Day 32 --- Genesis 36-38 - Matthew 21:1-22

Day 32 --- Genesis 36-38 - Matthew 21:1-22
I was in the play Joseph and the Technic colored dream coat when i was younger, but no i know the whole story by reading genesis 37. Joseph was Jacob's son and he favored him over all the other children. The brothers were jealous of Joseph and hated him. Joseph had dreams about his brothers bowing down to him and this made his brothers mad. They stripped Joseph of his robe and sold him to Midianites.

Jesus said, 22 "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."

Day 31 --- Genesis 33-35 - Matthew 20:17-34

Day 31 --- Genesis 33-35 - Matthew 20:17-34

Jacob met with his brother Esau. God changed Jacob's name to Isreal and Jacob named the land in which God did this, Bethel. Rachel died giving child birth to Benjamin and she was buried.
Jesus predicts his death to the disciples and he Jesus healed blind men because he felt compassion for them. I try so hard to be compassionate with people just as Jesus does.

Day 30 --- Genesis 31-32 - Matthew 20:1-16

Day 30 --- Genesis 31-32 - Matthew 20:1-16

It is amazing that I have already done this for 30 days and I really enjoy doing this. I find myself thinking of my readings and trying to relate them to my life.
In Genesis, Jacob made a deal with Laban and fled with his Animals. He is awaiting his brother Esau's presence and is fearful of his presence.
There is a great parody in Matthew telling what the Kingdom of Heaven is like. No matter who was there first or who is there last we are all equal and worthy of the kingdom

16"So the last will be first, and the first will be last."

Genesis 29-30 Matthew 1

Day 29: Genesis 29-30 Matthew 19 May 3
I also learned of this story in my geography class, it so amazing that even if you do not have religious views, the history of religion will always be a part of you. Jacob (son of Isaac) wanted to marry Rachel, her father Laban told him that if he worked for him for 7 years then Rachel would be his bride. Jacob followed his commitment and when his work was finished he married Leah. Jacob was upset because he was not in love with Leah, but Laban said that Leah was older than Rachel and it was against their rules to marry the younger one. Laban told Jacob if he works for another 7 years he can have Leah and Rachel. He agreed and married both, God saw that Leah was ignored and Jacob did not love her, so he blessed her with children and Rachel was barren. This part of the bible is hard to grasp because our lives are not like this in this century. It became a competition between Rachel and Leah and they had Jacob marry their maidservants to have children with them on behalf of Leah and Rachel.
I could talk about this verse forever, 4"Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,'[a] 5and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'[b]? 6So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."
This verse means a lot to me when I read it. Chadd and I have gone through things in our lives that no one can understand and it was between us. When we married we married for better for worse and it was not just a legal document. Our marriage was a commitment to God that we will be united as one flesh and through God we will prosper.
23Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." It does not matter how much treasures we have on Earth, money and fame will not get us a ticket to Eternal Life. That is what Jesus was telling the disciples, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of the needle.
My favorite verse was in this passage, 26Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.


I watched a movie called Fireproof today, excellent movie and recommended for married couples and finding faith in the Lord in your marriage.

Day 28 : Genesis 27-28 Matthew 18: 21-35 May 2
In my geography class at Weber I learned about “firstborn.” If someone dies their land goes to the first born from the womb, but if he chooses he can give it to who is well deserved of it. When Isaac was sick he wanted to bless Esau, but Rebekah wanted Jacob to be blessed so she disguised Jacob to smell and feel like Esau to trick Isaac. Isaac then blessed Jacob, thinking it was Esau.
I had to included all of Matthew that I read because It focuses on forgiveness and having mercy upon one another. I think it is a powerful scripture with a lot of lessons in it.
21Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?"
22Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.[a]
23"Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents[b] was brought to him. 25Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
26"The servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.' 27The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
28"But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii.[c] He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded.
29"His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.'
30"But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened.
32"Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' 34In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
35"This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."

Genesis 25-26 - Matthew 18:1-20

Day 27 --- Genesis 25-26 - Matthew 18:1-20 May 1
The Lord appeared to Isaac and told him not to live in Egypt and to live in the place he tells him too. Isaac followed the Lord and lived in Gerar. When the men of Gerar asked him about his wife Rebekah and denied her and told them she was his sister. When he was caught caressing his wife through a window he was questioned why he lied. Isaac told them he did not want to die because his wife was so beautiful. Abimelech told everyone that if Isaac or Sarah were molested they would be put to death.
Jesus spoke and told the disciples that whoever humbles himself like a child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. He said if anyone causes a child who believes in Jesus to sin it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. If your hand or foot causes you to sin cut it off and throw it away. If your eye causes you to sin then gouge it out.
I always love hearing stories on how the Lord changes lives. An older couple we sit with at dinner on the cruise ship are big Christians and they always say grace with us before prayer. He told us later he was in the Hells Angels for 22 years until he found the Lord. God is amazing and can change your life around if you let him in.

Genesis 23-24 Matthew 17

Day 26 --- Genesis 23-24 - Matthew 17 April 30
Abraham’s wife Sarah died and Abraham buried her. Abraham was aging fast and made his servant promise to find a wife for his son that was not a daughter of the Cannannites. The servant found Rebekah and she gave him a drink, his camels a drink, and a place to stay. She was the one for Isaac. Rebekah came with the servant and married Isaac in the tent of his mother Sarah.
Jesus took Peter, James, and John with him up a high mountain. Out of the clouds a voice spoke and said, “ This is my son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” The disciples were frightened and Jesus told them to not fear and not to tell anyone what they have seen until the son of man has been raised from the dead. Jesus told them that the Son of Man will be betrayed into the hands of men and on the third day he will be raised to life.