Then a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt.

Exodus 1:8

One day the deeds we do on earth will be forgotten on earth, but those we do for the Lord will be remembered in eternity.

Life in Egypt moved on. Joseph and his brothers passed away, but their families continue to expand. A new king came to reign, and he had no idea who Joseph was or the relationship he had had with the past Pharaoh. All he saw was a bunch of Israelites that were strong and prosperous, and he wanted to oppress them so they’d never be able to take over. However, what this king didn’t realize is that they had God on their side.

Even as the Israelites were enslaved, they continued to multiply and spread across the region. The king then put out an edict to kill any boys that were born to the Hebrew women but the midwives feared the Lord and let the babies live. Next the king gave the order for any Hebrew boy born to be thrown into the river, Nile. One Hebrew woman had a son and nursed him for three months but could no longer hide him anymore. She had no idea what God had planned for him, but she knew it was good, so she wrapped him in a Papyrus basket and sent him down the Nile. Pharaoh’s daughter rescued him and loved him as her very own. She named him Moses, and raised him in the palace.

The Israelites continued to be enslaved, as Moses continued to grow. He hurt for his people because he could see their pain. He stood up for the Israelites and because of this had to flee from Egypt, but this too was part of God‘s plan. God wanted to use Moses to rescue the Israelites out of Egypt and lead them back to Canaan.

And now the cry of the Israelites had reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.

Exodus 3:9-10

All that Joseph did for earthly hands was forgotten, and the Israelites became enslaved. The work Moses tried to do for his Hebrew brothers while in Egypt was despised, so he ran for his life. But God watched it all. He saw everything as it was done and he knew what would happen, but it was all in preparation. It was all part of God‘s magnificent plan. He heard their cries and he prepared to rescue them.

We can strive for human acknowledgment, we can look for praise in the work we do. We can make tons of money, win tons of competitions, become a Nobel Peace prize winner, or get a perfect score on the SATs. But all these things are earthly, this is success in the world eyes and one day it will all be forgotten. However, when we work with all of our heart for the Lord and not for man, that my friend, is storing up treasures in heaven and creating a greater impact on all of creation.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Colossians 3:23-24

Did you know that the Merrian-Webster definition of competition is “of or relating to a situation in which people or groups are trying to win a contest or be more successful than others”?

For most of my life I’ve been described as competitive. I’ve been told I must be because of my fierce internal drive, my love of running, and my passion to fully pursue a challenge. And every time I’d hear this, I’d say, “I’m not competitive.” Because in my heart of hearts I knew, I’m not trying to win a contest and I’m definitely not trying to be more successful than someone else.

The conversation came up again recently, and again I gave my answer, but this time I also discussed it with my family to see why they believed I was competitive. After they explained their reason why, and I had a chance to explain why I believe I’m not, my son came up with this conclusion, “Mom, you are just very different. There really aren’t many people like that. I now see why you say you’re not competitive, because you are always just trying to be the best you for the Lord.” And you know what, I thought everyone knew that’s why I do what I do. I truly and honestly want to do everything in my life as I’m doing it for the Lord. (And when I don’t, I’m the first to beat myself up. Thank you, Jesus, for your forgiveness.)

If God opens a door to me, until he closes it, I’m going to work at it with all of my heart. If God gives a gift to me, I don’t want it to fall by the wayside, I want to use it to glorify him. I’m not doing these things for accolades from people or looking for sympathy because of the trials I’ve gone through, I’m doing it for God because I want to Glorify Him.

If I were doing all this for praise on this earth, my life would be meaningless because I know, I will be forgotten; so I will continue to strive for God because I also know, He will never forget me.

If you feel like you are constantly striving but never feeling fulfilled, assess whether what you are doing is for earthly gain or heavenly gain. The first will be forgotten, but the second will be for eternity. When you choose to use your life as a vessel for His Work, you will be filled to overflowing.

Now, get going, go run! Run like your running for Jesus. Run until you fly.

Israel said to Joseph, “I never expected to see your face again, and now God has allowed me to see your children too.”

Genesis 48:11

Here’s a quick synopsis of Joseph’s life: Joseph is born to Rachel, Jacob’s first love; Joseph is the favored son with the special coat out of the 12 brothers; Joseph dreams he will rule over his family; 10 brothers are extremely jealous and plot to kill Joseph; Joseph is sold by Judah to the Ishmaelite’s; Joseph is a slave in Egypt, gets thrown into jail, interprets Pharaoh’s dreams, and becomes 2nd in command of all Egypt. So now that we’re all caught up…..

