"Greetings in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"
Today's Blog Title: "Sarah's Death and Burial"
Todays' Scripture Reading: Genesis 23:1-20
Today's Key Verse: Genesis 23:2: "So Sarah died in Kirjath Arba (that is Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her."
As Chapter 23 opens we are told that Sarah at 127 years old dies. Sarah living to be 127 would have allowed her to see Isaac reach adulthood. Since Sarah was 99 when she gave birth to Isaac, Issac would have probably been about 28 years old.
Since the land where Abraham lived in belong to the Canaanites and did not belong to him, he had to negotiate for water and herding rights. We read in verse 3 that Abraham now goes to the Hittities to buy a burial spot for his beloved wife Sarah.
Abraham told the Hittites that he "was a foreigner and a visitor" (he was a resident alien), to establish a bargaining position. In verses 7-11, we see that Abraham stood and bowed. This would seem to be the tradition of that time. Abraham did not want to bury Sarah in a borrowed tomb, plus he wanted to have some land that belonged to his family long after his death.
Abraham then meets with Ephron, to tell him that he would like to purchase some property, the cave of Machpelah. Ephron responded to Abraham's request, by generously offering to give him what he wanted and also the nearby field as well.
We now see the step by step description of the bargaining process. Ephron then tells Abraham, that the land is worth four hundred shekels of silver but tells Abraham that he can basically have it for free when he said, "What is that between you and me?" But Abraham wants to purchase the property so that there would be no questions later.
Abraham then pays Ephron in silver, the price that he asked for the land. This was done in the legal, and formal manner of that time. This record is interesting, and also noteworthy to read for this reason: The only land Abraham ever possessed, was a burial spot for Sarah his wife. At the close of the Chapter we now see that Abraham buries Sarah, and we will see later in Chapter 25 that years later, Abraham would be buried next to Sarah in the same cave.
Closing Question and Comment: "Do you ask God for guidance, and expect Him to supervise the circumstances of your life? Perhaps the attempt of Ephrom's offer, to give the land to Abraham free, was made to get him to identify with the people of the land rather then being a "foreigner and a visitor". But with Abraham's purchase of the land, it now meant that Sarah, and well as himself would be buried on Jewish soil, and be identified forever, with the promises that God had made to him and his descendants.
Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer!
That calls me from a world of care, and bids me at my Fathers throne
Make all my wants and wishes known, in seasons of distress and grief,
My soul has often found relief, and oft escape the tempters snare
By that sweet return, sweet hour of prayer
Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day. Go in Peace and Serve the Lord and Love God More Today
Yours in Christ,
Cindi
Monday, January 31, 2011
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Bible Verse and Hymn for Sunday 30 January 2011
"Greetings in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"
Weekend Blog Verse for Sunday 30 January 2011: 1 Peter 1:3-5: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."
Our salvation as Christians, is grounded in God's mercy. God has given believers a new spiritual life, that enables us to live entirely different than what our physical birth allowed. Hope in verse 4, does not imply a wishfulness, but a confidence that does not end with this life, but will continue throughout eternity because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Without the resurrection, we would have NO HOPE.
Closing Question and Comment: "How deep is your faith and commitment to Christ?" Two words describe our faith: confidence and certainty. These two qualities need a secure beginning and ending point. The beginning point of faith is believing in God's character (He is who He says). The end point is believing in God's promises (He will do what He says). We believe that God will fulfill His promises even though we don't see those promises right now, this is true faith.
The raging storm may round us best, a shelter in the time of storm
We'll never leave our safe retreat, a shelter in time of storm
Oh, Jesus is a rock in a weary land,
A weary land, a weary land
Oh, Jesus is a rock in a weary land, a shelter in time of storm
Heaven Father, May our faith, trust and belief in You, grow grower each day, as we strive to serve You to the best of our ability May the things that we say and do, always bring glory and honor to Your name.
Amen
Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day. Go in Peace, Serve the Lord and Love God More Today.
Yours In Christ
Cindi
Weekend Blog Verse for Sunday 30 January 2011: 1 Peter 1:3-5: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."
Our salvation as Christians, is grounded in God's mercy. God has given believers a new spiritual life, that enables us to live entirely different than what our physical birth allowed. Hope in verse 4, does not imply a wishfulness, but a confidence that does not end with this life, but will continue throughout eternity because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Without the resurrection, we would have NO HOPE.
Closing Question and Comment: "How deep is your faith and commitment to Christ?" Two words describe our faith: confidence and certainty. These two qualities need a secure beginning and ending point. The beginning point of faith is believing in God's character (He is who He says). The end point is believing in God's promises (He will do what He says). We believe that God will fulfill His promises even though we don't see those promises right now, this is true faith.
The raging storm may round us best, a shelter in the time of storm
We'll never leave our safe retreat, a shelter in time of storm
Oh, Jesus is a rock in a weary land,
A weary land, a weary land
Oh, Jesus is a rock in a weary land, a shelter in time of storm
Heaven Father, May our faith, trust and belief in You, grow grower each day, as we strive to serve You to the best of our ability May the things that we say and do, always bring glory and honor to Your name.
Amen
Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day. Go in Peace, Serve the Lord and Love God More Today.
Yours In Christ
Cindi
Friday, January 28, 2011
Bible Verse and Hymn for Saturday 29 January 2011
"Greetings in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"
Weekend Bible Verse for Saturday 29 January: Ephesians 2:8-10: "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."
We as Christians, have been saved by grace. The grace of God is the source of salvation, and faith is the channel not the cause. God alone saves. Our salvation will never originate in our efforts, it will always arise out of the righteousness of God. Our salvation is of the Lord. We cannot do anything to earn salvation. Everything that we as Christians receive is from our merciful and gracious Father.
Today's Question and Closing Comment: "When have you recently reminded yourself and God that you want your life to be used for His purposes?" We become Christians through God's grace, not as the result of any effort, ability, act or service on our part. However, out of gratitude for this free gift, we seek to help and serve others with kindness, love and gentleness, and not merely to please ourselves. While no action or work we can do can help us obtain salvation, God's intention is that our salvation will result in acts of service. We are saved not merely for our own benefit, but to serve Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and build up the church.
A shade by day, defense by night, a shelter in the time of storm
No fears alarm, no foes afright, a shelter in the time of storm
Oh, Jesus is a rock in a weary land, a weary land, a weary land
Oh, Jesus is a rock in a weary land, a shelter in time of storm
Heavenly Father, Thank you so much for your love for us, that You send Your Only Son to this earth, to shed His blood and die for us. May we always realize, that we are not saved by our works or good deeds, but we are saved through Your mercy and grace and the blood of the lamb.,
Amen
Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day. Go In Peace, Serve the Lord and Love God More Today.
Yours in Christ,
Cindi
Weekend Bible Verse for Saturday 29 January: Ephesians 2:8-10: "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."
We as Christians, have been saved by grace. The grace of God is the source of salvation, and faith is the channel not the cause. God alone saves. Our salvation will never originate in our efforts, it will always arise out of the righteousness of God. Our salvation is of the Lord. We cannot do anything to earn salvation. Everything that we as Christians receive is from our merciful and gracious Father.
Today's Question and Closing Comment: "When have you recently reminded yourself and God that you want your life to be used for His purposes?" We become Christians through God's grace, not as the result of any effort, ability, act or service on our part. However, out of gratitude for this free gift, we seek to help and serve others with kindness, love and gentleness, and not merely to please ourselves. While no action or work we can do can help us obtain salvation, God's intention is that our salvation will result in acts of service. We are saved not merely for our own benefit, but to serve Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and build up the church.
A shade by day, defense by night, a shelter in the time of storm
No fears alarm, no foes afright, a shelter in the time of storm
Oh, Jesus is a rock in a weary land, a weary land, a weary land
Oh, Jesus is a rock in a weary land, a shelter in time of storm
Heavenly Father, Thank you so much for your love for us, that You send Your Only Son to this earth, to shed His blood and die for us. May we always realize, that we are not saved by our works or good deeds, but we are saved through Your mercy and grace and the blood of the lamb.,
Amen
Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day. Go In Peace, Serve the Lord and Love God More Today.
Yours in Christ,
Cindi
Bible Scripture and Hymn for Friday 28 Januray 2011
"Greetings Everyone in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"
Today's Blog Title: "Abraham's Faith Confirmed"
Today's Scripture Reading: Genesis 22:1-19
Today's Key Verse: 7-8: "But Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, "My Father!" And he said, "Here I am, my son." Then he said, "Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?" And Abraham said, "My son, God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering." So the two of them went together.
Wow!!! Without question, Genesis 22:1-19 is one of the most shocking and most memorable in the whole Bible. Yet its outcome, is one of the finest examples describing the loyalty of God to His covenant and to Abraham, and to us even today. It revealed remarkable faith on the part of Abraham, and it would point to the future sacrifice of God's only son, Jesus Christ.
As this Chapter opens up we see that the Lord calls to Abraham, and Abraham replied "Here I am." This is now the seventh time that God has revealed Himself to Abraham, since he had been in the land of Canaan. God then tells Abraham to take his son, his only son Isaac to the land of Moriah, and there sacrifice him there on one of the mountains that he would will show him. I can't even imagine, what thoughts were going through Abraham's mind. What painful thoughts must have racing around in his thinking. Isaac whom was born to him when he was 100, and whom he had so long waited for from the promises of God, was now to be sacrificed. In this passage of scripture, there is nothing to indicate that Abraham said anything. You remember in Genesis 18:
27-32 how he had pleaed with God to save the city of Sodom for the sake of 10, yet here in this passage, all we read about is Abraham complete obedience to God. It doesn't say whether or not he even told Sarah what the God had instructed him to do. I would think that Abraham keep all this between himself and God.
We see the next morning, (not 3 or 4 days later), that Abraham arose and took Isaac, and two servants and the wood needed for a sacrifice, and headed off to where God had told him to go. What a long journey that must have been for Abraham. How hard it must have been for him to hold a conversion with Isaac on the way to the sacrifice.
As they approached the place God had instructed him, he told his servants to wait there, as he and the boy would go and worship, and "we will come back to you". Perhaps Abraham in saying this, believed that he and the boy would return, and was remembering God's promise to create a mighty nation through Isaac, and he still believed it. Maybe he had concluded that even if he were to kill his son, God would bring him back from the dead. What a picture this is of God, sending his only Son for our sacrifice, and bringing Him back from the dead.
Now we see that as Abraham and Isaac are heading to the area to do sacrifice to the Lord, that Isaac says, " Father where is the lamb for the sacrifice?" Abraham's reply was, "God will provide Himself a sacrifice. What faith Abraham had in Almighty God.
Abraham then begins to built an altar. After he had completed it he then took Isaac, and bound him and laid him upon the altar. Isaac at this time would have realized that he was the sacrifice, and there is nothing recorded that he cried out, or made any sound of pleas to his father. This would be another example, of when later we see Jesus not saying anything, as He became the ultimate sacrifice on the cross. Perhaps because of Isaac's upbringing, and worship of God with his parents, he was being obedient to his father in what God had instructed him to do.
As Abraham raised his knife and was about to sacrifice Isaac as God had instructed him to do, we read that God called from heaven, and twice said, "Abraham, Abraham do not lay your hand upon the child, or do anything to him for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son from me." Abraham now saw the ram and in an amazing manner his words of God's provision in verse 8 where he said, "My son, God will provide for himself the lamb for burnt offering" came to pass.
Because of his faithfulness to God in not withholding his son, the Lord now tells Abraham that his descendants would be many as the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. In verse 19 we see that Abraham and Isaac return to the two servants and they went together to Beersheba. What a wonderful trip that must of been for Abraham as well as Isaac as they rejoiced in the Lord.
Today's Closing Question and Comment: "What do you have trouble giving up to God?" The purpose of God's testing us, is to strengthen our character and deepen our commitment to His perfect timing. Through this testing we strengthen our commitment to obey God. We also learn about God's ability to provide for us.
The Lord is our rock, in Him we abide, the shelter in the time of a storm
Secure whatever ill betide, a shelter in the time of a storm
Oh, Jesus is a rock in a weary land
A weary land, a weary land
Oh, Jesus is a rock in a weary land, a shelter in the time of storm
Heavenly Father, How we thank you for Jesus, the innocent Lamb that offered Himself as a sacrifice for us ,and because of His suffering, the sinless Son of God purged our sins, and made us clean. May we like Abraham, put our complete faith and trust in You at all times as we serve You.
Amen
Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day. Go In Peace, Serve the Lord and Love God More Today.
Yours in Christ
Cindi
Today's Blog Title: "Abraham's Faith Confirmed"
Today's Scripture Reading: Genesis 22:1-19
Today's Key Verse: 7-8: "But Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, "My Father!" And he said, "Here I am, my son." Then he said, "Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?" And Abraham said, "My son, God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering." So the two of them went together.
Wow!!! Without question, Genesis 22:1-19 is one of the most shocking and most memorable in the whole Bible. Yet its outcome, is one of the finest examples describing the loyalty of God to His covenant and to Abraham, and to us even today. It revealed remarkable faith on the part of Abraham, and it would point to the future sacrifice of God's only son, Jesus Christ.
