Faith and Desperation

God gave Abram two key promises: nationhood and his blessing. All Abram had to do was go claim his land.
But when famine engulfed the land, desperation led Abram to flee for Egypt and its food.

Faith and Success

Instead of lacking food, Abram now had great wealth. Would Abram trust God when he didn’t ‘need’ him? (1)Yes, he would! Learning from his previous failure that God protects his promises, Abram gave Lot first choice knowing his choice would not affect God’s promises.

Faith and Pride

Abram was fearful in Egypt, but now is courageous and recovers everything stolen by the raiding kings. And he’s growing in God’s character, concerned for the welfare of other people (something he didn’t show for Sarai in Egypt).

Most importantly, he recognizes God’s hand at work.

Faith and Questions

This is the most beautiful chapter in the Bible for me because it so vividly helps us feel how Abram felt when he experienced God’s tenderness, patience, and commitment.

Faith and Patience

If today’s reading sounds like a familiar story, it’s because it is. Abram and Sarai repeat Adam and Eve’s story… and make all the same mistakes!

Faith and Commitment

After observing Abram for another fourteen years, the Lord made a deeper, more detailed commitment by converting his covenant to an everlasting covenant and, to emphasize his promise, changing Abram’s name to Abraham. Abram means “Exalted Father” while Abraham means “Father of a Multitude.”

Faith and the Impossible

Do you sometimes find it hard to believe that anything is possible with God? Abraham did, but today we see that his lack of faith didn’t cause God to withdraw his promises. God’s response was patience. That’s good news for us!

Faithful Service

This reflection is based on two words that didn’t appear in today’s reading. Although the CEV Bible omits them, in the Hebrew text and other Bible translations, Abraham greeted the three men with “My Lord.”

True Obedience

I love the glimpse into God’s inner thoughts! “Should I tell Abraham?” he asked. “Yes” he answered, because he wanted Abraham and his family to obey him (Verse 17 is a question in the Hebrew text, not a statement as found in the CEV).

Who’s Serving Whom?

Witnessing and testifying: two words that describe how Christians tell others about Jesus. Both involve telling personal stories about what Jesus has done for us.

Need healing? Jesus performs miracles.

Need your sins forgiven? Jesus already forgave you!