Focus

Let yourself become open to God and the knowledge that comes from the Word. Ask God for a peace at this time.

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Read

Genesis 12:1-7 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. Abram took his wife Sarai and his brother’s son Lot, and all the possessions that they had gathered, and the persons whom they had acquired in Haran; and they set forth to go to the land of Canaan. When they had come to the land of Canaan, Abram passed through the land to the place at Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. Then the Lord appeared to Abram, and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built there an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him.

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Reflect

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I have moved a lot in my adult life. Not for any other reason, then I was always looking for greener grass. And it seemed if I could just get to the next field it would make things easier or better. In our scripture today not only did Abram move to the next field, but he left his home country, on a promise made by an invisible God. The story never tells us what Sarai thought of this adventure. Even though their households, their slaves, and livestock went with, they left many behind.

I cannot imagine how they all must have felt, questioned, or reasoned through this process. I at least had the luxury of not only the postal service, but telephone, email, text messaging and video chat. When they left their families, friends and loved ones, there was no guarantee they would ever see or hear from them again.

Yet, Abram went. His faith is astounding. He believed God and the promises he made, and because of that we are here today, adopted sons and daughters. He believed God when he heard Him call. What has God been calling you to? Do you have the faith to pack up and go?

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Pray

Glorious God, sometimes when we hear Your voice calling us to places that are unknown, we don’t like to listen. Please help us have the faith of Abraham. Help us to know that whatever You are calling us to it is better than anything we could imagine for ourselves. Forgive us when we fall. In Jesus name, Amen.

Go with God!