JACOB HEADS HOME

 REVIEW:

• Esau and Jacob (twins) were born to Isaac and Rebecca
• Esau was born first
• As young men, Jacob (which means deceiver) bought his brother's birthright for a bowl of stew
• Later - with the help of his mother - Jacob deceived Isaac and stole his brother's blessing
• Esau threatened to kill Jacob, so his mother sent him to her homeland to find a wife and save him from his brother
• Upon arriving in Haran, Jacob begins working for his uncle Laban
• He agrees to work for seven years to have Laban's daughter, Rachel, as his wife
• After seven years, Laban tricks him and gives him his daughter, Leah, instead
• Jacob agrees to work seven more years and immediately marries Rachel as well
• Leah and her handmaiden, and Rachel and her handmaiden give Jacob twelve sons over the years
• God blesses Jacob in the management of the flocks and his wealth grows significantly
• After twenty years, God tells Jacob to return to his homeland
• Jacob leaves without telling Laban, who pursues him for seven days and finally catches up with him in Gilead
• God warns Laban in a dream to do no harm to Jacob

It's interesting that Scripture doesn't give a clear indication that Jacob's wives, or even Jacob himself, had been solely devoted to God.  They had seen Him protect them, and bless them, but they had yet to make a clear committment to worship Him exclusively!  Jacob refers to God as the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac [v.42].  Eventually, God will be known as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, but at this point, Jacob hasn't fully committed.

Laban and Jacob have an uncomfortable confrontation.  Laban feels that everything Jacob has is his.  Jacob reminds Laban that he worked for twenty years for everything that he has.  

In the midst of all this, Rachel had stolen her father's household gods and hidden them in her saddle.  She refuses to allow him to search her, making the excuse that she is having her period.  The matter is left unresolved.  

Ancient law, such as the Hurrian, provided for part of the bride payment to be reserved for the woman herself.  Possession of the household gods insured the right of inheritance;  hence, Rachel may have sought compensation for the loss of the bride payment.

When Jacob suggests to Leah and Rachel that thy leave, they respond:

Do we still have any share in the inheritance of our father's estate?  Does he not regard us as foreigners?  Not only has he sold us, but he has used up what was paid for us.  Surely all the wealth that God took away from our father belongs to us and our children.  [vs.14-16]

In spite of the disagreement, Jacob and Laban build a pillar together and make an agreement not to cross that barrier in violence toward one another.  They eat together and bless one another.  Then, Laban kisses his daughters and grandchildren and heads back to Haran.  

The next morning, Jacob resumed his journey and was met by the angels of God [32:1].  

But caution is in the air, for he still has to deal with the wrath of his brother, Esau!...

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God is clearly at work in Jacob's life!  God has provided family, servants, and flocks for Jacob.  Now God has protected Jacob from the potential violence of his father-in-law.  Before the dreadful meeting with his brother, Esau, God sends an army of angels to encourage Jacob and reassure him of God's presence and protection!  

But this all took place 3,500 years ago, and after all, Jacob was one of the Patriarchs!  Does God still exhibit this kind of care over His children?  Is God watching over us with the same kind of commitment?  Is God still blessing, providing, guiding and protecting us - like He did for Jacob?

YES! YES! YES!

This whole story is one of God wooing and winning Jacob's heart and commitment.  

Our Bible tells us that:    [II Peter 3:9]

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.     

Psalm 121:4

...indeed, he who watches over Israel [Jacob] will neither slumber nor sleep. 

The Apostle Paul writes in Philippians 4:19 (New Living Translation):

And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

And as Barretta used to say:  You can take that to the bank!  :-) 

 

  

If At First You Don't Succeed...

Travis' birthday having just passed (2/24), I've found myself thinking about him even more than usual.  I thought I'd share a story from his life that illustrates the wonderful work of a loving and caring God.

I've written previously about a season of my life when I was not operating wisely in the financial realm. Unfortunately, that season coincided with Travis' graduation from high school.

He was so intelligent and we knew that he really needed to go to college. However, we were already in significant debt with troubling cash-flow difficulties.  Lacking wisdom, we had not prepared to send our son to college. Debbie and I repeatedly took this problem to God in prayer.  We asked Him to provide a way for Travis to get a good education!   [For more on debt recovery, check out the post titled:  "Once upon a time..."]

