Reading for today: Genesis 20:17-18, Matthew 24:29-44

‘So Abraham prayed to God…’ Genesis 20:17

Abraham went from fearful to prayerful. The result was restoration of Abimelech, his wife and his household; and he was also blessed with children. Prayer is a key component in our relationship with the Lord. We should not wait until the damage is done, before going to Him, or we may cause others pain.

Reading for today: Genesis 20:8-16, Matthew 24:15-28

“Because I thought, surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will kill me on account of my wife.” Genesis 20:11

Fear of the unknown caused Abraham to convince Sarah to tell this half truth (lie), and prejudge the people and land. Fear was also brought on Abimelech and the men of the land because of this action. Thankfully, God stepped in and revealed the truth, preventing any further sin.  Remember- “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7

Reading for today: Genesis 20:1-7, Matthew 24:1-14

“But he who endures to the end shall be saved.” Matthew 24:13

Thank You, Jesus, for using the word endure. Webster defines endure: to suffer without yielding, to bear with patience, to continue to exist. This great “Jesus” promise encourages me to remain where I know He’s placed me, to hang on when circumstances are pain filled, and to choose to continue to follow Him. Jesus promises as I endure He saves!

Reading for today: Genesis 19:30-38, Matthew 23:23-39

“for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ Matthew 23:39

After all the woes and warnings, Jesus mercifully tells the multitudes and even the Scribes and Pharisees how to be saved! They knew His name, Yeshua, meant ‘YAHWEH is Salvation.’ Did some among this “brood of vipers” come to understand and accept that they were “blind, fools, hypocrites, extorters, whitewashed tombs, serpents”? Did some “escape the condemnation of hell”? Did some of the priest who heard Jesus that day become “obedient to the faith”? (Acts 6:7) Did some confess “Blessed is the name of the Lord, Yeshua” and now “see” Him?

Reading for today: Genesis 19:24-29, Matthew 23:1-22

“And Abraham went early in the morning to the place where he had stood before the Lord.” Genesis 19:27

Abraham stands again before the Lord and witnesses His awful and terrible judgment. We don’t know Abraham’s thoughts. But we do know that Abraham continues in his walk of faith, surely many times “early in the morning.” How often we find those who desire to come close to God, seeking Him “early in the morning”: Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Joshua, Samuel, David, Jeremiah, Mary, Magdalene, the Apostles and Jesus. The discipline of “early in the morning” so often yields an especially sweet and deep time with the Lord.

Reading for today: Genesis 19:15-23, Matthew 22:23-46

“And while he lingered… the Lord being merciful to him… brought him out.”
Genesis 19:16

How like Lot I can sometimes be. Lingering where I should not: in my doubt, reluctance, fear, anger, self-centeredness. But because of God’s great mercy, He does not leave me there in the “mess” of this world and my failings. He brings me out. Even when my choices aren’t His… He brings me out.

Reading for today: Genesis 19:12-14, Matthew 22:1-22

“For many are called, but few are chosen.” Matthew 22:14
“Whose image and inscription is this?” Matthew 22:20

Jesus tells us we can be among “the chosen few.” How can we be marked as His? Do we bear the label “Christian,” because we know and accept Jesus as Savior? Do we really want His will not our way? Do we seek and accept His forgiveness when we don’t? Do we desire Jesus above all else? How would Jesus answer these questions about us?

Reading for today: Genesis 19:1-11, Matthew 21:28-46

“But what do you think?”… “Which of the two did the will of the father?”
Matthew 21:28a, 31a

Jesus: our questioning Savior! God who knows every answer, asks me questions! What do I think! He really wants me to reason and ponder about His words. He uses real situations so I can inject myself into the story. Do I really want to do God’s will? The world says, “he who hesitates is lost”, but Jesus says, “Think! No matter what you’ve done before, choose Me. Choose My way. Choose my will.”

Reading for today: Genesis 18:23-33, Matthew 21:18-27

“And Abraham came near and said…” Genesis 18:23

The fascinating conversation between a mere man and God follows.

Abraham pleads six times for the lowering of quotas for righteous men to stop God’s judgment. We know from the rest of the story that there was “none righteous, no not one” (Romans 3:10) and Sodom and Gamorrah were destroyed. But Lot was saved because God “remembered” Abraham. We know God’s judgment is coming. Are we “drawing near” to passionately “wrestle” with God on the behalf of others.

Reading for today: Genesis 18:16-22, Matthew 21:1-17

Then the multitudes went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ Hosanna in the highest!” Matthew 21:9

Jesus’ glory is recognized on earth as He makes this triumphant entry into Jerusalem and He is hailed King of kings and Lord of lords. The same crowd that hailed Him as King was the same crowd that, only a few days later would be yelling, “crucify Him.” We must give Him the same glory He was given that day He entered Jerusalem. In all we do and say that glory for Jesus must show in our daily lives. Psalm 115:1 says, “Not to us O Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory for Your mercy and for Thy truths sake.”