Genesis 13:5-15:21 + Matthew 5:27-48 + Psalm 6:1-10 + Proverbs 1:29-33
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Old Testament – These are some great readings today about Abram and his faith! Chapter 13 verse 9 stood out to me today as Abram was trying to settle the arguments between his and Lot’s herdsmen over pastureland: “I’ll tell you what we’ll do. Take your choice of any section of the land you want, and we will separate. If you want that area over there, then I’ll stay here. If you want to stay in this area, then I’ll move on to another place.” I guess what I really like about this is Abram is giving Lot the first choice of the land. It seems like Abram is confident that he will personally be okay with whatever 2nd choice is left-over to him because he is in a relationship with God. I like this. And I hope that we each do this in my life from time to time. Think about this random example – parking spaces in a crowded mall can be hot commodities and arguments can ensue. What would it be like if we let others get the first choice and we continued on in confidence that we will be okay with whatever 2nd choice is left-over to us? Who knows – maybe we’d end up with the parking space in the boonies – and get an extra quarter mile of a walk for exercise… maybe not such a bad 2nd choice? Is it possible for us to get in the habit of letting others get the 1st choice of things whenever there is an argument about to ensue – and us being confident that 2nd choice will still be great for us – maybe in ways we don’t foresee? And confident that because we are in a relationship with God? Below is an image of Abram and Lot in Genesis 13 about to part ways:
Chapter 14 verse 14 also stood out in regards to Abram’s character: “When Abram learned that Lot had been captured, he called together the men born into his household, 318 of them in all. He chased after Kedorlaomer’s army until he caught up with them in Dan.” I don’t know about you… but I’ll be honest. If my nephew got captured by a band of marauding kings and their army, I’m thinking I might just let my nephew go and chalk it up to very bad luck on his part… But not Abram! When he heard the news that Lot had been captured, it looks like he did not even blink! He called together his household immediately and they were off and running after Kedorlaomer’s army. Yes, they were chasing after an army… again, I’m not so sure I would do this… though, hopefully, maybe I now would if I can keep in mind Abram’s character here…. What about you? Would you chase after an army? Is there maybe someone in your life who has been “captured” by something – an addiction, a sadness, some bad luck – and will you go chasing after that person and help to free them from the “army” that has ensnared them?
In verses 17 through 20 in chapter 14 we read about Melchizedek. And I definitely would like to get others opinions on this – Who was Melchizedek? The reason I ask this question is due to Hebrews Chapter 7 – click on this link to read this chapter of Hebrews. (Hebrews 7 is well worth the read at this point in our Genesis journey.) My thinking currently is that Melchizedek was a very great priest – but I don’t believe he was Jesus Christ preincarnate. But, again, I’m willing to listen to others on your thoughts on this. My thoughts on this is that Hebrews 7 seems to be saying that Jesus is “like” or “in the order” of Melchizedek – but not quite saying Jesus is Melchizedek. I read there are 4 basic theories on who Melchizedek is – 1. simply a king of Salem and Abram was showing him respect, 2. Melchizedek was a standard title for the kings of Salem. 3. He was a “type of Christ” and he illustrates a lesson about Christ. or 4. He was Jesus preincarnate in a temporary body form. So – whaddya think? Below is an oil painting by Peter Paul Reubens, circa 1625, of Abram and Melchizedek meeting:
Genesis chapter 15:9-21 is the first Abrahamic Covenant. It was an unconditional divine promise to fulfill the grant of the land to Abram and his descendants. Verses 5 & 6 in chapter 15 are powerful: “Then the LORD brought Abram outside beneath the night sky and told him, “Look up into the heavens and count the stars if you can. Your descendants will be like that–too many to count!” And Abram believed the LORD, and the LORD declared him righteous because of his faith.” And verse 6, the preceding sentence to this one I think is important for each of us to consider. Do we believe God’s promises? What are God’s promises for us? Do we have faith that God’s promises for us through his son Jesus are true? Even if we’ve been walking with faith for a while now – are we still as “on fire” with our faith as we once were? Can we pray to God to show us his promises anew (or maybe for the first time) for our lives? Can we pray to God for faith like Abram’s? It is believed that in the dark night sky of the ancient near east Abram could have seen up to 8,000 stars in the sky. Perhaps when God said the words above in verses 5 & 6 Abram saw a view of something like this below (image taken from NASA’s Hubble Space telescope of the Sagittarious Star Cloud):
Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Genesis titled “Lot Looks Out for Number One” is at this link, “The Rescue of Lot” is at this link, and “The Focal Point of Abram’s Faith” is at this link.
New Testament – Matthew 5:27-30 are Jesus’ teachings about adultery. And really I think these teachings, along with many others in the Sermon on the Mount, are even more so about what is going on inside our hearts. Jesus discusses how the law says clearly how we are “not to do” something – it’s very apparent and very “exterior” if we commit a sin like adultery. Jesus says that the exterior/apparent/obvious sin is wrong for sure – but Jesus is equally as concerned with what’s going on in the “interior” – inside our hearts. Jesus proposes that if we have looked at someone lustfully with our “interior”, we have committed the same sin as if we had actually committed adultery on the “exterior.” Do you see how Jesus’ teachings in today’s readings are really focusing on the condition of our hearts? How is the condition of your heart today when it comes to these teachings?
