Genesis 41 * Matthew 13:1-32 * Psalm 12

Genesis 41 Reflections

As we read Genesis 41:38 - 39 38 And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is? 39 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath showed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art:, we continue to see the blessing that can and will be showered upon us when we put our full trust and faith in the one true god. Through the past few readings, we see the type things that happen to Joseph throughout his life. His bothers hate him, conspire to kill him, instead sell him off, and he ends up in prison. Throughout all of these events, Joseph's faith in the god of his fathers never fails him. Some of us may go through life experiencing similar tales of sorrow and heartache, but through what we read in God's word, by staying true to Him, we will receive blessings that also extend farther than the life we currently lead. Regardless, after reading Genesis 41, I find myself looking to God and thanking Him for all that He has provided for me and my family. I thank Him first and foremost for the relationship and bond that He has set up between He and I. I thank Him for the family and friends and brothers and sisters in Christ that He has surrounded me with. I have realized more and more as I mature in my age, all of the blessings I receive are not going to be tangible blessings that are material in nature, but blessings that enrich my life through experiences I have and the relationships I am bless with. Keep your faith in God, no matter what difficulties you may go through. No matter what, God does not forget about you, even if you may think He is not listening. Stay steadfast in your love for Him, and He will provide you with blessing upon blessing, and remember the biggest blessing we are to receive is yet to come.

Dear God, I thank you for the blessings your shower upon me and my family daily. I ask that in times of trouble, you send your Spirit to fill our hearts, that we may stay true to you and not forget your love. Keep our hearts in your mind, and fill us with solitude in our times of trouble. I ask this in Your name and Your son Jesus Christ...Amen

Questions for follow up:

Matthew 13:1 - 32 Reflections

Many of us love a great story. To take that a step further, we all love great stories, especially the stories that are based on truth or are full of significant meaning. The great thing about today's reading is, we get a great view into how Jesus thinks and why he preaches the way he does. Have you ever found yourself sitting in a lecture hall with a multitude of people, with this person just speaking up on the stage, about what, you can not remember? Going to college, I attended a few classes that were of such nature. Those classes were much more interesting when the professor told a story that related to the subject we were learning. They some how were able to draw your attention and increase your perceptions, allowing you to retain what the professor was trying to teach us. Early on, we see that Jesus had the same understanding of how people would learn and retain the knowledge of who he was and why he was here. When you read Matthew 13:13 13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand., we see this. I have found, through my journey, I have reached a new understanding of our Lord God and His son Jesus Christ, by reading His word and meditating on it. I have read and be taught many of the parables before, but I have never asked God to be with me to help understand them. But, I still say, the effectiveness of Jesus approach in teaching us, still works today. Read and enjoy the word and the parables set in front of us. Because, if we have ears to hear, let's open them and see what we might learn.

Psalm 12 Reflections

- Through thought, word, and deed, and with the help of the Holy Spirit, I will be You Lord God, and Your son Jesus Christ...Amen

Life's Curveballs

I have fallen a few days behind on my readings, and I started to feel incredibly bad about it. I wondered if it was going to be another start in a trend of giving up my daily devotion. As I thought about what I was going to do, I thought I might as well write about it. My grandmother died this past week, so it was a busy and troublesome week. It is just one of those things in our busy life, where we need to stop and grieve with our family. It was a time, I needed to take a break from my reading and be in the presence of others in the family of Christ and let them council me in my sad days. It was a week full of heartache and sorrow, but also of joy and thankfulness. My grandmother was a child of God, and thankfully she knew it. She was very devoted to God and his son Jesus Christ. She lived her life trying to abide by the perfections that Jesus speaks about to us. She also knew she was not perfect in her human heart, and she was humble in the presence of God.

After thinking about it for a while, I realized that I might not be able to read the text EVERY day, but that should not stop me from continuing my journey. Everyday should be a day in which we should find the time to sit down, unwind, and read the word of God. But we also must come to the understanding that we might not be able to meet our needs of reading God's word everyday. We should not be discouraged by this, but we must also not forget our calling to pick up the Bible and continue where we left off. So I say to those who are walking along side of me with this journey, do not be discouraged if you fall behind, do not get upset with yourself, because you have not been able to keep up with the date on your text. If your Bible guide tells your reading for today is Monday and it is Wednesday, no worries. The point God is making to us is not to make sure we are on the correct day of reading His word, but that we are reading His word.

