My SOAP devotional for June 6th - This will be my last devotional on my blog for 3 months. I am taking a break from blogging to take the challenge to read the entire Bible in 90 days! Will you join me in this challenge beginning June 23rd? At various times I will give updates on how I'm doing with this 90 day challenge, so come back and check it out!
S - Acts 24:24-25
24Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. 25As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, "That's enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you."
O - Felix left Paul in prison to make the Jewish leaders happy but he wanted to learn more for himself about Jesus. He would have been familiar with the Christians having been governor for six years. This was a frequent topic of conversation among the Roman leaders. He brought his wife Drusilla so that they both could learn more about Jesus. Felix was very uncomfortable in their conversations about righteousness, self-control, and judgment, perhaps because Felix was not one interested in the changes he would have to make in his own life.
A - When we share our faith with others it can lead to conversations about righteousness, self-control and coming judgment. For some, perhaps many, this can create an uncomfortable moment of realizing that following Jesus requires change. There are times when the Holy Spirit convicts me of needing to look at my own actions and I have to make a choice to follow Christ or follow the ways of the world. This is a daily choice, even when we have chosen Jesus as savior and Lord of our life.
P - Jesus, you are the way, the truth, and the life. I choose you. Amen.
Showing posts with label choices. Show all posts
Showing posts with label choices. Show all posts
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Sharing all you have - would I give up my last cookie?
This is my SOAP devotional for 4/22
S - Acts 4:32
32All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.
O - Being of one heart and mind is an ideal picture of unity. Believers in one heart and mind is God's ideal plan for His people. In order to be united in this way we must seek the biblical foundation of sharing everything. In fact, we must embrace unity through the spirit of acknowledging that all things belong to God. The fact that these believers eliminated poverty among them shows how powerful the biblical principles laid out here really are.
A - I know some that would give their last shirt if someone needed it...I'm not so sure I'm that generous. I don't even like to give up the last Oreo in the cookie jar to my kids! I may give up my time and my encouragement, and even take a meal to someone, and I give to charity of course, but I probably still have a lot to learn in the depths of my heart about being a generous giver in the material sense.
This way of living in this passage was
1. voluntary
2. involved not all property but what was needed (not greedy)
3. not a membership requirement of the church
It would go a long way if we all lived this way today. The Amish actually live by these principles mostly although they may have "requirements" to live in their community. The more government forces us to "share", I believe the more people become resistant, resentful, greedy, and feel entitled. When we are required instead of given the choice, the farther we move away from these biblical principles. This is really the same way it is with the foundations of faith. God gives us a CHOICE to follow Him...we are not required, therefore, we are FREE to follow His laws and place Him as the ruler of our lives...or, live by our own choices, outside the guidance of the Lord almighty. Some say, where is God? Well, if we are not following His ways then it is natural for us to not feel He is interceding in our lives because we have basically asked Him to stay out of our affairs. If we want to feel blessed, then we must first "volunteer" to make Jesus Lord of our life, having given His life as a substitute for ours. We must be grateful for what we have and seek God's guidance in doing and giving in the ways that He is calling us to. When we see what we have as "enough" then we have enough to give...even the last cookie.
P - To be your arms and feet Lord, to care for those among us that are in need is a privilege. May I always have compassion to give freely what YOU have given me. All things are yours Lord and I am grateful to even be a part of it. I pray for those that have little, may they see the richness of their lives through the blessings you have given. And I pray for those that have much, that they would be generous in seeing all that they have as TOO much so that they might share it with compassion on those that need it. May ALL of us open our eyes to see those in need and give freely.
S - Acts 4:32
32All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.
O - Being of one heart and mind is an ideal picture of unity. Believers in one heart and mind is God's ideal plan for His people. In order to be united in this way we must seek the biblical foundation of sharing everything. In fact, we must embrace unity through the spirit of acknowledging that all things belong to God. The fact that these believers eliminated poverty among them shows how powerful the biblical principles laid out here really are.
