Devotionals

During yesterday’s sermon, Pastor Mary reminded us that we are to be praying boldly, because we serve the Miraculous Creator of everything. She also nudged us to remember what Jesus commanded us to do, and that is that we must serve our neighbors. Jesus feels that loving our neighbors is so important that He put it right up there with loving God: “And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31)

Everyday, God places people within our path, whether it’s at home, work, school, or within the community who He wants to be able to reach…but, only by being able to move in and through us to bring those people His love. Are you spiritually open and aware that God is seeking to use you each and every day to love a neighbor, or two, or maybe even more?

In today’s passage, Paul exemplifies how we are to treat our neighbor, by how he treats his neighbors, who are the brothers and sisters of Christ in Rome. He is thankful for them, he prays diligently for them, he wants to spend time with them so they can grow in their faith and use their spiritual gift together, he wants to encourage them and to be encouraged by them (“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” – Proverbs 27:17), and he is eager to share the Good News with them.

Friends, we need to be in diligent prayer, and not only for ourselves, but for our neighbor, for all of humanity, and for the world. We need to come boldly before the Throne and ask our Creator for more and more miracles so that the Kingdom of God can keep growing here on earth, and we have to do it together, and alongside of our neighbor.

Romans 1:8-15 NLT

God’s Good News

8 Let me say first that I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith in him is being talked about all over the world. 9 God knows how often I pray for you. Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God, whom I serve with all my heart by spreading the Good News about his Son.

10 One of the things I always pray for is the opportunity, God willing, to come at last to see you. 11 For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord. 12 When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.

13 I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to visit you, but I was prevented until now. I want to work among you and see spiritual fruit, just as I have seen among other Gentiles. 14 For I have a great sense of obligation to people in both the civilized world and the rest of the world, to the educated and uneducated alike. 15 So I am eager to come to you in Rome, too, to preach the Good News.

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for hearing and answering our prayers. Help us to be patient when our prayers seem to not be answered, and to trust that You are working what is good and You will bring forth the highest and best. Holy Spirit, please guide us to be a loving neighbor to someone today. Quiet our own thoughts so that we can hear what You need us to hear, let us see others through Jesus’s eyes, and guide our hearts to be in one accord with His heart. We ask all of this in Your Name, Jesus. Amen.

Intro: What makes people effective with work or any given task? I’m sure there are many things that are important and must work together, but an essential element must be having a positive attitude that radiates confidence and commitment. If we are going to be effective, we must begin with ourselves—be a self-starter with a positive “I can do it as I focus my faith on Jesus” attitude. Then, we must follow-through in order to please God!

Some background for our passage today from the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus has been teaching about being judgmental—before pointing out the speck in our neighbor’s eye, first we need to attend to the log in our own eye, because only then can we see properly to effectively help others (Mat 7:3-5). The desire to help is essential, but the willingness to first invite Jesus to cleanse and direct our hearts and way is what makes the help we give truly effective. After sharing about our personal need for his help to make us effective disciples, Jesus shifts his teaching to effective prayer.

What makes people effective with prayer? Clearly, we see the need for confident faith, a positive attitude, a focus on God’s plan, and a commitment to follow-through when we want answers. Through prayer we search for God and ask for his purpose to be manifest in our hearts and as we reach out to help others. Jesus teaches us there are “intensities of effort,” and he shares these as asking, seeking, and knocking.

We persist in asking for Father God’s will with confidence because we know he loves and cares for the souls of all his children; asking keeps us humble. Seeking diligently is key, because God has promised, “If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me” (Jeremiah 29:13). And, when we keep knocking or persevering for the door to open and release grace to fulfill God’s purpose, we will be rewarded. God is good and will never withhold good things from us. However, he wants us focused on what is important to him and trust in his timing, because then we bring glory to his name.

Matthew 7:7-11 NLT Effective Prayer
7 “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

9 “You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? 10 Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! 11 So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.

