Jan 31st CCI Opelika One Year Bible Reading 2010

1.31.10

Exodus 12:14-13:16

1311 “And it shall be, when the LORD brings you into the land of the Canaanites, as He swore to you and your fathers, and gives it to you, 12 that you shall set apart to the LORD all that open the womb, that is, every firstborn that comes from an animal which you have; the males shall be the LORD’s

John – God is VERY interested in FIRST, 1st Fruits of your Field, Income, What you seek 1st, God wants our 1st to be in line with his priority!

Matthew 20:29-21:22

2114 Then the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them. 15 But when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children crying out in the temple and saying, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant 16 and said to Him, “Do You hear what these are saying?”

John – When God moves there will be always be two voices, the ones singing HOSANNA and the one who are indignant (offended, strong displeasure)

Psalm 25:16-22

25 20 Keep my soul, and deliver me;
Let me not be ashamed, for I put my trust in You.
21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me,
For I wait for You.

John – Knowing the truth is freeing, IF we put our trust in Him we will NOT be ashamed, Integrity and Uprightness WILL preserve anyone who walk in them!

Proverbs 6:12-15

614 Perversity is in his heart,
He devises evil continually,
He sows discord.

John – You will know a wicked man BECAUSE he sows discord….

Jan 30th CCI Opelika One Year Bible Reading 2010

1.30.10

Exodus 10-12:13

11 ³ And the LORD gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh’s servants and in the sight of the people.

John – God MADE Moses great and the people FAVOR in the sight of the Egyptians.

Matthew 20:1-28

20 ¹⁵ Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?’ ¹⁶ So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.”

John – It is interesting how people often times get mad at other for their generosity, especially when they believe they deserve to be given to more than the ones they see receiving it… We all must not assume someone else should be generous with us, we should focus on being generous with others…

Psalm 25:1-15

25 ¹¹ For Your name’s sake, O LORD,
Pardon my iniquity, for it is great.

John – Gods pardon of our iniquity is for HIS name sake, based on His sacrifice..

Proverbs 6:6-11

Jan 29th CCI Opelika One Year Bible Reading 2010

1.29.10

Exodus 8-9:35

9 8 So the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “Take for yourselves handfuls of ashes from a furnace, and let Moses scatter it toward the heavens in the sight of Pharaoh. 9 And it will become fine dust in all the land of Egypt, and it will cause boils that break out in sores on man and beast throughout all the land of Egypt.”

John - Handfuls of ash from a furnace…. Where did they fire the bricks? From the place of their affliction God was about to strike Pharaoh, and use Moses to do it, and He scattered it IN Pharaoh sight!

9 27 And Pharaoh sent and called for Moses and Aaron, and said to them, “I have sinned this time. The LORD is righteous, and my people and I are wicked.

John – NO DOUBT he now was seeing clearly…. Affliction of his sin brought clarity.. But... not for long…

Matthew 19:13-30

19 27 Then Peter answered and said to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?”

John – Peter revealed Himself when he asked about what would WE have? He was focus on the reward for obedience and not the relationship..

Psalm 24:1-10
Proverbs 6:1-5

6 2 You are snared by the words of your mouth;
You are taken by the words of your mouth.

John – What powerful terms….snared and taken by the WORDS of our mouths, if we will seek God to help us see the truth, we will find our mouths are making or breaking us!

Jan 28th CCI Opelika One Year Bible Reading 2010

1.28.10

Exodus 5:22-7:25

6 ¹ So the LORD said to Moses: “See, I have made you as God to Pharaoh, and Aaron your brother shall be your prophet.

John – God gave Moses a DIVINE appearance and influence with Pharaoh, God uses men to do the work He wants to do.

Matthew 18:21-19:12

18 ³⁵ “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”

19 ¹¹ But He said to them, “All cannot accept this saying, but only those to whom it has been given: ¹² For there are eunuchs who were born thus from their mother’s womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He who is able to accept it, let him accept it.”

John – People are given by God special gifts and callings that they alone can except and someone without that calling will not be able to accept it.

