after reading Wiley's post on this it made me think a little more. Its interesting that only God passed through the two pieces of the animals when the covenant was made. Had Abraham walked through those pieces with Him and chosen to go ahead and make Gods promise come true on his own terms that most likely would have broken the covenant. Yet God took it all on Himself because He knew that He alone would be faithful.
What is even more interesting is that after all that went down with Hagar God reaffirms His promise with Abram. In Genesis 17 God comes to Abram and talks about the covenant again. God has specifically come down and told Abram that the covenant is real but now he is going to change his and his wife's name. What I love about this bit is that Abram (now Abraham) laughs. Which is where Isaac got his name - laugh. But not only does Abraham laugh but he offers God an easier solution - give Ishmael the promise instead. Now the interesting thing is that God asks Abraham to cement covenant. God asked Abraham to do something as well. Last time it was God who made the covenant but this time both Abraham also made a covenant through circumsion.
Now, it would be easy to point out all Abraham's faults here but I know that I am guilty of this too. I have been known to forget God's promises. I have been known to think God's promises are out of reach or even found easier solutions thinking that I know best because, like Abraham, I know my own faults. I know the things I lack could help prevent me from being blest. I see blessings and say they can not be for me because I am - too old, too young, too slow, too impatient, too whatever will stop this from happening. But God wanted it to be clear to Abraham (and me) that He can overcome all of this as long as his faith was pure.
When God asked Araham to change his name and be circumsised he was really asking are you willing to believe that I can fulfil my promises when everything looks like they can't?
I got through chapters 17-28. Despite having a pretty rough night. This morning was awesome. I might have more to say later, but for right now I am going to bed.
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Less Hate, More Frolicking
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The only souvenirs here are bloody knuckles and broken bones.
- Kung Fu Panda
The only emperor is the emperor of ice cream.
- Wallace Stevens
To love at all is to be vulnerable.
- C.S. Lewis, "The Four Loves"
What's easy really is often the enemy of what's best and most fulfilling.
-Latteda
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What version of the Bible is everyone using? I started with the KJV, but switched
to the NCV (New Century Version) for it's readability. Here's the online version:
In Genesis 18:16-33, I find it amusing that Abraham barters with God concerning the amount of "righteous" people that had to be present in order for the town to be saved. heh.
i always found that interesting too. Its almost like he knew on one level what an evil place it was and that it needed to be judged, yet on another he couldn't handle the idea; most likely because of Lot.
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L'Eternel est ma force
Le sujet de mes louanges
C'est Lui qui m'a sauvé
Je Le célébrerai
-Luc Dumont
__________________ "Whatever You're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but I believe
You're up to something bigger than me
Larger than life something Heavenly" -Sanctus Real
I did today's reading, but it was sort of a struggle for me. I have some sort of problem with reading the same thing more than once and a lot of the little bits repeated and it was difficult to force my brain to keep re-reading those bits. :/
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I take up compassion and surrender my excuses. I stand against injustice and commit to live out simple acts of God's love. I refuse to do nothing. This is my resolve. I AM THE LOVE REVOLUTION.
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Recovery Team Moderator
Jesus, I plead Your blood over my sins and the sins of my nation. God, end abortion and send revival to America. Amen.
I did today's reading, but it was sort of a struggle for me. I have some sort of problem with reading the same thing more than once and a lot of the little bits repeated and it was difficult to force my brain to keep re-reading those bits. :/
I know what you mean... Some of the hardest parts for me are the long lists of geneologies, or when it talks about where things are happening. "They went from X place to Y place, stopping at Z place and thinking about their family scattered at A, B, and C place." Those are what give me struggles. Just keep plowing through it though, there's something to be learned through it all! Sometimes gotta dig through some tough soil to find the buried treasure...
__________________ Death is not the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss is what dies inside us while we live.
"This is my prayer in the desert. When all that's within me feels dry. This is my prayer in my hunger and need, my God is the God who provides. This is my prayer in the fire. In weakness or trial or pain. There is a faith proved in more worth then gold, so refine me Lord through the flame!" Hillsong United - Desert song
I did today's reading, but it was sort of a struggle for me. I have some sort of problem with reading the same thing more than once and a lot of the little bits repeated and it was difficult to force my brain to keep re-reading those bits. :/
That's the hardest part for me too
God Bless!
__________________ "Whatever You're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but I believe
You're up to something bigger than me
Larger than life something Heavenly" -Sanctus Real
On I am reading th Contemporary English Version (CEV) at the moment but I am known to change versions whenever I feel like it or can't find the Bible I was reading. But I am enjoying the CEV.
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