Category: Genesis

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2020 A Year of Promise

2020

In the beginning…a New Year, a blank slate, a clean page, a new horizon, a fresh start. How many more clichés can I come up with? You get the point.

Will this year start any differently than those in the past? High expectations are easily replaced by disappointment unless our beginning has a solid foundation.

I want you to look at a couple verses this morning.

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” Genesis 1:1 KJV

“In the beginning was the one who is called the Word. The Word was with God and was truly God.” John 1:1 CEV

The best way to start this new year is to have God there from the beginning! God the Father and His creative power are here to fill our beginning. And God the Son, Jesus, the Word, is here as our example of what life is like when we depend upon the Father.

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:26-27 KJV

God, the Holy Spirit, has come to remind us of what the Word says about our relationship with the Father and this will bring us peace! What a great way to begin this year and it’s a great way to walk through each day.

When we start each day with “in the beginning God” we will experience a power and peace, a joy and focus that will carry us through anything that we may face.

Happy New Year!

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Copy, Cut, Paste

Copy, Cut, Paste. It is a computer basic that has become second nature to most of us. One that my husband likes a lot. You know the concept was God’s idea.

“And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind…27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” Genesis 1:25-27 KJV

God created us to be like Him – to be His representative, His counterpart on the earth. But when Adam sinned our nature was changed. God had to put a plan in place that would restore our relationship with Him.

Enter Jesus.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.” II Corinthians 5:17-19 KJV

In Christ, we become new – a new creature – like the one that God created in the Garden. Jesus restored us to our place of being created in God’s likeness. He copies and pastes the origin blueprint into our hearts.

“But God is rich in mercy, and he loved us very much. 5 We were spiritually dead because of all we had done against him. But he gave us new life together with Christ. (You have been saved by God’s grace.)…8 I mean that you have been saved by grace because you believed. You did not save yourselves; it was a gift from God. 9 You are not saved by the things you have done, so there is nothing to boast about. 10 God has made us what we are. In Christ Jesus, God made us new people so that we would spend our lives doing the good things he had already planned for us to do.” Ephesians 2:4-10 ERV

In Christ we have been made new. It’s not something we work to earn but something we receive freely by grace. Salvation and restoration to a loving relationship with the Father God has been His plan from the beginning.

Since Christmas will be here in a couple of weeks, I give you permission to open the best gift you will ever receive – the gift of salvation, of renewed life and relationship with the Father.

Open it now and share it with others!

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Rest!

Do you remember being little and having your Mom tell you to take a nap? It was torture. The thought of having to lay down, close your eyes and rest. Fast forward sixty plus years; please, please, please will someone make me go to my room and rest!!

Our bodies need rest. They aren’t made to continually operate at full speed. Rest is an overlooked necessity to our good health. Overstimulation brings stress factors; anxiety, short temper, fatigue, forgetfulness, rudeness, worry, overeating, heart problems, poor digestion and so much more.

God gave us a gift – He gave us the seventh day. He set the example from the very beginning. After all He created He rested and enjoyed the fruit of His labor.

“By the seventh day God had finished his work, and so he rested. 3 God blessed the seventh day and made it special because on that day he rested from his work.” Genesis 2:2-3 CEV

It wasn’t until hundreds of years later that the Lord gave Moses the Ten Commandments and made resting on the seventh day an established sign of obedience.

“Remember that the Sabbath Day belongs to me. 9 You have six days when you can do your work, 10 but the seventh day of each week belongs to me, your God. No one is to work on that day—not you, your children, your slaves, your animals, or the foreigners who live in your towns. 11 In six days I made the sky, the earth, the oceans, and everything in them, but on the seventh day I rested. That’s why I made the Sabbath a special day that belongs to me.” Exodus 20:8-11 CEV

God gave us a day of rest for our well being but also as a reminder to give Him pre-eminence in our lives. All of the commandments that God has given are for our best – don’t lie, murder, steal, commit adultery, etc and so is keeping the Sabbath or a day of rest. All the other nations worked every day, there was no rest. Resting was a sign to them that the Israelites were a people who had a promise of provision from the Lord. They didn’t need to work themselves to death; they were trusting God.