Dear heavenly father, you have walked with us all our lives. Sometimes we are discouraged, because we fail to keep promises about reading your word everyday, but you still fill us with your grace and love. Keep us light at heart, and give us strength to pick up where we leave off. Fill us with the knowledge of who you are through the word of our brothers and sisters that have come before us and have been witnesses of You and your son's miracles and love. We thank you for all of your blessings, and we ask that you forgive us for our sins. Through your name and your son Jesus Christ...Amen.

- Through thought, word, and deed, and with the help of the Holy Spirit, I will be You Lord God, and Your son Jesus Christ...Amen.

Genesis 38,39,40 * Matthew 12:22-50 * Psalm 11

Genesis 38, 39, 40 Reflections

I struggle to follow and see the significance of the story of Judah, one of Jacob's sons, in Genesis 38. The one thing that sticks out to me is the heartache Judah must have had in loosing all of his children and wife to death.

Genesis 39 - 40 continues the story of Joseph and the trouble he continuously goes through. Yet through all that happens to him in these readings, his devotion to LORD God does not falter. Even when thrown into prison, he still feels the love from God that he has always felt. He seems to live a life full of blessings even though he lives in a prison too. This is a cool story to read, and fascinating to see the plot continue with Joseph.

Questions for follow up:

Q - What is the significance of the story of Judah in the middle of the story of Joseph in Genesis?

Matthew 12:22 - 50 Reflections

Matthew 12:22 - 50 is full of insight and profound messages from Jesus Christ. As I read Matthew, I found myself in a state we find Jesus disciples many times throughout the New Testament, I was not understanding everything Jesus was saying. Many could sit and analyze Jesus stories and make conclusions as to their meanings, and we still may not get at the heart of Jesus words. I sometimes find it humerous, because Jesus tells us that our faith should be as simple as a child's faith, but when I read these stories, I get confused about how unsimple Jesus words were sometimes. Regardless of my being confused through most of Matthew 12, I still found myself being drawn to a specific verse. Matthew 12:38 - 39 38 Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. 39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: I found myself troubled by these words, only because I have found myself asking the same question as the Pharisees a few times in my life. "Dear God, please, just give me a sign that you are hear, and my faith will be that much stronger, Dear God, just help me just this one time, and I will be eternally devoted to you, Dear God, just let me see your face and I will be eternally yours." Have you ever found yourself in your life challenging God to the same type of questions? I have written about faith earlier in my journal, and the same still holds true. Faith is not something that is just built upon indisputable facts. Faith is not something just built on seeing and believing. Faith is something that is built in our hearts and not with our eyes. Humans have got to understand our need for the intervention of God and his Holy Spirit in our lives. In an age of science and always needing to know the purpose of life, we look for facts and signs in our life to help us believe. Throughout my life, and even a short way into this journey, I have realized that my faith has been built on my trust in God and opening my heart to the Holy Spirit. Yes, I have asked for things in my life in prayer and have not been answered or given the sign that would make me believe. But I have also had many things in my life happen, where I was not asking God for a sign, but he revealed Himself to me anyways. God has shown himself to me the times I have opened up my heart and eyes to him. He has shown Himself to me in the times I laid my life in His hands and let Him drive me around. Today in church, we sang the song, Open the Eyes of My Heart. How fitting of a song to fit in the context of my journal today. I must never again ask God to show me a sign to prove His existence, but, like it says in the words of the song, Open the eyes of my heart Lord, open the eyes of my heart, I want to be with you, I want to be with you. If only we ask God, to open our eyes and our heart, we will not need a sign or a prayer answered as a condition of our faith in Him.

Dear heavenly father, I ask that you open our eyes and hearts. That you build in us a faith not built on signs or all our answered prayers, but on a strong relationship with you and a devotion to reading your word. Breath in us your Spirit, and protect us from the sins of this world. Drive temptations from our hearts, and baptize us in your Spirit. Guide us down a path of perfection and righteousness, that we might strive to be like You and Your son Jesus Christ...Amen

Questions for follow up:

Q - Matthew 12:31 - 32 31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. 32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come. What does Jesus mean when he talks about blasphemy and speaking against the Holy Ghost, and that we will not be forgiven for such things. How would we or when would we know when we are doing such sins against men versus the Holy Ghost?
Q - Matthew 12:46 - 50 46 While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. 47 Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. 48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? 49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! 50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother. Is Jesus denouncing his mother and brothers here, or is he just clarifying the fact that our definition of earthly brothers and sisters is different than our heavenly definition of our brothers and sisters?