As this Chapter opens up we see that the Lord calls to Abraham, and Abraham replied "Here I am." This is now the seventh time that God has revealed Himself to Abraham, since he had been in the land of Canaan. God then tells Abraham to take his son, his only son Isaac to the land of Moriah, and there sacrifice him there on one of the mountains that he would will show him. I can't even imagine, what thoughts were going through Abraham's mind. What painful thoughts must have racing around in his thinking. Isaac whom was born to him when he was 100, and whom he had so long waited for from the promises of God, was now to be sacrificed. In this passage of scripture, there is nothing to indicate that Abraham said anything. You remember in Genesis 18:
27-32 how he had pleaed with God to save the city of Sodom for the sake of 10, yet here in this passage, all we read about is Abraham complete obedience to God. It doesn't say whether or not he even told Sarah what the God had instructed him to do. I would think that Abraham keep all this between himself and God.
We see the next morning, (not 3 or 4 days later), that Abraham arose and took Isaac, and two servants and the wood needed for a sacrifice, and headed off to where God had told him to go. What a long journey that must have been for Abraham. How hard it must have been for him to hold a conversion with Isaac on the way to the sacrifice.
As they approached the place God had instructed him, he told his servants to wait there, as he and the boy would go and worship, and "we will come back to you". Perhaps Abraham in saying this, believed that he and the boy would return, and was remembering God's promise to create a mighty nation through Isaac, and he still believed it. Maybe he had concluded that even if he were to kill his son, God would bring him back from the dead. What a picture this is of God, sending his only Son for our sacrifice, and bringing Him back from the dead.
Now we see that as Abraham and Isaac are heading to the area to do sacrifice to the Lord, that Isaac says, " Father where is the lamb for the sacrifice?" Abraham's reply was, "God will provide Himself a sacrifice. What faith Abraham had in Almighty God.
Abraham then begins to built an altar. After he had completed it he then took Isaac, and bound him and laid him upon the altar. Isaac at this time would have realized that he was the sacrifice, and there is nothing recorded that he cried out, or made any sound of pleas to his father. This would be another example, of when later we see Jesus not saying anything, as He became the ultimate sacrifice on the cross. Perhaps because of Isaac's upbringing, and worship of God with his parents, he was being obedient to his father in what God had instructed him to do.
As Abraham raised his knife and was about to sacrifice Isaac as God had instructed him to do, we read that God called from heaven, and twice said, "Abraham, Abraham do not lay your hand upon the child, or do anything to him for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son from me." Abraham now saw the ram and in an amazing manner his words of God's provision in verse 8 where he said, "My son, God will provide for himself the lamb for burnt offering" came to pass.
Because of his faithfulness to God in not withholding his son, the Lord now tells Abraham that his descendants would be many as the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. In verse 19 we see that Abraham and Isaac return to the two servants and they went together to Beersheba. What a wonderful trip that must of been for Abraham as well as Isaac as they rejoiced in the Lord.
Today's Closing Question and Comment: "What do you have trouble giving up to God?" The purpose of God's testing us, is to strengthen our character and deepen our commitment to His perfect timing. Through this testing we strengthen our commitment to obey God. We also learn about God's ability to provide for us.
The Lord is our rock, in Him we abide, the shelter in the time of a storm
Secure whatever ill betide, a shelter in the time of a storm
Oh, Jesus is a rock in a weary land
A weary land, a weary land
Oh, Jesus is a rock in a weary land, a shelter in the time of storm
Heavenly Father, How we thank you for Jesus, the innocent Lamb that offered Himself as a sacrifice for us ,and because of His suffering, the sinless Son of God purged our sins, and made us clean. May we like Abraham, put our complete faith and trust in You at all times as we serve You.
Amen
Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day. Go In Peace, Serve the Lord and Love God More Today.
Yours in Christ
Cindi
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Bible Scripture and Hymn for Thursday 27 January 2011
"Greetings in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"
Today's Blog Title: "A Covenant with Abimelech"
Today's Scripture Reading: Genesis 21:22-34
Today's Key Verse: "And it came to pass at that time that Abimelech and Phichol, the commander of his army, spoke to Abraham, saying, "God is with you in all that you do."
This is the third part of Chapter 21. In part one, we saw the birth of Isaac, Abraham's son. In part two, we looked at the forced Departure of Hagar and Ishmael, from the household of Abraham and today in part three, we will look at Abraham's Covenant with Abimlech.
In verse 22 we see the return of Abimlech. You recall that in Chapter 20, was our first look at the Philistine king. In that first meeting, Abraham had told the king that Sarah was his sister and The king took her to his palace, to be part of his harem. The Lord came in a dream to the king and told him not to touch Sarah, for she was Abraham's wife. We read that the Lord had shut the wombs of all that were in Abimlech's household, until Sarah was returned back to Abraham.
It would appear that from verse 22, that Abraham and Sarah were still living in the region of Gerar. The king came to see Abraham, and this time he also has Phichol, his army commander with him. It is with the words "God is with you" that Abimlech, and Phichol introduce their desire to form a treaty with Abraham. Even though Abimlech was a pagan king, he knew that the true and Living God, was with Abraham in all that he did. Wow!!!! What a testimony of God's power.
Abimlech then tells Abraham to, "swear to him by God" that Abraham would not deal with him falsely, or his offspring or his posterity. He knew that this oath was a binding one, and that "God" would be witness to the act and a witness against anyone who might break it. He reminds Abraham of the kindness that he had shown him, and here the word "kindness" basically would describe covenant loyalty.
After Abraham swears to the agreement, Abraham now brings up the dispute between the two, concerning a well. For shepard's, and those that attended to goats, water rights and wells were a big deal. Abimlech tells Abraham that he was unaware of the problem, but he would settle the issue promptly. In verse 27, we now read about the first use of the word covenant, for a parity treaty. This was a treaty, that was a binding agreement between two equals, like a business contract would be today.
In verse 28, we now see where Abraham made the occasion all the more binding, by his presentation of seven ewe lamps to the king. Beersheba, would be the well they swore an oath to, and the well of the seven ewes.
In the closing verses of Chapter 21 we see that Abraham plants a tamarisk tree, in the hope that it would mark the spot of this treaty. As always, we now read that Abraham called on the name of the Lord. Abraham did more than pray to the Lord, he made a public notice in the Lord's name, telling everyone about the "Everlasting Lord".
Closing Question and Comment: Have you made a binding Covenant to the Lord? Today we saw how a pagan king told Abraham, "God is with you in all that you do." Abimlech realized that the True, and Living Almighty God was with Abraham, so that it would seem that Abimlech feared Abraham, because of the Lord watching over him and wanted Abraham to swear a treaty with him.
Because of the shed blood of His Son Jesus Christ, we have a binding Covenant through Jesus to the Almighty God as believers, and God is faithful to meet the needs of those who are his.
I have a maker, He formed my heart
Even before time began, my life was in His hands
He knows my name, He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls, and hear me when I call
I have a Father, He calls me His own,
He'll never leave me, no matter where I go
Heavenly Father, How we thank you, for Your Son Jesus Christ, and because of His shed blood we have a binding Covenant with You, and we know that we are called Your own, and that no matter where we go, you are always there with us.
Amen
Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day and May You Go In Peace As You Serve the Lord and Love God More Today.
Yours In Christ
Cindi
Today's Blog Title: "A Covenant with Abimelech"
Today's Scripture Reading: Genesis 21:22-34
Today's Key Verse: "And it came to pass at that time that Abimelech and Phichol, the commander of his army, spoke to Abraham, saying, "God is with you in all that you do."
This is the third part of Chapter 21. In part one, we saw the birth of Isaac, Abraham's son. In part two, we looked at the forced Departure of Hagar and Ishmael, from the household of Abraham and today in part three, we will look at Abraham's Covenant with Abimlech.
In verse 22 we see the return of Abimlech. You recall that in Chapter 20, was our first look at the Philistine king. In that first meeting, Abraham had told the king that Sarah was his sister and The king took her to his palace, to be part of his harem. The Lord came in a dream to the king and told him not to touch Sarah, for she was Abraham's wife. We read that the Lord had shut the wombs of all that were in Abimlech's household, until Sarah was returned back to Abraham.
It would appear that from verse 22, that Abraham and Sarah were still living in the region of Gerar. The king came to see Abraham, and this time he also has Phichol, his army commander with him. It is with the words "God is with you" that Abimlech, and Phichol introduce their desire to form a treaty with Abraham. Even though Abimlech was a pagan king, he knew that the true and Living God, was with Abraham in all that he did. Wow!!!! What a testimony of God's power.
Abimlech then tells Abraham to, "swear to him by God" that Abraham would not deal with him falsely, or his offspring or his posterity. He knew that this oath was a binding one, and that "God" would be witness to the act and a witness against anyone who might break it. He reminds Abraham of the kindness that he had shown him, and here the word "kindness" basically would describe covenant loyalty.
After Abraham swears to the agreement, Abraham now brings up the dispute between the two, concerning a well. For shepard's, and those that attended to goats, water rights and wells were a big deal. Abimlech tells Abraham that he was unaware of the problem, but he would settle the issue promptly. In verse 27, we now read about the first use of the word covenant, for a parity treaty. This was a treaty, that was a binding agreement between two equals, like a business contract would be today.
In verse 28, we now see where Abraham made the occasion all the more binding, by his presentation of seven ewe lamps to the king. Beersheba, would be the well they swore an oath to, and the well of the seven ewes.
In the closing verses of Chapter 21 we see that Abraham plants a tamarisk tree, in the hope that it would mark the spot of this treaty. As always, we now read that Abraham called on the name of the Lord. Abraham did more than pray to the Lord, he made a public notice in the Lord's name, telling everyone about the "Everlasting Lord".
Closing Question and Comment: Have you made a binding Covenant to the Lord? Today we saw how a pagan king told Abraham, "God is with you in all that you do." Abimlech realized that the True, and Living Almighty God was with Abraham, so that it would seem that Abimlech feared Abraham, because of the Lord watching over him and wanted Abraham to swear a treaty with him.
Because of the shed blood of His Son Jesus Christ, we have a binding Covenant through Jesus to the Almighty God as believers, and God is faithful to meet the needs of those who are his.
I have a maker, He formed my heart
Even before time began, my life was in His hands
He knows my name, He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls, and hear me when I call
I have a Father, He calls me His own,
He'll never leave me, no matter where I go
Heavenly Father, How we thank you, for Your Son Jesus Christ, and because of His shed blood we have a binding Covenant with You, and we know that we are called Your own, and that no matter where we go, you are always there with us.
Amen
Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day and May You Go In Peace As You Serve the Lord and Love God More Today.
Yours In Christ
Cindi
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Bible Scripture and Hymn for Tuesday 25 January 2011
"Greetings Everyone in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"
Today's Blog Title: "The Departure of Hagar and Ishmael"
Today's Scripture: Genesis 21:8-21
Today's Key Verse: Genesis 21:10 "Therefore she said to Abraham, "Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of this bondwomen shall not be heir with my son, namely Isaac."
Today is part 2 of Chapter 21. Yesterday, we read that after many years of waiting for God's promise of a son, and Abraham and Sarah being advanced in age, that God has know fulfilled His promise according to His time plan, and Sarah bore Abraham a son, and he was given the name of Isaac, Meaning "Laughter".
Today we see starting in verse 8 we read that Isaac was now growing, and that when Isaac was weaned, that Abraham had a celebration feast for Isaac. As parents, Abraham and Sarah rejoiced in each major step of his life.
During this celebration Sarah saw Ishmael "scoffing". He was mocking the the joy of Abraham and Sarah in their young son. Sarah then approaches Abraham and tells him, "Cast out this bondwoman and her son, for the son of a bondwoman shall not be heir with my son......" We see that with this verse, that Sarah, who had not waited upon the Lord for the promise of a son some 17 years or so earlier, and who had sent Hagar into Abraham so to be a surrogate mother and have son through her, now wants Abraham to expel Hagar and Ishmael from the family altogether.
Abraham, with this demand from Sarah was heart broken. Abraham loved Ishmael, and in that time the custom was that the rights of any child born to a man by a slave woman was protected. Even though Isaac was Abraham's legal heir, Ishmael was guaranteed an inheritance. Abraham also believed that Sarah's demand to sent Ishmael away was morally wrong.
We see that Abraham now for the the sixth time, since being in the land of Canaan, received direct word from the Lord. It was only because of God's direct intervention, and His promise to guarantee Ishmael's future, that finally moved Abraham to banish Hagar and his son. Abraham would truly understand in our society today, the pain of those who lose there children through divorce. How we need to remember that God cares for our loved ones, even when we cannot.
We see that Abraham, gives Hagar some meager provisions, of some bread and a skin of water. As you can imagine, being in the desert it would not take long to use up these meager supplies. Hagar, even though she had a mean spirit toward Sarah, loved her son very much, and the thought that she was going to lose her son in the desert heat, was just to much for her to bear.