“I reminded them that I was the Lord their God and that they should obey my laws and teachings. 20 I told them to respect my Sabbath to show that they were my people and that I was the Lord their God.” Ezekiel 20:19-20 CEV

Let’s not miss out on this wonderful gift of rest that God has provided for us. Let’s place of our trust in Him that He will help us get enough done in the six days to rest on the seventh. After all, we should be following His example.

“Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29 NLT

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Course Correction

Once again Dave and I are on the road. We are in the mountains camping. We spend so much time traveling; God has blessed us with safety on each journey, we are very grateful and never take it for granted.

As we travel I can’t help but think of all those who have traveled these roads before. Those who came on horseback, in covered wagons and those whose only means of transportation was their feet. Looking at the terrain, considering the weather, the elements and the dangers they may have faced causes me to pause. But then thinking of the joy they experienced in seeing new land that no one had ever been to before, the beauty – the grandeur, the vastness of creation, brings an unprovoked smile to my face. We check the Atlas and follow the roads, they followed the dreams of their hearts!

Then I thought about Abram. At a word from the Lord, he set out for a world unknown.

“The LORD said to Abram: Leave your country, your family, and your relatives and go to the land that I will show you. 2 I will bless you and make your descendants into a great nation. You will become famous and be a blessing to others. 3 I will bless anyone who blesses you, but I will put a curse on anyone who puts a curse on you. Everyone on earth will be blessed because of you. 4-5 Abram was seventy-five years old when the LORD told him to leave the city of Haran. He obeyed and left with his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all the possessions and slaves they had gotten while in Haran.” Genesis 12:1-5 CEV

His obedience birthed a nation. His obedience open the door for Jesus, the Messiah to come. His obedience brought blessing to his life and those who traveled with him.

What road has the Lord asked you to take today? Are you being obedient and bringing blessing to the lives of those around you? Or are you like another man that God spoke to about traveling a new road, Jonah? He chose to be disobedient and his disobedience caused a storm in his life. Satan worked to destroy him as he ran from God. But God…but God intervened, kept him safe in the belly of the fish and set him on the right path.

“But Jonah tried to run away from the Lord. He went to Joppa and found a boat that was going to the faraway city of Tarshish. Jonah paid money for the trip and went on the boat. He wanted to travel with the people on this boat to Tarshish and run away from the Lord…While Jonah was in the stomach of the fish, he prayed to the Lord his God. He said, 2 “I was in very bad trouble. I called to the Lord for help, and he answered me. I was deep in the grave. I cried to you, and you heard my voice. 3 “You threw me into the sea. Your powerful waves splashed over me. I went down, down into the deep sea. The water was all around me. 4 Then I thought, ‘Now I must go where you cannot see me,’  but I continued looking to your holy Temple for help. 5 “The seawater closed over me. The water covered my mouth, and I could not breathe. I went down, down into the deep sea. Seaweed wrapped around my head, 6 I was at the bottom of the sea, the place where the mountains begin. I thought I was locked in this prison forever, but the Lord my God took me out of my grave. God, you gave me life again! 7 “My soul gave up all hope, but then I remembered the Lord. I prayed to you, and you heard my prayers in your holy Temple. 8 “Some people worship useless idols, but those statues never help them. 9 I will give sacrifices to you, and I will praise and thank you. I will make special promises to you, and I will do what I promise.” Salvation only comes from the Lord!” Jonah 1:3, 2:1-9 ERV

If you’ve been running from God make a course correction and follow the path of blessing!

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Amazing Love

As I sat down to write this morning, I once again became overwhelmed by the Father’s amazing love!

He loves us – in spite of our past mistakes and failures. He loves us through our victories and joys. He sees our future and His love continues! From the beginning, when He started it all, the total of creation, He did it for us.

“God said, “Now we will make humans, and they will be like us. We will let them rule the fish, the birds, and all other living creatures.” 27 So God created humans to be like himself; he made men and women. 28 God gave them his blessing and said: Have a lot of children! Fill the earth with people and bring it under your control. Rule over the fish in the ocean, the birds in the sky, and every animal on the earth.” Genesis 1:26-28 CEV

And when man chose to go their own way instead of being obedient to Him and His instruction, God immediately instituted a plan that would bring us back in to right relationship with Him.

