the games people play with GOD…

jacob had a very interesting relationship with GOD.  jacob had sort of a wheel of fortune relationship with GOD.  he thought he’d spun the wheel and he was lucky.  and if he were lucky, GOD would bless him.  and there are many people who feel like if GOD blesses you, it’s like you’ve won the lottery.  of the billions of people on the earth HE just happened to bless you today.  isn’t that wonderful?

but that’s not how GOD works.  jacob also said, if GOD will be with me, then he will be my GOD.  what kind of relationship is that?  that’s a let’s make a deal relationship with GOD.  “GOD, if you’ll do this, i’ll do that.”  that’s not the way GOD wants to relate to us.  HE’s already finished the “deal” in JESUS CHRIST. 

jacob said, “and i’m going to take this stone.  it’s going to be GOD’s house.”   he was trying to limit GOD and saying, this is where GOD’s going to live.  this is the hollywood squares relationship with GOD. 

in that game they have the little boxes they have to sit in and they can’t go out of those boxes.  we do that with GOD sometimes.  we say, “here GOD.  here’s where i want you in my life.  here’s the box.”  maybe it’s a sunday box.  maybe it’s a family box and business is outside of it.  there’s a box that we build and we say, “this is your house, GOD.  and i’m going to come visit you there.” 

but you can’t contain GOD in a box.  HE wants to be involved in every part of our lives. 

then there is the “i’ll give you a tenth…”  that’s the price is right relationship with GOD.  “ if i get the right price then GOD’s going to surely love me.” he got it wrong.  maybe you got it wrong the first time GOD spoke to you.  but that’s not the end of the story, though.  GOD keeps speaking.

all of us have been there haven’t we?  just check each one of them off. 

• wheel of fortune  
• let’s make a deal 
• hollywood squares or 
• the price is right

but if we seek first the kingdom of GOD and HIS righteousness all these things, all these relationships, all this deep felt worth that we spend so much time trying get by our scheming and deception we will get.  it is a gift that is not earned that HE wants to give to us.

just a thought from the front porch…