Being the Link to Connect the Power

After being expelled from Egypt, Abraham went up to the desert region called the Negev along with his wife Sarah and his nephew Lot. Explained in Genesis 13 is a problem with both Abraham and Lot being together. Both men had become wealthy with livestock and other possessions. They both had herders who had families to support and this required more land so Abraham and Lot were unable to stay together (v. 6).

Abraham is the one that suggested they separate. Lot looked around and saw that the land to the east along the Jordan was the most watered land. His choice revealed that he was perhaps self-centered and didn’t consult with the Lord before making decisions. He was more concerned about the best place for his cattle and livestock and not his family. He decided to live near the sinful city of Sodom.

On the other hand, Abraham demonstrated that he was concerned for the well-being of others and was willing to settle differences with Lot. He shows us the characteristics of a spiritual man; knowing he had made the wrong choice earlier when he went to Egypt but now repenting and deciding to separate from the world. Ever since he left Egypt, he made the choice to be ready for whatever the Lord had for him to do by first building an altar to the Lord near the great trees of Mamre at Hebron (v.18).

This day with God, let us take in this lesson from Abram about priorities and the willingness to work out problems head on without deception by humbly seeking unity and peace with Lot. As writers about faith, we can demonstrate these same characteristics; applying biblical principles and offering words of encouragement. We can be the link that connects the power of God to His people.

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Questions for Reflection for Study of Genesis 13-16

After the flood, God made a promise to Noah that He would never flood the earth again and the symbol of this promise is the rainbow. Today, God can provide music for our ears, laughter for our soul, and a rainbow after every storm because of His love demonstrated to us through His son Jesus. His Word provides food for the mind and His Son creates light for understanding so our acceptance of Jesus as the Son of God truly washes sins away.

The Bible is not about great people doing things for God; it is just regular people doing extraordinary things because of an amazing God. He knows each of us by name and has a place for each of us in this world. That is why it is important to take the initiative in being prepared for each day. Being the best “you” everyday so God can do His work.

In life, we all have doubts but those who can step ahead even while having doubts are the people God can use to do great things. It takes humility and it takes the willingness to learn from each other. Associating with others of integrity is important along with trust and when our trust is in God’s way, we are assured of getting to our destination.

As the journey continues through God’s Word for the weeks to come. The mission of this blog is to bring out ways to apply His Word in our life at work, at home, and within our neighborhoods. The questions for reflection for the study of Genesis 13-16 below will help bring out some thoughts and ideas over the next two weeks.

Genesis 13
What is Abraham and Lot’s problem? How does Abraham resolve the problem? How does the way you settle differences and arguments reveal your trust (or lack of trust) in God? What does Lot’s choice reveal about his character?

Genesis 14
What are the dangers of close association with ungodly people? Who is Melchizedek? How do you act toward fellow Christians?

Genesis 15
What is Abraham’s main concern? How does God encourage Abraham? What predictions and promises does God make while Abraham is asleep (watch the future developments)?

Genesis 16
How did Sarah and Abraham try to “push” God? What is their basic problem? In what ways do your actions affect future generations?

The above reading plan will be used as I share over the next few posts. It’s important to have a plan. I’m thankful that Jesus is God’s plan for us and by accepting Him as Savior; we have taken the steps necessary to make this day with Him amazing! At this link: God’s Plan for Us, is a post about accepting God’s plan or reaffirming our “YES” for Christ. 

Feel free to respond with a short note or a comment about any of the questions above. Also, I welcome any other thoughts or ideas, favorite inspirational videos, photos, or favorite Bible verses. Just add them to the comments or to a Facebook page I’ve set up at this link: This Day With God.  

Resources and Supplementary Helps Used in Posts
Adeney, Carol. This Morning with God. Downer Grove Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1978
First United Methodist Waco Podcast
Christ Notes
Family Times
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Adam Working in the Garden

Imagine being Adam as each day he was in charge of naming the animals and working the garden. We should approach each day with this same enthusiasm. Like Adam, let us seize the day by bringing more order to God’s world. Here is a poem to inspire this thought. Have a great weekend my friends!

Mark Shields's avatarStep Ahead

Working the garden
And naming the birds
Naming the animals
And attending to the herds

Focused on the job
Being the dude
Taking care of each detail
Even in the nude

Totally focused on a purpose
And being a good keeper
Bringing order to His world
With no need for a beeper

No house to live in
But simple as can be
No restaurants to dine at
Or movies to see

Just busy as a bee
So nothing shortchanged
Just taking care of nature
And getting it arranged

By Mark Shields – © 02-12-2015
Inspired by Study of Genesis 2
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Faith Gives Assistance to Step Ahead Even in Doubt

We all have doubts; even great people of God in the Bible like Abraham had doubts. When Abraham faced the famine upon entering the land God had promised, doubt led him away from the difficult situation into a place he thought to be less difficult in Egypt.

On top of that, he thought the men in Egypt might take his beautiful wife named Sarah away. She was so beautiful that Abraham believed they couldn’t resist and would kill him for her so Abraham dreams up a lie for protection. He tells everyone they meet that she is his sister.

In life, we all have doubts but those who can step ahead even while having doubts are the people God can use to do great things. Today’s video is about these doubts we face but encourages us to have faith which gives assistance to step ahead even in doubt: Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) – Hillsong United.


So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.- Colossians 2:6-7

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Taking a Step of Faith

In Genesis 12, the Lord called Abraham from a land where many gods were worshiped to a new land. He made a promise to Abraham that he would be blessed with a new nation which we know today as Israel or the Jewish people. This request from God prompts Abraham to take a step of faith and he arrived at Canaan but then a famine came upon the area so he set out to Egypt.

When Abraham faced the famine upon entering the land God had promised, his lack of faith leads him away from the difficult situation into a place he thought to be less difficult in Egypt. Thinking the men in Egypt might desire his beautiful wife named Sarah, he dreams up a lie to protect from being killed. He tells everyone they meet that she is his sister.

It seemed to work at first because Pharaoh took Sarah into his palace and treated Abraham well for her sake by giving sheep, cattle, camels, and servants to Abraham. Unfortunately, Abraham’s lack of faith got him off track from the original plan God had for him so to get him back on track the Lord inflicted serious diseases on Pharaoh and his household because of Abraham’s wife Sarah.

The lie of Sarah being Abraham’s sister was found out by Pharaoh so Abraham and all his people were expelled from Egypt. Even the foolishness of Abraham didn’t stop God’s plan for him. We all face difficult areas that God calls us into that require trust. Sometimes we may get off track from God’s path but our wondering hearts can return to full fellowship with the Lord.

Faith obeys what God is telling us to do regardless of how comfortable life seems where we are. We need to get away from the comfort zone; dream, explore, and go where no one has gone before. Our courage will affect others and they will follow.

The lesson this day with God is to be who He made us to be and believe in the mission He has given; to feel comfortable in our own skin. Deceiving ourselves or others never gets us anywhere but if we trust in God, we will be blessed.

* Abram’s name is changed to Abraham and Sarai’s name to Sarah in Genesis 17.

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