“Everyone was going to be punished because Adam sinned. But because of the good thing that Christ has done, God accepts us and gives us the gift of life. 19 Adam disobeyed God and caused many others to be sinners. But Jesus obeyed him and will make many people acceptable to God.” Romans 5:18-19 CEV

God’s love reached through time and made a way for us to have unbroken relationship with Him. He has never stopped loving us – He never will!

It’s so hard to describe the depth of God’s love for us. It’s like trying to describe the beauty of a sunrise, the softness of a kiss or the brilliance of the night sky. Words seem inadequate, some things just have to be experienced.

The Apostle Paul wrote these words to Christians who lived in Ephesus. He wanted them to know, to experience, the depth of their new life in Christ and the blessings that had become their inheritance.

” My prayer is that light will flood your hearts and that you will understand the hope that was given to you when God chose you. Then you will discover the glorious blessings that will be yours together with all of God’s people.

19 I want you to know about the great and mighty power that God has for us followers. It is the same wonderful power he used 20 when he raised Christ from death and let him sit at his right side in heaven. 21 There Christ rules over all forces, authorities, powers, and rulers. He rules over all beings in this world and will rule in the future world as well.” Ephesians 1:18-21 CEV

The power of God’s love cannot be defeated. God’s love never fails!

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I Had A Dream

I’m still spending time reading about Joseph’s life. This morning Joseph started out in the prison but ended up in the palace. This dramatic turn-of-events happened when Joseph called on God’s wisdom and interpreted the dreams of a cook, a butler and a pharaoh.

One man died, one was restored to palace service and one promoted Joseph to governor of Egypt. Joseph had the boldness to speak what God was showing him about each man’s dream.

“So Pharaoh called Joseph from the prison. The guards quickly got Joseph out of prison. Joseph shaved, put on some clean clothes, and went to see Pharaoh. 15 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and no one can explain it for me. I heard that you can explain dreams when someone tells you about them.”

16 Joseph answered, “I cannot! But God can explain the dream for you, Pharaoh.” Genesis 41:4-6 ERV

Joseph had complete confidence that God would give him the answers he needed for the pharaoh. He wasn’t making claims of his own abilities but He was totally dependent on God’s ability to give the pharaoh answers.

How many times are we faced with situations where we need God’s answer? We really shouldn’t be making any decisions large or small without knowing how God is leading. Even our monumental undertakings are small to God, after all, He is the one who created the universe. What could we possibly present to Him that would be overwhelming?

“My son, pay attention to what I say. Remember my commands. 2 Listen to wisdom, and do your best to understand. 3 Ask for good judgment. Cry out for understanding. 4 Look for wisdom like silver. Search for it like hidden treasure. 5 If you do this, you will understand what it means to respect the Lord, and you will come to know God.

6 The Lord is the source of wisdom; knowledge and understanding come from his mouth. 7 He gives good advice to honest people and shields those who do what is right. 8 He makes sure that people are treated fairly. He watches over his loyal followers.

9 If you listen to him, you will understand what is just and fair and how to do what is right. 10 You will gain wisdom, and knowledge will bring you joy.” Proverbs 2:1-10 ERV

There is only one real source of wisdom and that is God. His instruction will make us wiser than any established educational system. His word will give us good judgment and understanding. His word will make us wiser than our teachers. If we neglect to seek God’s word for our answers we can easily be led astray.

God has promised us wisdom, knowledge, instruction and correction when we depend upon His word.

“Since childhood, you have known the Holy Scriptures that are able to make you wise enough to have faith in Christ Jesus and be saved. 16 Everything in the Scriptures is God’s Word. All of it is useful for teaching and helping people and for correcting them and showing them how to live. 17 The Scriptures train God’s servants to do all kinds of good deeds.” II Timothy 3:15-17 CEV

Each day I am learning to be more dependent on God’s Word. There is no other source; no counsellor, no opinion or instruction that can guide us through life like the Word that God speaks.

The pharaoh recognized that the words Joseph spoke were given by God and didn’t come from conventional wisdom of men.

