Change My Heart: Learning To Lose: Genesis 32:24-32

 

To turn losses into wins, I must believe that…

1. I Am Broken

Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. 25 When the man saw that he could not defeat him, he struck Jacob’s hip socket as they wrestled and dislocated his hip. 26 Then he said to Jacob, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.”But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”
Genesis 32:25-26 (CSB)

But if you are without discipline—which all receive—then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we had human fathers discipline us, and we respected them. Shouldn’t we submit even more to the Father of spirits and live?10 For they disciplined us for a short time based on what seemed good to them, but he does it for our benefit, so that we can share his holiness. 11 No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Hebrews 12:8-11 (CSB)

2. I Am Yielded

Then he said to Jacob, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”
Genesis 32:26 (CSB)

3. I Am Changed

“What is your name?” the man asked. “Jacob,” he replied. 28 “Your name will no longer be Jacob,” he said. “It will be Israel because you have struggled with God and with men and have prevailed.”
Genesis 32:26-27 (CSB)

4. I Am Blessed

Then he said to Jacob, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”
Genesis 32:26 (CSB)

5. I Am Thankful

Jacob then named the place Peniel, “For I have seen God face to face,” he said, “yet my life has been spared.”
Genesis 32:30 (CSB)

By faith Jacob, was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and he worshipped leaning on the top of his staff.
Hebrews 11:21 (CSB)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/change-my-heart-learning-to-lose-genesis-3224-32/

Change My Heart: True Love: Genesis 29

 

1. TRUE LOVE WOWS

Jacob resumed his journey and went to the eastern country. 2 He looked and saw a well in a field…Rachel came with her father’s sheep, for she was a shepherdess. 10 As soon as Jacob saw his uncle Laban’s daughter Rachel with his sheep, he went up and rolled the stone from the opening and watered his uncle Laban’s sheep. 11 Then Jacob kissed Rachel and wept loudly.
Genesis 29:1-11 (CSB)

2. TRUE LOVE WORKS

So Jacob worked seven years for Rachel, and they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her.
Genesis 29:20 (CSB)

But if anyone does not provide for his own family, especially for his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
1 Timothy 5:8 (CSB)

That evening, Laban took his daughter Leah and gave her to Jacob, and he slept with her. 24 And Laban gave his slave Zilpah to his daughter Leah as her slave. 25 When morning came, there was Leah! So he said to Laban, “What have you done to me? Wasn’t it for Rachel that I worked for you? Why have you deceived me?”
Genesis 29:23-25 (CSB)

And Jacob did just that. He finished the week of celebration, and Laban gave him his daughter Rachel as his wife. 29 And Laban gave his slave Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as her slave. 30 Jacob slept with Rachel also, and indeed, he loved Rachel more than Leah. And he worked for Laban another seven years.
Genesis 29:28 (CSB)

3. TRUE LOVE WAITS

So Jacob worked seven years for Rachel, and they seemed like only a few days
to him because of his love for her. Then Jacob said to Laban, “Since my time is complete, give me my wife, so I can sleep with her.”    
Genesis 29:20-21 (CSB)

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
Galatians 6:7-8 (NIV)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/change-my-heart-true-love-genesis-29/

Change My Heart: Climbing Jacob’s Ladder: Genesis 28:10-22

 

1. GOD IS SEARCHING…I AM FOREVER RESCUED

Jacob left Beer-sheba and went toward Haran. 11 He reached a certain place and spent the night there because the sun had set. He took one of the stones from the place, put it there at his head, and lay down in that place. 12 And he dreamed: A stairway was set on the ground with its top reaching the sky, and God’s angels were going up and down on it. 13 The Lord was standing there beside him, saying, “I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac.
Genesis 28:10-13 (CSB)

“Rabbi,” Nathanael replied, “You are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel!” 50 Jesus responded to him, “Do you believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” 51 Then he said, “Truly I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
John 1:49-51 (CSB)

2. GOD IS NEAR…I AM NEVER ALONE

Look, I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go.
Genesis 28:15 (CSB)

When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.” 17 He was afraid and said, “What an awesome place this is! This is none other than the house of God. This is the gate of heaven.”
Genesis 28:16-17 (CSB)

Be satisfied with what you have, for he himself has said, I will never leave you or abandon you.
Hebrews 13:5 CSB

3. GOD IS GRACIOUS…I AM ALWAYS BLESSED

The Lord was standing there beside him, saying, “I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your offspring the land on which you are lying. 14 Your offspring will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out toward the west, the east, the north, and the south. All the peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. 15 Look, I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go. I will bring you back to this land, for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”
Genesis 28:13-15 (CSB)

