DEVOTION: Genesis 32:22-30 (ESV)
"Jacob Wrestles with God"
22 The same night he arose and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven children,[a] and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. 23 He took them and sent them across the stream, and everything else that he had. 24 And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. 25 When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob's hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. 26 Then he said, "Let me go, for the day has broken." But Jacob said, "I will not let you go unless you bless me." 27 And he said to him, "What is your name?" And he said, "Jacob." 28 Then he said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel,[b] for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed." 29 Then Jacob asked him, "Please tell me your name." But he said, "Why is it that you ask my name?" And there he blessed him. 30 So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel,[c] saying, "For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered."
A very interesting, and yet mysterious passage of Scripture here, don't you think? It is both real, in that it really did happen, and yet also very allegorical and metaphorical at the same time. Jacob had been wrestling with God for many years. He fled from his brother Esau after he had conned him out of his birthright and also conned his dad, Isaac, out of the blessing. He fled, because he feared for his life.
Instead of facing his fears and dealing with his sin head on, he decided to flee from it all for many years. he continued to wrestle with God as he lived with his uncle Laban and took two wives from him, named Leah and Rachel.
Finally, he was forced to deal with his past and he heard that his brother Esau was coming toward him with his army of a family. It is the night before he finally has the confrontation with Esau that he has this very real wrestling match with God. Jacob didn't give up. He didn't give in. He didn't throw in the towel. He kept on wrestling until God finally put his hip socket out of joint. And even then he didn't let go of God until god blessed him. In this way, he showed his perseverance and his willingness to do whatever it took to make things right.
It is the end of the story that is the best for, when he finally meets up with Esau, he finds out that Esau had already forgiven him. He didn't have to strive with God as long as he did. He should've gone to Esau right away. Confessed his sin and received the consequences for it. Instead, he dealt with the grief, pain, and guilt of his sin for decades.
Let this be a lesson to you. Don't run from your sin! Don't hide from your guilt or from the one against whom you have sinned! Face it head on! Don't wrestle with God, REST WITH HIM!! For, "If we confess our sins, He, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness!
Prayer: Lord when I am striving with you, break me, so that I may give up to you and you may win over my life. Amen.
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CALENDAR
Tues- Quilting 9-2; Trustees 7
Wed- Choir 7
Thurs- Karate 5:30-7:30; Lutheranism 101 6:30pm
Sat- Worship 5pm
Sun- Worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; Chapel 11; Bible Study with Kelsey at Imo's; (Lutherans for Life Sunday)
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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS COMING WEEKEND:
Acolyte- 8:30- Lydia Miller 11- Dulci Rahn
Ushers- George Hoelscher, Brent Davis, Gary Hoelscher, Ben Hoelscher
Altar- Set up- Terry Mckenzie ; Clean Up- Terry McKenzie
Elders- Sat- John Hachtel; 8:30- Jason Cluver; 11- Randy Fischer
Greeters- 8:30- Paul and Cindy Klover; 11- Dan and Lisa Rausch
Lay Readers- Sat- John Hachtel 8:30- Derek Ebert; 11- Paul Brockfeld
Piano- Sat- Kathy Barrow
Organist- Rachel Fisher
Projectionists: Sat- Kathy Fischer; 8:30- Julie Schaumberg
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: Who was Artaxerxes?
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"Jacob Wrestles with God"
22 The same night he arose and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven children,[a] and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. 23 He took them and sent them across the stream, and everything else that he had. 24 And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. 25 When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob's hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. 26 Then he said, "Let me go, for the day has broken." But Jacob said, "I will not let you go unless you bless me." 27 And he said to him, "What is your name?" And he said, "Jacob." 28 Then he said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel,[b] for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed." 29 Then Jacob asked him, "Please tell me your name." But he said, "Why is it that you ask my name?" And there he blessed him. 30 So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel,[c] saying, "For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered."
A very interesting, and yet mysterious passage of Scripture here, don't you think? It is both real, in that it really did happen, and yet also very allegorical and metaphorical at the same time. Jacob had been wrestling with God for many years. He fled from his brother Esau after he had conned him out of his birthright and also conned his dad, Isaac, out of the blessing. He fled, because he feared for his life.
Instead of facing his fears and dealing with his sin head on, he decided to flee from it all for many years. he continued to wrestle with God as he lived with his uncle Laban and took two wives from him, named Leah and Rachel.
Finally, he was forced to deal with his past and he heard that his brother Esau was coming toward him with his army of a family. It is the night before he finally has the confrontation with Esau that he has this very real wrestling match with God. Jacob didn't give up. He didn't give in. He didn't throw in the towel. He kept on wrestling until God finally put his hip socket out of joint. And even then he didn't let go of God until god blessed him. In this way, he showed his perseverance and his willingness to do whatever it took to make things right.