Psalm 23:1-6

23 ⁵ You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD
Forever.

John – Lord let me see it is YOU who prepared the table, WHERE? In the presence of MY enemies. SURELY! Goodness and mercy shall FOLLOW me all the days of my life! WOW!

Proverbs 5:22-23

5 ²² His own iniquities entrap the wicked man,
And he is caught in the cords of his sin.
²³ He shall die for lack of instruction,
And in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.

John – The more we see the path of the wick the more we are grateful for the God who saved us and allowed us to find His great life!

Jan 27th CCI Opelika One Year Bible Reading 2010

1.27.10

Exodus 4-5:21

411 So the LORD said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the LORD?

John – God made them all, so who are we to say they are without, defective, or odd… the Lord made each person the way He chose for their destiny, purpose, and His plan.

Matthew 18:1-20

184 Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.

John – Humility like a LITTLE child is the keys to being the GREATEST in the Kingdom..

Psalm 22:19-31
Proverbs 5:15-21

5 21 For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD,
And He ponders all his paths.
John – Our ways are before the Lords eyes (He is watching) and HE ponders, thinks about, and spends time on all OUR paths… WOW God is considering our WAYS..

Jan 26th CCI Opelika One Year Bible Reading 2010

1.26.10

Exodus 2:11-3:22

2¹² So He said, “I will certainly be with you. And this shall be a sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”

John – Can you imagine how Moses felt the day he stood back on the same mountain again and remembered what the Lord had told HIM!

Matthew 17:10-27

17¹⁹ Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?”
²⁰ So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.

John – They couldn’t do it, why? Unbelief, God teach us, so much hinges on our belief and SO often it feels impossible to believe when we cant see any possible way it can com to pass, this is when being humble and crying out to God in prayer is our best avenue to take!

Psalm 22:1-18

10 ¹⁰ I was cast upon You from birth.
From My mother’s womb
You have been My God.

Proverbs 5:7-14

CCI Opelika One Year Bible Reading 2010

1.25.10

Genesis 50:1-26

Exodus 1-2:10

1²⁰Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty.

John – They risked their lives to save the Hebrew children, and God dealt WELL with them.

Matthew 16:13-17:9 ¹⁹ And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

Kingdom - Strong's G932 - basileia

βασιλεία

Transliteration basileia

Pronunciation bä-sē-lā'-ä (Key)

1) royal power, kingship, dominion, rule

a) not to be confused with an actual kingdom but rather the right or authority to rule over a kingdom

b) of the royal power of Jesus as the triumphant Messiah

c) of the royal power and dignity conferred on Christians in the Messiah's kingdom

2) a kingdom, the territory subject to the rule of a king

John – we have the keys, not because we earned them but because Jesus did and then GAVE them to us! Check out the word KEYS if you want to be SURPRISED..

Psalm 21:1-13

Proverbs 5:1-6

5¹ My son, pay attention to my wisdom;
Lend your ear to my understanding,
² That you may preserve discretion,
And your lips may keep knowledge.

John – If I pay attention, Listen, then I MAY preserve discretion and KEEP knowledge.

CCI Opelika One Year Bible Reading 2010

1.24.10

Genesis 48-49:33

4928 All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father spoke to them. And he blessed them; he blessed each one according to his own blessing.

John – Mine and your blessing is UNIQUE it is our own, and we are blessed from a position of our destiny, God KNOWS the plans….

Matthew 15:29-16:12

1535 So He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. 36 And He took the seven loaves and the fish and gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitude.

John – Jesus gave thanks.. and broke them… He was always having communion, He lived the life not just taught the life…

Psalm 20:1-9

6 Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed;
He will answer him from His holy heaven
With the saving strength of His right hand.

7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses;
But we will remember the name of the LORD our God.
8 They have bowed down and fallen;
But we have risen and stand upright.

John – He didn’t say, “I have heard, or the word says” He said, “I KNOW” that the Lord saves His anointed!!

