January 6- Got Faith?

January 6, 2011

Scripture Reading:
Genesis 13:5-15:21

Faith isn't faith until it's all you're holding on to.  
~Anonymous

Every time you and I get in an airplane we are taking a leap of faith. We have to have faith in the airline, the airplane, the pilot, the technical crew, and the laws of physics.  

Today we read about one of greatest men of faith who has ever walked the earth.  His name was Abram. Abram takes a leap of faith that changes history.

As today's story begins, Abram and Lot have come out of Egypt and are very wealthy. They are so wealthy that the land cannot support both of their livestock and people.  They decide to pick different areas to settle in so they split up.


Lot chooses the plains of the Jordan Valley, which are well watered like the Garden of Eden.  The area is called Sodom and Gomorrah.

A Promise

God meets with Abram at this time and tells him that He is going to give him the land of the Canaanites for his descendants, who will number greater than the dust of the earth.  This is the introduction to the concept that we are still dealing with in the world today....the Jewish Promised Land.  Abram again, worships God at the altar upon hearing this promise.

Abram Fights

A war breaks out in the area and Lot, his family and possessions are captured by the King of Sodom and taken into captivity. Abram gathers his men and goes to fight and rescue Lot from the Sodomites.
How can you fight for your family today?  Sometimes our fights are spiritual, rather than physical.

Lesson:  We should fight for our family to be delivered out of evil, like Abram did for Lot.

After this successful military campaign, a High Priest of God named Melchizedek blesses Abram.  Note: This is the first preincarnation of Christ in the Bible. Melchizedek means King of Righteousness.  He is also mentioned in Psalm 110:4 and explained in Hebrews chapter 7.  He is said to have had an indestructible life and an everlasting priesthood. Sounds like Christ to me!  Remember that a priest stands between God and man to offer a sacrifice for sin. This is the role of Christ in our lives.

Abram Tithes

After his blessing Abram offers a portion of all of his wealth to God through the priest Melchizedek.  As explained earlier, Abram is offering his wealth to Christ. Abram is once again showing his good character and faith through offering Christ the blessings he has received from God.

Lesson:  Be willing to give your monetary blessings back to God.  Hold possession lightly, my friends.


Abram Complains

God keeps promising big things for Abram, but Abram still does not have a child. Who can blame Abram for saying, "What's up?"  God takes Abram out and shows him the night sky.  God tells Abram that his descendants will be as numerous as the stars in the sky. More numerous than the stars in this picture that I chose!

Abram Believes

Next, we see a very important interaction. Verse 6 states, "And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord declared him righteous because of his faith."  (NLT) Abraham is believing God's promise that the Redeemer Child of the world will come through him.  Abram is saying, "Amen" after God speaks. Another way to say this is that Abraham is saying, "Right on!" God likes it when we get on board with His plan and believe His Words to be true!


God is setting out a spiritual principle here.  If you have faith in God, in spite of your sin, He will see you as righteous and commune with you.  This is huge.

Lesson:  Faith in God through Christ God's one and only Son equals righteousness.

So have you "Got Faith?"  Do you say "Right on!" when you begin to understand God's ways and His plan for your life? If so, how are you acting upon your faith like Abram did?

Matthew 5:27-48; Psalm 6:1-10; Proverbs 1:29-33

Today's reading is a continuation of what Jesus said during the Sermon on the Mount.  Today he continues to bring down the velvet hammer.

Proving that we all break the Laws of Moses constantly, Jesus ups the ante on our behaviors by adding more attitude requirements to the Law.

Here is a list:

• If you even look at a person to lust them, you have committed adultery. Vs. 27
• If you divorce your spouse, except for unfaithfulness, you have committed adultery and caused them to. Vs. 31-32
• Don't make any vows and don't swear Vs. 33-37
• Instead of following the Law that said it's an eye for and eye, Jesus says we should not resist an evil person.  Instead, turn the other cheek. Vs. 38-42
• The Law says to love your neighbor, but hate your enemy. Jesus says love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you. Vs.43-47

Here is his final kicker..."You are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect."  Vs. 48

Ha!  He knows we can't do this! We are sinners.  He is baiting us to realize we need a Savior.

Do you see your sin?  Have you acknowledged that you need a Savior?

Lesson:  Only belief in Christ's perfect life, sacrificial death, and resurrected life can render me perfect in the eyes of a Holy God.

Psalm 6:1-10

• Vs. 2 You can turn to God for compassion during an illness.
• Vs. 6 & 7 God wants to hear about your grief.
• Vs. 9 You can be confident that God hears your prayers.

Proverbs 1:29-33

Some people are simpletons.  Fools destroy themselves.

What did you notice in today's reading?  I'd love to hear your comments.

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal

Kathy Fullerton