A - I know some that would give their last shirt if someone needed it...I'm not so sure I'm that generous. I don't even like to give up the last Oreo in the cookie jar to my kids! I may give up my time and my encouragement, and even take a meal to someone, and I give to charity of course, but I probably still have a lot to learn in the depths of my heart about being a generous giver in the material sense.
This way of living in this passage was
1. voluntary
2. involved not all property but what was needed (not greedy)
3. not a membership requirement of the church
It would go a long way if we all lived this way today. The Amish actually live by these principles mostly although they may have "requirements" to live in their community. The more government forces us to "share", I believe the more people become resistant, resentful, greedy, and feel entitled. When we are required instead of given the choice, the farther we move away from these biblical principles. This is really the same way it is with the foundations of faith. God gives us a CHOICE to follow Him...we are not required, therefore, we are FREE to follow His laws and place Him as the ruler of our lives...or, live by our own choices, outside the guidance of the Lord almighty. Some say, where is God? Well, if we are not following His ways then it is natural for us to not feel He is interceding in our lives because we have basically asked Him to stay out of our affairs. If we want to feel blessed, then we must first "volunteer" to make Jesus Lord of our life, having given His life as a substitute for ours. We must be grateful for what we have and seek God's guidance in doing and giving in the ways that He is calling us to. When we see what we have as "enough" then we have enough to give...even the last cookie.
P - To be your arms and feet Lord, to care for those among us that are in need is a privilege. May I always have compassion to give freely what YOU have given me. All things are yours Lord and I am grateful to even be a part of it. I pray for those that have little, may they see the richness of their lives through the blessings you have given. And I pray for those that have much, that they would be generous in seeing all that they have as TOO much so that they might share it with compassion on those that need it. May ALL of us open our eyes to see those in need and give freely.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
on making poor choices to protect ourselves
My SOAP devotional for Feb. 16th
S - Exodus 1:8-10a, 15-17
"8 Then a new king, who did not know about Joseph, came to power in Egypt. 9 "Look," he said to his people, "the Israelites have become much too numerous for us. 10 Come, we must deal shrewdly with them or they will become even more numerous..."
15 The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, whose names were Shiphrah and Puah, 16 "When you help the Hebrew women in childbirth and observe them on the delivery stool, if it is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, let her live." 17 The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live."
O - The key word in this passage for me is "threat". The new King was threatened by the number of the Israelites. Why? Because they had different customs, they worshipped God, and perhaps they were not loyal to Egypt? Really, he FEARED they would turn against them. The King sought a way to oppress them through slavery, hoping to kill their spirit and stop their growth. His paranoia and oppression escalated to murder when he asked the midwives to start killing baby boys. He asked the wrong ladies though for their faith was strong and they risked their lives to do what was right.
A - This passage reminds me of the genocide that has taken place throughout human history in places like Poland, Rwanda, Darfur, and the Holy Land...and even here on American soil with gang violence and abortion. In each of these situations, someone made themselves and their own interests a priority. We as humans really are a savage people. For when we get so focused on our own desires and what is in the way of getting what we want or what we see as a threat, we simply will destroy it. It's not just murder that destroys. The destruction of a threat happens every day with "civilized" individuals too. Like those that will gossip to destroy a reputation, or cheat others simply because they "deserve" it or to advance their own economic status/career. We are ALL guilty at some point of making poor choices for the sake of bettering ourselves. Are we really that much different in God's eyes from this pharaoh or Hitler when we put our own best interests ahead of others and perform selfish acts?
P - God of LIFE! You have put us on this planet to test the boundaries of love. Will you help me to love those that are a "threat" and help me to always seek your wisdom, goodness, and glory regardless of the personal cost.
S - Exodus 1:8-10a, 15-17
"8 Then a new king, who did not know about Joseph, came to power in Egypt. 9 "Look," he said to his people, "the Israelites have become much too numerous for us. 10 Come, we must deal shrewdly with them or they will become even more numerous..."
