Saturday, Ordinary 18/Proper 13 -- Aug 2
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Meditation
Saturday, Ordinary 18, Proper 13 reminded believers of the approachability of God. The creator of the universe was accessible through prayer. Some people suggested that the God of the Old Testament was hidden and unapproachable, but the Old Testament lesson in Genesis told a different story.
God interacted with Jacob. His father-in-law had already cheated Jacob a couple of times—once by substituting Leah for Rachel at the wedding and by hiding the spotted and ringed sheep and goats.
God had compassion on the man who was going to have the sons for whom the tribes of Israel would be named. He saw Laban’s cheating ways and caused only the spotted and ringed sheep to copulate and reproduce, so Jacob’s flocks grew exponentially and his wealth eclipsed Laban’s. Laban changed the rules repeatedly, so he could benefit from the spotted progeny, but God changed their behaviors again and still Jacob’s flocks grew.
The rest of the family became irritated at Jacob’s success and plotted with their father against Jacob. He approached his wives, Leah and Rachel, explaining that Laban wasn’t as friendly as before and they agree that there is a need to flee Laban. Of course, Rachel stopped to steel the idols from Laban and then they took off without Laban being aware of it.
Throughout the events, Jacob turned to God for help. He credited God with helping him, describing how an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and he told Jacob how God was protecting him from Laban’s cheating ways.
The New Testament lesson in Matthew stated it plainly: “Ask and it shall be given you; Seek and ye shall find; Knock and it will be opened…”
We can speak to God directly and we will receive an answer. When we need something, we can count on God’s provision, just as Jacob received God’s blessing we can, too. After all, God loves us and if we can figure out how to do things for our children, how much more can God provide for our needs?
God will provide.
Thanks be to God.
All Scriptures printed below are in King James Version for copyright purposes. However, clicking on the verse locations will take you to Biblegateway.com where the text is linked to more contemporary versions.
Prayer: Almighty God, Open my eyes that I might see. Open my mind that I might understand. Open my heart that I might make your words a part of me. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight. Amen
Ordinary 18, Proper 13
Bible Readings
http://legacy.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm 17:1-7, 15;Genesis 31:1-21;Matthew 7:7-11&version=KJV;ERV;GNT;NCV;CEV (multiple versions)
Saturday, Ordinary 18, Proper 13
Psalm 17:1-7
Psalm 17:15
Genesis 31:1-21
Matthew 7:7-11
Daily Bible Verses to Memorize for Meditating
Ephesians 6:10-18
King James Version (KJV)
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Single Bible Study chapter to study
Matthew 7:7-11
King James Version (KJV)
7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
OBSERVE:
Take a moment and write three observations of the verses. What strikes you? An observation is an observable fact from the Word.
1.
2.
3.
INTERPRETATION:
What do you interpret these verses to mean for you today?
APPLY:
Today, I learned _____________________________________and apply it to my life.
Prayer of Encouragement
Almighty God, we give you thanks that you keep watch over us as you did Jacob, that you have our best interests at heart. Help us to trust in your name and remember to pray for things we need, so that we can praise you the more for all our answered prayers. In Jesus name, Amen
Conclusion
Saturday, Ordinary 18, Proper 13 offered a simple message: Ask God when you need something. Jacob did and God blessed him over the cheating father-in-law and family. The Apostle Matthew wrote that we are to Ask so we can receive. We can find what we are looking for and if we knock prospects will open up.
When I sold business equipment for IBM, the one thing the sales team trained on was ‘asking for the sale.’ We could never get an order, if we didn’t ask for the sale. In a way, God is telling us that we need to remember to ask for it, before he will give it to us. This is not always the case. God provides even when we don’t ask for it, but God appreciates it when we put some skin in the game.
Go out and be ready for God to do mighty things in your life—for the glory of God.*
Thank you for visiting ChapLynne’s Daily Encouragement and Bible Study. God bless you.
*If you do not know the Lord as your personal Savior and you are seeking, please contact me. A genuine and simple prayer, asking God into your heart for the forgiveness of your sins will also do.
