The Abrahamic Call and Covenent

Tonight we did something very different in our ministry. We set up a tent in our room and had the lesson inside it. Kind of a camp-in if you will. You should have seen the looks on your faces when you walked in and saw the tent and palm tress. It was worth all the extra work.
Why were we in a tent?
To remind us that Abram trusted God and left his home in Ur where he was surrounded by sin to follow God into the wilderness. He didn't know where he was going, or where he would end up, just that God had sent him.
What did we do in the tent?
We read several Bible verses from the assigned reading of Genesis chapters 12-31.

• Genesis 12:1-9
• Genesis 13:14-18
• Genesis 15:1-21
• Genesis 17:4-8
• Genesis 22:15-20
• Genesis 26:1-5
• Genesis 28:10-15

What did we learn?

• We learned that God is faithful and always keeps his promises. We still meet and our blessed by descendents of Abraham.
• We learned that Abram's name was changed to Abraham (adding the ah from Yahweh so his name now contains part of God's name as a reminder of the covenant.) The same happened with his wife Sarai changed to Sarah.
• We learned that we have a promise of eternal forgiveness of our Sins by the death of Jesus on the cross. A promise that God will not break.

God Never Leaves Us

Tonight we are going to look at the book of Judges. Joshua took over as a leader of the Israelite nation after Moses lead them out of Egypt. However, Joshua had no successor. After his death each tribe did their own thing.


There was

• No capital
• No government
• No unity

In the book of Judges we learn:

• When the people sinned against God, their enemies defeated them and ruled them.
• When in their distress they sought the Lord, He sent great leaders called judges who delivered them.
• God is always near His people, when they cried, He answered.
• God is always brooding (thinking or worrying persistently or moodily about; pondering) His disobedient children.
• He promises we will never leave us, nor forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5)
• We see defeat on our part, but deliverance on God's part. (Romans 5:20)

Throughout the book of Judges we see God dealing with His own rebellious people whom He has crowned with His best blessings and upon whom He has lavished His tender love.  We find the patience of God and His constant readiness to respond to the least sign of penitence in His people.

• Judges 3:9,15
• Judges 4:3-7
• Judges 6:6-12
• Judges 10:15-16

My favorite judge is Othniel (Judges 3:7-10) because he calls the army to prayer before the battle.

"No one can do real service for his or her country who does not fear God and love righteousness more than country."

When we see an army in prayer, the Swiss at Morat, the Scots and Bannockburn, and McArther in the Philippines.  We have faith in their spirit and courage for they are feeling their dependence on God.

Louie Giglio How Great Is Our God Tour Full Video

I came across the full video today on YouTube and thought it would work much better than having 5 parts on the site.

“What Matters Most”

The Purpose Driven Life Week 16
“No matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love.” – I Corinthians 13:3
“Love means living the way God commanded us to live. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is this: Live a life of love.” – 2 John 1:16

Because God is love, the most important thing he wants you to learn on earth is how to love.
“The whole Law can be summed up in this one command: 'Love others as you love yourself.'” – Galatians 5:14

God wants us to love everyone, but he is particularly concerned that we love others in his family. This is the second purpose for your life.

Peter says, “Show special love for God's people.” – 1 Peter 2:17

Paul echoes, “When we have the opportunity to help anyone, we should do it. But we should give special attention to those who are in the family of believers.” – Galations 6:10

Jesus said, “Your strong love for each other will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” – John 13:35

God wants you to be in regular, close fellowship with other believers, irritating, imperfect, frustrating people, just like you.

The Best Use of Life is Love
Love is not a good part of your life; it's the most important part.
“Let love be your greatest aim.” – 1 Corinthians 13:3

(1) Life without love is really worthless. Four of the Ten commandments deal with relationship with God, and the other 6 deal with our relationships with people. Relationships matter most to God. – Matthew 22:37-40

(2) Love will last forever. “These three things continue forever: faith, hope, and love. And the greatest of these is love.” – 1 Corinthians 13:13 When we are breathing our last breath, we never ask to see our things one last time, our biggest concern becomes our relationships, we should treat them the same way in life.

