Jacob, the Deceiver

Jacob, means surplanter, trickster, and deceiver.

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(Hebrews 12:1) Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

For when your life isn’t turning out the way you hoped...

“Let God have control of your life.”

"You will never know that God is all you need until He is all that you have."  

Mother Theresa

When God is in control...

You’ll get a new strength.

(Genesis 32:24-25 NLT) This left Jacob all alone in the camp, and a man came and wrestled with him until the dawn began to break. When the man saw that he would not win the match, he touched Jacob’s hip and wrenched it out of its socket.

(Matthew 11:28-29) “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

If you have a well managed custom fit yoke, you can work without getting tired.

God will weaken you to get your attention. 

When you're in control of your efforts, you will wear yourself out. 

You’ll get a new identity.

(Genesis 32:27-28 NLT) “What is your name?” the man asked. He replied, “Jacob.” “Your name will no longer be Jacob,” the man told him. “From now on you will be called Israel, because you have fought with God and with men and have won.”

(John 1:42) And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter).

God doesn't see actualities. He sees possibilities.  

You’ll get a new joy.

(Genesis 32:29 NLT) “Please tell me your name,” Jacob said. “Why do you want to know my name?” the man replied. Then he blessed Jacob there.

(Matthew 5:6) Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

We cannot be who God intends for us to be and at the same time hold on to who we think that we should be. 

Jacob’s Words of Encouragement

1."Brokenness precedes breakthrough.”

(Psalm 51:17) The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

(1 Peter 5:5-6) “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

2. “You must lose yourself to find yourself.”

(Mark 8:34 MSG) Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am.”

(Mark 8:35 NLT) If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.

Do not allow what you think that you want to be to get in the way of what God made for you to be. 

3. “When you find yourself on God's terms, you find fulfillment.”

(Romans 12:1-2 MSG) So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. 

Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. 

Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. 

Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. 

Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

You'll never know what your life could become until you hand it over to the one who made it in the first place.

Lord Jesus, take my life. I give you control. Forgive my past.  Be my Lord and Savior.  Amen.

   

Chris Hodges, Church of the Highlands

https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/media/message/jacob

All scripture is from the New International Version unless otherwise noted.