< ?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>Bethel< ?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>

Genesis 35: 1-5

Jacob was not where he was with God at the time his sons finished destroying Shechem. JacobÕs sons, Simeon and Levi, were seeking revenge against Shechem because their sister Dinah was defiled. They served a good justice to Schechem as a revenge for their sisterÕs defilement, but their way of doing it was wrong. Genesis35:1, ÒThen God said to Jacob, ÔArise go up to Bethel and dwell there; and make an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you fled from the face of Esau your brother.ÓÕ For Jacob and his household, it has become a sinful land. Jacob has to return to the place of worship (Bethel). Jacob needed to get himself and household back to God. Are you still in a place of worship? Has any situation defiled your dwelling place? God wants to be in constant touch with you; He wants you to be in a place of worship. For Jacob to get up to Bethel there had to be adjustment. Genesis 35:2 ÒAnd Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, ÔPut away the foreign gods, that are among you, purify yourselves, and change you garments.Ó What has come before you and your God? Cleansing (personal and moral purity) is to be in place. Garment, which is how you portray yourself to the world, is to be of God. You have a need to reflect God. Jacob requested and made all the changes; they rose and moved as God required. Where are you from and your household? Arise; go up to Bethel (place of worship) and dwell.   

Delayed< ?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>

Matthew 25:1-13, John11:1-11

In the parable of the ten virgin, Jesus mentioned that during the course of their waiting, they all went to sleep. Matthew25:5, ÒBut while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.Ó  The wise ones and the foolish ones slumbered and slept. There was no exception. Sleeping was inevitable for them because they have waited too long. Many have been ridiculing the fact that Jesus is coming back. It has been about 2000 years of waiting, yet the Lord hasnÕt returned. Are you becoming weary waiting or expecting? Commit all your expectations into GodÕs hand. He will deliver it into your hand when His hand is ready to give it to you. Do you believe that Jesus is coming back again? If yes, you should disallow doubt concerning what you are expecting Him to do for you. Lazarus was only sick when Jesus heard the news. John 11:6, ÒSo, when Jesus heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was.Ó Jesus delayed LazarusÕs miracle. He wanted God to be glorified. In time of expectation, ignore delay; focus on the deliverer. He will do it at His own appointed time for His name to be glorified. Delay is not a denial. Jesus said it all in Matthew 25:13, ÒWatch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the son of Man is coming.Ó    

Open eyes< ?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>

Luke 24: 13-31

After the resurrection of Jesus, two were traveling to Emmaus. As they traveled, they conversed and reasoned about the resurrection of Jesus. In their journey, Jesus appeared to them, but they could not see Him. Luke24:16, ÒBut their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him.Ó Are you experiencing the same situation in your journey? Are you being blindfolded by your situation whenever Jesus draws near? Whenever sight is not functioning, the possibility of lack of direction is exceedingly high.The two followers did not know Him, so it was impossible for them to see Him. Can you imagine yourself having the Lord in your presence and not being able to know Him? How much time have you been spending in studying the Word of God? If indeed you have been spending time (in truth) studying, it will not be difficult for you to know when He draws near in your journey of struggle. It was way too late for those gentlemen to realize what they have been missing while they were walking with the Lord. He was about to vanish from their sight before their eyes were opened. Luke 24:31, ÒThen their eyes were open and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight.Ó Ask God to open your eyes of understanding so you will not wait too long before you know Him in every step of your journey.

Strength< ?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>

Psalm 27:14, 37:34, Isaiah 40:31

Do you have time? How many miles per hour have you been running in the past few days? You want to do this, you want to do that Ð itÕs all vanity. What you have forgotten is that your life is not in your hand. Your life is in the hand of the Almighty God. When your running back and forth is cut off, you will be off the track. Consider your life; think of where you have started and where you are going. Set up a schedule between you and God; wait on God because He waits for those that wait on Him. The God that is God is the Holy One who makes a way in the sea, and a path through the mighty water. Be strongly encouraged. No matter how strong you are, your strength will fail you soon, and you will be grounded. However, your only way out is to begin to wait on Him. If you have been waiting on Him for 30 minutes a day, it is time to increase it to an hour. As years goes by, go back to Him with increasing sacrifice. When waiting on Him becomes part of you, fainting and weariness shall not be identified in every area of your life.

Isaiah 40:31, ÒBut those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. The word of God is true if you will take to it. 

Light of God< ?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>

Psalm 119:129-136, John 8:12, 14:6,

Ask God that whatever is causing His word not to burn in you should cease this day. Whenever the word of God enters, and begins to burn, light will be generated. The light of God is what you need in this world that is clouded by darkness. With the light of God in you, direction will have its way; clarity will be your portion. Where men are falling, you will stand; where there is lack, you will see and not go through it. Anything that comes without a price is cheap. The light of man will not carry you through because the worldÕs world is cheap. The word of the world is like striking a match which blows off at slightest hiss of the wind. To have a light that is unquenchable by wind or storm, you have to play your part in what has been paid on the cross. It will cost you to spend time in the scripture. Consider spending time before Him on a consistent basis. Running helter-skelter will never help you. Psalm 119:130, ÒThe entrance of the word gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.Ó How can the word enter without spending time studying it? Also, the heart has to be simple enough for the word to generate light. Jesus is the way; the truth; and the life. What is the state of your heart? Let the word of God reign over your life; not the word of the world.