Circumcision Event Remembered - Acts 7:1-8

Then the Chief Priest said, what do you have to say for yourself?

Stephen replied, friends, fathers, and brothers, the God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was still in Mesopotamia, before the move to Haran, and told him, leave your country and family and go to the land I'll show you.

So he left the country of the Chaldees and moved to Haran. After the death of his father, he immigrated to his country where you now live, but God gave him nothing, not so much as a foothold. He did promise to give the country to him and his son later on, even though Abraham had no son at the time. God let him know that his offspring would move to an alien country where they would be enslaved and brutalized for four hundred years. 'But,' God said, I will step in and take care of those slaveholders and bring my people out so they can worship me in this place.

Then he made a covenant with him and signed it in Abraham's flesh by circumcision. When Abraham had his son Issac, within eight days he reproduced the sign of circumcision in him. Issac became father of Jacob, and Jacob father of twelve 'Father,' each faithfully passing on the covenant sign.

This High Priest was Caiphas, the same High Priest who had earlier questioned and condemned Jesus.

Stephen launched into along speech about Israel's relationship with God. From Old Testament history he showed that the Jews had constantly rejected God's message and his Prophets, and that this council had rejected the Messiah, God's Son. He made three main points (1) Israel's history is the history of God's acts in the world; (2) People worshiped God long before there was a temple; (3) Jesus death was just one more example of Israel's rebellion and rejection of God.

Stephen wasn't really defending himself. Instead, he took the offensive, seizing the opportunity to summarize his teaching about Jesus. Stephen was accusing these religious leaders failing to obey God's laws - the laws they prided themselves in following so meticulously. This was the same accusation Jesus had leveled against them. When we witness for Christ, we don't need to be on the defensive. Instead we can simply share our faith.

Reference summary used from The Message Bible and The Life Application Bible, KJV, Tyndale Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL

Thursday - Salvation is for All People - Isaiah 49:1-7 - 1/5/17

The Messiah & the object of advent. God promiseth his protection & success.

Verse 1 ... LISTEN, ... O isles unto me; & hearken, ye people, from far'

Isaiah 41:1 ... (God calleth upon idolaters to consider his power to aid his people.) KEEP silence before me, O island; & let the people renew their strength: let them come near; then let them speak: let us come near together to judgment.


Isaiah 49:1 ... The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.

Galatians 1:15 .. But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, & called me by his grace.


Isaiah 49:2 ... And he hath made ... my mouth like a sharp sword;

Hebrews 4:12 ... (the power of God's word.) For the word of God is quick, & powerful, & sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul & spirit, & of the joints & marrow, & is a discerner of the thoughts & intents of the heart.


Isaiah 49:2 ... in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, & made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me;

Isaiah 51:16 ... And I have put my words in thy mouth, & I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand, that I may plant the heavens, & lay the foundations of the earth, & say unto Zi'on, thou art my people.


Isaiah 49:3 ... And said unto me, ... Thou art my servant, O Is'ra-el, ...

Isaiah 42:1 ... (The servant of Jehovah.) BEHOLD my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my Spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gen'tiles.


Isaiah 49:3 ... in whom I will be glorified.

John 13:31 ... (The Son of man glorified.) Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, & God is glorified in him.


Isaiah 49:4 ... Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, & in vain: yet surely my judgment is with the LORD, & (my reward) my work with my God.


Ezekiel 3:19 ... Yet if thou warn the wicked, he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delievered thy soul.


Isaiah 49:5 ... And now, saith the LORD ... that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Ja'cob again to him (That Is'ra-el may be gathered to him, & I may)


Isaiah 49:5 ... be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, & my God shall be my strength.

Matthew 23:37 ... (Jesus' lamentation over Jerusalem.)


Isaiah 49:6 ... And he said, (Art thou lighten than that thou shouldest,) It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Ja'cob & to restore the preserved of Is'ra-el: I will also give thee for a ... light to the Gen'tiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.

