he returned. Jacob was a man carrying mysteries; he understood the power of covenants and how to create lasting memorials before God. It wasn't by chance; he engineered and prepared for these encounters. Often, we receive a divine encounter or word and move on, unsure of how to immortalize that moment with God. Each divine encounter should be made a memorial, sealed by raising an altar before God. This is how you seal an encounter and make it immortal before God.Jacob wrestled with a mysterious being for his blessing, who, despite being stronger, needed to be released by Jacob before sunrise because he sought to remain a mystery and not become public domain! This is why you need fathers who wrestle with hidden mysteries and truths to reveal them. The angel refuses to bless Jacob and instead asks for his name, knowing Jacob doesn't understand that he was already blessed and that what he truly lacked was an identity.Every person has the opportunity to bury their struggle with them. But Rachel, overcome by her pain and past, named her son Benoni, a son of sorrow, repeating the mistake made by Jacob's mother. However, Jacob, aware of patterns and the power of a name, intervenes and calls him Benjamin, meaning "son of my right hand," affirming a new identity devoid of past sorrows.What is your name? Because your identity unlocks your blessing.May God open your eyes to reveal your true identity in Him. Receive grace for a new name that will unlock your blessings. 

In Jacob's story, he has tricked his father, stole from his brother, and might feel lonely because of his own actions.  Maybe he assumes no one wants to be with him.  But God is faithful and visits Jacob in a dream to tell him he has a future, he has a friend, and to have faith. Today's scripture comes from Genesis 28:18-22 Original Broadcast Date: June 9, 2024 creekwoodumc.org

Our Mothers Knew It with Maria EckersleyA Creative Study of Come, Follow MeBook of Mormon [JACOB 5-7] Insights“The Lord Labors with Us”April 8 - April 14, 2024WEEK 15: SUMMARY=================Lesson Summary:Jacob's final teachings will focus our attention squarely on the Atonement of Jesus Christ. In Jacob 5, he'll teach us Zenos' allegory of the Olive Tree to help us understand the depth and infinite scope of God's love for His children. Next, in chapter 6, he'll urge us to be reconciled to God through Christ in this life and not procrastinate the day of our repentance. In chapter 7, Jacob we teach us how to be unshaken in the face of fierce opposition when he encounters Sherem, the first Anti-Christ of the Book of Mormon.This week we'll open up conversations about the Olive Tree symbolism by creating our own paper-bag vineyard. Next, we'll balance a trio of knives to study the tools Jacob used to know and defend truth. Finally, we'll play a new Kahoot to help us review the first 3 books of the Book of Mormon and appreciate the steadying force of scripture study in our lives.1) “I will liken thee … unto a tame olive tree”: Vineyard Craft2) “He had hope to shake me from the faith”: Triangle of Truth Knives3) “They searched the Scriptures”: Kahoot Challenge #1CHAPTERS=========00:00:13 CREATIVE INTRODUCTION00:03:23 OBJECT LESSON 100:08:30 OBJECT LESSON 200:12:30 OBJECT LESSON 300:15:23 WRAP UPFollow Maria on:Creative Come Follow Me digital courseMeckMom.comInstagram @meckmomlifeYouTube CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST DISCLAIMER: This podcast represents my own thoughts and opinions. It is not made, approved or endorsed by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Any content or creative interpretations, implied or included are solely those of Maria Eckersley ("MeckMom LLC"), and not those of Intellectual Reserve, Inc. or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Great care has been made to ensure this podcast is in harmony with the overall mission of the Church. Click here to visit the official website of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Our Mothers Knew It with Maria EckersleyA Creative Study of Come, Follow MeBook of Mormon [JACOB 5-7] Insights“The Lord Labors with Us”April 8 - April 14, 2024WEEK 15: SUMMARY=================Lesson Summary:Jacob's final teachings will focus our attention squarely on the Atonement of Jesus Christ. In Jacob 5, he'll teach us Zenos' allegory of the Olive Tree to help us understand the depth and infinite scope of God's love for His children. Next, in chapter 6, he'll urge us to be reconciled to God through Christ in this life and not procrastinate the day of our repentance. In chapter 7, Jacob we teach us how to be unshaken in the face of fierce opposition when he encounters Sherem, the first Anti-Christ of the Book of Mormon.Questions to Consider:Jacob 5:4 | How do you see agency and omnicience working together in the same space. As an omniscient God, why does he speak in possibilities?Jacob 5:18 | Have you seen examples where those who are new to the Covenant draw strength from and simultaneously add strength to the Church?Jacob 5:30-31 | How can the trap of being busy but not productive in the Lord's way lead to apostasy in us?Jacob 7:4 | Why is flattery such an effective tool of the adversary? How do we guard against it?Jacob 6:5 | Do you see connections between cleaving and covenants? How do we cleave unto God?CHAPTERS=========00:00:13 INSIGHTS INTRODUCTION00:04:36 SPARK 1: HE USES MANY TOOLS00:13:18 SPARK 2: HE IS A GARDENER AND A TRAINER00:20:36 SPARK 3: HE WORKS WHEN WE DO NOT SEE HIM00:24:49 SPARK 4: HE IS AN OPTIMIST00:28:55 SPARK 5: HE MOURNS LOSS AND GIVES MEASURED RESPONSE00:34:43 SPARK 6: CHARACTER OF A PROPHET, PROPHETS SPEAK PLAINLY00:40:09 SPARK 7: CHARACTER OF A PROPHET, PROPHETS SEEK GOD'S WILL00:48:01 QUESTIONS00:51:22 WRAP UPFollow Maria on:Creative Come Follow Me digital courseMeckMom.comInstagram @meckmomlifeYouTube CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST DISCLAIMER: This podcast represents my own thoughts and opinions. It is not made, approved or endorsed by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Any content or creative interpretations, implied or included are solely those of Maria Eckersley ("MeckMom LLC"), and not those of Intellectual Reserve, Inc. or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Great care has been made to ensure this podcast is in harmony with the overall mission of the Church. Click here to visit the official website of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Jacob's Ladder #4: In His Presence Journey with Lana and Courtney, as they themselves encounter God, even while talking about Jacob's encounter. In this episode we learn that God's promise was not dependent on Jacob's actions, for God declared, “I will…” For He is the great I AM. In Jacob's brokenness and wayward moments, God reveals His grace, as He is the one who leans in close. And it is there In God's presence that everything changes. In His presence we can do anything. Through the revelation of who He is, there is birthed a courage and boldness to do all He has asked us to do — a courage to believe in the promise and to dream again.