“The king told Joseph, “God is the one who has shown you these things. No one else is as wise as you are or knows as much as you do. 40 I’m putting you in charge of my palace, and everybody will have to obey you. No one will be over you except me. 41 You are now governor of all Egypt!” Genesis 41:39-41 CEV

Father, I want my words to be like Joseph. I want to hear from you and speak words that will bring life to those around me. Let the words of my mouth please you.

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Doing the Hard Things

How many times did I/have I complained about the work that was laid out for me to do each day? I’m retired now, but just a few years back I was getting up and heading off to work each day like many of you. Somedays I would go with excitement and anticipation and others would find me complaining and grumbling.

Not a good scenario for someone who said they were a Christian and wanted to honor the Lord.

“In all the work you are given, do the best you can. Work as though you are working for the Lord, not any earthly master.” Colossians 3:23 ERV

A few days ago I gave you a recap on the life of Joseph. This morning’s Bible reading was Genesis 39. It starts out with Joseph being sold to Potiphar. Look what it says:

“The Lord helped Joseph become a successful man. Joseph lived in the house of his master, Potiphar the Egyptian.

3 Potiphar saw that the Lord was with Joseph and that the Lord helped Joseph be successful in everything he did. 4 So Potiphar was very happy with Joseph. He allowed Joseph to work for him and to help him rule the house. Joseph was the ruler over everything Potiphar owned. 5 After Joseph was made the ruler over the house, the Lord blessed the house and everything that Potiphar owned. The Lord also blessed everything that grew in Potiphar’s fields. The Lord did this because of Joseph.” Genesis 39:2-5 ERV

Imagine this, a seventeen year old had been handed over to slave traders by his brothers. Now those traders sold him to the captain of the guard in Egypt. There were many slaves who took care of Potiphar’s possessions but it didn’t take long for him to notice Joseph and promote him to man who ruled Potiphar’s house. Why?

The Lord was with Joseph!

Profound comment. However, the Lord is with us too. Why then is it we don’t see the same results that Joseph saw? Could it be our attitudes? We haven’t been sold into slavery but we are under authority in the workplace. We need to honor and respect those who have authority over us. We need to work diligently, not complain or gossip about our bosses. We need to honor the Lord!

So what happens when we do our job right, have a good attitude, go the extra mile and our co-workers lie about us and try to get us in trouble?

“She told her husband the same story. She said, “This Hebrew slave you brought here tried to attack me! 18 But when he came near me, I screamed. He ran away, but he left his coat.”

19 Joseph’s master listened to what his wife said, and he became very angry. 20 So Potiphar put Joseph into the prison where the king’s enemies were held, and that is where Joseph remained.” Genesis 39:17-20 ERV

The backbiting and persecution we feel at work really can’t be any worse than this. Joseph was accused of rape by a spiteful woman who was married to Joseph’s boss. He wasn’t fired; he was thrown in prison. How do we keep a good attitude when something that unfair happens? We take our example from Joseph, we trust God and go on.

Even when we are forced to be in a situation that isn’t of our own making we can trust the Lord to bring good things to us.

“The Lord was with Joseph and continued to show his kindness to him, so the commander of the prison guards began to like Joseph. 22 The commander of the guards put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners. Joseph was their leader, but he still did the same work they did. 23 The commander of the guards trusted Joseph with everything that was in the prison. This happened because the Lord was with Joseph. The Lord helped Joseph be successful in everything he did.” Genesis 39:21-23 ERV

Joseph served with humility. He definitely didn’t slack off or become offended by his situation. He kept doing all he knew to do to serve the Lord and the Lord showed him kindness and caused him to succeed.

“Do not let kindness and truth leave you. Tie them around your neck. Write them upon your heart. 4 So you will find favor and good understanding in the eyes of God and man. 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not trust in your own understanding. 6 Agree with Him in all your ways, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:3-6 NLV

It’s easy to trust God when things are going good and all seems right with the world. The real test of our faith comes when things don’t go as planned and things somehow go awry. I’m sure it wasn’t in Joseph’s plan to be sold into slavery. Yet, he continued to honor the Lord with each step.