15 The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, whose names were Shiphrah and Puah, 16 "When you help the Hebrew women in childbirth and observe them on the delivery stool, if it is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, let her live." 17 The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live."
O - The key word in this passage for me is "threat". The new King was threatened by the number of the Israelites. Why? Because they had different customs, they worshipped God, and perhaps they were not loyal to Egypt? Really, he FEARED they would turn against them. The King sought a way to oppress them through slavery, hoping to kill their spirit and stop their growth. His paranoia and oppression escalated to murder when he asked the midwives to start killing baby boys. He asked the wrong ladies though for their faith was strong and they risked their lives to do what was right.
A - This passage reminds me of the genocide that has taken place throughout human history in places like Poland, Rwanda, Darfur, and the Holy Land...and even here on American soil with gang violence and abortion. In each of these situations, someone made themselves and their own interests a priority. We as humans really are a savage people. For when we get so focused on our own desires and what is in the way of getting what we want or what we see as a threat, we simply will destroy it. It's not just murder that destroys. The destruction of a threat happens every day with "civilized" individuals too. Like those that will gossip to destroy a reputation, or cheat others simply because they "deserve" it or to advance their own economic status/career. We are ALL guilty at some point of making poor choices for the sake of bettering ourselves. Are we really that much different in God's eyes from this pharaoh or Hitler when we put our own best interests ahead of others and perform selfish acts?
P - God of LIFE! You have put us on this planet to test the boundaries of love. Will you help me to love those that are a "threat" and help me to always seek your wisdom, goodness, and glory regardless of the personal cost.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
God ALWAYS uses the bad for good
I am again posting 2 devotionals this week because they go well together, so read the previous one I posted today from Feb. 8th first and then read this one.
My SOAP devotional from Feb. 12th
S - Genesis 45:4-8
4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Come close to me." When they had done so, he said, "I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. 6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be plowing and reaping. 7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. [a]
8 "So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt.
O - Joseph's brothers were tired of his bragging and being their father's favorite so they tried to be rid of him. They had ill intent but God took their jealousy and extreme lack of concern for his life and used it for THEIR good, and the good of future generations. If you read ahead, God had a big plan and turned evil into amazing goodness. The brothers did not deserve salvation and yet that is exactly what God did in eventually bringing them to Egypt during the famine. Joseph put his eyes on God, in spite of his family being against him. And he showed amazing forgiveness because he saw first hand God's plan laid out in front of him.
A - Isn't it just like God to give us a story that happened many, many years before Jesus as an example of what He does in our life even today. These brothers made terrible choices. We make terrible choices. They did not deserve salvation from the famine. We do not deserve salvation. And yet, God provided a way through Joseph, the victim of their evil choices. And for us, God has provided a way through Jesus.
It is easy really in hind sight to see how God has been at work in my life and to give him glory and praise for the bad situations He has turned to good. It is also easy to forgive people for their hurtful ways when we can see how God is using it for His purposes. I'm not sure if I'm a big enough person to always forgive as Joseph did (at least not right away), nor that I am always able to give God the glory in the midst of the struggle. I have been weak at times in holding onto my pride when others have hurt me. However, I have also seen that just as I wrote earlier this week about placing Jesus first in my life, regardless of what even my family/friends choose to do, I too can experience this same peace and forgiveness that Joseph had in his situation. I AM able to forgive and see God's plan BECAUSE I look for God at work in the middle of a struggle. Amazingly, I have always found that I can find peace in any situation when I trust God.
P - Give me God a faith like Joseph's, to see your provision even in the midst of challenge and crisis. Help me to trust that you are always at work in my best interest, preparing your great plan for my life to unfold. I am SOOO thankful that you are always taking the bad of this world and turning it into amazing goodness. How lucky we are to call you Lord of the universe!!! Amen.
My SOAP devotional from Feb. 12th
S - Genesis 45:4-8
4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Come close to me." When they had done so, he said, "I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. 6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be plowing and reaping. 7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. [a]
8 "So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt.
