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The following blog is a summary of a message preached by Pastor Eddie Lawrence.

Watch the Sermon HERE!

Have you ever experienced those "almost" moments in life? Those times when you almost made the right decision, almost followed through on a commitment, or almost stepped into what God had for you? These moments can define our spiritual journey more than we realize.

What Does It Mean to Almost Miss God's Best?

Jacob's story teaches us about the dangerous territory of "almost." After wrestling with God and receiving His blessing, after reconciling with his brother Esau, Jacob had every reason to head straight to Bethel where God had called him. Instead, he took detours that lasted years and brought unnecessary complications into his life.

The word "almost" appears throughout Scripture in significant ways. King Agrippa told Paul, "You almost persuade me to be a Christian" (Acts 26:28). Paul's response reveals the eternal significance of that word - the difference between "almost" and "altogether" can mean everything.

Why Do We Settle Instead of Soar?

Lesson 1: You Must Follow Through After Your Breakthrough

Jacob experienced breakthrough after breakthrough. God blessed him during his time with Laban, he wrestled with God and prevailed, and he reconciled with Esau. Everything was going well. But instead of heading straight to Bethel as God had instructed, he stopped at Succoth and built a house.

When you build a house somewhere, you're not just resting for a night - you're settling in for the long haul. Jacob likely stayed at Succoth for 2-3 years, then moved to Shechem where he remained for 8-10 years. In total, it took him about 30 years to finally reach the place God had promised him.

We often do the same thing. After experiencing God's breakthrough in our lives, we become comfortable and let off the gas. We settle for good enough instead of pressing through to God's best.

Lesson 2: Choose God's Call Over the World's Comfort and Convenience

Succoth had good grazing for Jacob's cattle. Shechem was an established city with infrastructure already in place. Both locations offered comfort and convenience. But neither was where God had called Jacob to be.

This poses challenging questions for us: When's the last time it cost you something to fulfill God's call on your life? When have you had to sacrifice comfort to obey what Jesus was requiring of you? In our culture of instant gratification and convenience, we often choose what's easy over what's right.

What Happens When We Compromise?

Lesson 3: When You Open the Door to Compromise, You End Up Dancing with the Devil

Jacob's extended stay in Shechem led to serious problems. His daughter Dinah was assaulted by the ruler's son, which resulted in a massacre when Jacob's sons took revenge. This tragedy could have been avoided if Jacob had simply obeyed God's call to go to Bethel.

When God finally told Jacob to go to Bethel, He gave him three specific instructions:

  • Put away the foreign gods
  • Purify yourselves
  • Change your garments

Jacob knew that what he had allowed in Shechem could not be allowed in Bethel. Compromise had crept into his camp through intermarriage with unbelievers and the adoption of foreign customs and gods.

The principle of being "unequally yoked" applies to our relationships today. Don't practice "missionary dating" - thinking you can marry an unbeliever and lead them to Christ later. This kind of compromise often leads to years of spiritual struggle and weakened faith.

How Do We Leave Our Past Behind?

Lesson 4: When God Leads You Out of a Bad Situation, Leave Your Baggage Behind

Jacob didn't sell the foreign idols or give them away - he buried them under a tree. When God delivers you from something, He doesn't want you carrying the baggage forward. The enemy wants you to dredge up those tormenting memories, but God wants you free.

"'If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness'" - 1 John 1:9. The blood of Jesus cleanses us from ALL sin. You are free because of the blood, and when you truly know that, it becomes easy to let those idols go.

Don't allow the shame you carry to outshine the glory that comes from Him. God's plans for you are good, not evil. He has a future filled with hope and plans to prosper you.

Lesson 5: What You Give to God When Blessing Comes Demonstrates If You Really Believe It Was From God

When Jacob finally reached Bethel, he built an altar, made sacrifices, and gave a tenth of everything he had. His giving demonstrated his recognition that God was the source of his blessings.

If we truly believe our blessings come from God, it will be evident in our gratitude, our praise, and our giving. Stingy and Christian don't go together, but generous and Christian do. When we give, we acknowledge that everything belongs to God and we're simply stewards of His resources.

Life Application

Don't settle for "almost" in your relationship with God. This week, examine your life for areas where you've become comfortable instead of pressing through to God's best. Are there compromises you need to address? Baggage you need to leave behind? Steps of obedience you've been avoiding?

Ask yourself these questions:

  • What is God calling me to that I've been putting off for comfort or convenience?
  • Are there any "foreign gods" (idols) in my life that need to be removed?
  • How does my giving reflect my belief that God is the source of my blessings?
  • What breakthrough am I experiencing that requires me to follow through with action?

Jacob became Israel - a prince with God - despite his failures and delays. God's grace is sufficient for your journey too, but don't let "almost" rob you of the fullness of what He has planned for your life.