Craig

In setting up the stone pillar, Jacob was placing God in the center of his life. This pillar was a reminder of the promises God and Jacob made to each other. Jacob anointed the stone with oil as act of purification and dedication to God. Jacob promises to obey, follow, trust, and allow God to be his God.

I think Rebekah's character flaws remind me of myself in that I have often taken matters into my own hands when I should have waited on God to handle those matters. It it easy to run ahead of God. However, in recent years, God has worked with me and I have learned to wait on Him. I'm not perfect, but I'm growing in this area.

Favoring one child over the other(s) often causes emotional distress, hurt and pain; an inferiority complex; rebellion; acting out destructive behavior for attention -- it can kill a child emotionally and/or physically over time. It can cause dysfunction within a family ultimately destroying the family. I have not experienced parental discrimination in my own life, however I have pastored many of all ages who have experienced it as well as parental abuse. In loving each of my children, I recognize their differences in personality. But, I love them as a father the same. I have five children, but each of the five have only one biological father. I owe it to each of them to love them where they are at. I think God does something that.

Favoring one child over the other(s) often causes emotional distress, hurt and pain; an inferiority complex; rebellion; acting out destructive behavior for attention -- it can kill a child emotionally and/or physically over time. It can cause dysfunction within a family ultimately destroying the family. I have not experienced parental discrimination in my own life, however I have pastored many of all ages who have experienced it as well as parental abuse. In loving each of my children, I recognize their differences in personality. But, I love them as a father the same. I have five children, but each of the five have only one biological father. I owe it to each of them to love them where they are at. I think God does something that.

Favoring one child over the other(s) often causes emotional distress, hurt and pain; an inferiority complex; rebellion; acting out destructive behavior for attention -- it can kill a child emotionally and/or physically over time. It can cause dysfunction within a family ultimately destroying the family. I have not experienced parental discrimination in my own life, however I have pastored many of all ages who have experienced it as well as parental abuse. In loving each of my children, I recognize their differences in personality. But, I love them as a father the same. I have five children, but each of the five have only one biological father. I owe it to each of them to love them where they are at. I think God does something that.

Isaac couldn't reverse his blessing because the blessing came from God. Isaac was the conduit through which God spoke the blessing.

God's revelation to Rebekah was just that, a revelation not a command to take it upon herself to decieve, lie, and cheat others. Solomon said there is a way that seems right unto man but in the end it is the way of destruction. She hurt her entire family from her ungodly actions. There is no justification. God, within the bounds of His character, would have elevated Jacob into the leadership position. It was not Rebekah's place. Isaac bears responsibility in that he too played favorites and alienated his wife. Husbands and wives must be on the same page or there is dysfunction within the relationship and family, which often causes much pain and hurt within the family. Bottomline: They are both responsible in Jacob's deception.

God's revelation to Rebekah was just that, a revelation not a command to take it upon herself to decieve, lie, and cheat others. Solomon said there is a way that seems right unto man but in the end it is the way of destruction. She hurt her entire family from her ungodly actions. There is no justification. God, within the bounds of His character, would have elevated Jacob into the leadership position. It was not Rebekah's place. Isaac bears responsibility in that he too played favorites and alienated his wife. Husbands and wives must be on the same page or there is dysfunction within the relationship and family, which often causes much pain and hurt within the family. Bottomline: They are both responsible in Jacob's deception.

God's revelation to Rebekah was just that, a revelation not a command to take it upon herself to decieve, lie, and cheat others. Solomon said there is a way that seems right unto man but in the end it is the way of destruction. She hurt her entire family from her ungodly actions. There is no justification. God, within the bounds of His character, would have elevated Jacob into the leadership position. It was not Rebekah's place. Isaac bears responsibility in that he too played favorites and alienated his wife. Husbands and wives must be on the same page or there is dysfunction within the relationship and family, which often causes much pain and hurt within the family. Bottomline: They are both responsible in Jacob's deception.

God's revelation to Rebekah was just that, a revelation not a command to take it upon herself to decieve, lie, and cheat others. Solomon said there is a way that seems right unto man but in the end it is the way of destruction. She hurt her entire family from her ungodly actions. There is no justification. God, within the bounds of His character, would have elevated Jacob into the leadership position. It was not Rebekah's place. Isaac bears responsibility in that he too played favorites and alienated his wife. Husbands and wives must be on the same page or there is dysfunction within the relationship and family, which often causes much pain and hurt within the family. Bottomline: They are both responsible in Jacob's deception.

God's revelation to Rebekah was just that, a revelation not a command to take it upon herself to decieve, lie, and cheat others. Solomon said there is a way that seems right unto man but in the end it is the way of destruction. She hurt her entire family from her ungodly actions. There is no justification. God, within the bounds of His character, would have elevated Jacob into the leadership position. It was not Rebekah's place. Isaac bears responsibility in that he too played favorites and alienated his wife. Husbands and wives must be on the same page or there is dysfunction within the relationship and family, which often causes much pain and hurt within the family. Bottomline: They are both responsible in Jacob's deception.