It is the end of the story that is the best for, when he finally meets up with Esau, he finds out that Esau had already forgiven him. He didn't have to strive with God as long as he did. He should've gone to Esau right away. Confessed his sin and received the consequences for it. Instead, he dealt with the grief, pain, and guilt of his sin for decades.
Let this be a lesson to you. Don't run from your sin! Don't hide from your guilt or from the one against whom you have sinned! Face it head on! Don't wrestle with God, REST WITH HIM!! For, "If we confess our sins, He, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness!
Prayer: Lord when I am striving with you, break me, so that I may give up to you and you may win over my life. Amen.
______________________________________________________________________________________
CALENDAR
Tues- Quilting 9-2; Trustees 7
Wed- Choir 7
Thurs- Karate 5:30-7:30; Lutheranism 101 6:30pm
Sat- Worship 5pm
Sun- Worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; Chapel 11; Bible Study with Kelsey at Imo's; (Lutherans for Life Sunday)
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS COMING WEEKEND:
Acolyte- 8:30- Lydia Miller 11- Dulci Rahn
Ushers- George Hoelscher, Brent Davis, Gary Hoelscher, Ben Hoelscher
Altar- Set up- Terry Mckenzie ; Clean Up- Terry McKenzie
Elders- Sat- John Hachtel; 8:30- Jason Cluver; 11- Randy Fischer
Greeters- 8:30- Paul and Cindy Klover; 11- Dan and Lisa Rausch
Lay Readers- Sat- John Hachtel 8:30- Derek Ebert; 11- Paul Brockfeld
Piano- Sat- Kathy Barrow
Organist- Rachel Fisher
Projectionists: Sat- Kathy Fischer; 8:30- Julie Schaumberg
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: Who was Artaxerxes?
Well, there were actually several Persian kings by this name. Sort of like the English and all their King Henrys. Anyway, since you're obviously on a Esther mode this week, it is believed to be the name of the king who married her and made her his queen. But for any of you with inquiring minds out there, here's an article that tells a bit about the other men cursed with that name:
And there you have it! Short and sweet – like me! Well, the sweet part. Because at 5'9, I'm not exactly short
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TODAY'S QUIZ: Who was Hananiah? (The one in Ezra's time.)
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NEWS!!!!
ANNUAL VENDOR FAIR, BAKE SALE, AND LUNCHEON IS SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 9am-2pm!
Vendors should reserve their table through the church office 456-2888. Tables rent for $25 and checks should be made payable to St. John's Ladies Aid.
Vendors already signed up are:
Pampered Chef
Avon
Scentsy
Thirty One
Primitive Crafts
Finger Puppets and Animal nets
Jewelry
American Girl Doll Clothes
Luncheon will be hot dogs, chili, and pie
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HIGH SCHOOL BIBLE STUDY WILL MEET AT IMO'S AT 12:15 THIS SUNDAY!!
Come to church at 11 and then head over to Imo's for lunch! The topic will be "Debunking Evolution"!! Bring money for lunch!
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OPERATION BACKPACK ITEMS COLLECTED FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER ARE CANNED VEGETABLES
Any size can, and any kind of vegetable is appreciated. Place them in the receptacle marked "Backpack Blessings" in the narthex.
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SCRIP ORDERS ARE ALWAYS PLACED ON THE FIRST MONDAY OF EACH MONTH!!
You can place your orders anytime before that! Order forms are on the counter in the narthex or you can get them in Marilyn's office. If you want another retailer on the list let Marilyn know!
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AGAPE DONATIONS ALWAYS ACCEPTED!!
Any nonperishable food items, diapers, toiletries, etc.!!
Perishable food items can be taken directly to Agape at 713 Powell St. in Warrenton. Call 456-4645 to find out when they're open or for more info.
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QUILTERS DESPERATELY NEEDED!!!
Due to several illnesses, injuries, and people moving away there is a great need for more quilters!! Experience is helpful but not necessary. They meet 9-2 on Tuesdays.
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QUILT RAFFLE TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE FOR $1 EACH OR 6 for $5!!
Call the church office to reserve them or come by and purchase them! The quilt will be awarded on November 5 at 2pm at the Ladies Aid Vendor Fair and Luncheon!!
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YOUR KROGER CARD CAN EARN MONEY FOR LITTLE LAMBS
Go to www.kroger.com/communityawards and register your card today!!
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LUTHERANISM 101 IS STILL GOING ON! WE MEET AT 6:30pm ON THURSDAYS!
Come and learn everything there is to know about your Christian faith, or get a refresher for the things you think you know!
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GENERAL PRAYER
For BOB RUHL as he continues to struggle greatly to get better. He is still in New Florence Care Center.
For LOIS BOEGER'S MOM, who has been placed on hospice care due to cancer. She is at home.
For DENNIS PERREY, who is recovering at home from a very serious tractor and brush hog accident. He has 6 broken ribs, both lungs were punctured and, 2 vertebrae were cracked.
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