Unlikely story, right?! Wrong. It’s True!

And what’s even more amazing is the transformation in the trials, the grace and forgiveness that abounds over his life, and Joseph’s constant focus on the heart of God.

Jacob, now Israel, on the other hand, thought he lost his son, Joseph, forever. So he went all helicopter parent on his youngest son, Benjamin, never letting him out of his sight. Israel continually mourned for Joseph for years, and his others sons witnessed and experienced the consequences of their jealousy that turned into sin.

But God…He worked all things out just as he had planned. He knew the desires of Israel’s heart and the desire of Joseph’s heart, and in God-like timing brought them back together. Joseph and Israel saw this as a miracle, something they never thought possible but happening right before their very eyes. When in actuality, miracles are just the work of God and the faith of humans, intersecting to truly sees God’s handiwork in action.

Miracles happen around us everyday because God is at work around us everyday. If we have faith as small as a mustard seed, we can open our eyes to see God at work.

Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “why couldn’t we drive it out?” He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly, I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.

Matthew 17:19-21

Miracles aren’t a thing of the past or only witnessed in biblical times; miracles are still happening today because God is still at work today.

Set your eyes on Jesus, putting your daily, hourly, every minute, trust in Him, and you will witness things you never thought possible, you will see miracles, God’s constant handiwork.

Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presents. Then Joseph said to his brothers, “come close to me.” When they have done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.”

Genesis 45:3-5

The great famine that fell in Egypt also fell on all of the areas around it, including Canaan. But because of Pharaoh’s dreams and the gift God had given Joseph to interpret his dreams, Egypt had enough supplies to make it through the seven years.

If it wasn’t for the brothers selling Joseph into slavery and the hardships that Joseph had to endure, he may never have been in the right place at the right time or in the right mind, and his family could have literally starved to death.

Yet God made a way, not the way everyone else would’ve chosen, but the way that would grow their dependency on Him. And Joseph recognized the sovereignty of God and the plan that God had all along. So, Joseph gathered his brothers together and revealed to them who he really was, Joseph, the younger brother they had sold into slavery.

In fear, the brothers backed away, but in love and forgiveness, Joseph revealed to them the reason his coming to Egypt had to be in this way.

But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by great deliverance.

Genesis 45:7

Joseph recognized the reason and revealed the purpose in the pain, to save many lives.

Many years later, Jesus our Savior, would come to earth to live with us. He would live a humble life and die a horrific death for a reason much like Joseph’s.

For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day.

John 6:38-39

Jesus came to save all of us from our sins. To do this he had to come down from heaven to live like a human, to die on the cross, be buried, and rise again, so he could sit at the right hand of God in heaven again.

We have a purpose, too, and once we recognize that our pain can be used for His good, to save lives, we will be walking in peace as a faithful servant of Jesus.

Then he said to them all: whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it but whoever loses their life for me will save it.

Luke 9:23-24

There is a reason for every hardship we go through and some will be revealed to us and others won’t. But when we recognize the main reason, to save lives to glorify Jesus, a peace that is beyond all understanding will fall upon our hearts, a strength that is only from God alone will fill our bones, and a passion from the Holy Spirit will fill our souls. All of this, to help us persevere through every trial, to the very end.

Now then, please let your servant remain here as my Lord’s slave in place of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers. How can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? No! Do not let me see the misery that would come on my father.

Genesis 44:33-34

As Joseph foretold in his dream, his brothers bowed down to him as Lord because he was second in command of Egypt. Now, to be fair, the brothers had no idea who Joseph was because he was many years older and used an interpreter to speak to them. But Joseph, however, knew exactly who they were.

All Joseph wanted was to see his brother Benjamin and his father Jacob, but Jacob was too old to travel to Egypt to get the food that they needed and he wouldn’t allow Benjamin to leave his side. Benjamin had now become the favored son since Joseph had been gone.

As the brothers were leaving on their first trip with food during the famine, Joseph told them they would not be allowed to come back unless they brought their youngest brother to prove they weren’t spies. We all know, that Joseph knew they weren’t spies, but he wanted so badly to see Benjamin and was willing to say whatever was necessary to get him in Egypt.

When the brothers told this news to their father Jacob, Jacob refused to let the brothers go back with Benjamin until they were completely out of food and almost at the point of starving. Judah made a promise to Jacob, however, that if anything were to happen to Benjamin that it would be his life that could be taken instead of Benjamin’s. But when the boys got to Joseph and Joseph saw his brother Benjamin was safe, he wept and yearned to see the face of his father Jacob even more.

