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I Identify With ____________.
by Brianna Jewell
Verse: Genesis 30:27
Freshman year in high school was a scary place, trying to stay alive as I made my way through the day, passing through seas of students, trying to make a name for myself. As school progressed, people began to define me by my interests, sports, personality, things like that. But my goal was to have my peers identify me as a Christian first.
One admirable quality about Jacob is his boldness to express his faith to others, or at least show it through his actions. Even though Laban was not monotheistic, he saw the effects of a life prospering by Yahweh, which Jacob had. It would bring me absolute joy if others could easily identify me with Christ simply by my actions. But it’s funny how Laban still tries to cheat Jacob--even though he knows that Jacob is blessed by God-- and he himself is profiting from Jacob’s blessing. Jacob showed Laban that God can beat the odds. And countless times too, through God, he became exceedingly wealthy. Jacob could accomplish this because he put his faith in God, and not man. If Jacob relied on Laban, he would have been let down, because all men disappoint. Jacob could have been caught up in trying to get the amount of wages and flocks he originally agreed on, and gain justice- by the world's standards; but Jacob knew that God had better things in mind, so he followed a respectable attitude, which God welcomed.
By trusting in God, I have to realize that I am not here to impress men, and follow the world’s standard of how I should act, but keep following God and His Word. Even though there might be some negative opinions about my decision to live for Christ, it is worth the trouble because I know that I can bless others with my actions.
A Fellow Traveler,
Brianna Jewell
 About Brianna Jewell
Hello! I’m Brianna Jewell. I am a senior at Webster Schroeder and I’ve grown up at Browncroft. I have two wonderful parents and two amazing sisters. I plan to go to Gordon College (near Boston) this fall, majoring in Graphic Design and minoring in Spanish. I’m also going on the Youth Group’s Peru Missions Trip this summer as a student leader.
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Prayer of the Week
Father,
Thank you for providing me with Your Word, and the opportunity I have to grow in it. I pray that I fully rely on You without anxiety, and that You reveal your plan for my life in a way that I can easily understand. Give me the confidence to trust in You and persistence to put You in the center of my life.
Weekly Memory Verse
Then Jacob prayed, “O God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, LORD, you who said to me, ‘Go back to your country and your relatives, and I will make you prosper,’ I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. I had only my staff when I crossed this Jordan, but now I have become two camps."
-Genesis 32:9,10
Monthly Spiritual Practice
Thanksgiving
God’s love is always flowing into our lives. We can recognize how readily God and His love are available to us by counting our blessings. This month, create a list of blessings. Each day, take some time to write down at least four or five things for which you are thankful. Watch the list grow and count them as God’s grace to you.
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