Prayer: Lord, we want to be effective for the work of your Kingdom and we understand we do so by inviting you to first bring the necessary changes in our hearts and attitudes. Please work to cleanse us and set us free from the things that do not honor you. By asking, seeking, and knocking, we want to position ourselves to receive your help in touching lives for the Kingdom. We are going to persevere in prayer and remain confident that you will bring the good gifts we need at the appointed time. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: As I sit here quietly, I have many praises to offer up, today. God is good and loving to walk with me through life; I am blessed beyond measure. Granted not everything is easy, but God has been, remains, and will always be with me in Spirit, love, and truth. I can praise him everyday, because the Spirit helps me know God’s merciful heart as he helps me reach up to love the Lord wholeheartedly, as well as helps me to reach out and love others as I love myself. Our God is a beautiful and priceless Treasure and his action toward us flows out of his perfect character.

The Book of Psalms is a book of praises. In our passage today, we praise God, because his nature is essential for us to live a life of meaning and wholeness. We must learn to praise God as individuals and we must also gather to learn how to praise God as a spiritual community. Life can be heavy these days, but we must diligently keep our focus on the all-encompassing goodness of our God who is with us.

If we were never needing mercy, we would not need the God of all mercy. If we never struggled with selfishness, we would not need the unfailing love of God. If we were sure-footed and never failed, we would not need the God who lifts and rescues us. If we could find fulfillment in our worldly endeavors, we would not need the God of truth who satisfies us. There are so many ways and reasons to praise God, but only those who respect (fear) him will actually do so. I need God to extend mercy, compassion, love, goodness, help, spiritual food, refreshment for my soul, kindness, as well as the truth to me rescue me, so living wickedly (with no regard for righteousness) is not an option. Praise the Lord, today!

Psalm 145:8-9, 14-20 NLT
8
The Lord is merciful and compassionate,
    slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
9 
The Lord is good to everyone.
    He showers compassion on all his creation.
14
The Lord helps the fallen
    and lifts those bent beneath their loads.
15 
The eyes of all look to you in hope;
    you give them their food as they need it.
16 
When you open your hand,
    you satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing.
17 
The Lord is righteous in everything he does;
    he is filled with kindness.
18 
The Lord is close to all who call on him,
    yes, to all who call on him in truth.
19 
He grants the desires of those who fear him;
    he hears their cries for help and rescues them.
20 
The Lord protects all those who love him,
    but he destroys the wicked.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for this day and your goodness that surrounds all your children. Please keep us looking in your righteous direction and put praise on our lips as we know you are with us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: Small beginnings seem to be the way of God; he is the Author of seed time and harvest. “As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease” (Gen 8:22). God delights in his creation; he saw that it was good. As human beings, life starts when a seed is planted and cells begin to multiply; following birth we grow and develop, learn, and mature. God does the same in our salvation, because our new life begins as a Seed of righteousness implanted in our hearts and grows making us into fruit-bearing, gift-using, gospel-proclaiming mature disciples.

Throughout the gospels, Jesus spoke a great deal about the Kingdom and he is referred to as the Seed of the woman (Gen 3:15). Scripture teaches Christ has complete authority over heaven and earth, as well as a plan to redeem it. In the midst of this fallen world, God’s Kingdom was established by the defeat of sin and death when Jesus gave his life to pay for our sin. Now, the growth of the Kingdom is to spread through the proclamation of Christ’s disciples as they model life with God. The Lord invites every believer to use the power stored up in the Kingdom—grace and the work of the Helper. Therefore, we also have the power over sin and can help others find new life and wholeness for their lives. The gospel is truly Good News, and we must enjoy and share it.

In our passage today from the gospel of Mark, Jesus describes the Kingdom of God as being like a mustard seed—it has a very small beginning but ends with an abundant result. Just like all seeds, the Kingdom goes through stages of growth and will end in a ripe crop with a harvest of souls—the angels will one day swing the sickle of God’s judgment. (Rev 14:14-19).