I know these can be seen as “hard teachings.” Please note that I do not believe that Jesus is advocating self-mutilation in these readings – he is being figurative, not literal, in his speech about gouging out an eye or cutting off a hand. (someone can be blind and still lust) But he wants the point to be made very strongly. These teachings are obviously important for us to meditate on and learn from and obey. I am sure we all know it is true that what we “think” can often become what we “do”. So, it seems to me that Jesus is trying to stop us from even committing sin at the “thinking” level, because it may later manifest itself into action. Or – even if it does not manifest itself into action the thinking of the sin can actually affect us just adversely as much as the actual doing of the sin. Let us not let our minds wander into cloudy territory, but let us keep our minds clean and focused on Jesus, His Kingdom, and His Righteousness. Jesus’ teachings today in Matthew 5 can certainly keep us from cloudy thinking and the confusion of internal sin:
I do actually want to say a few more things about the whole adultery / lust issue brought up in today’s readings. And it is this – probably many of us have struggled with lust, or are struggling with lust right now. I am very saddened by many things I have seen and heard and experienced over the years. However sad I am or have been though, I am sure God grieves for us so much more. I guess I just want to encourage anyone now who is reading this that might be struggling with lust or pornography or adultery or pre-marital sex etc. – there truly is freedom from what you are struggling with. And that freedom ultimately only is found in the healing love of Jesus. I just pray that you will do everything you can to allow Jesus to free you from what’s enslaved you – seek professional counseling, find an accountability partner, confess your sins, read empowering books about freedom from what you are struggling with, avoid R-rated movies or Hollywood entertainment magazines if you need to, avoid situations or locations that will tempt you, and above all pray to Jesus and ask for healing continually. He will heal you. It may take time. But Jesus will heal you. God bless you as you work your way out of this and into amazing freedom! God will get you there! Let the healing begin!
Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Matthew titled “Flames of Desire” is at this link, “Avoiding the Sin of Adultery” is at this link, and “Jesus and the Law of Retaliation (Lex Talionis)” is at this link.
Psalms – As I read Psalm 6, it seems very penitential to me – like David was making a confession of sins and praying for forgiveness from God. As you read through these verses, have you ever felt like this? I have. And it ain’t fun. But, it’s part of the healing process. I do think we need to allow ourselves to get fully broken before God before we get fully healed. We can’t mask over or hide from God what’s really going on – we have got to put it all out there on the table before God, for him to be able to truly fix it. However – there is great encouragement and confidence from David in this Psalm in verse 9: “The LORD has heard my plea; the LORD will answer my prayer.” The Lord will hear your plea! The Lord will answer your prayer! Please plea and pray to him if you need to. He will listen and answer.
Proverbs – Proverbs 1 verse 31 is a strong teaching to consider: “That is why they must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way. They must experience the full terror of the path they have chosen.” I guess what jumped out at me is the simple word “path.” Such a simple word… but a profound one. Every single day there seem to be various paths in front of us. Various options. Choices we can make. Paths we can take. Paths that can lead to light and life. Paths that can lead to full terror. What type of path are you on now? Are you on the right path? Who is leading you down this path? Is it God? I’ll close with one of my favorite Proverbs, that I have memorized and repeat to myself often, which also discusses paths – Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Let us pray for straight paths today!
Worship God: Today’s readings reminded me of Zach William’s terrific song “Chain Breaker:”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WtV1XtqsW0
Do you have chains binding you? Click here for those chains to be broken!
Please join me in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Matthew 5:27-28 NIV
Prayer Point: Pray that you will not commit adultery in your life. Pray that you will not look at another person lustfully. Pray that if you are committing adultery in your heart right now that you will repent and turn to Jesus for healing.
Comments from You and Questions of the Day: Based on our readings in Matthew chapter 5 today about lust, are there any good books or websites you can recommend related to achieving victory in this area of our lives? Or any habits or practices of yours that you are comfortable sharing about how you avoid the sin of lust in your life? Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!
God bless,
Mike
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BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
======= Ramona:
Genesis 13:5-15:21
Choices, we are where we are today, and we have what we have because of choices. What we choose to do is rooted in what we think which stems, or grows from the seed of what we believe. Lot’s chose to go to the, “plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar. (Genesis 13:10 KJV),” because of what he believed about God and what he believed about himself.
Abram chose to wait on Lot’s choice because of what be believed, but more importantly what he knew about God. As we read in today’s text, after Lot chose, God gave. In life, it’s not what you take that counts but what God gives you. Lot’s choice was one-directional, and in the wrong direction. Just observe the consequences. God’s giving to Abram was 360 Lot’s was a kinda looks like Egypt and the “garden,” while Abrams real estate was based on long term potential, his descendents.
I will probably come back to this when I return from work tonight, but there are a lot of things running through my head that I just don’t have the time or the clarity of thought to get together. It looks like I will be doing some serious mediating and discussion with God on my train ride this morning. Yes, a train ride into work can be a great “prayer closet.”
