01.05.09

Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today is January 5, 2009 and we are continuing our studies on the book of Genesis.

Today's Message: Faith in God. We will focus on the importance of realizing that we need to put our faith in God completely. Those who place their faith in God have no need to fight for the best because the best is heading toward them.

Today's Bible Reading: Genesis Chapters 13-15
If the link does not work you can copy and paste this one into your browser: biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2013-15&version=9

The testing of Abram's faith began after he and Lot left Ur of the Chaldees on their journey of about 1000 miles to the promised land. "And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the south." (Genesis 13:1).

Upon arrival, he discovered there was a famine, they traveled south near Sodom where the pasture was the best. Abram and Lot both had large flocks, there was strife between their herdsman and the land was not big enough to accomodate them both so they decided to split up. Abram could have taken the best for himself since he was older than his nephew, as well as being the spiritual leader. Instead, he graciously gave Lot the choice of which way to go. "And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren. Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left. And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar. Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other. Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom. But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly." (13:8-13). Lot decided to ignore his spiritual need to be in fellowship with Abram. Instead, he made friends with the wicked people of Sodom.

It was after this experience that Abram received a promise from the Lord that He would make Abram's seed numerous. "And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered." (13:13-16).

Lot is an example of the worldly-minded, professing Christian. Like so many today, he was more concerned over material gain than he was over spiritual blessings. Only a few listen seriously to their Savior, who said we can not serve two masters. "No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon (false god)." (Luke 6:13). Satan desires to make us believe that we must take what we want in order to have the best things in life.

However, no one gives up the best by putting God first in his life! We may see things in the present as the worst, but God has better plans for us. He wants to give us the best that there is to offer, but He also wants us to seek Him first in order to obtain it. We should all follow the example of Abram and put our faith in Him, after all, He knows us beter than we do.

Jesus Christ is Revealed: By Melchizedek, the High Priest. "And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all." (Genesis 14:18-20). Christ is our High Priest today who is interceding in prayer for us and who is deserving of our gifts and service to Him.

Today's Psalm: 89:4
"But my faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him: and in my name shall his horn be exalted."

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
Thank You for the many blessings that you have given me that I take granted for. Help me Lord, increase my faith in You daily for it is the only way to overcome the devil's deception. Bless me with wisdom and understanding of Your Words and help me to apply them to my life in all that I do. You are my Rock, my Savior, and All that I need to enjoy the best that this earthly life can offer. I put my complete trust and faith in You. In Jesus' name........Amen.

Have a wonderful and blessed day/night and week.
God bless,
Christina

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