The Pretender: Back to Bethel

Jacob is now approaching the end of his journey. He’s close to one-hundred-years-old. He’s fought many battles, carried many burdens, and has even received a few blessings along the way. Now after some family dysfunction and treachery almost too graphic to talk about; God has given him instructions to return to a place he’s been […]

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The Pretender: Surprise! It’s God!

Have you been a Christian for a long time? Does God still surprise you? If I had to conclude one thing about God’s working in my life, it would be that it hasn’t been ANYTHING like I expected it to be! I have come to discover that God doesn’t work the way we expect Him […]

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The Pretender: Unexpected Blessings

We are studying the life of Jacob and discovering that God uses conflicted, complicated people. So, if you are conflicted and complicated, you are in good company. God still loves us and has a plan for our life. We now enter the period of Jacob’s life where we see him meet his wife, Rachel, marry […]

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The Pretender: Come On, Man!

This had to be the worst negotiation in all human history! The Birthright meant you got a lot more inheritance. As a matter of fact, you received double that of the lesser inheritors; and, of course, there was also the honor and prestige that accompanied your status as firstborn. Ok, let’s consider the deal. Double […]

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If you are a complicated person, you are in good company. We all seem to be a smorgasbord of complex, conflicted issues. We wrestle with the conflict between who we are and how we would like to appear. We stress over how others perceive us and who we think we’re supposed to be. Obviously, this […]

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The Trial and the Crown

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could cram for life’s tests? Don’t you wish God would give you a heads up about what’s coming so you could be ready for the test? It might go something like this: “Hey! You’re about to go into a big financial test. You might not want to get that […]

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Following Jesus: Jesus Calms the Storm

Jesus calms the boisterous sea! What an incredible event! Jesus enters a boat along with His disciples … they cast out into the Sea of Galilee … a tremendous storm blows in … He’s their Messiah … and He’s fast asleep on a cushion! Can you imagine the looks they must have given Him? Like […]

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Fatherhood: Reflecting the Glow

The role of a husband is to be Christlike and to love your wife just as Christ loves the church. This may require you to go beyond your family history, personality, how your friends treat their wives or what you see on television and in movies. This, of course, requires a specific goal. The goal […]

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Following Jesus: Jesus Walks on Water

Life is filled with seasons. Some drag, and God seems as if He is a million miles away, while others fly along as we seemingly float through them blessed and happy. The crazy thing is, you may be sitting beside someone that is in the exact opposite season than you. Some Believers conclude that the […]

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