When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, "Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it." Genesis 28:16 NIV

Jacob had been asleep. God spoke to him in a dream. When he woke up, he realized God was with him all along.

Has that ever happened to you? You feel as though you are all alone. No one understands. No one cares. Life's

The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life. Revelation 22:17 NIV

Have you read the end of the story? God wants you to come to know Him!

All throughout God's Love Story we call the Bible, God spells out His plan for

That day when evening came, He said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side." Leaving the crowd behind, they took Him along, just as He was, in the boat. There were also other boats with Him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Mark 4:35-37 NIV

Have you ever been surprised by

Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"

Mark 4:38 NIV

Yesterday we introduced the phrase "surprised by God". Chuck Swindoll, describes it like this:

"You lay yourself before Him. You pray. You ask for counsel. You seek His Word. You are willing to give up

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. Mark 4:39 NIV

We read this verse and we think, "Duh, Jesus was in the boat. Of course He was going to calm the storm. He had so much more ministry ahead of Him. He had to endure the cross for the payment of our sin debt. That

He said to His disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" Mark 4:40 NIV

When God sends surprises in our life, He is doing so that He might strengthen our dependence on Him.

Jesus had been molding the disciples. He wanted them to have complete trust in Him. He had called them out of their "normal" lives and asked them to

They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey Him!" Mark 4:41 NIV

After the disciples were "surprised" by God, there was an even deeper fear...the fear of God! You see, when you and I realize how awesome God is, we will begin to fear Him in a whole new way; in a reverant, respectful, holy way.

To recap

Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I Am God, and there is no other. Isaiah 45:22 NIV

A fifteen year old boy in the community in which I live was just convicted of second degree murder for the death of another young boy. Having stated that he felt "revenge" over some negative comments made, the situation appeared to arise

Give us aid against the enemy, for the help of man is worthless. Psalm 60:11 NIV

I have never been to war. I have, however, had the experience of meeting some veterans of foreign war. As a true patriot, I have the utmost respect for our armed service personnel in my country. Growing up in a military town, I tear up at official military functions.

In spite of this, you did not trust in the LORD your God, Who went ahead of you on your journey, in fire by night and in a cloud by day, to search out places for you to camp and to show you the way you should go. Deuteronomy 1:32-33 NIV

When the Israelites reached a camp, God had already picked it out. When they laid their head on a rock at

In their hunger You gave them bread from Heaven and in their thirst You brought them water from the rock; You told them to go in and take possession of the land You had sworn with uplifted hand to give them.

Nehemiah 9:15 NIV

God has impressed upon me today to be thankful. Now, please don't misunderstand. This has actually been a very difficult

He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD. Proverbs 18:22 NIV

Would you please forgive me? I allowed another Valentine's Day to go by without taking the opportunity to brag on my wife through this medium. Since she rarely signs on to the Internet, she seldom gets to read Mustard Seeds, but I want to honor her just

But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, "First seek the counsel of the LORD." 1 Kings 22:5 NIV

Do you appreciate good advise? If you are going to ask someone for advise, do you make sure it is someone who at least marginally knows what they are talking about?

I have a few good friends upon whom I lean for advise. I know that if they

"The poor and needy search for water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. But I the LORD will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them." Isaiah 41:17 NIV

My boys and I like to play basketball together. Actually, they like to play any sport, and are able to far more than I am these days. When we really get

Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 NIV

There are two Biblical reasons to cast your cares upon the Lord. We will look at the first today.

Did you know that God cares for you? Do you feel that care today?

This writer knows first hand the pain of life. I know the feeling of rejected love. I know how it feels to

Cast your cares on the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall. Psalm 55:22 NIV

The second reason to cast your cares upon the Lord, according to the Bible, is because when you do, God will take care of you.

I recall an incident several years ago when I was a junior management member of a large retail operation. I was

"and bring your father and your families back to me. I will give you the best of the land of Egypt and you can enjoy the fat of the land." Genesis 45:18 NIV

If the weather holds out this weekend, I anticipate firing up the grill. I am going to throw on a couple of ribeye steaks, charcoal them, add a bake potato and salad, then celebrate the

That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two maidservants and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. So Jacob was left alone Genesis 32:22-24a NIV

This week we are going to look at a time in the life of Jacob, which changed him forever. Jacob, you

and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob's hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. Then the man said, "Let me go, for it is daybreak." But Jacob replied, "I will not let you go unless you bless me." Genesis 32:24b-26 NIV

Have you ever wrestled

The man asked him, "What is your name?" "Jacob," he answered. Genesis 32:27 NIV

Jacob was wrestling for his life! We have seen the last couple of days that Jacob was alone before God. He was about to face his past. He was heading to meet his brother, after 20 years of running. This was a frightning time, so Jacob sent his family and all his