This precipitated a difficult conversation with my son.  I had to confess my inadequacies and tell him that we were not prepared to be much help to him when it came to going to college.  Essentially, I told him, "Travis, I'm sorry! The only way you're going to be able to go to college is for your Mom and me to go further into debt - and for you to accrue debt yourself."

This was one of the low moments in my life!

However, Travis had done well in school and met the criteria for some level of help through scholarships. That was exciting, and we were proud of him!

We made quite a few day-trips to visit colleges.  His Mom and I liked Mt. Vernon Nazarene College in Ohio.  We could tell that Travis leaned toward Washington and Jefferson College in Pennsylvania.  Probably out of a desire to please us, he chose Mt. Vernon.

He called me during the fall semester and said, "Dad, they're more strict here than you were!  They won't even let us watch Seinfeld!"  Ha ha ha ha...

He came home early for the Christmas break due to a dormitory fire.  We thoroughly enjoyed having him home!  Right after Christmas, he announced that he was not going back to school!  He had joined the Navy!

I pretended to be ok with that decision, but inside I was very upset with him. I desperately wanted him to get a college education;  I knew the sky was the limit for Travis!

But, his thinking was to get the Navy to help him reach his goal - which at the time was to become a doctor.

He spent the next couple of months with us and then reported to boot camp in late March!  We attended his graduation and then they sent him to 'Power School' in Orlando.  (Poor boy!)

After over a year there, one of his chief's told him that he should apply to the Naval Academy:  "They're looking for guys like you;  and they take 90 from the enlisted ranks every year."

I told him to go for it.  He called months later saying that they wanted him to come for an interview.  Woo Hoo!

A month or so later, he called again and said that the interview seemed to go well!  More weeks passed and then he called saying that he had received an invitation to be part of the class of 2000!!!!!   All he needed was to get one of his state senators to give him a recommendation (each senator has the privilege of extending two recommendations.)

My heart immediately sank!

I explained to Travis that the state of Ohio had two of the most liberal senators and that I had written to each of them many times!  In my opinion, they would connect him to me and refuse to give him consideration. 
However, he was convinced he would get his recommendation.

He called a couple of weeks later and indicated that I was right - they wouldn't give him the time of day.

I asked if he had other options.  He said that he could possibly get a recommendation from the president or vice president.

After a pause, I told him that I had also written many letters to both of these men.  Again, ever the optimist, Travis was convinced that he would get a recommendation from either Bill Clinton or Al Gore.

After a couple of weeks, he called to report that they refused to consider his appeal.

You can only imagine how I was feeling at this point!  First, I had failed to prepare to send him to college. Now, I had inadvertently roadblocked his possibilities for attending the United States Naval Academy!!!!

I asked if there were any other options.  He said that the secretary of the Navy also had two recommendations to offer.  Then, he tentatively asked:  "Dad, you haven't written any letters to the Secretary of the Navy, have you?"

I was delighted to respond that I had NOT written to this man!

Remarkably, Travis got his recommendation and started Plebe summer at the USNA on July 2, 1996.

When his earthly father had botched it, his Heavenly Father found a creative route to get him a free education valued at over a quarter million dollars!!!!!!

Our God is an awesome God!!!!!!

FRIENDS WE HAVEN'T MET YET

The process of going to China has been full of challenges and new experiences - and we haven't even left the U.S. yet! 

In January, I decided to leave the pastoral ministry and pursue the possibility of some kind of overseas ministry.  I filled out an extensive profile with a ministry that serves as a broker with scores of mission organizations.  However, responses were sluggish and non-specific.

In mid-February, I contacted the Volunteers In Service Abroad (VISA) Department of the Free Methodist Church.  They were immediately excited about our desires and began to guide us in the process of application and resume preparation. 

Deb ... and Amy ... - of the VISA Department have been particularly helpful every step of the way.  They have literally been just an email away during this whole process! 

Jason and Wendi ... and their family have been in G..., China for the last year.  They corresponded with us to answer our practical questions about living and working in China!  They were SO encouraging!

Then we were connected to Lena ... (and her husband, Mark).  They are currently serving in China..  She has been an invaluable helper by submitting our information to the universities and advising us.  Our first 'skyping' session was two weeks ago with them;  what an amazing experience that was!