Mark 4:30-34 Parable of the Mustard Seed
30 Jesus said, “How can I describe the Kingdom of God? What story should I use to illustrate it? 31 It is like a mustard seed planted in the ground. It is the smallest of all seeds, 32 but it becomes the largest of all garden plants; it grows long branches, and birds can make nests in its shade.”

33 Jesus used many similar stories and illustrations to teach the people as much as they could understand. 34 In fact, in his public ministry he never taught without using parables; but afterward, when he was alone with his disciples, he explained everything to them.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for small beginnings, as well as the promise of fulfillment or maturity. Help us to stay focused on what you are saying and doing as we follow you each day. Give us courage and endurance, as well as vision and direction. Multiply us we pray! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: In Scripture,“God called the light “day” and the darkness “night.” And evening passed and morning came, marking the first day (Gen 1:5). It is easier to see life around and before us during the light of day, but much harder to see very far ahead during the darkness of night. If I am going to be outside when it is dark, I try to walk near the street lights or take a flashlight with me. I want to see my way clearly rather than stumble in the midst of the darkness. However, there is a darkness that can be experienced when a flashlight is of no help. We need the Light or Wisdom of truth!

Scripture teaches us Light and darkness are also described as unseen spiritual kingdoms. The spirit of Light has to do with Jesus, the Righteous One, and the spiritual knowledge or truth he brings believers who walk in the ways of the Kingdom of God. The spirit of darkness has to do with spiritual ignorance and represents the devil, the evil one and those who walk in the deceptive ways of the kingdom of the world. Human beings serve the spiritual kingdom of the Righteous One or the evil one; we cannot serve both.

If we are not aware of the ongoing clash around us between these two spiritual kingdoms, we may think we are battling people rather than wrong spirits. Although people who live in spiritual ignorance are not aware of what the Word of God has to say, believers should not consider other human beings to be their enemies. The opposition we face simply flows from the spiritual adversary people empower from the unseen kingdom of the world.

In our passage today, the Apostle Paul reminds us to be aware of this truth, because believers will wrestle with evil spiritual adversaries. Years ago, one of our sons was on a high school wrestling team. The young men never wrestled at a distance; nope, they were up close, grabbing, pushing, and using whatever leverage necessary to take their opponent down. Well, evil wrestles to drag us into the darkness, but Jesus is the Light and he is the One who makes us more than conquerors (Ro 8:36-37).

The Kingdom of God is a matter of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Ro 14:17). Believers are not ignorant of evil’s tactics; satan uses our old fallen nature to drag us away from the Light and into the darkness. So, stand in the righteousness of Christ, let your life be governed by the Prince of peace, use faith to call for Christ’s power, protect your mind against the lies of the devil by believing the Word of God (Eph 6:14-17). Christ knows the moves of evil and he has been made Wisdom for you!

Ephesians 6:10-13 NLT A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we [you] are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for warning believers about the battles that begin in the spiritual realm. Although we do not need to fear the spiritual adversary, we must receive your wisdom for how to overcome every attack. We desire to serve your righteous Kingdom and bow to your rule over our lives. Help us to deny our old nature and empower a new one. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

As followers of Christ, you and I should have a fear of the Lord, that means we choose to place Him in the highest position of honor within our lives and our hearts bow in reverence to Him. It makes sense to you and me because Christ is our wise Counselor, and we seek to be filled and guided by His Truth and wisdom. However, those who do not profess Christ often oppose much of what you and I stand for within Christ. Paul reminds us that we are to discard everything that is not of Christ, in fact we are to count it all as garbage:

“Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ.” (Philippians 3:8)

James goes on in today’s passage to give us specifics about what it means to live honorable lives led by the Spirit in Christ’s wisdom. He clearly points out how we are to avoid the world’s dark disorder and evil of every kind; and that we are to seek God’s wisdom to grow us in ways of being peacemakers.

