Archive for September, 2010
Day 11…Genesis 18:1-15:
Genesis 18:1-15: Lord & 2 men visit Abraham
v.1-8, During the hottest part of the day and Abraham looked up he saw 3 men (one of which was the Lord) standing nearby him, he ran to them bowed before them. He asked them to stop and rest, he could wash their feet and feed them and then they could be on their way. Abraham hurried into the tent and told Sarah to hurry up and make bread (out of 3 of the best flour). Then he ran to get a calf to prepare for the 3 visitors. He set everything before the men and stood there under the Great tree of Mamre while they ate.
v.9-15, The men asked where Sarah was and of course Abraham told them she was in the tent. Then the Lord he will return this time next year and Sarah will have a son. Sarah was listening at the tent’s entrance behind the men. Sarah was past the age of child bearing and Abraham was very old as well. So Sarah LAUGHED when she heard she was going to have a son especially with an old guy like Abraham! Then the Lord asked Abraham why Sarah laughed? “Is there anything too hard for God?” Then the Lord said again that Sarah will have a son this time next year. Sarah denied she laughed because she was afraid. But the Lord said “yes you did.”
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO ME? Simply we need to trust God when he says he is going to do something, especially if he tells me over and over again. Like he did about their son Issac. Also don’t doubt God either!
WHAT AM I GOING TO DO ABOUT IT? I need to continue to ask — pray! And then listen. In the past I have gone through doors that seemed open but this time I am going to do less DOING and more LISTENING!
God, please help me to wait on you and listen
First Sunday w/o Pastor Deric
First I want to thank Pastor Deric for his trust in me as he is on holidays (a much deserved break). I hope he has a fantastic 2nd week off next week. Hopefully this will actually be a relaxing time.
We were blessed to have a guest speaker at City Centre today and Pastor Aaron and myself shared the duties of announcements, intro, prayer, etc. At first it was nerve racking not having our fearless leader with us, but we ended up enjoying our interaction with the congregation. I am so honoured to be part of a church family that sincerely cares about each other–literally a family.
Thank you God for this assignment and for your guidance in our lives!
Day 10…Genesis 17:
Genesis 17: God’s covenant honoured | circumcision
v.1-8, God showed up to Abram and reminded him of his covenant saying “I will give you a huge family.” Abram was overwhelmed by the news that he fell on his face. God again said “you’ll be the father of many nations – father of fathers – kings will come from you – this covenant is forever…” God promised not only that Abram would have many children but the land he was living on is his as well (Canaan) forever! ….v.3, Abram name was changed to Abraham
v.9-14, God told Abram he must honour the covenant by having all the males in his household CIRCUMCISED (cutting off foreskin of penis–sign of God’s permanent covenant between God and his descendants). Every male baby for now on will be circumcised at 8 days old. This includes not only his own children but also non-blood kin, slaves, any male brought into his family from the inside. Any UNCIRCUMCISED male will be cut off from Abram’s people–he has broken the covenant.
v.15-16, Sarai will no longer be called Sarah. God said “I will bless her and I’ll give you [Abram] a son by her.” Nations will come from her & kings will come from her.
v.17, Abraham fell flat on his face and LAUGHED at the thought. “Can a 100 yr old man have a child? And can Sarah 90 yrs old have a baby?”
v.18-19, then Abraham said to God “let Ishmael be my heir.” But God told him that isn’t what he meant, Sarah will have a child, a son name him ISSAC (laughter). God then said he is going to establish his covenant with Issac and his descendants that lasts forever.
v.20-22, God then told Abraham he will bless Ishmael, he will be the father of 12 princes & he will be a great nation. BUT God said he will make his promise to Issac and this time next year Sarah will give birth to him.
v.23-27, Abraham and his son Ishmael (& all the other males in his household) and circumcised them, just as God had told him to do. Abraham was 99 & Ishamael was 13 when they were circumcised — same day.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO ME? I think God is saying I have to play a part in his will (covenant) with me. I have to do MY PART. Live my life honouring God, pray and spend time developing my relationship with him.
WHAT AM I GOING TO DO ABOUT IT? I covenant today, no matter what, from this day forward God, I will put aside this time each morning with you. No matter how tired I am I will spend this time with you developing our relationship.
God, please hold me to this covenant!
New email
Unfortunately my Hotmail email address has been hacked so I am moving to a new address. Very shortly I will not be using my Hotmail email, so please use my Gmail email below for now on:
ypandrew@gmail.com
Thank you.
