The backdrop against which this story is being written gives us reasons to reflect and ponder the workings of Christ in our lives, in all circumstances that are common among the lives of people everywhere. For this study, we will focus on the life of Jacob in his relationship with his brother. When the scriptures use the term (the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob), it signifies the important place they occupy in God's grand design of life as human beings, and as children of God, and as members of the body of Christ (His Church) As far back as we wish to begin counting, it is a proven fact that it is difficult and even impossible to develop lifetime friendships. We think of the many friends that we create during our days at school. We also bring to mind the young people who were an integral part of our Sunday School and Young People's group in church. At moments of personal reflection, we reminisce over events and people who grew up with us, but have a long time ago moved on to far off places. In many cases, we try to maintain a line of contact. but our efforts and good intentions only last for a short period of time.

As we begin this study at the time of Jacob's Ladder, we quickly realize that the story is well known, possibly as much as John 3.16. In Sunday school and at various other times, we sing the song: "we are climbing Jacob's ladder." The point of interest that we will consider, is not the ladder itself, but what occurred at that scene.

At my age of 87, after evangelizing the gospel in many countries, and among too many people to remember individuals, some names and certain events remain fresh in my mind. In a number of cities, over the years, a week's revival went into a second week, and into a third week. This was the case in Philadelphia, in Childersburg, Alabama, in San Diego, CA; and a number of stops in the city of Los Angeles. At each stop and during each week of meetings, friendships developed. Names and addresses along with telephone numbers were shared and the newly formed friendships were meant to last for a mighty long time. But over ensuing years, people relocate from one city to another. Some changed careers, and some made changes that altered the entire landscape. (Not to mention those who crossed over in death) As a young evangelist ministering up and down the Eastern Seaboard of America, I made many friends that resulted in a mailing list of hundreds. But the usual movements and circumstances that permeate society create changes that have become a normal feature of everyday life.

The life story of Jacob is one that serves as a template and historical piece that will continue to be a testimony and waymark for the multitudes who have chosen to walk on the King's Highway: along a similar path upon which Jacob walked, being on the run from the anger of his brother. Many continue to blame Jacob for stealing his brother's birthright. But the truth of the matter is that his brother Esau actually sold his birthright to his brother Jacob. Here is the record that catalogued the story.

"And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint. And Esau said the Jacob feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for lam faint: therefore was his name called Edom. And Jacob said, sell me this day thy birthright. And Esau said, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? Genesis 25:29-33.

It was not the more excellent way for Jacob to take possession of the birthright which rightfully belonged to him (rightfully or legally sold to Jacob by his brother.) In his flight from the wrath of his brother, (as a fugitive from justice) Jacob came upon a piece of ground where he decided to bed down for the night. It was at this juncture that Jacob had a dream of a ladder that reached from earth to heaven. At the top of the ladder, God appeared and spoke to Jacob, saying:

What would be your frame of mind if God actually spoke to you with such endearing and powerful promises? Without any promptings from outside agents, and without Jacob having to fall upon his knees and repent for his conflict with his brother, God willingly pronounced blessings upon this man, and promised to be with him wheresoever he went, and to bring him back to this place. What is your mindset at this juncture? Would you not love to get such mind-blowing promises from God? I have some good news for you. Since faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word, read these promises again and again (read them with clear utterance) so you can hear them with your ears. As you do so in faith, these promises will become alive and real to you. God displayed a noble principle in this dialogue with Jacob. Notice that the Lord God did not bring to the fore, Jacob's problems at home.

He did not ask for a confession or genuine repentance: neither did God set some prerequisites to the blessing he was about to bestow upon this "man on the run." Arriving at the home of his uncle Laban, Jacob quickly found a girl to love and to marry. However, Jacob was to discover that his uncle was "sly as a fox" in so much that he switched girls on Jacob, so he did not marry the girl he loved and he had to work another seven years for the girl of his love. Over time, both Jacob and his uncle played games of success. They arrived at a point in time when Jacob decided to leave with his two wives and their children.

I am impressed by the total sum of Jacob's departure from Laban. He stole away in the absence of Laban who followed hard after him. "And Laban said unto him, I pray thee, if I have found favor in thine eyes, tarry: For I have learned by experience that the Lord hath blessed me for thy sake." "Genesis 30:27. THIS IS A POWERFUL STATEMENT OF RECOGNIZING THE TRUTH! Look at another case that mirrors this same truth. "And the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man. And he was in the house of his master the Eptian. And his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand. And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer over his house, and over all that he had, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian 's house for Joseph's sake." Genesis 39:3-5. God will bless others because of you!

