Life is difficult

It didn't took long for me to realize that life is difficult. A person should never expect that everything will go well. I am surprised when life doesn't give me an curve ball.

Jacob's life was not perfect. He moved place to place and had issues. He just moved to Bethel and his wife was going to give birth. Genesis 35:16-17 says, "Then they moved to Bethel. While they were some distance from Ephrath, Rachel began to give birth and had great difficulty. And as she was having great difficulty in childbirth, the midwife said to her, "Don't despair, for you have another son."

In the Jewish culture at that time, wealth was number of kids an couple had. It was an great honor to have an son. Childbirth has never been easy and during Rachel's day, many women died giving birth.

I will never give birth to an child, but child birth is like life. Life can be painful. 

Issues came up and the pain is great. We need to rely on Jesus during the painful times.

Genesis 35:18 says, "As she breathed her last- for she was dying- she named her son Ben-Oni."

If you are curious what Ben-One means, it means son of my trouble in Hebrew.

God never wanted women to have pain giving birth but since Adam sinned, they will have child birth pains. Genesis 3:16 says, "To the woman he said, "I will make your pains in childbearing very severe; with painful labor you will give birth to children."

The good news is that modern medicine has helped childbearing greatly. Women don't die much anymore and kids are healthy. Rachel lived in times when it was dangerous to give birth to children.

Sin causes pain and troubles. Sin will cause death.

Genesis 35:18 says, "But his father named him Benjamin." Benjamin in Hebrew means son of my right hand. In the Jewish culture, the right hand is identified as an special place of honor. Jacob viewed his son as an great blessing. 

We have an father in heaven that want us to be born again. We have sinned and death is our default position. Jesus came to this world to redeemed mankind. He did on the cross and arose from the dead.

If we repent from our sins and follow Him. We will have the Holy Spirit live in us.

John 5:24 says, "Very truly  I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life."

GIF Link: https://giphy.com/gifs/sinned-Q7dtPnRmU8EeEze2ku

What is success?

I will drive deep into this topic. Life is uncertain and it drains me. On Thursday, I was weak so I needed to rely on Philippians 4:10. The verse says, "I can do all this through him who gives me strength." Life can knock me out so I need Jesus.

We can't have life without plans. It is hard to figure out the next step. I do an simple first step. Proverbs 16:3 says, "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans." God has given me much wisdom.

We all need wisdom to survive in this world. People look to YouTube and books for guidance. I go to an book which helps me greatly. 2 Kings 2:3 says, "And observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulation, as it is written in the law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go."

God has given us talents. We must be faithful to honor him. Success is honoring God.

People want to do great movements but are you faithful in the little details in life?

Luke 16:10-11 says, "Whoever can be trusted with very little can be trusted with much and, whoever is dishonest with very little will be dishonest with very much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who can trust with great riches."

We must work hard in life and give honor to Jesus.

Action requires faith and our faith can waver. We must walk down the roads of life. Isaiah 41:10 says, "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed , for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous hand."

Jeremiah 17:7 says, "But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him."

I see many people that claim that they are self-made. This is pride that many people will fall into. God has given you abilities and provisions. Deuteronomy 8:18 says, "But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today."

I must get the heart of God in my desires. I must align my way with his will. When I do this then I have Psalm 37:4. It says, "Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart."

I see many people are drop-out even if they have college degrees. They are too prideful to admit that they need God. Proverbs 3:1-4 says, "My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many year and bring you peace and prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man."

We must remain humble and follow the Lord. James 4:10 says, "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up."

GIF link: https://giphy.com/gifs/road-L1Wcvajs9Ez3ZpKDPd