Friends, I shared the challenge during yesterday’s time of worship at the end of service. I agreed with what Pastor Mary said during the sermon, that no one can take our salvation away from us, and that we have a choice to stand on the Rock of our Salvation, Jesus, each day and ask the Holy Spirit to fill us with Christ’s righteousness, peace, and joy. Standing in this place of wanting more of what Jesus offers us is wisdom and it means we are in alignment with God as a part of His Kingdom of Heaven, and that we want to be peacemakers. It also means that we oppose the dark kingdom of this world that is ruled by Satan. You and I will not allow Satan to come anywhere near our most precious and pure treasure…our Salvation.

James 3:13-18 NLT
True Wisdom Comes from God

13 If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. 15 For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. 16 For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.

17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. 18 And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for Your wisdom. Holy Spirit, please help to guide me with Christ’s wisdom. I choose to have more of His righteousness, peace, and joy operating in a through me, today. I am so grateful to be a resident of the Kingdom of Heaven. Help me, Lord, to remain focused on what you need me to do for Your Kingdom and please keep all of the darkness of this world away from me. I ask all of this in Your Holy Name, Jesus. Amen.

Intro: Leading into our passage, today, Stephen (a wise servant, miracle-worker, evangelist in the work of Christ) has been accused of dishonoring the temple of God. Disrespecting the temple was not his motive; Stephen was simply trying to explain that God is greater and more important than the temple. In fact, God inhabits hearts that are open to the truth and are willing to seek him by faith. According to Stephen, these teachers had made an idol of the temple rather than allowing the temple to show them something about God and what is required to enter his presence. They missed the obvious.

The temple was a visual tool to understand the holiness of God and how to have access to him. Everything in the temple pointed to Jesus Messiah and the salvation he would bring. The altar represented the need for a sin sacrifice to receive forgiveness—Jesus became the necessary blood sacrifice for us once and for all. The basin for washing represented the cleansing that Jesus would bring to our unrighteousness through the saving and sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. The lampstand represented the Light of God’s presence that would lead us into the truth—Jesus the Living Word of God. The showbread reminded God’s people he wanted to be their Life and Provider—Jesus is the grace of God. The incense represented the repentant prayers of the righteous—those who would believe and trust in Jesus to enter God’s presence and receive mercy. The curtain that once separated the people from the holy of holies—the Ark of the Covenant—represented God’s desire for relationship, but sin could not enter; so through the covenant of Christ’s love that tore the curtain, believers can now boldly approach the throne of God.

So, in response to the religious leaders’ accusations, Stephen sets out for these temple warriors the many ways they had actually rebelled against God as they occupied the temple and blindly went about their traditions. They had made the temple an idol to be worshiped; therefore they missed and murdered their Messiah when he arrived. Because they did not want to hear the truth about their sinful errors, they eventually silenced Stephen. We serve a God that cannot be contained or controlled; so, may we submit our hearts and lives to the King of creation and live with his miraculous help each day. Have a blessed weekend.

Acts 7:46-51b NLT
46 “David found favor with God and asked for the privilege of building a permanent Temple for the God of Jacob. 47 But it was Solomon who actually built it. 48 However, the Most High doesn’t live in temples made by human hands. As the prophet says,
49 
‘Heaven is my throne,    and the earth is my footstool.Could you build me a temple as good as that?’    asks the Lord.‘Could you build me such a resting place?
50 
    Didn’t my hands make both heaven and earth?’
51 “You stubborn people! You are heathen at heart and deaf to the truth. Must you forever resist the Holy Spirit?

Prayer: Lord, thank you for giving your life blood for saving us, forgiving us, cleansing and sanctifying us, illuminating us, feeding us, listening to us, and abiding with us. Thank for giving us new life and guiding us to the right way to live. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: Gratitude is a powerful attitude. It has the power to turn a negative spirit into a positive one. Gratitude can change a perspective and open hearts to seeing things in light of God’s truth and love. When our moods are low, expressing gratitude will be a lifter for our souls. There are many things for which we can be grateful; so, when we are able to give thanks for the continual blessings of God—for things we can see and even things we cannot see—we have chosen to focus on the goodness of God rather than ourselves. If you need more spiritual energy, then begin to praise the Lord and you will find new strength. God is not far away and he inhabits the praises of his people—his holy presence rests upon the hearts of those who honor him and proclaim his goodness (Ps 22:3).