We see in verse 17, we see that God heard Hagar's cry in the desert. "God heard", what wonderful words those are. There is no pain that our God, does not see or hear about. We see that God's promise to Abraham concerning Ishmael was being fulfilled. God was near to deliver, and the child would not die.
God now renews His promise to Hagar, that He would make Ishmael into a great nation. God did not create a spring when Hagar and Ishmael seemed about to die. Is was because Hagar was so overcome by grief that she was unaware of the provision of water right before her. There are times in the Old Testament, that a spring or a well of water, would be a sign of spiritual salvation, as well as physical deliverance. Jesus in John 4:13-14 says, "Whosoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whosoever drinks of the water that I shall give them will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life" and also in John 7:37-38, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, out of the heart will flow rivers of living water".
We see in the closing of part two of this Chapter, that God's promise was realized in Ishmael life, and that he became an archer, and he learned to hunt. Hagar took a wife for Ishmael, from among her people the Egyptians, just as will will see in a later study, how Abraham's servants searched for a wife for Isaac, from among his parents people.
Closing Question and Comment: In your times of trouble are your eyes closed to God's deliverance? We, in this study today saw how, even though it pained Abraham to do it, and after the Lord told him that He would Ishmael a great nation, that Abraham gave Hagar a "meager" portion of bread and water, and sent her and Ishmael away into the desert. We are not told in this section of reading, but perhaps because of God's promise to him, Abraham knew that the meager supplies would make due, until God would provide for Hagar and Ishmael. In hard times you and I, simply need to ask God to show us the solution that He has already provided.
King of all days, Oh, Highly exalted, glorious in heaven above, humbly you came
To the world that You created, all for loves sake, became poor
I'll never know how much it cost, to see my sin upon that cross
I'll never know how much it cost, to see my sin upon that cross
Here I am to worship, here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that You are my God, Your altogether Lovely,
Altogether Worthy, altogether wonderful to me
Heavenly Father, How wonderful it is for us as believers, to know that all we need to do is but ask you, and you will show us the solution to our prayers. How thankful that unlike us, You are faithful and just, to always keep the promises made to those that have trusted in You.
Amen
Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day and "Go In Peace and Serve the Lord"
Yours In Christ,
Cindi
Today's Blog Title: "The Departure of Hagar and Ishmael"
Today's Scripture: Genesis 21:8-21
Today's Key Verse: Genesis 21:10 "Therefore she said to Abraham, "Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of this bondwomen shall not be heir with my son, namely Isaac."
Today is part 2 of Chapter 21. Yesterday, we read that after many years of waiting for God's promise of a son, and Abraham and Sarah being advanced in age, that God has know fulfilled His promise according to His time plan, and Sarah bore Abraham a son, and he was given the name of Isaac, Meaning "Laughter".
Today we see starting in verse 8 we read that Isaac was now growing, and that when Isaac was weaned, that Abraham had a celebration feast for Isaac. As parents, Abraham and Sarah rejoiced in each major step of his life.
During this celebration Sarah saw Ishmael "scoffing". He was mocking the the joy of Abraham and Sarah in their young son. Sarah then approaches Abraham and tells him, "Cast out this bondwoman and her son, for the son of a bondwoman shall not be heir with my son......" We see that with this verse, that Sarah, who had not waited upon the Lord for the promise of a son some 17 years or so earlier, and who had sent Hagar into Abraham so to be a surrogate mother and have son through her, now wants Abraham to expel Hagar and Ishmael from the family altogether.
Abraham, with this demand from Sarah was heart broken. Abraham loved Ishmael, and in that time the custom was that the rights of any child born to a man by a slave woman was protected. Even though Isaac was Abraham's legal heir, Ishmael was guaranteed an inheritance. Abraham also believed that Sarah's demand to sent Ishmael away was morally wrong.
We see that Abraham now for the the sixth time, since being in the land of Canaan, received direct word from the Lord. It was only because of God's direct intervention, and His promise to guarantee Ishmael's future, that finally moved Abraham to banish Hagar and his son. Abraham would truly understand in our society today, the pain of those who lose there children through divorce. How we need to remember that God cares for our loved ones, even when we cannot.
We see that Abraham, gives Hagar some meager provisions, of some bread and a skin of water. As you can imagine, being in the desert it would not take long to use up these meager supplies. Hagar, even though she had a mean spirit toward Sarah, loved her son very much, and the thought that she was going to lose her son in the desert heat, was just to much for her to bear.
We see in verse 17, we see that God heard Hagar's cry in the desert. "God heard", what wonderful words those are. There is no pain that our God, does not see or hear about. We see that God's promise to Abraham concerning Ishmael was being fulfilled. God was near to deliver, and the child would not die.
God now renews His promise to Hagar, that He would make Ishmael into a great nation. God did not create a spring when Hagar and Ishmael seemed about to die. Is was because Hagar was so overcome by grief that she was unaware of the provision of water right before her. There are times in the Old Testament, that a spring or a well of water, would be a sign of spiritual salvation, as well as physical deliverance. Jesus in John 4:13-14 says, "Whosoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whosoever drinks of the water that I shall give them will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life" and also in John 7:37-38, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, out of the heart will flow rivers of living water".
We see in the closing of part two of this Chapter, that God's promise was realized in Ishmael life, and that he became an archer, and he learned to hunt. Hagar took a wife for Ishmael, from among her people the Egyptians, just as will will see in a later study, how Abraham's servants searched for a wife for Isaac, from among his parents people.
Closing Question and Comment: In your times of trouble are your eyes closed to God's deliverance? We, in this study today saw how, even though it pained Abraham to do it, and after the Lord told him that He would Ishmael a great nation, that Abraham gave Hagar a "meager" portion of bread and water, and sent her and Ishmael away into the desert. We are not told in this section of reading, but perhaps because of God's promise to him, Abraham knew that the meager supplies would make due, until God would provide for Hagar and Ishmael. In hard times you and I, simply need to ask God to show us the solution that He has already provided.
King of all days, Oh, Highly exalted, glorious in heaven above, humbly you came
To the world that You created, all for loves sake, became poor
I'll never know how much it cost, to see my sin upon that cross
I'll never know how much it cost, to see my sin upon that cross
Here I am to worship, here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that You are my God, Your altogether Lovely,
Altogether Worthy, altogether wonderful to me
Heavenly Father, How wonderful it is for us as believers, to know that all we need to do is but ask you, and you will show us the solution to our prayers. How thankful that unlike us, You are faithful and just, to always keep the promises made to those that have trusted in You.
Amen
Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day and "Go In Peace and Serve the Lord"
Yours In Christ,
Cindi
Monday, January 24, 2011
Bible Chapter and Hymn for Monday 24 January 2011
"Greetings Everyone in the Name of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ"
Blog Title: "The Birth Of Isaac"
Today's Scripture: Genesis 21:1-7
Today's Key Verse: Genesis 21:2: "For Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him."
Last week, at the end of Chapter 20, we saw that God had closed the wombs of Abimelech's household, and then when Sarah was returned to Abraham, God opened them back up. I have divided Chapter 21 into three parts. (1) The birth of Isaac (2) The departure of Hager and Ishmael and (3) A Covenant with Abimelech.
In the opening verse of Chapter 21, we see that the Lord visited Sarah. The Bible stresses, that the Lord causes conception, and that children are a gift of God. The two phrases, "He had said" and "as He had spoken", speak of the fulfillment to Abraham, that he would have an heir from Sarah.
It would appear that Sarah, had conceived in the land of Gerar, while she and Abraham were living there. In 20:17 we read that the Lord had shut the wombs of the household of Abimelech, and now He opens the womb of Sarah. The Bible once again tells us, that Abraham produced a heir at his advanced age, and what a miracle this was. We see here, that God kept His promise to Abraham and Sarah in "His Set Time".
Abraham called his son Isaac, which means "laughter" because as you remember in Genesis 17:17, Abraham had laughed, when God had told him that he would have a son because he was of the mind set, that he was too old to father a son, as well as Sarah in Genesis 18:12. Now with the birth of Isaac, Sarah was laughing with joy and not disbelief.
Abraham continues his obedience to the Lord, by having Isaac circumcised as God had directed in his covenant with Abraham in Genesis 10:10. The sign of the covenant, was most important for the son of a promise. Abraham, was exactly 100 years old when Isaac was born. Amusingly, Abraham was the exact age that caused him to laugh aloud in Genesis 17:17.
In verse 6, we read where Sarah says, "God has made me laugh, and all who hear will laugh with me." Among the many name jokes in the Bible, few are as wonderful as this one. As we have seen, the word "laugh" in this verse is related to the name Isaac.
At the close of verse 7, we now see that Sarah at the age of 90, was nursing Isaac, Abraham's promised son, and that at last, she had her child within her arms.
Closing Question and Comment: "Does your faith at all times look up to God for his promises? As we have read thus far, Abraham and Sarah's faith at times was that of disbelief that God, in there old age would have a son. As you remember, that is why Sarah had sent Hagar into Abraham in the first place, so that Abraham would have a son through his maidservant. We need to, as believers, to always keep looking to God, and to believe, and trust in his promises, and to remember what the Lord said in Genesis 18:14, "Is there anything to hard for the Lord?"
Tomorrow will part two of Chapter 21: "The Departure of Hagar and Ishmael"
Light of the world, you stepped into darkness
Open my eyes, let me see, beauty that that this heart may adore you
Hope of a life spent with you
Here I am to worship, here I am to bow down, here I am to say that Your my God
Your altogether lovely, Altogether worthy, Altogether wonderful to me
Heavenly Father, Thank you for the promises that you make to us as believers. Help us as believers, to keep our focus on You, and those promises. May we always remember, "Is there anything to hard for the Lord."
Amen
Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day and keep your eyes upon Jesus and look for guidance in your daily life.
Yours In Christ,
Cindi
Blog Title: "The Birth Of Isaac"
Today's Scripture: Genesis 21:1-7
Today's Key Verse: Genesis 21:2: "For Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him."
Last week, at the end of Chapter 20, we saw that God had closed the wombs of Abimelech's household, and then when Sarah was returned to Abraham, God opened them back up. I have divided Chapter 21 into three parts. (1) The birth of Isaac (2) The departure of Hager and Ishmael and (3) A Covenant with Abimelech.
In the opening verse of Chapter 21, we see that the Lord visited Sarah. The Bible stresses, that the Lord causes conception, and that children are a gift of God. The two phrases, "He had said" and "as He had spoken", speak of the fulfillment to Abraham, that he would have an heir from Sarah.
It would appear that Sarah, had conceived in the land of Gerar, while she and Abraham were living there. In 20:17 we read that the Lord had shut the wombs of the household of Abimelech, and now He opens the womb of Sarah. The Bible once again tells us, that Abraham produced a heir at his advanced age, and what a miracle this was. We see here, that God kept His promise to Abraham and Sarah in "His Set Time".
Abraham called his son Isaac, which means "laughter" because as you remember in Genesis 17:17, Abraham had laughed, when God had told him that he would have a son because he was of the mind set, that he was too old to father a son, as well as Sarah in Genesis 18:12. Now with the birth of Isaac, Sarah was laughing with joy and not disbelief.
Abraham continues his obedience to the Lord, by having Isaac circumcised as God had directed in his covenant with Abraham in Genesis 10:10. The sign of the covenant, was most important for the son of a promise. Abraham, was exactly 100 years old when Isaac was born. Amusingly, Abraham was the exact age that caused him to laugh aloud in Genesis 17:17.
In verse 6, we read where Sarah says, "God has made me laugh, and all who hear will laugh with me." Among the many name jokes in the Bible, few are as wonderful as this one. As we have seen, the word "laugh" in this verse is related to the name Isaac.
At the close of verse 7, we now see that Sarah at the age of 90, was nursing Isaac, Abraham's promised son, and that at last, she had her child within her arms.
Closing Question and Comment: "Does your faith at all times look up to God for his promises? As we have read thus far, Abraham and Sarah's faith at times was that of disbelief that God, in there old age would have a son. As you remember, that is why Sarah had sent Hagar into Abraham in the first place, so that Abraham would have a son through his maidservant. We need to, as believers, to always keep looking to God, and to believe, and trust in his promises, and to remember what the Lord said in Genesis 18:14, "Is there anything to hard for the Lord?"
Tomorrow will part two of Chapter 21: "The Departure of Hagar and Ishmael"
Light of the world, you stepped into darkness
Open my eyes, let me see, beauty that that this heart may adore you
Hope of a life spent with you
Here I am to worship, here I am to bow down, here I am to say that Your my God
Your altogether lovely, Altogether worthy, Altogether wonderful to me
Heavenly Father, Thank you for the promises that you make to us as believers. Help us as believers, to keep our focus on You, and those promises. May we always remember, "Is there anything to hard for the Lord."
Amen
Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day and keep your eyes upon Jesus and look for guidance in your daily life.
Yours In Christ,
Cindi
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Bible Verse and Hymn for Sunday 23 January 2011
"Greetings in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"
Today's Bible Verse is: Romans 5: 1-2
"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have access by faith in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God."
