How can we apply Jacob's example of worship in our daily lives today? Setting the Scene “Then he set up an altar there and called it El-Elohe-Israel.” (Genesis 33:20) Fresh from reconciliation with Esau and safely inside the land God promised, Jacob pauses, builds an altar, and publicly declares, “God, the God of Israel.” His action models everyday worship that still speaks to us. Why Jacob’s Altar Matters Today • It was voluntary—no command, no schedule, just gratitude. • It named God—El-Elohe-Israel, “God, the Mighty One of Israel,” crediting Him for the journey. • It stood as a public marker—Cain built cities for his glory; Jacob built an altar for God’s glory. Our challenge: transfer the spirit of that altar into present-day life. Building Altars in Everyday Life 1. Personal Thanksgiving Stops – Keep a running list (journal or phone note) of answered prayers. – Pause before meals, meetings, or milestones to say, “Lord, You did this.” (Psalm 103:2) 2. Visible Reminders at Home – A Scripture plaque by the door; a stone jar labeled “Ebenezer” where you drop notes of God’s help (1 Samuel 7:12). – Photos pegged on a corkboard with dates and the caption “Thus far the LORD has helped us.” 3. Storytelling to the Next Generation – Share “altar stories” around the table: Why we moved, how God paid tuition, when He healed. – Let kids build their own memory boxes—echoing Joshua 4:6-7. Worship as a Living Sacrifice Romans 12:1 urges us to “offer your bodies as living sacrifices.” Jacob’s wooden-stone altar converts today into: • Obedient Living—choosing purity, honesty, service. • Daily Work—filing reports, changing diapers, driving trucks “in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Colossians 3:17). • Continual Praise—“the fruit of lips that confess His name” (Hebrews 13:15). Public Declarations of God’s Faithfulness • Social media can be a modern “altar” when posts spotlight God, not self. • Testimony Sundays or small-group nights: recount ways God showed up this week. • Generous giving: each tithe, each gift says, “God owns it all.” Practical Steps for the Week Ahead ✓ Choose one space—desk, dashboard, or doorway—and place a Scripture or symbol that reminds you of God’s help. ✓ Schedule a five-minute gratitude break daily; speak out at least three specific thanks. ✓ Tell one person—spouse, friend, child—how God met you in a recent situation. ✓ Set aside a portion of income specifically as a thank-offering, even if small, to reinforce dependence on Him. Living Under the Name “El-Elohe-[Your Name]” Jacob’s altar shouted, “God is my Mighty One.” When our routines, words, and resources all point to Him, we craft unseen altars that declare, “God, the Mighty One of ______, reigns here.” |
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