Proverbs 4:20-27

420 My son, give attention to my words;
Incline your ear to my sayings.
21 Do not let them depart from your eyes;
Keep them in the midst of your heart;
22 For they are life to those who find them,
And health to all their flesh.
23 Keep your heart with all diligence,
For out of it spring the issues of life.
24 Put away from you a deceitful mouth,
And put perverse lips far from you.
25 Let your eyes look straight ahead,
And your eyelids look right before you.
26 Ponder the path of your feet,
And let all your ways be established.
27 Do not turn to the right or the left;
Remove your foot from evil.

John – His words ARE life and HEALTH, what then are the worlds words? Death and sickness?

CCI Opelika One Year Bible Reading 2010

1.23.10

Genesis 46-47:31

46³⁴ that you shall say, ‘Your servants’ occupation has been with livestock from our youth even till now, both we and also our fathers,’ that you may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians.”

John – Notice a shepherd is an abomination to and Egyptian, and our Lord is a shepherd to His people. We are all like SHEEP who have gone astray.

Matthew 15:1-28

15²⁴ But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

John – Jesus was exact about who He was sent to and what He was here to do, and the woman humbled herself and received a miracle.

Psalm 19:1-14

19¹¹ Moreover by them Your servant is warned,
And in keeping them there is great reward.

Proverbs 4:14-19

4¹⁸ But the path of the just is like the shining sun,
That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.
¹⁹ The way of the wicked is like darkness;
They do not know what makes them stumble.

John – Your path should be SHINING like the sun! The Just path is brighter and brighter. The way of the wicked is DARK, and you can’t see where you are going, it MAKES you stumble!

CCI Opelika One Year Bible Reading 2010

1.22.10

Genesis 44-45:28

44³⁰ “Now therefore, when I come to your servant my father, and the lad is not with us, since his life is bound up in the lad’s life,

John – This word is so POWERFUL the LIFE of the father was “bound up” in the lad, God heart is bound up in US, that’s how much He loves us!

Matthew 14:13-36

14²³ And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there.

John – Jesus MADE time to pray, He knows the power of communication with the Father through prayer..

Psalm 18:37-50

Proverbs 4:11-13

4¹¹ I have taught you in the way of wisdom;
I have led you in right paths.
¹² When you walk, your steps will not be hindered,
And when you run, you will not stumble.
¹³ Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go;
Keep her, for she is your life.

John – Wisdom helps you walk, which is you normal progression through your day, and Run which is you in the intensity of your daily life without stumbling. WOW! What a promise…

CCI Opelika One Year Bible Reading 2010

1.21.10

Genesis 42:18-43:34

4228 So he said to his brothers, “My money has been restored, and there it is, in my sack!” Then their hearts failed them and they were afraid, saying to one another, “What is this that God has done to us?”

John – Notice who they thought cause the trouble, if you disobey God then you hold Him responsible for what comes your way, you know you deserve something to happen. God is to blame even when our decisions cause and event?


4323 But he said, “Peace be with you, do not be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has given you treasure in your sacks; I had your money.” Then he brought Simeon out to them.

Matthew 13:47-14:12

1354 When He had come to His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, “Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works? 55 Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas? 56 And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this Man get all these things?” 57 So they were offended at Him.

John – When you operate in Gods might wisdom and works, people of the world will be OFFENDED!

Psalm 18:16-36

18 30 As for God, His way is perfect;
The word of the LORD is proven;
He is a shield to all who trust in Him.

John – The WORD IS PROVEN! What a fact, we live so often between the FACTUAL and the ACTUAL and feel like God has to prove His words, this tells us IT IS PROVEN, past tense. God is a shield TO ALL WHO TRUST IN HIM!

Proverbs 4:7-10

47 Wisdom is the principal thing;
Therefore get wisdom.
And in all your getting, get understanding.
8 Exalt her, and she will promote you;

John – Exalt wisdom and YOU will be promoted!

