Happy Thanksgiving!

Today is Thanksgiving Day in the United States of America and want to share a thought on thankfulness today. But before I do, let me say that I am extremely thankful for those of you who take the time to read my blog on a regular basis. According to the statistical readout this blog has been viewed by many in the United States and around the world! Would you do me a favor? Sometime in the near future would you drop me a line at duanematz122@msn.com and tell me a little bit about yourself. I'd love to hear your story and how you found the blog! Thank you! Happy Thanksgiving! One day of the year which we have set aside in our nation to give thanks to God. Wow! Aren't we something special! A day that has been gobbled up with massive tradition laden meals , football games, dreams of shopping deals on the morrow, and oh yes, maybe.....maybe a table prayer that mentions God, or more likely a list of things and people that we are thankful for. Believe it or not, I don't have a problem with that. Please, enjoy all these good things that God allows us to have! I know I will! But would you at least consider this. Would you consider making a thanksgiving resolution today? No need to declare it at the table, or make an announcement during halftime, just a quiet resolution between you and the Lord to become a thankful person on a daily basis for the next year. Ps 54:6b,7 says, “I will give thanks to Your name O Lord, for it is good. For He has delivered me from every trouble, and my eye has looked in triumph on my enemies.” There's your resolution. “I WILL give thanks.” Why? Because God is good, and even when it doesn't appear that way, we have His promise that “all things work together for good, for those who love God and are called according to His purpose,” (Rom 8:28) Further we read that He has delivered us from every trouble. That doesn't mean that He removes trouble, it means that He delivers us through our troubles. He gives us what we need to cope and endure. Is that not reason enough to thank Him on a daily basis? Who knows what lies ahead today, tomorrow, or in the year to come? And finally, as you daily give thanks to God for His gift of Jesus, and daily come to Him confessing your sins and receiving His forgiveness, your “eye will look in triumph on your enemies.” No, your enemy is not that family member or neighbor or co-worker that you just can't seem to get along with. Your enemies are the world, your flesh and the devil, who all desire to separate you from the love of God. And in the coming year, if you keep your thanksgiving resolution, and daily confess your sins, receiving God's forgiveness and asking His help for victory over sin in your life, I guarantee you, that your eye will see victory over your enemies. This is the key to the preservation of your soul, and when all is said and done, if it is well with our soul, all we can say is “Thanks Lord!”

# 102 Calling On the Lord

The Book of Genesis Day 102 Ge 12:8 And he moved from there to the mountain east of Bethel, and he pitched his tent with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; there he built an altar to the LORD and called on the name of the LORD. 9 So Abram journeyed, going on still toward the South. Abram keeps moving. He heads south to a place called Bethel. It’s one of the highest places in Canaan with a spectacular view. The name Bethel means “House of God,” Perhaps you have been to such a place yourself. You have paused and looked in awe at a God’s eye view of His creation and were moved to worship. Perhaps it was the view, or maybe it was just Abram seeking direction from the Lord, but he builds another altar and “calls” on the name of the Lord.The basic meaning of the Hebrew word for “calling on the Lord,” is “the enunciation of a specific message.” It is usually addressed to a specific recipient and intended to elicit a specific response. Sounds like a prayer of supplication to me! Abram had a specific question for the Lord, and was desiring a specific answer. I suspect the question had something to do with direction. This must’ve been a beautiful area with a beautiful view. A place that Abram would quite naturally be taken with. In fact, we know that after his journey to Egypt, he returned to this very place and settled with Lot. One can almost hear Abram praying, “Oh Lord, this is such a beautiful place, thank You for leading me to it. Is this where You want me to settle down? “ But God’s silence is deafening. , so Abram picks up stakes and continues traveling south.. It must’ve been very difficult, but Father knows best! So Abram moves on. Perhaps you are in a similar place in your life right now. A time of searching for direction. Don’t be afraid to “call on the Lord.” 1Jo 5:14 says, “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us”. Ask for a specific response. Jesus did it in the Garden of Gethsemane, Abram did it at Bethel. If God is silent, perhaps you need to look back at His original instructions. (You’ll find them in His Word) One thing to remember just because something appears beautiful and easy, doesn’t necessarily mean it is God’s will. Learn to be patient. I have seen too many people grab the first option that comes along and they wound up missing what God had intended for them. The Psalmist said in , Ps 27:14 Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD! Pray: Lord, guard my heart from being impetuous. Help me to learn to recognize Your will for me and give me the necessary patience!

