The Virtual Pew Daily

Wednesday, October 14, 2020

Daily Devotion, Genesis Chapters 35, 36, Matthew 3. God's Promises and Our Faithfulness

Daily Devotional, Genesis Chapter 35, 36, Matthew 3

God's Promises and Our Faithfulness

Today, we are reminded once again that God made a promise that many descendants would come to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Through these three individuals we see a faithfulness and consistency in their willingness to follow and obey God. It is as they honored God, that God honored them. There is also the clear aspect that the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is the God to be honored. We will hear later on how God is a jealous God and how He is to have no other God's before Him. The question is, what is it in our lives that is our God or takes priority over the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob?

We see a willingness to serve God, to follow His directives no matter what. In a situation where fear exists, God gives courage. In a situation where harm may come, God gives protection. Even our enemies will fear God. Of course there may be hardships along the way. There may even be what some would consider failure, but ultimately, God comes through to those who faithfully follow Him in all things, not just some things. Could that be a reason many don't have the peace that God offers, or the results that brings joy even in difficult times. Yes, we will all be lacking at times but it is important to return to honor and serve a God that keeps His promises.

The remainder of Chapter 36 is a genealogy. It is a reminder that God did indeed keep His promises that many descendents would follow Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. It is a reminder that for us, God will as well keep His promises. Are we willing and do we need to and follow through with doing the things God would have us do?

Matthew 3

In today's Matthew passage we see the introduction of John the Baptist who would be the one in many ways to introduce his cousin, Jesus into the ministry. In that introduction we see some characteristics of John that should not be overlooked. John in many ways, was faithful to the point of being seen even in his world as different. He had an aspect of authority about him but he also was one that from his surroundings, mainly in the wilderness, had spent a great deal of time contemplating on and seeking God.

John, had an impact, even many of the religious leaders of the time went to John and to be baptized. In their efforts John saw through their hypocrisy. He called them out as they had clearly not been seeking God, instead, they were more or less playing games, trying to manipulate others to make themselves look good. John didn't have a tolerance for this.

In today's world, it seems as if many in the church are not willing to hold others accountable for their actions. That doesn't mean we turn our backs on people, for sure, love them, reach them with the message of Christ, but we shouldn't condone or make light of ones actions. We are called later on to be fruit inspectors, but in today's world, many pastors don't do that, they make excuses, they misuse scripture and make exceptions. Again, this isn't meant that we abuse and hurt people, but neither does it mean we ignore their actions. John is simply challenging, in a confrontational way, the intent and purpose as he sees no evidence of change. John if you will, was not going to be manipulated by the religious leaders of his time.

It is unfortunate that we still see this, but we do. We must be reminded, to stay faithful to the ways of God. It isn't easy but when we do we have a peace about us. There is nothing like looking back on mistakes and saying to ourselves, "If I had only listened."

John sees another blessing for his actions, he gets to baptize his cousin, Jesus. John recognizes his own imperfections and realizes he is not worthy but in that, in his willingness to recognize his weaknesses, is a humility that contributes to the quality of leadership and relationship he had with God.

There are many lessons from John that we can learn from. There are lessons for the church. The question becomes; are we willing to learn?

To see Genesis Chapter 35 and 36 and Matthew 3 Click the following link:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+35%2C+36%2C+Matthew+3&version=CEV

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Monday, October 12, 2020

Daily Devotional, Genesis Chapter 33, 34, Matthew 2

Daily Devotional, Genesis Chapter 33, 34, Matthew 2

Love, Revenge and How Do You Get Your Information

How far does one go to show family love? At the start of this story, a good one by the way, we see a reunion of brothers that turns out much better than expected. Jacob has been away from his brother Esau for sometime and the reunion of sorts was far better than what Jacob thought it would be. His brother is wealthier and more powerful and due to the long time away among other circumstances Jacob was concerned about his servants, tribe, wives and family, yet Esau surprised him.

One of the things I've learned myself is that time heals and the love between family can be a deep and passionate love can overlook past transgressions. We can all be surprised at the possibility of reuniting with family if we will only give family a chance. Believe me, I know all too well the hardship that family can cause on each other, but, I also understand the ability of God to heal broken relationships if we give Him a chance. Of course we have to use wisdom in these decisions, we have to be smart, we see the efforts of Jacob to make sure that there is a healing and a effort to bring peace, I think God rewarded that, yet today, we see so many who are unwilling to do the way of love towards anyone, including family who may have done wrong at one point. I know one thing for sure in my life, there are many situations where God may provide healing, but I also know that there are some situations where there will never be peace and healed relationships, but it is important to know, that doesn't take place because you haven't tried, it takes place because the other party hasn't accepted it or tried. I wrote this last week, before I knew the circumstances of the last few days, how true I know the importance now of both parties willing to do what they should, and others who involve themselves to search out truth prior to involving themselves into a family matter, including people with other church groups.

