Today’s Bible Reading
January 11
Old Testament 1
Genesis 15, 16
It's amazing, the father of faith actually disobeyed God twice. He made two bad decisions (contrary to God's plan) tied to God's promises and blessings for him.
He suffered different challenges and troubles because of these decisions but God's promises for him still stands and it was later fulfilled.
After all Abraham troubles as we have learnt in yesterday's exposition, in this scripture, God came to Abram in a vision and told him I am your shield and exceeding great reward.
Let's first analyze God's word to Abram before we go further in today's scripture
I AM YOUR SHIELD and EXCEEDING GREAT REWARD.
God said this after Abram rejected the king of Sodom gifts when he fought and restored their captivity.
Abram mentioned, I don't want your riches because I don't want you to say you made me rich (Genesis 14:23). Abram knew collecting that gift would compromise God's promises for him.
Now here God is saying immediately after that, I AM YOUR SHIELD, king of Sodom could decide to protect Abram and his properties as a way of showing appreciation, he could tell his citizens not to go near any of Abram's property. Abraham rejected all that gesture when he rejected his gift.
God came to reassure Abram, it's like saying, I know you believe in my promises, and you rejected riches because of me. Don't worry. “I still got you”. You made the right choice!.
Secondly, I am your EXCEEDING GREAT REWARD.
The King of Sodom was trying to reward Abram for taking back his captive.
Again, here God is telling Abram, you made the right choice rejecting king of Sodom gifts. King of Sodom was trying to reward you (just a reward, it wasn't particularly great because he told Abram he could take all the possession but leave the people, and out of this possession where Lot's). But God is saying you let go a reward but I am your EXCEEDING + GREAT + REWARD.
We could also learn here that the reward of serving & obeying God isn't the material possession he might give us or the blessings, but God is THE REWARD. We get all of Him. How Exceedingly Great is that!!!
Abram was like ok God, but you haven't given me an heir.
Then God brought him outside and said, Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them And He said to him, So shall your descendants be (15:5)
in Chapter 15:6 And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.
Further in the scripture we read how Sarai advised Abram to have intercourse with Haggah and Abram heeded her advice. We could say this is the second time Abram chose to listen to humans (those he cares about) over God's promise for him. And it has both resulted in troubles for Him.
Old Testament 2
Job 18, 19
Job friends continued challenging him and insist it's because of his sin he's going through the challenges.
Job maintained his stance
New Testament
Matthew 8:28 – 9:17
Jesus addresses the issues the Pharisees have with him eating with the sinner.
Jesus said He didn't come for the righteous but for the sinners.
We should emulate Jesus Christ. We should relate with sinners in an uncompromising way. They need the Gospel.
Also, chapter 9, Jesus showed Himself as One who has authority to forgive sins and also heal.
Even demons recognized Jesus as the Son of God and His authority.
There's a quote "atheism is a sin even the devil doesn't commit"
Also,
9:14 Then the disciples of John came to Him, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?
Jesus Christ answered them in parables.
Basically Jesus was saying the disciple fasting during that time would be pointless because they are yet to understand what fasting really is. They are yet to be transformed. They were still mere followers of Jesus. Jesus was saying after I leave and (power is given to the Disciples, and they have a clear understanding of spiritual power) , fasting would be normal to the Disciples.
As Christians, we should have a clear understanding of why we do whatever we do. We shouldn't merely "perform activities".
Action point
Acknowledge God as your exceeding great reward
Cultivate prayer and fasting habit
Quote
Prayer
Thank you Jesus for coming for me
God I thank you for your unfailing promise for me
I'm sorry for my previous bad decisions
God protect me from making any future bad decisions
All the promises of God concerning life be fulfilled
I pray for understanding
#BibleInAYear
Then God brought him outside and said, Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them And He said to him, So shall your descendants be (15:5)
in Chapter 15:6 And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.
Further in the scripture we read how Sarai advised Abram to have intercourse with Haggah and Abram heeded her advice. We could say this is the second time Abram chose to listen to humans (those he cares about) over God's promise for him. And it has both resulted in troubles for Him.
Old Testament 2
Job 18, 19
Job friends continued challenging him and insist it's because of his sin he's going through the challenges.
Job maintained his stance
New Testament
Matthew 8:28 – 9:17
Jesus addresses the issues the Pharisees have with him eating with the sinner.
Jesus said He didn't come for the righteous but for the sinners.
We should emulate Jesus Christ. We should relate with sinners in an uncompromising way. They need the Gospel.
Also, chapter 9, Jesus showed Himself as One who has authority to forgive sins and also heal.
Even demons recognized Jesus as the Son of God and His authority.
There's a quote "atheism is a sin even the devil doesn't commit"
Also,
9:14 Then the disciples of John came to Him, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?
Jesus Christ answered them in parables.
Basically Jesus was saying the disciple fasting during that time would be pointless because they are yet to understand what fasting really is. They are yet to be transformed. They were still mere followers of Jesus. Jesus was saying after I leave and (power is given to the Disciples, and they have a clear understanding of spiritual power) , fasting would be normal to the Disciples.
As Christians, we should have a clear understanding of why we do whatever we do. We shouldn't merely "perform activities".
Action point
Acknowledge God as your exceeding great reward
Cultivate prayer and fasting habit
Quote
Atheism is a sin even the devil doesn't commit"
Prayer
Thank you Jesus for coming for me
God I thank you for your unfailing promise for me
I'm sorry for my previous bad decisions
God protect me from making any future bad decisions
All the promises of God concerning life be fulfilled
I pray for understanding
#BibleInAYear
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