Scripture Read: Genesis 22
Title: God Provides H.E.A.R. Entry (H) Highlight verse:: "So Abraham called the name of the place 'The LORD will provide'." Genesis 21:1 (E) Explain: Abraham has had some challenges of faith in his life, and in chapter 22 he faces the greatest challenge of all. In the previous chapter God's promise of giving Abraham and Sarah is fulfilled. Abraham became a father to Isaac at the ripe ole age of 100 and Sarah became a first time mother at 90. (She would definitely stand out at a MOPS..Mother of Preschoolers meeting). We know that she is ecstatic to finally be a mother and to receive this great promise of God. Fast forward a few years... God speaks to Abraham and tells him to sacrifice his son Isaac as an act of obedience. Abraham, I imagine, is shocked and a bit confused, but we read that he obeys. Abraham makes preparations for the journey of sacrifice and brings Isaac along as commanded. At one point Isaac notices that there is no animal to sacrifice, so he asks his father about this. I love Abraham's answer... "God will provide for Himself the lamb." This response is a deep and thought-provoking response. However, in this we see the faith of Abraham, and we get a glimpse of God's ultimate plan of redemption through Jesus Christ, God's own beloved son. Abraham binds his son, and I think it is safe to say that this binding was not a struggle. You take a teenage or adolescent boy and pair him up against a man who is over 100 years old... I think it's safe to say that the boy could manage an escape. So, we can deduct that Isaac willingly let his father bind him so that he could be the sacrifice that God requested from Abraham. Fortunately, it doesn't get that far. An angel tells Abraham to stop, and eventually Abraham finds a ram in the thickets and sacrifices the animal instead. I am sure that Abraham sighed a huge relief and as a reminder to God's provision he named the place"The LORD will provide. God then re-iterates, his covenant and Isaac and his father go together to Beersheba to live.. (A) Application: I have always and still do have problems with this request from God to sacrifice Issac. I know what the point and overall lesson of this story is. I get that. .But I still wrestle with the "why?" Why did God command this outrageous deed of Abraham? I have read theories and I have theories of my own, but I I don't have an answer and I think that is ok. I know and believe God is good. I do not believe God ever intended for Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. I believe God had the lamb or ram already picked out out before this event ever happened. I am all about God's sovereignty and omniscience. I just think this was a big ask from God, just to make sure Abraham would be obedient. The only logical conclusion I come to and it is certainly an acceptable one is that this is a preview of what is to come. One day God's son, Jesus will come to the earth and be the sacrifice. Only in this case God will not provide an animal to be sacrifice in his place. He IS the lamb that will be (and was) sacrificed. God, the loving Father allowed His son to be sacrificed as the perfect lamb so that the sins of the world could be forgiven, that life would be available to all who believe, and redemption could be made. (R) Respond: God is THE provider. He does provide for the needs of His people. I have struggles in my faith at times. I doubt God is going to pull through for me. But He has provided Jesus to ensure that I will have all that I need to thrive in life today and have eternal glory once I pass from this world. Thank you Jesus!
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Scripture Read: Genesis 20-21
Title: God's Promises Fulfilled H.E.A.R. Entry (H) Highlight verse:: "The LORD visited Sarah just as He said HE would and did for Sarah what He had promised?" Genesis 21:1 (E) Explain: There are two trust stories found in these two chapters. One deals with believing that God will fulfill His promise to protect and one deals with believing God will deliver on His promise of giving Sarah a child. In chapter 21 we read the story of Abraham, Sarah and King Abimelek. Abraham was worried that his life would be endangered if he went to the Gerar and the King found out Sarah was his wife. He must have thought that since Sarah was so beautiful that the king would want her for himself and have Abraham killed. Sounds again like the beginning of a good soap opera. Abraham and Sarah lie to the king because they fear for their safety and ultimately have an issue with trusting God's protection, If you recall the covenant God made with Abraham was a promise to be with him wherever he went. All in all the outcome is favorable for Abraham and Sarah, but we do see that even the patriarch of the Jewish faith and Christianity had difficulty at times completely trusting God. In Chapter 22 we read about the fulfillment of God's promise of a son to Sarah. A couple chapters previous we are told how Sarah laughed in disbelief when she heard she would have a child in her old age. Now, we see God's promise come to fruition and Sarah's response is not a laugh of disbelief or a cry of despair, no, she laughs with joy because God proved to her that He is trustworthy to deliver on His promises. (A) Application: I never tire of saying this, "God always keeps His promises." For me the problem is never that God doesn't deliver on