You can’t fight with God

Your arms are too short to box with God

Read: Genesis 32

So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. Then the man said let me go for it is day break. But Jacob replied I will not let you go unless you bless me. Genesis 32:24, 26

Fighting with God

Jacob’s fight with God, as recorded in Genesis 32, was the tipping point in his life. Jacob deceitfully took advantage of his brother by taking his birthright, blessing, and even attempted to hold Esau back at birth Genesis 25:26. Jacob stole what was rightfully Esau’s - Genesis 27.

What’s in a name?

The name Jacob is a pun on the Hebrew word grasp – to take. So throughout Jacob’s life we read how he schemed and skillfully took things to “create” his future. But now he has reached the end of his abilities and God is seeking to take control of his life based on his adverse activities.  “The man” Jacob fights with all night was a supernatural being – God. Though Jacob stole from Esau the fight was not with his brother but with God. In the end God changed Jacob’s name to Israel which means “he struggles with God.”

Overcome inabilities

you can't fight with God

When I look back over my life, the images unveil my Jacob like tendencies of struggling with God. The mind combats with how sin, inabilities, and short comings made me unworthy for God to use. God continued to tug and pull the spirit hoping to get my attention. This is where the fight begins. I come to realize God does not look for brilliant or eloquent people. God seeks broken vessels like me, people who have judged themselves and reached their wits end, rock bottom, or the dead end.

Release your strongholds

It is obvious God could have taken Jacob’s life but instead he touched him in the strongest part of the human anatomy – the tendon near the hip – crippling Jacob. Jacob surrendered and asked to be blessed Genesis 32:25-28.

You are struggling with your past – jobs, family, marriage, or life. Let go and let God touch your strongholds. The things that are holding you back will become the deliverance and testimony that God will empower you to overcome and become a blessing to others.

"Golden-Voiced" Ted Williams: Hype or a miracle from God



The early years of Ted Williams

 By now everyone has seen and been touched one way or another by the first heart-warming story of 2011. Like, hate or don’t care about it homeless man, Ted Williams, with the silky smooth voice has saturated television and radio alike. A man who had a promising radio career in the 1980s later fell from ‘grace’ due to drugs and alcoholism is now given a second chance.


Unlike most stories you have seen, heard or read I am a believer of miracles and second chances which has led me to take a more spiritual observation of the man with the “golden voice”. Ted Williams is another example that comprises of all the ingredients for God to show the masses he is still in the blessing business.

At one time or another we all have made mistakes great or small. Just like the Samaritan women (John 4:1-26) Jesus met at the well whose past life of adultery made her an outcast to society. But thanks be to God he forgave her. After her encounter with Jesus, the Bible does not mention anymore about her future; did she revert back to her old ways, hide from the nay-sayers in shame, or change her behavior. No matter how you interrupted the story of the Samaritan woman or Ted Williams they as well as you deserve a second chance.

Ted Williams Mug shots

In the hustle and bustle of our world today, society has a tendency of edging God completely out even though he continuously knocks on our hearts seeking an opportunity to form a relationship. Though we cry out and/or question God’s presence it is only because we are blinded by life’s obstructions. These barriers leave many with a sense of emptiness, loneliness, doubt and disbelieve. People like Ohio businessman ‘Dan’ who is infuriated of Mr. Williams’s notoriety and job offers from the likes of Kraft, NFL and ESPN. Here is a man with a two year rap sheet of crime and robbery that has affected Dan’s business and in his mind believes Ted does not deserve any of it.

Take a look at your life. What have you done that you deserve a second chance and society refuses to forgive you? Have you forgiven yourself? Have you asked God’s forgiveness? I don’t know what the future holds for Ted Williams and his Golden Voice. I do pray that he will take advantage of this opportunity and glorify God during the process. We to have a bit of the golden voice of Christ in us but we have to choose to listen. In the process we also have to believe and receive that Christ has forgiven us before we are granted a second chance in life.

Tigner


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God Loves Golf, He Allows Mulligans

 God is able to blot out your sins and He will not remember them anymore Isaiah 43.25 

In golf sometimes a golfer is given a second chance which allows the player to do a particular move or action again. Mainly, the shot will not be tallied on the score card. As humans we make mistakes error, because we are no where near perfect. So it stands to reason that in life we should be able to ask for second chances however they are hardly granted.

In the eyesight of God he allows us to have Mulligans. God’s second chances are called forgiveness. Forgiveness is an opportunity to be exonerated from a sin. Many Christians feel that despite the fact you humbly asked forgiveness God still holds that sin over your head. Unlike man, the Heavenly Father does not. He clearly states that once we ask He forgets. God does not punish us for all our sins; He does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. For His unfailing love toward those who fear Him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. Psalm 103: 10-12. God is able to blot out your sins and He will not remember them anymore Isaiah 43.25 Only humans have the problem with letting go or forgiving.

Let us take advantage of the Mulligans in life take it to the Father who can really allow a do over. So as it is written "For if you forgive men when they sin against you your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But, if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." Mat 6:14-15
Remember God does forgive and allow second chances in life. Ask for yours.

Tigner J.