Tag Archives: the book of Genesis

September 1
Leave a comment
Uncategorized

“The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.'”  (Genesis 12:1, NIV)

This recollection of God’s first encounter with Abram (later called Abraham, the father of the faithful) reminds us that we must first “go” in obedience to God before God will “show” us the promise.

Most of us prefer it the other way round, as if to say to God: “Show me and I will go”; while God is saying to us, “Go and I will show you.”

It may be a strange thing to our family, friends, and neighbors to see us commit to something without being able to describe the end-state or the desired outcomes; but obedience ahead of evidence is how God dealt with Abram — and it is how God deals with us.

Whenever God’s spirit moves you to move — move!  God will be with you every step of the way and, in time, you will see the promise.  – Luther

Tagged , , , ,
March 10
Leave a comment
Uncategorized

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”  (Genesis 1:1, NLT)

When we’ve lost our way, it helps to return to the beginning; the starting point; the original idea.

In explaining the origin of all that we are and all that we see, the writer of Genesis puts God at the starting point.

We may regret days of our past — and the decisions made there — but today is a new day!

As you begin it, remember: With God, all things are possible.  – Luther

Tagged ,
January 15
Leave a comment
Uncategorized

“‘Here comes that dreamer!’, they said to each other.  ‘Come now, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him.  Then we’ll see what comes of his dreams.’”  (Genesis 37:19-20, NIV)

The maltreatment of Joseph began with the evil plans of his brothers.

Joseph’s brothers resented Joseph on many levels: He was their father’s favorite son (and Joseph made no secret that he knew that his father’s favor rested on him); and Joseph made much of his dreams, in which he seemed always to be the hero.

The good news here is that God works on many levels, too.  Joseph’s circumstances were used by God to fit Joseph for God’s work; he used the brothers’ guilt to provoke confession and true repentance; and throughout, God was glorified for His love and His mercy.

Like Joseph, we do not know where life will take us; but we should never doubt that God is at work in our circumstances — however hopeless from our perspective — to transform us into the image of Christ; to bless others; and to glorify God.  If we are convinced of this, though we may fall down, we shall not stay down!  – Luther

Tagged , ,
← Older posts
Newer posts →