The Good News According to Abram.

After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of
my house is this Eliezer of Damascus? And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir. And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir. And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness. Genesis 15:1-6

Steps 1, 2, 3, 11, 12

God spoke to Abram and promised that He would be able to watch over Abram and supply his needs. Abram pointed out a problem, that he was childless, and how was this going to be addressed. God showed Abram what He would do – He would give Abram as many children as the stars in the heavens. Abram did not know how God would do such a thing especially since He did not have any children. None the less Abram believed what God said and God counted this as recovery.

Prayer for Today: God help us to trust that when You tell us about what You are going to do in our lives, help us to trust You because You are You. Help us to believe it simply because You said it. Thank You for Your precious gifts and the ability to change us into Your likeness.

Melchizedek

And Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought forth bread and wine; and he was the priest of the Most High God. Genesis 14:18

To whom also Abraham gave a tenth of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is King of peace; without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually. Hebrews 7:2-3.

Steps 11, 12

Melchizedek is introduced to the story of Abram, to show us that the priesthood was already in existence before the priesthood of Aaron and Levi. This priest, Melchizedek was already in place ministering the blood of Jesus (see Revelation 13:8) that was to be shed by promise until He actually came and shed His blood on Calvary. So this priesthood was a promise that God was ready to care for the addiction of sin and Abram acknowledged this priesthood and submitted to it. God is always ready to care for our needs, long before we are aware of our needs.

Prayer for Today: God, we thank You that You are always ahead of us. We are so sorry that we are so slow to become aware of You. We feel like children who are slowly growing in our awareness of the truth. Thank You that You are there like a heavenly parent/priest ready to help us at any time. We thank You and accept You today for Your wondrous gifts and grace.

God Introduces the Subject of Tithing

And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all. Genesis 14:18-20

Steps 4, 5, 10, 11, 12

Tithing means to give 10% of your income to God. Hebrews 7:1-2 Abram gave this tithe to God’ priest Melchizedek. Tithe is a testimony that all which came to you came through the intervention of God. Tithe is a testimony to God that you recognize that He sent you the gift of work, health, opportunity, and success that you are experiencing. Tithe helps His church operate on a safe secure basis and helps other people to find a recovery level relationship with God. Tithe also helps us to keep us safe from the idea that recovery is based on our works. Tithe keeps our hearts soft and open with God.

Prayer for Today: God thank You for supplying us with all of the resources that You grant us. Thank You for protecting us from the idea that we take care of ourselves. Thank You for allowing us to see that You provide us with all of the resources and all of the ideas necessary to accomplish Your holy will. Help us to remember You in all that we do. Keep our hearts soft and open to You and Your guidance and help us to acknowledge Your care by giving You tithe.

Abram Proves He is Brave

And they took Lot, Abram’s brother’s son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed. And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner: and these were confederate with Abram. And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan. And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus. And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people. Genesis 14:12-16

Steps 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 12

We have seen that when Abram was concerned about his own safety he could be fearful and weak. But when the people from the area of Babylon conquered the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah, and took his nephew Lot, and his family, captive then the brave side of Abram stood out. Abram, and his friends, went to get Lot, and his family. God granted them victory and delivered everyone from Sodom and Gomorrah safe and sound. Abram was a brave and courageous man, under certain circumstances.

Prayer for Today: God, You know our fears and strengths. You know when we will stand courageous for others, and when we will turn our backs and run. Help us to stand firm for You and to do those things that are peaceful in Your sight. Help us to have victory over our own cowardice. Thank You for coming to seek us when Satan took us captive.

God’s Promise for the Land of Israel

And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered. Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee. Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the LORD. Genesis 13:14-18

Steps 11,12

Abram had been rescued by God in Egypt and returned to the land of Canaan – soon to be named land of Israel. God told him to look all around him and all of the land that he saw would be given to Abram and to his seed forever. His seed was pronounced to be numberless yet Abram had no children yet. Abram trusted God and built an altar to worship God and express his thank for the promises given to him.

Prayer for Today: Help us dear Lord to trust Your promises. Even though we can’t see them happen just yet, help us to trust You as Your friend Abram did. Grant us this gift of trust and help us to hold on to You no matter what we think we see.

Abram Chickens Out

And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land. And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that thou art a fair woman to look upon: Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, This is his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive. Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee. And it came to pass, that, when Abram was come into Egypt, the Egyptians beheld the woman that she was very fair. The princes also of Pharaoh saw her, and commended her before Pharaoh: and the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s house. And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels. And the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram’s wife. Genesis 12:10-17

Steps 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 11, 12

Abram had to go to Egypt because of a famine. God had given him a beautiful wife. After thinking about it he concluded that the Egyptians would try to kill him to take his wife so he told his wife to say she was his sister, which was half true. Sarai was Abram’s half sister but she was also his wife. Abram did not trust God to watch over him so he lied to protect himself. The Egyptians took her to be the wife of the Egyptian king and God interceded to protect them both. God confronted Abram about his lying and showed that He could watch over them.

Prayer for Today: God, You know we would do most anything to protect ourselves from harm or danger. Help us to learn from Abram that You can protect us. Help us to trust in You more than our manipulative ways. Thank You for Your love and patience with us.

Abram Obeys God

Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran. Genesis 12:1-4

Steps 1, 2, 3, 11, 12

Abram recognizes God’s voice and chooses to obey Him. God promises to make of Abram’s descendents a mighty nation and all who bless Abram will be blessed and all who abuse him in any way will be cursed. God also promises that through Abram’s lineage all of the families of the earth will be blessed so we know that Messiah will come through Abraham. So a descendent of Adam, through Noah, through Shem, through Abram will be the Christ. With all of this in mind Abram obeys God by faith.

Prayer for Today: God, thank You again that You would choose to work through weak human beings like Abram. I trust that if You will work through him then You can work through us as well. Thank You for not giving up on us. Use us in any way You can, for we choose to cooperate with You.