Acts 13:47 ... (The Jews opposing & blaspheming, Paul & Barnabas turn to the Gentiles.) For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gen'tiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.


Isaiah 49:7 ... Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Is'ra-el & his Holy One, (to him that is despised in soul) to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorrent, to a servant of rulers,Kings shall see & armies, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, & the Holy One of Is'ra-el, & he shall choose thee.

Scripture reference used from The KJV Bible, SouthWestern Co., Nashville, TN

Vision Dreams: Jacob - Israel ... 10/27/2013 Sunday School Lesson

Sychar . Samaria . Jacob's Well . Living Water - Eternal Life . Genesis/Bereshith . Gospel of John . Issac . Esau . Rebekah . Jacob . Jabbok . Jacob - Israel . Peniel . Padan-aram . Israel . Abraham . Bethel . Canaan . Bethuel . Laban . Beer-sheba . Haran . Luz . Promises . Sunday School Lesson

The Sunday School Lesson is shared from Genesis/Bereshith 21:1a,10-22 (Devotional Reading: John 4:1-15; Background Scripture: Genesis 27:19-29; 28:1-4,10-22; 32:22-30; 35:9-15) for October 27, 2013.

Sychar, a village at the foot of Mount Ebal in Samaria, near Jacob's well; now Iskar.

Samaria (Shomeron) (watch tower) visited by Christ. Capital of the Kingdom of the Ten Tribes. To the east are the ruins of the Church of St. John, with its ancient Hebrew tombs.

Issac, marries Rebecca, blesses his sons, his death.

Esau, son of Issac, sells his birthright, deprived of the blessing, his anger against Jacob, & reconciliation. (His descendants: Genesis 36; I Chronicles 1:35).

Rebekah or Rebecca, history of: Genesis 22; 24:15,67; 27:6,42; 49:31; Romans 9:10

Jacob (he supplants), obtains the blessing, sent to Padan-aram, vision & vow, vision of God's host, prayer, wrestles with an angel, reconciled with Esau, builds an altar.

Jacob's Well, a fountain near Shechem.

Jabbok (pouring out), a river on the east side of the Jordan.

Jacob - Israel (God fights), Jacob so called.

Peniel or Penuel (face of God), a place on the east of Jordan, scene of Jacob's wrestling with an angel.

Bethuel (house of God).

Laban, hospitable. Gave Jacob his two daughters. Envies & oppresses him. (Made a Covenant with him: Genesis 31:43).

Haran (mountainous), Jacob flees to Laban at.

Luz (almond tree), ancient name of Bethel.


Genesis 28 ... Jacob is blessed, & sent to Padan-aram: his vision & God's promise in a dream. The stone at Beth-el. Jacob's vow. ... Issac blesseth Jacob & sendeth him to Padan-aram. Esau marrieth Mahalath, the daughter of Ishamel. The vision of Jacob's ladder.


Genesis 28:1a,10-12

Verse 1 ... The Family; The Institution & Laws of Marriage; Marriages with Gentiles, Objected to

Verses 10,11 ... Civil & Social Life; Manners & Customs; Travelling, Sleeping Out of Doors

Verse 12 ... Mediums & Methods of Revelation; Dreams & Their Interpretations; Jacob's Dream

(Genesis 28:2; 27:41; 11:1-9 ... Reference Scriptures in Sunday School Book)

Verses 13-17

Verses 13,14,15 ... Mediums & Methods of Revelation; Dreams & Their Interpretations; Jacob's Dream

Verse 15 ... The Upright are Blessed & Prospered (Prosperity means different things to different individuals)

Verses 16,17 ... Sacred Places; Altars & Holy Places; Memorial Pillars of Stone, To Mark the Place of a Vision

(Galatians 3:8; Genesis 35:6; Isaiah 6:5)


Verses 18-22

Verse 18 ... Sacred Places; Altars & Holy Places; Memorial Pillars of Stone, To Mark the Place of a Vision

Verse 19 ... Other Nations; The Canaanites; Gentile Names of Places in Canaan

Verses 20,21,22 ... Sacred Rites & Forms; Covenants, Vows, & Oaths; Instances of Vows, by Jacob

Verse 20 ... Food & Clothing Provided for the Lord's Children

Verse 22 ... Sacred Rites & Forms; Taxes For Sacred Purposes; Tithes, Vowed by Jacob.