CCI Opelika One Year Bible Reading 2010

1.20.10

Genesis 41:17-42:17

42 ³ So Joseph’s ten brothers went down to buy grain in Egypt. ⁴ But Jacob did not send Joseph’s brother Benjamin with his brothers, for he said, “Lest some calamity befall him.”

John – Its still fresh on Jacobs mind what happened to Joseph!

42 ¹⁰ And they said to him, “No, my lord, but your servants have come to buy food. ¹¹ We are all one man’s sons; we are honest men; your servants are not spies.”

John – God is not slow to repay He is longsuffering, we see the brothers have told themselves the story of what happened to Joseph until they believe it, if we tell ourselves a lie long enough we will believe it!

Matthew 13:24-46

13 ³⁰ Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.”’”

13 ³² which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown

13 ³³ Another parable He spoke to them: “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.”

John – In each of the verses you see how something representing the “Kingdom” was planted and then a period of time for growth and then it was ready. God give us the wisdom to see that it takes time between PLANTING and HARVESTING in anything we do.

Psalm 18:1-15

Proverbs 4:1-6

4 ⁴ He also taught me, and said to me:

“ Let your heart retain my words;
Keep my commands, and live.
⁵ Get wisdom! Get understanding!
Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
⁶ Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you;
Love her, and she will keep you.

John – “Let” its our choice what to do with Gods words, “Keep” we choose to hold on to them, “Get” it is available to us to have WISDOM and UNDERSTANDING… they will preserve and keep those who LOVE them.

CCI Opelika One Year Bible Reading 2010

1.19.10

Genesis 39-41:16

39²¹ But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.

John – The Lord was with him but, he kept going through adversity even when he had done nothing wrong… Joseph knew and we can know when God is with us we are on the right path even if it is not what we would have chosen!

41¹⁶ So Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.”

John – “Its not in me…” what an amazing statement… I don’t have it, BUT God will give it….. If only we could look at our lives and say I don’t have it… BUT God will give it… WOW!

Matthew 12:46-13:23

13²³ But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”

John – Hear it…..AND understands it! The hear is more than with your ear its with your hear and the understand is more than with you head its with a regenerated life that is able to receive it!

Psalm 17:1-15

Proverbs 3:33-35

3³³ The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked,
But He blesses the home of the just.
³⁴ Surely He scorns the scornful,
But gives grace to the humble.
³⁵ The wise shall inherit glory,
But shame shall be the legacy of fools.

John – A Curse on the HOUSE of the wicked, the very place the wicked lives is cursed, BUT the home of the JUST HE BLESSES. Lord thank you for blessing our HOMES, you are kind to your children.

CCI Opelika One Year Bible Reading 2010

1.18.10

Genesis 37-38:30

37³² Then they sent the tunic of many colors, and they brought it to their father and said, “We have found this. Do you know whether it is your son’s tunic or not?”

John – Notice not OUR brother, but YOUR son….

Matthew 12:22-45

12²⁵ But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.

John – This is the power of being divided, even a kingdom cannot stand when it is divided!

12³⁷ For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

John – by YOUR words, the power of our speech is amazing, Lord teach us to control our words!

Psalm 16:1-11

16¹¹ You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Proverbs 3:27-32

3 ³² For the perverse person is an abomination to the LORD,
But His secret counsel is with the upright..

John- We need HIS secret counsel, all of our problem and impossible situations disappear in the light of HIS counsel!

CCI Opelika One Year Bible Reading 2010

1.17.10

Genesis 35-36:43

Matthew 12:1-21

12Yet I say to you that in this place there is One greater than the temple. ⁷ But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless.

John – Jesus is explaining to them that HE is greater than the place they know God lives this had to shake up their thinking, today He is still shaking us up and showing us HE is greater than our BUILDINGS and DENOMINATIONS… The person Jesus..

Psalm 15:1-5

15¹ LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle?
Who may dwell in Your holy hill?

² He who walks uprightly,
And works righteousness,
And speaks the truth in his heart;
³ He who does not backbite with his tongue,
Nor does evil to his neighbor,
Nor does he take up a reproach against his friend;
⁴ In whose eyes a vile person is despised,
But he honors those who fear the LORD;
He who swears to his own hurt and does not change;
⁵ He who does not put out his money at usury,
Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.

He who does these things shall never be moved.

John – Absolutely POWERFUL!!! This is speaking of how we: walk, work, and speak! Also NO backbiting, reproaching, that we ARE to DESPISE, and honor. We are the ones ho SWEARS and not changes, we LOAN but at the right rate, and never take a bribe!

WOW!!!!!!!! In thing kind of life – That man will never be moved!

Proverbs 3:21-26

3²¹ My son, let them not depart from your eyes—
Keep sound wisdom and discretion;
²² So they will be life to your soul
And grace to your neck.
²³ Then you will walk safely in your way,
And your foot will not stumble.
²⁴ When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet.
²⁵ Do not be afraid of sudden terror,
Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes;
²⁶ For the LORD will be your confidence,
And will keep your foot from being caught.

John – I am SO MOVED by this, as my heart pounds with excitement, God BE MY CONFIDENCE! The only one who can GOD! Be my confidence!

⁷ But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice,’^[a] you would not have condemned the guiltless.

Ty - Naturally, sacrifice is easier than mercy, performance is easier to understand than humility and forgiveness. No striving ...

²⁹ Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Ty - Is there a direct relationship between religious striving/ performance and judgement? We live in a performance based society, a society of constant comparison. Does Verse 7 speaks the same today as it did when he told it to the pharisees?

John - Ty I believe it does personally, but we always are monitoring the results of our performance so it is SO hard to see the Lord as wanting us to be intention driven and not results... Intention NOT outcome...

CCI Opelika One Year Bible Reading 2010

1.16.10

Genesis 32:13-34:31

32²⁷ So He said to him, “What is your name?”
He said, “Jacob.”
²⁸ And He said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel;^[a] for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.”

John – He prevailed, what a word, with GOD and with man, Jacob had learned the lesson of persistence.

34²³ Will not their livestock, their property, and every animal of theirs be ours? Only let us consent to them, and they will dwell with us.”

John – Greed was the primary motive in their decision, it will destroy parts of your life every time.

Matthew 11:7-30

11¹² And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.

11¹⁸ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ ¹⁹ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is justified by her children.”

John – It is interesting that the spoke against John and Jesus for being on both sides of the some issues, just like religion, no one can meet the rules.

Psalm 14:1-7

Proverbs 3:19-20

3¹⁹ The LORD by wisdom founded the earth;
By understanding He established the heavens;
²⁰ By His knowledge the depths were broken up,
And clouds drop down the dew.

John – “By” He used wisdom to found, understanding to establish, knowledge to break up….

Wisdom –skill like war… administration, ethical shrewdness

Strong's H2451 - chokmah

חָכְמָה

Transliteration chokmah

Pronunciation khok·mä' (Key)

1) wisdom

a) skill (in war)

b) wisdom (in administration)

c) shrewdness, wisdom

d) wisdom, prudence (in religious affairs)

e) wisdom (ethical and religious)

Understanding – intelligence, insight and skill

Strong's H8394 - tabuwn

תָּבוּן

Transliteration tabuwn

Pronunciation tä·vün' (Key)

1) understanding, intelligence

a) the act of understanding

1) skill

b) the faculty of understanding

1) intelligence, understanding, insight

c) the object of knowledge

d) teacher (personification)

Knowledge – discernment and skill

Strong's H1847 - da`ath

דַּעַת

Transliteration da`ath

Pronunciation dah'·ath (Key)

1) knowledge

a) knowledge, perception, skill

b) discernment, understanding, wisdom

CCI Opelika One Year Bible Reading 2010

1.15.10

Genesis 31:17-32:12

32¹ So Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. ² When Jacob saw them, he said, “This is God’s camp.” And he called the name of that place Mahanaim.

John- Interesting everything is God but when we see the truth in a place we clamin it specifically as Gods..

32¹⁰ I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant; for I crossed over this Jordan with my staff, and now I have become two companies.