His promises, the problem is I have difficulty sometimes, believing God will fulfill what He has promised. I know that I get anxious when things aren't going my way, or I believe God is up to something good in my life and He isn't working fast enough or on my schedule and this quickly turns to unbelief. I start thinking, well maybe God isn't going to do what He said? I think that I am actually that special! Of all the people throughout history Jeff Holton is the only person that God decides not to follow through with His promises. I can be pretty pathetic sometimes, My wife has a quote on our kitchen wall that says, "We know who wins in the end... But the middle is hard." Such is life. Believing the promise of God is easy. Receiving the promise of God is easier. But the middle, the waiting, the fully trusting God, well that's hard. (R) Respond: When life is tough and not going the way I expect it, I will hold on to God's promises. I will cling to Jesus. When life is going great and everything seems to be going the way I hope and pray, I will hold on to God's promises and cling to Jesus. But for today, Lord I pray you help me to fully trust you in everything. Scripture Read: Genesis 18 - 19
Title: God's Mercy In the Midst of Debauchery and Destruction H.E.A.R. Entry (H) Highlight verse:: "Is anything too hard for the LORD?" Genesis 18:14 (E) Explain: Time and again God makes outrageous claims and promises. Time and again He follows through. These two chapters, I have felt, are unusual and complex. There is a lot going on and it is really easy to lose sight of what the passages are trying to say. The accounts deal with the words and deeds of these three visitors who come to see Abraham. The text doesn't give them names but it is assumed that two of these visitors are Angels and one is the LORD himself.(This is called a Theophany.). These two passage deal with the two things... unbelief and judgment of sin. In the area of unbelief we see this happening with Sarah as she hears about the promise of having a child in her old age. The text tells us that upon hearing this news she laughed in disbelief because she was so old. When confronted about it she denied it, but the visitors assured her it was going to happen. In the area of judgment we read the familiar story of Sodom and Gomorrah. There are countless commentaries, thoughts, and opinions as to what is going on in this passage. Personally, I believe many lose the forest for the trees in this passage. People try and pinpoint a specific sin that Sodom and Gomorrah is being punished for but really all we know is that it was a wicked and evil city and God is going to judge and destroy it. I don't think it was just because of sexual sin (it certainly was one of the reasons) but I think the city had become so base and full of debauchery that God had to deal with ALL the evil that was going on, and He did. However, amidst all of this evil is a man and his family... Lot. Lot is the nephew of Abraham. In chapter 18 we read about Abraham's intercession. He knew his nephew was living in this evil city and he did not want to see the city destroyed. He prays to the LORD and the LORD agrees to the terms of Abraham, yet God cannot find even 10 godly people in this city. BUT, God does save Lot and extends his mercy to his family. Unfortunately his future sons-in-law don't believe him and his wife is perishes because she longed to go back. Yes, I see God's judgment in all of this, but I also see His mercy. God would not let one righteous person perish in the destruction. Lot was spared, because of God's mercy. Unfortunately, many perished but I think this should show that God doesn't take the rebellion of sin lightly. (A) Application: God does discipline and punish for sinful activities in our life. Sin is a cancer that separates us from God. It infects us so that we cannot have proper fellowship with Him. When we allow sin to reign in our lives, God will deal with us... Fortunately, because of Jesus and God's mercy He will not destroy those of us who are called His sons and daughters, but He will discipline us and that is rarely if ever fun. As a Christian I must seek to live my life to please God. I must, through the power of the Holy Spirit, commit to living in obedience and turning from sin in my life. I cannot live in sinless perfection, that is impossible, but I can commit my life to obeying God and His commands and praying that I may live a life that is pleasing to Him. I never like it when I am disciplined by God, but I do know that He does discipline me, because He loves me. I am also reminded in the passage about the power of intercession. I need to pray for my friends who do not know or follow Jesus. Abraham prayed or interceded for His nephew to be saved from destruction and I believe I am called to do the same (pray for/intercede) for my friends and peers who are content to live amidst sin or who are willingly let sin rule their lives. (R) Respond: Lord, help me when I laugh in disobedience to your promises, remind me daily that nothing is too hard for you. You can do anything, and you empower me to live a life where I can firmly believe this. Remind me daily, to pray for my friends who do not know you as their Lord and savior. Help me to pray for my brothers and sisters in Christ who are allowing sin to rule in their lives. I pray that you would lovingly draw them back to your presence. I pray for myself that I would not let the lures and temptations of sin to influence my life. May I live a Spirit-filled life that is pleasing to you. Search me Lord and help me to see the sins in my life before I feel the need to expose the sins of others. Scripture Read: Genesis 16 - 17
