Jacob…Some Liars Do Get Ahead
“This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of David and of Abraham: Abraham was the father of Isaac. Isaac was the father of Jacob. Jacob was the father of Judah and his brothers.”
Matthew 1:1-2 (NLT)
5 Things You Should Do When You’re Feeling Overwhelmed By Your Struggles:
1. ____________ For _______________ That God Is With You.
“As Jacob started on his way again, angels of God came to meet him. When Jacob saw them, he exclaimed, “This is God’s camp!” So he named the place Mahanaim.”
Genesis 32:1-2 (NLT)
2. ____________ The Opportunity To __________________________ With People Close To You.
“Then Jacob sent messengers ahead to his brother, Esau, who was living in the region of Seir in the land of Edom. He told them, “Give this message to my master Esau: ‘Humble greetings from your servant Jacob. Until now I have been living with Uncle Laban, and now I own cattle, donkeys, flocks of sheep and goats, and many servants, both men and women. I have sent these messengers to inform my lord of my coming, hoping that you will be friendly to me.’”
Genesis 32:3-5 (NLT)
3. __________________ God Of His ______________________To Take Care Of You.
“After delivering the message, the messengers returned to Jacob and reported, “We met your brother, Esau, and he is already on his way to meet you—with an army of 400 men!” Jacob was terrified at the news… Then Jacob prayed, “O God of my grandfather Abraham, and God of my father, Isaac—O Lord, You told me, ‘Return to your own land and to your relatives.’ And you promised me, ‘I will treat you kindly.’”
Genesis 32:6-7, 9 (NLT)
4. Be ________________ About How You Deal With _________________.
“Jacob stayed where he was for the night. Then he selected these gifts from his possessions to present to his brother, Esau: 200 female goats, 20 male goats, 200 ewes, 20 rams, 30 female camels with their young, 40 cows, 10 bulls, 20 female donkeys, and 10 male donkeys. He divided these animals into herds and assigned each to different servants. Then he told his servants, “Go ahead of me with the animals, but keep some distance between the herds.””
Genesis 32:13-16 (NLT)
5. Whatever You Do…Don’t _______________________________.
“During the night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two servant wives, and his eleven sons and crossed the Jabbok River with them. After taking them to the other side, he sent over all his possessions. 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. Then the Man said, “Let Me go, for the dawn is breaking!” But Jacob said, “I will not let You go unless You bless me.””
Genesis 32:22-26 (NLT)
“Even in the womb, Jacob struggled with his brother; when he became a man, he even fought with God. Yes, he wrestled with the Angel and won. He wept and pleaded for a blessing from Him. There at Bethel He met God face to face, and God spoke to him.”
Hosea 12:3-4 (NLT)
BONUS THOUGHT: Encounters With God Will Always __________________________________ On Your Life.
“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.” “Please tell me Your name,” Jacob said. “Why do you want to know My name?” the Man replied. Then He blessed Jacob there. Jacob named the place Peniel (which means “face of God”), for he said, “I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been spared.” The sun was rising as Jacob left Peniel, and he was limping because of the injury to his hip.
Genesis 32:27-31 (NLT)