This week on the show Maine and Simon recap Nick Rodriguez vs Victor Hugo on WNO 22.We kick off news with a discussion of Pit Fighting Jiu Jitsu announced matchups, and Polaris Open information. We jump right into recapping the main event of Nick Rodriguez vs Victor Hugo, we talk about the guard work and submission attempts and perfect strategy from Victor that led him to a decision victory. In the welterweight title match we talk about Mica Galvão vs Kenta Iwamoto, we discuss the wrestling counter of Mica into submissions and the variety of offensive options Mica used in the matchup.  In the recap of Amanda "Tubby" Alequin vs Adele Fornarino the second fastest submission in WNO history with Adele hitting an Aoki lock in 24 seconds. In the Lightweight title match we talk Dante Leon vs Diego "Pato" Oliveira, and how the featherweight champ became the two division WNO champ. We recap the lightning fast SLX transition to the heel hook that Pato hit to take the 155 pound title, and how the weight played less of a factor in the match than we had anticipated. In Tainan Dalpra  vs Oliver Taza, we talk about Tainan Dalpra second no-gi black belt match and how the AOJ game planning and positional control was the big deciding factor in the decision for Tainan. We also talk about who we want to see Tainan Dalpra face next. In Jacob "The Hillbilly Hammer" Couch vs Sebastian Rodriguez we discuss the leg locks of Jacob Couch and how his game plan was as similar as we predicted using nearly the same entry that he used to win ADCC East Coast Trials to hit a powerful heel hook to win the match. In Elijah Dorsey vs Ivan Herrera we talk about Dorsey modified americana from the back position. In Max Hanson vs Daniel Sathler we talk about the flying armbar over the guard submission that Sathler was able to hit.  We discuss Ashlee Funegra vs Marilyn Cruz and how Funegra used great positional control to take the decision. We also talk about the matchup Dory Aoun vs Kyle Chambers, where Dory took a close decision win. In the preview section we run through the top names in the 2024 ADCC European, Middle Eastern, and African trials.Recorded 2-12-2023

This week on the show Maine and Miranda preview Nick Rodriguez vs Victor Hugo on WNO 22.We jump right into previewing the main event Nick Rodriguez vs Victor Hugo, the third match so far with Hugo taking the first three we talk about the changes to Nicky Rods passing and overall game since their matches in 2020 and 2021.In the welterweight title match we talk about Mica Galvão -vs Kenta Iwamoto, we discuss the wrestling and the variety of offensive options Mica has in the matchup.  In a late replacement match we talk Amanda "Tubby" Alequin vs Adele Fornarino, adn the possibility that Tubby will continue to mix up her game plan since her One FC match. In the Lightweight title match we talk Dante Leon vs Diego "Pato" Oliveira, the featherweight champ, and how the recent staggering weight routine may play a factor in the match. In Tainan Dalpra  vs Oliver Taza, we talk about Tainan Dalpra second no-gi black belt match and how the AOJ game planning may be the big deciding factor in this matchup. In Jacob "The Hillbilly Hammer" Couch vs Sebastian Rodriguez we discuss the leg locks of Jacob Couch and if his game plan would be similar to the one he used to win ADCC East Coast Trials.In Elijah Dorsey vs Ivan Herrera we talk about Dorsey consistent score first strategy. In Max Hanson vs Daniel Sathler we talk about Max holding all the regional belts and winning his way onto WNO. We discuss Ashlee Funegra vs Marilyn Cruz in another big matchup for the Funegra sisters.We also talk about the style matchup between Dory Aoun vs Kyle Chambers. Recorded 2-5-2023

Altars are places where we offer up to God the things that consume us, control us and compete with His place in our lives. We also build altars as an act of worship because we realize God has kept us. Jacob is 97 years old before he builds an altar to God. In Jacob, we see the radical love of a God who presses us until we realize what He's always known — we'll never be home in ourselves or in Him until we build Him an altar.  

