Genesis 27:1-29
This Is a Mess!
 
Rebekah instigated and plotted the masquerade. Jacob piled lie on lie to deceive. Esau despised his birthright. Isaac was ruled by his physical appetites. All were messed up people. As Pastor Shannon aptly expressed it, the claws of sin had dug into each one. Can I admit that this is true of me too, even as a Christian? Lord, help me apply the gospel, the power for salvation, to my daily failures. Do Your work in and through me. May nonbelievers in this messed-up world see Your grace and mercy through my life.
 
Pastor Shannon noted that no one in this narrative sought out God or called out to Him for wisdom and help. Each one seemed determined to go it alone, without God. This is a prime way we humans mess things up! What issue or problem or decision do you face that you have not laid before the Lord in prayer, asking for His guidance and preparing yourself to obey? Do it today.
 
God had ordained that the older son, Esau, would serve the younger son, Jacob. The machinations of this sinful, messed-up family could not thwart God’s sovereign will. Think of a person you know who has been seriously wronged, who has suffered at the hands of someone working against God’s will and ways. (Maybe it’s you, yourself.) Remember that God has the sovereign power to redeem wrong and use it for good. Pray that this person will witness transformation in his or her own life, that victimhood would become testimony.
 
Calvary Family
 
Fall FunFest, our outreach to the local community, is less than three weeks away. Ask the Lord to provide everything needed for a successful event – as He defines success. Even as final preparations are under way, pray that our neighbors who attend will sense the love and joy of our community of believers.
 
Sunday was Church Multiplication Sunday in our EFCA denomination. Pray for EFCA efforts to evangelize and disciple by planting new churches in the U.S. and around the world. Click here to read stories of church planting on the EFCA website.
 
A blog reader shares his heartfelt prayer with all of us:  Dear Heavenly Father, I cannot be thankful enough for Your will in my life and how You give me the courage to spread Your word and praise Your name. Thank You for the great gift of fellowship here at Calvary. Please continue to use Pastor Dave Tebay to preach Your words to those of us who need it. May the family of Christ continue to grow as Your word is spread to the world. As well, I pray Your will be done in me as I become a better servant to You, Lord. Let Your light be shared and let it be seen that Your will is the only will. You are King!  Amen.
 
On Sunday as we sang the lyrics, “My fears were drowned in perfect love,” I couldn’t help thinking that drowned implies dead and gone. But isn’t it true that fears often return quickly and unbidden? Pray for those among us (and there are many) who face uncertainty and trouble, and who fear. Pray that each one will remember, “I’m no longer a slave to fear; I am a child of God.”

In Christ,
Carol Gilbert
Calvary Community Church of Brea