Title: The Problem of Taking Matters Into Your Own Hands H.E.A.R. Entry (H) Highlight verse:: "And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness.." (Genesis 15:6) (E) Explain: The main point to Abrams story is God's promise to him. We are told in the passage that Abram believed God... Belief wasn't usually the problem for Abram, it was usually the, how will it get done that posed the problem. He had great difficulty in letting God take control of fulfilling His promise. As both Sarai and Abram were getting old, they realized one of the key promises of God was that He would give them a child to receive the inheritance. So, they devised a plan to "help God" along in this process. Sarai gave her Egyptian servant Abram and she became pregnant. We are told that Hagar then despised Sarai. This can mean that she thought that Sarai had lost her rank as the blessed one in the relationship and that Sarai was now going to be demoted... Sarai's response was to send Hagar away from the home. God was with Hagar and her son Ishmael and He blessed them. God, once again reminds Abram about his promises and changes his name to Abraham and his wife's name to Sarah. God instituted the practice of circumcision as a way to confirm His covenant. (A) Application: The account of Abram, Sarai and Hagar is very much akin to a modern day soap opera. My take away from this passage is God's plans are perfect. He is able to bring to fruition his plans... Man's plans are messed up and often self-serving. There are times in my life where I believe God has promised something, but I get anxious as to how He is going to accomplish what He has promised and I meddle with God's plan. I need to trust that God knows what He is doing and He is more than capable of accomplishing and completing his promises. (R) Respond: God, help me to stop meddling with your plans and to simply trust you and submit my anxiety and worries over to you. Scripture Read: Genesis 15
Title: The Abrahamic Covenant H.E.A.R. Entry (H) Highlight verse:: "And he believed the LORD and He counted it to him as righteousness. ." (Genesis 15:8)) (E) Explain: Earlier in Genesis (chapter 12) God made a promise to Abram. We are reminded time and again that God always keeps His promises. It is at this junction of life Abram begins to question God's promise. Abram and Sarai are childless and one of God's promises was that He would give them offspring to inherit the land He was given him. Since they remained childless Abram thinks that God is going to bless them by using the heir to his household as the means of blessing Abram. God assures him this is not the case. Abram thinks he figured God's plan out, but he had no idea what God was actually going to do (we will see this all come to fruition a few chapters later). Abram's plan is a man devised plan, but certainly not a God ordained plan. God reminds Abram of His promise by making a covenant with Abram. It is in these verses (9 - 21) we see the process God uses to confirm the covenant. God didn't make a mistake in his promise to Abram, Abram just didn't know how God would accomplish it. However, we are told Abram BELIEVED God and He counted this as righteousness. (A) Application: Our plans are not always God's plans.. Sometimes situations in our lives arise and things seem bleak. I think God has spoken to me and intellectually I believe that He has the ability to do what He has promised, but sometimes I find it hard to believe fully in my heart that He will. When I feel this way is when I find that I start devising a plan to "help God out" in fulfilling His promise, but He doesn't need my help. He has it all under control. It is important for me to respond as Abram did in verse 6... God just wants me to believe (have faith, trust) Him and this is all He requires of me. It really is a simple process, but can be so hard sometimes. Thankfully we have the reminder of God's promises fulfilled through Jesus. Through Him we have received the promise of life. Because of Jesus, we can know and FULLY believe that God care about His people and He wants us to trust Him fully, because He is trustworthy. Whenever we feel that God has forgotten about us or isn't going to do what He said, let us simply remember Jesus,. (R) Respond: God, I will trust you, even when I don't act like I trust you, because you are trustworthy. Scripture Read: Genesis 11 -12
Title: God's Promise to Abraham H.E.A.R. Entry (H) Highlight verse:: "I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you... Abram went forth as the LORD had commanded him, and Lot with with him." (Genesis 12:2, 4)) (E) Explain: In Genesis 11, we are introduced to Abram (later called Abraham) who is a considered the patriarchal father of the nation of Israel. Abram was a man who lived in an area called Ur of the Chaldeans with his father, brother, sister-in-law, nephew Lot, and his wife Sarai. One day the LORD spoke to Abram and told him to "Go away from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I show you. And I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing." In this passage we see many things happening.