In Jacob's dying song we revisit a great theme of the book of Genesis: 'The Significant Son'. Remember the hope of Genesis 3:15? The woman's son would crush the serpents head. Perhaps Adam and Eve where hopeful that their first born Cain would be their savior. As the narrative continues, the birth of Seth following the murder of Able and the banishment of Cain may have renewed their hopes of salvation. Through the ages, the patriarch's hopes were kept alive through the elect line as Enoch defied death, Noah sailed humanity through the waters of judgement to a new world, Abraham received a covenant of light and blessing to the nations, Isaac was miraculously born, and Jacob received the birthright. Yet could any of these men deliver us from evil hearts and redeem this fallen world of sin and its effects? No. Nevertheless, In Jacob's song, hope for a savior still lives though perhaps barely audible to his sons by way of his feeble dying voice. Thankfully, his oracle is written down forever in the pages of Holy Scripture where we may behold its weight and glory in light of New Covenant fulfillment.

In Jacob and Jordan's dream job factory this episode is nuclear mechanical engineer Harry Stevenson, discussing his career and his dream job. May contain uranium, vegetables and formaldehyde. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you (Genesis 28:15). These words are part of the promise God made to Jacob as Jacob flees from his brother's wrath. The Bible is full of promises like these: from God's promise to Adam and Eve to bring redemption all the way to Jesus promise that he is coming back. The Bible's narrative, one might say, is propelled forward by these promises. The Bible does not portray Jacob as morally or even spiritually upstanding in any way. Throughout his story, his faults are front and centre. It is important to see this because the Bible is not about upstanding people we should emulate. Rather, it is the story of God's faithfulness to unfaithful humans. These are the kinds of promises percolating throughout the Bible. Promises that God will prosper people who are particularly unworthy of God's attention. Let's look at the promises God made to Jacob and hear them as promises made to us, who are very much like Jacob. We need to hear them in the messiness of life, some of it, of our own making. These promises are not reserved for those on the spiritual mountain top but for those sloshing through the valleys. The first part of the promise is that God will be with Jacob as he flees. In Jacob's day, most people believed that the deities only had power in local areas, not able to influence events beyond their territory. Thus, it is remarkable that God can go with Jacob wherever he ends up. David explores this truth in Psalm 139, finding comfort in the reality that he cannot escape God's presence. Jesus leaves his disciples with the same promise before he returns to heaven (Matthew 28:18-20). He gives this promise even though some of them still doubted (17). He makes good on his promise by sending his Holy Spirit. This Spirit reminds us that we are the children of the heavenly father. The second part of the promise to Jacob is that God will watch over him. Again, it is a promise that Israel as a whole, comes to claim. Psalm 121 is probably the most well known and it places this promise into the liturgy of Israel and the church. It became part of our worship because it is so difficult to believe. We sing it to each other to shore up our faltering faith. Jesus reworked this promise when he said, “I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18). We know it is part of this promise because Jesus is quick to add, “And the realm of the dead will not overcome it”. The church is up against the worst kind of enemy, but Jesus will keep his church. He makes this promise to his disciples who probably would not be permitted to members in our churches. They just didn't get who Jesus was, yet the promise is made. And to this day, he has kept it. Again, it is important for us to consider to whom God makes these promises. Jacob is a schemer and deceiver. He does not act out of faith, but doubts that God is able. Yet, God goes with him. This is God's mercy. Consider this in the context of your own doubts and waywardness. If the promises of God are dependent on our worthiness, none would ever be fulfilled. They are dependent on God's faithfulness to his own Word. That is good news indeed. Consider this promise also in the context of Christ's church which seems to fail more often in holiness and grace then she succeeds. In the messiness of Christian community, we rely not on ourselves but in the promises of Jesus. This is the good news of the gospel.  Journey on with God's blessing, May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he'll do it! The amazing grace of Jesus Christ be with you!

Baggage--we all have it and we all carry it. The baggage we carry weighs down our relationships with others--family and friends, co-workers and neighbors. Our baggage gets in the way of an honest walk with God, ruins marriages, and ends friendships. BUT…there is good news for those who are weary of carrying their baggage everywhere they go. Through the life of Jacob we will learn how God uses our baggage to help us know Him, and then invites us to give Him all that weighs us down. In Jacob's baggage we find redemption, reconciliation, purpose, and value. Life does not have to be heavy. We are invited to travel light. Baggage will teach us let go.  This week we will open up the bag of family relationships and sibling rivalry, revealing the impact Jacob and Esau's relationship still has on our world today.