John- Jacob had a healthy view of himself, totally in Gods hands…

Matthew 10:24-11:6

³² “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. ³³ But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.

John- This shows the power of confession!

Psalm 13:1-6

¹ How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever?
How long will You hide Your face from me?
² How long shall I take counsel in my soul,
Having sorrow in my heart daily?
How long will my enemy be exalted over me?

John – Boy can we understand what David’s saying here, HOW LONG? That is the question, this is the cross applied to us where OUR WILL meets HIS WILL!

Proverbs 3:16-18

¹⁶ Length of days is in her right hand,
In her left hand riches and honor.
¹⁷ Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
And all her paths are peace.
¹⁸ She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,
And happy are all who retain her.

John – One words brings these WISDOM, and if you lack WISDOM ask of God and He will give it, Lord give us WISDOM!

CCI Opelika One Year Bible Reading 2010

1.14.10

Genesis 30-31:16

30²⁷ And Laban said to him, “Please stay, if I have found favor in your eyes, for I have learned by experience that the LORD has blessed me for your sake.”

³³ So my righteousness will answer for me in time to come, when the subject of my wages comes before you: every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats, and brown among the lambs, will be considered stolen, if it is with me.”

John- God often blesses for the sake of the one He has chosen, just like with Jesus we receive blessings for HIS sake! Also Jacob knew the issue of wages would come up, how wise he was to allow the Lord to settle it for him and not try to fix it the way he had done other things in the past, he learned…

Matthew 10:1-23

10¹⁶ “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. ¹⁷ But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues.

John – They knew, they went anyway! WOW! Lord help is see you instead of the cost.

Psalm 12:1-8

Proverbs 3:13-15

¹³ Happy is the man who finds wisdom,
And the man who gains understanding;
¹⁴ For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver,
And her gain than fine gold.
¹⁵ She is more precious than rubies,
And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.

John – Lord let wisdom be the thing we seek, to know the will of the Lord and then have the courage to do it!

January 14th - Laura

Ge: 30:27 Laban said "The Lord has blessed me because of you". We bring blessing where we go. I see it all the time. We come into the fellowship of people and begin to be blessed by being in what God is doing and other people come in and their lives begin to flourish and be overflowing with blessing....Where God is, there is abundance. I came here with nothing, and now all my dreams are coming true...

Ge 31:9 So God has taken away your father's livestock and has given them to me. The wealth of the wicked is being stored up for the just. Laban was obviously into divination....and had some weird things in his belief system, Jacob however, fully relied on the Lord God gave Laban's wealth to Jacob. Through animals mating and increasing, God gave laban's flocks to Jacob.

CCI Opelika One Year Bible Reading 2010

1.13.10

Genesis 28-29:35

28²⁰ Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me, and keep me in this way that I am going, and give me bread to eat and clothing to put on, ²¹ so that I come back to my father’s house in peace, then the LORD shall be my God. ²² And this stone which I have set as a pillar shall be God’s house, and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You.”

John – Interesting that a couple of generations later he is still sounding a lot like Abraham…

29²⁰ So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed only a few days to him because of the love he had for her.

John – It is amazing how love changes everything when it comes to waiting, think how Jacob must have value a relationship with Rachel!

Matthew 9:18-38

9²⁹ Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be to you.”

John – According to what you believe, hope, expect, trust…WOW may God give is he faith to believe, it is the key to miracles… YOUR FAITH .. He said…

Psalm 11:1-7

11 ⁷ For the LORD is righteous,
He loves righteousness;
His countenance beholds the upright.

John – God loves righteousness… when we Fall in love with Jesus and he changes our nature…. Then when He looks at us what does he see? Righteousness (He loves that!)

Proverbs 3:11-12

3¹¹ My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD,
Nor detest His correction;
¹² For whom the LORD loves He corrects,
Just as a father the son in whom he delights.

