Genesis 32:21

The Essential 100® Bible Challenge is a simple tool to read through the Big Story of God's Word. The reading plan is based on 50 Old Testament and 50 New Testament passages. Continue with the second part "Abraham, Isaac and Jacob." ®Produced by American Bible Society in partnership with Scripture Union, Inc.

Jesus said that believers are in the world but not of the world. People want to be recognized and appreciated by others, and for this reason Christians often feel uncomfortable about “being different”. The Bible shows us our true status: we are not excluded from the world but rather included in the people of God. Our mission is to invite others to be part of this people. We will see from the lives of the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph how life as a stranger and pilgrim can be blessed by the Lord and be of blessing to others.

This devotional is about God changing Jacob to Israel. This is a process and the the way God works in our lives. It is good to understand the process and be alive to God's ways in our own lives, and allow Him to transform us to what He wants us to be.

Choosing God Instead of the World studies the lives of Jacob and Joseph, their families, and the choices they faced. Both men were given a specific promise from God, but they lived out their faith very differently. We will see the importance of choosing the things of God and the way God rewards those who walk with Him. We will also discover how God's promises to them never failed.