Emmanuel Okoro (aka MrLift)

Emotional intelligence  "But Jacob said, "My master can see that the children are frail. And the flocks and herds are nursing, making for slow going. If I push them too hard, even for a day, I'd lose them all. So, master, you go on ahead of your servant, while I take it easy at the pace of my flocks and children. I'll catch up with you in Seir." (Gen.33.13-34) Managing people, dealing wisely or relating with people is one of the great skills you will ever learn. It is not an easy task to manage or lead people, it requires a lot of emotional intelligence.  The story of Jacob reuniting with his brother Esau and how he, though, trying to please his brother wisely turned down the request by Esau is a classic example for managers, and indeed everyone to learn from.  If Jacob was a 'yes man' - a person who always say yes just so the other person would not get angry - he would have jeopardised the wellbeing of his young ones and his flocks. So he says, you go ah...

He led the way "He led the way and, as he approached his brother, bowed seven times, honoring his brother." (Gen.33.3)  Jacob and his family faced a possible annihilation as they journeyed towards what they believed was God's destiny for them. God had appeared to Jacob and instructed him to go back to the land of his birth. The same land he ran from twenty-plus year earlier for fear of his brother's treat to his life. Now he goes back there but this time he is not alone; he is with all that he had become - wives, children and more. He has more to loose now, but the Bible informed us that despiste this treat, he led the way.  As men we must learn to lead our families. He was up in front of them. He did not do this until he had first faced God in the place of prayer. Before he had the courage to lead the way, he had the courage to stand before God.  "He got them safely across the brook along with all his possessions. But Jacob stayed behind by himself, and a man wr...

Let your gift go before you "So his gifts went before him while he settled down for the night in the camp." (Gen.32.21)  The wise King Solomon tells us that a man's gift makes room for him. Every single one of us is born with a gift, not a skill but a gift. That is something you are good at.  "A man 's gift makes room for him and brings him before great men." (Prov.18.14 AMP) The world however is full of gifted but broke people. A gift, otherwise known as a talent is not enough. Your gift opens the door for you and introduces you to great men but what you do with your gift afterwsrds determine whether you will stay there or not.  Joseph, a gifted interpreter of dreams, did not just interpret dreams, he added the solution. In other words, he turned his gift into a skill for which he could be paid. That is, something helpful to other people. Your gift facilitate you but your skill facilities others. Your gift helps you but your skill helps others. Your gift so...

Take words back to God  "So Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed; and he divided the people that were with him, and the flocks and herds and camels, into two companies. And then Jacob prayed, "God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, GOD who told me, "Go back to your parents' homeland and I'll treat you well.'  (Gen.32.7, 9) Life can be stressful and sometimes overwhelming. This was one of such times for Jacob. He has just resigned his job and has to relocate his entire family, servants and all from his present location because he had been instructed to by God to do so. He had had the opportunity to explain this decision to his wives. Thank God they understood with him.  The fear of the unknown had taken hold of him. What was he going to meet when he gets there, knowing that when he left, some people, specifically his twin brother had secretly vowed to kill him. And now he heard that this brother was coming to him with four hundred men.  Our text ...

Angels on assignment  "And Jacob went his way. Angels of God met him." (Gen.32.1)  God's angel are always there with the believing ones. They are always working in your favour helping you accomplish all that God has in store for you. The angel of God met Jacob as he sets out to fulfill God's agenda for his life.  Jesus told us that every little Child has an angel and that these angels are always looking upon the face of God on our behalves.  "Beware that you do not despise or feel scornful toward or think little of one of these little ones, for I tell you that in heaven their angels always are in the presence of and look upon the face of My Father Who is in heaven. (Matt.18.10 AMP) When these children grow, the angels do not leave them. We know this because, the Apostle Paul tells that these angels are sent to minister to the need of the believing ones.  "Are not the angels all ministering spirits (servants) sent out in the service [of God for the assistance...

When a man's ways please the Lord  "If I had a mind to, I could destroy you right now, but the God of your father spoke to me last night, "Be careful what you do to Jacob, whether good or bad.' (Gen.31.29)  Only eternity will reveal the things that God delivered and protected us from that we have no knowledge of. As Jacob leaves the employ of Leban without notice, the Bible records that Leban had it in mind to do Jacob harm but God appeared to Leban in the night and warned him against doing Jacob harm.  There may be so many people who have it in mind to do you harm, to destroy you perhaps but for God. God will not let any harm that is not in his will befall you. That means if any seeming harm befalls you, it is only because God will work it out for your good.  It is instructive to note that there in nothing that the devil can do to you that God cannot undo and that there is nothing that God has done before that he cannot do again.  Because it was God who instruc...