In our passage today, David desires for the holy presence of God to rest on himself and the people as they make plans once again to take the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem. Scripture tells us David failed to accomplish his mission the first time because he and the Levitical priests [leaders] did not seek the Lord’s counsel for “how” to move the Ark (2 Sam 6:7). However, from his previous failure, David now understands the importance of seeking the Lord and becoming familiar with God’s ways. David successfully relocates the Ark and appoints the Levitical priests the role of leading praise as part of worship (1 Chi 16:4). It is no wonder David is called a man after God’s heart (1 Sam 13:14).

This is a good lesson for us, today, as well, because this passage teaches us about our worship and the importance of coming with the right attitude—gratitude. So, like David, I encourage us to “continually” search for and seek the Lord. We are so incredibly blessed at Connect2Christ Church by our worship team and the songs of praise that fills our worship environment every Sunday. I am so grateful for our times to gather as worshipers. When all of us come together to express our sincere gratitude to God, it is a very powerful time in the Spirit. Be filed with gratitude and enjoy God’s blessings, today.

Psalm 105
1 
Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness.
    Let the whole world know what he has done.
2 
Sing to him; yes, sing his praises.
    Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds.
3 
Exult in his holy name;
    rejoice, you who worship the Lord.
4 
Search for the Lord and for his strength;
    continually seek him.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the goodness you pour upon our lives every day. We proclaim your greatness and we sing praises to your name. Like David, we press in and seek to become familiar with your ways in order to bring you glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: I have always appreciated great leaders and have enjoyed many times serving under their leadership, as well as serving along side them. John Maxwell, author, motivational speaker, and pastor, has taught on leadership for many years. His thoughts about leadership have always resonated with me. Here’s one of my favorite quotes: “True leadership requires serving others full time; potential leaders are ready and willing to do so” (John Maxwell; Maximum Impact).

Christian leaders have a huge responsibility to model and lead others into a deeper dependance upon God. This requires humility in serving: 1) submitting to Christ’s authority, 2) integrity by consistently adhering to Biblical principles, and 3) denying of personal will and yielding to God’s will. Jesus said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me” (Mat 16:24). If we proclaim Christ, we must all follow our Leader. The beauty of Christ’s Body—the Church—is found in the power of the followers as we each position ourselves under our genuinely holy Leader—King Jesus.

In this world, not everyone who says they are a leader is a godly one. Verbal confession is not enough; taking action, meeting needs, and modeling righteousness is the role of a leader. A leader is a servant of others and is willing to make sure everyone under his or her charge is empowered to do what God has created them to do. Therefore, humility is the other side of the leadership coin, because some ministry tasks the Lord places before a leader is a test to reveal what motivates him or her. If the motive is wrong, the focus will be corrupt, and everyone will wind up in the “proverbial ditch” (Mat 15:13-14). When the motive is love for God and neighbor, we can all get on that page and serve in ways that brings glory to God.

In our passage today, Jesus is the faithful servant who does the will of the Father despite what he must suffer. Jesus has just healed the man with a withered hand on the Sabbath and you would think the religious leaders would be filled with praise for the work of God in their midst. However, that is not the case. These self-proclaimed “leaders” are focused on dogmatic minutia instead of the wholeness of people and their restoration with the Lord God. Gentle, meek, and lowly is the Way…

Matthew 12:15-21 NLT Jesus, God’s Chosen Servant
15 But Jesus knew what they were planning. So he left that area, and many people followed him. He healed all the sick among them, 16 but he warned them not to reveal who he was. 17 This fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah concerning him:
18 
“Look at my Servant, whom I have chosen.
    He is my Beloved, who pleases me.
I will put my Spirit upon him,
    and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
19 
He will not fight or shout
    or raise his voice in public.
20 
He will not crush the weakest reed
    or put out a flickering candle.
    Finally he will cause justice to be victorious.
21 
And his name will be the hope
    of all the world.”

