Month: August 2016

Do you know the meaning of your name? After some searching I discovered that “Bethany” has several possibilities:

• House of Song
• House of Affliction
• House of Figs

Apparently there is a bit of confusion when it comes to translating the Hebrew language.

In Genesis 32, we read the story of how Jacob wrestles with God throughout the night, and when the morning dawns, he is given a new name: Israel.

The meaning of Jacob is “the deceiver”. Which when you look back at his life, this makes perfect sense. Jacob deceived his brother Esau out of his inheritance as well as his blessing – both a pretty big deal. But it is during this wrestling match that a significant change takes place, God takes this trickster and turns him into the namesake of God’s chosen people. This wasn’t just a name change, it was a change in identity.

When we repent our sins and accept the love, forgiveness, and eternal life that is offered to us through the death and resurrection of Jesus, we have a change in our identity. THIS is a BIG deal. If we are not intentionally diligent about the choices we make on a day to day basis, it can become super easy to forget who we are in Christ.

Pay attention to who/what is influencing you. Are the people that you listen to or the media that you view, supporting your decision to be a follower of Christ? Or are this influencers trying to draw you away? What changes need to be made in order for you to live a life that shows that you have been changed by God?

Galatians 2:20 is my “life verse” – it helps me to remember my identity on a daily basis. Consider making it your special verse too, if you don’t already have one.

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Many Blessings,

-bethany ligon

(aka house of figs)

(Photo By Eviatar Bach (Own work) [Public domain],via Wikimedia Commons)

 

Today, I’d like to zero in on just one verse: Genesis 30:22, “Then God remembered Rachel; he listened to her and opened her womb.”

Let’s break this down.

Then God – When I read these two words together, I think that other events had to take place first, before God took action on Rachel’s behalf. The ten sons born to Leah and the two maidservants had to be before Joseph and later Benjamin were born to Rachel. There was a purpose to the waiting. If Joseph had been born before his brothers, he would have had more clout in the family and probably wouldn’t have been sold off as a slave by his brothers and ended up working in the house of Pharaoh.

Remembered Rachel – According to my Bible notes, “remember” doesn’t imply that God forgot. It implies that God expresses concern and He acts with loving care; He shows favor.

He listened to her – Apparently, Rachel never stopped asking God for a son. She believed that it was possible for God to grant her this request, even though many years had gone by.

So what does this mean to us?

1. God’s timing is perfect. More than likely something needs to take place before our heart’s desire becomes a reality. Maybe it’s a sequence of events or maybe it’s a change in attitude. Whatever it is, we have to trust that God knows what He’s doing.
2. God hasn’t forgotten about you. “The LORD you God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17
3. Have Big Faith and keep talking to God. Keep seeking after Him. “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13

Many Blessings,

-bethany ligon