Saturday, Ordinary 18, Proper 13 reminded believers of the approachability of God. The creator of the universe was accessible through prayer. Some people suggested that the God of the Old Testament was hidden and unapproachable, but the Old Testament lesson in Genesis told a different story.
God interacted with Jacob. His father-in-law had already cheated Jacob a couple of times—once by substituting Leah for Rachel at the wedding and by hiding the spotted and ringed sheep and goats.
God had compassion on the man who was going to have the sons for whom the tribes of Israel would be named. He saw Laban’s cheating ways and caused only the spotted and ringed sheep to copulate and reproduce, so Jacob’s flocks grew exponentially and his wealth eclipsed Laban’s. Laban changed the rules repeatedly, so he could benefit from the spotted progeny, but God changed their behaviors again and still Jacob’s flocks grew.
The rest of the family became irritated at Jacob’s success and plotted with their father against Jacob. He approached his wives, Leah and Rachel, explaining that Laban wasn’t as friendly as before and they agree that there is a need to flee Laban. Of course, Rachel stopped to steel the idols from Laban and then they took off without Laban being aware of it.
Throughout the events, Jacob turned to God for help. He credited God with helping him, describing how an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and he told Jacob how God was protecting him from Laban’s cheating ways.
The New Testament lesson in Matthew stated it plainly: “Ask and it shall be given you; Seek and ye shall find; Knock and it will be opened…”
We can speak to God directly and we will receive an answer. When we need something, we can count on God’s provision, just as Jacob received God’s blessing we can, too. After all, God loves us and if we can figure out how to do things for our children, how much more can God provide for our needs?
God will provide.
Thanks be to God.
All Scriptures printed below are in King James Version for copyright purposes. However, clicking on the verse locations will take you to Biblegateway.com where the text is linked to more contemporary versions.
Prayer: Almighty God, Open my eyes that I might see. Open my mind that I might understand. Open my heart that I might make your words a part of me. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight. Amen
Ordinary 18, Proper 13
Bible Readings
http://legacy.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm 17:1-7, 15;Genesis 31:1-21;Matthew 7:7-11&version=KJV;ERV;GNT;NCV;CEV (multiple versions)
Saturday, Ordinary 18, Proper 13
Psalm 17:1-7
Psalm 17:15
Genesis 31:1-21
Matthew 7:7-11
Daily Bible Verses to Memorize for Meditating
Ephesians 6:10-18
King James Version (KJV)
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Single Bible Study chapter to study
Matthew 7:7-11
King James Version (KJV)
7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
OBSERVE:
Take a moment and write three observations of the verses. What strikes you? An observation is an observable fact from the Word.
1.
2.
3.
INTERPRETATION:
What do you interpret these verses to mean for you today?
APPLY:
Today, I learned _____________________________________and apply it to my life.
Prayer of Encouragement
Almighty God, we give you thanks that you keep watch over us as you did Jacob, that you have our best interests at heart. Help us to trust in your name and remember to pray for things we need, so that we can praise you the more for all our answered prayers. In Jesus name, Amen
Conclusion
Saturday, Ordinary 18, Proper 13 offered a simple message: Ask God when you need something. Jacob did and God blessed him over the cheating father-in-law and family. The Apostle Matthew wrote that we are to Ask so we can receive. We can find what we are looking for and if we knock prospects will open up.
When I sold business equipment for IBM, the one thing the sales team trained on was ‘asking for the sale.’ We could never get an order, if we didn’t ask for the sale. In a way, God is telling us that we need to remember to ask for it, before he will give it to us. This is not always the case. God provides even when we don’t ask for it, but God appreciates it when we put some skin in the game.
Go out and be ready for God to do mighty things in your life—for the glory of God.*
Thank you for visiting ChapLynne’s Daily Encouragement and Bible Study. God bless you.
*If you do not know the Lord as your personal Savior and you are seeking, please contact me. A genuine and simple prayer, asking God into your heart for the forgiveness of your sins will also do.
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