(3) We will be evaluated on our love. God measures spiritual maturity by the quality of our relationships. “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” – Matthew 25:40 “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” – Galatians 5:6

MORNING PRAYER
God, whether I get anything else done today, I want to make sure that I spend time loving you and loving other people – because that's what life is all about. I don't want to waste this day.

The Best Expression of Love is Time
“My children, our love should not be just words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action” – 1 John 3:18

The most desired gift of love is not diamonds or roses or chocolate. It is focused attention. Love concentrates so intently on another that you forget yourself at the moment.

Jesus modeled this: “Be full of love for others, following the example of Christ who loved you and gave Himself to God as a sacrifice to take away your sins.” – Ephesians 5:2

The Best Time to Love is Now
“Whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone.” – Galatians 6:10
“Use every chance you have for doing good.” – Ephesians 5:2
“Whenever you possibly can, do good to those who need it. Never tell your neighbor to wait until tomorrow if you can help them now.” – Proverbs 3:27

Point to Ponder
Life is all about love.


Verse to Remember
“The entire law is summed up in a single command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself'” – Galatians 5:14


Question to Consider
Honestly, are relationships my first priority? How can I ensure that they are?

Louie Giglio How Great Is Our God Tour Part 2

Louie Giglio How Great Is Our God Tour Part 1

We began watching Louie Giglio's How Great is Our God Tour this week. Here is part 1 for those who missed it.

Formed for God's Family

The Purpose Driven Life Week 15 “Formed for God's Family”

“God is the One who made all things, and all things are for his glory.  He wanted to have many children share his glory.” – Hebrews 2:10

“So how very much our heavenly Father loves us, for he allows us to be called his children, and we really are!” – 1 John 3:1

“His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ.  And this game him great pleasure.” Eph 1:5

It was a happy day for him when he gave us our new lives, through the truth of his Word, and we became, as it were, the first children in his new family. Jms 1:18

Every person was “created” by God, but not everyone is a “child” of God.

God “has given us the privilege of being born again so that we are now members of God's own family.” 1 Pet. 1:3, Rom. 8:15-16

“You are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” Gal 3:26

“When I think of the wisdom and scope of this plan I fall down on my knees and pray to the Father of all the great family of God – some of them already in heaven and some down here on earth.”  Eph. 3:14-15

Benefits of Being in God's Family

The moment you were spiritually born into God's Family, you were given some astounding birthday gifts:  the family name, the family likeness, family privileges, family intimate access, and the family inheritance! (1 Jn 3:1,Rm 8:29, Gal 4:6-7, Rom 5:2, 1 Corn 3:23, Eph 3:12, 1 Pet 1:3-5, Rm 8:17) 

“Since you are his child, everything he has belongs to you.” Gal.4:7

“My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus” – Phil 4:19

Here on earth we are given “the riches … of his grace … kindness … patience … glory … wisdom … power … and mercy.” (Eph 1:7, Rm 2:4, Rm 9:23, Rm 11:33, Eph 3:16, Eph 2:4)


“I want you to realize what a rich and glorious inheritance he has given to his people.” (Eph. 1:18)

• We get to be with God forever. (1 Thes. 5:10; 4:17)

• completely changed to be like Christ. (1 John 3:2, 2 Corn 3:18)

• freed from all pain, death, and suffering. (Rev. 21:4)

• rewarded and reassigned positions of service (Mk 9:41, Mk 10:30, 1 Corn 3:8, Heb 10:35, Matt 25:21,23)

• share in Christ's glory (Rom 8:17, Col 3:4, 2 Thes 2:14, 2 Tim 2:12, 1 Pet 5:1)

We are far richer than we realize.

“God has reserved a pricelesws inheritance for his children.  It is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.” (1 Pet 1:4)

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.” (Col 3:23-24)

Life's Greatest Privilege 

“Jesus and the people he makes holy all belong to the same family.  That is why he isn't ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters.” (Heb 2:11)

Let that amazing truth sink in.

“[Jesus] pointed to his disiples and said, 'These are my mother and brothers. Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!'” (Matt 12:49-50)

Point to Ponder
I was formed for God's family.
Verse to Remember
His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ” – Eph. 1:5
Question to Consider
How can I start treating other believers like members of my own family?