(Genesis 12:8; 35:1-15; Joshua 16:2; 18:13; Genesis 35:6-7; 25:29-34; 33:18)


Monday - October 21, 2013 - One Greater than Jacob - John 4:1-15

Christ revealeth himself to a woman of Samaria.


Tuesday - October 22, 2013 - The Plot to Gain a Blessing - Genesis 27:1-10

Issac sendeth Esau for vension. Jacob instructed by Rebekah, obtaineth the blessing.


Wednesday - October 23, 2013 - Planning the Deception - Genesis 27:11-17

Rebekah instructeth Jacob to obtain the blessing. Jacob under the person of Esau obtaineth it.


Thursday - October 24, 2013 - A Blessing Gained through Deceit - Genesis 27:18-29

Look under '10/23/2013'


Friday - October 25, 2013 - Jacob Received God's Blessing - Genesis 32:22-30

He sendeth a present to Esau; he wrestleth with an angel at Peniel, & is called Israel.


Saturday - October 26, 2013 - Jacob's Name Changed to Israel - Genesis 35:9-15

God blesseth him there.


Sunday - October 27, 2013 - God's Assurance for Jacob - Genesis 28:1a,10-22


Scripture reference used/taken from: The International Teacher's Handy Bible Encyclopedia/Concordance KJV Precious Promise Bible & KJV Topical Edition Bible

2013 Preview & 2007: Vision of Jacob's Ladder Sunday School Lesson

2013 Preview of the Sunday School Lesson for October 27, 2013:

Vision Dreams ... Devotional Reading: John 4:1-15; Background Scripture: Genesis/Bereshith: 27:19-29; 28:1-4,10-22; 32:22-30; 35:9-15 & Sunday School Lesson Text: Genesis/Bereshith 28:1a,10-22

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Genesis/Bereshith 24: Abraham sendeth his servant to get a wife for his son Issac: he obtaineth Rebekah; Issac meeteth her.

Genesis/Bereshith 25:9 Issac and Ishmael bury Abraham in the cave of Mach-pe-lah

Genesis/Bereshith 25: The sons of Abraham by Keturah: his age and death. The generations of Ishmael. The birth of Esau and Jacob. Esau selleth his birthright.

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I have not checked the links as of 2013, that I have shared in this article. But at the time they were accurate and Christian links.



10-14-07 Sunday School Lesson

Background Scripture: Genesis 27:41-28:22, Lesson Scripture: Genesis 28:10-22

10-21-07 Sunday School Lesson --- Story of Love - Jacob & Rachel (Background Scripture: Genesis 29:1-35) Lesson Scripture: Genesis 29:20-35.

Before I go unto the lesson I know that you know what Issac & Ishmael (Abraham's sons) did together.

Genesis 25:9 -- Abraham's sons "Issac" & "Ishmael" buried Abraham in the cave of Machpelah.

Esau(Edom) had three (3) wives ... Genesis 36:1-3.

To be honest I do not know how to tell anyone how to deal with dreams ... I would say it would have to line up with the Word of God-Bible.

Can you pay close attention to a dream-vision? Maybe yes or no. Joel 2:28 & Acts 2:17.

Something that was on my mind -- now I am not saying that it relates to the sunday school lesson but it was on my mind ---

http://whatofthewatchman.org/pr02.htm -- 8/01 -- A Prophetic Call to Sound the Shofar (Abrabram's Son -- Issac's Descendant)

http://www.praiseteamegypt.com --- Praise Team in Egypt -- Christian Arabs --- Abraham's Son -- Ishmael Descendant) ( http://www.praiseteamegypt.com/index.pl/family -- 3 or 4 years if not longer)the end........ now I will go back to the sunday school lesson.