The peace we have with God, as mentioned in verse 1, is the state of being at peace, instead of at war. The hostility between God (when we were in sin) and the believer has ended, because the believer, is now reconciled to God.
We as believers, now have access into God's throne room. Even though we were once sinners, we will not have to face His judgment, because of our acceptance of His Son Jesus Christ into our lives. We have been granted admission, to stand before Almighty God. We as believers, can approach God, in the realm of grace, and can boast in the expectation of the glory of God. We can be confident, because God Himself, has placed the Holy Spirit in our hearts. WOW!!!! Praise God for his undying Love, and His Grace that has saved us, from the death penalty that we deserved.
Heavenly Father, How wonderful, and how marvelous is your grace, which we receive, when we accept your Son Jesus Christ into our lives. How we thank you, for the privilege and honor to approach your throne boldly, because we are your children, and you are eager to listen to us. What a wonderful and loving God we serve, and may we always have the faith and confidence, to come before you in admiration and praise.
Amen
I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore
Very deeply stained within, sinking to raise no more;
But the master of the sea, heard my despairing cry
From the waters lifted me, now safe am I
Love lifted me, Love lifted me
When nothing else could help, Love Lifted Me
Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day and May God's Never Ending, and Never Changing, Love and Grace be with you.
Yours In Christ
Cindi
Today's Bible Verse is: Romans 5: 1-2
"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have access by faith in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God."
The peace we have with God, as mentioned in verse 1, is the state of being at peace, instead of at war. The hostility between God (when we were in sin) and the believer has ended, because the believer, is now reconciled to God.
We as believers, now have access into God's throne room. Even though we were once sinners, we will not have to face His judgment, because of our acceptance of His Son Jesus Christ into our lives. We have been granted admission, to stand before Almighty God. We as believers, can approach God, in the realm of grace, and can boast in the expectation of the glory of God. We can be confident, because God Himself, has placed the Holy Spirit in our hearts. WOW!!!! Praise God for his undying Love, and His Grace that has saved us, from the death penalty that we deserved.
Heavenly Father, How wonderful, and how marvelous is your grace, which we receive, when we accept your Son Jesus Christ into our lives. How we thank you, for the privilege and honor to approach your throne boldly, because we are your children, and you are eager to listen to us. What a wonderful and loving God we serve, and may we always have the faith and confidence, to come before you in admiration and praise.
Amen
I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore
Very deeply stained within, sinking to raise no more;
But the master of the sea, heard my despairing cry
From the waters lifted me, now safe am I
Love lifted me, Love lifted me
When nothing else could help, Love Lifted Me
Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day and May God's Never Ending, and Never Changing, Love and Grace be with you.
Yours In Christ
Cindi
Bible Verse and Hym for Saturday 22 January 2011
"Greetings in the name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"
This past week, while doing the weekly blog, I started thinking about changing the format for the blog on the weekends. Since the weekends are a very busy time for me in my service for the Lord, I have decided to try a new approach for the weekends. While in my Quiet Time with the Lord, and in searching and reading God's Word, I will do a weekend Daily Verse in which it will be my prayer, that God will uplift you in your walk with Him. The Monday-Friday Blog will continue to be a study on a book in the Bible.
Today I would like to tell you my testimony and what Christ has meant to me since I opened my hearts door to His knocking.
I and my sibling's were in a foster home at 3, and we were adopted when I was 5 (I being the oldest). The couple that adopted us were Southern Baptist, so I went to church Sunday mornings, Sunday evenings and Bible Study on Wednesday's. So I was well introduced to church life. There is a statement from Catherine Martin's book "A Woman's Walk In Grace" that says, "Do you believe in God? or do you BELIEVE GOD . It takes a big faith to BELIEVE GOD". When I read this I said "WOW what a statement!!!!" It was my whole life. I had always Believed in God, and gave that lip service to God, but I never BELIEVED GOD.
In January of 2010, I was having alot of throat problems, and finally went into see my Doctor and was told that I had a growth on my vocal cords that had to come out. I gave that lip service to God, and asked for it to come out ok. After the results came back, and and it was beign, and even though my voice wouldn't be the same, I did my lip service to God and I said, "Thank you God" and continued with my wayward life. In May I lost my full time job, and once again, did not go to God and ask for His help, in this lost of a job which I loved so much.
On July 8th at 9:55 p.m. I received a call, that would take me from being on the edge of the ice berg of life, to having me under it and drowning. At that time and date, as I was driving on the freeway home, I got a call and was told that my sister was killed by a drunk driver. I went into complete shock and disbelief. I dropped my phone and was crying and driving which wasn't a good combination. How I made it home, I didn't know at that time, but now I realize that it was because of the grace of God.
I laid on my couch and cried for three days. I did nothing but cry. Two weeks prior to this, I had checked out a movie called "Fireproof" (if you have never seen it you need to) and because my life revolved around me, it sat on my coffee table collecting dust, because I was to busy to watch it. On the third day of wallowing in my self piety and sorrow, I looked down and saw the DVD, and it seemed to jump out at me and say, "watch me". While watching the movie, and the message of it, I felt the Lord knocking on my Hearts Door, and for the first time in my life, I realized that I needed Christ in my life. I needed to BELIEVE GOD.
I went to my bedroom got down on my knees, and told God that I am a sinner, and that I was tired of trying to live my life without him, and that I needed and wanted him in my life. I wanted him to take control of my spiraling life, that was leading me the gates of hell. On the 11th of July at 11:55 p.m. and at the moment I accepted Christ into my life, I felt the Lords arms around me and that inner peace that I was missing all these years of my life. I knew WITHOUT A DOUBT, that He was there with me and comforting me. WOW!!!!! What a joy to finally to BELIEVE GOD, and have that peace that passes all understanding, and to have such an inner peace within my heart and soul.
The next morning I went on my daily walk, which I hadn't done in days, and for the first time I saw the real beauty of God's creation. The flowers looked more beautiful, the air smelled fresher, and the sunrise coming over the mountains took on a whole new beauty. My life took a 180 degree turn, and I went from being under the ice berg and drowning, to being on top of that ice berg of my life, and basking in God's Light, Love and Grace.
God has given me the ability to write, and has given me the desire to spread His message through the Internet. My friends, I now find, that even on the stormy days of my life, that I have sunshine, because I have Christ living in me and He is me and He is the LIGHT OF MY LIFE. Once again taking a statement from Catherine's book where she says, "God's Grace: Believe It, Receive It, Live It". I have totally done that. "PRAISE GOD".
My friends, Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life, and if you but ask him into your life, and ask HIM to save you from your sins, He will, because we are told In Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is DEATH, but the Gift of God is ETERNAL LIFE in Christ Jesus our Lord" and in 1 John 1:9 we are told, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." My friends unlike us God ALWAYS keeps His promises.
Heavenly Father, it is my prayer, that if there are any out there reading this, who do not know you, I pray that Your Holy Spirit will touch there hearts, and convict them of there need of you. I pray, that as Jesus is tenderly and patiently knocking on there hearts door, that they may open that door to Him, and experience the Blessings, Love, Mercy and Grace of God, that He provides us because of the death, and resurrection, of His Son Jesus Christ.
Amen
Blessed be your Name, in the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow,
Blessed be Your Name
Blessed be Your Name, when I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed be Your Name
Every blessing You pour out, I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord, Still I will say
Blessed be the Name of the Lord, Blessed be Your Name
Blessed be the Name of the Lord, Blessed be Your Glorious Name
Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day and remember that Jesus came to seek and to save that which were lost. There is a sign at a church that reads: "Inside the Bible is a Free Gift, Open It To Receive It". WOW!!!! I love that, because Jesus is that free gift.
Yours In Christ,
Cindi
This past week, while doing the weekly blog, I started thinking about changing the format for the blog on the weekends. Since the weekends are a very busy time for me in my service for the Lord, I have decided to try a new approach for the weekends. While in my Quiet Time with the Lord, and in searching and reading God's Word, I will do a weekend Daily Verse in which it will be my prayer, that God will uplift you in your walk with Him. The Monday-Friday Blog will continue to be a study on a book in the Bible.
Today I would like to tell you my testimony and what Christ has meant to me since I opened my hearts door to His knocking.
I and my sibling's were in a foster home at 3, and we were adopted when I was 5 (I being the oldest). The couple that adopted us were Southern Baptist, so I went to church Sunday mornings, Sunday evenings and Bible Study on Wednesday's. So I was well introduced to church life. There is a statement from Catherine Martin's book "A Woman's Walk In Grace" that says, "Do you believe in God? or do you BELIEVE GOD . It takes a big faith to BELIEVE GOD". When I read this I said "WOW what a statement!!!!" It was my whole life. I had always Believed in God, and gave that lip service to God, but I never BELIEVED GOD.
In January of 2010, I was having alot of throat problems, and finally went into see my Doctor and was told that I had a growth on my vocal cords that had to come out. I gave that lip service to God, and asked for it to come out ok. After the results came back, and and it was beign, and even though my voice wouldn't be the same, I did my lip service to God and I said, "Thank you God" and continued with my wayward life. In May I lost my full time job, and once again, did not go to God and ask for His help, in this lost of a job which I loved so much.
On July 8th at 9:55 p.m. I received a call, that would take me from being on the edge of the ice berg of life, to having me under it and drowning. At that time and date, as I was driving on the freeway home, I got a call and was told that my sister was killed by a drunk driver. I went into complete shock and disbelief. I dropped my phone and was crying and driving which wasn't a good combination. How I made it home, I didn't know at that time, but now I realize that it was because of the grace of God.
I laid on my couch and cried for three days. I did nothing but cry. Two weeks prior to this, I had checked out a movie called "Fireproof" (if you have never seen it you need to) and because my life revolved around me, it sat on my coffee table collecting dust, because I was to busy to watch it. On the third day of wallowing in my self piety and sorrow, I looked down and saw the DVD, and it seemed to jump out at me and say, "watch me". While watching the movie, and the message of it, I felt the Lord knocking on my Hearts Door, and for the first time in my life, I realized that I needed Christ in my life. I needed to BELIEVE GOD.
I went to my bedroom got down on my knees, and told God that I am a sinner, and that I was tired of trying to live my life without him, and that I needed and wanted him in my life. I wanted him to take control of my spiraling life, that was leading me the gates of hell. On the 11th of July at 11:55 p.m. and at the moment I accepted Christ into my life, I felt the Lords arms around me and that inner peace that I was missing all these years of my life. I knew WITHOUT A DOUBT, that He was there with me and comforting me. WOW!!!!! What a joy to finally to BELIEVE GOD, and have that peace that passes all understanding, and to have such an inner peace within my heart and soul.
The next morning I went on my daily walk, which I hadn't done in days, and for the first time I saw the real beauty of God's creation. The flowers looked more beautiful, the air smelled fresher, and the sunrise coming over the mountains took on a whole new beauty. My life took a 180 degree turn, and I went from being under the ice berg and drowning, to being on top of that ice berg of my life, and basking in God's Light, Love and Grace.
God has given me the ability to write, and has given me the desire to spread His message through the Internet. My friends, I now find, that even on the stormy days of my life, that I have sunshine, because I have Christ living in me and He is me and He is the LIGHT OF MY LIFE. Once again taking a statement from Catherine's book where she says, "God's Grace: Believe It, Receive It, Live It". I have totally done that. "PRAISE GOD".
My friends, Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life, and if you but ask him into your life, and ask HIM to save you from your sins, He will, because we are told In Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is DEATH, but the Gift of God is ETERNAL LIFE in Christ Jesus our Lord" and in 1 John 1:9 we are told, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." My friends unlike us God ALWAYS keeps His promises.
Heavenly Father, it is my prayer, that if there are any out there reading this, who do not know you, I pray that Your Holy Spirit will touch there hearts, and convict them of there need of you. I pray, that as Jesus is tenderly and patiently knocking on there hearts door, that they may open that door to Him, and experience the Blessings, Love, Mercy and Grace of God, that He provides us because of the death, and resurrection, of His Son Jesus Christ.
Amen
Blessed be your Name, in the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow,
Blessed be Your Name
Blessed be Your Name, when I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed be Your Name
Every blessing You pour out, I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord, Still I will say
Blessed be the Name of the Lord, Blessed be Your Name
Blessed be the Name of the Lord, Blessed be Your Glorious Name
Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day and remember that Jesus came to seek and to save that which were lost. There is a sign at a church that reads: "Inside the Bible is a Free Gift, Open It To Receive It". WOW!!!! I love that, because Jesus is that free gift.
Yours In Christ,
Cindi
Friday, January 21, 2011
Bible Reading and Hymn for Friday 21 January 2011
"Greetings in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"
Today's Blog Title: "Abraham and Abimelech"
Today's Scripture Reading: Genesis 20:1-17
Today's Key Verse: Genesis 20:14 "Then Abimelech took sheep, oxen and male and female servants, and gave them to Abraham; and he restored Sarah his wife to him."
As this Chapter opens, we are now back to Abraham. We see that once again, Abraham's faith wanes, and he again lies about his relationship with Sarah, and is protected by God. Abraham comes into the city of Gerar, and said that Sarah was his sister, and Abimelech, king of Gerar when hearing this takes Sarah . This action puts Sarah in the king's harem, but not into his bed. It could assumed, that because of Sarah's age that she was desired for her wealth, and not her physical appearance.
