February 28 -- "I Will Finish What I've Started"

 Today's Reading:  Genesis 28

"I Will Finish What I've Started"

Today's verse is part of a promise made by God to Jacob as he sets out on a journey to find a wife. It is God's reminder that He is always with us, guiding and protecting us on our journey, whatever that may be. It highlights the idea that God is always present, and that He will never leave us or forsake us, which is a great comfort and reassurance. It also reminds us that God is faithful to his promises and He will fulfill them. He will always finish what He has started!

We are not alone in our journey! We can trust in God's presence and protection wherever we go. So, trust in God's faithfulness to fulfill His promises to you, even when things may be difficult or uncertain. Remind yourself that God is with you and will guide you, and that He will bring you safely to the place He has promised us.

Additionally, this verse can remind us to stay obedient to God's plan for our lives, and to seek to honor Him in all that we do. God's presence and protection are not only for our physical safety, but also for our spiritual well-being. By obeying God, we can trust that He will guide us and protect us on the path He has for us.

Jesus confirms God's promise when He teaches that He is always with his followers, and that He will guide and protect them. In Matthew 28:20 Jesus said, "I am with you always, even to the end of the age." This passage reinforces the idea that God's presence and protection are always with us, no matter the circumstances.

God will not leave you until He has done all that He promised you! "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." Philippians 1:6

February 27 -- "Fatness of the Earth"

 Today's Reading:  Genesis 27

"Fatness of the Earth"

This verse is part of a blessing given by Isaac, to Jacob, his son. It is a blessing of prosperity, asking God to provide Jacob with the necessities of life, including fertile land, bountiful crops, and an abundance of food and drink. It is also a reminder that God is the provider of all good things, and that we can trust Him to provide for our needs.

This blessing reminds us to trust God to provide for our needs, both physically and spiritually. We can pray for God's provision in our lives and trust that He will give us what we need. It can also remind us to be thankful for the blessings we have, and to share them with others.

Jesus did not specifically pronounce a blessing of prosperity on anyone's life as Isaac did for Jacob. Jesus' teachings focus primarily on spiritual blessings and the importance of seeking God's kingdom and righteousness, rather than material wealth or prosperity. However, Jesus did teach about God's provision and blessings, and encouraged people to trust in God to provide for their needs.

For example, Jesus said in Matthew 6:25-34 "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

Here, Jesus teaches us that we shouldn't be anxious about our needs, because God will provide for us. He reminds us to trust in God's provision and blessings, and that He will take care of us. Jesus also encourages us to put God and his kingdom first, and to trust that all other needs will be met.

February 26 -- "I Am With You"

 Today's Reading:  Genesis 26

"I Am With You"

In Genesis 26:24, the Lord expands the Abrahamic Covenant to Abraham's son, Isaac. This verse is part of the story of Isaac, who was the son of Abraham and was blessed by God. Isaac faced many challenges in his life, including a famine that forced him to leave his home and go to a foreign land. However, God appeared to him in a dream and reassured him that He would be with him and bless him.

While this verse was originally spoken in a specific historical and cultural context to a specific person, it still holds relevance for modern times.

Firstly, the promise of God's presence and blessing is still applicable to believers today. God has promised to be with us always, to never leave nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5), and to bless us with every spiritual blessing in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). We can take comfort in knowing that God is still faithful to His promises and will never abandon us.

Secondly, the idea that God works through the faithfulness of those who came before us is still relevant today. Throughout history, God has used individuals and communities to accomplish His purposes and bring about His plan of redemption. Today, we are beneficiaries of the faith and obedience of those who came before us, including Abraham, Isaac, and other heroes of the faith.

Finally, the promise of multiplication of offspring can also apply to modern times in a spiritual sense. As we share the gospel and make disciples, we are participating in the multiplication of God's kingdom and the expansion of His family. Our faithfulness and obedience can have a lasting impact on future generations, just as the faith of Abraham and Isaac impacted their descendants.

February 25 -- "Answered Prayer"

 Today's Reading:  Genesis 25

"Answered Prayer"

Today's verse is part of a story in which Isaac and Rebekah, unable to have children, pray to God for a child. God answers their prayer, and Rebekah becomes pregnant with twins, Jacob and Esau. This verse is significant because it shows the faith and trust of Isaac and Rebekah in God, despite their difficulties in having children. It also highlights God's power and willingness to answer the prayers of His people and to bless them with children.

It also shows that Isaac and Rebekah's faith in God and His promise of offspring was strong enough to pray for a child, even though they were barren, they trusted in God to provide them with a child as He had promised. It also shows that God answered their prayer and blessed them with twins.

The power of believing prayer cannot be overstated. The Bible is full of accounts where God answered prayers in unexpected ways. It also shows how God's power and willingness to provide for His people, even in their difficult situations.

One of the most famous teachings of Jesus on prayer is the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13, where Jesus teaches his disciples how to pray. He teaches them to address God as "our Father," to acknowledge God's sovereignty and holiness, to seek His will and kingdom, to ask for daily needs, to seek forgiveness and to avoid temptation. This passage teaches the importance of humility, dependence, and trust in God when praying.