We also see in this passage the love of a brother and sister as Dinah is raped. The brothers, as I an imagine many brothers, decide to take action into their own hands after nothing seems to be done. While I'm not advocating for vigilante justice, it is easy to understand why these brothers did what they did. They thought about a plan, put the plan into action and then were successful in their actions. I guess for me, while there are a lot of things to think about in this story, the one thing I think about is the need to think through ones actions, especially when there is the possibility of danger.

In some places, and in some times, law does not exist. Later we will see the establishment of laws that God puts into place to see to it that appropriate justice takes place. In this time though, we see the need of revenge often has consequences, even for those who may be innocent.

Matthew 2

From the very start of Jesus life, there were those who wanted to do harm to Him as well as others who wanted to worship Him. We see that illustrated in this passage.

We see how there were those who warned Herod of one that was coming that would be like a shepherd but also be a king. Of course just like today, many hear certain things from a Biblical perspective and take them totally wrong. Herod was prideful and worried about his power, he didn't want to give anything up. Sound familiar?

Then there was another group who had heard the prophesies and saw Jesus in a different light and wanted to worship him. One group was hearing from God; Herod was hearing from people who had read the prophesies but didn't know or have a relationship with God. In many ways, this explains the different perspectives people have today. I think a good thought is that one has to know God to understand God and His ways or teachings, There is a difference.

The question I have, which of these do you fall into. Are you like those instructing Herod, reading and thinking you understand scripture or you one that knows God and therefore has a different insight into scripture. Of course those who don't know God will disagree and come to their own conclusions, and those who know God will fully understand and get what I am saying.

To see Genesis Chapter 33 and 34 and Matthew 2 Click the following link:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+33%2C+34%2C+Matthew+2&version=CEV

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Monday, October 5, 2020

Daily Devotional, Genesis 31, 32, Matthew 1, The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob

Daily Devotional, Genesis Chapter 31, 32, Matthew 1

The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob

Today I start something a bit different. I am doing the daily devotion on 2 chapters in the Old Testament and 1 in the New Testament.

The Genesis passage is another interesting passage. One of my favorite stories in the Bible is at the end of Chapter 32 but more about that later.

It is fascinating that Jacob would put up with as much as he did from his father in law. He has now worked for his father in law Leban for almost 20 years, despite the deceit, lies, and being taken advantage of. He does it out of an attitude of commitment and love for his wife Rachel, and subsequently Rachel's sister who he has also married Leah.

There comes a time in all of our lives that enough is enough and we must take action to take care of ourselves. There is a popular misconception in many church circles that we as individuals in the scheme and order of things are last despite such teachings that state otherwise such as we are to love our neighbors as ourselves which implies that we are to love ourselves. There are those Jacob is committed to, his wife, children and his family, so after a period of time, Jacob does what is best for Jacob.

In the journey for independence and to go back to his family, Jacob practices a sort of deceit. He sneaks off from the lands he is in takes his herds and his family and slaves to head back home without telling his father in law Leban. I can kind of understand why, especially after some 20 years of labor for this man and the way he was treated.

On the journey Rachel steals some things from her father unbeknownst to Jacob and he makes a pledge that he will take action against the thief. Rachel becomes deceitful and hides the fact that she is the thief and ultimately Leban and Jacob make a peace agreement. In a strange sort of way, despite the harsh differences and feelings, they still make peace. How much can we learn from that?

In their agreement we also see a situation at the end of chapter 32 where Jacob essentially ends up having a wrestling match with God through the night. Now I admit, this is a hard concept to grasp; he wrestles with God all night and the passage says he wins. I don't get it; how can he defeat God? I think there are some interpretations here that likely mean more than what we read on the surface but in the long run, Jacob has his name changed to Israel and he has an injury that has him limping for the rest of his life. There are consequences for wrestling with God, I think especially so when done in a spiritual sense.

Are we wrestling with God in any way? Do we want things our way? Are we willing to do what is necessary to show those that we love that we love them and will do the best for them? On those points, Jacob passed the test.

Matthew 1

Today I start including a chapter from the New Testament, and will start with Matthew 1.

