Receiving God’s promises entails engaging in God’s plans. Abram had been on a journey of faith in God since he left Ur years before. Genesis 12: 1The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make …
The need for reassurance is universal and essential throughout our lives. There is something about receiving reassurance that changes our perspective. A loving hug from a parent that conveys reassurance is not unusual when a child is getting ready for bedtime. We may be adults, but that doesn’t mean we don’t need reassurance, especially during …
What should we do when we doubt God? The best thing we can do is talk to Him about it! The Psalms are an excellent example of people pouring their hearts to God about various issues. God told Abram that He would protect him and give him a great reward, but then Abram responded with …
God speaks to us, giving insight into His desire to have a relationship with us. Jesus tells us in John 10:27, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”[1] The Lord speaks to us through His Word, dreams, visions, the work of the Holy Spirit, an audible voice, and any …
Temptation often follows victories due to fatigue and the celebration that accompanies them. The most dangerous time for a mountain climber is the descent down the mountain. The exhilaration of reaching the top can lead to overconfidence. The increasing exhaustion from the trip adds to the temptation to overlook safety precautions. This combination can lead …
We all desire a heart that blesses others, and through Jesus’s love, this transformation is possible. When successful invaders attacked Sodom, Abram’s nephew Lot was taken captive. In response, Abram organized and led a group of 318 trained men from his household to rescue Lot and others from their captors. There was a blessing after …
The story of Abram and Melchizedek contains the first mention of tithing. A tithe is simply one-tenth of an amount. Genesis 14: 19 Melchizedek blessed Abram with this blessing: “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. 20 And blessed be God Most High, who has defeated your enemies for you.” Then Abram …
Assisting someone who hurt you can bring healing as we see the other person through the lens of Christ. When someone hurts us, it is a two-pronged attack by the enemy. The first part of the attack is the wounding, and the second is far more deceptive and consequential. This is the temptation to become …
Abram was a man of peace, but he had also made Godly preparations for an emergency. Genesis 14: 13 But one of Lot’s men escaped and reported everything to Abram the Hebrew, who was living near the oak grove belonging to Mamre the Amorite. Mamre and his relatives, Eshcol and Aner, were Abram’s allies. 14 When Abram …
The hand of God in our lives is often evident as we reflect on our life’s journey because He is the Divine Intruder. If you have come to faith in Jesus as your Savior, it is because of the work of the Holy Spirit. Others have experienced prompts by the Holy Spirit that supernaturally guide …