(A) Application: When God calls me to go and do, I better be ready to respond in obedience. I know that in comparison to this world and even the universe that I am insignificant and small. However, this does not mean that I am insignificant and small in God's eyes. He does have a plan and purpose for me and I need to be faithful to seek it out and be obedient to follow it. (R) Respond: God, when you speak, may I listen? May I not only listen, but may I respond in obedience and faith. Where you go, I will follow, when and where you call me, I will go. Scripture Read: Job 40 - 42
Title: Job Responds and Repents H.E.A.R. Entry (H) Highlight verse:: "I know you can do all things .and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted... ...therefore I despise myself, and repent in the dust and ashes Job 42:1. 6) (E) Explain: These are key chapters in the book of Job, because it is in these chapters that Job responds to God in the only way He can... in humility and repentance. He acknowledges that his bellyaching is unwarranted and unjustified. He informs God that he was taken his rebuke to heart and admits that he was wrong, and now he is just going to shut up. However, God wasn't finished with his rebuke. He picks up where He left off and continues to give Job perspective to His sovereignty and power. God uses some very strong images of Behemoth and Leviathan to how small Job is. Job owns up to his wrong-doing and repents of his disobedience. God shows mercy to Job. He lovingly restores Jobs fortune, family and faith. He also declares that he will deal harshly with Jobs friends, but because of Jobs intercession God spares them. The conclusion of Job shines brightly God's grace, love, and loving-kindness. (A) Application: A phrase that comes to mind when I read these concluding chapters is, "God, you be God and I will be quiet." I believe wholeheartedly that God is trustworthy. I believe He is sovereign. I believe God knows what He is doing. But, sometimes (R) Respond: Lord, I know I moan and groan, complain and whine, blame and accuse you so often that I need to be reminded that I am not in charge. I know know it all. In fact I know very little when it comes to your plans and purposes for my life and future. May I be humbled and encouraged as you lovingly remind me that You got this... there is no need to worry. Scripture Read: Job 38-39
Title: The Lord Speaks to Job H.E.A.R. Entry (H) Highlight verse:: "Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind..." Job 38:1 (E) Explain: During Job's time of suffering and trials, he has the company of his "friends" to come and spend time with him and offer their unsolicited advice. These men came to comfort Job, but ultimately they did what people (still) do best... Point fingers, condemn and give advice, no matter how "painfully honest" they feel they need to be. However, it wasn't only his friends who complained and questioned God, Job did as well. At the beginning God is silent, but in chapter 38 God finally speaks up and He speaks in a whirlwind. This rant from God goes on for a few chapters and I often envision God giving some loving perspective about himself. God tells him that he is far more wiser and powerful, so who is Job to complain against God or accuse him of being unfair? We do need to note that God is not mad at Job in this disciplinary scolding. He is just merely giving Job some perspective. God knows what He is doing. He is sovereign and He loves Job, so ultimately God informs him that since He is all powerful, he needs to trust what is going on and understand that God does have a plan. (A) Application: I thought of titling these final chapters of Job "When God Drops the Mic." The pictures that stands out most in my mind is when former President Obama finished his speech at the "White House Correspondence Dinner" and the conclusion of his final State of the Union Speech where he pics up his mic and drops it to the floor. These mic drops essentially say, "I have declared all I have declared and I am finished... there is no more discussion... I am out... done... finished... etc." I can't count on two hands the many times I have experienced God's mic drop in my life. I complain, I whine, I get bitter, and I question God's kindness or justice because of the trials before me. He often puts me in my place, or to say it nicely, He gives me perspective. He reminds me that I am not in charge. I am not all powerful. I actually have very little to no power over my life. Ultimately, He humbles me and He does it ever so lovingly and I thank Him for doing this. Sometimes I imagine God saying, "Jeff, just shut up and listen because I have some great things in store for you in the future." I can't say I am always thankful for God's mic drops in my life, but I am glad that when I finally take the focus off of me that I can be reassured that God has got my back, no matter the circumstances. (R) Respond: Lord, I know I moan and groan, complain and whine, blame and accuse you so often that I need to be reminded that I am not in charge. I know know it all. In fact I know very little when it comes to your plans and purposes for my life and future. May I be humbled and encouraged as you lovingly remind me that You got this... there is no need to worry. Scripture Read: Job 1 - 2