Matthew starts with Jesus genealogy. This is an area easy for many to skip over, but interestingly, we see that the first ones mentioned are those we have been studying, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Here we see that Mary, the mother of Jesus, conceives a child by the Holy Spirit. Prior to the conception she was engaged to be married to Joseph, a good man. This was a carnal sin in these times, especially since she had not had relations with any man and Joseph was to be the only man she was to have relations with. Yet, Joseph tries to find a way out of the situation so Mary don't suffer the consequences. It is then that an angel appears to Joseph telling him of the situation and of the birth of the Christ child that is to come,

There are a lot of ways to look at this passage, one, our past means something. Our families and the families before our immediate families mean something. They are all a part of making us who we are.

There is something else, that is the need to be in contact and open to the direction of God. Joseph is a man often neglected and not thought about but he was willing to listen to and obey God, to the point that even in a difficult situation, he obeys.

Joseph loved Mary and was willing to place the leading from God above his own needs. There will be times in our lives that difficult decisions have to be made, and in those situations, like Joseph, we need to seek direction from God, and listen to that direction.

We don't have a lot of information about Joseph in the Bible but I have to tell you, what we do have only makes me wish we had more. May we all learn from the lesson of seeking wisdom and direction from God, even in the tough times.

To see Genesis Chapter 31 and 32 along with Matthew 1 Click the following link:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+31%2C+32%2C+Matthew+1&version=CEV

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Wednesday, September 30, 2020

Daily Devotional, Genesis 29, 30, Love, Deceit, More and More Wives

Daily Devotional, Genesis Chapter 29, 30

Love, Deceit, More and More Wives

In this story, Jacob goes and takes a trip to visit his uncle Laban. Laban who lives some miles a way, has a daughter that Jacob loves, her name is Rachel. Immediately upon seeing her, he falls in love and wants to marry her. The only problem, Laban tells him he has to work for him for seven years and after that seven year period he can marry Rachel.

Well a series of events happen that I honestly have a hard time figuring out. Laban is deceitful and somehow Jacob marries his older daughter Leah. He doesn't realize he has married the wrong woman until the next morning. See what I'm talking about.

Naturally he is a little upset and has a talk with Laban. Laban makes another agreement that he can marry Rachel if he works for him for another 7 years. Jacob agrees to it and puts in another 7 years of labor.

Through Jacob's life he has at times practiced deceit, and now, it is being used against him. A lot of people in today's world talk about the concept of Karma, while I don't personally believe in Karma, there are definitely times where God gives us some of our own. In other words concepts like "You reap what you sow" and other come to mind.

There is another interesting concept here, these two sisters are jealous for all kinds of reasons, children being the main one. Jacob and Leah have a number of children and it is sometime before Rachel is able to bear children. As a result of the jealousy they both give their servants to Jacob to marry, (brining him up to at least 4 wives,) and he has child after child. Can you imagine that type of jealousy. I know times were different then in a lot of ways, but I can't imagine more than one wife, especially since Jacob so loved Rachel and it was obvious to all of those around.

In life, we need to find peace with where we are at, we need to accept that to get some of the things we want in life, we need to work for it. In Jacob's case it was 14 years. In the end God provided for Jacob, there would be multitudes of descendents and he would accumulate wealth for his hard work habits. There was a price to pay though, one that I can only imagine, and thankfully have never had to experience. Another lesson though, that reap what you sow thing can cause all kinds of problems if you're not careful, so for me, for you: be careful.

To see Genesis Chapter 29 and 30 Click the following link:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+29%2C+30&version=CEV

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Tuesday, September 29, 2020

Daily Devotional, Genesis Chapter 27, 28: God Uses Broken People

Daily Devotional, Genesis Chapter 27, 28

Deceit and How God Uses Broken People

I am grateful that I don't have to be perfect to find favor with God. Many people over the years have told me over and over again how they can't be loved by God because of the things they have done in their past. There are multiple passages in the Bible that says otherwise, this is one of them,

One could, in fact, often does think that they are a good person, that they haven't done anything wrong but in comparison to Christ and the law as established in the Old Testament, (which doesn't exist as of this story) we are all broken. There is an innate nature to all of us that knows at some point the difference between right and wrong. It is clear here that Jacob and his mother know this, as does Jacob's brother Esau. What is somewhat confusing to me, and I'll admit it, is the realization that even after being fooled, and knowing that he was tricked, Isaac keeps the blessing he has made to Jacob, (which rightly belonged to Isaac,) and will not take it back.

We see the decrepit of both Isaac and his mother Rebekah, yet we also see the redemption in part of Jacob as he is traveling and has an experience with God. There is an old song with a line in it that refers to this, "I am climbing Jacob's ladder," which was really the ladder of God. It is during this experience that Jacob makes a pledge to God to follow him, in all ways, for the remainder of his life. He makes a commitment of time, and money.

