#99B Ante Up Dude!

The Book of Genesis Day 99 Ge 12:1 Now the LORD had said to Abram: "Get out of your country, From your family And from your father's house, To a land that I will show you. I love to play poker! I’m not very good at it, but I love to play the game. You can’t play poker though unless you ante up. You have to put some chips in the pot before you get the rest of your cards. Well, God is about to play some holy poker with Abram, but Abram is going to have to ante up before the game begins in earnest. In the matter of exercising faith, the first step is to be sure you are hearing from God. Read His Word, and as you read, ask yourself, “Is there something here I can obey? Is there something God is instructing me to do? He instructed Abram by telling him to get out of his idol chasing country and away from his idol worshiping family. That was the ante! Abram had to say to God, “Count me in!” So Abram anted up and left not even knowing where he was going, not yet knowing what cards he would be dealt. I am reminded of the Apostle Paul on his way to Damascus. He meets Jesus , surrenders to Him as Lord, and Jesus tells him to ante up and go to Damascus, and then he will get further instructions (the hand will be dealt) Do you get this? This is God-pleasing faith! God keeps it simple. We need not worry about elaborate planning and our own scheming. God first of all wants to know if you are in the game! Ante up dude! When Abram packs up and leaves Ur, he is telling God, “Count me in!” Paul says the same thing when he heads for Damascus! Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Abram and Paul go, hoping and believing God for further instructions. It’s stepping out in obedience and trusting in God’s Word, confident that He will be faithful on His part. Peter wasn’t given a Coast Guard manual on “How to Walk On Water.” Jesus said “Come!” and over the side of the boat he went, and he walked on water!. God calls each one of us to exercise the measure of faith He has given us. What is He telling you to do in His Word? Are you going to ante up and follow His simple commands, or are you going to fold even before the ante is called for? Ante up pilgrim! Let God know you are in the game, and then be waiting for the cards that He deals out and play them in accordance with His Word! Pray: Father, in the matter of faith, help me to keep it simple and uncomplicated. Let me learn to follow Your simple commands always measuring them in accordance with Your Word.

# 99 Hearing From God

The Book of Genesis Day 99 Ge 12:1 Now the LORD had said to Abram: "Get out of your country, From your family And from your father's house, To a land that I will show you. The New Testament gives us a couple of deeper glimpses into this event in Abram’s life. In Acts 7:2-4, Stephen guided by the Holy Spirit fills us in on more of the details of Abram’s calling. “And he said, "Brethren and fathers, listen: The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran, 3 "and said to him, 'Get out of your country and from your relatives, and come to a land that I will show you.' 4 "Then he came out of the land of the Chaldeans and dwelt in Haran. And from there, when his father was dead, He moved him to this land in which you now dwell.” It was God who moved Abram to move to Canaan, and when He did, Abram had no clue as to where he would be going. (Try explaining that to the guy who rents you a U-Haul truck!) In Heb 11:8 we read more of this calling, “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.” This gives us insight into what it means to exercise faith and it is a key to powerful kingdom living! When exercising faith or trust in God’s Word, the first step is to make sure we are hearing from God. God appeared to Abram, so he had no problem there. He knew who he was talking to! You and I hear from God as He speaks to us through His Word, (the Bible) Oh, we may have special visions and prophecies (indeed, some will!) given to us, but every vision and every prophecy must be checked out to be sure it is in compliance with God’s Word! In matters of faith, the bottom line is always, “What does God say?” Peter, commenting on the surety of God’s Word gave his eyewitness account of the spectacular events of the transfiguration, but as spectacular as that event was he said, “We also have the more sure prophetic word” ….the Bible. So before exercising faith, make sure you are hearing from “the more sure prophetic Word,” namely the Bible. Pray before you read. Pray before you heed, and then wait and see what God will do! Reflect: How important is context when reacting to the Word of God? Pray: Lord, help me to boldly trust Your Word, being careful to keep it in context!