Genesis 28:10-22

Key Verse -- And, behold, "I" am with thee, & will "keep" thee in all places whither thou goest, & will "bring" thee again into this land: for "I" will not leave thee "until" I have done that which I have spoken to thee of (Genesis 28:15)

Mediums & Methods of Revelations -- Dreams & Their Interpretations -- Jacob's Dreams

"I" -- Genesis 13:14 -- The Hebrews God's Chosen People -- Canaan Promised

"keep" -- Genesis 48:16 -- Angels, God's angels, The Angel of the LORD, OR, of God -- Identified with God

"bring" -- Genesis 35:6 -- Sacred Places -- Altars & Holy Places -- Patriarchal (In Biblical Times -- Father, Ruler, Founder of a Family or tribe) Altars

"I" -- I Kings 8:57 -- Duties to God -- Pleading in Prayer -- By Good Works to Come

"until" -- Numbers 23:19 -- Works of God -- The Purposes of God -- God's Purposes, Eternal & Immutable (unchangedable)

How long is Eternal? Forever ... unlimited TIME ...

Genesis 28:10-22

Verse 10 -- And Jacob went out from Beer-sheba, & went toward Haran.

Civil & Social Life -- Travelling -- Sleeping Out of Doors

Beer-sheba -- Jacob comforted there (Genesis 46:1) Haran -- mountainous. Jacob flees there (Genesis 28:10)

Leave/flee/run. Think twice before you trick someone. Jacob had to leave/flee/run away from home for he was afraid of what Esau would do to him since he tricked their father into giving him the birthright/blessing. Mother's love their children and will do all they can to protect them/provide for them.. she learned that Esau had plans to harm her favorite son, so she had him to flee/run. Jacob had to flee/run to save his life.

Issac told Jacob to find him a wife in Haran. Haran -- was the same place where Rebekah came from.

Question -- Food for Thought --- Have you ever wondered why sometime that there will be available females to marry in the same place that a male is in and he will go and get a wife from away from his home and or local area?

Verse 11 -- And he lighted upon a certain place ... & tarried there ... all night ... & he took the stones of that place ... & put them for his pillows ... & lay down in that place to sleep.

Civil & Social Life -- Travelling -- Sleeping Out of Doors

"certain place" ........ stones was his pillow that Jacob laid his head on outside

Verses 12, 13, 14, 15 --- Mediums & Methods of Revelations -- Dreams & Their Interpretations -- Jacob's Dream

And he dreamed ... and behold a ladder set up on the earth ... & the top of it reached to heaven ... & behold the angels of God ascending (came down/coming down) ... & decending on it.

And ... behold ... the LORD stood above it ... & said ... I am the LORD God of Abraham thy Father ... and the God of Issac ... the land whereon thou liest ... to thee will I give it ... & to thy seed.

And thy seed (children, children's children, etc.) shall be as the dust of the eart ... & thou shalt spread abroad ... to the east ... & to the north ... & to the south ... & in thy seed shall ... all ... the families of the earth ... be blessed.

And, behold I am with thee ... & will keep thee in all places whither thou goest ... & will bring thee again into this land ... for I will not leave thee ... until ... I have done ... that which I have ... spoken to thee of.

God's angels, messengers of God, good angels, move at God's command

Can you imagine how Jacob felt? Looking up at the top of a stairway/ladder & see the LORD standing fromn heaven to earth? God spoke to Jacob and told him who HE was .. God made it plain.

Abraham & Issac was promised the land that he was lying on ... had slept on. His family line would be too great to count -- compared to dust on earth.

God spoke & said that they would return to their land -- home.