So, Joseph tricked the brothers once again, and hid some of his treasures in Benjamin‘s bag. When they were on their way back to Canaan, Joseph sent one of his servants to look for the stolen goods and after finding them, brought Benjamin back to his home.

The brothers were so distraught that they turned back and went to Joseph’s home as well. Judah pleaded with Joseph to take him instead of his brother Benjamin. He begged Joseph not to keep him and to let Benjamin go back to their father Jacob. This all looks like Judah trying to save his father from a bitter ending, but what we are actually witnessing in the passage above is: a changed heart, a lesson learned, and a future transformed. Because when Joseph was sold into slavery, it was actually Judah’s idea.

Judah said to his brothers, “what will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? Come, let’s sell him to the Ishmaelite’s and not lay our hands on him; after all he is our brother, our own flesh and blood.” His brothers agreed.

Genesis 37:26-27

Judah was a born leader and he led his brothers astray the first time, but this time, after seeing how miserable his father had been over the years fought for the new favorite child, Benjamin. Judah changed. He took the lesson from his past and let it transform him for the better. And this better Judah would change the heart of Joseph as well. His family lineage would be filled with kings, including the Promised King, Jesus.

“This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham: Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram,” Matthew 1:1-3

We all have a past. We all can try to live in the past, try to forget it, or try to learn from it. To live in it, we never fully live and get drowned out by sorrow and bitterness. To try and forget it, we become filled with hate and bitterness and never allow for forgiveness. But if we learn from our past we live more fully, more like Jesus, alive and abundantly well. And not only are our lives changed when we learn from our past but so are others who see the change in us.

I don’t know what your past was like, I only know mine, but I know that if you choose to learn from your past your future will look so much better.

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Joseph found himself in multiple hard circumstances, but in every one he chose to be noble, respectful, and honoring to God. And every time, God chose to bless him in the circumstance. We have a choice, what will you choose?

* Romans 8 and Genesis 38-40

So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe – the ornate robe he was wearing – and they took him and threw him into the cistern. The cistern was empty; there was no water in it.

Genesis 37:23-24

Pride definitely came before the fall.

Let me first say, we all make mistakes. As we read through the Bible we see example after example of characters making mistakes and learning from them to become the most faithful, God-fearing ever to live.

So, Joseph, I see you!

I get that your 17-year-old self wanted to prove that you were important, so you pridefully bragged to your family about the dreams God had given you.

The only problem is, pride may feel good for a minute, but the fall that happens afterwards will hurt for much longer.

Pride goes before distraction, a hottie spirit before the fall.

Proverbs 16:18

Joseph, being the favorite son of Jacob, the one Jacob made the beloved coat for, dreams a dream that can only be from God.

He said to them, “listen to this dream I had: we were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.“

Genesis 36:6-7

Joseph’s brothers knew what he was trying to say… One day soon you all will bow down to me. All this did for his brothers was make them hate him even more. So you’d think he’d learn his lesson not to say anything else, but Joseph had a second dream.

Then he had another dream, and he told it to his brothers, “listen,” he said, “I had another dream, and this time the sun and the moon and 11 stars were bowing down to me.“

Genesis 37:9

Now, not only did Joseph claim his brothers would bow down to him, but his mother and his father too.

The 11 brothers had had enough of Joseph’s arrogance, so when he was sent out to visit them in the field, his brothers plotted to kill him. The oldest brother, Rueben, new fault would fall on him, so he encouraged them to just throw him into a cistern to die, so Joseph’s blood wouldn’t be on their hands. Thinking this was a good idea, they threw Joseph into the empty cistern, and Rueben planned to come back and save him. But while Rueben was away, a caravan of Ishmaelite’s we’re heading to Egypt and the other brothers decided to sell Joseph into slavery.

Joseph went from being the most prideful of the brothers to being the most lowly as a slave. He went from having hope to being a hopeless trade for a mere 20 shekels. Joseph took a dream from God and held it over his families head, and God used that pride to teach him a lesson and lead him into the fulfillment of the dream. God was going to finish what he had planned, no matter what Joseph had done.

God doesn’t let pride interfere with the work He needs accomplished; He uses the fall of pride to work humility into a person.

What God did with Joseph, he does with us as well. As soon as sin entered the garden, God‘s plans for humans on this earth didn’t change. But now he had to work into each of us another way to fulfill his plans. He would use the sins of each person and their consequences to grow us closer to him and his likeness. He uses our pride and every other sin within us to teach us how to be more like him.