Beloved hearts, these stories painted in brilliant colors on the pages of history, remain as living testimonies to what God has done down the corridors of time, and will continue to do for those who will tap into the source that flows from earth to heaven, much like the ladder that Jacob saw in his dream many centuries ago. In the house of his uncle Laban, Jacob was made to labor seven years to gain the hand of Rachel.

But he was cheated by Laban and had to work another seven years to win the girl of his fervent love. The time came when Jacob decided to steal away from the home and environs of his uncle, along with his two wives and two sets of children. Laban pursued this huge group of people to get a good explanation from Jacob. "And Laban said unto him, I pray thee, if I have found favor in thine eyes, tarry: for I have learned by experience (in the life he lived before Laban for more than 14 years) that the Lord hath blessed me for thy sake." Genesis 30:27.

In changing times such as these good deeds are often overlooked or simply ignored. But here is the secret rule by which I live my life. "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him." Colossians 3:17. In life as we know it, human history is like a patchwork quilt with varying colors, sizes, and shapes. When we attempt to evaluate the role of religion and the role the "Church" plays in the many cultures around the world, the picture becomes so confusing that it boggles the mind. In my years of "personal evangelism" including five years as pastor of the church I founded in 1971 in Norfolk, VA, the most difficult people to teach a more practical way to grow in the likeness of Christ, are those who are convinced that they "have it all." But I am convinced that at this juncture as it pertains to God's loving care for his people, He has us by the hand, and He is leading us in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Being the Good Shepherd, he puts forth the sheep, then goes before them to lead the way. There are times when we are not sure of the path ahead, and we cannot seem to make contact with heaven. One prayer after another seem to hit the ceiling and bounce back to earth. At times such as those, we must learn to be still and know that God is God—and he will not suffer our foot to be moved: as our keeper, he will- not slumber nor sleep. Here is a cardinal rule in our understanding of God's friendship with his creation. We must first and foremost understand that God's friendship with his creation is consistent, ever enduring, and applies to all life form, willingly passed on from one person to another. As far as this study goes, I want to you understand that God's friendship with us is meant to endure throughout the ages and can be accessed from one person to another, and from one generation to another. To be quite frank and "upfront" in our understanding of God's friendship with his creation, we must observe that God does not apply bribes and special blessings on the side. In fact, it is not that we love God, but that He loved us first, and when we shed a tear in church saying how much we love God, we must quickly recognize that our love for God, is his love that is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost. Since it is His love to begin with, it should not be hard or impossible for us to be generous in expressing our love for God with that which is called AGAPE LOVE (meaning GOD love)

God's love and friendship is carried over from Moses to Joshua, with the same commitment and fervency as it was with Moses. "Now after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, it came to pass, that the Lord spake unto Joshua the son of Nun saying, Moses my servant is dead Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. Everyplace that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the setting of the sun, shall be your coast. As I was with Moses so I will be with thee, I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee." Joshua 1:1-4.

God's friendship with Moses and his ever-present power to work the works of God on behalf of Israel never failed Moses, and now God repeated the same promises to Joshua. As you read these writings, perhaps you can easily remember the days when God made himself real to your mother or daddy. Perhaps there were times, when, as a youngster you could not help but wonder how things were going to work out within the household, or your days in school. As you ponder those days in your quiet moments of reflections, you no doubt begin to sing the refrain: '0 love that will not let me go". As you recall how Jesus Christ your ever abiding friend came to your rescue out of difficult circumstances, and how his Holy Spirit rushed in to fill every void in your inner man, your eyes are filled with tears of thanks giving and you probably sing the little song that came out of San Fran Cisco: "I don't know why he loved me, I don't know why he cared: I don't know why he died for me; but Lord, I am glad"

We have the luxury of turning to God's written promises and review all the good things that result from our friendship with him. We read: "Bless the Lord, 0 my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who for giveth all thine iniquities; who health all thy diseases, who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with loving kindness and tender mercies. Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. Psalm 103:2-5. I remember the song: "Tell it to Jesus." Tell it to Jesus, we have no other such a friend or brother, tell it to Jesus alone. Christ is still saying today, "I will not leave thee or forsake thee until I have fulfilled in you all the things I have promised you Break out in singing: Standing on the promises of Christ my Savior, standing on the promises of God."

Be blessed in all things!