Prayer: Lord, you have model for us the heart of a suffering Servant. You have been willing to lead us onto the narrow path of your Kingdom. Thank you for helping us understand that true leadership is marked by our willingness to be humble servants who obediently yield to Kingdom work knowing you will give the direction and power we need to fulfill it. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: The Hebrew word for ‘grace’ is khen [pronounced w/throaty ‘k’hen] and is associated with undeserved favor, relief from distress, mercy, and honor. The word khen is exclusively used when someone with a higher status looks kindly and compassionately on the helpless [those with a lower status]. Because of Christ, we find grace in the eyes of Father God. The work of grace is to bring restoration—dignity, wholeness, and peace—to broken and hostile souls. Grace is God’s beauty, glory, and delight extending to His creation. God is gracious to those who cannot save themselves, so he gives the Gift of khen.

In the Talmud (Jewish teaching/theology), khen is associated with words like: recognition, repentance, tabernacling, and resting. The Gift of khen connects us to salvation, sanctification, and the blessing of God. We are saved by grace through faith when we believe in Christ (Ephesians 2:8). Therefore, saving grace connects and offers God’s favor to the underserving [repentant humanity] through belief in Christ as our Redeemer—the One who paid the penalty for our sin and marks us as forgiven and belonging to God. Sanctifying grace connects us in God’s favor so believers can humbly grow in the holiness of God’s character; in this way we align ourselves with the will of God. The blessings of khen is the favor we enjoy as we tabernacle with God and rest in Oneness to live for his purpose.

In our passage today, it is evident that God has been working khen in the hearts of Issac’s sons by blessing them both. At one time, Esau had threatened to kill his brother Jacob for deceiving their father and stealing his birthright blessing. But now Esau is able to see his brother through the eyes of saving khen and forgive him. God has worked in Jacob’s heart, as well, because he is humble [takes the posture of a servant bowing before royalty] and is able to see his brother through the eyes of sanctifying khen. Only God can make this kind of change in human attitudes and actions. God sees you through the eyes of grace and he is making a masterpiece of you because he loves and delights in you, too! (Ephesians 2:10).

Genesis 33:1-11 NLT Then Jacob looked up and saw Esau coming with his 400 men. So he divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and his two servant wives. 2 He put the servant wives and their children at the front, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph last. 3 Then Jacob went on ahead. As he approached his brother, he bowed to the ground seven times before him. 4 Then Esau ran to meet him and embraced him, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. And they both wept.

5 Then Esau looked at the women and children and asked, “Who are these people with you?”
“These are the children God has graciously given to me, your servant,” Jacob replied. 6 Then the servant wives came forward with their children and bowed before him. 7 Next came Leah with her children, and they bowed before him. Finally, Joseph and Rachel came forward and bowed before him.

8 “And what were all the flocks and herds I met as I came?” Esau asked.
Jacob replied, “They are a gift, my lord, to ensure your friendship.”

9 “My brother, I have plenty,” Esau answered. “Keep what you have for yourself.”
10 But Jacob insisted, “No, if I have found favor [khen] with you, please accept this gift from me. And what a relief to see your friendly smile. It is like seeing the face of God! 11 Please take this gift I have brought you, for God has been very gracious to me. I have more than enough.” And because Jacob insisted, Esau finally accepted the gift.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for extending to believers your saving and sanctifying grace; for blessing our lives with your amazing presence, transforming love, and holy character. We do not always see the work of your grace while it is happening within us, but thank you that all things hidden are eventually manifest outwardly. You are our blessed Hope. May we continue to learn and follow your ways. In Jesus’ name. Amen.