The gift of his promise is great but we have to humbly walk in it by love, not lord it over people with pride. He wants us to use his words to encourage and lead one another into a deeper relationship with him, not to push people away.

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Micah 6:8

If we don’t walk humbly with the gifts he gives us, whether they be dreams, intelligence, athleticism, parenting, whatever gifts it may be, we will be susceptible to the fall. But let me encourage you friend, after every fall, he will help us up out of the ashes to Glorify Him.

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord‘s favor and the Day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion – to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of morning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.

Isaiah 61:1-3

So, go ahead, Rise up, not in pride but in humble gratitude for what the Lord has done for you. Swallow your pride and Glorify the Lord alone. Do not let pride be your downfall, instead, allow humility to strengthen you for the path ahead.

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So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touch the socket of Jacob‘s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. Then the man said, “let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” The man asked him, “what is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered. Then the man said, “your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.”

Genesis 32:24-28

In every trial we have, there is an opportunity to see God and be changed forever.

Jacob and his family are finally free to go back to the land of Canaan, his homeland, and the place where God had called him to live. But on his way there, Jacob is met by 3 trials. First was his father-in-law, Laban, who threatened to harm him for taking his daughters, grandchildren, and household gods. However, the true God, having the ability to stop anything, tells Laban not to harm Jacob, for Jacob was chosen. Next, Jacob is met by fear. Fear of his brother Esau, who wanted to kill him before he left for the home of Laban. But God gave Jacob wisdom in how to approach Esau with humility and respect. If having men coming for your life from 2 different directions isn’t enough, his third trial was God himself.

Jacob finds himself a little space and time to be alone on this journey when God appears and begins to wrestle with him. All night Jacob and God wrestle, and when God realizes that Jacob is unwilling to give up, God displaces Jacob’s hip forcing him to stop. Yet as the man of God gets up to leave as the sun is beginning to rise, Jacob continues to hold on tight to him. Jacob knew this was God and refused to let go until he was blessed. Jacob could see the light and God honored his request by not only blessing him for his determination but also confirming his call by transforming Jacob into Israel.

Jacob conquered this trial and came through as faithful.

We all have trials and none of them are exactly the same. But whatever the trial is, if we keep focused on God or if the trial turns us to see God we will come out transformed. For every trial we face with God will make us stronger, filled with knowledge, and more like Jesus. All of this transformation is due to our perseverance in the storm.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James 1:2-4

Trials? I’ve had plenty. Transformation? If only you knew me back when. Am I complete? Absolutely not. So what does that mean? My trials and testing aren’t over and my transformation will not be complete this side of heaven.

There will be trials of many kinds and our job is to persevere. However, I promise, we can only persevere if we have God and count him as faithful and sovereign. If we do not have him, we will constantly be lost, or if we don’t see him as faithful and sovereign, we will grow bitter in every trial. But if we hold onto him, we will be found faithful as well and be blessed with a transformation into a likeness that is closer and closer to the likeness of Jesus.

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Then Leah said, “How happy I am! The women will call me happy.” So she named him Asher.”

Genesis 30:13

People, things, events, careers, even activities may bring us momentary Happiness, but Forever Joy comes only from the Lord.

Leah and Rachel, sisters, sister wives…nothing in this matrimony situation could be good. Not only is your husband married to 2 women, but your sister at that, no thank you! But Jacob loved Rachel, and Leah was the older sister who had to be married first. So Laban, father of the brides, tricked Jacob into marrying Leah.

After 7 years of working Laban’s fields, Jacob was able to now marry his first love, Rachel. But 2 wives plus 2 female servants equaled 10 times the jealousy. Rachel may have had Jacob’s heart, but Leah was the only wife able to conceive. Jealousy in the marriage caused 4 women to be sleeping with the same man to enable all women to have children. 12 of which children, were born in Laban’s home. (The 13th came later once Jacob moved.)

With this much emotion and hormones going on in one home each child would be named by how the sister wife was feeling at that time.

Leah’s children include:

• Reuben – for the misery she was in
• Simeon – because God heard her prayers
• Levi – now her husband would be attached to her
• Judah – for praising the Lord
• Gad – for the good fortune of another son (this child was through her servant Zilpah)
• Asher – he makes her happy (through Zilpah)
• Issachar – she’s been rewarded
• Zebulun – she’s been honored
• And eventually a daughter named Dinah

Rachel’s children include:

• Dan – she was vindicated (through her servant Bilhah)
• Naphtali – children were her struggle (through Bilhah)
• And finally Joseph – may he be added to (Rachel held out hope God would give her more children.)