John – I think it is easier to focus on the correction than the changing of the direction the correction provides…. It is a direction correction that it harder to see…

CCI Opelika One Year Bible Reading 2010

1.12.10

Genesis 26:17-27:46

27³³ Then Isaac trembled exceedingly, and said, “Who? Where is the one who hunted game and brought it to me? I ate all of it before you came, and I have blessed him—and indeed he shall be blessed.”

John – It is interesting that even though there was deception involved, the blessing is irrevocable. God blessing are based on His attributes and His will not our actions alone.

Matthew 9:1-17

9¹⁰ Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples. ¹¹ And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

John – Jesus chose to spend time with those people that the religious leaders of the time would not, today we still have the same option, spend time with only those like us or reach out to the hurting. One someone who has their own basic needs (spiritually) met reaches out to others.

Psalm 10:16-18

Proverbs 3:9-10

3⁹ Honor the LORD with your possessions,
And with the firstfruits of all your increase;
¹⁰ So your barns will be filled with plenty,
And your vats will overflow with new wine.

John – Brother E told me the other day, “the most failed of all test is the test of giving” When someone is trying to decide whether to give or not there is always TONS of questions. When they with an open heart ask what the Lord what to do, ,there is no more confusion it is clear, all they have left to do is obey what He says.

HOPE HERE: JANUARY 12, 2010

On Genesis 26:17-25 - THERE IS A LOT OF WELL DIGGIN' GOIN' ON HERE!
- I'm not sure what all is here for me in this but I was very intrigued by two things: the order of events of Isaac looking for wells and his dialogue and history with King Abimilech of Gerar. I'm still sorting it out but would like to note:
The Order of Events: - King Abimilech sends Isaac away because he is too prosperous and the King's servants kept stopping up Isaac's wells. - Isaac keeps looking for wells (life source) and there is dispute and hostility each time he finds a fresh well - Isaac keeps looking and finally finds a well that is open and without strife -

Yet, Isaac keeps looking and moves to Beersheba (Did he not find what he was looking for in the physical life source of the well?) (Why did he move again if he had actually found what he was looking for?) -

THEN, God appears to him at Beersheba and gives him a blessing and a promise - Isaac then built an altar and worshipped the Lord - Then, he pitches his tent and digs another well. - hmmmm?
THEN: - King Abimilech (supposed enemy) comes to make a covenant of peace with Isaac - The day the king left after a big covenant banquet party, Isaac's servants found ANOTHER well at the place he built an altar and worshipped the Lord. hmmmm?

As to the Dialogue with King Abimilech: Genesis 26:26-29
Isaac: - "You obviously hate me since you kicked me off your land."

Abimilech - "We can see plainly that the Lord is with you ... We have always treated you well, and we sent you away in peace. And now look @ how the Lord has blessed you!"

HOPE'S OBSERVATION: Jacob appears to be wrong about how Abimelech felt about him. Abimelech was smart to make a treaty and probably smart for sending him away but I don't think he ever HATED Isaac. Isaac couldn't see that it was all a part of God's plan for him to leave Gerar. He could only see that he was "hated" by Abimilech. In Abimelech's history with Isaac and his father Abraham, the king always showed wisdom and favor and justice toward them.

ONE MORE THING FROM HOPE:
Genesis 27:40 - . . . But when you decide to break free, you will shake his yoke from your neck.
Isaac was talking with Esau here giving him the only blessing he could find to give him after Jacob stole his true blessing as first born son.
HOW DID ESAU FINALLY "BREAK FREE"?
I think it was when he forgave Jacob. There is no scripture that says he actually forgave Jacob but his actions show it later when he meets with Jacob after MANY years apart. Esau went from hating Jacob and planning to kill him even consoling himself with plots of revenge ... TO ... Gen 33:4 running to meet him, embracing him, falling on his neck, kissing him, crying with him, and being pleased with Jacob and asking for his favor.

CCI Opelika One Year Bible Reading 2010

1.11.10

Genesis 24:52-26:16

25²¹ Now Isaac pleaded with the LORD for his wife, because she was barren; and the LORD granted his plea, and Rebekah his wife conceived.

John – When we get to the point of desperation we plea, we know (in our heads) the Lord hears us be when our plea is answered it changes our heart!

