When we are born our mother gives us a name and that is what we are known by for the rest of our lives. That name had a special meaning to her, maybe from her childhood, a dearly loved family member, a special place, or maybe it was a name...

Jacob, the deceiver, wanted God’s blessing upon him so desperately that he fought with God all night, even through the pain of a dislocated hip joint. When many of us would have given up, Jacob persisted. Because of his willingness to persevere and let that fight define a new identity...

Do we let go of God too soon … before we've gotten the blessing we seek? God wants us to hold on and wrestle with Him in prayer. Do we cry out with longing? “Lord, what are you willing to do for me? Lord, how long will you hide your...

Jacob was left alone because he had positioned himself to be alone, having sent his family, servants, and possessions ahead. As believers sometimes we have to separate ourselves from all distraction to truly take hold, and wrestle God for our blessing. Part B of our main text says that Jacob...

After Jesus put the mud on the blind man’s eyes, the man had to walk for a little bit with the muddy mess to get to the pool of Siloam to wash himself. He had to stumble around to get to the place where the true miracle would happen (the...