For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance[a]: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas,[b] and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8

We do not need to defend ourselves. (see Romans 8 v31-34.
The God we serve is able to save us.
We will not serve your gods.

Jacob was motivated by self-preservation & fear.(despite God’s promise) He wrestles God with respect to his will. We should seek Gods will & rule for our lives. Give our weaknesses to God.   (thanks HP)

How far are we prepared to trust God?
How does the protection of God work out in practice?    (Thanks IR)

The place of origin or earliest known history of something

A record of ownership of a work of art  (thanks RO)

The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your children forever, because you have followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly.’[a]

10 “Now then, just as the Lord promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the wilderness. So here I am today, eighty-five years old! 11 I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. 12 Now give me this hill country that the Lord promised me that day.  AJ

What is our understanding of “the church” and what what do we mean by a “local church”

Samuel & the challenge of hearing from God. MJ

3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 5 For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. 6 Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. 7 We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us.