Grace and peace,
Ramona
======= Betty:
Today’s reading in Genesis opened my eyes to see the remarkable faith of Abraham. God calls him away from all he knows to a land that God will show him. The promise of God starts in Genesis 12 to bless him, and make him the father of a great nation, and inherit a land for his offspring. Along the way, Abraham shows true character in offering Lot first choice in the land before them. It is actually comical in a way. I picture Lot with his eyes just taking in the potential bounty from the fertile plains and after a long look “Lot chose that land for himself’! Not only did Lot think first of himself, but chose to set up tent near an ungodly group of people. “After Lot was gone” the Lord took Abrham aside and gave him the 360 degree look of all that lay before him and seemed to say, “if you think what Lot took was great,turn around and see, “I am going to give all this land to you…” as far as he could see. Isn’t that just like God who wows us with His abundance. If we keep our trust on the One who is trustworthy, then nothing else really matters. Abraham could have chosen first since he was older, he could have demanded the best, but instead he cared less for material gain than taking care of those in his charge. He took care of Lot both in land and in rescue, and also his allies after rescuing Lot. Abraham knew God was trustworthy which explains why he so obediently left his home, family, and relatives to go on this adventure yet to be seen.And if we look at God’s promises to Abraham, other than Isaac, Abraham really didn’t live to see the promises fulfilled. Hebrews 11:13 “All these faithful ones died without receiving what God had promised them, BUT THEY SAW IT ALL FROM A DISTANCE and welcomed the promises of God.” I pray God would teach me to have the character to live beyond what I see, and live by faith looking foward to the legacy before me. Abraham “believed God” to be good for all His promises and lived knowing God was good for His Word.
Betty
======= Jayne:
The Psalm reading today is the very reason that I turned my life around! I was fully broken and didn’t know where else to turn to, so I turned to God. The commentary said it well:
“we need to allow ourselves to get fully broken before God before we get fully healed”
I feel I became fully healed on Good Friday this past year. It was the first time I had attend a Good Friday service since being a kid. With tears running down my face I told God how sorry I was for walking away from Him and asked Him to forgive me. I hit rock bottom and He didn’t think twice about helping me up. There’s no way I would be here if it wasn’t for that.
Jayne
======= Micah Girl:
I have never read any book about sex as good as Real Sex by Lauren Winner. Here is a hearty amen to your recommendation! https://micahgirl.blogspot.com/2005/12/some-thoughts-on-real-sex-by-lauren.html
======= Nicole:
Along with Micah Girl, I reccommend reading Girl Meets God by Lauren Winner. She takes a slice of her life from converting from Judaism to Christianity and shares it with you. I loved this book.
Nicole
======= Brian:
I agree with the recommendation about Real Sex by Lauren Winner.
For guys it’s hard to beat “Every Man’s Battle.” There are several other books in the series now (for women, for young men, etc.) but I haven’t read those so can’t speak to them.
And xxxchurch.com has been a huge help for me. It’s edgy but for the right reasons and very effective. Especially good for younger (15-35) guys.
Brian
======= Mark:
I’m so encouraged that there is a desire within the body of Christ recently to deal with hidden sins such as lust. God is definately dealing with this issue in His church, not be exposing it, or by bringing guilt, but really wonderfully setting people free into greater levels of intimacy with Him which mean that there is no longer desire for anything other than Him.
I’ve heard a number of testimonies on this issue over the last 6 months. So if you’re struggling, I echo Mike’s encouragement that Jesus really will set you free.
I believe that it’s a battleground for all men that Jesus wants us to overcome. I suspect it’s a battle for women too, but that’s outside of my personal experience.
One of the most powerful messages that has really helped me in this area is a Father’s day sermon given at Toronto Aiport Fellowship by a guy called Duncan Smith (who I feel privileged to have got to know this summer). Duncan’s genuinely light-hearted style (I don’t mean frivilous or insincere), humble, open testimony, and the principles that God showed him how to overcome in this area are a tremendous blessing.
Mark
======= Luch:
Related to all the posts about sin and temptation, I think we would do well to absorb David’s prayer in Psalm 6 and ‘lighten up’ a bit. “O LORD, don’t rebuke me in your anger or disciipline me in your rage. Have compassion on me, LORD, for I am weak. Heal me, LORD, for my bones are in agony and I am sick at heart. How long, LORD, until you restore me? vs 1-3
In Psalm 103 we are reminded at length that He is our father, and that He knows our frame that we are dust. I find lots of hope here, knowing that God knows the battles that rage within me/you, and that He is not as hard to live with as we sometime make him out to be. I look at what Noah got away with in getting drunk, and Abraham in lying about his faith to save his own skin, and I think, “Oh man, does God ever know us.” Sometimes we set up approaches to sanctification and life change that just put us all in the tank, but it doesn’t work. What works is seeing my sin for what it really is, casting myself on God and saying to Him, “Lord Jesus Christ, son of God, have mercy on me.” and mean it, and believe the promise that “the LORD is near to those who have a broken heart.”