Each one of the boys was named from a momentary feeling, and Leah, feeling unloved, had one child she would name “Asher” because for that moment she was happy. But happiness is fleeting, and this feeling for Leah too passed, and she became Jealous and Angry, again.

But she said to her, “Wasn’t it enough that you took away my husband? Will you take my sons mandrakes too? “Very well,” Rachel said, “he can sleep with you tonight in return for your sons mandrakes.”

Genesis 30:15

Leah tried to buy Jacob’s love with a mandrake, probably thinking, if only I were to have more children with him he will love me more and I will be happy again.

No person, no thing, no amount of money, not an activity or event, no career or anything else for that matter will bring us more than a moment of happiness….when what we are truly desiring is overflowing Joy. And Joy my friends, comes only from the Lord.

You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with Joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. Lord, my God, I will praise you forever.”

Psalm 30:11-12

What Leah needed, we all need, Joy that turns out heartache into dancing. Our selfish desires can seek happiness all day long but our soul is actually searching for Joy.

This Joy was made complete in Jesus’ love. When we stop seeking self and start seeking to love others as Jesus loved us, we remain in His love and our Joy is made complete.

As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Fathers commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”

John 15:9-12

When we think happiness will come from “things” that are fleeting (here today and gone tomorrow) we are thinking of ourselves. But when we look to make others happy by loving them as Jesus has loved us, we will be filled with an overflowing Joy.

My sweet friends, as I write these words to you, God speaks them to me. Over the past year I have sought out ways to have “fun” in momentary happiness. When those moments passed, I felt less than I felt before and looked for more ways to have fun. I never stopped seeking God, I never stopped believing His truths, but instead of seeking to serve and love others, I sought out happiness for myself (aka I was selfish). At the beginning of December I realized how completely lost I was, I couldn’t figure out where my old self was or who I was supposed to be, and so I prayed. I prayed and I fasted for 2 weeks. I prayed and fasted until God revealed to me THIS TRUTH! God spoke so deeply into my heart, making me aware of my selfish desires of happiness and revealing to me His desires for me to use the gifts He’d given me. These gifts He gives us are ways in which He wants each of us to love others. And this is why I share the writings He has written on my heart over the years.

This year, only 3 weeks in, I already feel an awakening within my soul. I’m filled with more Joy than I can even describe. This joy is unceasing, even in moments of hardship, all because of his great Love for me.

You can experience His Joy too! When you love others, seeking to show them God’s love, instead of seeking happiness for yourself, you will experience more Joy than you have ever experienced before.

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Early the next morning Jacob took the stone he had placed under his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on top of it. He called that place Bethel, though the city used to be called Luz.”

Genesis 28:18-19

Have you ever had those moments in your life when you know without a doubt that God was there? Or maybe you have a time period where you felt so close to God that you could almost touch him? And then……you find yourself in a place where you forget him, question him, ask if he is even real?

We all face times of doubt, questioning and lostness. But how do we experience times that we know without any doubt and then not too long later we doubt? How do we forget so quickly? What if there was a way to always remember? What if we put things in our paths to forever remind us of his goodness, realness, and love for us?

As life would have it, and consequences from past decisions would begin to awaken, Esau’s hatred for Jacob grew and he planned to take Jacob’s life. Rebekah, Jacob’s mom, not wanting to lose her son, sent him to live with her brother Laban and find a wife for him to marry. On the road to his uncles home, Jacob stopped for the night because the journey was too long. He laid his head on a stone to sleep and immediately began to dream of God.

He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. There above it stood the LORD, and he said: “I am the LORD, the God of your Father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying.”

Genesis 28:12-13

God begins to lay out his promise to Jacob in this dream with a promised future where He will protect Jacob and always be with him. As Jacob awakens, in full amazement, he realizes not only was this a very Holy Moment but this was an especially Holy Place.

He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of Heaven.”

Genesis 28:17

I’m sure Jacob had MANY different memories in his past, one being of stealing his brothers birth right, but in this moment he recognized the promise of God and never wanted to forget it. So, Jacob took the stone he’d used as a pillow the night before and set it up as a memorial pillar to remember what God had done and said forever.