We will note that that Abimelech, was a pagan king, yet the Almighty God warned him in a dream, of the wrong that he was going to commit. Abimelech was in a dream state, and told God that he had not touched Sarah, and his actions were innocent, and were the result of what Abraham had told him about Sarah. God's response was of grace to him. God told him, that He had kept the king from touching Sarah.
In verse 7, we see the word prophet for the first time. Abraham's relationship to God was the basis for God's command that Sarah be restored to him. The seriousness of the situation touched the king strongly, that his fear quickly spread to those around him. Abimelechs says to Abraham,
"What have you done to us?" and is followed by "how have I offended you?"
Abraham, in verses 11-13 gives to the king two reasons for his actions: (1) he assumed that he was in hostile territory, and they feared not the Lord and (2) Sarah was truly his sister. Later the law would prohibit the marriage of people so closely related.
We then see that Abimelech makes a big payment to Abraham in order to vindicate, and settle the dispute. In verse 17 we see that Abraham prayed to God and the situation ended in mercy with Abraham acting as a priest before the true and living God. We also see that God healed Abimelech, and his household, and now his wife, and servants were able to bear children.
This Chapter ends with irony. Because God's desire to protect Sarah, He had closed the wombs of the kings household. But now God had reopened there wombs and we will see in our next study that the Lord would soon open up Sarah's womb to give her a child as promised by the Almighty God even after she was too old to conceive.
Today's Question and Closing Comment: Do we as Christians lack faith in trusting God in all aspects of our life's? In this chapter, we saw once again that lack of faith of Abraham for the second time when coming into a new country. We see that God, is always in control of the situation, and all we need to do as Christians, is to have total faith and trust in God, and give our fears to Him, knowing that our Almighty and Powerful God, will direct us and keep us safe in His arms.
Through all the trails that we face, Lord, You have given me so much grace
Faithful and true in every way, Holy and awesome is your name
You are the Lord, Lord of my life
I will forever praise Your Name
You are the Lord, Lord of my life,
I will forever praise Your Name
Heavenly Father, In our daily walk with you, we ask that you grant us the faith and trust to know, that You will do what is best for us as your children, and that as we walk with you, we will give you our all in serving You.
Amen
Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day and Love God more Today.
Yours in Christ,
Cindi
Today's Blog Title: "Abraham and Abimelech"
Today's Scripture Reading: Genesis 20:1-17
Today's Key Verse: Genesis 20:14 "Then Abimelech took sheep, oxen and male and female servants, and gave them to Abraham; and he restored Sarah his wife to him."
As this Chapter opens, we are now back to Abraham. We see that once again, Abraham's faith wanes, and he again lies about his relationship with Sarah, and is protected by God. Abraham comes into the city of Gerar, and said that Sarah was his sister, and Abimelech, king of Gerar when hearing this takes Sarah . This action puts Sarah in the king's harem, but not into his bed. It could assumed, that because of Sarah's age that she was desired for her wealth, and not her physical appearance.
We will note that that Abimelech, was a pagan king, yet the Almighty God warned him in a dream, of the wrong that he was going to commit. Abimelech was in a dream state, and told God that he had not touched Sarah, and his actions were innocent, and were the result of what Abraham had told him about Sarah. God's response was of grace to him. God told him, that He had kept the king from touching Sarah.
In verse 7, we see the word prophet for the first time. Abraham's relationship to God was the basis for God's command that Sarah be restored to him. The seriousness of the situation touched the king strongly, that his fear quickly spread to those around him. Abimelechs says to Abraham,
"What have you done to us?" and is followed by "how have I offended you?"
Abraham, in verses 11-13 gives to the king two reasons for his actions: (1) he assumed that he was in hostile territory, and they feared not the Lord and (2) Sarah was truly his sister. Later the law would prohibit the marriage of people so closely related.
We then see that Abimelech makes a big payment to Abraham in order to vindicate, and settle the dispute. In verse 17 we see that Abraham prayed to God and the situation ended in mercy with Abraham acting as a priest before the true and living God. We also see that God healed Abimelech, and his household, and now his wife, and servants were able to bear children.
This Chapter ends with irony. Because God's desire to protect Sarah, He had closed the wombs of the kings household. But now God had reopened there wombs and we will see in our next study that the Lord would soon open up Sarah's womb to give her a child as promised by the Almighty God even after she was too old to conceive.
Today's Question and Closing Comment: Do we as Christians lack faith in trusting God in all aspects of our life's? In this chapter, we saw once again that lack of faith of Abraham for the second time when coming into a new country. We see that God, is always in control of the situation, and all we need to do as Christians, is to have total faith and trust in God, and give our fears to Him, knowing that our Almighty and Powerful God, will direct us and keep us safe in His arms.
Through all the trails that we face, Lord, You have given me so much grace
Faithful and true in every way, Holy and awesome is your name
You are the Lord, Lord of my life
I will forever praise Your Name
You are the Lord, Lord of my life,
I will forever praise Your Name
Heavenly Father, In our daily walk with you, we ask that you grant us the faith and trust to know, that You will do what is best for us as your children, and that as we walk with you, we will give you our all in serving You.
Amen
Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day and Love God more Today.
Yours in Christ,
Cindi
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Bible Verses and Hymn for Thursday 20 January
"Greetings in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"
Today's Blog Title: "The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah"
Today's Scripture Reading: Genesis 19:1-38
Today's Key Verse: Genesis 19:17: "So it came to pass, when they had brought them outside, that he said, "Escape for your life! DO NOT LOOK BEHIND YOU nor stay anywhere in the plain. Escape to the mountains, lest you be destroyed."
At the end of Chapter 18 as Abraham was pleading with the Lord to save Sodom, that went from 50 righteous down to the Lord agreeing to 10, that the two angels had departed, and were heading toward Sodom.
Chapter 19 starts as the two angels are approaching the gates of Sodom, and we see Lot sitting there. It would seem that things were going well for Lot, because the gate of a city was the place where the town elders would meet. Lot had become so involved in the city, the he himself had become a ruling elder. Lot shows an act of reverence by bowing to his special guests. The angels appeared to Lot as men, and he greeted them as such.
Lot then invites his visitor's into his house as an act of hospitality, and because perhaps of his sense of danger of what the city of Sodom might hold for them. The men of Sodom see the strangers go into Lot's house, and they call out to him to bring them out, that they might "know them". The word "know" here, is ordinarily used of normal sexual relations between a man and a woman, but the men of Sodom were aggressive homosexuals bent on raping innocent travelers. The word "know" then in this verse, is used to describe the perversion of homosexual sex between men.
The mob become quite unruly at this the point of wanting Lot's vistor's, that Lot offered his two daughters to them if they would just leave his visitor's alone. As the mob rushed the door of Lots house, the angels pulled Lot back inside, and struck the men at the door with blindness in that they could not find the door, and saved Lot, and his family from a vicious attack.
The angels have now completed there search, and were now going to bring down the judgment of God upon the city, because they could not find ten righteous men in the city. We see in verse 16 that Lot even after what had just happened, "lingered" and had mixed feelings about the destruction that was to come. The angels had to take ahold of Lot, and his family, and actually force them out of the city.
The angels tell Lot to "escape for your life, and do not look behind you. As they are safely out of the city, fire and brimstone, falls from heaven and destroys the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot and his family were instructed not to look back, but in verse 26, we see that Lot's wife disobeyed and looked back and she was turned into a pillar of salt. Her destruction was sudden. Nothing was left of her except for mineral salt pile. Jesus referred to her in his teachings on the sudden destruction that will come in the last days. In Luke 17:32 Jesus warned: "Remembers Lot's wife"
On the morning that that the cities were destroyed Abraham looked and saw the smoke and realized the truth that there were not even ten righteous in the city. Lot was saved, because God remembered Abraham, and if were not for Abraham, Lot would have died with those in the city.
Lot's experience stands as a warning to us all. He chose to live in the valley, because of the material advantages it provided. Lot preferred to stay there, and make a profit than to leave, and take a stand against evil. Lot's willingness to compromise his convictions, robbed him of influence with the men of Sodom.
In the closing verses of this Chapter, we also see his lack of integrity is revealed, in his daughters incestuous plan following the destruction of the city. What did Lot gain gain by compromising his convictions? The wealth and ease for which he sold them out? No, not at all. Our last glimpse of Lot, show him destitute and drunk lying senseless in a mountain cave, because he feared for his safety in the city of Zoar. The shameful acts of incest by Lot's daughters on there father while he was drunk, led to the birth of two sons who would later greatly trouble Israel Moab and Ben-Ammi.
Today's Question and Closing Comment: How does God feel about sin? Lot's wife turned back to look at the smoldering city of Sodom. Clinging to the past, she was unwilling to turn completely from sin. Are you looking back longingly at sin while trying to move forward with God? You can't make progress with God, as long as you are holding on to pieces of your old life. In Matthew 6:24 Jesus said it this way, "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and Mammom." (Mammon referes to wealth, money or property)
Over the mountains and the sea, Your river runs with love for me
And I will open up my heart, And let the Healer set me free
I'm happy to be in the truth, And I will daily lift my hands
For I will always sing, Of when Your love came down
I could sing of Your love forever
I could sing of Your love forever
Heavenly Father, Thank you freeing us of the burden of sin and setting us free when we accepted Jesus Christ into our lives. May we not focus on the material things of this world, but may we lay up treasures in heaven.
Amen
Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day, and Keep Your Eyes Upon Jesus.
Yours In Christ
Cindi
Today's Blog Title: "The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah"
Today's Scripture Reading: Genesis 19:1-38
Today's Key Verse: Genesis 19:17: "So it came to pass, when they had brought them outside, that he said, "Escape for your life! DO NOT LOOK BEHIND YOU nor stay anywhere in the plain. Escape to the mountains, lest you be destroyed."
At the end of Chapter 18 as Abraham was pleading with the Lord to save Sodom, that went from 50 righteous down to the Lord agreeing to 10, that the two angels had departed, and were heading toward Sodom.
Chapter 19 starts as the two angels are approaching the gates of Sodom, and we see Lot sitting there. It would seem that things were going well for Lot, because the gate of a city was the place where the town elders would meet. Lot had become so involved in the city, the he himself had become a ruling elder. Lot shows an act of reverence by bowing to his special guests. The angels appeared to Lot as men, and he greeted them as such.
Lot then invites his visitor's into his house as an act of hospitality, and because perhaps of his sense of danger of what the city of Sodom might hold for them. The men of Sodom see the strangers go into Lot's house, and they call out to him to bring them out, that they might "know them". The word "know" here, is ordinarily used of normal sexual relations between a man and a woman, but the men of Sodom were aggressive homosexuals bent on raping innocent travelers. The word "know" then in this verse, is used to describe the perversion of homosexual sex between men.
The mob become quite unruly at this the point of wanting Lot's vistor's, that Lot offered his two daughters to them if they would just leave his visitor's alone. As the mob rushed the door of Lots house, the angels pulled Lot back inside, and struck the men at the door with blindness in that they could not find the door, and saved Lot, and his family from a vicious attack.
The angels have now completed there search, and were now going to bring down the judgment of God upon the city, because they could not find ten righteous men in the city. We see in verse 16 that Lot even after what had just happened, "lingered" and had mixed feelings about the destruction that was to come. The angels had to take ahold of Lot, and his family, and actually force them out of the city.
The angels tell Lot to "escape for your life, and do not look behind you. As they are safely out of the city, fire and brimstone, falls from heaven and destroys the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot and his family were instructed not to look back, but in verse 26, we see that Lot's wife disobeyed and looked back and she was turned into a pillar of salt. Her destruction was sudden. Nothing was left of her except for mineral salt pile. Jesus referred to her in his teachings on the sudden destruction that will come in the last days. In Luke 17:32 Jesus warned: "Remembers Lot's wife"
On the morning that that the cities were destroyed Abraham looked and saw the smoke and realized the truth that there were not even ten righteous in the city. Lot was saved, because God remembered Abraham, and if were not for Abraham, Lot would have died with those in the city.
Lot's experience stands as a warning to us all. He chose to live in the valley, because of the material advantages it provided. Lot preferred to stay there, and make a profit than to leave, and take a stand against evil. Lot's willingness to compromise his convictions, robbed him of influence with the men of Sodom.
In the closing verses of this Chapter, we also see his lack of integrity is revealed, in his daughters incestuous plan following the destruction of the city. What did Lot gain gain by compromising his convictions? The wealth and ease for which he sold them out? No, not at all. Our last glimpse of Lot, show him destitute and drunk lying senseless in a mountain cave, because he feared for his safety in the city of Zoar. The shameful acts of incest by Lot's daughters on there father while he was drunk, led to the birth of two sons who would later greatly trouble Israel Moab and Ben-Ammi.
