Pastor Baker's Blog

Entry for October 23, 2006

Daily Reading: Genesis chapters 29 thru 32

Key Verse: Genesis 31:41

Galatians 6:7-8. The principle of sowing and reaping is evident in Jacob's life during the time when he resided with Laban. Jacob lived up to his name as "trickster." Everytime he was faced with difficulties he used his own devices and wit to try to get the outcome he desired. It took him 20 years to realize that he had met his match in Laban (who happened to be his uncle).

Jacob tricked his brother out of his birthright and his blessing. Then he ran away from home. He entered Laban's household by offering seven years of service for Rachel's hand in marriage. Did he do this hoping someone else would come in during that time and marry Leah since traditionally the older daughter had to marry first? Or did he do it hoping that he would outwit Laban and take his property? Whatever his reasoning, Laban came out better in the deal. Laban had the upperhand until God got tired of the foolishness and wanted to continue laying out the promise He gave to Abraham's descendents. God told Jacob that it was time to move on. Still, Jacob could not relinquish his desire to control a situation so he decided to sneak away from Laban in the middle of the night.

It was not until Jacob had a true encounter with God that his nature began to change (Gen. 32:24-32). At birth, he grabbed on to his brother's heal and became Jacob, "the trickster." At Peniel, he grabbed hold of the angel of the Lord and became Israel, "the one who struggles with God and prevails."

Sowing and reaping is a powerful biblical principle that can not be taken lightly. Are you consciously and consistently aware of what you are sowing into? Are you sowing into the flesh or into the spirit?

2006-10-23 15:42:14 GMT

Comments (2 total)

Author:Anonymous

The most interesting concept of sowing and reaping is that the effects don't just end with you. As is evident in the lives of Abraham and his descendents, your children and grandchildren are affected by what you do. It is important for me to continually seek the Lord and ask him to continually cleanse my heart of all unrighteousness, even the unrighteousness of my ancestors. There are attitudes, cultures, ways of thinking, superstitions and an abundance of other things and ideologies that get passed down in families because of ignorance of God's Word. The more I study His Word and His Ways, the more I realize how deceived I have been in my thinking.
--Aundrea Baker
<mailto:abaker@thewaybiblefellowship.org>

2006-10-23 15:51:50 GMT

Author:Anonymous

Lately I have definitely been more conscious of the seeds that I have been sowing. As far as my friends and family go, I've been trying to sow positive seeds and bring God glory in everything that I do on a daily basis. Of course it doesn't always go as planned. In fact, today I displayed judgment in being impatient (showing a lack of Makrothumia) with a cashier at Wal-Mart who was having a world of trouble with helping everyone in line, including me. So, I've asked for forgiveness for that particular incident (not that I "went off" on her, but I was extremely annoyed) and will continue to ask God to allow His Holy Spirit to convict so that my attitudes and behavior will truly change.
--Stephanie

2006-10-24 02:07:43 GMT

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		Pastor Baker's Daily Devotional

		Entry for October 23, 2006 Daily Reading: Genesis chapters 29 thru 32 Key Verse: Genesis 31:41 Galatians 6:7-8. The principle of sowing and reaping is evident in Jacob's life during the time when he resided with Laban. Jacob lived up to his name as "trickster." Everytime he was faced with difficulties he used his own devices and wit to try to get the outcome he desired. It took him 20 years to realize that he had met his match in Laban (who happened to be his uncle). Jacob tricked his brother out of his birthright and his blessing. Then he ran away from home. He entered Laban's household by offering seven years of service for Rachel's hand in marriage. Did he do this hoping someone else would come in during that time and marry Leah since traditionally the older daughter had to marry first? Or did he do it hoping that he would outwit Laban and take his property? Whatever his reasoning, Laban came out better in the deal. Laban had the upperhand until God got tired of the foolishness and wanted to continue laying out the promise He gave to Abraham's descendents. God told Jacob that it was time to move on. Still, Jacob could not relinquish his desire to control a situation so he decided to sneak away from Laban in the middle of the night. It was not until Jacob had a true encounter with God that his nature began to change (Gen. 32:24-32). At birth, he grabbed on to his brother's heal and became Jacob, "the trickster." At Peniel, he grabbed hold of the angel of the Lord and became Israel, "the one who struggles with God and prevails." Sowing and reaping is a powerful biblical principle that can not be taken lightly. Are you consciously and consistently aware of what you are sowing into? Are you sowing into the flesh or into the spirit? 2006-10-23 15:42:14 GMT Comments (2 total) Author:Anonymous The most interesting concept of sowing and reaping is that the effects don't just end with you. As is evident in the lives of Abraham and his descendents, your children and grandchildren are affected by what you do. It is important for me to continually seek the Lord and ask him to continually cleanse my heart of all unrighteousness, even the unrighteousness of my ancestors. There are attitudes, cultures, ways of thinking, superstitions and an abundance of other things and ideologies that get passed down in families because of ignorance of God's Word. The more I study His Word and His Ways, the more I realize how deceived I have been in my thinking. --Aundrea Baker <mailto:abaker@thewaybiblefellowship.org> 2006-10-23 15:51:50 GMT Author:Anonymous Lately I have definitely been more conscious of the seeds that I have been sowing. As far as my friends and family go, I've been trying to sow positive seeds and bring God glory in everything that I do on a daily basis. Of course it doesn't always go as planned. In fact, today I displayed judgment in being impatient (showing a lack of Makrothumia) with a cashier at Wal-Mart who was having a world of trouble with helping everyone in line, including me. So, I've asked for forgiveness for that particular incident (not that I "went off" on her, but I was extremely annoyed) and will continue to ask God to allow His Holy Spirit to convict so that my attitudes and behavior will truly change. --Stephanie 2006-10-24 02:07:43 GMT Site Home