# 101 There He Built An Altar

The Book of Genesis Day 101 Ge 12:5 Then Abram took Sarai his wife and Lot his brother's son, and all their possessions that they had gathered, and the people whom they had acquired in Haran, and they departed to go to the land of Canaan. So they came to the land of Canaan. 6 Abram passed through the land to the place of Shechem, as far as the terebinth tree of Moreh. And the Canaanites were then in the land. 7 Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, "To your descendants I will give this land." And there he built an altar to the LORD, who had appeared to him. For reasons unknown, Terah, Abram, Lot, and Sarai tarried at Haran. It was Terah’s original intent to travel to Canaan, but for some reason, he decided to stay at Haran, and he died there before he could move on to Canaan. After his death, Abram, Lot, and Sarai took all their possessions and all the people (servants) they had acquired in Haran and took off for Canaan. We are not told how Abram knew it was time to leave, we just knew he went, and we trust that God somehow guided His way. Abram’s first stop was Shechem at the terebinth tree of Moreh. The mention of the tree tells us that this was likely an easily identifiable place. This tree stood out from its surroundings! This tree is referred to in other places in Scripture. For instance, Jacob buried the foreign gods and the earrings that his household had accumulated under the terebinth tree which was by Shechem. (Gen 35:4) The terebinth trees of Moreh are also mentioned by Moses as he tells the people about the land they are about to conquer. (Dt 11:30) This was a place that stood out and a natural place for Abram to stop! It becomes a SUPERNATURAL place as the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your descendants (that word out to perk up the ears of the childless Abram!) I will give this land!” What a marvelous promise. The barren Sarai and Abram would one day have children and those children would own this land! And so Abram built an altar to thank the Lord and serve as a reminder of this great promise to him and others who would follow! Yes, this was a special place, a place where a divine promise was made. It was a place of confirmation! Abram could now move on, for he knew he was on the right path. This was indeed the land that God had promised to show him. How precious it is when the Lord’s sweet confirmation comes to us. Why it’s enough to make you want to build an altar and worship! I have a folder in my computer that I call “Standing Stones.” In this file I have recorded the times that the Lord has confirmed a promise to me. It is a great file to keep because when I am overcome by doubt, I can simply open the file and be reminded of God’s faithfulness. If you don’t have a similar file or journa,l or notebook, may I encourage you to start one? Pray! Thank You Lord for those times when we need to hear from You with some sort of sign that we are on the right track, and You give it! Let us pause often and thank You for Your guidance in our daily lives.

# 100 God’s Incentive Package

The Book of Genesis Day 100 Ge 12:2 I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." 4 So Abram departed as the LORD had spoken to him, and Lot went with him. And Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. Many times, God attaches promises to His commands or instructions. Here, Abram is told that if he gets out of his country, away from his family, and his father’s house, God would make him a great nation and God would bless him. Abram would have a great name and would be a blessing to others. Those who blessed him would be blessed and those who cursed him would be cursed, and through Abram all the families of the earth would be blessed! That’s quite an incentive package wouldn’t you say? In fact, almost a little unbelievable. It might be a whole lot easier to believe God for a little piece of land in Canaan, a family of four, and a camel or two for transportation, but that’s not what God had in mind for Abram. Abram was to become the apple of God’s eye, the father of the great nation of Israel! Wouldn’t you like that “apple of the eye” status of Abram? You already have it in a sense, for God so loved the world (that includes you) that He gave His only begotten Son! If that doesn’t make you feel special I don’t know what will! But He wants to do more for you and through you! That’s why there are so many invitations and calls to obedience and trust in God’s Word, and His promises. It doesn’t take some spiritual giant to accomplish these things. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours ( He put his pants on one leg at a time just like you and I) and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it didn’t rain for three and a half years. His secret? He was just obedient to and trusting in the Word of God. Moses, David, Rahab, Gideon, the disciples were all ordinary people with hearts willing to trust God and His promises. Don’t let your story stop at salvation! Rather, imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Heb 6:12 says, “that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” (Notice the plural…promises!) God has so much more for His children, all He asks is a little faith, a little obedience, and a little patience. Pray: Father God, thank You for the free gift of salvation. It was only by Your gift of faith that My heart surrendered to You, now I ask that You help me to become the child You want me to be as I continue to exercise faith in Your Word.

#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!

# 98 Let Goods and Kindred Go

The Book of Genesis Day 98 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 Lord speaks to Abram while he was still living in Ur. He tells him to get out of his country, from his family, and from his father’s house, to a land that God would show him. How would you like the Lord to give you that kind of a command? Leave the United States! Say goodbye to all your aunts and uncles, and cousins, even your father, and go someplace else. “Where God? “I will show you!” Good luck explaining that move to the fam! It sounds like an unusual request, yet it was God’s time to move and to show the people of the earth that there is a better way! He would use Abram to be the father of a great nation. Through Abram, all the families of the earth would be blessed. In order to do this, God needed to separate Abram from the idol worshiping Chaldeans, even if some of those idolaters were family members! You see, once again the people of the earth had reverted to all sorts of idolatry including Abram’s family! In Jos 24:2 we get a glimpse of life in the household of Abram: “ And Joshua said to all the people, "Thus says the LORD God of Israel: 'Your fathers, including Terah, the father of Abraham and the father of Nahor, dwelt on the other side of the River in old times; and they served other gods. So God called Abram out, even from his family! You know, that reminds me of what Jesus said in Lu 14:26 "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.” The Greek word for “hate” here means “to love less.” Abram loved his homeland, his family, and even himself, “less” than he loved God! So he departed as the Lord had spoken to him. He had no idea where he was going, he just followed God’s instructions. Guess what? When Jesus said to His disciples (and that includes you and I) “Follow Me” He was simply restating the command that God had given Abram. Beloved, Follow Jesus! Love all things less than you love God. It is the test of true discipleship. As the hymn states, “Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also!” You have no idea where the path of Jesus will take you, but you won’t regret it. Just remember to be true to His Word as you follow Him. Reflect: Have you ever taken any steps of faith, not knowing what the outcome would be? Pray: Father, we want to follow Jesus, especially after all He has done for us on the cross. Help us to “let go” of anything that may be holding us back. Help us to be “all in” with Jesus!