Today's Question and Closing Comment: How does God feel about sin? Lot's wife turned back to look at the smoldering city of Sodom. Clinging to the past, she was unwilling to turn completely from sin. Are you looking back longingly at sin while trying to move forward with God? You can't make progress with God, as long as you are holding on to pieces of your old life. In Matthew 6:24 Jesus said it this way, "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and Mammom." (Mammon referes to wealth, money or property)
Over the mountains and the sea, Your river runs with love for me
And I will open up my heart, And let the Healer set me free
I'm happy to be in the truth, And I will daily lift my hands
For I will always sing, Of when Your love came down
I could sing of Your love forever
I could sing of Your love forever
Heavenly Father, Thank you freeing us of the burden of sin and setting us free when we accepted Jesus Christ into our lives. May we not focus on the material things of this world, but may we lay up treasures in heaven.
Amen
Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day, and Keep Your Eyes Upon Jesus.
Yours In Christ
Cindi
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Bible Verse and Hymn for Tuesday 18 January
"Greetings Everyone in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"
Today's Blog Title: "Abraham Pleas to God"
Today's Scripture: Genesis 18:16-33
Today's Key Verse: Genesis 18:32-33 " Then he said "Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak but once more: Suppose ten be found there?" And He said, "I will not destroy it for the sake of ten" So the Lord went His way as soon as He had finished speaking with Abraham; and Abraham returned to his place.
Wow!!! What a relationship that Abraham had with God. We saw in verses 1-15 where the Lord in human form, along with two angels, came to see Abraham about the promise to Abraham and Sarah about having a son. We saw, when the Lord told Abraham that Sarah was going to have a son, and when she heard this, she laughed within herself. We read that God then says, "Why did Sarah laugh? Is anything to hard for the Lord? What a statement from God which applies to us even today. We saw that Sarah denied laughing but the Lord would not let her denial to stand and says, "No, but you did laugh!"
As we look at verses 16-33, we see that the men stood and looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and Abraham's hospitality allowed him to talk further with the Living God. As God tells Abraham that He is going to destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah because of there great wickedness, we see that the two angels start heading toward the two cities. It was now just Abraham as he stood before the Lord.
Abraham upon hearing that the Lord is going to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, shows a sensitive concern for the innocent. The exchange we see here between God and Abraham, serves as a justification of the Lord's ways. Abraham's great concern was for Lot and his family which are in the City of Sodom. Abraham starts out by asking the Lord, would He destroy the city with the righteous as well as the wicked for the sake of of the fifty righteous. The Lord says, "If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for there sakes."
In verses 27-32, we see that Abraham was determined to go on bargaining, but he knew that he was speaking with God, so he went one step at at a time, pleading the case for the righteous in smaller and smaller numbers that started out as fifty and ended with ten. Abraham perhaps thought, that there would be at least 10 righteous in the city, but as we shall see in Chapter 19 there was only Lot, and his family. God would withhold the fires of judgment, until Lot and his family were safely out of the city.
At the close of the Chapter, we see that after they were done speaking, the Lord went His way and Abraham returned to his place. In our next readings, (Chapter 19), we will see that God, couldn't even find ten righteous in the city of Sodom, and we will see that God being a Just, Merciful and Righteous God, and that because He is Holy, and because of the great wickedness of these two cities, He will bring judgment upon them and consume them with fire from above.
I will sing, I will shout, and glorify Your name
All of creation testifies, and I will do the same
I will sing and I will shout, and glorify Your name
All of creation testifies, and I will do the same
I will do the same
Grace flows down like a river, from Your wounded side
And I will sing to the Giver of life
Heavenly Father, how thankful we are that you are a Loving, Caring and Merciful God and that because of your Grace and the blood that was shed by your only Son Jesus Christ we are able shout when we believe because we are free from the burden of sin. May our lives be a daily testimony of our faith and belief in you.
Amen
Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day. Love God more today.
Yours In Christ,
Cindi
For those of you that would like to receive my daily "God's Words of Wisdom from the Bible" please email me your email address to cindilynn53@yahoo.com. Would love to hear from those that are reading this daily blog and what you think about it. God's richest blessings be with you all.
Today's Blog Title: "Abraham Pleas to God"
Today's Scripture: Genesis 18:16-33
Today's Key Verse: Genesis 18:32-33 " Then he said "Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak but once more: Suppose ten be found there?" And He said, "I will not destroy it for the sake of ten" So the Lord went His way as soon as He had finished speaking with Abraham; and Abraham returned to his place.
Wow!!! What a relationship that Abraham had with God. We saw in verses 1-15 where the Lord in human form, along with two angels, came to see Abraham about the promise to Abraham and Sarah about having a son. We saw, when the Lord told Abraham that Sarah was going to have a son, and when she heard this, she laughed within herself. We read that God then says, "Why did Sarah laugh? Is anything to hard for the Lord? What a statement from God which applies to us even today. We saw that Sarah denied laughing but the Lord would not let her denial to stand and says, "No, but you did laugh!"
As we look at verses 16-33, we see that the men stood and looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and Abraham's hospitality allowed him to talk further with the Living God. As God tells Abraham that He is going to destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah because of there great wickedness, we see that the two angels start heading toward the two cities. It was now just Abraham as he stood before the Lord.
Abraham upon hearing that the Lord is going to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, shows a sensitive concern for the innocent. The exchange we see here between God and Abraham, serves as a justification of the Lord's ways. Abraham's great concern was for Lot and his family which are in the City of Sodom. Abraham starts out by asking the Lord, would He destroy the city with the righteous as well as the wicked for the sake of of the fifty righteous. The Lord says, "If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for there sakes."
In verses 27-32, we see that Abraham was determined to go on bargaining, but he knew that he was speaking with God, so he went one step at at a time, pleading the case for the righteous in smaller and smaller numbers that started out as fifty and ended with ten. Abraham perhaps thought, that there would be at least 10 righteous in the city, but as we shall see in Chapter 19 there was only Lot, and his family. God would withhold the fires of judgment, until Lot and his family were safely out of the city.
At the close of the Chapter, we see that after they were done speaking, the Lord went His way and Abraham returned to his place. In our next readings, (Chapter 19), we will see that God, couldn't even find ten righteous in the city of Sodom, and we will see that God being a Just, Merciful and Righteous God, and that because He is Holy, and because of the great wickedness of these two cities, He will bring judgment upon them and consume them with fire from above.
I will sing, I will shout, and glorify Your name
All of creation testifies, and I will do the same
I will sing and I will shout, and glorify Your name
All of creation testifies, and I will do the same
I will do the same
Grace flows down like a river, from Your wounded side
And I will sing to the Giver of life
Heavenly Father, how thankful we are that you are a Loving, Caring and Merciful God and that because of your Grace and the blood that was shed by your only Son Jesus Christ we are able shout when we believe because we are free from the burden of sin. May our lives be a daily testimony of our faith and belief in you.
Amen
Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day. Love God more today.
Yours In Christ,
Cindi
For those of you that would like to receive my daily "God's Words of Wisdom from the Bible" please email me your email address to cindilynn53@yahoo.com. Would love to hear from those that are reading this daily blog and what you think about it. God's richest blessings be with you all.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Bible Verse and Hymn for Monday 17 January
"Good Morning in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"
Today's Blog Title: "Unusual Visitors"
Today's Scripture: Genesis 18:1-15
Today's Key Verse: Genesis 18:14: "Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son."
I have divided Genesis 18 into two sections. Today's we will look at the first section (1-15), where we see that Abraham has three visitor's, and in verse one, would indicate one of these visitor's was God in human form and the promise to Abraham that Sarah "at the appointed time would have a son." Tomorrow we will go into Section two which will deal with Sodom and Gomorrah.
In lands without motels and or hotels travelers were dependent on hospitality. Romans 12:13 says, "Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality." This is exactly what Abraham does when he says to the visitor's, "Lord if I have favor in Your sight do not pass by your servant." He then has them sit under a shade tree, and goes and tells Sarah to make bread, and has a calf prepared for a meal. He also brings them water for drink and to wash themselves. We see that Abram served the food to them and he stood as they ate.
After eating, the focus of the Lord then turns to Sarah. The Lord says, "Where is Sarah your wife?" Abraham tell the Lord that she is in the tent, and as Sarah was listening at the tent door He tells Abraham that Sarah would have a son. Sarah hearing this, laughs within herself. Then we read one of the most wonderful human passages in the Bible. The Lord says, "Why did Sarah laugh?" This verse, would make it clear that the Lord Himself, was one of the three guests. Sarah was a woman of faith like her husband, and she had believed God for many years, and His promise to give her and Abraham a son, but now that she was past the child bearing years, she found her faith stretched to the limit. The Lord then says, "Is there anything too hard for the Lord?" What a statement that was and it still applies to us as believers even today. In verse 15, Sarah being afraid, denied that she had laughed but the Lord who knows our thoughts and deeds says, "No, but you did laugh."
In His mercy, He did punish her as He had not punished Abraham (17:17), but neither did He allow her embarrassed denial to stand. We will see later in this study, that she would laugh again, but this time it would be for joy, rather then disbelief (21:17)
Tomorrow we will look at section two, (18:16-33) where we will see God telling Abraham, that He was going to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, and Abraham's pleas to God to save the cities.
Today's Question and Comment: Do we like Sarah as believers sometimes lack in our faith in believing God's promises? We saw in these verses, that Abraham was eager to show hospitality to these three visitor's. In doing this, Abraham showed us that even today, meeting another's need for food or shelter, is one of the most practical ways to obey God. In Hebrews 13:2, we are told, that when we practice hospitality, we may be helping a messenger of God, without realizing it. In closing, remember what the Lord said to Abraham when Sarah laughed, "Is anything to hard for the Lord?"
Day after day, You have been faithful to me
Day after day, I've known Your grace
Day after day, week after week, year after year
I will declare Your glory, I will declare Your greatness,
I will praise Your name
Heavenly Father, may we as believers keep our faith strong in You. May we always look to you knowing that "Nothing is impossible for You."
Amen
Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day and may your prayer be "Come, Lord Jesus, Come"
Yours in Christ,
Cindi
Today's Blog Title: "Unusual Visitors"
Today's Scripture: Genesis 18:1-15
Today's Key Verse: Genesis 18:14: "Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son."
I have divided Genesis 18 into two sections. Today's we will look at the first section (1-15), where we see that Abraham has three visitor's, and in verse one, would indicate one of these visitor's was God in human form and the promise to Abraham that Sarah "at the appointed time would have a son." Tomorrow we will go into Section two which will deal with Sodom and Gomorrah.
In lands without motels and or hotels travelers were dependent on hospitality. Romans 12:13 says, "Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality." This is exactly what Abraham does when he says to the visitor's, "Lord if I have favor in Your sight do not pass by your servant." He then has them sit under a shade tree, and goes and tells Sarah to make bread, and has a calf prepared for a meal. He also brings them water for drink and to wash themselves. We see that Abram served the food to them and he stood as they ate.
After eating, the focus of the Lord then turns to Sarah. The Lord says, "Where is Sarah your wife?" Abraham tell the Lord that she is in the tent, and as Sarah was listening at the tent door He tells Abraham that Sarah would have a son. Sarah hearing this, laughs within herself. Then we read one of the most wonderful human passages in the Bible. The Lord says, "Why did Sarah laugh?" This verse, would make it clear that the Lord Himself, was one of the three guests. Sarah was a woman of faith like her husband, and she had believed God for many years, and His promise to give her and Abraham a son, but now that she was past the child bearing years, she found her faith stretched to the limit. The Lord then says, "Is there anything too hard for the Lord?" What a statement that was and it still applies to us as believers even today. In verse 15, Sarah being afraid, denied that she had laughed but the Lord who knows our thoughts and deeds says, "No, but you did laugh."
In His mercy, He did punish her as He had not punished Abraham (17:17), but neither did He allow her embarrassed denial to stand. We will see later in this study, that she would laugh again, but this time it would be for joy, rather then disbelief (21:17)
Tomorrow we will look at section two, (18:16-33) where we will see God telling Abraham, that He was going to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, and Abraham's pleas to God to save the cities.
Today's Question and Comment: Do we like Sarah as believers sometimes lack in our faith in believing God's promises? We saw in these verses, that Abraham was eager to show hospitality to these three visitor's. In doing this, Abraham showed us that even today, meeting another's need for food or shelter, is one of the most practical ways to obey God. In Hebrews 13:2, we are told, that when we practice hospitality, we may be helping a messenger of God, without realizing it. In closing, remember what the Lord said to Abraham when Sarah laughed, "Is anything to hard for the Lord?"
Day after day, You have been faithful to me
Day after day, I've known Your grace
Day after day, week after week, year after year
I will declare Your glory, I will declare Your greatness,
I will praise Your name
Heavenly Father, may we as believers keep our faith strong in You. May we always look to you knowing that "Nothing is impossible for You."
Amen
Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day and may your prayer be "Come, Lord Jesus, Come"
Yours in Christ,
Cindi
Friday, January 14, 2011
Bible Verse and Hymn for Saturday 15 January
"Greetings in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"
Today's Blog Title: "A Closer Look at the Abrahamic Covenant" (Part 2)
Today's Scripture Reading: Genesis 12:2: "I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; And you shall be a blessing."