26⁴ And I will make your descendants multiply as the stars of heaven; I will give to your descendants all these lands; and in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed; ⁵ because Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.”

John – Because Abraham obeyed…. That is it…

Laura- same thing i was going to type here too.

Matthew 8:18-34

8²⁸ When He had come to the other side, to the country of the Gergesenes, there met Him two demon-possessed men, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that no one could pass that way. ²⁹ And suddenly they cried out, saying, “What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?”

John – Men….. this is interesting I only remember it being ONE man… see something new every time you read the Bible.

Laura: i thought the exact same thing.

Psalm 10:1-15

Proverbs 3:7-8

⁷ Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the LORD and depart from evil.
⁸ It will be health to your flesh,
And strength to your bones.

John- We should have a correct view of ourselves, but we should not be wise in our own strength, Fearing the Lord and departing from evil is PHYSICALLY transforming.

Ge:25:11 After Abraham's death, God blessed his son Isaac

Laura - it was like when Abraham died, it opened the door for the blessing to pass to Isaac - like a transfer of the blessing.

Ge: 25:18 And they lived in hostility toward all their brothers.

Laura- Just like it was told to Hagar, that he would be against all and they would be against him.

Ge: 25:22 Rebekah - "Why is this happening to me?" So she went to inquire of the Lord

Laura- two things. 1) What a godly woman, that her first inclination was to inquire of the Lord. 2) She had no doctor to ask why she felt this tusseling in her tummy. She had to rely on God for the answer. This would be a little scary, because she didn't know what was going on inside her.

HOPE HERE:

On Gen 25:17 & 18 We know this is the reason for the turmoil between Muslims and Israel because of Isaac and Ishmael but I wonder about the other children Abraham had in Gen 25:1-6 with his second wife. Notice that Abraham sent them away from Isaac but I wonder if we followed who their generations were if they are at war with Israel too? hmmmmm?

Another hmmmm? This is the first time I've noticed how involved Laban is with Rebekkah's courtship and his hospitality to Abraham's servant. I bet, knowing the culture of the time, that Rebekkah's father was dead and Laban was stepping in as Rebekkah's covering.

Gen: 25:22 Rebekah - "Why is this happening to me?" So she went to inquire of the Lord.

Hey Laura, being a woman, this too caught my eye. It makes me believe that it is okay to go to the Lord and say "Why is this happening to me?" I know there have been many times I have felt sorry for myself and asked that question. These verses tell me that if I listen He will tell me it's not all about what is happening me but is usually part of a much greater plan than I can see.

This verse also made me think of Oswald Chambers January 7 devotion . . . O.C. "If we get intimate with Jesus we are never lonely and we never lack for understanding or compassion. We can continually pour out our hearts to Him without being perceived as overly emotional or pitiful." I think too much I forget that God is safe but when I complain or feel sorry for myself with others, there is no relief. Only God can provide relief from my Why is This Happening To Me Moment. Of course, he also uses my awesome friends to speak truth to me and who will lead me back to Him =}.

ONE MORE THING FROM HOPE:
When Esau sells his birthright to Jacob for some stew it made me think . . . If we make decisions on OUR ASSESSMENT of our present circumstances we most likely will regret it. Esau was NOT "starving". He was not in danger of dieing from malnourishment. Yet, he sold something very precious because of how he FELT (starving) at the time. How many times have I done that? hmmmmmmmmmm?


HEY TY: HOPE HERE:
I read what you asked about why Jesus may have told the leper to keep quiet. You made me think of something Mr. Wooten told us about this and another time Jesus told someone he healed to not tell. Mr. Wooten thought it had to do with the logistics of Jesus healing ministry. If you notice, that every time Jesus healed someone the crowds grew bigger and bigger and it was often difficult for Jesus to be alone or alone with his disciples. While it is obvious Jesus did not come here to remain anonymous I believe he was seeking out those the Father would have him and it was getting harder and harder for them to even move from place to place. Am I making sense here?