Author Archives: L. Lyden

Alternate Endings And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” ~ Acts 16:9 Have you ever wondered what your life would be like if you had made different choices? Maybe it was a decision you made, orContinue reading “From the Daily Dose Journal Series”

Restoration Then Esau ran to meet him and embraced him, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. And they both wept. ~ Genesis 33:4 I’ve burned many bridges in my former life, and many of them added to the shame I carried from my past. There were times when I dreaded getting togetherContinue reading “Genesis 33”

Wrestling with God This left Jacob all alone in the camp, and a man came and wrestled with him until the dawn began to break. ~ Genesis 32:24 Today’s reading gives us one of the most powerful moments in Jacob’s life. After years of struggle, mistakes, and running from conflict, Jacob was met with hisContinue reading “Genesis 32”

Wherever you go Then the Lord said to Jacob, “Return to the land of your father and grandfather and to your relatives there, and I will be with you.” ~ Genesis 31:3 This seems to be a recurring theme that you would think we would have a firm grasp on by now. Yet no matter how manyContinue reading “Genesis 31”

God hears and answers And God answered Leah’s prayers. She became pregnant again and gave birth to a fifth son for Jacob. ~ Genesis 30:17  Genesis 30 is a chapter full of human striving, competition, and deep emotional struggle. Leah deeply desired Jacob’s love, Rachel desired children, and both felt overlooked in different ways. YetContinue reading “Genesis 30”

When God’s promise feels out of reach So Jacob worked seven years to pay for Rachel. But his love for her was so strong that it seemed to him but a few days. ~ Genesis 29:20  Life often has a way of testing my patience. I know what it feels like to wait on somethingContinue reading “Genesis 29”

Everyone did their part So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily. ~ Acts 16:5 This is truly a demonstration of the body of Christ working together as it was intended from the beginning. Everyone doing their part within the body produced the results that Jesus died for His peopleContinue reading “From the Daily Dose Journal Series”

Faithfulness Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. So Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus; ~ Acts 15:39 This has always been a hard part of Paul’s story for me to handle. Earlier in Acts, in chapter 13, the Holy Spirit separated Paul and Barnabas to go together onContinue reading “From the Daily Dose Journal Series”

My Jacob’s Ladder “What’s more, I am with you, and I will protect you wherever you go. One day I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have finished giving you everything I have promised you.” ~ Genesis 28:15 This chapter in Genesis tells about Jacob’s journey asContinue reading “Genesis 28”

Guarding your integrity But Isaac said, “Your brother was here, and he tricked me. He has taken away your blessing.” ~ Genesis 27:35 Today’s reading is a sobering reminder of how deception can cause deep hurt and lasting consequences. In this chapter, Jacob, led by his mother Rebekah, deceives his father Isaac to receive theContinue reading “Genesis 27”