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: Chassidus Applied to 10 TevesWhat is the significance of this day? Why is the siege of the wall around Jerusalem so pivotal? How is it possible that we go from the brightest days of Chanukah into one of the darkest days of the Tenth of Teves, the beginning stage of the Temple's destruction? How could something so apparently negative and sad occur in Teves, which contains the word tov, good? Chassidus Applied to VayechiWhy is the chapter about Jacob's passing called Vayechi (lived)? Why do we say that Jacob's best years of his life were the 17 years he spent in Mitzrayim? And if so, why was he so adamant that he be buried in the Holy Land? Why did Jacob keep a “grudge” against Shimon and Levi for the massacre of Shechem? In Jacob's blessings to his children he tells us that great kings will come from Judah, great judges from Dan, great seafarers from Zevulun. Can we deduce which tribe performers originate from? What does it mean that Yaakov Avinu lo meis (Jacob our father did not die)? How could Joseph defile and embalm his father, something prohibited by the Torah? New Year:Is it appropriate to wish “Happy New Year”? What is the story with Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev about this? Should we celebrate when an evil person dies? Can homeopathy be used as a remedy? How can we ensure that good deeds should be done with consideration for others? Follow-up: Irreverent questions Previous week's Torah chapters:Miketz: Can Joseph's interpretation of Pharaohs dreams also be a life lesson for us about the importance of saving money and resources in case we need them in the future? Vayeishev: What was Joseph punished for asking the chief cupbearer to intervene on his behalf to get him out of jail?

In Jacob’s meeting with Esau we have a beautiful picture of God’s gracious, faithful, enduring love for us. (Gene Pensiero Jr.)

In this message we look at the life story of Jacob. In the story of Jacob, we find God working beauty in brokenness. In Jacob's story, we find a lot of brokenness. Yet, God is working amidst of all of it. We will walk through three tendencies in Jacob's life, deception, dysfunction and struggle, and seek to apply some of his life lessons to our lives.

In this message we look at the life story of Jacob. In the story of Jacob, we find God working beauty in brokenness. In Jacob's story, we find a lot of brokenness. Yet, God is working amidst of all of it. We will walk through three tendencies in Jacob's life, deception, dysfunction and struggle, and seek to apply some of his life lessons to our lives.

In Jacob adopting Joseph's sons into his family, we see a picture of what God does for us in Jesus. In Jesus, we are blessed by God and belong to his family.

Rev. Curtis Deterding, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Fort Myers, FL, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Genesis 28. Jacob fled out of fear for Esau. God has a habit of visiting people when they were afraid, thankfully, He still does today. In Jacob's dream, the Lord connects heaven and earth with His appearance to reaffirm His presence by saying, “I am with you and keep you wherever you go.” We have that same promise of our Lord Jesus, “Behold I am with you always to the very end of the age.” “Lord Jesus Christ, as You are with us, we ask that You continue to connect heaven and earth by Your gifts. Be with us in our fears and pour Your peace upon us and bless the next generation with Your salvation and peace. In Your name. Amen”

** #060 Fornification ** :: Jacob 3-4 :: Sister Gigi tries to get a free Book of Mormon from the church without getting back on their records. Brother Jones improves the English language. Sister Patience loses patience with Smitty's shitty prose. Sister Gigi's TikTok as promised in the episode. Have fun ya'll! https://www.tiktok.com/@damnitgigi :: Memorable Quote 1: :: Sister Patience: "Hey Jones, say 'lasciviousness' 5 times really fast." Brother Jones: "Fuck you Patience." :: Memorable Quote 2: :: Sister Gigi (paraphrasing a part of Jacob 4:10): "Seek not to counsel the Lord, bitch!" :: Highlights: :: The team learn what "lasciviousness" means, sort of. Sister Gigi talks about Mormons preserving food; specifically beans, and even tuna! Brad Sounds return! Satan with 3 mouths! "God the Dick". A play in too many parts. :: Stoney Baloney :: If you want to see how the meaning of "stone that the builders rejected" has evolved over time, here's a journey! In Psalms 118:22, the "stone" is the Jewish people, despised as worthless by their neighbours. God surprised all by using these discarded building materials to defeat their enemies, and make their nation great again. Such a political message. Which is unsurprising. In Matthew 21:42, Jesus is trying to outwit some Jewish scholars who didn't like him. He mixes this quote from Psalms, with a silly parable of his own. The "stone" is the title/blessings/birthright of being "God's people". He's saying it will be given to others more worthy than these scholars. Oooh scathing! In Jacob 4:16-17, Smitty is saying the "stone" is Jesus. A foundation to build a righteous people. The "rejected" part was a reference to the unwelcome reception Jesus faced from the Jewish establishment in the New Testament. This meaning Jesus never used; neither did the psalmist! At this stage of the Book of Mormon story, Jesus' birth is still 500 years in the future, and these words were supposedly written by a Jew familiar with just the Psalm. So how any of it could make any "plain" simple sense is rediculous. Smitty betrays himself by including this common Christian rhetoric/misinterpretation in his boring story. #Reasons to stay home this Sunday# - https://bookofboredom.com/reasons/ #Join the Blasphemy# - https://facebook.com/groups/BookOfBoredom #Patreon (Bonus Episodes)# - https://patreon.com/BookOfBoredom #Twitter# - https://twitter.com/BookOfBoredom #TikTok# - https://tiktok.com/@BookOfBoredomPodcast #Instagram# - https://instagram.com/BookOfBoredomPodcast #YouTube# - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMjDavWoT73Cev3IAie_XBA #Website# - https://bookofboredom.com/ A nice review on any podcast platform will help frustrate the Heavenly Father's boring plans for your future.

