joseph

Talk about a life of betrayal and ups and downs.....woah. Joseph (Jacob's son) surely had his share.

Here is a guy who gets betrayed by so many people and still continued to look UP to God rather than getting angry, bitter and "even". He stayed faithful to God because he knew that He was with him through everything and God still expected him to do good things. He looked beyond his circumstance and forgave others.

I am sure it didn't all start just with the ornamental coat/robe Joseph's dad gave him (and pretty sure it looked a little better than my version).....but it definitely played a huge part in his brothers betraying him and selling him off as a slave. But, as God has always shown us......it was all part of His plan.

But Joseph told them, "Don't be afraid of me. Am I God, to judge and punish you. As far as I am concerned, God turned into good what you meant for evil. He brought me to the high position I have today so I could save the lives of many people. No, don't be afraid. Indeed, I myself will take care of you and your families. ~Genesis 50:19-21

jacob

Tonight's devotion is about Jacob's dream......Jacob was kinda on the run as he had not been the nicest of people and it was in his best interest to run away......So one night, Jacob fell asleep on a stone. He had a special dream.....where in the dream, he watched angels going up and down a ladder with God standing at the top. God reminded him of His promise to Jacob's grandfather (Abram) and father (Isaac). Those promises were meant for him too......promises of blessings and protection. He poured oil on the stone that he slept on, and declared that the place where it was set was now the House of God.....he also made his commitment to give God his first fruits
(tithing~a tenth of everything God gave him)


What's more, I will be with you, and I will protect you wherever you go. I will someday bring you safely back to this land. I will be with you constantly until I have finished giving you everything I have promised.~Genesis 28:15

isaac

OK, so I am going to be totally honest here......one story that I have a hard time understanding is the story of God asking Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. I know that sacrifices were brought to the altar to honor God, I totally get that. I know that sometimes when we sacrifice something that is very special/important to us.......such as money, time, etc.....and give it to someone else who needs/wants it......that is pleasing to Him as well. But to ask to sacrifice your own child? Eek!

I can honestly admit that I am not so sure I am truly can see where God is coming from. I am sure He had His reasons.....I guess that is why we are told that His ways are not our ways.

But what an amazing testimony of faith and obedience that Abraham shows by not asking questions (that I know of)....and going forward with this task.
Thankfully, we learn that the angel comes and stops Abraham right at the last second.....phew. The angel tells Abraham that he has proven his faith and fear of the Lord and will now be blessed beyond his wildest dreams! (well, those are my words, I am sure the angel didn't say it exactly like that)

Here is our stick bundle to represent the burnt offering. Another great lesson in this story is that God will always provide. As Abraham untied Isaac from the altar.....he noticed a ram with it's horns stuck in a thicket.....a perfect offering in place of his son. He named that place on the mountain Yahweh-Yireh (which means “the Lord will provide”).

This is what the Lord says: Because you have obeyed me and have not withheld even your son, your only son, I swear by my own name that, I will certainly bless you.I will multiply your descendants beyond number, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will conquer the cities of their enemies. ~Genesis 22:16-17

abraham and sarah

So of course this story is dear to *my* heart........God's promise to give Sarah and Abraham a son came to pass (despite their age). But this promise only happened when Sarah gave her desire over to God and His timing.

She gave birth to a little boy and named him Isaac which means "laughter" because having a baby at her old age was pretty funny if you think about it.

For the ornament, I tried to made a cradle and couldn't pull it off......so a quick trip to Michaels fixed that. I found this cute little scrapbook doohickey and couldn't resist. Pretty sure they didn't have onsies back then, but we can use our imagination.

"God has brought me laughter! All who hear about this will laugh with me" ~Genesis 21:6

abram

Tonight's devotion is the first part of Abram's (who God later changed his name to Abraham, but let's not get ahead of ourselves) life. It seems bizarre to say his first part because you need to wrap your head around this as he was already 75 years old. Anyway...God told Abram that he needed to pack up everything and leave his home. He promised him a great nation and many blessings. But this wasn't just a little trip to the next town.....this was a long hard trip that was a couple thousand miles across a desert. And we are not talking freight trains or planes......this was traveling with livestock, servants, and family on camels and living in tents along the way. They faced the elements as well as a famine. He must have had some serious faith to keep pushing forward on this trip, not even knowing what was in store for him. He was just doing as God has asked him to do.


Here is my tent to represent Abram's trip. Hopefully Abram lived in a much more sturdy structure. Mine was made from a piece of a leftover prefold diaper I had stashed away, twigs and raffia.

And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing ~Genesis 12:2