Luch
======= Kelly:
Old Testament time line has always facinated me. Twice I have created a time line of the descendants from Adam to Jacob’s sons. It’s interesting to note that Shem, who is considered to be the one son of Noah who had a heart for God, was still alive during Abraham’s lifetime. I believe it was from Shem that Abram learned about the one true God, and I believe that Melchizedek was Shem who had settled in the area of Jerusalem and become a great priest and king. After the flood the life span of man decreased dramatically, but Shem was from the pre-flood era and was so old that many did not know from where or whom he came. Thus the quote from Hebrews, “Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life. . .”
Kelly
======= Dale:
I just want to thank you for this blog it has pointed out things in my reading that I would have surely missed. Like today reading about Melchizedek. I know for a fact I would have missed that and the connection to the new testment. Now I’m very intrested in finding out more about Melchizedek.
Dale
======= Jenny:
the thing that stood out in Gen is that Lot pitched his tent near/toward soddom. its always dangerous wen we ‘warm our hands at the enemy’s fire’ so to speak. thats was Lot’s bad. I have a nephew who i love soooo much and if he were captured, I dont think i would even hestitate to run to rescue him. But can i say the same about my neighbor? Of course Abraham was willing to offer up Isaac, gotta give him mad props on that one. whoa! thats faith big time!
I have heard both theories on Melchizedek, that he either was Christ or a type of Christ. I believe he was of type of Christ. He is also referred to in Ps 110:4. My study Bible says he is a type of Christ, so i’m going with that…
I love Jesus’ teachings…He is our course being figurative when he says pluck out your eye, but He if emphasaing HOW IMPORTANT eternal life is. Anything that will keep you from Christ and eternal life should be done away with! I believe Christ is just showing the importance of living a holy life, foresaking the flesh, following Him, because there is NOTHING more important then our eternal destinations. I am probly the oldest living virgin in todays world, but i promised God i would save myself for marriage…but have i lusted in my heart? yes! therefore i am guilty in my heart. does the enemy tempt me? yes! i have to turn from my thoughts…focus on Christ! of course I am human, we are all tempted, but Christ can heal and overcome our sinful desires! sex is for marriage, no ifs, ands or buts! and lust shouldnt be in our hearts. Guard your eyes and ears as much as you can! I know in this world, sexuality is everywhere! but turn that channel if you watch tv, dont go to movies with sexual scenes and be careful what music you listen to! the music out now is getting more explicit then ever. I hear my coworkers singing it at work..i cant believe it! or if i’m exercising to the radio and have a secular station on, sometimes a raunchy song will come on and gotta stop and change the station. Anything that conjurs up images that are impure, lets turn from immendiatley! WE need the power of Christ! cant do this alone!
Love your enemy, pray for your enemy. This is tough…but I am proof that it can be done. there are so many ppl i once strongly disliked, even hated (which is murder in my heart), but every single person i have prayed for God to help me love, the most unloveable, God had proven faithful. some of those ppl have become great friends of mine. Hate/anger is sooo dangerous! WE are to live peaceably with all men as much as possible meaning, there will be ppl we just cant get along with, but as long as we do not hate them, wrong them, and do our best to be amicable…if the other party is unwilling, we have done our part. Its on them now. If theres anyone you hate, have anger toward, pray, pray pray for that person, that God will give you NEW eyes to look at that person on. They are most likely a lost, hurting soul in need of Christ! WE who have Christ…have the power, they may not. We must be the ones to make the first step. Matt 5:47 verse used to really get to me a while back: “And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?”
We are different…lets live different. God loves the ungodly…it doesnt mean we have to hang out and party with them and be like them, but let us pray for them and show them kindness…in this u are reflecting God’s love and thats a witness to ppl!
v. 37 “Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’…”. i like this. i think as Christians we should be people of our word! if we say yes to something, do it! lets not be flakes…who likes flakiness? Its a disappointment to others n as Christians, this should not be one of our personal charactistics, not having the rep of being a flake.
I have read this psalm many times in the past during hard times. i’m feeling it! God is gooooood! Love proverbs too!
regarding the parking thing, letting others go first, i was thinking of a funny story. Like 10 yrs ago I was waitressing at a restuarent and running late so i pulled up to a spot close to my work and a car totally cut me off and drove in and stole the spot. I was like, how rude!!!! So i had to park far away and i was walking in near them (they saw me and didnt say anything) but i saw one of the guys was on crutches so i didnt care, they deserved a closer spot. But I went in to work and went to wait on my first table of the day…it was them! haha! they saw me and their mouths dropped and were like, ‘oh no!!! we were just talking about that, what if that girl we cut off was our waitress?’
I rubbed my hands together and laughed and smiled mischieviously, wuhahahha!! and said. ‘oh sweet revenge!’ i was totally joking. they could tell. but they were kinda worried…they were all, ur not gonna spit in our food are you? haha. i was like, of course not, i saw he had crutches, no biggie. They were cool about it and i just laughed about it and told my coworkers, it was pretty funny. But, be careful who you cut off…not only is God watching…but that person may come across u when u least expect it…haha.
but, i totally agree, we who are young and able should let others park close. personally i love walking so i always park further anyway….let the ppl with kids and older ppl park closer.