Psalm 11 Reflections
I continue to love the poetry and writing in Psalms, but I also continue to try and understand the tone that David takes in the wicked. I understand that the wicked, are just that, wicked, but the Psalms speak in such a finite way of their future. Does David speak about those that die wicked and never repented of their sins? From what I have read on my journey so far, God and His son Jesus Christ preach that every person has the opportunity to receive their forgiveness and grace. That even the wicked can be diverted from their ways and fully receive forgiveness of their wicked sins.

Questions for follow up:

Q - Psalm 11:1 1 In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain? What does David mean when he says Flee as a bird to your mountain?

Genesis 35,36,37 * Matthew 11,12:1-21 * Psalm 10:12-18

Genesis 35, 36, 37 Reflections

Genesis 35:2 - 4 2 Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments: 3 And let us arise, and go up to Bethel; and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went. 4 And they gave unto Jacob all the strange gods which were in their hand, and all their earrings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak which was by Shechem.

There are many gods in this world today. Many have questions as to whom the right god is and to whom we should offer our praise, love, thanks, and admiration too. One theme I have consistently seen throughout Genesis is the case for why God is the true god and only god in which we should lay our trust in. In these versus, we see that even in the time of Jacob, people probably had the same questions we have today. According to Genesis 35, the people that traveled with Jacob had gods that were not the same as Jacob's god. In the end, Jacob is the one to reveal to his people and to us who the true god is, that is the god of Noah, Abraham, and Isaac. The individuals that are a part of that list, make up a list of great individuals of the history of our faith. Through them, we have seen God revealed through the blessings and covenants of their lives. With Jacob, God continues his legacy and solidly reveals Himself to us as the true god.

It is all up to us to drop our strange gods, be it idols, money, etc, and follow the one true god, God. Remember, there will be times in which we come face to face with individuals that have other gods, and we must understand they have the same choice we have in choosing the correct god. Through your life and through your faith, help to influence the right choice to others. God is the one and only true god.

Questions for follow up:

Q - Genesis 33:10 20 And he erected there an altar, and called it EleloheIsrael. and Genesis 34:7 7 And the sons of Jacob came out of the field when they heard it: and the men were grieved, and they were very wroth, because he had wrought folly in Israel in lying with Jacob's daughter: which thing ought not to be done. Previous to God naming Jacob Israel in Genesis 35:10 10 And God said unto him, Thy name is Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name: and he called his name Israel, we see the name or place Israel named earlier in Genesis. What then is the significance of God naming Jacob Israel?

Q - Genesis 36 refers to many of the lineage of Esua and Jacob as Dukes. What was the significance of Dukes in Jacob's days?

Matthew 11, 12:1 - 21 Reflections

There were many people, including John the Baptist, who were surprised at what they were seeing in Jesus Christ. As I sat and read Matthew 11, which is excellent, I could not help but notice the image that John the Baptist and the Jews were painting of their promised king and messiah. I imagine them seeing an image of a man, wrapped in the finest linens, surrounded by the largest riches, crowned with gold, and a wearer of fine jewels. I imagine them waiting for a king that was going to be just to their bondsmen, not only setting the Jews free, but persecuting those that kept them in bondage. They saw a king rising up and leading them to victory, where he would rule over them on this earth and no one could touch him. Not even needing to peak ahead, we already know the true image, nature, and characteristics that made up Jesus Christ. I look back at Matthew 5 to derive a list of what Jesus would have been like in his perfect nature: mourner, meek, giver of spirit, giver of food, merciful, pure in heart, and peacemaker. All of these characteristics would be a make up of a great king. Problem is, a feared king usually does not portray a majority of those characteristics. With what they were seeing in Jesus, how were the Jews going to be set free? Matthew 11:2 - 3 2 Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, 3 And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? John the Baptist, was a prophet in a league of his own. Jesus even says in Matthew 11:11 11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. A man well liked and listened too by many even had doubts early about Jesus Christ.

