January 5, 2010 Gen. 12-14, Luke 5

Method: Read the above chapters. Note a verse that strikes some interest or question. Write the Title, Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer coming out of what is learned if applicable.

Genesis 12 - The Call of Abram

Title: Great things often happen when we leave our comfort zone.
(S) Gen. 12:1-3 "The Lord had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you. "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."
(O) First of all I see again where God calls one of his servants to leave what is familiar and strike out with nothing but faith and God. That is to go on a great adventure - with no support of family and friends. A very brave thing to do. The result however is a greater dependency on God and a greater blessing. Jesus the saviour of the world would come from Abram's line and so the whole world would be blessed through the offspring of Abram. There is also the prediction of "I will bless those who bless you and whoever curses you I will curse" - America supports the Jews in disputes - is this the secret to their great wealth and power as a country I wonder. Historically Jews have been cursed by all nations. Although there are some obvious examples of peoples that have cursed Jews and come to ruin - like the Nazis - there are also examples of wealthy Arab countries that have not come to ruin due to their attitudes toward the Jews. History is not over yet and it will be interesting to see how the next 100 years turns out.
(A) Try not to be apprehensive if God's design for family or others is to serve somewhere else.
(P) God has it all figured out. Pray that those who take up the cross in for those in other places of the world will have my support and caring. Also - continue to bless the Jews in my prayers - they need our prayers in many ways.

Title: Breaking the marriage vow brings punishment even though adultery does not occur.
(S) Gen.12:17-18 "But the Lord inflicted serious diseases on Pharaoh and his household because of Abram's wife Sarai. So Pharaoh summoned Abram. "What have you done to me?" he said. "Why didn't you tell me she was your wife?"
(O) If a man takes another man's wife - they commit adultery - according to many verses. Here adultery is probably not committed however the type of friendship that the pharaoh had toward Sarai was inappropriate and therefore brought on great sickness and problems for the perpetrator's family - the pharaoh.
(A) When a man takes another man's wife - is there sickness - what about divorce and remarriage. It seems to be what they think during this time - but is it still true - I am not sure. This did not progress to adultery however even this type of friendship was bad enough to create the same results as adultery. In today's society nobody thinks that friendships that are not adultery are wrong - but here they seem to be looked on as about the same. I think because the potential to destroy the marriage is there. In this instance had the pharaoh had sex with Sarai the line to Christ would have been questionable throwing off the whole purity of the line from Abraham to Christ and that would have completely affected the message of salvation through Christ and the hope for the world.
(P) Lord keep divorce from the door of all..... the consequences are very great.

Title: Brothers should help each other in every way including financial success rather than compete. (Actually Lot is Abram's nephew)
(S) Gen.13:8 "So Abram said to Lot, "Let's not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herdsmen and mine, for we are brothers. Is not the whole land before you? Let's part company. If you go to the left, I'll go to the right; if you go to the right, I'll go to the left."
(O) Both had become very wealthy and they had to part company because the land could not hold and feed all of their herds - but the decision is not greedy but amicable and for each other's good. They each wanted the other to do well.
(A) Siblings should always want each other to do well and there should never be jealousy. This is true caring and love between siblings. We should always help each along the way wherever we can.
(P) Lord help my children to help each other when they can and to care about each others accomplishments and to never say a bad word about the other.

Title: Living in a sinful place is sometimes a tempting choice.

Scene - The kings of Sodom and Gomorrah are at war against four other kings.
(S) The four kings seized all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah and all their food; then they went away. The also carried off Abram's nephew Lot and his possessions, since he was living in Sodom."
(O) Lot is living in Sodom which a previous verse states is a very wicked place. He is a herdsman - why is he living in this wicked city? Perhaps because his family has come to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a time.
Abram goes to resue his relative Lot however when the King of Sodom overs him the spoils of war Abram refuses to take anything that belonged to him..... "not even a thread or the thong of a sandal" --- how wise Abram is not to take anything from the hand of the king of Sodom. Some spoils of conflict are tainted and come with strings attached. Sodom was a sinful place and Abram had a sense that not all possessions are worth the same if there is sin attached to them. He helped his family to recover their resources but he took nothing for himself and yet Abram never did without and became very rich. What a lesson.
(A) We are to help family out of dire circumstances. We are not to take any ill gotten gain in life that is tainted by sin or from sinful sources.
(P) Years ago I helped out extended family until I dropped with fatique and then I could not do it anymore and gave up. I wonder what is wanted - here it was to rescue a family member when they were it extreme trouble. Help me to be opened minded on this and to know what is right to do.

Luke 5 The calling of the first disciples

Title: Wait on God for instructions
(S) "Simon answered, "Master we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything, But because you say so, I will let down the nets."
(O) Often we are just flapping our wings and really accomplishing very little because our actions are not at God's direction. When God is in it we will have the results of the disciples - "they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink." When God is in it - the accomplishment is huge - but without God we can do nothing.
(A) Often have great ideas without consulting God - the failure is due to not having God involved in what I think is God's work ---- if God directs the operation the success may not be numbers but it will definately be a Godly result.
(P) Lord help me to wait until you direct me before doing things.

Title: After success with their fishing boats - they then leave to work for God.
(S)Luke 5:10-11 The Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men." So they pulled their boats upon shore, left everything and followed him."
(O) How interesting - they are not leaving a failing business but the best catch the have ever had - and then leave thier businsss to follow Christ. So, first they have success at work and then they leave it all. How often we offer our mess to God rather than leaving great success and giving it up to follow Christ. What a concept.
(A) Lord help meto have you in on every decision. If you are not in it it is not what I should be doing.
(P) God help me to stay close to you so I know what you want of me.

Title: God does not always heal.
(S) Luke 5:12b "When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, "Lord if you are willing you can make me clean."
(O) It is God who knows what is best for us - is it always a healing - I do not know - all I know is that God is completely capable of healing everything - but this man sais - "if you are willing". God wants good for us but He knows all and he knows who needs Him and where and how our lifes affect others and so God will always choose what is best for us - no matter what.
(A) God has it figured out - our job is to pray with great faith for healing of those around us - it is God's job to do the healing.
(P) Lord help me to trust you in all things - and to know that your choices are best.