Every family has issues. Some issues are obvious, and everyone knows them. Others are hidden, but the close family knows their dysfunction. Family issues stem from sin ultimately but can be the products of health and life situations, poor decisions, greed, selfishness, and character flaws. You may not be able to solve the problems of the world or even your family’s glitches, but you can work on you. In the reading this week, you’ll learn about a dysfunctional family in Genesis, and as you do, let God work through you to make your family better, not by nagging or being overbearing but by loving unconditionally.
This week, you’ll read…
GENESIS 25-36: Isaac and Rebekah have their twins, Jacob and Esau. Deceiver Jacob leaves town and eventually goes back toward home with a large family and has a name change. Later, a well-orchestrated massacre happens.
HOSEA 9-10: God continues to warn Israel. Is there something from which you should be turning and turning back toward God?
PSALMS 7-9: David asks how God could even care about mankind in the midst of the wonders of the heavens. “I look up at Your macro-skies, dark and enormous, Your handmade sky-jewelry, moon and stars mounted in their settings. Then I look at my micro-self and wonder, why do You bother with us? Why take a second look our way?” (Psalm 8 in The Message Bible)
MATTHEW 13-19: Jesus has much teaching in this section including the parable of the sower. He heals, walks on water, feeds five thousand, and castigates the religious leaders. Peter makes his heavenly declaration, and later he experiences the Transfiguration. Then Jesus encounters the rich young ruler.