Matthew 11:7 - 9 7 And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? 8 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. 9 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. Jesus even knows what his people were waiting for. He knows what type of king they were imagining. Matthew 11:12 - 13 12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. 13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. Jesus even knows by what means his people think he is going to seek justice, through violence and force. But, from the characteristics listed above, we see that Jesus was not anything that his people could imagine. Jesus is going to save them, but not with force. He is going to save them through faith. He is going to save them through his death. He is going to set them free from their bondage of sin and liberate them to eternal life. Jesus is a peaceful, meek, and giving king. He is a king not crowned with gold, but crowed with thorns. He is not a king that set us free with violence and hostile takeover, but through a violent and life giving death. He may not be the king we all imagine a king to be, he is much better. He is our Lord and Savior, he is our peacemaker, he is our king, and he is our God.

Dear heavenly Father, I thank you for you son and our king. We thank you for sending your only son and changing our view of what a king truly is represented by. I ask that you fill our hearts with your likeness and your characteristics. That you guide us in our lives to personify the lifestyle and choices of our king, Jesus Christ. Through your name dear God, and your son Jesus Christ I ask this...Amen.

Questions for follow up:

Q - After reading Matthew 12, a topic is brought up about working on the Sabbath day. Could anyone help me understand the context of Matthew 12 and helping me filter through what is the best way to implement this into my life?

Genesis 31,32,33,34 * Matthew 10:24-42 * Psalm 10:1-11

Genesis 31, 32, 33, 34 Reflections

In reading Genesis 31 - 34, we are shown a few stories where Jacob is faced with some significant conflict.  His father in law rises up and catches Jacob in mount Gilead, Jacob then flees and has to pass through the land of his brother Esau.  With all that Jacob did in order to receive the birthright and blessing from Isaac, anyone could see why Jacob was scared of what his brother Esau might do to him.  Out of all that I read, Genesis 31:52 - 53 stands out to me.    Genesis 31:52 - 53 52 This heap be witness, and this pillar be witness, that I will not pass over this heap to thee, and that thou shalt not pass over this heap and this pillar unto me, for harm. 53 The God of Abraham, and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge betwixt us. And Jacob sware by the fear of his father Isaac.  In the day of when there probably was not to many legal contracts signed and people went by oath or given word alone, I can not help but notice the power that the name of God had with many people.  The blessings, wonders, miracles, and dreams experienced in earlier chapters and versus build up the reputation of God.  When we look at the chapters we read for today, there are some major and significant things happening on Jacobs journey.  Yet, we notice, like his relatives before him, Jacob does not use the name of God lightly.  It is used as an oath, but not just any oath, a very serious oath.  It seems that today, the name of God has been stretched out to be used in anything we do.  We use the word of God to swear by when we speak in front of our courts.  We all know how sacred most people take that particular oath.  God's name has made it into mainstream society as a way to damn something or someone.  There was a time in history when God's name was so sacred, only the holy of holy people were allowed to say it.  I sometimes thing the looseness we have taken in using God's name for everything, we have lost the power and wonderment that it holds.  So, the next time we find ourselves using God's name, take a step back and assess your reasoning and understand whom stands behind that name and what stands behind that name.

Matthew 10:24 - 42 Reflections

Matthew 10:32 - 33 32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.  I have often found myself whispering to others my faith and Christianity.  Now, I know God asks that we be meek and not showy in our faith, but my whispering was not done because I didn't want people to feel uncomfortable, or a way for me to be more meek.  I found myself whispering, because for some weird reason, I feel bad that I am Christian.  I sit in my cube at work, and lower my voice, not wanting all the "popular" people to hear me.  What is wrong with me?  I say this now, raise your voices, be meek in your faith, but do not hide behind a whisper.  We have been called to be fishers of men.  People do not tend to hear a whisper.  Confess your faith to all who will listen.  Speak in volume, and who knows, one of those "popular" people might ask for more from you.  Confess your faith to God, because he likes to hear it, even if He already knows it.  I pray the next time I am approached about my faith, I take heed to Jesus words in Matthew 10:38 - 40 38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. 39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.  40 He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.  Our faith and beliefs should not be a cross we sadly bear, it is a cross we should gladly pick up.  We should not stand behind our cross, we should stand under it.  Explore your faith and open your heart.  If you lose your life, be it figuratively or real, we must remember that the life we lose here on earth in the name of God and his son Jesus Christ, is a life we gain eternally.  May peace and blessing find us all on our cross bearing journey.