Supportive spouse  "Any wealth that God has seen fit to return to us from our father is justly ours and our children's. Go ahead. Do what God told you." (Gen.31.16)  To say to one's spouse, "Do what God told you", is one of the greatest forms of support one can get from one's spouse. The bibles says the two shall be one  -  "As the Scriptures say, "A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one." (Eph.5.31)  So that the husband and the wife, though two personalities, begin to think as one. Not that they think one thought but that they are able to harmonize their thoughts, that they now think as one. It is on this premise that one spouse can say to the other, "Do what God told you".  But if the husband and wife do not see eyes to eyes, how can they have the meetings of the mind? How can they agree with God if they do not agree with themselves? And this agreement is very important that...

God meets you where you are  "I'm the God of Bethel where you consecrated a pillar and made a vow to me. Now be on your way, get out of this place, go home to your birthplace.'"(Gen.31.13)  God first introduced himself to Jacob in Genesis 28. He had just received the blessings of Abraham from his father Isaac and as he was running away from Esua his brother, God appeared to him. But then he went on to work for his uncle, who became his father-in- law, even though God was still with him, there was no fellowship with God and as a result no intimacy.  So when God needed him to move back home, God showed up and reintroduced himself to Jacob saying 'I'm the God of Bethel where you consecrated a pillar and made a vow to me.' this shows us that there was no relationship, no fellowship, that was why God was telling him where they met and how they met and how Jacob consecrated a pillar to Him.  God wants not just a relationship but a fellowship with you. Relationsh...

Reward comes from God  "Over and over God used your father's livestock to reward me." (Gen.31.9)  There are some much lessons to learn from the story of Jacob and Leban his employer. The story shows us the relationship that existed between an employee and his employer. Especially, for the employee, on how to behave even when the working conditions are not palatable.  Jacob tells us that his wages were changed ten times and that his employer no longer treats him as he once did.  "You know how hard I've worked for your father. Still, your father has cheated me over and over, changing my wages time and again. But God never let him really hurt me."(Gen.31.6-7) But it was his attitude that makes all the difference. He says that while his employer cheated him God rewarded him. Making the point that reward comes from God. It is God that rewards. So do your work in such a way that it is worth rewarding by God. If God looks at your work, would you get a reward? Littl...

God has not changed  "He said, "I notice that your father has changed toward me; he doesn't treat me the same as before. But the God of my father hasn't changed; he's still with me." (Gen.31.5)  Change is one of the constants in life. So it expected that as we interact and engage with the people and the world around us, that we will change. Some for the better, others, well, let's just say not for the best.  Our text tells the story of Jacob as an employee and his employer, Leban, who happens to be his uncle. And it shows how we must be steadfastly doing what is right even in the face of seeming wrong done to us. Knowing that when people change for the worse, God does not change. And it is on this unchanging nature of God that we must hancour our actions and not allow it to sway based on how we are treated by others.  The Bible tells us that God allows his rain to fall on the just and the unjust. (see Matthew. 5.45) If you feel unjustly treated, go to God...

Give me sons or I'll die! "When Rachel realized that she wasn't having any children for Jacob, she became jealous of her sister. She told Jacob, "Give me sons or I'll die!" (Gen.30.1)  The words of Rachel the love wife of Jacob, reminds me of the craving for a male child in most homes. This craving is because many families want to make a name for themselves, to perpetuate their lineage through the male child. This child is supposed to carry on the family name. This is understandable, but for the woman to be the one making such remarks, calls to mind a deeper pain than perpetuity.  How does it feel when the blessing of others provoke a jealousy you never knew existed in you? How do you respond? Do you like Rachel formulate a pathway that is not in line with God's agenda? What is the cost of waiting? Do you trust God enough to know that when it seems He is not working according to your definition, He is working according to His? And that His plans for you a...

Find your why, find your yes "And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother's brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother's brother, that Jacob went near, and rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother's brother." (Gen.29.10 KJV).  When you figure out your why, you have figured out your greatest motivation. Your why is your compelling reason, your controlling force, the reason you live and do what you do.  In our text, Jacob alone moved the stone from the well. This stone, we are told is moved by a community of herders. The shepherds wait for one another and when they have all brought their herds in, they would together move the huge stone.  "He noticed a well out in an open field with three flocks of sheep bedded down around it. This was the common well from which the flocks were watered. The stone over the mouth of the well was huge. When all the flocks were gathered, the shepherds woul...