Jenny
======= Judy:
I just want to praise God for this Bible blog. I am going through one of the most difficult times in my entire life. To look for hope I searched for a daily Bible reading and found this blog. Im been reading along with each of you and these Bible readings have been such a help. Ive been a christian for many years and a Sunday School teacher, so I have read scriptures for years, but this bible study has really been a blessing. I could count the times on one hand that I have ever asked people to pray for me, but if there is anyone out there who has ever gone through really difficult times and would pray for me, please do.
Judy
======= Mae:
Verses that stood out for me today:
Genesis 15:5 “Then the Lord took Abram outside and said to him, “Look up into the sky and count the stars if you can. That’s how many descendants you will have!”. ~ When I was a little girl I heard this phrase a lot when there was a clear night. “As much stars as Abrams descendants”. I always think about that when I look at the stars. I don’t even know who said it or where I had heard it. Maybe something I should ask my parents!
Matthew 5:46-47 “If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that”. ~ Like Jenny already pointed out, it’s pretty hard to love someone that doesn’t love you. I think it’s really Godly when you can love someone that is your ‘enemy’ so to speak. I’m still in the learning process. God helps me really well in this. I have someone close to me (cousins girlfriend) who gives me a hard time, she’s sooooooooooooooooooo mean to me, really kind and loving when others are around, but she talks behind my back, she lies to me, she uses me … she’s just so manipulative. But I’ve come to love her like a sister. She’s pregnant right now, from her 3rd child, and when she gives birth to that little one, I offered her to take care of the other 2 children. She took the offer, so that shows me that deep inside of her, she does like me. Why would you have someone that you hate, take care of your children? But yes … if she lies to me, make fun of me and talks about me behind my back … it’s really hard not to go back to where I started. She’s so close to me, because the cousin she’s with is more like a brother to me. I know God helps me with this, not only with her, but with others to.
Again today, beautiful Psalms. I always love to read them! I recognize myself a lot when I read Psalms! Proverbs were strong today as well! I was thinking about my path today. I was thinking today about how I was saved and at which point it was … and how I thought about my faith in God before I got saved. I walked the right path many times before I got saved, but I got distracted along the way and let Satan win and got off the path again. That happened a lot of times before I got saved. I made wrong decisions and I ALWAYS had someone else to blame, or worse: I blamed God! UGH I was awful back then! But now I see that I made the choices, not God! I know that I’m on the right path now! It’s not always easy, it’s hard from time to time to say no and turn things down. Non-believers will say “How can things for you be hard? God is there to make things easy for you, right?”. Sigh … they don’t understand!!! Some people think God is some wizard that can and will answer ALLLLLLLLLL of your prayers by doing some trick. “Why isn’t God solving all your financial problems now that you have been baptised?”. So far God has been answering all my prayers, but when it’s time. That’s why I know that I’m on the right path … He healed me, He’s gotten me everything I needed. As long as I do what I need to do, then I can rest and put it in His hands. That’s my freedom!
Mae
======= Bill:
GENESIS 13:5-15:21
Abram was very rich in material possessions ( 13:2 ) but he valued a tranquil relationship with his nephew more than his riches because Abram and Lot were family. That Abram sought to avoid strife between his herdmen and Lot’s herdment ( 13:7-8 ) by yielding says much about his godly character. So many families today fight over inheritances and money and will sometimes even sue each other in court over it. This shouldn’t be. To Abram possessions just wasn’t worth having a family feud over.
The Dead Sea area in Abram’s day was much different than it is today. Today it is a dry, barren desert but it was well-watered ( 13:10 ) and probably a tropical paradise then. From a worldly perspective it is easy to see why Lot chose that land. Most people would. However, as Lot soon found out the grass is not always greener on the other side. Lot also discovered that attaining great wealth does not always necessarily insulate you from your wicked neighbors ( 13:13 ). Abram made the right choice in yielding to Lot and letting him have that land.
Abram armed himself and his servants ( 14:14 ) in order to go and save his nephew Lot from his kidnappers. As a life application today I must conclude from this passage and others in The Bible that it is not wrong for Christians to own firearms and defend their families. I am opposed to gun control and I don’t think Abraham would have been for it either.
There are definitely striking parallels here with Melchizedek ( 14:18-20 ) and Jesus Christ:
Melchizedek was king of Salem / Jesus will reign over the nations in Jerusalem
Melchizedek brought forth bread and wine / Jesus broke bread with his disciples and drank wine with them at the Last Supper
Melchizedek was a priest of the Most High God / Jesus is our High Priest that makes intercession for us in Heaven
Melchizedek received tithes from Abram / God receives tithes from His people
Was Melchizedek really Christ pre-incarnate or was he just a type of Jesus Christ? I’m not sure. I once believed the pre-incarnate view of Melchizedek because it says of him in Hebrews 7:3 that he was ” 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.” It sounds like Jesus to me. However, I am now more inclined to see Melchizedek as a figure of the messiah which was to come. No matter who Melchizedek was the story still points to the coming of Jesus Christ who was without a doubt God incarnate.