Rie ... is currently teaching in the university where we are heading.  She has answered so many questions for us and even sent pictures of what our apartment will look like!  She has also assured us that she'll walk with us through the early days in Changchun to help us get settled!  Randy .... - also a teacher in Changchun - has also corresponded with us to answer questions and offer encouragement!

Dana ... is a veteran teacher who speaks fluent Chinese.  She is flying in this Thursday to spend two days training us for our new experience  (Jason will also join us via skype)! 

Recently, my nephew (Lee Haire) connected me to Julie ... who is currently teaching English in Korea. I worked with her dad the summer after I graduated from high school.  Although much younger than us, Julie has encouraged us and counseled us and has shared her vibrant spirit for God with us.  She's also made a connection for us to a teacher in Changchun who speaks fluent Chinese!

WE HAVE NEVER MET ANY OF THESE PEOPLE (with the exception that Deb ... visited our church for a Sunday about two years ago)!  

These folks have befriended us and sacrificed on our account.  They have encouraged us and guided us.  We have come to love them all before we even meet them!  We're so grateful to God for them and the part they are playing in getting us to Changchun!

We see the hand of God in all these relationships.  These people are heros to us!  We're so grateful that God is allowing our paths to cross with theirs!  And all of this assures us that we are working in concert with His sovereign plan. 

We can't thank these new friends enough - AND WE CAN'T PRAISE GOD ENOUGH!!!!

SOVEREIGN SECURITY

There have been two times that I've been unemployed for a brief period.

There was a season of our married life when we were in dire straights financially.  We were advised to file for bankruptcy.  We chose not to go that route.

We've faced the reality of tight finances for Christmases and vacations.

All of this was a combination of two expensive masters degrees, low income, and unwise management of our resources.

But this is not about procuring sympathy.

Throughout our lives, God has provided for us with such consistency that we have been amazed over and over again!  We are well aware that we have not deserved His help.  Yet, repeatedly, God has been good to us!

And it continues!  When we made our decision to step away from the pastoral ministry and go to China, we knew there would be financial challenges.  While paying off our debt, we have been able to set aside some funds for retirement.  We figured that we would simply tap into those resources.  Part of the beauty of going to China is that I will be paid;  therefore, we don't have to raise support.

Yet, in recent weeks, God has opened up heaven itself to us and poured out blessings beyond our wildest dreams! 

God has poured out His goodness to us through FMCC and special friends to such an extent that all of our needs have been met and we should not have to tap into our retirement savings!  We are overwhelmed with God's kindness and the generosity of the people He has used to bless us!  To be quite frank - we're humbled.

It's wonderful to live in a country that provides unemployment benefits, welfare, and social security.  However, I'm going to continue to put my confidence in God's SOVEREIGN SECURITY! 

How about you?  Remember:  He doesn't love us any more than He loves you!

THE YEAR GOD GAVE ME THREE CARS - PART 3

I had been building a relationship with John for over a year.  He owned and operated a gas station nearby.  I had been to his home for social visits.  His wife and kids attended the church.  He was skeptical.

I took donuts and pizza to the station and hung out a few times when he wasn't real busy.  We talked on a few occasions.  He seemed interested, but slow to trust.  It was evident to me that we were forming a friendship.

I was working in my garden on a hot summer day.  John drove right up to the garden in a little white Subaru.  He got out;  we talked.  He asked me how I liked the Subaru.  I assumed he'd just gotten it.  I told him it was nice.

We talked more.  He asked about the car again.  He insisted that I check it out;  sit inside.  It was clean and nice - unmarked.  I commented on that.

He said, "It's yours!"

I objected, "What do you mean?"

He explained that it belonged to an older woman who had always brought it to him for service.  He knew the car well.  She was ready to trade it, so he made her an offer and she accepted.  He was now wanting to gift the car to me!

I was overwhelmed!  I had, indeed, prayed and asked God for a car.  But God had already given me two - and I didn't really need another.  I refused the gift as kindly as I could.

John drove away.

After gardening, I went inside and told Deb the amazing story.  She scolded me:  "You prayed for a car.  If God wants to give you three cars, how dare you refuse His gift!"

I immediately called John and told him that if the car was still available I would joyfully receive his kind gift!

We drove that Subaru for years and it served us well!

