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From Feud to Favor
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Jacob began his journey home consumed by a legitimate, life-threatening fear. He expected a confrontation with a vengeful brother and his 400 men. But what he received was a miracle. The story’s emotional climax reveals the full power of his strategy: “But Esau ran to meet him and embraced him and fell on his…
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Be Wise About the Gifts You Accept
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Jacob’s gift was a tool for reconciliation, given freely to mend a broken relationship. The wisdom of God, however, warns us that not all gifts are so pure. They draw a sharp line between a gift and a bribe, which comes with dangerous strings attached. The Book of Proverbs cautions that accepting certain gifts…
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Prepare for Conflict, but Hope for Grace
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The climax of the story arrives when the two brothers finally meet. Jacob, ever the strategist, prepares for the worst. He arranges his wives and children defensively, bracing for the righteous anger of a brother arriving with 400 men. But what happens next shatters all expectation. Instead of vengeance, Jacob is met with grace.…
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When Overwhelmed by Fear, Start with Sincere Prayer
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Jacob’s fear of his brother was entirely legitimate. The last time they saw each other, Esau had vowed to kill him for stealing their father’s blessing. Now, returning home after twenty years, Jacob knows a confrontation is unavoidable. Before he devises a single strategy, his first action is to turn to God. His prayer…
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Your Relationship Doesn’t Exist in a Vacuum
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It’s tempting to believe that if a couple can achieve perfect internal harmony, they can conquer anything. But even in a hypothetical scenario where two people never argue and exist in complete alignment, their relationship is not an island. It exists within a larger world full of unpredictable challenges. There will always be “circumstances…
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The Even Keel Is a Myth—And That’s a Good Thing
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The first and most liberating truth is that even the very best of relationships are going to have ups and downs. This idea runs counter to everything we’ve been taught about romantic success, but embracing it is the key to genuine connection. The expectation of a constant, unwavering “even keel” sets an impossible standard.…
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Life’s Seesaw: Navigating Ups and Downs
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That’s how life is. There’s ups and there’s downs, just like you’re riding a seesaw. But Philippians 4:12 says, in all things, I know how to be abased and I know how to abound. I know how to suffer need, how to be blessed how to be full, and how to be hungry…
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This May Be the Nudge the Holy Spirit Is Sending You
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This message is simple: Your relationship matters to God. Yes, even that one.The one that’s complicated.The one that hurts sometimes.The one you’re not sure how to fix… or if you even should. You are not a failure.You are not a lost cause.And your relationship is not beyond healing. “I will restore to you the…
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This Is Your Appointed Time—Don’t Miss It
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You’ve been praying.You’ve been waiting.You’ve been trying to hold it together and hoping things would change. This is your moment to take action. And no—it’s not a gimmick.It’s not a trick.It’s a gift. I love giving, and giving Tuesday is my perfect opportunity to give to you.And this year, I wanted to make sure…
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God’s Power Is Not Just for the Perfect
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“It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”Luke 5:31–32 There’s a lie that’s been quietly creeping through the church for far too long: That you have to be perfect to receive God’s help.That unless your relationship looks holy,…