Food for Thought --This is a personal question. Have you ever had to flee/leave/run away from home? Jesus said a prophet is without honor in his own country.

Jesus Christ --- seed of David, seed of Jacob (Galatians 3:16 -- Prophecies concerning Jesus Christ/Yeshua)

Verses 16,17,18 -- Sacred Places -- Altars & Holy Places -- Memorial Pillars of Stone -- To Mark the Place of a Vision

And Jacob awaked ... out of his sleep ... & he said ... Surely the LORD ... is in this place ... & I knew it not.

And he was afraid ... and said ... How dreadful is this place? ... this is none other than the House of God ... & this is the gate of heaven.

And Jacob rose up early in the morning ... & took the stone ... that he had put for his pillows ... & set it up for a pillar ... & poured ... oil ... upon the top of it.

After Jacob woke up he knew he had been in God's presence. He found out that the LORD was where he was -- In this place

Wisdom -- Proverbs 9:10 --- The fear of the LORD, is the beginning of Wisdom.

Jacob recognized where he was -- it was the house of the LORD.

Jacob dedicated the place he slept at ... for holy purposes ... holy ground. Jacob poured "oil" on the ground as to anoint it.

holy anointing oil -- Exodus 30:31 -- Sacred Rites & Forms -- Inauguration of the Hebrew Sacrifical System -- The Holy Anointing Oil

Joel 2:28 -- The Pentecostal Beginning, Promised

Acts 2:17 -- The Pentecostal Beginning, Realized

Acts 2:17 -- It shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh: & your sons & your daughters shall prophesy, & your young men shall see visions, & your old men shall dream dreams:

Genesis 28:10-22

Verse 19 -- he called the name of that place Beth-el: but the name of the city was called Luz at first.

Other Nations -- The Canaanites -- Gentile Names of Places in Canaan

Bethel -- house of God (Genesis 28:19 -- Jacob's vision there; II Kings 2:2, 3 -- prophet's dwell there)

Luz -- almond tree, ancient name of Bethel

As you noticed there was no worship house/church/temple where Jacob slept -- where Jacob dreamed for he was outside on the ground.

Verses 20, 21, 22 -- Sacred Rites & Forms -- VOWS -- Instances of Vows by Jacob

And Jacob vowed a vow ... saying, If God will be with me ... & keep me ... in the way that I go ... & will give me bread to eat ... & raiment to put on,

So that I come again ... to my father's house in peace ... there shall the LORD be my God.

And the stone ... which I have set for a pillar ... shall be God's house ... & of all that thou shalt give me ... I will surely give the tenth unto thee.

VOW -- promise. Be careful what you promise the LORD, this is serious business.

Question -- Food for Thought --- What did Jacob promise the LORD?

Jacob did not ask the LORD for riches, fame, nor fortune ... he asked God for bread (food to eat) & raiment (clothing to wear). Jacob promised to give God a tithe (10th - 10 percent) back to the LORD.

Jacob was telling the LORD if you keep your arm/hand of protection on me then you will be my God. (Daniel in the Lion's Den knew that God could deliver him -- God would have still been God if HE did not deliver Daniel as well)

Scripture reference taken from:

KJV, Topical Reference Bible, Bible Crusade Publishers, Mt. Juliet, TN

KJV, Precious Promise Bible

Hot Chocolate For The Spirit: Book Review

I reviewed this book, I think before 2005.

There's nothing better than setting down with a hot cup of chocolate, especially on a cold, dreary night. It's soothing & warms the insides through & through.

May you also begin to experience the victorious life Jesus came to give you.

Remember the Israelites? It was a short journey from the Red Sea to Canaan, the Promised Land. God had delivered the Israelites from Slavery in Egypt, & in Canaan the Israelites would be free to serve & worship HIM.

Then they wandered for forty years.

Someone shared this Biblical Truth with the author, & she realized she was "wandering in the wilderness." Her book is a product of her decision to become unstuck.

Are you wandering in the wilderness?

