Calvin Church

Genesis 39:1-23

Why does it seem that things are always against you.  Why can't you ever get ahead.  Why doesn't God wipe out all of our problems?  Joseph must have felt this way at times.  If one person should be blessed for his actions it should have been Joseph, however time and time again He had to face difficult situations.  What is God trying to teach us in the difficult situations, are these the teachable moments in our lives.

Genesis 37

When things don't go right in your life it often leads to questions like: where is God?  Does He care?  Does God even exist?  If God is really powerful, then why doesn't He change the circumstances in my life?  Joseph most likely had to wrestle with these questions, but when we flip to the end of Joseph's life in Genesis 50:20 we find that he receives the answers he is looking for.

Genesis 32:22-32

Our God never changes, but he does change us.  Jacob had a desire for God to bless his idea of bribing his brother Esau, but God had other plans.  Jacob received God's blessing, but it was only after a wrestling match that would forever change Jacob's life.  This same God desires to change our lives as well if we are willing.

Genesis 29:15-30

How easy it is to leave God out of our daily activities, but remember him when things don't turn out our way.  Maybe it is a blessing and a curse at the same time.  Why does God sometimes hide his face from us?  Is He punishing us or is He wanting us to search for him?  Jacob learned the hard way what life was like when he didn't search for God.  21 years have passed in Genesis 29 & 30, but God's name isn't mentioned at all.  And In the end, Jacob is right back where he started.

Genesis 28:10-22

Life can sometimes become busy and hectic managing: work, kids sporting events, birthdays, and maintance around the house.  Sometimes it is hard to find the time to sit down for dinner as a family let alone devotions.  However with all of our business it is easy to miss the important moments in life.  Your child's first steps, your spouses glance, or the moment that God is trying to speak into your heart.  Take time to appreciate the "Holy Moments" in your life.

Genesis 24

Love is all around us; movies, tv,  magazines etc... Maybe it is because people have a natural desire to be loved.  But how many of us compromise ourselves or our values in our search for Love.  In the story of a servant in search for his masters wife we will see the blessing in remaining faithful to the values that God has given us in his word.

Scripture: Genesis 22

Anxiety and fear rises up when we think about what tomorrow will bring.  Abraham felt this way when the Lord told him that he was going to have to offer up his son.  Yet Abraham went forward with a strong faith knowing full well that God would provide.  God wants to provide for you as well.  Think about Gods promises and his provisions as you listen to this New Years Sermon.

Scripture: Genesis 18:1-15, 21:1-7 

Sarah thought it would be impossible for her to become a mother.  If placed in her position we might be just as skeptical.  Somtimes it takes an act of God for the impossible to become possible.  In this story we see how God intervenes and changes her skeptical laughter into pure joy.

Scripture: Genesis 18:16-33

Abraham loves his nephew Lot so much that he decides to pray for him.  He approaches God and attempts to bargain with him.  He pours out his heart in order to save his nephew.  But by the time Abraham finishes praying he realizes that his prayer really isn't about him or his nephew.  It's really about God and his love He has for us.

Scripture: Genesis 16

Where has the Peace gone today?  People are anxious about thier finances, health, etc..  We want solutions and we want them now.  Abraham & Sarah wanted solutions as well.  They were tired of waiting and took matters into their own hands.  Find out what happens when we act on our own without God, and learn how to be patient and wait upon the Lord.