Today we will look at part 2 of the Abrahamic Covenant. We will see that God fulfilled His promise to Abram and that he made his descendants a great nation.
Scripture: Genesis 12:1-3
God's Promise: God promises to make Abram into a great nation and bless all others through him.
God's Command: Leave your country. Be a blessing
Reaction: Abram leaves Ur and goes to Canaan
Scripture Genesis 13:14-18: God promises to multiply Abram's descendants and give Canaan
to them for ever.
Reaction: Abram worships God by building an altar.
Scripture: Genesis 15:1-21
God's Covenant: God makes a formal covenant by passing through sacrificial animals. He promises to multiply Abram's descendants and give them the land
God's Command: Do not be afraid
Reaction: Abram believes
Scripture: Genesis 17:1-27
God's Covenant: God promises to establish an everlasting covenant with Abram's descendants and promises to give them the land as an everlasting possession.
God's Command: Walk before Me and be blameless. Keep the covenant and circumcise all males as a sign of the covenant.
Reaction: Abraham circumcises all males in his household.
Scripture: Genesis 18:1-18: God promises to give Sarah a son.
Reaction: Sarah laughs.
Scripture 22:1-19: God promises to make Abraham's descendants numerous and to bless all nations through them.
God's Command: Sacrifice your son, Isaac ( God then provides a ram for the sacrifice instead)
Reaction: Abraham believes.
Scripture: Genesis 26:23-25: God promises to increase Isaac's descendants.
God's Command: Do not be afraid
Reaction: Isaac builds an altar and calls on God.
Scripture: God promises to multiply Jacob's descendants and give them the land.
God's Command: Do not be afraid, for I am with you.
Reaction: Jacob sets up a stone pillar and pours oil on it.
Closing Question and Comment: How is God keeping His promises in your life? We as humans make promises to friends, family or perhaps work and sometimes we fail to keep or follow through with these promises. Aren't you glad that we serve a God that when He makes a promise that he follows through on it and that we can ALWAYS DEPEND on Him. What a loving and gracious God we serve.
Heavenly Father, We thank you with humble hearts, how You when you make a promise to us that you are faithful to keep that promise. We are thankful that when we come to You, that You,
are faithful and just, to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Amen
Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day, and may God's promises be with you, as you walk with Him.
Yours In Christ,
Cindi
Today's Blog Title: "A Closer Look at the Abrahamic Covenant" (Part 2)
Today's Scripture Reading: Genesis 12:2: "I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; And you shall be a blessing."
Today we will look at part 2 of the Abrahamic Covenant. We will see that God fulfilled His promise to Abram and that he made his descendants a great nation.
Scripture: Genesis 12:1-3
God's Promise: God promises to make Abram into a great nation and bless all others through him.
God's Command: Leave your country. Be a blessing
Reaction: Abram leaves Ur and goes to Canaan
Scripture Genesis 13:14-18: God promises to multiply Abram's descendants and give Canaan
to them for ever.
Reaction: Abram worships God by building an altar.
Scripture: Genesis 15:1-21
God's Covenant: God makes a formal covenant by passing through sacrificial animals. He promises to multiply Abram's descendants and give them the land
God's Command: Do not be afraid
Reaction: Abram believes
Scripture: Genesis 17:1-27
God's Covenant: God promises to establish an everlasting covenant with Abram's descendants and promises to give them the land as an everlasting possession.
God's Command: Walk before Me and be blameless. Keep the covenant and circumcise all males as a sign of the covenant.
Reaction: Abraham circumcises all males in his household.
Scripture: Genesis 18:1-18: God promises to give Sarah a son.
Reaction: Sarah laughs.
Scripture 22:1-19: God promises to make Abraham's descendants numerous and to bless all nations through them.
God's Command: Sacrifice your son, Isaac ( God then provides a ram for the sacrifice instead)
Reaction: Abraham believes.
Scripture: Genesis 26:23-25: God promises to increase Isaac's descendants.
God's Command: Do not be afraid
Reaction: Isaac builds an altar and calls on God.
Scripture: God promises to multiply Jacob's descendants and give them the land.
God's Command: Do not be afraid, for I am with you.
Reaction: Jacob sets up a stone pillar and pours oil on it.
Closing Question and Comment: How is God keeping His promises in your life? We as humans make promises to friends, family or perhaps work and sometimes we fail to keep or follow through with these promises. Aren't you glad that we serve a God that when He makes a promise that he follows through on it and that we can ALWAYS DEPEND on Him. What a loving and gracious God we serve.
Heavenly Father, We thank you with humble hearts, how You when you make a promise to us that you are faithful to keep that promise. We are thankful that when we come to You, that You,
are faithful and just, to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Amen
Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day, and may God's promises be with you, as you walk with Him.
Yours In Christ,
Cindi
Bible Verse and Hymn for Friday 14 January
"Greeting Everyone in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"
Today's Blog Title: "A Closer Look at the Abrahamic Covenant" (Part 1)
Today's Scripture Reading: James 2:23: "And the scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted him for righteousness." And he was called a friend of God."
In the next two days we will take a closer look at the Abrahamic Covenant. Today will be part 1.
In the opening of Genesis Chapter 12, we saw how God came into the lives of an older and childless couple (Abram and Sarai) with the words, "I will make you a great nation; I will bless you."
This promise of God to Abram and Sarai was unconditional. God told Abram that he would multiply Abram's descendants, and give them the land of Canaan. God formalized His promise to Abram as a formal agreement between a superior king, and an inferior servant. God told Abram that He would do it, and God's word is irrevocable.
God within his unconditional promises, made demands upon Abram and Sarai. He commanded them to leave their home and their families, and go to a new land. He commanded them to be a blessing unto others, and to walk before him blameless (with integrity), and to circumcise the males in the household as a sign of the covenant.
Even though God's promises were unconditional, Abram's participation in God's blessings was conditioned on his faithfulness, and his obedience to God's commands. Abram as we have seen withstood the test, he believed and he obeyed.
Tomorrow will be part 2 of "A Closer Look at the Abrahamic
Covenant.
Closing Question and Comment: Does your faith and belief measure up to that of Abraham's? In the past few weeks we have looked at the call of Abraham to becomes the father of all nations. We have seen, that Abraham listened and followed God commands without hesitation, and how God greatly blessed Abraham and Sarah. We have seen the covenant that was made between Abraham and the "I Am Almighty God". What a blessing it is to trust, and obey God even today, as Abraham did in his time.
You set my feet to dancing, You set my heart on fire
In the presence of a thousand kings, You are my one desire
And I stand before You now, with trembling hands lifted high
Be glorified
Be glorified in me, be glorified in me
Be glorified
Heavenly Father, We come before you with thankful hearts, for what you do for us, when we trust and obey you. We thank you for your Grace, Mercy and Love that you give to us, when we believe, because of the death of Your Son Jesus Christ, upon the cross of Calvary. Because of His death, and our belief, we like Abraham, are also called, "A Friend of God."
Amen
Have a God Filled and a Spirit Led Day and may we as John say, "Come, Lord Jesus, Come".
Yours In Christ
Cindi
Today's Blog Title: "A Closer Look at the Abrahamic Covenant" (Part 1)
Today's Scripture Reading: James 2:23: "And the scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted him for righteousness." And he was called a friend of God."
In the next two days we will take a closer look at the Abrahamic Covenant. Today will be part 1.
In the opening of Genesis Chapter 12, we saw how God came into the lives of an older and childless couple (Abram and Sarai) with the words, "I will make you a great nation; I will bless you."
This promise of God to Abram and Sarai was unconditional. God told Abram that he would multiply Abram's descendants, and give them the land of Canaan. God formalized His promise to Abram as a formal agreement between a superior king, and an inferior servant. God told Abram that He would do it, and God's word is irrevocable.
God within his unconditional promises, made demands upon Abram and Sarai. He commanded them to leave their home and their families, and go to a new land. He commanded them to be a blessing unto others, and to walk before him blameless (with integrity), and to circumcise the males in the household as a sign of the covenant.
Even though God's promises were unconditional, Abram's participation in God's blessings was conditioned on his faithfulness, and his obedience to God's commands. Abram as we have seen withstood the test, he believed and he obeyed.
Tomorrow will be part 2 of "A Closer Look at the Abrahamic
Covenant.
Closing Question and Comment: Does your faith and belief measure up to that of Abraham's? In the past few weeks we have looked at the call of Abraham to becomes the father of all nations. We have seen, that Abraham listened and followed God commands without hesitation, and how God greatly blessed Abraham and Sarah. We have seen the covenant that was made between Abraham and the "I Am Almighty God". What a blessing it is to trust, and obey God even today, as Abraham did in his time.
You set my feet to dancing, You set my heart on fire
In the presence of a thousand kings, You are my one desire
And I stand before You now, with trembling hands lifted high
Be glorified
Be glorified in me, be glorified in me
Be glorified
Heavenly Father, We come before you with thankful hearts, for what you do for us, when we trust and obey you. We thank you for your Grace, Mercy and Love that you give to us, when we believe, because of the death of Your Son Jesus Christ, upon the cross of Calvary. Because of His death, and our belief, we like Abraham, are also called, "A Friend of God."
Amen
Have a God Filled and a Spirit Led Day and may we as John say, "Come, Lord Jesus, Come".
Yours In Christ
Cindi
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Bible Verse and Hymn for Thursday 13 January
"Greetings in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"
Today's Blog Title: "The Sign of the Covenant"
Today's Scripture Reading: Genesis 17:1-27
Today's Key Verse: Genesis 17:7: "I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you, and to your descendants after you."
Abram was 99 years old and from his view, God had waited a long time to fulfill His promise. This was the 4th time that God appeared to Abram after he had come to the land of Canaan.
We see here that for the first time God tells Abram, " I am Almighty God". Abram was commanded to walk before God. He was to live his life in total faithfulness to the Lord, and to be blameless, which would mean, to have integrity in all that he did.
Abram was told that he would be the father of many nations. As a resulted of this promise his main descendants are the Israelites and are the line from which the Savior comes. He is also the father of the Arab nations through Ishmael.
We now see that God changes his name from Abram (Exaulted Father) to Abraham (Father of Many). The Abrahamic Covenant will be the foundation upon which all divine covenants are based. With the remarkable works of "To be God to you" God pledged His ongoing relationship with the descendants of Abraham.
God promises all the lands of Canaan. Even though God removed Israel a few times from the land, He promised Abraham the ultimate possession of it.
We now read that God commands that every male at 8 days old to be circumcised. This was to be done at 8 days old, because the child would be strong enough for this procedure, but be to young to remember the pain.
As Abraham's name was changed, so was that of Sarai his wife. She would now be called Sarah. Both Sarai and Sarah means "Princess"and the new name accompanied a new relationship with God. The Lord's blessings was for her as well as Abraham.
God then tells Abram that he was going to give him a son. Abraham, fell on his face and laughed. Abraham's laugh is unexpected and shocking but it would seem very understandable, because Abraham had heard and believed the same promise, all these many years, but now that he was 99 it seemed that the whole thing was a joke, so he laughed. He pleads with God that in Ishmael the the Covenant would come to pass. God now tells Abraham that Sarah would bear a son and that he would name him Issac (Laughter). So now we see that with this promise God has named the parents, the name of the child, and the time that this would happen. Wow!!! How great it is to have patience, and to wait upon the promises of the Lord.
We read in Scripture of the Lord coming down from heaven, but here, we read of Him returning to heaven. Verse 22 is expressive of God's Holiness, Transcendence, and Wonder.
In the closing of the Chapter, we see that Abraham completely obeyed the commands of God. We see that he didn't wait a few days, but on that very day, did as the Lord commanded, and all the males in his household from little boys to adults were circumcised.
Closing Question and Comment: Do you have patience to wait upon the Lord? In James 2:23 we read, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. He was called the friend of God." We now see that God, in all these years of telling Abraham that he would have a heir through him and Sarah, has now been told, not only his sons name, but when the child would be conceived. God loves those that believe, and wait upon him, and His blessings.
Your love has captured me, your grace has set me free
Your life the air I breathe, Be glorified in me
Be glorified in me, Be glorified in me
Be Glorified
Heavenly Father, It is our prayer, that we, as did Abraham, place our complete trust and faith in you, and do what you command us to do, that in serving you, we might bring Glory and Honor to your most Holiest Name.
Amen
Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day and may you bring everything to God in prayer and supplication.
Yours In Christ,
Cindi
Today's Blog Title: "The Sign of the Covenant"
Today's Scripture Reading: Genesis 17:1-27
Today's Key Verse: Genesis 17:7: "I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you, and to your descendants after you."
Abram was 99 years old and from his view, God had waited a long time to fulfill His promise. This was the 4th time that God appeared to Abram after he had come to the land of Canaan.
We see here that for the first time God tells Abram, " I am Almighty God". Abram was commanded to walk before God. He was to live his life in total faithfulness to the Lord, and to be blameless, which would mean, to have integrity in all that he did.