Honoring the Lord by keeping a right attitude is hard. I know because I often fail. When I do, I ask the Lord to forgive me. Then I get up in His strength and go forward with new determination.

“Christ is the one who gives me the strength I need to do whatever I must do.” Philippians 4:13 ERV

I can do the hard things in life because He gives me the strength!

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God Is In Control

I am really enjoying reading through Genesis and following the events that took place in Abraham’s life. His story is filled with adventure. His faith and trust in God is bold and dynamic.

In my reading this morning the Lord comes to Abraham with a request of paramount portion. Isaac, the son God promised, had been born and was probably about twelve years old at this time.

“Some years later God decided to test Abraham, so he spoke to him.

Abraham answered, “Here I am, Lord.”

2 The Lord said, “Go get Isaac, your only son, the one you dearly love! Take him to the land of Moriah, and I will show you a mountain where you must sacrifice him to me on the fires of an altar.” 3 So Abraham got up early the next morning and chopped wood for the fire. He put a saddle on his donkey and left with Isaac and two servants for the place where God had told him to go.” Genesis 22:1-3 CEV

The thing I find amazing about this record of events is we don’t see Abraham trying to bargain or negotiate with what the Lord is telling him. He is obedient without delay or hesitation. He gets up the next morning, makes preparation and leaves.

Here is a Abraham, a man who is approximately 112 years old. He has a pre-teen son and two servants and is headed to the wilderness. They travel for three days when Abraham sees the mountain where God has instructed him to go.

“Three days later Abraham looked off in the distance and saw the place. 5 He told his servants, “Stay here with the donkey, while my son and I go over there to worship. We will come back.” Genesis 22:4-5 CEV

There is no worry, no fear in Abraham’s comment to his servants. He is confident in the promise that God had given him many years earlier. God told him he would have a son and his descendants would be many. Abraham isn’t the only one walking by faith in this story. Isaac demonstrates great faith in his father and in God.

“Abraham put the wood on Isaac’s shoulder, but he carried the hot coals and the knife. As the two of them walked along, 7-8 Isaac said, “Father, we have the coals and the wood, but where is the lamb for the sacrifice?”

“My son,” Abraham answered, “God will provide the lamb.” Genesis 22:6-8 CEV

We have to remember these are real people with real emotions and this is a father who has waited for years to have a son. This son is the apple of his eye; the heir to all he possesses. Abraham is obedient to God, fully trusting Him to provide.

They get to the place of sacrifice and Abraham has Isaac help him build the altar, set the wood in place and then Abraham takes the next step and ties the hands of his son.

“The two of them walked on, and 9 when they reached the place that God had told him about, Abraham built an altar and placed the wood on it. Next, he tied up his son and put him on the wood. 10 He then took the knife and got ready to kill his son. 11 But the Lord’s angel shouted from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!”

“Here I am!” he answered.

12 “Don’t hurt the boy or harm him in any way!” the angel said. “Now I know that you truly obey God, because you were willing to offer him your only son.”

13 Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in the bushes. So he took the ram and sacrificed it in place of his son.

14 Abraham named that place “The Lord Will Provide.” And even now people say, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.” Genesis 22:9-14 CEV

The Lord will provide!

Those were the words that Abraham lived by. His first instruction from the Lord was “leave this land and go where I will show you”. Then there came the day that he and Lot separated their herds and went different directions. Lot took the better portion of grazing land but God provided and Abraham flourished. God promised to provide a son and now God provided a lamb.

The Lord provides.

“God tested Abraham’s faith. God told him to offer Isaac as a sacrifice. Abraham obeyed because he had faith. He already had the promises from God. And God had already said to him, “It is through Isaac that your descendants will come.” But Abraham was ready to offer his only son. He did this because he had faith. 19 He believed that God could raise people from death. And really, when God stopped Abraham from killing Isaac, it was as if he got him back from death.” Hebrews 11:17-18 ERV

Abraham had faith that God was able to bring Isaac back to life. He knew that God would provide. As far as I know, none of us have ever been through such a test of faith. The circumstances in our lives seem small compared to what Abraham experienced. However, each day we have the opportunity to put our faith in God and say like Abraham, God will provide.