4. GOD IS HELPFUL…I AM THOROUGHLY CAPABLE

Then Jacob made a vow: “If God will be with me and watch over me during this journey I’m making, if he provides me with food to eat and clothing to wear, 21 and if I return safely to my father’s family, then the Lord will be my God. 22 This stone that I have set up as a marker will be God’s house, and I will give to you a tenth of all that you give me.”
Genesis 28:20-22 (CSB)

I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13 (CSB)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/change-my-heart-climbing-jacobs-ladder-genesis-2810-22/

Change My Heart: Shortcuts: Genesis 27:19-37

 

Don’t look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don’t fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention.
Matthew 7:13 (Mess)

Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and lentil stew. Esau ate and drank and went on about his business, indifferent to the fact that he had given up his birthright.
Genesis 25:34 (NLT)

Overcome Shortcuts with…

1) Persevering Patience

Jacob replied to his father, “I am Esau, your firstborn. I have done as you told me. Please sit up and eat some of my game so that you may bless me.”20 But Isaac said to his son, “How did you ever find it so quickly, my son? ”He replied, “Because the Lord your God made it happen for me.”
Genesis 27:19-20 (CSB)

2) Total Trust

So he said, “Isn’t he rightly named Jacob? For he has cheated me twice now. He took my birthright, and look, now he has taken my blessing.” Then he asked, “Haven’t you saved a blessing for me?”37 But Isaac answered Esau, “Look, I have made him a master over you, have given him all of his relatives as his servants, and have sustained him with grain and new wine. What then can I do for you, my son?”
Genesis 27:36-37 (CSB)

The LORD said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.”
Genesis 25:23 (NIV)

Esau said, “Isn’t he rightly named Jacob? He has deceived me these two times: He took my birthright, and now he’s taken my blessing!” Then he asked, “Haven’t you reserved any blessing for me?”
Genesis 27:36 (NIV)

But Isaac answered Esau, “Look, I have made him a master over you, have given him all of his relatives as his servants, and have sustained him with grain and new wine. What then can I do for you, my son?”
Genesis 27:37 (CSB)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/change-my-heart-shortcuts-genesis-2719-37/

Change My Heart: Blessing Mindset: Genesis 26:12-33

 

1. Believe you are blessed

Isaac sowed seed in that land, and in that year he reaped a hundred times what was sown. The Lord blessed him, 13 and the man became rich and kept getting richer until he was very wealthy.
Genesis 26:12-13 (CSB)

And Abimelech said to Isaac, “Leave us, for you are much too powerful for us.” 17 So Isaac left there, camped in the Gerar Valley, and lived there.
Genesis 26:16-17 (CSB)

How we praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we belong to Christ.
Ephesians 1:3 (NLT)

For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.
Proverbs 23:7 (KJV)

2. Refocus on the Provider

And Abimelech said to Isaac, “Leave us, for you are much too powerful for us.” 17 So Isaac left there, camped in the Gerar Valley, and lived there. 18 Isaac reopened the wells that had been dug in the days of his father Abraham and that the Philistines had stopped up after Abraham died. He gave them the same names his father had given them. 19 Then Isaac’s servants dug in the valley and found a well of spring water there. 20 But the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac’s herdsmen and said, “The water is ours!” So he named the well Esek because they argued with him. 21 Then they dug another well and quarreled over that one also, so he named it Sitnah. 22 He moved from there and dug another, and they did not quarrel over it. He named it Rehoboth and said, “For now the Lord has made space for us, and we will be fruitful in the land.”
Genesis 26:16-22 (CSB)

3. Remember God is with you

From there he went up to Beer-sheba, 24 and the Lord appeared to him that night and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you. I will bless you and multiply your offspring because of my servant Abraham.”25 So he built an altar there, called on the name of the Lord, and pitched his tent there. Isaac’s servants also dug a well there.
Genesis 26:23-25 (CSB)

4. Glorify God always

Now Abimelech came to him from Gerar with Ahuzzath his adviser and Phicol the commander of his army. 27 Isaac said to them, “Why have you come to me? You hated me and sent me away from you.”28 They replied, “We have clearly seen how the Lord has been with you. We think there should be an oath between two parties—between us and you. Let us make a covenant with you: 29 You will not harm us, just as we have not harmed you but have done only what was good to you, sending you away in peace. You are now blessed by the Lord.”30 So he prepared a banquet for them, and they ate and drank.
Genesis 26:26-30 (CSB)

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Romans 12:18 (NIV)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/change-my-heart-blessing-mindset-genesis-2612-33/

Change My Heart: Detours To Your Destiny: Genesis 25:19-23

 

