Genesis__15

Scripture

Genesis‬ ‭15:6‬ ‭

“And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith.”

 

Observation-What does it say?

 

God spoke to Abram in a vision. God reassures Abram that He will protect him, and He will reward Abram and give him many blessings. But Abram questions God. Abram doesn’t see the point to all these blessings if he doesn’t even have a son to share them with and carry on his legacy. God then takes Abram outside, shows him the stars in the sky, and promises Abram his descendants will be as many as the stars that he sees in the sky. Abram decides to trust God at His word, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.

 

Understanding-What does it mean?

 

It is by our faith-(in Jesus), not by our works, that we are saved.

 

“If his good deeds had made him acceptable to God, he would have had something to boast about. But that was not God’s way.”-Romans‬ ‭4:2

 

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” -Ephesians‬ ‭2:8-9‬ ‭

 

“We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.”-Romans‬ ‭3:22‬ ‭

 

There are many other verses you can choose from in the Bible that show us that it is by our faith, and not by our works that we are saved. It is the mainstay of our Christian faith, and what separates Christianity from other religions. While other religions focus on what you do that get you in Heaven, Christianity is about what has been done (Jesus dying for our sins, and rising again, defeating death). Putting our faith in Jesus, believing he is the Son of God, knowing he died for our sins, and that he rose again gives us a hope and a certainty that we too will be with Him for eternity in Heaven.

 

Life Application

 

Trust in God and His Word even if the odds are stacked against me.

 

Abraham did have some reasons to question and doubt God. After all, God was promising him descendants that would outnumber the stars in the sky and the sands along the seashore. One problem though...Abraham and his wife Sarah were already well past their years of childbearing. But God makes the impossible possible. Nothing is too hard for God. The God who spoke the universe into existence, can do anything for those who believe and trust in Him. So I choose to trust in God. No matter how bleak or grim a situation I am in, I trust that my God is all powerful, all knowing, merciful, compassionate, just, loving, and filled with grace. I trust that God’s way is better than mine, and I choose to follow Him. May I too be considered righteous because of my faith in Jesus.

 

-Moses Gaddi

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Psalm_61

Scripture

Psalm 61:1-8

“Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings. For you, God, have heard my vows; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name. Increase the days of the king’s life, his years for many generations. May he be enthroned in God’s presence forever; appoint your love and faithfulness to protect him. Then I will ever sing in praise of your name and fulfill my vows day after day.”

Observation-What does it say?

David does a few things in this Psalm. He cries out to God acknowledging his weakness in light of God’s strength; remembers that God has been his refuge in times past; and cries out for strength in order to continue singing praises to Him and fulfill his duties and calling as king. 

Understanding-What does it mean?

Run to God for strength and encouragement instead of our own. 

David was able to encourage himself out of situations and distress, in the strength of the Lord. King David runs and cries out to the Lord and as a result of His surrender and obedience, he finds peace, comfort and joy. 

As the Apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians 12:9, after asking God 3 times to take away a thorn in his flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment him and keep him from being conceited, God said to him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Then Paul said, “I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

Basically, through all the opposition and weaknesses we face in this world, God’s grace and strength will always be enough to get us through. Needing comfort from the King of kings is not what makes us weak, but rather what makes us strong. 

Life Application 

I will draw comfort and strength from the Lord in order to pour out that same comfort to others. 

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV

King David and the Apostle Paul were 2 great men of the Bible with amazing testimonies of the Lord’s love for them. Their greatness is not what God was impressed with. It was their acknowledged weaknesses—their humility and surrender that God used to uplift them to the status of leadership that they were in. 

Dear Lord, I choose to draw strength from You alone. It inspires me that You never chose to work through perfect people, but those who were imperfect, yet dependent and reliant on You. It was amazing what the Holy Spirit was able to do in and through them as a result. I pray that I would always seek to be a woman after Your heart, always remaining humble and submitted to Your will Jesus. Amen. 

-Michelle Gaddi

Psalm 60

Scripture  

Psalm 60:11  

“O give us help against the adversary, for deliverance by man is in vain.”

Observation - What does it say?  

This Psalm was written during David’s reign as king.  It is quite possible that this was written during a time when the Israelites were at war with the Moabites.  This particular Psalm can be broken down into three parts; complaint for defeat (vs 1-4), a promise of victory (vs 5-8), and rekindled hope in God’s word.  The Psalm seems to show the result of turning away from God is the realization of being dependent on Him.  

Understanding - What does it mean?  

I heard someone say once that if you need to make a decision about something and one of the choices is something that will be to the detriment of your ego, choose that one.  The point was, we are ultimately put here to bring God glory and not ourselves.  Therefore, if we are struggling to do something because of the way we perceive it will make us look, we act in the way that God will get the glory and not us.  

I came to the realization, recently, that I have a tendency to only pursue things that I perceive will promote me.  Especially when it comes to work.  I want to follow the plan that will bring me the most positive attention.  I do this without taking the time to prayerfully consider the path that God might have intended for me instead.  I am essentially leaning on the wisdom of man to determine my path and future rather than God.  Then, without fail, come crawling back to God wondering, “why is everything going wrong?”

When I take time to look around in moments like these, it’s easy to see that it would be better for me to have asked for God’s direction in the first place.  I also get a look at the wonder of God’s amazing grace.  I do something dumb (read: I walked away from God), when my life is in shambles I run back to the one who can fix things (I repent), God in turn accepts us with loving arms (forgiveness).  And this is generally when God redirects my actions to serve others.  

In Galatians 6, Paul talks about our ability to help one another through the tough times.  He reminds us that our life here is short, and it is with perseverance in doing good that we will find eternal life. Much like the Israelites, we need only to seek God for direction in life and he will be our salvation.

Life Application  

Jesus, I want to spend all of my moments working towards sharing your glory.  Even if that means that I don’t look good in the process.  I want to trust in your path for me, and not in the wisdom of men.  Most of all, I want to be enamored with your salvation 

- Tyler Galloway