Psalm 10:1-11 Reflections

After reading the first part of this Psalm, I must try to identify if I have some of those characteristics in which are listed and attempt to strike them from my life.  Granted, this should not be a difficult task, for my faith in God and his son are strong.  These characteristics listed in Psalm 10, are far from the perfect characteristics found in Matthew 5.  Dear God, I ask that you fill me with your Spirit.  Take hold of my life and guide me down the path of perfection in your eyes.  Take away all the sinful temptations in my life and wash them from my eyes and heart.  Use my life as a purifier of the hearts and minds to my brothers and sisters of this world.  Fill me with your knowledge, so that I may be a disciple of you and your son.

- Through thought, word, and deed, and with the help of the Holy Spirit, I will be you Lord God and your son Jesus Christ...Amen

Genesis 29,30 * Matthew 10:1-23 * Psalm 9:11-20

Genesis 29 & 30 Reflections

Genesis 29 and 30 has a barrage of activity. A lot of the activity deals with how the family of Jacob is built. I struggle with the fact of how it was OK to have multiple woman/wives/mates and bare multiple children. I never have and never will agree with having multiple wives, but from what you see so far in the Old Testament, having multiple wives was a normal occurrence. What did strike me, but may not be in context of what I read, Genesis 29 and 30 didn't seem to have a profound message from what I was getting out of the reading, again, what struck me was the passion Jacob held for Rachel and what he was willing to do to get her. Genesis 29:18 18 And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter,...SEVEN YEARS. I could not even imagine hearing of someone in this day and age of doing such a thing. Sadly, I even forgot to call my future father in law at the time to ask for his daughters hand in marriage. Not that this is any excuse, but we had been dating seven years before we finally got married, SEVEN YEARS. Is this a coincidence to what I read today in the Old Testament? Unless anyone would consider the seven years Laura and I dated as work, I think it was just a crossing of two separate paths. It does seem, more and more, people tend to fall in love a lot quicker or tend to not put too much work and effort into their relationships before they decide to get married. I am not saying that a couple could not be happily married if they followed any or all of the things I have listed above. The only thing I find beautiful in today's reading, is the sacrifice Jacob puts into his life in order to be with the one he loves. If only we all could experience that love in one way or another. Dear God, your love for us is strong. I ask that you bless the lives of those who are in love, and that you fill their hearts with the love and grace that makes up your perfect existence...Amen.

Questions for follow up:

Q - Rachel was the daughter of Laban who was the son of Nahor. Genesis 29:6 6..., behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep. Was it normal for a woman in that time to be a caretaker for sheep, cattle, or any live stock?

Q - I have noticed now that a lot of the marriages that are written in the Bible were made up of cousins marrying cousins. Is this a normal thing? Why is this looked so down up today then?

Matthew 10:1 - 23 Reflections

Matthew 10 is full of insight and meaning. We are introduced to all 12 of Jesus deciples, we are shown the power Jesus gives, we are shown how we should go forth and preach. What stood out for me was Matthew 10:20 - 22 20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. 21 And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. 22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth till the end shall be saved. As Christians, it seems as if we already have one strike against us in our society today. We have faith and beliefs in Jesus Christ, and many do not understand us. Today, it might not be like it states in the above mentioned versus, where we will be put to death, but we are reidiculed by others within our society. Even other Christians have questioned me on wy I would even do what I'm doing with journaling my way through the Bible. We are not only tested day by day on the tempatations and the sins of this world, but we are also tested on our faith day by day through questions and hate to our faith and beliefs. I say to us all, stay strong. Our faith that we are tested on every day is the same faith that will save us eternally. Let others ridicule us, let others speak down to us, because the glory we seak is not of this place, but of heaven. Remember, Jesus sermon on the mountain, Matthew 5:10 - 11 10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for rightiousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsley for my sake. We will be persecuted. We will be hated, we will be not understood, we will be lashed out against, but I say to you, our reward is much better in the end than any earthly reward. God's speed, love and grace be with us all...Amen

