Genesis 12-14

It’s been a long week. And I’ve only cracked open my bible twice. Once I read, the other time was in church. Not good. And honestly, it seems like I’ve been so unfocused. I’ve felt like God isn’t a close as he’s been lately. Like I have to reach further to feel Him. I don’t like this. But, I am going to do something about it. And that is why I am here.

When you feel far from God, don’t keep feeling that way. Do something about it. He loves us, and as long as we don’t start walking in disbelief (disbelief of God), we can always come back. But it’s really not worth it to wait until you’re so far gone to then try and get back to Square 1. There were definitely times in college and after that I started strong with my relationship, but then I would let life and relationships get in the way and our relationship suffers. Not good.

Genesis 12-14

1. Doing what God asked you: Abram leaving Haran to go wherever God asked him. God just asked him to leave. He didn’t give him any specifics regarding where to go. Well actually, he DID give specifics, he said, “the land that I will show you”.  This kind of thing had to make Abram feel a little nervous, but he put his trust in God, and it all worked out. I originally wrote that Abram put “ALL” his trust in God, but that’s not true. He lied in Egypt and told them Sarai was his sister to save his life. But, God had told him that he would be blessed, but  Abram still chose to deal with things in his own way. Not good.
2. If you flirt with Sin, you WILL sin: Lot setting up shop outside of Sodom and Gomorrah was NOT good. Actually, he probably shouldn’t have been anywhere near Sodom and Gomorrah because God did not tell Abram to take his nephew, He said for him to “go for yourself”. NOT bring a friend. Nonetheless, Lot set up camp outside of Sodom and Gomorrah, a very wicked place, and later on he get’ sucked in. Sometimes we think that if we just hang around things contrary to that which God wants for us that our will is stronger than the temptation.  This is not true.  And it’s the biggest deception your flesh and Satan can get you to believe. We’re not as strong as we think. We are to flee from sin, go the other way. Not walk up to it and watch.
3.  Your blessing is not someone else’s blessing: in 13:14-17, AFTER Lot leaves Abram, THEN God talks to him and gives him a little more information about God’s plans for him. Sometimes we’re around the wrong people/places/things/situations and God does not see it as a fitting place to tell us what He has to say. We have to work in His time and space if we want to hear from God.
4. Abram built altars to the Lord: I thought this was really cool. Every time God did something really nice or revealed more to Abram about his purpose, Abram built an altar. These altars were used to give sacrafices and offerings unto God for His wonderful thoughts and actions toward Abram.  How often do WE build altars of our own to celebrate what God has done/said? Of course we’re not burning calves, but we can give praise offerings, time offerings, money offerings, and others. So basically, we have no excuse. J
5. Lot living near Sodom & Gomorra, got him captured: See? Being around sin can get you in trouble. Even if you’re not the one sinning.