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Brandon Bracey's Seed Devotions!
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| Aug 09, 2008 10:11 pm |
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Women With Issues Series Part 1: Rebekah By Brandon Bracey. |
Brandon Bracey
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Topic: Rebekah
Control can often be the most sincerest form of insecurity. Many people have brought the world into their homes and church because they have an issue with control. They have to control their child's every move. They have to control their spouse and get them to change. When they accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior they still had to have some level of control. The reason they have to have control is because if they lose even a little control, they feel that they just could not live with themselves. They believe they would lose much more than they gain. If control is often the most sincerest form of insecurity, then cowardice is often at the core of it.
It reminds me of a woman named Rebekah in the Bible. Rebekah can be found in the book of Genesis as the wife of Issac and the mother of Jacob and Esau. Rebekah was a woman who loved to take initiative. In Genesis 24 we encounter Rebekah drawing water from a well. Earlier in verse 24 there was a setting up of a future betrothal between Rebekah and her soon-to-be husband Issac. In verse 24 we can see the initiative of Rebekah when Abraham's servant asked for a drink of water. In verse 24: 19, Rebekah would draw for his camels. In addition, verse 20 shows Rebekah running to the well. Even when Rebekah was offered marriage to her unknown relative Issac hundreds of miles away across dangerous wilderness, Rebekah jumped at the chance and left the next day. Rebekah had intitiative, but as we will see, too much initiative can cause trouble.
Twenty years later Rebekah would give birth to twins by the name of Jacob and Esau. The youngest, being Jacob, would rule over the older Esau. The youngest would be God's chosen one. However Rebekah had a desire to manage Jacob's success. Rebekah was forceful as she pushed Jacob into deceiving his father and stealing his brother's birthright. Rebekah actually told Jacob to only obey her word in Genesis 27:13. Rebekah did not care if what she did pleased God or not, she simply had to be in control! Do you know anyone like that? It seems that they always have to have things their way or it's the highway? It seems that it is always about them and they have a " me, me, me, mentality?
What this " me, me, me mentality often is a is a sense of insecurity and cowardice. I truly believe that Rebekah had unlying issues in her life that she just had not dealt with. Unfortunately, we often have these same issues with God, at church, and out of church.
Often we see Jesus as being our Savior, but we often deceive ourselves into thinking we really have made him Lord. We deceive ourselves into believing we are following the Lord, when we really have done our best to control him and make him our personal handy man. Often times when we pray we can be just like Rebekah. She pushed Jacob into deceiving his father and stealing his brother's birthright, and often we try to push God into blessing us. We pray and say," Lord , I need this and I need that...", but God is saying ," When are you going to seek me. When are you going to thank me for what I have already done for you? When are you going to say I love you? Because of being in bondage to a spirit of control, we can find ourselves operating in greed. But the Bible says in Matthew 6:33," But seek ye first the knigdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." God is calling us back to him and purposeful living. The world teaches us to get, but God teaches us to give. The thing that God wants you to give most is yourself. He wants you to give your life to him, so he can bless you and give you more than you ever imagined. God wants you to give your time and talents to building the Kingdom Of God on this earth. When you give yourself for the Kingdom, then God can truly bless you.
I also noticed that Rebekah in Genesis 27:16 took the best garments of her elder son Esau and put them on her younger son Jacob to deceive Issac and get Esau's blessing. This is interesting because often we come to church to worship God with someone else's garments on. What I mean is that when we come to church we should have on garments that God likes. God loves the garment of praise! God loves when his people worship and praise him. It's a sweet smelling fragrance to God. However, often we come to church wearing selfishness's garment or greed's garment, and then develop this crazy idea that church is about us. But , as a preacher once said," God has this crazy idea that church is all about him!" God has this absolutely weird idea that when we come to church, we should come with our hearts and minds on him and ready to worship our King in spirit and in truth. Better still, we should be worshiping him every day, for great is his faithfulness everyday and his mercies are new every morning! Praise God!
But watch this, now after all this had happened, Rebekah did not really consider that Esau would be upset. Well Duh! Therefore, she sent Jacob back to her childhood home until Esau calmed. But it never happened as Rebekah died before ever seeing Jacob again. As we can see the plan backfired. But people run away from church just like Jacob ran away on command from Rebekah. Their plan to get what they wanted from God did not pan out or they become scared and insecure because they are giving up so much, so they isolate themselves from the church. Then they say," It's too many hypocrites there", or "I do not need to go to church to worship God." But greed and fear has engulfed them, because what they could not control has got them frustrated. But the Bible tells us in Hebrews 10:25 not to forsake the assembly of believers. We need fellowship and we need each other. God's program is the local church and God needs us to work to build the Kingdom in the local church.
This concludes Part 1 of our series! I hope it has been a blessing to you. What I want to leave you with is to never lose sight of your first love. Many have lost sight of God , while trying to control their lives and get things. All the while God looks with tears in his eyes wondering why his children act the way they do. God loves us so much that he sent his only son to die for us. God wants a wonderful,loving relationship with us. Never allow issues of control and manipulation to keep you from being all that God would have for you to be! God has great things in store for you! God Bless you and Amen!
Scripture Reference: Genesis 24-27
Heavenly Father,
You are a great God! I have been very controlling of things in my life recently, but I am ready to let go. I rebuke the spirit of control, and ask Holy Spirit that you would empower me to step back and let you lead and not try to continue to forcefully do things on my own. It's caused me enough trouble and now I am starting over. Thank you Father for your love in Jesus name Amen.
If you like to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior please pray the following:
Heavenly Father, you sent your only son to die on the cross for my sins. Jesus I ask you to come into my heart. Please forgive me of all sin and give me a fresh start. Jesus I make you Lord and Savior of my life. Amen. If you have just prayed this prayer congratulations! Jesus is now your Lord and Savior and you have a new beginning! Please email me at: Brandon_Bracey00@yahoo.com so I can assist you in your new beginning.
Permission To Distribute With Full Recognition Given To Author.
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