THE YEAR GOD GAVE ME THREE CARS - PART 2

She asked to speak with me (and Debbie) after worship.  She seemed secretive.  She asked if we needed a car?  We did.  She told us that she was thinking of making a trade and wanted to talk with us about it.  She invited us to dinner at her home in the country.

When we arrived, she treated us to a wonderful home-cooked meal.  Eventually, she took us out to examine her car.  Low mileage Buick in excellent shape - wonderfully cared for.

She explained that she wanted us to have it.  However, her family might not be happy about her gift.  She asked us to give her 700 pennies.  She had prayed about it while walking her lane and felt that God had given her this solution. 

She would sign the car over to us and we would give her 700 pennies.  When her family asked her about the transaction, she would say:  "Pastor Haire gave me 700 for it!"

We drove and enjoyed the car for years after - with gratitude to her and to God!

Matthew 10:16 (NASB)
"Be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves."

THE YEAR GOD GAVE ME THREE CARS - PART 1

We were living in Spencerville, Maryland, where I was leading the Free Methodist congregation there.

The cost of living outside the Beltway was considerably higher than East Liverpool, Ohio.  We pretty quickly found ourselves in a financial crunch. 

Debbie's Topaz met a tree close-up while one of our kids was learning to drive.  We needed a replacement.  We laid the situation out before God and asked Him to provide for our need.  That's how this story began.

I was driving back to Ohio to meet with a group of people who were interested in starting a new church.  Bill Barlow was part of that group.

Following one of our meetings, he took me out in his driveway and showed me a little, brown Horizon.  He told me that a family member had given it to them, but they didn't really need it anymore.  He asked if we could use it?

I told him about our prayer and accepted the gift.  I drove that Horizon for several years.  Then Travis drove it for a couple of years.  Finally, I gave it away - still running great - while living in Akron!

That was the first car God gave me.

LOOK AGAIN!

I just read one of my favorite passages in the Old Testament! 

Elisha is a prophet (godly man).  He is generally respected by everyone - including the kings of his day.  He has an assistant who travels with him.

The king of Syria keeps setting plots against Israel;  God lets Elisha know about each plot.  Elisha keeps warning the king of Israel.

Finally, the king of Syria gets mad about this and sends his army to a village where Elisha is staying.

In the morning, Elisha's assistant steps outside to see the village surrounded by the army of Syria.  Terrified, he runs inside to tell Elisha.

Calmly, Elisha prays, "Lord, open his eyes and let him see!"  His assistant suddenly saw horses of fire and chariots of fire everywhere upon the mountain!

Why was Elisha calm?  Because he was tuned in to God's provision and protection!  He KNEW that he had no reason to fear!

Lord,
Help us to look again!  Help us to see Your provision and protection and to rest in You!  We have no reason to fear!  You've got us covered!  We must simply trust in You!
Oh Yeah!

[The rest of this story is hilarious.  If you care to read it, follow this link and read verses 8-23:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=II%20Kings%206&version=NIV]

God's Provision

Debbie works as a teacher's assistant at the local elementary school.  She gets paid hourly.  We save through the year so we can pay ourselves through the summer.  It goes so easily because of graduations, weddings, vacations, and other special summer activities.  Every year we bump up the amount we're saving from each pay!

This summer, we were surprised again at how much we had spent by the end of July.  We'd essentially spent $500 more than we planned by that time.  We sat down and looked the situation over.  It would mean being frugal for the last week of July and the first four weeks of August.  But, if we stayed faithful to a strict budget, we would have $400 to cover our end-of-summer vacation.  We made a pact and placed our budget sheet in the kitchen where we would see it every day.

On Sunday, our church leaders officially welcomed us back for the 2011-12 year.  They handed us a card.  After preaching and the carry-in dinner our treasurer asked if I'd opened my card.  I slipped to the side to do so;  then quickly took it to Debbie to read.  It was a very kind expression of gratitude for our service - and included a check for $500.

Notice how much God loves!  We hadn't even asked for more money - just self-discipline.  But out of His great generosity and love, He gave us just what we needed. 

Here's a tip:  As an expression of our gratitude, we've already passed part of that gift on to someone who had a need! 

This is the way God's economy works!  Start now honoring Him with your finances!  Jesus spoke more about money than He did about Heaven!  Something to think about...