O - Joseph's brothers were tired of his bragging and being their father's favorite so they tried to be rid of him. They had ill intent but God took their jealousy and extreme lack of concern for his life and used it for THEIR good, and the good of future generations. If you read ahead, God had a big plan and turned evil into amazing goodness. The brothers did not deserve salvation and yet that is exactly what God did in eventually bringing them to Egypt during the famine. Joseph put his eyes on God, in spite of his family being against him. And he showed amazing forgiveness because he saw first hand God's plan laid out in front of him.
A - Isn't it just like God to give us a story that happened many, many years before Jesus as an example of what He does in our life even today. These brothers made terrible choices. We make terrible choices. They did not deserve salvation from the famine. We do not deserve salvation. And yet, God provided a way through Joseph, the victim of their evil choices. And for us, God has provided a way through Jesus.
It is easy really in hind sight to see how God has been at work in my life and to give him glory and praise for the bad situations He has turned to good. It is also easy to forgive people for their hurtful ways when we can see how God is using it for His purposes. I'm not sure if I'm a big enough person to always forgive as Joseph did (at least not right away), nor that I am always able to give God the glory in the midst of the struggle. I have been weak at times in holding onto my pride when others have hurt me. However, I have also seen that just as I wrote earlier this week about placing Jesus first in my life, regardless of what even my family/friends choose to do, I too can experience this same peace and forgiveness that Joseph had in his situation. I AM able to forgive and see God's plan BECAUSE I look for God at work in the middle of a struggle. Amazingly, I have always found that I can find peace in any situation when I trust God.
P - Give me God a faith like Joseph's, to see your provision even in the midst of challenge and crisis. Help me to trust that you are always at work in my best interest, preparing your great plan for my life to unfold. I am SOOO thankful that you are always taking the bad of this world and turning it into amazing goodness. How lucky we are to call you Lord of the universe!!! Amen.
On the same team when Jesus is on FIRST!
Here is my SOAP devotional for Feb. 8th
S - Matthew 10:34-39
34"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn
" 'a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law -
36a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.'[a]
37"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
O - This is a challenging passage because it appears to be a contradiction. Jesus is drawing a line. Most would say "how can Jesus who is the supreme example of love, ask you to go against your own family, especially when it is one of the original 10 commandments?" What Jesus is saying is that people are flawed and not dependable. They will let you down but Jesus will never let us down. Jesus has proven to be dependable and has sacrificed much in spite of people that even deny who He is. So if we place our faith in people instead of Him, especially those that are not following His ways, then we will always find disappointment. Sometimes love means making tough choices if that is doing what is best. Jesus is always going to choose to love us, therefore we must choose to put Him first in our life...to choose His way over the way of people.
One note of interest is that Jesus quotes Micah 7:6 here. Micah is a book in the Old Testament and he was a contemporary of Isaiah. He is considered one of the "minor" prophets and he spoke of God's judgment and the offer of pardon to all those who repent. The book of Micah contains many prophecies about Jesus, the Messiah, who will come to unite all of God's people. He writes of God's extreme dislike of pride and injustice, and also His willingness to provide a way to forgiveness and mercy. It is clear to me that Jesus IS the only way that God could be both the judge and merciful.
A - We cannot control the choices of the people in our life. If we cling to what is actually temporary on this earth, we will miss the purpose of Jesus' coming. Jesus is not asking us to NOT love people - He is asking us to love Him MORE. He calls us to choose His way above any earthly way as the way to eternal life with Him. Jesus brings a "sword" against anything that seeks a path of destruction, and the enemy prowls in an attempt to take us with him (1 Peter 5:8). In our human nature we will not always be "on the same path"...some will have their own best interest in mind, or be blinded by the enemy's schemes, even if we are family. Therefore, in order to fully love each other, we must FIRST love the Lord of Life. If our eyes are fixed on Jesus, we will always be on the "same team".