“Without faith no one can please God. Whoever comes to God must believe that he is real and that he rewards those who sincerely try to find him.” Hebrews 11:6 ERV

Faith is believing God is who He says He is and that He will do what He says He will do. It pleases Him when we trust that He is in control!

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Make A Request

I hope you don’t mind but we are going to spend some more time with Abram this morning. There’s so much that we can learn from his relationship with the Lord. Yesterday we focused on his obedience. Today we’ll look at the beginning stages of his friendship with God.

“It happened as the Holy Writings said it would happen. They say, “Abraham put his trust in God and he became right with God.” He was called the friend of God.” James 2:23 NLV

There are several mentions throughout the Bible where Abram is referred to as God’s friend. I love that! God wants us to have relationship with Him; not only is He our heavenly Father but He also desires that we become friends. Friendship takes time to develop, a true friendship is built on trust. God wanted Abram to trust Him and have confidence in what He said.

I would really like to encourage you to take time to read Genesis chapters twelve through twenty-five. This is the account of the one hundred year relationship between God and Abraham. In chapter 15 of Genesis, Abram has just returned from rescuing his nephew, Lot, who was captured in battle. Here is what the Lord says to Abram.

“After all these things happened, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision. God said, “Abram, don’t be afraid. I will defend you and give you a great reward.”

2 But Abram said, “Lord God, there is nothing you can give me that will make me happy, because I have no son. My slave Eliezer from Damascus will get everything I own after I die.” 3 Abram said, “You have given me no son, so a slave born in my house will get everything I have.”

4 Then the Lord spoke to Abram and said, “That slave will not be the one to get what you have. You will have a son who will get everything you own.”

5 Then God led Abram outside and said, “Look at the sky. See the many stars. There are so many you cannot count them. Your family will be like that.”

6 Abram believed the Lord, and because of this faith the Lord accepted him as one who has done what is right.” Genesis 15:1-6 ERV

The Lord told Abram that He would protect him and give him a great reward. Many people would be very excited to hear the words “great reward”. It didn’t seem to faze Abram, he was already a very wealthy man. Abram told God that the thing he desired most was to have a son. God heard his friend’s heart and made him a promise that he and his wife would receive the thing they desired most.

King David had that same confidence in his relationship with the Lord.

“Trust in the Lord, and do good. So you will live in the land and will be fed. 4 Be happy in the Lord. And He will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Give your way over to the Lord. Trust in Him also. And He will do it.” Psalm 37:3-5 NLV

This type of relationship with the Lord isn’t exclusive to people who lived long ago. Jesus was teaching to the people of His day and giving them instruction on trusting God and believing in His word. Here’s what He said.

“Ask, and you will receive. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened for you. 8 Everyone who asks will receive. Everyone who searches will find. And the door will be opened for everyone who knocks. 9 Would any of you give your hungry child a stone, if the child asked for some bread? 10 Would you give your child a snake if the child asked for a fish? 11 As bad as you are, you still know how to give good gifts to your children. But your heavenly Father is even more ready to give good things to people who ask.” Matthew 7:7-11 CEV

Did you notice that Jesus points out the loving relationship that His Father wants to have with us, His children? He desires to give us good things just like He did with Abram. He wants us to trust Him and He wants us to ask.

Before I end today’s blog I’ll get you reacquainted with a man I’ve introduced you to before. This man was there that day when Jesus was teaching on the hillside. There was a multitude of people but this man stood out in the crowd. He was a leper. He had to be segregated from all the others. He was considered unclean and couldn’t have human contact. When Jesus came down the mountain, this man who heard Jesus say “ask and you will receive”, walked up to Jesus, risking all, and he asked.

“As Jesus came down the mountain, he was followed by large crowds. 2 Suddenly a man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus. He said, “Lord, you have the power to make me well, if only you wanted to.”

3 Jesus put his hand on the man and said, “I want to! Now you are well.” At once the man’s leprosy disappeared.” Matthew 8:1-3 CEV

Every time I read this it brings tears to my eyes. This man, who was an outcast, had probably gone years without anyone touching him. No hugs or handshakes, no pats on the back, no physical contact, no expressions of love and kindness UNTIL Jesus reached out and touched him and showed him the Father’s love.