God's ways  It would appear as though God's intentions were realized through falsehood. God gave the end result but man decided the how. In this case, God told Rebecca from when she was pregnant what His intentions were and Rebecca fashioned out the way to actualize it?  "GOD told her, Two nations are in your womb, two peoples butting heads while still in your body. One people will overpower the other, and the older will serve the younger."(Gen.25.23)  I think Rebecca should have done a better job trying to achieving God's intentions. She should have gone back to God to ask for the 'how to' just as she did when she was pregnant with the boys.  Isaac was finally brought into the picture. So that now He blesses Jacob with the blessings of Abraham, the blessing of succession.  "So Isaac called in Jacob and blessed him. Then he ordered him, "Don't take a Caananite wife. And pass on the blessing of Abraham to you and your descendants so that you w...

Dig again  "One day, as Isaac's servants were digging in the valley, they came on a well of spring water. The shepherds of Gerar quarreled with Isaac's shepherds, claiming, "This water is ours." So Isaac named the well Esek (Quarrel) because they quarreled over it. They dug another well and there was a difference over that one also, so he named it Sitnah (Accusation). He went on from there and dug yet another well. But there was no fighting over this one so he named it Rehoboth (Wide-Open Spaces), saying, "Now GOD has given us plenty of space to spread out in the land." (Gen.26.19-22) One reason most people are still where they have been is because they stopped short of what could have been possible. They refused to push ahead because they experienced a setback. Setbacks are set up for a comeback  The story of Isaac illustrates this for us. He dug a well and found water but that was taken from him, he dug another one that was also taken from him, until ...

Isaac planted in that land  "Isaac planted crops in that land and took in a huge harvest. GOD blessed him. The man got richer and richer by the day until he was very wealthy. He accumulated flocks and herds and many, many servants, so much so that the Philistines began to envy him. (Gen.26.12-14)  Isaac lived in an agrarian society so planting was not unusual. But what was unusual is the fact that there was famine in the land so whatever was planted  did not have a chance at growing to the point of harvest.  It is instructive to learn that he planted crops in obedience to God's instructions. So it was a time when nothing seem to work. The economy wasn't working, yet he planted . And it was that obedience that God blessed. In this day and age, it does not matter what job you do, if it is in obedience to God's instructions to you, you too will reap an harvest.  God's instruction plus your obedience equal God's blessings. But you must plant  even when the time...

You don't value what you have until you lose it "Jacob gave him bread and the stew of lentils. He ate and drank, got up and left. That's how Esau shrugged off his rights as the firstborn." [Gen.25.34] That is how Esau shrugged off his right as the firstborn. He disdain his right as the first born and sold same for a plate of food. As firstborn he was entitled to a double portion of all his father Isaac had. But he gave all up that for a brief moment  appetite.  Moses tell us in the Deuteronomy that even if the first born is from a wife that is hated, as long as he is the first born he gets a double portion.  "But he shall acknowledge the son of the hated for the firstborn, by giving him a double portion of all that he hath: for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his. (Deut.21.17)  This same right was what Esau shrugged off, with so much disdain, he would later sought it with cry of bitter tears but will not get it back.  "And ...

Birth rights for sale  "One day Jacob was cooking a stew. Esau came in from the field, starved. Esau said to Jacob, "Give me some of that red stew--I'm starved!" That's how he came to be called Edom (Red). Jacob said, "Make me a trade: my stew for your rights as the firstborn." Esau said, "I'm starving! What good is a birthright if I'm dead?" Jacob said, "First, swear to me." And he did it. On oath Esau traded away his rights as the firstborn." (Gen.25.29-33).  Life has taught us to trade what we have for what we want or need. And this is basic economics but the story of how Esau lost his birthright is a lesson we should not forget in a hurry. It tells us that we do not value what we have, until we have lose it.  Esau had his birthright and that entitles him to a double portion of the inheritance from his father. But he was willing to trade a long term advantage for a short pleasure. He wanted a quick fix over a permanen...