1. STUFF

These are the family records of Isaac son of Abraham. Abraham fathered Isaac. 20 Isaac was forty years old when he took as his wife Rebekah daughter of Bethuel the Aramean from Paddan-aram and sister of Laban the Aramean. 21 Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife because she was childless. The Lord was receptive to his prayer, and his wife Rebekah conceived. 22 But the children inside her struggled with each other, and she said, “Why is this happening to me?” So she went to inquire of the Lord. 23 And the Lord said to her: Two nations are in your womb; two peoples will come from you and be separated. One people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.
Genesis 25:19-23 (CSB)

Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife because she was childless.
Genesis 25:21 (CSB)

But the children inside her struggled with each other, and she said, “Why is this happening to me?” So she went to inquire of the Lord.
Genesis 25:22 (CSB)

Never stop praying.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 (GW)

2. SELF

When the boys grew up, Esau became an expert hunter, an outdoorsman, but Jacob was a quiet man who stayed at home. 28 Isaac loved Esau because he had a taste for wild game, but Rebekah loved Jacob.29 Once when Jacob was cooking a stew, Esau came in from the field exhausted. 30 He said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stuff, because I’m exhausted.” That is why he was also named Edom. 31 Jacob replied, “First sell me your birthright.”32 “Look,” said Esau, “I’m about to die, so what good is a birthright to me?”33 Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” So he swore to Jacob and sold his birthright to him. 34 Then Jacob gave bread and lentil stew to Esau; he ate, drank, got up, and went away. So Esau despised his birthright.
Genesis 25:27-34 (CSB)

And make sure that there isn’t any immoral or irreverent person like Esau, who sold his birthright in exchange for a single meal. 17 For you know that later, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, even though he sought it with tears, because he didn’t find any opportunity for repentance.
Hebrews 12:16-17 (CSB)

When Esau was forty years old, he took as his wives Judith daughter of Beeri the Hethite, and Basemath daughter of Elon the Hethite. 35 They made life bitter for Isaac and Rebekah.
Genesis 26:34 (CSB)

By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and, he worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.
Hebrews 11:21 (CSB)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/change-my-heart-detours-to-your-destiny-genesis-2519-23/

Fighting For My Family: How To Talk To Kids About Sex: Proverbs 5

 

1. Take responsibility for your kids

My son, pay attention to my wisdom; listen carefully to my wise counsel.  Then you will learn to be discreet and will store up knowledge.
Proverbs 5:1-2 (NLT)

2. Train your kids to run from temptation

The lips of an immoral woman are as sweet as honey, and her mouth is smoother than oil.  But the result is as bitter as poison, sharp as a double-edged sword.  Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave.  For she does not care about the path to life. She staggers down a crooked trail and doesn’t even realize where it leads. So now, my sons, listen to me. Never stray from what I am about to say:  Run from her! Don’t go near the door of her house!
Proverbs 5:3-8 (NLT)

Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned? Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched? So is he who sleeps with another man’s wife; no one who touches her will go unpunished.
Proverbs 6:27-29 (NIV)

3. Talk to your kids about consequences of sexual sin

A.  Keep your wealth

Strangers will obtain your wealth, and someone else will enjoy the fruit of your labor.
Proverbs 5:10 (NLT)

B.  Uphold your health 

Afterward you will groan in anguish when disease consumes your body.
Proverbs 5:11 (NLT)

C. Value your reputation

I have come to the brink of utter ruin, and now I must face public disgrace.”
Proverbs 5:14 (NLT)

D. Don’t leave God out

But the man who commits adultery is an utter fool, for he destroys himself.
Proverbs 6:32 (NLT)

4. Teach your kids to thrive in marriage

Drink water from your own well—share your love only with your wife.  Why spill the water of your springs in public, having sex with just anyone?  You should reserve it for yourselves. Don’t share it with strangers.  Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you. Rejoice in the wife of your youth.  She is a loving doe, a graceful deer. Let her breasts satisfy you always. May you always be captivated by her love.  Why be captivated, my son, with an immoral woman, or embrace the breasts of an adulterous woman?  For the LORD sees clearly what a man does, examining every path he takes.  An evil man is held captive by his own sins; they are ropes that catch and hold him.  He will die for lack of self-control; he will be lost because of his incredible folly.
Proverbs 5:15-23 (NLT)

Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares?
Proverbs 5:16 (NIV)

May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.     
Proverbs 5:18 (NIV)

A loving doe, a graceful deer–may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be captivated by her love.
Proverbs 5:19 (NIV)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/fighting-for-my-family-how-to-talk-to-kids-about-sex-proverbs-5/