Title: Worshiping God in the Midst of Suffering H.E.A.R. Entry (H) Highlight verse:: "(Job) a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil"" Job 1:1, 1:8b, 2:3b (E) Explain: Job is a book about suffering; but not just about suffering alone, but working through your suffering and still keeping your faith. Job faces so many issues, he goes from having the blessed life (having everything) to experiencing the pain of loss and suffering. In all this Job's faith stands. His wife tells him to "curse God and die, which doesn't sound like an unreasonable response considering the circumstances. But we are told three times that Job is a "blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil." We see evidence of this in the first two chapters of Job. First he loses everything... his wealth, his security and his children. Secondly, he loses his health... he is "struck with loathesome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head.". Job naturally grieved his loss, but he blesses God in the midst. He is charged to curse God because of his sores, but we are told that no sin proceeded from his lips. (A) Application: My natural response to pain and suffering is whining and complaining. For years I did not like reading about Job, because I felt he got a bum deal with God. I felt like he was a pawn used in a bet between God and Satan. But then I saw past the story in the heavenlies and realized I am not focusing on THE POINT... Keeping your faith in the midst of suffering. Job didn't complain against God in all of this and he is the one person who has the right to do so. Job responds the way I wish I would in the midst of suffering... He blesses God and worships Him. We are introduced to the divine being named Satan. His name literally means "the accuser". I think the story of God and Satan is to show Satan's accusatory nature. He works hard, even today, to cause God's children to turn their backs on Him (or curse God and die). He tirelessly accuses God of being unjust, mean, heartless etc. I see the response of Job and this encourages me and strengthens my faith because in all of this suffering Job's faith stands. (R) Respond: Lord, give me a heart of praise as I go through suffering and difficulties in life. I have the natural tendency to complain and whine, but I want to look to you in praise and worship instead. Help me to look to you and to depend on your Spirit so that my natural response will turn from complaint to praise. Scripture Read: Genesis 8 - 9
Title: God Makes and Keeps Promises H.E.A.R. Entry (H) Highlight verse:: "And God said, 'This is the guarantee of the covenant that I am making with you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all subsequent generations: I will place my rainbow in the clouds, and it will become a guarantee of the covenant between me and the earth...'"" Genesis 9:12 - 13 (E) Explain: After the flood , God makes a promise or a covenant to never destroy all living creatures by a flood ever again. The word covenant is introduced in this verse. According to the Tyndale Bible Dictionary covenant means "an arrangement between two parties involving mutual obligations; especially the arrangement that establishes the relationship between God and His people." God is a promise maker and a promise keeper. This should encourage all believers, because this simply means that God is trustworthy. As we have read, we know that because of God's holiness He had to deal with the evil sin and corruption of the world at this time and He did by sending the floodwaters (purging). But also because of His holiness, grace and mercy He made the promise to never do this again. We see in these last few chapters that God is a God who does judge sin, but He is also a God of grace and mercy who forgives and provides ways of protection for His children (A) Application: I am glad God keeps His promises. In a day and age where it is hard to trust people and their promises, I can take comfort in knowing that God is trustworthy. God has made promises to me that I know He will keep.and has kept, and I hold on to these promises daily. But even better than personal promises to me is the promise of God setting this right through Jesus Christ (salvation and redemption). God established a new covenant through Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ willingly went to the cross and gave his life as a ransom so that all who place their faith in Him shall receive abundant and eternal life. This is a promise made by God and it is a trustworthy promise. You and I can now have a relationship with God, here on earth, that is real, personal and communal. Thank God for His promises! (R) Respond: Thank you Lord for your promises. Thank you for keeping your promises. Thank you for being trustworthy. May I live my life as a faithful promise keeper, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to you and to those who are around me. |
Jeff has been in full-time ministry for thirty years. He currently serves as Executive Director at Anchor House Ministry at SeaPort Manatee in Palmetto, FL and he is a part-time Campus Pastor at West Bradenton Southside in Bradenton, Florida.
Jeff Has authored A Lent Devotional (A Spiritual Journey to Lent) an Advent Devotional (The Advent of Jesus) and a devotional on the book of James (James: Where Faith and Life Meet). All three are available on Amazon. He is married to Carrie and they have four children, Micaiah, Gabe, Simon, and Berea. Preview or purchase Jeff's Books
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