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JACOB HAVE I LOVED

The Jewish patriarch, Isaac, had two sons who were twins.  Esau was the firstborn and Jacob was born right on Esau’s heels because scripture tells us that he took hold of Esau’s heel as his mother, Rebekah, was birthing him and, so, he delivered immediately after.  “And when her [Rebekah’s] days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb.  And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau.  And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau’s heel; and his name was called Jacob : and Isaac was threescore years old when she [Rebekah] bare them.” (Genesis 25:24-26).   The two boys couldn’t have been any different from one another.   It was not just their appearance, but their personalities and inclinations were also quite different.   Scripture says, “…Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents.” (v. 27).   Esau ...
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DISCIPLESHIP

Recently, during my devotions, the Lord led me to a verse that I had read many times before, and thought I understood well.  This time, though, the Lord let me see something rather surprising about His intention for us as believers, and the seriousness of the call that He has placed on us as Christians.   The scripture is in St. Matthew 14, right after the account of the miraculous feeding of the 5,000.   It reads, “ And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before Him unto the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.” (Matthew 14:22). There are two tasks that the Lord is directing in this verse: He is sending His disciples across the sea ahead of Him, and He is dismissing, or sending away, the multitude.   The Lord seems very deliberate in accomplishing these two tasks; and, so He was, for He did nothing that was not intentional.   Everything had plan and purpose.   We see in His actions, therefore, a clear sep...
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THE STRAIT GATE

Years ago, before I retired from the place where I had worked for 42 years, a co-worker and I were walking down a long aisle toward the time clock to punch out for the day.   As we came to the end of this long aisle there was a door with a sign on it that read, “Do Not Enter, Authorized Personnel Only.”   As we approached the door, I thought to tell my friend that “…at the end of life’s long pathway, there is also a door that says, ‘Do Not Enter, Authorized Personnel Only.’   Do you know if you have been authorized to enter in?”   It is a question that we must all ask ourselves at some point in our lifetime.  So, what does authorize us to enter heaven?  The answer is simple.  Jesus said, “I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” (John 10:9).  The door to heaven is a who, and not a what !  Many are convinced that if their good deeds outweigh their bad, then they will make it ...
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