Podcast Introduction

Our reading today is Genesis 28-31, and I’m calling the episode “Let’s Get Together.” 

After my comments, we will of course learn what happened “On This Day In Church History.” and I have a praise to share with you.

Comments on Genesis 31

One of the things I like about doing this show is re-reading the scriptures, because when I’m preparing the show, I read with a heart that really wants to hear from God as to what I should say to you. And sometimes, God meets me in a very powerful way. What I mean is that oftentimes, as I study I note the things that sort of stand out to me as possible things to talk about. And then after I’ve read the chapters for the day, I look back at my notes, and the things that are still interesting to me are the ideas that I study further, and they’re usually the things I talk to you about.

But sometimes. Sometimes I’ll be reading the chapters and writing notes, and then I’ll read a bit further and WHAM! God just really makes a verse hit me like never before. And then I’ll dig in and dive deep. And God and I have a marvelous time together. I often have to stop for several minutes just to offer Him praise and worship. Sometimes it’s just overwhelming. 

Beloved, I’m telling you this for two reasons. 

1. I want to encourage you to approach reading God’s Word with an expectant heart. With a heart that truly wants to hear from God. If you do that, I promise He’ll show up. Don’t be in a rush. Just take your time and read to understand. If you don’t understand what you’re reading, use some of the great resources that are available online. Commentaries from well-respected scholars, Bible dictionaries, etc. The more you understand about what you’re reading, the better God can talk to you. I promise you, any time you invest in studying will be oh-so-worth-it.
2. This happened to me again today as I was studying for this episode. I was taking notes on each of the chapters, and then when I got to chapter 31, verse 13 and read, “I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed the pillar and where you made a vow to Me,” I was overwhelmed with emotion and love for this amazing God we serve. 

Most of you are Christians. You’re believers. You’ve accepted Jesus into your life. Do you remember when you did that? When you committed your life to Him? I’ll bet you do. It’s probably a cherished memory. 

Thoughts on Genesis 31

In chapter 31 in our reading today, God appeared to Jacob in a dream and, among other things, He said, “I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed the pillar and where you made a vow to Me.” God was reminding Jacob of the time, many years before…when he was on his way to live with Laban…when God showed him the ladder that went up to heaven.

How good it is to be reminded of times that God spoke to us. 

I do not remember the exact date or year when I gave my heart to God. But I remember the place. It was a little Southern Baptist church in Rowland Heights, CA. Our pastor, W.L. Watson was preaching a message, and I realized that even though I believed that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that He died for my sins, I had never invited Him to BE my Lord and Savior. I couldn’t wait for the sermon to end and for him to give the invitation. And when he did, still I hesitated. My friends were there, after all! They thought that I was a Christian. How could I go forward? What would they think? But the Holy Spirit kept urging me to go forward. I hesitated. He said, “Do it now.” Still I hesitated. And the next thing I knew, I was walking to the front of that little church. And that morning my eternity was forever changed. Hallelujah!

I vividly remember when God spoke to me when I was repairing windshields at Raceway Ford and asked Him if there was anything more I could do for Him. He said, “Proclaim my name.” I asked Him what that meant. “Proclaim my name,” was His reply. I asked Him if He meant to do something with the graphics I had been doing for Calvary Temple. “Proclaim my name,” was His reply.

And then a few weeks later, I took Steven and Timothy camping with the Cub Scouts in Joshua Tree National Park. One night, sleeping in our tent, God woke me at about 2:30 in the morning and told me that He wanted me to create the Lifespring! Podcast. He filled my mind with thoughts and ideas for the first Christian podcast. I pray I never lose that memory. 

“You remember, some of you, perhaps, the first time when pardoning love was revealed to you — when you were brought to see the love of God in the great atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Well, to-night, the Lord says to you, ‘I am the same God as you have ever found me. I have not changed. I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed, even as your father Jacob was not consumed; for I was even to him the selfsame God.’” (Spurgeon)

When Jacob told Leah and Rachel about his dream, and that God had told him to return to his home. Their response was, “Whatever God has said to you, do it.” This was no small thing. They had always lived close to their father. Making such a move was filled with uncertainty, and possibly even danger. But they trusted God and their husband.

After my dream in Joshua Tree, I told LeeAnn what God had told me. And her response was, “Whatever God has said to you, do it.” Our lives were forever changed. Without LeeAnn’s support, I would not have been able to do this podcast. Without her support, I would not have been able to the LSFAB seven days a week. It is because of her great faith in God, that I can do this. I am eternally thankful for this woman of God in my life!

Beloved, if you are a believer, and you’ve not yet had an experience that you can look back on and know that it was a “God moment”, a time where you felt the powerful presence of God, don’t despair. 

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:13 ESV

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

Matthew 7:7 ESV

Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.

Psalm 9:10

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Hebrews 11:6 ESV

That day when I asked God if there was anything else I could do for Him, I was not expecting my life to change. I was not expecting to hear from Him in the way I did. But my heart was in a place of worship and adoration. God knows our heart. 

If you earnestly seek Him, He will meet you.

Have you had an experience with God? Would you share it with me? I would love to hear about it. Tell me about it below.

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 28 CEB, Ch. 29-30 NKJV, Ch. 31 NLV

Support

This a value for value podcast. There are no advertisers because advertising equals censorship. If you enjoy the Lifespring One Year Bible Rewind, decide how much value it brings to you. Only you can make that determination. Then put a number on the value and donate here: SUPPORT.

The Team

Transcript Correction: Lifespring Family Berean, Sister Denise
Podcasting 2.0 Chapters: Lifespring Family Berean, Brother Sean of San Pedro and Lifespring Family Berean, Brother Michael Haner
Show Art: Lifespring Family Berean, Brother Scott Snider and Lifespring Family Berean Jason Paschall
Newsletter Publisher: Lifespring Family Berean, Sister Brittaney

Transcript

Transcript not corrected.