There is nothing like HIS Presence.. Gen37

As youngster, Joseph self-assurance, molded by pain and combined with a personal knowledge of God, allowed him to survive and prosper where most would have failed. He added quiet wisdom to his confident and won the hearts of everyone he met.
He endured a long imprisonment and was forgotten by those he helped. His positive response transformed each setback into a step foward. He didnt spend much timeasking why. His approach was "what shall i do now?" Those who met Joseph were aware that wherever he went and whatever he did, God was with him.
When you're facing a setback, the beginning of a Joseph-like attitude is to acknowledge that God is with you.

Desire to stay close to God despite life's disappointment.. Gen35

God reminded Jacob of his new name, Israel, which meant "one who struggles with God" although Jacob's life was littered with difficulties and trials, his new name was a tribute to his desire to stay close to God despite life's disappointment.
Many people believe that Christianity should offer a problem--free life. Cosequently, as life gets tough, they draw back disappointed. Instead, they should determine to prevail with God through life's storms. Problem and difficulties are painful but inevitable; you might as well see them oppurtunities for growth. You can prevail with God unless you have troubles to prevail over.

Leave revenge to God and spare yourself the dreadful consequences of sin.. Gen34

In seeking revenge against Shechem, Simeon and levi lied, stole and murdered. Their desire for justice was right, but their ways of achieving it were wrong. Because of their sin, their father cursed them with his dying breath. Generations later, their descendants lost the part of the Promised Land allotted to them. When tempted to return evil for evil, leave revenge to God and spare yourself the dreadful consequences of sin

Give Yourself to ME in Thanksgiving, not as payment.. Gen30

Rachel's attempts to earn the unearnable are a picture of a much greater error we can make. Like her, we find ourselves trying somehow to earn love--God's love. But apart from HIS Word, we end up with false ideas. Either we think we've been good enough to deserve HIS Love or we recognize that we arent able  to earn it and assume that it cannot be ours. If the Bible makes no other point, it shouts this one; God loves us! HIS Love had no beginning and is incredibly patient. All we need to do is respond, not try to earn what is freely offered.
God has said in many ways, "I love you. I have demonstrated that love to you by all i've done for you. I have even sacrificed MY Son, Jesus, to pay the price for what is unacceptable about you--your sin. Now, live because of MY Love. Respond to ME; love ME with your whole being; give yourself to ME in thanksgiving, not as payment." Live life fully, in the freedom of knowing you are loved.

Gain Own Personal Relationship or fall into treated God like a servant.. Gen28

God's covenant promise to Abraham and Isaac was offered to Jacob as well. But it was not enough to be Abraham's grandson ; Jacob had to establish his own personal relationship with God. God has no grandchildren ; each person must have a personal relationship with HIM.
Its not enough to hear wonderful stories about Christians in you family, you need to become part of the story yourself.
Was Jacob trying to bargain with God? Its possible that he, in his ignorance of how to worship and serve God, treated God like a servant who would perform a service for a tip. More likely, Jacob was not bargaining but pledging his future to God. He may have been saying, " because YOU have blessed me, i will follow YOU."
Whether Jacob was bargaining or pledging God blessed him. But God also had some difficult lessons for Jacob to learn

Consequences of Deceitful.. Gen27

Jacob hesitated when he heard Rebekah's deceitful plan. Although he questioned it for the wrong reason (fear of getting caught), he protested and thus gave her one last chance to reconsider. But rebekah had become so wrapped up in her plan that she no longer saw clearly what she was doing. Sin had trapped her and was degrading her character.
Correcting yourself in the middle of doing wrong may bring hurt and disappointment, but it also bring freedom from sin's control.
Although Jacob got the blessing he wanted, deceiving his father cost him dearly. These are some of the consequences of that deceit :
1) he never saw his mother again;
2) his brother wanted to kill him;
3) he was deceived by his uncle, Laban;
4) his family became torn by strife;
5) Esau became founder of an enemy nation;
6) he was exiled from his family for years, ironically, Jacob would have received the birthright and blessing anyway.
Imagine how different his life would have been had he and his mother waited for God to work his way. In HIS time.

Just do our part, and leave the rest to God.. Gen7

Pairs of every animal joined Noah in the boat, scholars have estimated that almost 45000 animals could have fit into the boat, many have wondered how this animal kingdom roundup happened. Did Noah and his sons spend years collecting all the animals? In reality the creation, along with Noah, was doing just as God had commanded. There seemed to be no problem gathering the animals--God took care of the details of that job while Noah was doing his part by building the boat.
Often we do the opposite of Noah. We worry about details over which we have no control, while neglecting specific areas (such as attitudes, relationships, responsibilities) that are under our control. Like Noah, concentrate on what God has given you to do, and leave the rest to God.