Genesis 19

What a story! I wonder if I'll ever meet an angel.

This chapter really shows how God is mighty and powerful. It shows how he despises and hates the sin that is in the world. He hates how it makes us disgusting and evil-minded. He would do anything to rid the world of this life-sucking evil. He did exactly that for Sodom and Gomorrah.

However, God had faith that His son can change the world... and He was right. We have been atoned by the blood of Christ, such that even when we stumble we won't be struck down but rather given a chance to repent and learn from our mistakes. As quoted from a friend, this is the glorious Gospel of grace. We don't deserve this blessed life but God loves His creation and family so much that He sent His son to die in our place. I'm very thankful to have a God so full of unconditional love.

Genesis 18

One of the verses that really spoke to me was verse 14.

Genesis 18:14
Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son. 

Is anything too hard for the Lord? The answer is no. God is almighty and all powerful. Things that may seem impossible is made possible through Him. We always try to contain God within our own understanding, but God is infinte and allknowing, it's impossible for us to contain Him such that we understand Him. Thus, He can do things that we may not be able to do. This is an encouragement knowing that He is truly able.

Genesis 18:19
For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so that the Lord will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him. 

This is a great scriptural example that outlines some of the responsibilities that we have as a chosen disciple of the Lord. How are we ensuring that our family and friends are doing things that are good in God's eyes? Or how am I keeping the way of the Lord each day? As always we are encouraged by the fact that God will continue to bless all the days in front of us as long as we look upon Him as sufficient and obey His commands.

The rest of the chapter was very repetitive to read but it does illustrate the fact that our God is a righteous and just God. He will always bless the righteous and punish the wicked. He is fair and will not sacrifice the righteous in vain. We will never be sinless but as we strive for righteousness God will take out anything that may hinder us from doing so.

Genesis 17

This is the chapter in which the covenant between Abraham and God is established as circumcision. I remember learning about what a covenant is in my undergraduate religious studies class on the books of Paul. It's a mutual agreement between the two parties where an action must be done to maintain this agreement... something along the lines of that. The bottom line is, a covenant is more than just a verbal promise. It's a commitment. Effort must be put in to maintain this agreement.

Circumcision was the covenant established back then. Even though covenants are not visibly established anymore, we should still maintain a covenant between us and God. God has promised us a spot in His family and has granted us eternal life in heaven. What are we doing to maintain our relationship with God? We don't deserve any of it... but we are called to be His disciples. We're called to spread the Gospel to people. We're called to live out a life of love in the good and bad. This is what we need to do on our end.

Genesis 16

There were such interesting relationships back then, especially with this story between Abram, Sarai, and Hagar... but there's also something to pick up from the Lord from each passage. I believe that in this one God wants us to know that He is always watching over us and hears our prayers and pleads. If we're struggling or suffering He will come save us. He'll never forsake us. God hears us, as that is what the name of Hagar's son Ishmael means. He's always with us. It's an everlasting promise.

Genesis 15

Genesis 15 speaks of Abram presenting animal sacrifices to the Lord as a form of worship. We definitely don't have to worry about that nowadays but something to reflect on is what exactly are you sacrificing as a form of worship to the Lord? Are you trusting the Lord in His way that even though you may not see or understand you continue to worship Him with everything?

For me, I'm sacrificing and letting go of my own dreams and future for the one that God has for me. Whatever the outcome is, I can be assured that it won't be bad, it'll simply be different from what I wanted or expected.

God, I trust you. Take me and use me how You want so that wherever I'll go or do I'll be glorifying you.

Genesis 14

What a chapter full of tough names to read! I thought that this was a great chapter that demonstrated what we should do to show appreciation, thankfulness, and love for our God for all He has done and given us. It is in this chapter that tithing is first introduced by Abram. 

Genesis 14:19-20

and he blessed Abram, saying "Blessed by Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand." Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything. 

A lot of people, even I, forget that tithing is a form of worship as well. It shouldn't be hard to do since everything is a gift from God from the start yet we hold onto our wealth and materials too close. We should feel willing to give our money and possessions to the Lord for Him to build His kingdom. I am at fault for neglecting the importance of this act too. A pastor spoke about tithing and one of the things he said that hit home the most for me was this: "how much do we dare keep?" People think that we only need to give 10% of what we own to the Lord when we tithe and they never ask whether we need to give more. How much are we willing to give back to the Lord? That is the question. 

Genesis 13

This verse stood out to me in this chapter. 

Genesis 13:8

So Abram said to Lot, "Let's not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herdsmen and mine, for we are brothers. 

This is the behaviour that we should model today. We are a spiritual family with brothers and sisters in Christ. Why quarrel over little things when God has already blessed us with bigger things? 

Compromising and bearing one another in love is a trait that we need to have as Christians. There will be disagreements and bitterness between you and others in the future, but what can set us apart as disciples is learning how to forgive and be a light despite these circumstances. Sometimes I make excuses to myself that arguing with my brother is what siblings do, but that is the wrong mentality. We should be caring for our siblings with even greater love because they are the people we walk with and see everyday. That is one of my long term goals that I need to work on... Learning to bear my brother with love, especially since he doesn't have a solid foundation in Christ. I need to be a light for him. 

Genesis 12

What was encouraging from this chapter is how Abram trusted the Lord in everything. He didn't question Him when He told Abram to take everything and move to where He was told to be. It brings my own trust in God into question. My trust in Him should be just as great as Abram's.

Still currently waitlisted for optometry, I heard that many friends have gotten off the waitlist and accepted into their respective programs. It sucked to know that everyone's dream was coming true except mine. After venting to a best friend about this feeling of disappoint, God spoke through her to remind me that it all works out according to His will and not mine. Clearly my trust and faith in Him is not where it should have been since I was still feeling disappointment. It was a good reminder from this friend I intend to keep my head up high knowing that in September, God will have me wherever He wants me to be.

Genesis 11

This chapter continues to reveal how humankind became so diverse... starting from tribes and communities scattered all over the earth to how different languages were formed when God prevented them from building the Tower of Babel. It's curious to think about what would've happened if mankind was humble and not selfish from the start... if the plan to build the tower never happened, would we all still be speaking the same language? Had we not wanted to be just as high and mighty as God Himself, would there be less conflict and better communication between different groups of people today?