Tag Archives: the book of Genesis

Where the Spirit of God Resides

Posted on September 17, 2023 by expressyourself4him

When I attended the University of Delaware in the late 1980’s, it was rated the #1 party school in the nation. After my first semester following in the footsteps of the prodigal son, Luke 15:11-32, a Christian retreat off campus altered the course of my life. Over the next 4 years, I began to meet people whose faith shined so bright in this dark place, it became clear to me that the spirit of God resided deep inside their hearts.

And the plan seemed good in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of all his servants. 38 And Pharaoh said to his servants, Can we find this man’s equal, a man in whom is the spirit of God? 39 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, Forasmuch as [your] God has shown you all this, there is nobody as intelligent and discreet and understanding and wise as you are. 40 You shall have charge over my house, and all my people shall be governed according to your word [with reverence, submission, and obedience]. Only in matters of the throne will I be greater than you are, Genesis 41:37-40.

Throughout the book of Genesis, Moses highlights places where the Spirit of God fell upon and or visited Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. These locations were dedicated with an altar, monument and or stone pillar to let others know of God’s presence. After reading Genesis 41, the Spirit of God gives Joseph the interpretation of Pharaoh’s two dreams and apparently provides a clear plan of action to overcome what lies in the future.

But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, 23 Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [[f]that can bring a charge]. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the flesh (the godless human nature) with its passions and appetites and desires. 25 If we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [If by the Holy Spirit [g]we have our life in God, let us go forward [h]walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit,] Galatians 5:22-25.

During a first century letter to the Church at Rome, the apostle Paul confesses in Romans 7:14-18 that a spiritual force inside of his body is causing him to do the opposite of what God desires. This period in Paul’s life likely inspires the words in the above passage. While human bodies are weak, Matthew 26:41, the Spirit of God is willing to show you how to prevail, 1 Corinthians 10:13. Subsequently, whenever you find yourself slowing slipping away from the Lord, pray for the fruits of the Holy Spirit so that God will help you crucify your fleshly desires by keeping in step with the Holy Ghost.

by Jay Mankus

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Who is the Lord With Today?

Posted on August 27, 2023 by expressyourself4him

As I continue to study the book of Genesis, three spiritual individuals stick out: Enoch, Noah, and Joseph. Moses highlights the lives of Enoch and Noah by revealing that each habitually walked with God daily. I’m assuming that Moses means praying, talking, and walking with the Lord daily. Moses brings up a new expression while reflecting upon Jospeh’s life,” the Lord was with him.”

And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain and chief executioner of the [royal] guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him down there. 2 But the Lord was with Joseph, and he [though a slave] was a successful and prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian 3 And his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all that he did to flourish and succeed in his hand, Genesis 39:1-3.

Based upon the words of Deuteronomy 28, God blessed Joseph for every endeavor in life. Joseph was gifted with the ability to lead as well as possessing a strict attention to details. These two qualities enabled Joseph to excel as the caretaker of Potiphar’s estate and overseer of the state penitentiary. Everyone who interacted with Joseph realized that God was with him.

And Joseph’s master took him and put him in the prison, a place where the state prisoners were confined; so he was there in the prison. 21 But the Lord was with Joseph, and showed him mercy and loving-kindness and gave him favor in the sight of the warden of the prison. 22 And the warden of the prison committed to Joseph’s care all the prisoners who were in the prison; and whatsoever was done there, he was in charge of it, Genesis 39:20-22.

This makes me wonder: who is the Lord with today? While there are plenty of political leaders who are adored by the mainstream media, I don’t see the Lord’s presence in their lives. Sure, there are pastors who may stand out, but what about local leaders? May today’s blog give you a discerning spirit to search for and find a spiritual mentor who the Lord is with today.

by Jay Mankus

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Household Gods

Posted on July 3, 2023 by expressyourself4him

When I first studied Genesis 31, I thought I had found a typo in my Bible. The end of Genesis 31:19 reads Rachel stole her father’s household gods. I assumed that Rachel took possessions that she thought were rightfully hers. However, in the passage below, Moses clearly states that Laban possessed images of gods worshipped by the people in Paddan-aram.

So Laban went into Jacob’s tent and into Leah’s tent and the tent of the two maids, but he did not find them. Then he went from Leah’s tent into Rachel’s tent. 34 Now Rachel had taken the images (gods) and put them in the camel’s saddle and sat on them. Laban searched and felt through all the tent, but did not find them. 35 And [Rachel] said to her father, Do not be displeased, my lord, that I cannot rise up before you, for the period of women is upon me and I am unwell. And he searched, but did not find the gods, Genesis 31:33-35.

This passage struck a nerve in my soul, causing me to wonder, “what households gods do I possess?” Is the Lord lifted up on high or do I display graven images that have led guests and visitors astray? Meanwhile, what kind of activities, games, or hobbies inside my home distract me from spending more time daily with the Lord? – Mark 1:35-36

Then God spoke all these words: 2 I am the Lord your God, Who has brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3 You shall have no other gods before or besides Me. 4 You shall not make yourself any graven image [to worship it] or any likeness of anything that is in the heavens above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; 5 You shall not bow down yourself to them or serve them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me, Exodus 20:1-5.

Compared to Canaan, growing up in Paddan-aram was likely a much more suitable place to become a good and decent human being. Yet, every city has bad influences which divert your attention toward idle practices. According to Moses, Laban had collected images of gods worshipped in Paddan-aram or nearby towns. If the book of Genesis serves as God’s ultimate display of free will, the Ten Commandments places a limitation on exercising free will, starting with household gods.

by Jay Mankus

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The Dominion Covenant

Posted on June 2, 2021 by expressyourself4him

The Dominion Covenant is based upon teaching in the book of Genesis, the first book of the Holy Bible. The passage below introduces the covenant between God and mankind. Authority over the earth and all of it’s living creatures was given over to Adam in Genesis 2:8-9. Adam’s initial role was to serve as the caretaker of the Garden of Eden. Another responsibility was added in Genesis 2:20, performing taxonomy by classifying and naming animals.

God said, Let Us [Father, Son, and Holy Spirit] make mankind in Our image, after Our likeness, and let them have complete authority over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the [tame] beasts, and over all of the earth, and over everything that creeps upon the earth, Genesis 1:26.

Author Joseph Mattera writes about Twenty Amazing implications of the Dominion Covenant. The first is based upon the passage above: God made human kind in His Image which shows the sanctity of life. Mattera builds upon this in his second implication as God’s desire to create human beings in His own image shows creative potential and power for future caretakers of the earth. Unfortunately, modern governments and political leaders have forgotten about the Dominion Covenant.

Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 2 And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done; and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. 3 And God blessed (spoke good of) the seventh day, set it apart as His own, and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all His work which He had created and done. 4 This is the history of the heavens and of the earth when they were created. In the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens—Genesis 2:1-4.

Instead of trusting citizens and homeowners to do the right thing, law makers have turned the tables, given native animals, plants, and waterways more rights than human beings. As environmentalism has become a religion to liberals and progressives, the future of the Dominion Covenant is at risk. As plans for the Green New Deal expand, the natural resources within the earth which were once seen as a blessing, have now become politicized. May a spirit of common sense and a desire to be good stewards of the earth restore sanity and the Dominion Covenant can be restored.

by Jay Mankus

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