Abram was told that he would be the father of many nations. As a resulted of this promise his main descendants are the Israelites and are the line from which the Savior comes. He is also the father of the Arab nations through Ishmael.
We now see that God changes his name from Abram (Exaulted Father) to Abraham (Father of Many). The Abrahamic Covenant will be the foundation upon which all divine covenants are based. With the remarkable works of "To be God to you" God pledged His ongoing relationship with the descendants of Abraham.
God promises all the lands of Canaan. Even though God removed Israel a few times from the land, He promised Abraham the ultimate possession of it.
We now read that God commands that every male at 8 days old to be circumcised. This was to be done at 8 days old, because the child would be strong enough for this procedure, but be to young to remember the pain.
As Abraham's name was changed, so was that of Sarai his wife. She would now be called Sarah. Both Sarai and Sarah means "Princess"and the new name accompanied a new relationship with God. The Lord's blessings was for her as well as Abraham.
God then tells Abram that he was going to give him a son. Abraham, fell on his face and laughed. Abraham's laugh is unexpected and shocking but it would seem very understandable, because Abraham had heard and believed the same promise, all these many years, but now that he was 99 it seemed that the whole thing was a joke, so he laughed. He pleads with God that in Ishmael the the Covenant would come to pass. God now tells Abraham that Sarah would bear a son and that he would name him Issac (Laughter). So now we see that with this promise God has named the parents, the name of the child, and the time that this would happen. Wow!!! How great it is to have patience, and to wait upon the promises of the Lord.
We read in Scripture of the Lord coming down from heaven, but here, we read of Him returning to heaven. Verse 22 is expressive of God's Holiness, Transcendence, and Wonder.
In the closing of the Chapter, we see that Abraham completely obeyed the commands of God. We see that he didn't wait a few days, but on that very day, did as the Lord commanded, and all the males in his household from little boys to adults were circumcised.
Closing Question and Comment: Do you have patience to wait upon the Lord? In James 2:23 we read, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. He was called the friend of God." We now see that God, in all these years of telling Abraham that he would have a heir through him and Sarah, has now been told, not only his sons name, but when the child would be conceived. God loves those that believe, and wait upon him, and His blessings.
Your love has captured me, your grace has set me free
Your life the air I breathe, Be glorified in me
Be glorified in me, Be glorified in me
Be Glorified
Heavenly Father, It is our prayer, that we, as did Abraham, place our complete trust and faith in you, and do what you command us to do, that in serving you, we might bring Glory and Honor to your most Holiest Name.
Amen
Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day and may you bring everything to God in prayer and supplication.
Yours In Christ,
Cindi
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Bible Verse and Hymn for Tuesday 11 January
"Greetings in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"
Today's Blog Title: "Hagar and Ishmael"
Today's Scripture Reading: Genesis 16:1-15
Today's Key Verse: Genesis 16:4: "So he went into Hagar and she conceived. And when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress became despised in her eyes."
In this Chapter, we see that Sarai (even thou God had promise a son from Abram through her) becomes impatient to the
fact that both herself and Abram were getting older, so she urges Abram to follow and accepted custom, and father a child with her Egyptian maid servant, Hagar.
After Hagar conceived, Sarai became quite jealous. We see here in this story that it illustrates the wisdom of God's marital ideal, that even when it was "legal" to have a woman other than one's wife, the practice created problems.
Sarai paid an emotional price for doing what when the culture expected. Because she did not wait for the promise of the Lord on bearing a son the hatred and the belittling of the young servant woman was humiliating for Sarai.
She now comes to Abram (verse 5), and in this verse, we come as close to the use of cursing among God's people in the Bible, and this was from Sarai's frustration. During this time, both Abram and Sarai did not behave well. Sarai because of her harsh treating of Hagar and Abram for allowing it to happen. You will also notice here that the Bible does not hide any unjust things and that it shows it's best characters at their worst moments.
Hagar runs away from Sarai into the wilderness by a spring of water. We see that an Angel of the Lord comes to Hagar and asks her, "where have you come and where are you going". After she tells the Angel of The Lord why she is there, the Angel then tells her to return to Sarai, and tells her that God would multiply her descendants and that she would call her son "Ishmael which means "God hears", and this is similar to the one given to Abram and Sarai. We should note here even though Hagar was Egyptian, she had come to faith in the Lord of Abram and Sarai. Her statement in verse 13 would suggest amazement at God's grace and humility in His presence.
Hagar then returns to Abram and Sarai and bears a son and Abram names him Ishmael. In the closing verse of Chapter 16 we are told that Abram is now 86 when Hagar gave birth.
Closing Question and Comment: Do you like Sarai, when you pray, become impatient in waiting on the Lord, and by not waiting compound the problem? When life becomes too painful to bear, we can find strength in remembering what Hagar discovered, that the Lord is "the God who sees me." When we realize this, and when we know that the Lord is aware of our pain and need, then our strength will be renewed, for God not only sees us, He sees the future.
In the trails of life, I find, another voice inside my mind
He comforts me, and bids me live, inside the Father gives
Inside your love, I find relief, a haven for my unbelief
Take my life and let it be, a living prayer to Thee
Heavenly Father, Today we pray that we might be as Psalm 27:14 says, "Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say on the Lord." Lord, instill within us, the patience to wait upon Thee, and to always be listening to your voice that speaks to our hearts.
Amen
Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day and Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow.
Yours in Christ,
Cindi
Today's Blog Title: "Hagar and Ishmael"
Today's Scripture Reading: Genesis 16:1-15
Today's Key Verse: Genesis 16:4: "So he went into Hagar and she conceived. And when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress became despised in her eyes."
In this Chapter, we see that Sarai (even thou God had promise a son from Abram through her) becomes impatient to the
fact that both herself and Abram were getting older, so she urges Abram to follow and accepted custom, and father a child with her Egyptian maid servant, Hagar.
After Hagar conceived, Sarai became quite jealous. We see here in this story that it illustrates the wisdom of God's marital ideal, that even when it was "legal" to have a woman other than one's wife, the practice created problems.
Sarai paid an emotional price for doing what when the culture expected. Because she did not wait for the promise of the Lord on bearing a son the hatred and the belittling of the young servant woman was humiliating for Sarai.
She now comes to Abram (verse 5), and in this verse, we come as close to the use of cursing among God's people in the Bible, and this was from Sarai's frustration. During this time, both Abram and Sarai did not behave well. Sarai because of her harsh treating of Hagar and Abram for allowing it to happen. You will also notice here that the Bible does not hide any unjust things and that it shows it's best characters at their worst moments.
Hagar runs away from Sarai into the wilderness by a spring of water. We see that an Angel of the Lord comes to Hagar and asks her, "where have you come and where are you going". After she tells the Angel of The Lord why she is there, the Angel then tells her to return to Sarai, and tells her that God would multiply her descendants and that she would call her son "Ishmael which means "God hears", and this is similar to the one given to Abram and Sarai. We should note here even though Hagar was Egyptian, she had come to faith in the Lord of Abram and Sarai. Her statement in verse 13 would suggest amazement at God's grace and humility in His presence.
Hagar then returns to Abram and Sarai and bears a son and Abram names him Ishmael. In the closing verse of Chapter 16 we are told that Abram is now 86 when Hagar gave birth.
Closing Question and Comment: Do you like Sarai, when you pray, become impatient in waiting on the Lord, and by not waiting compound the problem? When life becomes too painful to bear, we can find strength in remembering what Hagar discovered, that the Lord is "the God who sees me." When we realize this, and when we know that the Lord is aware of our pain and need, then our strength will be renewed, for God not only sees us, He sees the future.
In the trails of life, I find, another voice inside my mind
He comforts me, and bids me live, inside the Father gives
Inside your love, I find relief, a haven for my unbelief
Take my life and let it be, a living prayer to Thee
Heavenly Father, Today we pray that we might be as Psalm 27:14 says, "Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say on the Lord." Lord, instill within us, the patience to wait upon Thee, and to always be listening to your voice that speaks to our hearts.
Amen
Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day and Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow.
Yours in Christ,
Cindi
Monday, January 10, 2011
Bible verse and Hymn for Monday 10 January
"Greetings in the name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"
Today's Blog Title: "God's Covenant with Abram"
Today's Scripture: Genesis 15:1-21
Today's Key Verse: Genesis 15:6: "And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to to him for righteousness."
In the opening of this Chapter we see that the Lord has come to Abram in a vision and He tells him not to be afraid because He is his shield, and His great reward. Abram that asks God "What will you give me since I have no heir?"
In verses 4-6 we see where God promises Abram that he would father a child, even in advanced age. God then tells him to count the stars in the heavens, if you are able, and then tells him that his descendants would be the same way. Absolute trustworthiness was the object of Abram's faith, and it expressed Abram's own firm conviction, that God's promise to him was reliable.
Abram then ask the Lord for a sign of His promise, not that he was troubled by unbelief. God tells Abram to prepare a sacrifice and bring it to Him and the He would enact the sign. This emphasizes the unconditional nature of God's covenant with Abram.
For the rest of the day Abram kept the vultures away from the sacrifice while waiting for God's sign. God placed Abram in a deep sleep, and Abram was about to experience the presence of the Lord God Almighty.
Covenants were confirmed by both parties. How important it is to see here that God alone passed between the sacrificial animals. The most binding of all covenants was the "covenant of blood", which was formalized by passing through the divided halves of sacrificial animals. It was this covenant that God made with Abram. You will also note here that only God walked between the parts of the sacrificed animals and that Abram had no part in making the covenant, so nothing that Abram does can cause it to be canceled.
On that same day that Abram believed in the Lord, and God counted it to him for righteousness, and God made the covenant with him.
In the closing of this Chapter, God once again tells Abram the land would be given to his descendants.
Closing Question and Comment: Can your belief in the Lord be counted to you for righteousness? Abram was not saved because of righteous living or obedience, but by believing in God and was declared righteous by God. God wanted Abram, and us, to know that when God makes a promise, we can be greatly encouraged that God will never break His promises, and that He will never go back on His word. We too, may exercise a faith that brings us into a personal relationship with God. Trust God with your salvation and everything else.
In this world I walk alone, with no place to call my home
But there's one who holds my hand, through rugged roads, through barren lands
The way is dark, the road is steep, but He's become my eyes to see
The strength to climb, my grief's to bear, the Savior lives inside me there
In your love I find relief, a haven for my unbelief
Take my life and let it be, a living prayer my God to Thee
Heavenly Father, Help us in our daily lives, to always believe and trust in you, that You may count it to us for righteousness.
Amen
Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day, and rejoice that Our God always keeps His promises.
Yours In Christ,
Cindi
Today's Blog Title: "God's Covenant with Abram"
Today's Scripture: Genesis 15:1-21
Today's Key Verse: Genesis 15:6: "And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to to him for righteousness."
In the opening of this Chapter we see that the Lord has come to Abram in a vision and He tells him not to be afraid because He is his shield, and His great reward. Abram that asks God "What will you give me since I have no heir?"
In verses 4-6 we see where God promises Abram that he would father a child, even in advanced age. God then tells him to count the stars in the heavens, if you are able, and then tells him that his descendants would be the same way. Absolute trustworthiness was the object of Abram's faith, and it expressed Abram's own firm conviction, that God's promise to him was reliable.
Abram then ask the Lord for a sign of His promise, not that he was troubled by unbelief. God tells Abram to prepare a sacrifice and bring it to Him and the He would enact the sign. This emphasizes the unconditional nature of God's covenant with Abram.
For the rest of the day Abram kept the vultures away from the sacrifice while waiting for God's sign. God placed Abram in a deep sleep, and Abram was about to experience the presence of the Lord God Almighty.
Covenants were confirmed by both parties. How important it is to see here that God alone passed between the sacrificial animals. The most binding of all covenants was the "covenant of blood", which was formalized by passing through the divided halves of sacrificial animals. It was this covenant that God made with Abram. You will also note here that only God walked between the parts of the sacrificed animals and that Abram had no part in making the covenant, so nothing that Abram does can cause it to be canceled.
On that same day that Abram believed in the Lord, and God counted it to him for righteousness, and God made the covenant with him.
In the closing of this Chapter, God once again tells Abram the land would be given to his descendants.
Closing Question and Comment: Can your belief in the Lord be counted to you for righteousness? Abram was not saved because of righteous living or obedience, but by believing in God and was declared righteous by God. God wanted Abram, and us, to know that when God makes a promise, we can be greatly encouraged that God will never break His promises, and that He will never go back on His word. We too, may exercise a faith that brings us into a personal relationship with God. Trust God with your salvation and everything else.
In this world I walk alone, with no place to call my home
But there's one who holds my hand, through rugged roads, through barren lands
The way is dark, the road is steep, but He's become my eyes to see
The strength to climb, my grief's to bear, the Savior lives inside me there
In your love I find relief, a haven for my unbelief
Take my life and let it be, a living prayer my God to Thee
Heavenly Father, Help us in our daily lives, to always believe and trust in you, that You may count it to us for righteousness.
Amen
Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day, and rejoice that Our God always keeps His promises.
Yours In Christ,
Cindi
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