Genesis 27,28 * Matthew 9:1-17 * Psalm 9

Genesis 27 & 28 Reflections

In yesterdays reading, I read how Esau and Jacob would be individuals and siblings that would not get along too well.  Genesis 25:22 - 23 22 And the children struggled together within her, and she said, If it be so, why am I thus?  And she went to inquire of the LORD.  23 And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of the people shall be separated from thy bowels, and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.  At first glance, I thought Jacob was deceitful in the way in which he receives the blessing from God and from Isaac.  Jacob and his mother lay out the plan, where Jacob pretends to be Esau.  Thinking they were clever in their ways, they do not realize the LORD foretold something like this would have to happen.  Finally, in Genesis 27:28 - 29 God's previous words come into play.  28 Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine.  29  Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mothers sons bow down to thee: cursed be everyone that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee.  As deceitful as this may seem at first glance, we must remember this is an important pivotal point inn our faith's history.  The people and the nations of Jacob, will end up being the very people Moses will be asked to free from slavery in Egypt.

Questions for follow up:

Q - Genesis 28:22 22 And this stone, which I will have set for a pillar, shall be God's house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.  Is this the first mention of giving a tenth of what is made to God?  Is this verse used as a pillar towards giving a tenth, tithing?

Matthew 9:18 - 38 Reflections

Matthew 9:18 - 38 continues showing the miracles that are done by Jesus Christ.  Because I am so familiar with the stories of Jesus, when I first read Matthew 9:24, I was disappointed with the way people were accepting Him and His miracles.  Matthew 24 24 He said unto them, Give place for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth.  And they laughed him to scorn.  But, as I thought about it more, I wonder what I would think if Jesus would have walked up to me during the funeral of my deceased friends or relatives, and said to me, why are you mourning, the one you are morning for is not dead, but is alive?  Would the faith I have in Him keep me from laughing?  Even more, what if I hadn't known of Jesus at all, again, could I keep myself from laughing?  Sometimes I think we have lost faith in the true miracles we could see everyday, if only we stopped laughing and saw the miracles for what they are, blessings from God.  So, I ask God to live in my heart everyday.  That He open my eyes to the miracles he performs everyday.  And maybe, instead of laughing, I will be blessed enough to see the works of our Lord God

Psalm 9:1-10 Reflections

There are two places within this Psalm that inclined me to write.  The first was Psalm 9:6 - 10 6 O thou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end: and thou hast destroyed cities; their memorial is perished with them.  7 But the LORD shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment.  8 And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.  9 The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.  10 And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.  There are many times in my life where I have been approached by individuals that ask for proof of my faith.  Show me something that would allow me to understand you and your faith, and maybe I'll give God a chance.  First of all, faith would not be faith if I had to show and explain for every detail of why I believe in God and His son Jesus Christ.  The thing is, these versus of Psalm 9 give me comfort and pride in the fact that the truths and faiths of God have lived on for centuries.  No matter who doesn't believe me, no matter who will try to destroy my faith in God, no matter how many times people try to beat God out of my heart, I know that according to Psalm 9:7 7 But the LORD shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment.  So, I say, stay strong, and know that your faith and the structure of your beliefs has lived and will live on forever.  There is no need for scientific proof or proof of miracles to prove to anybody your faith.  Praise be to God...Amen.

The second part of Psalm 9 that caught my eye was at the beginning, Psalm 9:1 - 2 1 I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.  2 I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.  I pray and it gives me hope, that the journey I am on will lend itself to experiences that will bring my mind and heart closer to God.  Jesus speaks to his disciples saying, Love thy God with all thy heart, soul, and mind.  I say this now, we have a wonderful maker in God.  He truly is our LORD and savior.  My meditations and praises are done now in joy.  I thirst to read and think about God, and I have only begun this journey.  Today is March 23, a day of celebrating the Resurrection of our savior Jesus Christ.  Give God thanks and praise for the sacrifice of his one and only child.  May we all be filled with the Holy Spirit and shout to the heavens praise to our God and thanks for the saving grace he sent to us.

- Truly, through thought, word and deed, and with the help of the Holy Spirit, I will be you Lord God, and your son Jesus Christ...Amen.

In San Francisco

All -
Everyone that has checked in to my journey, I thank you for your prayers and support. I have experienced things so far that I didn't think I would, and it has been wonderful.

I am going to be in San Francisco for the week of March 23 - March 28. I will continue with my journey, but it will be by a written journal for this week. I will try and get everything typed into my blog upon my return.