Welcome to The Nonlinear Library, where we use Text-to-Speech software to convert the best writing from the Rationalist and EA communities into audio. This is: RadVac Commercial Antibody Test Results, published by johnswentworth on the LessWrong. Background: Making Vaccine Results are in from the commercial antibody tests. Both my girlfriend and I came back negative - the test did not detect any Spike antibody response in the blood. This post will talk about how I'm updating based on these results, and the next steps. Here's our timeline so far; more info on the vaccine is in the original post and the radvac whitepaper: We've taken five doses, spaced apart weekly (on Tuesdays). The first three doses only included six of the nine peptides, due to delays from the manufacturer. (Spike 660, Spike 1145, and Orf1 5471T were the three missing.) The blood draw for this test took place the day after the fifth dose. I expect this is too soon to notice significant impact from the last two doses; vaccines in general seem to typically take 2-3 weeks to kick in, and that is my expectation for this one as well. (Also, it was an "IgG antibody test", and WebMD says these antibodies typically take about 2 weeks to show up after covid symptoms show from an actual infection.) This is intended to mainly be a test of the first three doses. The test apparently used the "DiaSorin Liaison(R) SARS-CoV-2 S1/S2 IgG assay" (I didn't know this until the results came in). According to the FDA, it has about 92% sensitivity and 99% specificity. The "S1/S2" part indicates that it's testing for response to the S1 and S2 subunits of the spike protein - together, these are essentially the whole spike protein. Important thing to notice: the test was looking for Spike antibodies, and two of our three missing peptides were Spike peptides. Indeed, there were only 3 Spike peptides among the full 9, so with two missing, we only had one Spike peptide in our first three doses. (The rest target other parts of the virus.) So that makes the test significantly less useful than it would otherwise be, and makes me more inclined to get another test in 2-3 weeks when the doses with the other three peptides have had time to kick in. How I'm Updating In the original post, I called this test "searching under the streetlamp". It wasn't super likely to come back positive even assuming the vaccine worked as intended, but it was relatively cheap and easy to run the test, so it was our first check. Given the missing Spike peptides and the test only checking against Spike, it was even more likely to come back negative than I originally estimated. In Jacob's prediction questions, I gave roughly a 25% chance that a commercial antibody test would pass for most people, given three doses and all 9 peptides. I gave the vaccine about 75% chance of working overall, distributed over several different possible worlds. In this specific scenario, it's clear that the prior on test passing should be even lower. (Reminder on the possible worlds: the vaccine could induce antibody response in the blood and mucus, only mucus, or not at all. It could induce T-cell response separate from antibody response. It could work sometimes, much like how the first dose of commercial mRNA vaccines tend to work in 75% or 85% of people, and in that case I expect more doses/more time to make it work more often.) After updating on the results, I'm down to about 60-70% chance of working overall. Unfortunately this test just didn't give us very much information - at least about the vaccine working. Aside from the test result, we do have one more small piece of information to update on: I was quite congested for 1-2 days after the most recent three doses (and I was generally not congested the rest of the week). That's exactly what we'd expect to see if the vaccine is working as intended, and it's pretty strong evidence that it's doing something. Updating on both that and the test results, I'm at ~70% that it works overall...

In Jacob's life, the Holy Spirit was not an invited guest, but a party crasher. Jacob's call, conversion, strengths, and weaknesses are outlined - which prompts us to ask- Lord, why did you pick Jacob-- ... which leads us to ask- Lord, why would you pick me-- This is the fourth biography in an eight part series.

In Jacob's life, the Holy Spirit was not an invited guest, but a party crasher. Jacob's call, conversion, strengths, and weaknesses are outlined - which prompts us to ask- Lord, why did you pick Jacob- ... which leads us to ask- Lord, why would you pick me- This is the fourth biography in an eight part series.

In Jacob's life, the Holy Spirit was not an invited guest, but a party crasher. Jacob's call, conversion, strengths, and weaknesses are outlined - which prompts us to ask- Lord, why did you pick Jacob- ... which leads us to ask- Lord, why would you pick me- This is the fourth biography in an eight part series.

In Jacob's next movie pick, he proves that John Candy was indeed a real actor and not just a figment of his imagination. To do this, Jacob has to take us back to 1987 in John Hughes slapstick comedy, Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, or as Sage would like to call it, Planes, Trains and Mostly Automobiles. In this review, the boys cover all of the comedic highlights from the movie and the heartfelt story underlying it all, along with debating Thanksgiving food and the best and worst holidays. If you listen until the end, you'll get to hear about the surprising 10-point bump from Sage and a little bit of banjo from our main man Steve Martin. This movie was directed by John Hughes. GD4AM: 80/100 IMDb: 7.6/10 Metacritic: 72/100 RT: 92% A man struggles to travel home for Thanksgiving with a lovable oaf of a shower curtain ring salesman as his only companion. Currently streaming on Hulu.

