From: January 6, 2015
After Abram (His name before God changed it to “Abraham” – “Father of nations”) had divided the sacrificial animals and arranged them according to God’s instruction, a great sense of “horror” came over him with the setting of the sun. God was approaching. One commentator has observed, “Holy fear prepares the soul for holy joy; God humbles first, then lifts up.” This meeting with God was preceded by Abram’s questioning of God’s promised seed. Abraham had questioned, “Lord God, what will You give me, seeing I go childless?”
Have you ever spent the night in prayer questioning God and waiting for an answer? If you have, you may have experienced what Abram did, holy terror. God let the hem of His holiness touch Abram and it was enough to horrify. Then, God made a covenant (Literally “cut” a covenant, as the origin of the word covenant implied the shedding of blood to seal it.) with Abram by passing between the sacrificed animals, prophesying his offspring’s slavery in Egypt and God’s deliverance. When the sun arose the next morning, Abram’s questioning and terror had been replaced with faith and holy joy.
From: January 6, 2014
Jesus’ definition of love was so much higher than what His hearers had ever understood. He tried to describe unmerited, unconditional love (agape) to them, but they couldn’t see it. So, He went to the cross and stretched out His arms and showed them how much His kind of love required. When we receive Jesus, His Spirit resides in us and gives us access to this amazing love. Who is your enemy? How can you show them love today?
From: January 6, 2013
And he blessed him and said, ‘Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!’ And Abram gave him a tenth of everything” (Genesis 14:18-20).
“Melchizedek” (meaning “My king of righteousness”), was the king of “Salem” (Shalom – peace) and represents a Christological type. The book of Hebrews (ch.7) refers to him in such a way as to suggest that he is indeed the preincarnate Christ. Whatever his identity, Abram pays a tithe to him as God’s representative. This tithe was not given in response to law (the law hasn’t been given yet), nor request, but was given out of gratitude and recognition of God Most High that had given Abram success. Abram gave it willingly.
From: January 6, 2012
Much of human suffering is not due to God’s action, but to man’s own foolish choices. Here is a truth worth knowing: Sin = suffering.
From: January 6, 2011
We fear loss. Loss of possessions, family, life. But God says He is our shield, our Protector. We fear an empty future. But God says He Himself is our very great reward.