Genesis 13-15, Read thru the Bible

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Today I read through Genesis chapters 13-15.

Check out Genesis 13:17 from The Message:
“So—on your feet, get moving! Walk through the country, its length and breadth; I’m giving it all to you.”

God wanted Abram to explore the entire span of the land that He gave to Abram and his descendants. Abram was directed to check it all out, every inch of it. I got to thinking, have I checked out every inch of what God has blessed me with? So many times we ask God for more with out really appreciating what He has already abundantly provided for us. I am not just talking about material things. When was the last time you took inventory of all the spiritual blessings God grants us. We can look through the length and breadth(see above) to the span of Christ’s arms spread out on the cross for us! We can look at the depth and height of the enormity of a God who created the entire universe and still is involved in the minute details of our life. Oh how I want to explore every inch of the blessings the LORD has granted me today!

LIVE IT OUT! application:
Take a moment to list some non-material things that you are grateful to God for. Tell Him how much you love Him and how you never want to take for granted His blessings. Feel free to write a comment to this post as to what blessings you have thought of today.

Genesis 10-12, Read thru the Bible

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Today I read Genesis chapters 10 thru 12. There were alot of names to sift through, but were interesting to try to pronounce. Speaking of names, check out chapter 11. The people built a city with a tower to heaven all for the goal of making a name for themselves! Didn’t God just recently show HIS name and power by means of a flood? Surely the stories of the flood weren’t too far back from this crew in Babel… just a thought.

What really stood out was chapter 12 and the call of Abram by God.
“So Abram went, as the LORD had told him…” verse 4.

God called Abram out of his comfort zone and into a land that he knew nothing about. Abram packed it all up and moved to Caanan in utter obedience. Then God explained that Abram’s offspring would be a great nation. Little did Abram know that his ultimate offspring was Jesus! But, Abram stepped in faith and God lived up to His promise.

Is God calling you to step out in faith and obedience? Sometimes His call is not as audible as Abram’s was. Sometimes it is a quiet leading of the Spirit. Are you listening? Are you following God’s command? There is real blessing in going the way that the LORD tells you…

Genesis 7-9-Read thru the Bible

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Genesis 7-9
This is what stood out to me today:
Genesis 8:20:
20 Then Noah built an altar to the LORD and, taking some of all the clean animals and clean birds, he sacrificed burnt offerings on it. 21 The LORD smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: “Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though [a] every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done.

The first thing Noah did when he got off the ark was to build an altar to God. By making burnt offering, this was his way of showing the LORD his gratitude. His first action was to praise the Lord. We are no longer required to perform animal blood sacrifices (that was taken care of by Christ dying on the cross to save us from our sins), but I am called to acknowledge God FIRST in every event. Especially the events that He has provided so graciously.

What about the events that I don’t think are so great? My thoughts on this is that I do not know the mind of God. I don’t see His big picture. This is hard, but I have been working on acknowledging God’s omnipotent power and foresight in every situation, the good and the bad. I try to praise Him for keeping my best interest at heart.

Take a look at verse 21 where it says that this offering was a pleasant aroma to God. Doesn’t that bless your heart to know that your offering of praise in every situation is not missed by God in the least. In fact, it is outright pleasing to Him.

LIVE IT OUT application:
What can you praise God for today? What ways has he shown you his Love, Care, Provision and Holiness?