Pastor Baker's Blog

Entry for October 30, 2006

Daily Reading: Genesis chapters 34 thru 37

Key Verse: Genesis 35:2

Wow. Doesn't Jacob/Israel's family represent the ultimate in dysfunction? Trickery, thieving, murder, plotting, deceitfulness, jealousy, bitterness, strife, favoritism and the list goes on and on. This story is better than some modern day soap operas. Jacob and Victor Newman have a lot in common. How did it get to this point?

Jacob did not realize as a young man that his tricky ways would have long lasting consequences. His actions had a ripple effect that went beyond his household. One day Jacob decided he had enough and he commanded all within his household to get rid of the gods and idols. He committed himself to total devotion to the one true God. Once Jacob made this decision, the favor and power of the Lord followed the family (Gen. 35:5). After this decision, Jacob got to know God personally, and God reiterated to him that his name would no longer be Jacob. He was now to be called Israel. Before this point, Jacob allowed some stuff to remain in his household because he did not want to totally lose who he was to become the man God wanted him to be. Isn't it so true of us? We give God as much as we want when He is asking for it all. In your journey, mark today as the day when you officially devote yourself to God and bury those idols (anything that separates you from God or is a priority over Him).

2006-10-30 16:16:57 GMT

Comments (3 total)

Author:Anonymous

I do believe in generational curses. I believe that there are certain attributes and attitudes that are passed down through families. It is amazing to see how the same issues are confronted from generation to generation. I think one of the reasons that somethings persist is because they are never really identified. They are just accepted as part of the families identity. For instance, there are a lot of people who curse in my family. The cursing is such a part of the family that most of the time people are not even aware that they have cursed. My husband and I made a conscious decision to stop cursing a long time ago (every now and then we have a slip up). When we had children, we became more aware of guarding their hearts and we do not allow music or television programming with foul language in their presence. To date we have not heard any curse words come from their mouths. We realize that we cannot protect them from society but we use everything as a teaching opportunity and we explain what God's Word says about the situation. That is one idol we have intentionally buried.
--Aundrea Baker
<mailto:abaker@thewaybiblefellowship.org>

2006-10-30 16:30:32 GMT

Author:Anonymous

I too know that once God has total control, things and purpose changes. One becomes totally engulfed in fulfilling goals and promises. God allows us to run for so long then He gets our attention and we settle down and committ to Him. My life has been so much more meaningful since I allowed God to "take the wheel".
--Rosetta

2006-10-31 00:24:11 GMT

Author:Anonymous

Over the past few months there have been several idols that I've given up. Certain people, different types of books and music, just to name a few. These were things that caused my relationship with God to be strained. Since devoting more of me to Him I've noticed a tremendous change in the way I act, my conversation, and the people that I surround myself with. There are still a couple of things that need to be severed from my way of life and I know that when those things are removed I'll go even higher in the Lord. I'll certainly continue to press toward the mark of the high calling and let my light shine before men, so that the Father will be glorified.
--Stephanie

2006-10-31 03:47:10 GMT

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		Pastor Baker's Daily Devotional

		Entry for October 30, 2006 Daily Reading: Genesis chapters 34 thru 37 Key Verse: Genesis 35:2 Wow. Doesn't Jacob/Israel's family represent the ultimate in dysfunction? Trickery, thieving, murder, plotting, deceitfulness, jealousy, bitterness, strife, favoritism and the list goes on and on. This story is better than some modern day soap operas. Jacob and Victor Newman have a lot in common. How did it get to this point? Jacob did not realize as a young man that his tricky ways would have long lasting consequences. His actions had a ripple effect that went beyond his household. One day Jacob decided he had enough and he commanded all within his household to get rid of the gods and idols. He committed himself to total devotion to the one true God. Once Jacob made this decision, the favor and power of the Lord followed the family (Gen. 35:5). After this decision, Jacob got to know God personally, and God reiterated to him that his name would no longer be Jacob. He was now to be called Israel. Before this point, Jacob allowed some stuff to remain in his household because he did not want to totally lose who he was to become the man God wanted him to be. Isn't it so true of us? We give God as much as we want when He is asking for it all. In your journey, mark today as the day when you officially devote yourself to God and bury those idols (anything that separates you from God or is a priority over Him). 2006-10-30 16:16:57 GMT Comments (3 total) Author:Anonymous I do believe in generational curses. I believe that there are certain attributes and attitudes that are passed down through families. It is amazing to see how the same issues are confronted from generation to generation. I think one of the reasons that somethings persist is because they are never really identified. They are just accepted as part of the families identity. For instance, there are a lot of people who curse in my family. The cursing is such a part of the family that most of the time people are not even aware that they have cursed. My husband and I made a conscious decision to stop cursing a long time ago (every now and then we have a slip up). When we had children, we became more aware of guarding their hearts and we do not allow music or television programming with foul language in their presence. To date we have not heard any curse words come from their mouths. We realize that we cannot protect them from society but we use everything as a teaching opportunity and we explain what God's Word says about the situation. That is one idol we have intentionally buried. --Aundrea Baker <mailto:abaker@thewaybiblefellowship.org> 2006-10-30 16:30:32 GMT Author:Anonymous I too know that once God has total control, things and purpose changes. One becomes totally engulfed in fulfilling goals and promises. God allows us to run for so long then He gets our attention and we settle down and committ to Him. My life has been so much more meaningful since I allowed God to "take the wheel". --Rosetta 2006-10-31 00:24:11 GMT Author:Anonymous Over the past few months there have been several idols that I've given up. Certain people, different types of books and music, just to name a few. These were things that caused my relationship with God to be strained. Since devoting more of me to Him I've noticed a tremendous change in the way I act, my conversation, and the people that I surround myself with. There are still a couple of things that need to be severed from my way of life and I know that when those things are removed I'll go even higher in the Lord. I'll certainly continue to press toward the mark of the high calling and let my light shine before men, so that the Father will be glorified. --Stephanie 2006-10-31 03:47:10 GMT Site Home