The prophecy that God gave to Abram in Genesis 15:13-16 concerning the 400 year bondage of the Hebrews in Egypt and their return to the land of promise is amazing. The same cannot be said for the descendants of Ishamel ( the Arab nations ) because they never fulfilled this prophecy. On the other hand the recorded history of the Jews taken from non-biblcial sources verifies it did happen to them. This is clearly historical evidence which identifies the Jews as God’s chosen people and confirms their divine right to possess the land in our time when there is much controversy among the nations over Jerusalem and the land of Israel.
MATTHEW 5:27-48
Yes, I must confess that I have had my share of battles with lust ( 5:28 ) and sexual temptation. I have always liked women and won’t deny that. I have been guilty of coveting other men’s wives. I have committed adultery in my heart countless times. I have confessed those sins to the Lord and by His grace and strength nothing has gone any further than that but I have sinned nonetheless. Even so, the fear of the Lord has restrained me.
Divorce ( 5:31-32 ) is never an option as far I am concerned. They are much too easy to obtain these days and more than half of all marriages end up torn asunder.
” …Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously”
– Malachi 2:15-16 (KJV)
Increasingly the judicial system and the courts in our land seem to be becoming more corrupt, unjust and anti-God. So Matthew 5:40 may soon become more relevant and applicable to us than we might care to think. Though men may sue us because of our beliefs we can take comfort that there is a Just Judge and a higher court in Heaven. Some day all cases will be retried there and a just sentence will be handed down.
As someone else mentioned in one of the other blogs, many common sayings orignated in the Bible, for example this one in Matthew 5:41. I’m sure we have all heard someone use the phrase ” going the extra mile.” Doing more than is required to help someone else or to do someone a favor is a good testimony to unbelievers and it pleases God.
In Matthew 5:48 we see God’s standard of righteousness which is perfect to which no man can attain apart from Christ. No one is perfect in God’s sight unless they are in Jesus Christ and He in them. In Him God sees us as already perfect ( Hebrews 10:14 ) and by Him we are being perfected ( 1 John 2:5 & 4:12 ) through the work of sanctification by the Spirit of God.
PSALM 6:1-10
It is a plea for mercy from of a man who is being chastened by the Lord for his sins and prayer for deliverance from his enemies. Evidently one way the Lord chastens us is to allow our enemies to rise up against us. David though he had sinned was one of God’s children. God, our heavenly Father will chasten us as an earthly father would his son to correct us when we do wrong ( Hebrews 12:9-11 ).
PROVERBS 1:29-33
This passage is speaking of those who reject the Word of God. God will often let them go their own way and learn the hard lessons of disobedience. In the end they will reap what they have sown. It is notable that God says here that ease and prosperity will destroy them. Many people are so consumed with pursuing the pleasures this world has to offer that they make no time for God. They are self-sufficient in their attitude toward God and see no need for God in their lives.
Bill
======= Anka:
Struggling with sin…recently I met a guy who loved God,got saved,got married but struggled with sinful thoughts.He prayed,tried to change(by his own power)ended up getting divorced and going back into the world.I introduced him to my pastor and it’s a blessing to see him embrace God once more…I thank God for making me part of this reconciliation process..This was a guy who once was on fire for God,he’s so broken and filled with self condemnation that it breaks my heart to see it…yet it reminds me so vividly of how I came to Christ and how through people He showed me His love….We need to go after the Lot’s in our lives…It’s truly a humbling experience….
God bless you all
Anka
======= Ramona (2nd comment today):
Matthew 5:27-48
I believe this section of Jesus’ sermon/teaching, including the last part of yesterday’s scripture reading in Matthew is NOT dealing with behavior, which is the final manifestation of a sinful or wrong thought life. No one runs out and commits adultery or fornication out of the clear blue sky. We just don’t roll out of bed one morning and commit murder, or become the town gossip without first having a very active thought life that leads to these events. Jesus said,
The upright (honorable, intrinsically good) man out of the good treasure [stored] in his heart produces what is upright (honorable and intrinsically good), and the evil man out of the evil storehouse brings forth that which is depraved (wicked and intrinsically evil); for out of the abundance (overflow) of the heart his mouth speaks. (Luke 6:45 AMP). And please note we do not just speak with our mouths; we speak in our body language and our mental intentions and behavior.
We are warned in Proverbs,
Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life. (Proverbs 4:23 HCSB).
We act wrongly because we believe wrongly; and we believe wrongly because he think wrong. We need to renew (renovate) our minds, Romans 12:2
The Apostle Paul speaks about this very thing in his letter to The Philippians:
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Philippians 4:8 KJR)
We will always struggle with a “rotten” thought life, stink’n think’n,” until we offer up our bodies, our minds and our will to God on His alter not ours.
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him. (Romans 12:1 NLT)
Grace and peace,
Ramona
======= Laverne:
Genesis 13;9 – I never ever looked at that piece of scripture in a way of faith. However going forward I most certainly will. I like that thanks!
Genesis 14 -Hee-hee you can’t leave your nephew?? Oh nooo!! (smile)
I absolutely love how you bring the word home for us and make it plain so that after reading it I can really put it to work in my life…I have a friend who is lost in an abusive relationship. I chase after her and pray for her daily.
I think the author of Hebrew 7 sees in Melchizedek a type or figure of Christ and then goes on to explain what he sees in the two.