God's revelation to Rebekah was just that, a revelation not a command to take it upon herself to decieve, lie, and cheat others. Solomon said there is a way that seems right unto man but in the end it is the way of destruction. She hurt her entire family from her ungodly actions. There is no justification. God, within the bounds of His character, would have elevated Jacob into the leadership position. It was not Rebekah's place. Isaac bears responsibility in that he too played favorites and alienated his wife. Husbands and wives must be on the same page or there is dysfunction within the relationship and family, which often causes much pain and hurt within the family. Bottomline: They are both responsible in Jacob's deception.

God's revelation to Rebekah was just that, a revelation not a command to take it upon herself to decieve, lie, and cheat others. Solomon said there is a way that seems right unto man but in the end it is the way of destruction. She hurt her entire family from her ungodly actions. There is no justification. God, within the bounds of His character, would have elevated Jacob into the leadership position. It was not Rebekah's place. Isaac bears responsibility in that he too played favorites and alienated his wife. Husbands and wives must be on the same page or there is dysfunction within the relationship and family, which often causes much pain and hurt within the family. Bottomline: They are both responsible in Jacob's deception.

The New Testament condemns Esau's behavior because he lost his inheritance, which included God's gracious promises, by despising it and valuing the pleasure of immediate gratification of food. He exercised no self-control or discipline. In selling his birthright he lost the ability to become the future leader of his family and all that came with it. This transaction indicates that Esau was spiritually and morally shallow. He went for immediate self-gratification over patiently waiting for his problem of hunger to be resolved properly. In haste he sold his birthright away. He had no wisdom. Jacob improperly took advantage of his brother. He had core value/ethical issues. At that time he also left something to desired.

He is self-centered, insecure, and domineering. It is his way or no way. A pastor must be an encourager, full of the love of Jesus Christ. A pastor must, to be effective, practice I Cor. 13. A pastor must be open to team engagement as well as the ideas of others (whether he puts them in effect or not). A pastor must permit members of his/her fellowship to practice and exercise the gifts God has given them as part of the body. Most importantly, a pastor must act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. That is how you fight pride and being a controlling spirit. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. As pastoral leaders, we must permit God to be God in our lives and let God edit out those things that don't belong and add those things that do.

He is self-centered, insecure, and domineering. It is his way or no way. A pastor must be an encourager, full of the love of Jesus Christ. A pastor must, to be effective, practice I Cor. 13. A pastor must be open to team engagement as well as the ideas of others (whether he puts them in effect or not). A pastor must permit members of his/her fellowship to practice and exercise the gifts God has given them as part of the body. Most importantly, a pastor must act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. That is how you fight pride and being a controlling spirit. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. As pastoral leaders, we must permit God to be God in our lives and let God edit out those things that don't belong and add those things that do.

Christians support Christian workers in their ministries because we are called to get involved in spreading the gospel throughout the world -- the Great Commission. In directly supporting missionaries/ministries we become co-workers with those on the leading and cutting edge of evangelism. We show our love, support, and concern for missionaries and various ministries by supporting them with our resources, i.e. time, talent, money, etc. Christians should support Christian ministries because we are on the same team with the same desire that all people would hear the gospel and be saved. Christian ministries are not very effective without support from the Christian community. The fact is God uses people for the ministry, both to go out and to support and to do both. God calls us to be cheerful givers. It is God's method of developing each of our characters in giving, being co-workers, and blessing others.

In order not to give them an opportunity to spread false teaching. It is an act of kindness to welcome someone into our home and show them love and hospitality. It is another thing to welcome false teachers into our church to present false teachings. As Christians we should show kindness, compassion, and mercy to all those around us as we model and live out the gospel of Jesus Christ. Christ-like love is a powerful force that gets attention and opens doors whereas hatred and disrespect distort Christ and close doors to the gospel. All Christians should find common ground in Jesus Christ. In my opinion, the saints should feel comfortable in each others churches. The sad fact is that demoninationalism has distorted the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Most demoninations won't get along because of franchise marketing -- "my faith in Christ" is the only faith in Christ, etc. Demoninations are too busy building moments to themselves rather than winning the lost to Jesus Christ. Jesus said: "I am the way, the truth, and the life ..." not the Baptists, Lutherans, Methodists, or any other demonination. Jesus is savior. Jesus is the only way to the Father.

The danger of running ahead of Christ's teachings to supposed deeper truths is to run ahead and outside of Jesus' teachings and truth. We are not abiding in Christ when we do this. There are no deeper truths than what Jesus taught. All things reside in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. To run ahead to error.

The believer's fear should be based on awe, respect, and love. The fear of punishment is extinguished by his love perfected in us. As believers we should have no fear of future judgment because of what Jesus Christ did on the cross for us and our response to it.

This statement is important because it is defining a key dimension of who God is -- He is love. If God is love, believers need to be about love. John's statement about God being love and the theme throughout the Bible about "loving your neighbor as yourself" really separates the God of the Bible from any other demonic inspired god or reglion. The god of the Koran is clearly not the God of the Bible (God is love vs. god is hate). The power of love, as defined in I Corin. 13, can transform a human life completely, making us whole, as well as transforming a lost and dark world. If each believer would really loved their neighbors as themselves and contribute to others more than they consume this world would be an entirely different place. Love cannot exist in an ungiving heart. God who is love commands us to forgive others so they we might be forgiven. Jesus' model prayer states this clearly.