Have you had a moment of realization where you realize who God is and his power? Have you experienced his love? If so have you made the commitment of time and money, I say, giving time on your calendar and through your bank account? Time and money are often the indicators of a willingness to follow God, in the Old Testament it was a minimum of a 10% commitment, in the New Testament it is the realization that it all belongs to God so it isn't how much you give, but how much you keep. This is a totally different concept. There are often excuses, but like Jacob, if we want the blessings of God we have a commitment to God.

Think about it, yes, God can use that which isn't perfect, me and you, and in our appreciation of that, there should be little to no issue of our willingness to show God appreciation for what he has done for us, even in our brokenness.

To see Genesis Chapter 27 and 28 Click the following link:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+27%2C+28&version=CEV

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Monday, September 28, 2020

Daily Devotional, Genesis Chapter 25, 26, Remarriage, Deceipt, Peace

Daily Devotional, Genesis Chapter 25, 26

Remarriage, Deceit, and Peace

These two chapters seem to go all over the place in regards to themes. It is one of the reasons that I hope these daily devotions encourage you to check out the scriptures yourself, think about them and were possible, apply the concepts learned into your life.

We see that Abraham has remarried after the death of Sarah, despite his age he has more children. There are several things to think about here but one of the things that sticks out to me is the knowledge that this is a continuation of the story of the separation of Jews, Muslims, and to some extent, later on, Christians.

One of the things that causes me to ponder here is that despite the differences in belief that would later develop, Isaac and Ishmael came together to bury their father. There is a recognition of family among these half brothers. They found a way to come together and accomplish something despite their differences. Family and the love of Abraham had for his children, especially these two sons was a contributing factor as to why these two could come together to honor their father. As I write this, it is known in America as National Son's Day; Abraham was a father who was also honored by his sons.

We also read about other decedents and some of the early history of the decedents of Ishmael and Isaac. We also see aspects of deceit among family. There is the desire for power and wealth we see in the story of Jacob and Esau where one brother tricks the other out of his birthright. While it can be debated as to what is right or wrong, one could also debate if one appreciates what they have or do they take these things lightly.

Today, many of us are in the same boat. Do we appreciate the things we have? Do we take what we have for granted and live in the moment or do we plan for the future? I'll admit, I'm guilty and as a result I know how much better things could have been.

There is so much more in these two chapters, but you can check them out for yourself. It would be interesting to know your thoughts and what stuck out to you. What caused you to ponder?

To see Genesis Chapter 25 and 26 Click the following link:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+25%2C+26&version=CEV

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Thursday, September 24, 2020

Daily Devotional, Genesis Chapter 23, 24, Lost and Found Love, a Godly Woman

Daily Devotional, Genesis Chapter 23, 24

Lost and Found Love, A Godly Woman

I can so relate do the deep love Abraham has had for Sarah, although I don't always understand his reasoning in some things. There comes a time when all of us will leave this planet and so was the case for Sarah who has died. Abraham wants the best for her, even in death, so he goes out of his way to honor her. He insists on buying land to have his wife buried on even after he was offered the land for free. I've learned, grief does that. There is no doubt of the love Abraham had for his wife; we saw it through his life, we see it in the death of his wife Sarah.

I can't help but think; while there are many lessons we can learn here; do we show the love we have for others in the now? I'm convinced, the more we love in the now, the more we grieve in the loss. I've experienced that, we see it with Abraham and Sarah.

After the death of Sarah, Abraham turns to his son Isaac. He wants the best for him. Abraham realizes it is through his son that God will do the things He has promised. Abraham sends out a servant to find a wife for Isaac. Through a rather unusual set of circumstances the servant finds the wife that God has for Isaac, Rebekah. Rebekah and her family see the hand of God in all of this. They allow Abraham's servant to take back Rebekah to Isaac where they will wed and have a deep love for each other.

The one lost person in this story is the servant. A servant who saw the sincerity of Abraham's faith and prays to the God of Abraham as he sees the power of God. Do we display a faith so strong that others around us are moved by that faith? I'm not talking about a lot of the things people relate to faith like healings, money and so forth, (although that can be a part of it,) but a faith that recognizes and accepts the ways and reality of God?

I know that in the scheme of things, I'll never be wealthy like Abraham, but, I realize I can have faith in my life, as messed up as I am that can inspire others. Of course I have to walk in faith to demonstrate that May we all have a faith that produces results and inspires others.

To see Genesis Chapter 23 and 24 Click the following link:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+23%2C+24&version=CEV

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