By day, Randy Jacobs is a veteran producer and voiceover talent at Corus Radio in Vancouver.In Jacob's off hours, his alter ego RC Weslowski is an award-winning slam poetry champion, spoken word artist and community arts organizer.We welcome him to this episode of Broadcast Dialogue - The Podcast to talk about his love for all things spoken word and audio, and his newly-released book of poetry "My Soft Response to the Wars."See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Title by Jess Lally   With Simon Taylor https://simontaylorfunnyboy.com/ insta: @simontaylorfunnyboy   Look out for Simon's new book: "One Night Stand" https://larrikinhouse.com/product/one-night-stand/   In Jacob's family, the highway is a place of pain, power and unhealthy parental patterns. After having all his large number of siblings left on the side of the road over the years, Jacob's in the front seat. But can he break the cycle of road rage before it's too late?   Song List: "Oh Damn!", "On the Side of the Road", "I want pee just in the toilet", "I'm full of rage", "Love Conquers All" "We're on the Freeway to Family"   Cast: Morgan Phillips, Amy Ruffle, Jake Leaney and special guest Simon Taylor Teched by Emmet Nichols Edited by Morgan Phillips

Joe Henderson, Co-Show Runner and Executive Producer of the hit TV series, “Lucifer,” joins the Three Rural White Guys to discuss political agenda setting. In Jacob's sunburned return from the Caribbean, the guys discuss anti-vaxers and D.C./Puerto Rico Statehood.

In Jacob, you see the God of encounter at work to take you from where you are to where you should be through the discipline, leadings and dealings of the Holy Spirit. Discover more in this episode.Support the show (http://paypal.me/francisugbeikwu)

In Jacob's seeming tragic loss of his favored son Joseph, there was more going on than meets the eye. Pastor Ronnie uses this narrative starting Genesis 37 to show how to the people of God are to view the tragedies of life in a message entitle "Lessons from a Bloody Coat."  

Friday 19th February Praise God! We thank God for this lovely Friday. I pray it would be a wonderful weekend for every one of us in the name of Jesus. We are still continuing our discussion on the different shades or expressions of love. We spoke about the 7 kinds of love recognised by the Greeks which we also see their instances in the bible, and yesterday we began to look at the different shades of love one by one. Today we will talk about Storge and Pragma. Storge is what we can call familiar or the family love. It is something close to Phieo, but not exactly. Phileo is the love between friends but Storge goes deeper than that. It is the love between family. The love that parents have for their children and the children for their parents. We saw this kind of love when the prodigal son experienced when he met his father. When the prodigal son demanded for his inheritance and messed up his opportunity, his father still took him back because of Storge. We see Storge demonstrated again when Jarius. He was the leader of synagogue and normally he should not be seeing Identifying with Jesus not to talk of bowing to Him publicly. But because of the love he had for his daughter, he humbled himself and met Jesus publicly worshipping Him. It was the love of the parent for his dying child that made him do that. It was Storge the family love. (Mark 5 vs 22-23) The next type of we will talk about love is Pragma. The word pragmatic was derived from the Greek word Pragma. This type of love is enduring or lasting. It is the love that grows over time. It is the love that develops between a husband and wife after many years of marriage. It is not the honeymoon kind of love. It is much deeper than that. This type of love endures because it's been tested over time. Imagine when you have been married for 20 years or you are still able to maintain your love for each other. This kind of love we see expressed between Abraham and Sarah. As they grow older, the love they have for each other made them protect each other. In Genesis chapters 11 and 20 we see how they protect each in the face of threat from King Abimelech and King of Egypt. These kings wanted Abraham's wife. Abraham told Sarah to tell people that she was his sister. It was the pragmatic thing for Abraham and Sarah to act in that way to preserve their lives and love. In Jacob and Leah story, we saw the same thing. Leah wasn't Jacob's wife of love, it was Rachel. But after Rachel's death, the Bible talked about Jacob and Leah keeping themselves in love till the end of their days. After the death of Rachel, he grew to love Leah and they stayed that way till the end of their lives. Pragma is a type of love that grows over time. It is enduring love. What shade of love are you expressing or experiencing? Pragma? Eros? Storge? Or Phileo? God bless you and have a lovely weekend.

