Author: David Short

Genesis 24:8

And if the woman is not willing to follow you, then you will be released from this oath; only do not take my son back there.

Encouraging Words

This is a very interesting verse hidden in the depths of Genesis. Abraham has just made a covenant, an oath, with his servant whom he is sending back to his homeland in order to find a bride for his son. It is very important to Abraham that his son, Isaac, be wedded to a woman of his tribe. The servant expresses his concern that the woman he finds may not want to come back with him. Abraham assured him that if that was the case then he would be freed from the covenant. Abraham was not willing to force his will on any one else. This is an image of our God who is not willing to violate the freewill that He gave us. Glory be to God!

Matthew 6:30

Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

Personal Challenge

Trust can be a difficult thing to have in another. When the recipient of that trust is not visible, it can become even harder. God may not be physically visible to us, however, so much of His character and the nature of who He is is very apparent in our lives, especially if we keep our eyes open to what He has done in our lives. By doing this we grow to learn that God is indeed trustworthy and always active in our lives for our own good. Glory be to God!

Genesis 22:10-12

Then Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the Angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham! Abraham!” So he said, “Here I am.” He then replied, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him, for now I know you fear God, since for My sake you have not spared your beloved son.”

Personal Challenge

Sometimes God leads us to do things or make decisions that are challenging, like leaving the corporate world to serve Him in a foreign land. Sometimes the decisions do not make any sense, like resigning from a leadership position in your church and leaving the people that you have grown to love and respect in order to stay true to what you believe God desires for that body and is being ignored by the new leadership. Sometimes it its just little things. But in all cases, obedience is what God desires, even when it results in challenging changes and sometimes lonely results Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

Matthew 6:14-15

Genesis 15:6

And Abram believed God, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.

Personal Challenge

What does it take to be accounted as a righteous person in God’s eyes? Abram was a man that trusted in God and the promises that He had made to him. It wasn’t the things that Abram did that made him righteous in God’s eyes. He did do many great things, but he also messed up a lot as well. What made him righteous in God’s eyes was that he believed God and put his trust in Him. It is that belief, that faith, that builds our righteousness. Glory be to God!

Matthew 5:37

But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.

Personal Challenge

Isn’t this the fundamental issue with our society today that is causing so much grief and problems? We have become a culture that thrives on fake news, conspiracy theories, and relative truths. And shame on the modern church for allowing this to thrive within our own walls. Businesses are more focused on generating profit than doing the right thing and taking care of their employees and customers. Politicians are more interested in getting re-elected than truly representing their constituency and speaking the truth This is all an insult to the integrity that our Lord calls us to. We have truly reneged on our relationship with our God in order to embrace the world around us. This is our own way of crucifying Jesus all over again. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

Genesis 6:22

Thus Noah did according to all the Lord God commanded him, so he did.

Personal Challenge

Imagine, if you can, living in a time where no formal religious institutions exist. There has been no covenant between God and mankind and the world is in chaos because everyone is doing his own thing and corruption and debauchery are rampant. Then God speaks to you, asking you to do the unthinkable, build a large ship in the middle of the land. You have never seen a flood or even a large lake or ocean. What would you do? Noah listened to that voice and said, “Yes!”. He started building the art. This is trust. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!