I might say this more than 100 times while reading with all of you. Wow I have never seen that before or heard my pastor preach this chapter, nor has it ever been discussed in bible study. I might teach on it now.
Laverne
======= Henry:
Abram and Lot parting – I like the way Abram let Lot have the best “lot”, the best land or the first choice. I often see people grabbing stuff to the get the best bargin or the best piece or the biggest slice – greed. People seem to be unhappy with what they have, even in marriage. “The woman down the road looks better than my wife” some men might say or “The man next door is a hunk” some women might say. TV does not help the married life – living together, try before you buy [marry]. We live in a throw away society; use it, try it, throw it away and get another. Marriage today seems like this – I am speaking personally here as my wife decided enough is enough and left and took the kids too. Don’t get me wrong here, I still love her and it is my fault as much as hers. No adultery was involved, I just wasn’t making her happy. So Matthew 5:27-28 really hit me hard today – “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
God knows what he is doing and I have faith in Him just like Abram, maybe not as strong, but I’m working on it.
Henry
======= Gary:
I have found that the best way to develop a pure thought life (avoid lust, hatred, …) is to fill my life with good thoughts. I don’t think we can rid our minds of ‘bad’ thoughts without filling that space with good ones. You may have heard it said that we become what we think about. I have found this to be true in my life. If we want to become more like Christ, then we need to fill our minds with God’s word, and develop an on going life of prayer with God (“Practicing the Presence of God” by Brother Lawrence has been helpful to me in developing a moment by moment relationship with God).
If you struggle with lust, then you should definitely avoid books, magazines, web sites, etc. that prompt you to sin. But you can do much better if you also fill your heart and mind with viewing good books, web sites, prayer, fellowship, service, etc. Remember, ‘Train yourself to be godly’. My road in this area has not been straight, but I have seen God work more powerfully in my life the more I dwell on (fill my life with) the goodness of God.
Gary
======= Elizabeth:
Hello,
I guess I feel the need to speak into the lust issue from a woman’s perspective. I’ve definitely heard story after story of men enslaved to porn particularly. Men seem to be more visually vulnerable than women for some reason (though I’m generalizing here). I find it interesting that many studies find a link between porn and violent crime (i.e., serial killers often are heavy into porn). Of course, I’m not suggesting every man who is enslaved to porn is given over to intensely evil behavior, but I do believe porn is a subtle gateway into deeper darkness. The internet makes it all so impersonal and easy to slip into….
Beyond this, I find it sad that so many fathers do not make a strong effort to educate their sons about the dangers of pornography, or make stronger efforts to model proper respect/care for women. It’s definitely an area of weakness for many men (and many didn’t have a proper view of women modeled to them…so that makes it harder when you haven’t seen it walked out).
Our culture is so lost with regard to sexuality. I won’t go into all the blatantly sexual junk
I have to weed through all the time with my kids, but it is MAJOR work…exhausting….I feel like I am continually having to educate them and teach them perspective about what’s out there.
Lest you think I am being overly hard on men….women, I think, are as vulnerable to lust, but we generally lust in different ways. I think we are more apt to buy into the lie that a man, a different man, would be more sensitive, more in tune, more relational than their spouse.
I think women are vulnerable to expect too much from their husbands emotionally to the point where they expect things from their husbands that they really need to go to the Lord for. He’s the only perfect one who can fill us full! Otherwise, we are apt to make idols out of mere men.
As an aside, Henry, I really appreciate your transparency about your wife and the dissolution of your marriage. I image it is an incredibly deep hurt and admire you laying it before Him and us so candidly. I will pray for healing for you in that regard.
Have a great day everyone,
Elizabeth
======= Larry:
I would like to say that Jesus has set me free from a world of porno, drugs, alcohol, and now at our church we are introducing a Celebrate Recovery group for all hurts, habit, and hangups, Please continue to pray for us that we will be able to help people make the choices, even as Abram made. Also I would feel free to share with anyone that cares to listen, about more detailed in recovery about porno. I would welcome also any Christian to email me so we might talk on the interrnet. I am so blessed to be married to my wife, and as proverbs say that I am only satisfied with her. So if anyone wants to email, we can chat about Jesus and his goodness.
Larry
========= Joanna:
I am just amazed by David’s prayers to God and how much of a personal relationship he had with Him in order to be able to say what he did. This walk through Psalms via The Message bible is making me see them in a whole new light.
I am particularly struck by Matthew 5:48. Again, instead of ‘be perfect’, I’m getting a description of what that entails – “Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.” What a challenge!
Joanna
======= Beth:
Dear married friends of our have recently had their marriage cleansed by the husbands confession of his addiction to pornography. Under the crushing weight of betrayal his wife and he have found absolute freedom. Books that they have recommended are, “Sex isn’t the problem, lust is” by … ??? the man who wrote “I kissed dating goodbye”…
Also by Chanti Feldman are the books, “For Men Only” and “For Women Only”. I don’t know if these two are specifically regarding lust issues but they help tremendously to explain the male/ female gap that seems to cause constant confusion.
And of course, the “Every Man’s Battle” series’ which apparently have numerous titles now including books that prepare boys as they approach the lusting age.