I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you (Genesis 28:15). The Bible is full of promises: from God's promise to Adam and Eve to bring redemption all the way to Jesus promise that he is coming back. The Bible's narrative, one might say, is propelled forward by these promises. On Tuesday, I spoke about God's promises to Jacob as he fled from his angry twin. The Bible does not portray Jacob as morally or even spiritually upstanding in any way. Throughout his story, his faults are front and centre. It is important to see this, because the Bible is not about upstanding humans whom we ought to emulate. Rather, it is the story of God's faithfulness to unfaithful humans. So, let's take a look at the promises God made to Jacob and hear them as promises made to us, who are very much like Jacob. We need to hear them in the midst of the mess that life is for us, some of it, of our own making, not from the spiritual mountain tops. The first part of the promise is that God will be with Jacob as he flees. In Jacob's day, most people believed that the deities only had power in local areas; they had no power outside it. Thus, it is remarkable that God can go with Jacob wherever he ends up. David explores this in Psalm 139, finding comfort in the reality that he cannot escape God's presence. Jesus leaves his disciples with the same promise as he returns to heaven (Matthew 28:18-20). He gives this promise even though some doubted (17). He makes good on his promise by sending his Holy Spirit. This Spirit reminds us that we are the children of the heavenly father. The second part of the promise to Jacob is that God will watch over him. Again, it is a promise that Israel as a whole, comes to claim. Psalm 121 is probably the most well known that places this promise into the liturgy of Israel and the church. It became part of the liturgy because it is a difficult thing to believe. We sing it to each other to shore up our faltering belief. Jesus reworked this promise when he said, “I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18). We know it is part of this promise because Jesus is quick to add, “And the realm of the dead will not overcome it”. The church is up against the worst kind of enemy, but Jesus will keep his church. He makes this promise to a group who probably would not be permitted to make ‘profession of faith' in our church. They just didn't get who Jesus was, yet the promise is made. And to this day, he has kept it. God also promises Jacob that Jacob will return to his father's land. God will see it done. God will bring him back. That part of God's promise receives all kinds of layers as the biblical story progresses. Too many layers for us to consider today. We'll save that for next Tuesday. But let me at least say this about that part of the promise. It ends in a party. So, Tuesday will be party day. And it will lead us into the season of Lent 2021.

In Jacob's loneliness and fear, there appeared a Man who wrestled with Jacob. Who was this mysterious man, and why the wrestling match? There are times we go thru periods of fear and loneliness and actually find ourselves wrestling with God. Rest assured, like Jacob, these divine "wrestling matches" are for your good and His glory!

In a world where things are being hourly, minutely shaken up around us we need something to strengthen and solidify us. In Jacob's writings he mentions often his own and his desire  to help others receive unshakeable faith. In chapter 5 he quotes Zenos' allegory of the olive tree that, if likened to us, is a story of how God helps the trees of his vineyard grow, become strong (and unshakeable), and bear fruit of hope and peace. In chapter 7 Jacob's faith is tested by Sherem and, yet, remains unshakeable. So study with us this week as we learn how to solidify our faith in the face of uncertainty. Show Notes: Visit our website scripturestudyproject.com or connect to us on Instagram or Facebook Music: "Something Elated" by Broke For Free

Understanding the textGod speaks through the Word, creation, and through His Son. But at times, God also speaks through dreams, as is the case in this particular text. In Jacob's dream, God reaffirms His covenant promise to provide land and numerous descendants. God is still carrying out the plan and promise He gave to Abraham.However, in this dream, there is an added element that foreshadows Christ. Jacob sees a ladder that connects heaven and earth. In Genesis 11, the people of Babel tried to build their own ladder to reach into the heavens and were cursed for it. This, however, is different. This ladder is no human-built contraption. It is God's ladder reaching from heaven to earth. It is not a ladder that Jacob can ascend. Rather it is a ladder that God himself must descend to be with His people.Additional scripture1. Genesis 11:1-92. John 1:43-513. Psalm 15Applying the text1. What is the difference between the tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9) and the ladder in Jacob's dream?2. What is the purpose of Jacob's dream? What is God seeking to teach him?3. How is Jesus the fulfillment of Jacob's dream?

In Jacob's final breaths, his poetic prophecies point us to an unshakeable truth!

This sermon examines Jacob and Esau, and the ways that Jacob deceived his father to take Esau's blessing. In Jacob's "performance act" and through Esau's desperation we see that God uses both for redemption, and that we can look to Jesus to be free from performing.