A prayng husband and a praying wife  "Isaac prayed hard to GOD for his wife because she was barren. GOD answered his prayer and Rebekah became pregnant. But the children tumbled and kicked inside her so much that she said, "If this is the way it's going to be, why go on living?" She went to GOD to find out what was going on." (Gen.25.21-22) Prayer is an avenue through which humanity can partake in divine activity. When we pray, we not only communicate with God, but also share in exacting and implement the council of our God. Prayer is a vital success factor for the believer.  Our text says that Rebekah was barren and isaac prayed hard for his wife. I wonder how further along we will go if the husbands learn to pray for their wives. The text says he prayed hard for his wife. The hardness of prayer is not dependent on how loud or quiet we sound but how accurate our stance is in relation to the word of God. This would make Isaac a praying husband. Are you a praying...

Abraham died happy  "Then he took his final breath. He died happy at a ripe old age, full of years, and was buried with his family." (Gen.25.8)  Does it really matter, one way or another, how a person dies? For the dead, it is not painful but it is for the living. When a person dies, the person feels nothing anymore in this world. The Bible however takes the time and space to announce to us that Abraham died happy.  This means it is important. It smacks of all the things we seek. He died happy, at a ripe old age, full of years. He died happy meaning he was fulfilled. He died empty - haven done all that was committed into his hands. He died fulfilling God's agenda for his life. Nothing brings more joy and happiness than knowing you're doing what you were created to do.  At a ripe old age, full of years. Abraham packed so much into his life. He had so much going for him. Do not give up on life. It is a proven, recorded fact that old people who stay engaged and producti...

Marry again  "Now Abraham married again. Keturah was his new wife, (Gen.25.1 NLT) Starting all over takes an amount of courage not possessed by most people. For some, it is easier to just capitulate to the pain, the loss and endure the pain. When in fact, this can rob you of the much need joy of starting something new. There is something about the breath of fresh air, the cry of a new born baby, the wedding bells of a new couple. You can marry again.  This is especially for those who loss their spouse like Abraham did. He could have said he was old, and there was no point to it. But instead, the one whom God referred to as His friend married again. There are several advantages to this. It kept Abraham active and this prolonged his life. He now has something new to look forward to, a companion to share fellowship with and one to meet his needs as a man. And this union produced five more children - I see these as five more possibilities.  "She gave birth to Zimran, Jokshan,...

Don't just visit, stay  "Isaac was living in the Negev. He had just come back from a visit to Beer Lahai Roi." (Gen.24.62)  If God was physically present here on earth some people would've been too busy to visit with him. We do not go to church to meet with God but to meet with ourselves. We go to church to not forsake the assembly of ourselves together as Hebrews instructed.(see Hebs.10.25) God dwells inside of us yet some of us do not have fellowship with him. We have a relationship but no fellowship. Relationship plus fellowship will bring about intimacy.  Isaac used to visit "Beer Lahai Roi", our text says that. Beer Lahai Roi means the Well of the Living One Who sees me. Another way you could interprete that would be the God of the spring of water. And if we say water means life, then we could say the God of the spring of life. Isaac used to visit this place when Abraham was alive but when Abraham died, Isaac moved to live there.  "After the death ...

There's reward for hard work  "The man watched, silent. Was this GOD's answer? Had GOD made his trip a success or not? When the camels had finished drinking, the man brought out gifts, a gold nose ring weighing a little over a quarter of an ounce and two arm bracelets weighing about four ounces, and gave them to her."(Gen.24.21 - 22) Hard work has never been known to kill anyone. A lot of people have replaced hard work with laziness all in the name of smart work and they wonder why they are not further ahead in life. Hard work without the blessing of God is futile and without hard work, we forfeit the reward  The servants in our text says God has made this trip a success.  We know that the servant of Abraham who went to get a wife for Isaac, took ten camels.      "The servant took ten of his master's camels and, loaded with gifts from his master, traveled to Aram Naharaim and the city of Nahor." (Gen.24.10)  And camels are said to drink up to 30 gallon...

Be more, do more "The servant ran to meet her and said, "Please, can I have a sip of water from your jug?" She said, "Certainly, drink!" And she held the jug so that he could drink. When he had satisfied his thirst she said, "I'll get water for your camels, too, until they've drunk their fill." She promptly emptied her jug into the trough and ran back to the well to fill it, and she kept at it until she had watered all the camels." (Gen.24.17 - 20) The only thing that qualifies you for more, is that you have become more. If you are today what you were yesterday then you are not ready for a better tomorrow. Except you improve yourself, you cannot get more.  You can't do more except your are first more and you can't get more except you have become more. The story of Rebecca illustrates this very well. The servant of Abraham asked for a sip but she gave him a drink until he was satisfied and then offered to get water also for the car...