Gen 18:18 Let us not forget the Big Picture

Gen 18:18 Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him.

Repetition in the Bible is common and is usually an indication of importance. Here we have God speaking again about Abraham and His purpose of blessing ALL nations through him. Abraham won’t have forgotten God’s promise but God’s chosen people in the Old Testament often did. Instead of being a blessing, witnessing to God’s goodness and living exemplary lives they often followed the evil examples of the people who lived around them. Are we any better today? We are called to be a blessing but so often are depicted as judgmental, intolerant, old fashioned, or more alarmingly irrelevant because we are little different from those around us. Not only should we care for those around us who don’t know God’s blessing and other nations, and people groups. But we should seek to reach the ends of the earth with blessing and work with God more intentionally in accomplishing His clearly stated purposes. In discipling others are we helping them to have a truly missionary vision? Are we going, sending or being disobedient to God’s call to make disciples of ALL nations?

Lord help us to get the big picture of your purposes and help others do the same.     

Gen 18:17 Asking God Questions

Gen 18:17 “Should I hide my plan from Abraham?” the Lord asked.

In this fascinating revelation of God’s thinking we have God asking himself a question. The clear answer is no. God decides because of his relationship with Abraham and His importance in His purposes to bless all the nations of earth, to reveal His will concerning judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham is personally concerned because his nephew Lot and family live in Sodom. Abraham doesn’t question God’s right to judge the sinful towns but only appeals on behalf of any righteous people who might live there. Abraham’s intercession is based on God’s righteous character, “Surely the judge of all the earth will do what is right.” Abraham doesn’t presume to know God’s will but asks God questions in order to arrive at a better understanding and also plead the case for those who are good. Rather than presuming to know God’s will and pray accordingly perhaps we should be more willing to ask questions believing God will reveal His will to us as we intercede based on God’s character as revealed in His word.

Father how can we pray according to your will more often? Teach us to pray.  

Gen 12:3 In You all the families of earth shall be Blessed

Gen 12:3 “… in YOU all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

The worldwide purposes of God to touch every family through Abraham are not yet fully achieved. Abraham’s greatest descendant Jesus has been a tremendous blessing which has reached every nation on earth. However millions of families do not understood or have even heard of what Jesus has done for them. Many live in darkness, many struggle simply to survive. Those of us who live in the light and don’t have to spend all our energy getting food for the next meal or medicine for our sick children have an obligation to pass on the blessings we have received especially to those who can easily be ignored or forgotten about. We cannot change the situation across the world on our own but we can pray that God’s purposes revealed to Abraham would continue to be accomplished. We can support those who are making an impact for God as well as playing our part in passing on the blessing by spending quality time and energy on those close to us that we might together transform societies and bring His kingdom in.

Lord, give us a bigger vision that we might be concerned for your purposes throughout the world.   

Gen 12:2 Called to be a Channel of Blessing

Gen 12:2-3 “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you…

Lots of blessings in two verses, the first to make Abraham into a great nation must have seemed to Abraham to be farfetched to say the least! Abraham and his wife were too old for children. They had none so how could he be made into a big family let alone a whole nation. But the Lord then insists I will bless you. God’s nature and heart is to bless us, to give us favour. Abraham you will become famous! Muslims, Jews and Christians all over the world recognize Abraham as their spiritual father, he is incredibly famous throughout the world. Abraham received great blessings from God but is told that he needs to be a channel of blessing; “you will be a blessing”. We are all called to be a blessing, allowing God to work through us. Are we known by unbelievers as a blessing? Are we blessing people with our prayers, with our words and with our attentive listening? On the 17^th of March 2012 I will be preaching, not a regular sermon but preaching continuously for six hours God willing. I pray this would be a blessing to those who hear it. I will be preaching on the subject of mission. If you want to know more check out www.sim.co.uk/giles .

Lord, whatever you give me today may I be a channel of blessing.

Gen 12:1 Obedience before Blessing!

Gen 12:1 The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.”

After a catalogue of widespread sin throughout the known world described from Genesis chapter 3-11, the Lord speaks. Abraham is asked to leave relatives he has no doubt spent his whole life with. No one leaves their people and country to live elsewhere without strong motives. It is difficult to move house within the same neighbourhood but to leave the security of what you know to go somewhere you have little or no idea about is a big ask. God does big asks of us but he also does big blessings. The cost of obedience sometimes comes before we receive a blessing, are we willing to pay the price in faith? Making tough choices of obedience repeatedly is exercising our spiritual muscles and will bring us new strength.

Father help us to be obedient today.

Mt 5:10 Blessing in Suffering for doing Good

Matt 5:10-11 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right

Being mocked, ignored, victimized or worse for following Jesus is something we should expect (1 Tim 3:12). If we live Godly lives it will expose the sins of ungodly people and they will often react strongly against us. Blessing has to do with God’s favour, his sign of approval. It is often linked in the Old Testament with material benefits, the blessing of children and health and old age. However the most important blessing seen throughout the Bible is our close relationship with God. Knowing that He is pleased with us is surely more valuable than any human affirmation. Indeed, more valuable than all material benefits. Suffering in and of itself does not bring blessing but suffering for doing and being good brings great reward often in terms of character development –being more like Jesus; but also fruitfulness in terms of being an effective witness.

Father help us not to shy away from being faithful because of fear of how people will react. And strengthen the resolve of those suffering persecution for their faith today, may they know your blessing.  

Mt 5:9 Blessed are those who Create Conflict?

Matt 5:9 God blesses the peace makers…

Jesus came to earth to make peace between humanity and God. He wants us to continue the peace making by bringing people to Him for forgiveness and reconciliation. Jesus peace-making work on the cross also extends to relationships between people. Genuine love between His people is not only a powerful witness but a sign of God’s presence and rule over our lives. Why then is there so much strife, conflict and even hatred within the church? For some an over emphasis on right belief has led to intolerance. For others an emphasis on our rights has led to an insistence on our will being done. Whether it is a question of power and influence or pride and selfishness the obstacles to unity are huge. Only God can help us be genuine peace makers and this starts with those we find most difficult to love.

Father may you help us let go of anything which hinders close fellowship with believers and may we, as far as it depends on us live at peace with unbelievers.