In today's work landscape, people aren't limited by what corporate position they hold or what their job title is. Everyone can piece together their dream career with initiative, hard work, and a little luck. Perhaps there's no better example of that than Jacob Morgan, a leading author, speaker, and expert on the future of work. He also happens to be married to me. After a few disastrous jobs in the corporate world, Jacob realized he wanted the freedom to work for himself and push himself in new ways. Instead of just getting coffee for executives, he wanted to be guiding them and helping them create good environments for their employees and customers. The path from recent college grad to a successful speaker who now travels the world wasn't easy—Jacob started out speaking for free and hustling to make his voice heard, but his career has grown and gained momentum over the last decade and put him in a position to continuously expand and grow his brand. Jacob's formula for success as a professional speaker and author, or really as just an entrepreneur with a voice, is to “Be everywhere all the time”. To him, building a personal brand comes down to three things: consistency, visibility, and frequency. You need to pick a topic as your expertise and be as consistent as you can with it. Instead of bouncing around and addressing a number of business-related topics, Jacob writes and speaks only about the future of work and employee experience, which has built his brand and made him the go-to expert in those areas. To be visible, Jacob says you have to be everywhere in the most seen places, which includes making podcasts, writing articles, attending conferences, and more. And frequency means doing it all the time. Between the articles, blogs, videos, and podcasts, Jacob's content is always being published, which keeps him fresh in his viewers' eyes; the same principle applies to anyone building a personal brand—be frequent to keep content new and fresh. Building a personal brand is a continuous effort, but it can eventually open doors to new possibilities. In Jacob's case, it has led him to writing three books and now working with his spouse where he and I can find the crossover between their respective work with employee experience and customer experience. Between Jacob's personal experiences working in the corporate world and his research and travels that have taken him to organizations around the world, he has become passionate about organizations building effective employee experiences, which play a huge role in the future of work. As technology grows and the workforce changes, employers need to change their mentality around work to focus less of tasks and more on people. To create a company where people want to work, executives need to be aware of the people who work there, which means getting out from behind their desks and actually interacting with employees and customers. Leaders need to start a dialogue with employees about what they like and dislike and what can be improved. Employees also need to get engaged and join the conversation—if they want to help build a human-centered organization that can withstand changes to the workplace, they need to stand up and make their voice heard. The future of work is changing and opening doors to new opportunities for people in all industries. To prepare, employees need to build their personal brands and get involved in their organizations. If there is something you are unhappy with, follow Jacob's example and either fix it or get out. With involvement and dedication, you can better your organization or create your own opportunities to build a career that is perfect for you.

[paypal-donation] DNA & Book of Mormon: It's a favorite topic of anti-Mormons because evidence seems to show that Native Americans came from Asia rather than from the Middle East as the Book of Mormon implies.  Dr. Ugo Perego is a population geneticist.  How does he explain this?  Would you be surprised that he talks about concubines? Ugo:  We cannot deny scientifically that there were people here before Lehi.  We don't know anything about the Jaredites really.  We think we know but we don't know anything about the Jaredites.  Could the Jaredites play any role with pre-Lehites?  We don't know to what extent.  We know there were people, probably millions of people. So Lehi's family comes.  They come from Jerusalem.  These people that are here come from Asia.  They are closely related genetically to Asian people.  Lehi's family comes, 30, 40, 50 people.  There are the Mulekites that are coming too.  We don't know how many.  We don't know if they are a population isolated.  We don't know if they mix with locals.  People say, “The Book of Mormon doesn't say anything about others here, so they didn't exist.”  True, but the Book of Mormon is also summary.  It is not a full record.  It's what Mormon decided to put in there, and if its focus is to bring people to Christ, it's going to talk about what people were doing to get ready or not ready for that.  It's going to leave a lot of the details out. ... This is first generation.  Is that possible that because they had the gospel and they encounter other people and then teach them the gospel and they become part of their group?  You go to Jacob chapter two.  Jacob, first generation in the Book of Mormon lands, how many people are there right now of that group, the original group?  How long have they been there?  In Jacob chapter two is frustrated with the Nephites for taking too many wives and too many concubines.  You have got a group of people that are what, 60-70, they are all cousins.  Where do you get these concubines from?  How are you satisfying your sexual desires with this? Actually I've been doing some discussions lately with some other people around here, according to Israelite tradition, because in the Old Testament it talks about concubines, and Hagar was a concubine of Abraham.  The reference to concubine usually—you can take wives, multiple wives according to Jewish tradition.  They are wife as long as they are part of your same culture or your same social status.  But concubines are usually foreign women.  They do not have the same status as your family, so you treat them as some sort of wife, there is a legal binding, but they do not have the same status.  Could it be that the Nephites were doing the same, some foreign women, some local indigenous women? GT:  Today with ISIS[1] in the Middle East, a lot of times they are taking these Yazidi women and they are basically sex slaves.  Is that kind of…? Ugo:  Sex slaves, that's another word for concubine.  It depends culturally where you are.  Sex slaves is probably the worst situation you can have.  I mean you are really there only to satisfy sexual pleasure.  Concubine has some rights as well.  In fact even today with Islam you can have up to four wives and as many concubines as you want but the problem is that when the husband dies, the inheritance only goes to the first four wives.  As long as the man is alive, the concubines have the same rights as the women, the same lifestyle or status, but then when the husband dies they don't get anything.  They leave. ... Then you have Jacob chapter seven, you have Sherem, the first anti-Christ that goes to Jacob and he says, “I have been looking for a long time to meet with you.”  How long does it take to meet somebody that just came with you from across the ocean?  You were on the same ship together for heaven's sake.  How long does it take to talk together? Then he says, in verse 4, Jacob 7:4 he says that Sherem was much learned with the langu...

In Jacob's blessing God reveals that only those who believe in Him can be a part of Christ's Church. Jacob's blessing is:ExpectedExclusiveExtensiveReading: Hebrews 12: 14-17, 25-29Text: Genesis 27:1-40Time:MorningMinister:Rev. J. VanSpronsenTexts:Genesis 27

In Jacob's Dream about a stairway to heaven, the Lord bridges the gap between earth and Heaven. We'll see: 1. How the Lord confirms his presence with us 2. How the Lord calls us to walk with Him.Time:MorningTexts:Genesis 28:10–22