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?