P - Oh Lord, I plead with you to strike the heal of the enemy and keep him far from me and my family. When the enemy seeks to destroy, he will put us against each other. But putting our eyes on you (Hebrews 12:2) as the author and perfector of our faith, we will experience a peace beyond understanding, (Philippians 4:7) for following your ways ensures that we are always on the "same team". I pray most earnestly for protection and that each of those I love, and that I call "family", will put YOU first in their lives so that we might cling to your promises together. I am truly thankful that you found a way to be both the judge of all evil and yet sent Jesus to show us mercy. Amen.
S - Matthew 10:34-39
34"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn
" 'a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law -
36a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.'[a]
37"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
O - This is a challenging passage because it appears to be a contradiction. Jesus is drawing a line. Most would say "how can Jesus who is the supreme example of love, ask you to go against your own family, especially when it is one of the original 10 commandments?" What Jesus is saying is that people are flawed and not dependable. They will let you down but Jesus will never let us down. Jesus has proven to be dependable and has sacrificed much in spite of people that even deny who He is. So if we place our faith in people instead of Him, especially those that are not following His ways, then we will always find disappointment. Sometimes love means making tough choices if that is doing what is best. Jesus is always going to choose to love us, therefore we must choose to put Him first in our life...to choose His way over the way of people.
One note of interest is that Jesus quotes Micah 7:6 here. Micah is a book in the Old Testament and he was a contemporary of Isaiah. He is considered one of the "minor" prophets and he spoke of God's judgment and the offer of pardon to all those who repent. The book of Micah contains many prophecies about Jesus, the Messiah, who will come to unite all of God's people. He writes of God's extreme dislike of pride and injustice, and also His willingness to provide a way to forgiveness and mercy. It is clear to me that Jesus IS the only way that God could be both the judge and merciful.
A - We cannot control the choices of the people in our life. If we cling to what is actually temporary on this earth, we will miss the purpose of Jesus' coming. Jesus is not asking us to NOT love people - He is asking us to love Him MORE. He calls us to choose His way above any earthly way as the way to eternal life with Him. Jesus brings a "sword" against anything that seeks a path of destruction, and the enemy prowls in an attempt to take us with him (1 Peter 5:8). In our human nature we will not always be "on the same path"...some will have their own best interest in mind, or be blinded by the enemy's schemes, even if we are family. Therefore, in order to fully love each other, we must FIRST love the Lord of Life. If our eyes are fixed on Jesus, we will always be on the "same team".
P - Oh Lord, I plead with you to strike the heal of the enemy and keep him far from me and my family. When the enemy seeks to destroy, he will put us against each other. But putting our eyes on you (Hebrews 12:2) as the author and perfector of our faith, we will experience a peace beyond understanding, (Philippians 4:7) for following your ways ensures that we are always on the "same team". I pray most earnestly for protection and that each of those I love, and that I call "family", will put YOU first in their lives so that we might cling to your promises together. I am truly thankful that you found a way to be both the judge of all evil and yet sent Jesus to show us mercy. Amen.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Your name is Israel
I'm posting 2 devotionals this week because I thought that these two went together so well. We are seeing the transformation of Jacob and I don't want anyone to miss it! Please read the other post from today first.
My SOAP devotional for Feb. 5th
S - Gen. 32:28
"Your name will no longer be Jacob,' the man told him. 'It is now Israel, because you have struggled with both God and men and have won."
O - God comes in the form of a man to physically struggle with Jacob himself. Jacob had been a deceiver and we find him on the eve of reconciliation, or war, with his brother, whom he stole his Father's (Isaac) blessing from. We don't know yet what the outcome will be between these two brothers but we already see a glimpse into Jacob's change of character. He has recognized God's provision in his life and is physically making a move toward not only obeying God but reconciling with his brother. God's physical struggle with Jacob is significant in representing the struggle the Hebrew people and ALL of us have with God. The name change is also a mark of transformation - a sign given by God of a fresh start, perhaps equivalent to a baptism.