If my friends could comment here, they would say that the pain and sorrow that his confession caused in their lives was well worth the freedom they are living in now.
Beth
======= Barb:
I beleive it is true that what we “think” can often become what we “do”. Part of my prayer meditation is to ask God to help me be the best I can be in thought, word and deed. If my thoughts are pure, the words I speak will be pure and my words will lead me to good deeds toward others. I also recite this prayer meditation in times of frustration or angry and it helps me to guide my heart to good thoughts and not bad thoughts.
Barb
======= Marcy:
“Every Man’s Battle” by Fred Stoeker and Steve Arterburn is an amazing resource for men, as well as “Every Heart Restored” by the same authors for the women who have been affected by their husband’s addiction to pornography. I speak from experience, as a little over a year ago my husband confessed to me that he had been addicted to pornography since adolescence. We had been married 12 years at the time and went through an immense, dark struggle spiritually and emotionally, each of us for different reasons. I am happy to say that by the grace of God we celebrated our 13th anniversary and are looking forward to many more.
Marcy
======= Dee:
Hi Mike, I have a good one for teens about how to avoid the lustful traps of the enemy but I will have to get back to you on that one, can’t remember the title of it. And I am not on my computer from home to look up the title.. anyway.. what I got out of todays readings is the realization of how much we need a Saviour! A few years back I had a spout with my sister over inheritance from my mom/dads estate. My parents had it all put in my name and sad to say left my two sisters out. They had ventured out and rather ignored or avoided my mom in the latter years and I took care of her, my dad had passed much earlier than that..long story short I didn’t handle everything too swell, it has just been this past few months that me and my sisters are actually talking cozure to one another. I read in the story of Abram and Lot and have read it many times and in my Life application NLT bible, it describes in the footnotes about how to keep a resolve and avoid family conflicts. (1) Take initiative, that is is what Abram did, he took the initiative to let his nephew choose first even though custom was for elder to have first pick. (2) Let others choose 1st choice..like I said he let Lot choose first even though it might not be what he wanted or he may get the short end of the stick so to speak. (3) choose family peace over personal desires. This is where I really messed up..I chose to satisfy myself and my moms wishes over my family (sisters and extended) family having peace and I know now I was wrong and not proud of it, however I know that God has given me these Words for wisdom and guidance to learn from my mistakes and choose to go a better path and better way than I have been going in the past and for that I am blessed. God is a restorer and will give recompence back and reconciliation for past faults on our part if we believe and ask for it and believe we receive. We must realize we were wrong and ask for forgiveness always, and He will and is a rewarder of those who believe and have faith.
Dee
======= Diane:
I am a single woman finding it hard to make friends with a man or work up into dating without them being extremely inappropriate or crude with their words. Funny thing is, these are Christian men too. I feel doomed as a single divorced mom. The really good faithful men I would love to have a relationship with don’t want to get involved with “used goods” and therefore I tend to attract men who are weaker in their faith or newer to it. I wish God would bring me a strong leader who can respect women but is also willing to put aside appearances, since I’ve been told I’m clear of any wrongdoing with regard to the divorce. As far as dating vs. courtship I have to say when you get older, courtship really gets less practical. I think dating can be done if you know what to avoid. I read “Boundaries in Dating” by a Christian psychologist and I think that gave me a lot of insight. It’s been two years since my husband has left me and I haven’t been in a relationship since, so I’m confident with what my kids and I need and knowing when I’ll recognize God has brought that into our lives. I wish men weren’t so focused on sex though! Sheesh.
Diane
======= David:
A good website to go to is feedtherightwolf if you are addicted to porn. It is not specifically Christian but it does offer solutions to the serious porn addict and is definitely not a site for children. Another good site is Porn-free.org. This is a Christian web site but you have to be careful in how you google it because it can also be read as free porn.
I was a porn addict for a while but how I got rid of the habit is by visualizing who I want to be in Christ. The pleasures of ogling a beautiful woman cannot be compared to the joy of being all you can be in Christ. It takes a bit of faith at first but nothing can compare to the Joy of being with Jesus.
David
======= Art:
Because of family problems and complications, I lost track of my nephew for several years. Suddenly, I got word that he was in prison in Arizona for serious and multiple drug violations. I sat here in Pennsylvania praying for the lad but made no attempt to contact him or rush to him in any way. A few years later I learned from a relative that the nephew found God through his prison ministry. He persued his education in the faith and now is an ordained pastor of a local church. My prayers and those of many others may have certainly helped, but I am ashamed when reading how Abram took immediate action to rescue his lost family member.
Art
======= Crystal:
I overcame the sin of lust in my own life the exact same way I believe everyone who ever overcomes a sin does so. I made up my mind! Sin never begins as an action. It always begins as a thought – one we are commanded to “take captive” and to cast down. It wasn’t easy, but it was possible once I made up my mind. Of course there are other sins in my life that I’ve had to contend with and will be for as long as I live, but I’ve learned to first make up my mind because none of those sins are conquered by sheer will power. Thank you, Jesus, for forgiveness and instructions on how to become victorious through You!
Crystal
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