The Bible doesn’t tell us of anyone else in that crowd asking Jesus for something but this man heard the Word of God and asked. Just like Abram, this leper believed that God would keep His word and so he asked for what his heart desired. He was healed and Abram received the promise of a son.

I’m not sure what you are needing but I do know that God’s Word is still true. He loves us as much as He loved Abram and the leper. He wants us to have the relationship of Father/child and the closeness of trusted friends.

“Jesus Christ never changes! He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 CEV

Don’t be like the people in the crowd who walked away and didn’t act on what Jesus had said. Be like the leper and Abram and ask!

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Get Ready!

I’m doing something this year that I haven’t done in a number of years. I am using a Daily Bible Reading plan and when the year is complete I will have read through the Bible. Most of the time I pick a book in the Bible to read and study. Then I add to that a chapter from Proverbs and also from Psalms. This way I read through multiple books in the Bible each year but I don’t necessarily make it through the whole Bible. I’m excited about accomplishing this.

This morning I was reading about Abram. God asked Abram to go to a new land and then He promised to bless him there.

“The Lord said to Abram: Leave your country, your family, and your relatives and go to the land that I will show you. 2 I will bless you and make your descendants into a great nation. You will become famous and be a blessing to others. 3 I will bless anyone who blesses you, but I will put a curse on anyone who puts a curse on you. Everyone on earth will be blessed because of you.[a

4-5 Abram was seventy-five years old when the Lord told him to leave the city of Haran. He obeyed and left with his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all the possessions and slaves they had gotten while in Haran.” Genesis 12:1-5 CEV

Abram was an ordinary man. We aren’t told that he had any great talents or abilities. He was a descendant of Shem, one of Noah’s sons but other than that we don’t know much about him. We really have no insight as to why God chose him. What we do know is he was obedient when the Lord spoke to him.

That is my heart’s desire! Lord, when you speak I want to be quick to obey. I don’t want to try and force my own agenda. I don’t want to hold a committee meeting to see if this is the right time, place or financially feasible; I just want to willing obey.

“4 You bless all of those who trust you, Lord,  and refuse to worship idols or follow false gods. 5 You, Lord God, have done many wonderful things, and you have planned  marvelous things for us. No one is like you! I would never be able to tell all you have done.

6 Sacrifices and offerings are not what please you; gifts and payment for sin are not what you demand. But you made me willing to listen and obey. 7 And so, I said, “I am here to do what is written about me in the book, where it says, 8 ’I enjoy pleasing you.
Your Law is in my heart.’” Psalm 40:4-8 CEV

Abram was not a perfect man. He had his shortcomings and failures but God used him because He was obedient. All of the people that God used in the Bible were men and women just like us. They came up short in life; some had temper issues, some had problems with pride, others had moral failings and still others felt they were too insignificant to be used.

But what God saw was men and women who loved Him and were willing to be obedient. They had a desire to know God and make His word their first and final authority.

When Jesus came and started his preaching ministry He told the people the same thing. He gave them, and us, instruction on right living. He had a lawyer ask him what was the most important law that God wanted us to keep. I think he was startled by what Jesus said.

“One of them was an expert in the Jewish Law. So he tried to test Jesus by asking, 36 “Teacher, what is the most important commandment in the Law?”

37 Jesus answered: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. 38 This is the first and most important commandment. 39 The second most important commandment is like this one. And it is, “Love others as much as you love yourself.” 40 All the Law of Moses and the Books of the Prophets are based on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:35-40 CEV

When we love God with all our heart we want to obey Him. We want to please Him. We don’t do this to earn His love; we do it in response to His love, it’s unconditional. God desires to provide for us and to bless us.

“Be faithful in obeying the Lord your God. Be careful to keep all His Laws which I tell you today. And the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. 2 All these good things will come upon you if you will obey the Lord your God.” Deuteronomy 28:1-2 NLV

Our motive for obeying the Lord shouldn’t be to get His blessings. No, that motive is called greed. But when we obey with hearts filled with love, the Father’s blessings fall on us. As we live in willing obedience we are blessed.

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