A - We all struggle with God in a sense when we make daily choices to follow His path or not. We struggle against unnecessary obstacles when sometimes the obvious path is to choose God's way. We also embrace a name change in a sense when God claims us as His own and we finally recognize it. "Child of God" and "friend of Jesus" are added when we recognize our struggle and accept Jesus as Lord of our life.
P - Lord Jesus, I embrace the claim you have on my life and on my name. I thank you Father that we even have the opportunity to wrestle with you and you don't just give up on us and leave us. You have provided a way to be with us, and to overcome the challenges of this dark world. Amen.
My SOAP devotional for Feb. 5th
S - Gen. 32:28
"Your name will no longer be Jacob,' the man told him. 'It is now Israel, because you have struggled with both God and men and have won."
O - God comes in the form of a man to physically struggle with Jacob himself. Jacob had been a deceiver and we find him on the eve of reconciliation, or war, with his brother, whom he stole his Father's (Isaac) blessing from. We don't know yet what the outcome will be between these two brothers but we already see a glimpse into Jacob's change of character. He has recognized God's provision in his life and is physically making a move toward not only obeying God but reconciling with his brother. God's physical struggle with Jacob is significant in representing the struggle the Hebrew people and ALL of us have with God. The name change is also a mark of transformation - a sign given by God of a fresh start, perhaps equivalent to a baptism.
A - We all struggle with God in a sense when we make daily choices to follow His path or not. We struggle against unnecessary obstacles when sometimes the obvious path is to choose God's way. We also embrace a name change in a sense when God claims us as His own and we finally recognize it. "Child of God" and "friend of Jesus" are added when we recognize our struggle and accept Jesus as Lord of our life.
P - Lord Jesus, I embrace the claim you have on my life and on my name. I thank you Father that we even have the opportunity to wrestle with you and you don't just give up on us and leave us. You have provided a way to be with us, and to overcome the challenges of this dark world. Amen.
Sin comes back around
My SOAP devotional for Feb. 2
S - Gen 29:25
"Jacob raged at Laban. 'I worked seven years for Rachel. What do you mean by this trickery?"
O - In this part of the story, Laban has tricked Jacob by giving him his oldest daughter Leah instead of the 2nd daughter, Rachel, who Jacob loved. The deceiver who stole his older brother's blessing has become the deceived. Jacob was given this name "one who deceives" and he lived up to it. However, we see that when our sins come back around it doesn't feel very good. We often cannot see our sin and how it hurts others when we are the sinner. But God's way is fair and good because He shows us how sinning for our own benefit is always hurtful to someone. Following God's way is love without pain. Jacob finally saw how deception is not the best way to get what you want.
A - It is important to approach a situation with God's eyes and look for how my choices could potentially hurt others, and not just be for MY benefit.
P - Open my eyes Lord to see clearly how my choices are affecting those around me. Make me aware and give me the guidance to know when I am sinning. I love that your word promises that there is ALWAYS a way out from a temptation. Give me the strength to choose the right path.
S - Gen 29:25
"Jacob raged at Laban. 'I worked seven years for Rachel. What do you mean by this trickery?"
O - In this part of the story, Laban has tricked Jacob by giving him his oldest daughter Leah instead of the 2nd daughter, Rachel, who Jacob loved. The deceiver who stole his older brother's blessing has become the deceived. Jacob was given this name "one who deceives" and he lived up to it. However, we see that when our sins come back around it doesn't feel very good. We often cannot see our sin and how it hurts others when we are the sinner. But God's way is fair and good because He shows us how sinning for our own benefit is always hurtful to someone. Following God's way is love without pain. Jacob finally saw how deception is not the best way to get what you want.
A - It is important to approach a situation with God's eyes and look for how my choices could potentially hurt others, and not just be for MY benefit.
P - Open my eyes Lord to see clearly how my choices are affecting those around me. Make me aware and give me the guidance to know when I am sinning. I love that your word promises that there is ALWAYS a way out from a temptation. Give me the strength to choose the right path.
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