In John 15:7, Jesus says "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you." This verse teaches that when we remain in Jesus and His words remain in us, our prayers will be answered.

Jesus taught that prayer is a powerful tool for believers to connect with God, to receive His blessings and to receive answers to their petitions. He also taught that prayer requires humility, dependence, and trust in God, and that when we pray in His name and for His glory, we can be sure that our prayers will be answered.

February 24 - "The Power of Abraham's Exhortation"

Today's Reading:  Genesis 24:29-67 

"The Power of Abraham's Exhortation"

This verse is spoken by Abraham's servant to Rebekah's family, after he has completed his mission to find a wife for Isaac. The servant is explaining to them how God had guided and provided for him on his journey, and how he knows that Rebekah is the right woman for Isaac.

He tells them this based upon the word of exhortation he had received from Abraham before his journey. Abraham had assured him that God would be with him on his journey, will send his angel to guide and protect him, and will make his way successful.

Abraham's words of exhortation were invaluable to the success of his servant's mission. Through his words, he encouraged his servant to look to God, keep his eyes upward, and trust the outcome to Him.

The Bible teaches that exhortation, or encouraging and urging others to follow God's ways and to live according to His principles, is an important part of Christian life. Exhortation is a way to help others grow in their faith and to live in a way that honors God.

In Hebrews 3:13, it says "But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called 'Today,' so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness." This verse teaches that it is important to encourage others to stay strong in their faith and to resist the temptation to sin.

In Hebrews 10:24-25, it says "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." This verse teaches that we should encourage one another to love and do good deeds, and to not give up on meeting together as a community of believers.

In Colossians 3:16, it says "Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts." This verse teaches that we should teach and admonish one another with wisdom, using the message of Christ to help others grow in their faith.

Who do you know that needs a word of exhortation today? Take a moment to remind them to look to God, keep their eyes upward, and trust the outcome to Him. Your words of encouragement may be just what they need to succeed at their mission.

February 23 -- "When God Guides, God Provides"

 Today's Reading:  Genesis 24:1-28

"When God Guides, God Provides"

Genesis 24:26 is part of the story of how Isaac, the son of Abraham, met and married Rebekah. The verse states: "The man bowed down and worshiped the Lord and said, "Praise be to the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who has not abandoned his kindness and faithfulness to my master. As for me, the Lord has led me on the journey to the house of my master's relatives."

This verse is part of the account in which Abraham, concerned that Isaac should not marry a local woman, sends his servant to his homeland to find a wife for Isaac. The servant, after traveling to Mesopotamia, meets Rebekah, who is a distant relative of Abraham, and brings her back to Isaac. After the servant tells Isaac and Rebekah's family about his journey and how he found Rebekah, he bows down and worships the Lord, praising Him for His kindness and faithfulness to Abraham, and for leading him on the journey to find Rebekah.

This verse is significant because it shows the servant's faith and gratitude towards God. It also highlights how God's guidance and provision were crucial in finding a suitable wife for Isaac, and in fulfilling the promise to continue the line of descendants through Isaac.

It also shows that the servant acknowledges that the Lord has led him on his journey, underscores his faith in God, and his gratitude towards God, who provided him with everything he needed to accomplish his task.

The statement, "When God guides, God provides" is a common phrase that expresses the belief that when God guides us in a certain direction, He also provides for us along the way. It is a reminder that when we trust in God's guidance and follow His will for our lives, we can have confidence that He will also take care of our needs and provide for us.

This statement is based on several Bible passages that demonstrate the care and provision of God for those who trust in Him. For example, in Isaiah 58:11, it says "The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." This verse shows that when we follow God's guidance, He will satisfy our needs and provide for us in every situation.

February 22 -- "Sarah's Death and Abraham's Mourning"

 Today's Reading:  Genesis 23

"Sarah's Death and Abraham's Mourning"

Today's key verse is part of a story in which Sarah, the wife of Abraham, dies at the age of 127. After her death, Abraham goes to the city of Kiriath-arba, which is later known as Hebron, to mourn for her and to weep. Kiriath-arba is located in the land of Canaan, which is the land that God promised to give to Abraham and his descendants.

This verse is significant because it marks the passing of a key figure in the Bible, Sarah, who is the wife of Abraham, and the mother of Isaac, who is the son of the promise. It also marks the first time that the city of Kiriath-arba (Hebron) is mentioned in the Bible and it later becomes an important city for the Israelites.

It is also significant in that it shows the love and devotion that Abraham had for Sarah, and the depth of his grief at her passing. This verse also shows that Abraham was a man of faith, who trusted in God's promise, even in the midst of his grief.

The Bible has several passages that discuss mourning and grief, particularly in relation to the death of a loved one.

In Ecclesiastes 3:4 it says "a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance," this verse highlights that mourning and grief are natural and appropriate responses to the death of a loved one, and that God comforts those who mourn and grieve. It also teaches that God will provide beauty and joy in place of ashes and mourning, and that He will turn the grievers into "trees of righteousness," and in this way, they will display His glory.