Throughout our lives God will do things, truly special things, that will make our eyes focus on Him in that moment, that God Moment. But as soon as life gets going again and the world consumes us, we will get distracted and forget His Presence, wondering if he was even there after all……unless we remember. Unless we have a reminder to remember the God moment. We need these individual moments to burn memories into our heart so we never forget what ONLY He has done.

We as humans are forgetful, we forget God, it’s part of our sin nature, but He never forgets us. Making something to memorialize the moment is a gift that can keep our eyes turning back to Him to never forget the One that never forgets us.

These God moments can be made into memory stones as simple as a cross around your neck that reminds you of the cross Jesus bore for us, a picture you frame, a stone from the river you almost drowned in, your childhood Bible with markings of prayers, or a Captain America shirt that you wore in your first marathon after your son’s death.

Whatever it is, whenever you see it, you remember what God has already done in your life. If he was with you then, He is with you now, and you can trust Him to get you through to the end.

God gave Jacob a promise in his dream of the land he would own and the people that would come from Him. God provided me the strength and power to keep on going, to not slow down, and to share His story because He wasn’t done with me yet.

Where has God revealed himself to you, what has He already done in your life? Why not make a Memory Stone out of the God moments to remember His Goodness and Faithfulness to you always.

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“Jacob replied, “First sell me your birthright.” “Look, I am about to die,” Esau said. “What good is the birthright to me?”

Genesis 25:31-32

Isaac and Rebecca had troubles having children, but Isaac prayed for his wife and Rebekah delivered twin boys when Isaac was 60.

Having twins, I fully understand that some twins can be identical and others can be like mine, complete opposites. And these boys, they were opposite in every way. Esau was a hunter, a man’s man, his dad’s favorite. Jacob, on the other hand, was a homebody, the favorite of his mom, and the one the promised covenant was to be fulfilled through by God.

One day, Jacob was home cooking a stew and Esau arrived back feeling famished — aka really hungry for any “growing” boy. Esau being the oldest, had something that Jacob didn’t, the birthright of the family. The birthright was the one thing that every boy in the family desired because it meant he would be in charge of the family when the father passed away, he would receive the greatest blessing from the father, and the majority of the inheritance would go to this son. In the depths of his soul, Jacob desires the birthright, and in the pit of his stomach, Esau just wanted food. One was definitely more important that the other, and Jacob saw an opportunity and took it.

Jacob replied, “First sell me your birthright.” “Look, I am about to die,” Esau said. “What good is the birthright to me?” But Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left. So Esau despised his birthright.”

Genesis 25:31-34

Esau, so quickly, gave up something so important, just to feed his selfish desire. Jacob, took advantage of his brothers poor selfishness, to get something God had promised him from birth.

Before you are quick to say, “I’d never do something like that.” Slow down, think….aren’t we all willing to give up the best things for our own selfish desires. Aren’t some of us willing to give up time with our family to work more to get that boat or that huge house? Don’t we give up our time with God because we want to sleep more so we can stay up later to watch that show? Do you ever say “Yes” to something you want when it will take away something that’s even better?

Esau, in the moment, let his stomach guide his decisions. He didn’t think about what his life would look like. He didn’t take the time to think, wait, I could make a sandwich or go out and Kill myself some food. Esau didn’t utilize the gifts that God had given him because he just wanted the easy way out.

Thankfully, God already knows the choices we will make, even when they are poor. He knew Jacob would trick his brother and He knew Esau would give up something great for his own selfishness.

And for every decision we make, there will be consequences we have to take.

God had already promised that Jacob would be the one that the Abrahamic Covenant would be fulfilled through, but instead of letting God make it happen, Jacob took it into his own hands.

These quick decisions on both Esau and Jacob, for different reasons, caused family issues for the rest of their life and into the unforeseen future.

God will provide for us in every situation, and he will give each one of us everything we need for the call he has given us. But all to often, we try to take the future into our own hands. We don’t patiently wait or utilize the gifts we’ve been given, instead, we trick and scheme and give up what’s best for something God would have given us for free.

In each choice we have before us, we have 2 options: sell our soul for a bowl of soup or save our soul through the one who will give us abundantly more than we could ever ask or imagine.

What are you willing to sell your soul for? Even the woman at the well was dying of thirst, but Jesus told her she would thirst no more if she would just come to him instead of going to the arms of someone who would never fulfill what she was really looking for. Why not look at our desires through the eyes of Jesus, and weigh them against his desires? Then and only then will our desires be fulfilled because our desires will become his desires. And we will no longer be selling our souls or anything else for a bowl of soup.

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