Whatever you desire, it will take faith in God for changes in your life to happen.

Make a list of your goals & vision if you haven't already. Make a list of the tasks you do daily, weekly, monthly & yearly to reach your mission.

Keep this list handy & pray over it each day. Find a scripture that aligns with each of your goals & pray those verses daily.

John 8 reveals two sides of God's LOVE.

The chapter begins with a woman caught in the act of adultery. The Scribes & Pharisees bring her to Jesus & tell him about her sin. According to the law of Moses, she deserves death by stoning.

Jesus said ... He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her (John 8:7). One by one they walked away.

Jesus asked the woman, where are thine accusers? Jesus said unto her, go, & sin no more (John 8:10-11).

Love is tender & it is sometimes tough. Love forgives & it also confronts.

Moving higher means growing up, & in order to grow up there must be a separation.

Abraham, Issac, & Jacob all went through a separation process & reaped great rewards.

Abraham left his family & caught the vision of a Promised Land & descendants who became innumerable as the stars.

Issac, Abraham's son, left familiar surroundings & traveled to Egypt. There God prospered him in the middle of a famine.

Jacob's greed & selfishness drove him to deceive. To help him escape the wrath of his brother, Jacob's parents sent him away.

The transformation in Jacob was so great that God changed his name from Jacob(trickster) to Israel(Prince of God).

Separation is challenging & painful, but let God have HIS way.

There is a parable in Luke 18 that reveals a key to getting our prayers answered. In verse one Jesus told this parable to encourage men to keep praying & never faint.

Jesus asks if - a man who had no reverence for God & no consideration for people - will help someone because of their persistence, how much more will God respond to you, HIS very own child whom HE loves dearly?

We should never beat ourselves up. God forgives when we ask, once we repent. We should learn from our mistakes.

Jesus said in John 15:5 that without HIM we can do nothing.

Pray Psalm 150 -- Praise ye the LORD, Praise God in HIS sanctuary ... Praise him for HIS mighty acts ... Praise HIM with the sound of the trumpet ... Let every thing that hath breath praise th LORD.

The author shared she's had several opportunities to move past her comfort zone.

II Kings 7: The city of Samaria had been surrounded by the army of Syria. The prophet Elisha foretold that the city would have relief within one day.

Four lepers sat on the outskirts of the city talking among themselves.

So, they decided upon a bold plan. They would visit the Syrian camp.

When the lepers arrived at the camp no one was there! II Kings 7:6-7 tells us the LORD caused a great noise that sounded like a mighty army approaching. The Syrians had panicked & fled into the night, leaving behind their belongings.

Leaps of faith aren't easy.

Taking a leap of faith will mean different things to different people.

God has appointed you to reach out & touch the life of at least one person.

One night the author dreamed she was in prison along with several friends. Her friends decided to break out.

Terrified of the bulldogs that guarded the place, she wasn't in agreement with their plan. Her companions were not afraid.

But as they walked towards the gate that would take them beyond the prison walls, the bulldogs cleared the path for them. They walked through & were not harmed in any way.

The author feels God spoke to her through her dream -- if she responded to HIS guidance with faith & boldness, the "bulldogs" in her life would move aside.

Has a bad experience made you fearful?

Our good works should flow out from our communion with God.

Jesus said the second greatest commandment is to love others as you love yourself.

Take time to renew & refresh.

The Bible is our blueprint.

Living a Godly life is a fight, & we need every piece of information we can get our hands on.

We should strive to do a first-rate job in whatever we are involved with. Someone may be watching.

God is certainly watching. The Bible tells us to do everything as unto the LORD.

The author shares she's been through the ups & downs. And, boy have she shed a lot of tears. Through it all, she shares there has been one thing that sustained her: hope.

Karin Peavy is the author of Hot Chocolate For The Spirit. A rich, meaningful book. Shares on dealing with difficult transitions. Comfort for your heart throughout every season of your life.