Again, thanks for your prayers and support.

God Bless you all,

Joshua Gamradt

Genesis 25,26 * Matthew 9:1-17 * Psalm 8

Genesis 25, 26 Reflections

I almost got through all of Genesis 25 and 26 thinking I was not going to have an inspiration, but only questions. As I read Genesis 26:26 - 31, I found some inspiration hiding in those versus. I read how Abimelech, king of Gerar, Ahuzzath, a friend of Abimelech, and Phichol, the chief captain of Abimelech's army, went to see Isaac. Isaac says in Genesis 26:27 27 And Isaac said unto them, Wherefore come ye to me, seeing ye hate me, and have sent me away from you? I gathered from this text that Abimelech and his kingdom was in some way an enemy of Isaac's and vise-versa. Regardless of their status with each other, the LORD is with Isaac and this is apparently obvious to Abimelech, and he would like to have an oath of peace between himself and Isaac. Although enemies, the light of the Lord shines through again, and even if they were once not friends, they now can eat and drink together, because of the relationship Isaac has with God. Regardless of who I may not get along with on this earth, it is my part to let my love of the Lord shine through in all that I do, so anybody and everybody can see that the Lord is with me. If I continue to walk down the path of God and keep his laws and repent every day, just maybe it will be a source of inspiration to others.

Thank you dear God for the relationship you have set between You and I. I ask that you continue to walk with me down this journey of life, and that you shine your grace and forgiveness in the way I live my life, so that it be an inspiration to all I meet. I pray this in Your name dear God, and Your son Jesus Christ...Amen

Questions to follow up:
Q - "...and he gave up the Ghost and died." This is stated twice in Genesis 25. This is a unique style of writing compared to what I have already read. Why is it so different?

Q - Genesis 20:1 - 7 Abraham asks Sarah to say she is his sister so Abimelech, king of Gerar, in which Abimelech sent for Sarah and took her. Genesis 26:6 - 11 Now Isaac tells the same king of Gerar, Abimelech, the same thing his father did, saying Rebekah was his sister. There are now two stories where Abraham says that Sarah is his sister, and now there is a third and very similar story where Isaac says Rebekah is his sister. What is the significance of these stories?

Matthew 9:1 - 17 Reflections
There are many messages which are revealed to me in only half of Matthew 9. The text that affected me the most what Matthew 9:10 - 13. Everywhere Jesus goes, the people he meets and the individuals he cures are not all perfect people. The miracles of God and the saving grace given to us through the death of his son Jesus Christ is not set aside just for people whom are perfect. Jesus shows us that it is not just other Christians we should surround ourselves with, but we should surround ourselves with people we may not think fit into our earthly society. Every single person on this earth has a chance to become inheritors of eternal life. If you know the way, we must not just share it with other Christians we must spread the news of God and his son to those who truly need it. Jesus says in Matthew 9:12 - 13 12 But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. 13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Again, we are not to hide behind our Christian faith and say that we are perfect, because these are not the type of people Jesus was coming to so. These are not the type of people who are meek or portray the qualities that Jesus speaks about on the sermon on the mountain. Everyday, we must know of our sins and recognize them as sins. We must repent, because we know we are not perfect, and that it is the death of Jesus Christ that is our saving grace.

Note: Number 5 of the 12 disciples is chosen. Matthew, a man seen sitting at the receipt of custom.

Psalm 8 Reflections
Psalm 3:3 3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained. Have you ever looked up at the stars and stared in wonderment at their beauty. Have you ever looked at a sunset and watched it's amazing glow on the horizon? Have you ever experienced the joy having your own child born into this world? I have not had the joy to experience all of the above, but there are many things on this earth that I have. There are many times in my life when I sit and look at the wonderful scenery and experiences God has laid out for us. People tend to try and disprove God by saying science is the opposite of God and science is the explanation for all these things. Funny when I think about it really, because science would not be a form of study if it was not for God. There are many times in the bible in which God uses science to control nature to do things that it would not normally do. Sometimes there were things that could be explained by science, but the miracle had to do with the timing of when it happened. God works in miraculous and mysterious ways. I love it.

- Through thought, word, and deed, and with the help of the Holy Spirit, I will be You Lord God, and Your son Jesus Christ...Amen