The Change that God can bring

Psalm 34:8Psalm 34:8: Taste and see that the L ORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him 1 Peter 2:3 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

Jacob’s Life (Genesis 27 to 33 ch)  Jacob deceives his brother Esau and grabs from him the first born birth right and he runs away from him  He goes to his maternal uncle’s place i.e., Paddana aram.  On the way he saw a dream at Bethel where he sees angels descending and ascending on a ladder laid out between heaven and earth and God speaks to him and says I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” (Gen 28:15)  He joins his uncle’s family. He serves his uncle for 20 years in order to marry both his daughters and for his flock.  When he realized that his father-in-law is scheming to harm him, he runs away from there and he sets on a journey to return to his father’s place without informing his father-in- law since he was scared.

Jacob’s Life (Genesis 27 to 33 ch) contd…  But his father-in law chased him and met him few days later with an intention to harm him but could not do so as he was instructed by God on the way. So he meets with him, makes a treaty at a place called Galeed. It was also called Mizpah. That they both cannot cross that pillar they have erected as a remembrance.  From there on the way to the promised land, he sends some messengers with some gifts to his brother Esau  But he came to know that his brother Esau is coming towards him with 400 men in order to attack him  He divides his whole household into 2 camps and sent them separately ahead of him.  And he stays alone to spend a night with God to seek his help.  He was in great distress and fear. He can’t go back or further

Jacob’s Encounter with God Genesis 32: “24 So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered. Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.”

The Four step process God took Jacob through 1)Crisis Psalm 119:71Psalm 119:71 It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees 2)Commitment Gen 32: 26 Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” 3) Confession Gen 32: 27 The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered Mark 9:24: Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

The Four step process God took Jacob through 4) Cooperation Gen 32: 28 Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, [a] because you havea struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.” 29 Jacob said, “Please tell me your name.” But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed him there.

We have Godly encounters during our Our quiet times with God daily, A day set apart just to be with God Prayer meetings we attend. In fact, we would be having a special meeting this coming Tuesday right in this hall from 9pm to 12 am. Perhaps God would want to visit you in a unique way Cell group meetings we attend Even Sunday services, you can have encounter with God FC retreats, family camps, various other camps

The transforming power of Jesus Ephesians 1:7-20: 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding,9 ……… 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms