Reprinted from ec magazine. © 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Used by permission.

Reminders

Posted by Karah

Pause

Close your eyes today and sit in silence, focusing your mind and heart on God.

Today, we reach a point in Abram’s story where he needed a reminder. God had promised to make Abram’s descendents into a great nation and to bless him with land, but years had passed. The fulfillment of God’s promises seemed no closer than they had in the beginning.

Read Genesis 13:14-18. As you read, look for God’s gentle reminder. Underline it in your Bible when you find it.

“After Lot had separated from him, the Lord said to Abram, “Look from the place where you are. Look north and south, east and west, for I will give you and your offspring forever all the land that you see. I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust of the earth, then your offspring could be counted.” —Genesis 13:14-17

God helped Abram to refocus on what was true: God’s promises. When has God done the same for you? Explain.

Continuing to follow God and trust His plan when it seems like nothing is happening is difficult. Who in your life has been a good example of trusting God even when it was difficult to see how God was at work in a situation? What have you learned from that person’s example?

In what situations in your life do you find it difficult to see God at work? Are there circumstances that you don’t think could be any part of His plan? List a few.

The Point

God continually reminded Abram of His plan, even when Abram couldn’t see it. He does the same for us.

Respond

Pray over the list you just created. Ask God to open your eyes to how He is at work in those situations. Pray that He would help you trust Him even when you can’t see what He’s doing.

Look through an old journal or think back over your life. How can you see God’s hand on your life, bringing you to where you are today? Thank God for how He has worked in your life and how He will continue to do so in the future.

Who in your life needs a reminder that God is still at work? What steps will you take this week to remind that person how God is working through them? List two.
Memorize Philippians 1:6. Recite it when you feel discouraged or can’t see how God is working through you. Share it with Christian friends who need encouragement.

Behind the Story

The place of worship mentioned in Genesis 13:18 is the first and only piece of land that Abram actually owned in Canaan. While his descendants would be given the entire promised land, Abram was merely a sojourner there. He did, however, buy this plot of land—the field of Machpelah near Mamre—as a burial site for Sarah. He was eventually buried there, too.

Posted in Boys, Devotions | Tagged Camp Ridgecrest Alumni and Friends, Camp Ridgecrest for Boys, Reprinted from ec magazine. © 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Used by permission., Weekly Devotions | Leave a reply

An Unstoppable Story

Posted by Karah

Pause

Even as Christians, we falter and stumble as we walk with God. We often react out of fear rather than resting in and trusting God’s promises.

Read Genesis 12:10-20 in your Bible for an example from Abram’s life. Dig a little deeper with the questions below.

“When he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, “Look, I know what a beautiful woman you are. When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ They will kill me but let you live. Please say you’re my sister so it will go well for me because of you, and my life will be spared on your account.” —Genesis 12:11-13

Abram’s faith was immediately tested by a famine. Yet, the text doesn’t fault Abram for making the trip. If that wasn’t his act of disobedience, what was? Explain.

This episode from Abram’s life shows us that God will not allow His promises to be jeopardized, even in the face of our failures or a momentary lack of faith. How do you see that in this passage? How have you seen it in your own life?

Think about times when you’ve faltered in your faith or let sin take hold in your life. How does this story give you hope? Explain.

The Point

Nothing can thwart God’s plans, not even our failures.

Respond

Motivated by fear, Abram crafted a plan of action based on his circumstances rather than God’s promises. Think on that as you meditate on these questions:

How am I living out of fear rather than trusting God to do what He has said?

In what situations am I most tempted to rely on myself than what God has said?

How do I see those choices affecting my life? My relationship with God? My relationships with others?

Do I have a Christian friend who has stumbled in his or her faith and is allowing guilt and shame keep him or her from growing in Christ? What steps will I take this week to share the hope of this passage with him or her? List two.

Behind the Story

Sadly, this incident with Pharaoh wasn’t the only time Abram lied about Sarai being his wife. Genesis 20 records a similar incident with King Abimilech of Gerar that reveals much about Abram’s rationale and premeditated deception. Abram’s son, Isaac, also followed in his father’s footsteps, passing his wife Rebekah off as his sister to another King Abimelech in Genesis 26.

Bold Obedience

Posted by Karah

Pause

Ponder this quote to begin your time with God today:

“[To have faith in Christ] means, of course, trying to do all that He says. . . . Thus if you have really handed yourself over to Him, it must follow that you are trying to obey Him.” —C.S. Lewis

So Abram went, as the Lord had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was 75 years old when he left Haran. He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated, and the people he had acquired in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan. —Genesis 12:4-5a

Reread Genesis 12:1-3 one more time this week. Then, read Genesis 12:4-9 carefully. Consider these questions:

Underline the first three words in verse 4. Why are these words so important? Explain.

God’s promises to Abram seemed impossible and unlikely. He promised a childless old man that he would be the father of many nations and that he would possess a land that already belonged to someone else. Yet, Abram stepped out in obedience.

When have you seen someone step out in radical obedience to God, even though what they were doing seemed difficult, unlikely, or impossible? What have you learned from that person’s example?

God called Abram to leave behind all that was comfortable and familiar to him and follow where He would lead. What familiar or comfortable things has God called you to leave behind in the past? What might He be calling you to leave behind now?

The Point

When God called, Abram obeyed. God is still inviting people to be a part of His story. When He calls, we must choose to obey.

Respond

Look at the list of familiar and comfortable things God might want you leave behind to follow Him. Maybe it’s a relationship, a life-long dream, or an attitude you’ve had for a long time.

What steps will you take this week to follow God in obedience in those things? List two to three below.

Maybe the most honest prayer you can pray right now is to ask God to give you the desire to be boldly and radically obedient to Him despite fear or doubt about leaving behind all that is familiar or comfortable. Record your prayer in your journal.

For further study, read Radical or Follow Me by David Platt. Listen to “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)” by Hillsong United (Zion, 2013).

Behind the Story

Schechem was located at a strategic pass between Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal, about 41 miles north of Jerusalem. “The oak of Moreh” probably referred to a Canaanite shrine. The Canaanites worshiped many gods and believed fertile groves of trees to be sacred. The oak is mentioned a few more times in the Old Testament, in Genesis 35:4 and Judges 9:6,37.

A Blessing to All Nations

Posted by Karah

Pause

Find a different location for your time with God today, somewhere you don’t usually go. Ask God to speak to you in a new way as you study His Word.

Read Genesis 12:1-3 aloud today, then dig into the deeper meaning behind God’s words of blessing to Abram.

“I will make you into a great nation, I will bless you, I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, I will curse those who treat you with contempt, and all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

—Genesis 12:2-3

Great Nation: A nation generally involved a great population with common land, language, and government. Yet God made this promise to a 75-year-old man with no children and a wife well past childbearing.

Make your name great: Through his obedience to God, Abram would achieve the fame the builders at Babel (Gen. 11) had sought. Think over what you know about Abram, the Old Testament, and God’s chosen people, the Jews. How do you know God fulfilled this promise?

All the peoples: “All” is the Hebrew word kol, which means every. God’s promise to Abram would spread to the whole world through Abram, Israel, the prophets, and eventually, the Messiah. How is the Messiah a blessing to all people? Explain.

Look over God’s promise to Abram one more time. What does this blessing have to do with you? What parts of it affect you? How?

The Point

God’s promise to Abram isn’t just a nice historical story. Through Abram would come the Messiah, our only hope of salvation.

Respond

Abram would enjoy land, descendants, and blessing, but he would also be a part of something much bigger. From Abram’s line would come the Messiah.

Take some time to meditate on and revel in the scope and intricacy of God’s plan. All those years ago, He was at work, putting the pieces of His story together so that redemption—your redemption—would be possible. Record your prayer of praise in your journal.

For further study on this topic, read Romans 9:4-5 and Galatians 3:8,16.

Behind the Story

The word translated “nation” in verse 2 is the Hebrew word goy. It literally means nation and was used to refer to the Jewish nation (Gen. 12:2; Ex. 19:6). In later usage, the word began to be used in a derogatory way to describe those who were not of Jewish descent. In modern Hebrew and Yiddish, goy is the standard term used to mean Gentile. Through Abram, God would create the Jewish nation. And through Abram’s line would come the Messiah, the Savior for Jews and Gentiles alike.

Promise Keeper

Posted by Karah

Pause

Skim over God’s words to Abram in Genesis 12:1-3. Thank God that He is a God who does what He promises.

The Lord said to Abram:

“Go out from your land, your relatives, and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, I will bless you, I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.”

—Genesis 12:1-2

A good story has a strong protagonist, the lead character and chief actor. The protagonist moves the action forward; his decisions initiate and advance the plot. Read over Genesis 12:1-3, then dig deeper with these questions:

Who is the Protagonist in these verses? Why?

Look back over verses 1-3, underlining in your Bible all the “I will” statements God made to Abram. How do you see God acting as the Initiator of the action in these verses? Explain.

How do you see the scope and greatness of God’s great plan coming into focus in this passage?

The Point

God isn’t just the Protagonist of His story. He is the One who guarantees that what He has said will happen.

Respond

God didn’t give Abram a bunch of requirements he had to meet before God would fulfill His promises. God didn’t say, “When you do this, then I’ll . . .” when He called Abram. God didn’t predict Abram’s future; He promised it. To have that future, all Abram had to do was respond.

The same is true of us. Through Jesus, God has promised us salvation, forgiveness of sin, and an eternity with Him. But to have that guaranteed future, we must respond to His gospel.

If you have placed your faith in Christ, you don’t have to be mired in doubt and fear about your future. What God has promised is sure. Rest in the security of the hope He gives today.

For further study on God’s faithfulness, read Psalm 117; 1 Corinthians 1:4-9; 2 Timothy 2:11-13; and 1 John 1:9. Listen to “Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies)” by Chris Tomlin (Burning Lights, 2013).

Behind the Story

The call of Abram in Genesis 12 uses many poetic elements, but the most prominent one is repetition. The call involves juxtaposition between the second person pronouns (“you” and “yours”) and the first person verbs (“I will”). This all works together to make it clear that Abram is the recipient and God is the “Promiser.”

Still His Story

Posted by Karah

Pause

Take a few minutes to write down everything that is pulling your attention away from God. Pray over the list, then focus your mind on Christ.

Read over Genesis 11:1-9 in your Bible. Take a moment to set the scene for these verses. What words would you use to describe the culture? The peoples’ attitude toward God?

“And they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the sky. Let us make a name for ourselves; otherwise, we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.” —Genesis 11:4

Dig a little deeper with these questions.

The flood had been a new beginning for the world, but humanity’s sin nature didn’t go away when the flood waters receded. How are today’s verses an example of that? Explain.

Think back to Adam and Eve’s sin in Genesis 3, then reread Genesis 11:4. Adam and Eve sinned against God by trying to achieve power and knowledge independent of Him and the ways He had provided. How does the story in Genesis 11 echo that idea?

Reread verses 5-9 and consider God’s response to the peoples’ plan to make their own names famous. How does that help you to see that God is still the main Character of Scripture and it is His story? Explain.

The Point

We should live to make His name famous, not our own.

Respond

The people in Genesis 11 focused all their energy and effort on something they thought would bring them fame and power, which they equated with security.

When do you find yourself trying to find security, safety, or hope in something other than God? Be honest before God, confessing anything that is keeping Him from His rightful place as the Author and Main Character of your story.

What are you putting all of your energy into right now? Is the focus of all that energy about making God famous or making a name for yourself?

For further study, read “A Giant Staircase to Heaven” in The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd Jones.

Behind the Story

Building the tower was sinful because of the pride and arrogance involved, but also because it was an act of disobedience. In Genesis 9:1, God had commanded Noah and his family to spread out over the earth and continue multiplying in order to “fill the earth.” Ultimately, instead of obeying God, the people decided they didn’t want to be scattered across the earth and attempted to build their own fame rather than obeying and glorifying God.

Grateful Praise

Posted by Karah

Pause

Think back over the story of Noah and how the flood played a role in God’s redemption story. Thank God for teaching you new truths and invite Him to speak to you again today.

Recall a time when someone did something unexpectedly nice for you—completed a chore you didn’t have the time to do, gave you money for camp or a mission trip, or did that task at work that you despise the most. What emotions did you feel? How did you respond? Jot down a few thoughts.

Now, for the last time, read over Genesis 8:15-22 in your Bible. Then, focus in on verses 20-21.

“Then Noah built an altar to the Lord. He took some of every kind of clean animal and every kind of clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar. When the Lord smelled the pleasing aroma, He said to Himself, “I will never again curse the ground because of man, even though man’s inclination is evil from his youth. And I will never again strike down every living thing as I have done.” —Genesis 8:20-21

Think about how you felt when someone did something unexpectedly nice for you. Now, think about what God had just done for Noah. How did Noah respond to God’s work in his life?

The flood had destroyed everyone and every thing in the world, but God had saved Noah and his family. Noah responded with worship and sacrifice.

Look closely at verse 20. Noah sacrificed from “every kind” of clean animal, going well beyond what was necessary. What does that tell you about His level of gratefulness to God?

As a Christian, how grateful are you for the rescue from sin God has given you? How does your life reflect your gratefulness?

The Point

Great salvation calls for great worship.

Respond

Noah didn’t hop off the ark, say “Thanks, God,” and go on his merry way. He worshiped, going above and beyond the norm by offering sacrifices of “every kind.”

Go above and beyond your norm to show God gratefulness for salvation. Whatever that means for you, do it, because He has gone above and beyond for you. For ideas, read Psalm 51:16-17 and 19:14.

Sin can get in the way of experiencing the joy of your salvation. Read Psalm 51 and confess any sin the Holy Spirit reveals in your life. Personalize verse 12 as your prayer to God.

Behind the Story

Noah’s account in God’s story is the first time we find the use of the words clean and burnt in regards to sacrificial offerings. These two terms became an important part of life for God’s people. Clean refers to something that is holy or acceptable to God, and the Old Testament describes laws about that in detail in Leviticus 11. A burnt offering was an offering completely burned to ashes. It was used in connection with worship, seeking God’s favor, to pay for sin, or preventing judgment.

By Faith

Posted by Karah

Pause

Ponder this quote from A.W. Tozer as you begin your quiet time:

“The man that believes will obey; failure to obey is convincing proof that there is no true faith present.”

Think about people in your life who you have to obey: teachers, parents, and others in positions of authority. What’s the reason behind your obedience? Respect? Love? You just don’t want to get in trouble? Journal your response.

Skim over Genesis 6:1-22 in your Bible. As you read, underline any words or phrases that help you to understand what fueled Noah’s obedience to God.

Read Hebrews 11:7. Look for the word or words that describe why Noah obeyed God.

“By faith Noah, after he was warned about what was not yet seen and motivated by godly fear, built an ark to deliver his family. By faith he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.” —Hebrews 11:7

Noah’s obedience was good, but meaningless without faith. Look back at Cain and Abel’s story to refresh your memory. God knows what fuels your obedience to Him, and it matters. He knows when you’re faking it, and He’s not fooled when your motivation to obey is more about having a good reputation or the fear of getting caught than honoring Him.

It’s easy to get the idea that your obedience to God can earn you favor with Him. But that’s not what Hebrews 11:7 describes. God warned Noah that destruction was coming and Noah obeyed Him, building the ark. Noah’s faith fueled his obedience, not the other way around.

The Point

Noah’s obedience flowed from His faith. Our faith should fuel our obedience to God, too.

Respond

What fuels your obedience to God? Examine your relationship with God and motives for obeying Him. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth and confess any motivation that doesn’t come from faith.

Are there specific ways that you know God is calling you to be obedient to Him, but you haven’t taken any steps to do so? Now is the time to step out in faith. Jot down two steps you’ll take to follow Jesus in obedience in those areas this week.

For further study, read 1 John 5:3.

Behind the Story

Noah isn’t the only one described as obeying God because of faith. The entire chapter of Hebrews 11 records men and women whose faith fueled their obedience to God in the most difficult of circumstances. Clearly, faith is key to God’s redemption story. Faith brings a confidence in God’s promises and shows our trust in His character.

The God Who Rescues

Posted by Karah

Pause

Focus your heart and mind on God by singing your favorite worship songs. Consider “Came to My Rescue” by Hillsong Live (The Very Best of Hillsong Live, 2010).

Think about a time when you needed someone to rescue you from something. Maybe you were involved in an accident, trapped by the consequences of your own decisions, or unable to free yourself from a situation. What kinds of emotions did you feel when your rescuer arrived? How did you feel when you were free? Jot down a few thoughts.

The truth is that we all need to be rescued from sin. It overpowers and enslaves us. There is nothing we can do to rescue ourselves. The good news is that God has already provided our rescue in Jesus.

Read Genesis 6:17-18 in your Bible and Romans 5:8-9 on this page. Keep both open at once and consider the questions below:

“But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us! Much more then, since we have now been declared righteous by His blood, we will be saved through Him from wrath.” —Romans 5:8-9

What word begins both Romans 5:8 and Genesis 6:18? How does this word help us to see that something is about to change, that hope is on the way?

In both passages, sin caused the issue. But in both passages, God came through. How did He do that in each passage? Explain.

God provided the ark which saved Noah, his family, and the animals from God’s wrath against sin. How did Jesus do the same for us? Explain it in your own words.

The Point

God provided a rescue for Noah and He does the same for us in Jesus.

Respond

When you read Noah’s story, you can know that God values your life just as much as Noah’s. The thing is, you don’t have to build an ark to be rescued. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, God built the bridge Himself; all He requires from you is faith.

When did you first realize that you were a sinner who needed to be rescued from sin? If you have never sought forgiveness from your sins and placed your faith in Christ, talk to someone about doing that today!

If you are a believer, thank Him for rescuing you. Praise Him for being your Rescuer.

For further study, read Galatians 1:3-4; Colossians 1:13; and 1 Thessalonians 1:8-10.

Behind the Story

God’s wrath didn’t end with the flood. God never changes, and His anger regarding sin is the same today as it was in the days of Noah. God is holy, and He cannot tolerate sin. But Christians can rest in Jesus because He took God’s wrath upon Himself on the cross so we would never have to face it.

New Beginnings

Posted by Karah

Pause

Consider this quote from Louis L’Amour:

“There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. Yet that will be the beginning.”

“Then God spoke to Noah, ‘Come out of the ark, you, your wife, your sons, and your sons’ wives with you. Bring out all the living creatures that are with you—birds, livestock, those that crawl on the ground—and they will spread over the earth and be fruitful and multiply on the earth.’” —Genesis 8:15-17

Read Genesis 8:1–9:17 in your Bible. As you read, look for examples of new life and new beginnings.

Now, focus on verses 15-19. Ask yourself:

Compare Genesis 8:15-19 to Genesis 1:26-28. How are they similar? Why is it more accurate to recognize the flood as a new beginning rather than an ending?

Consider the quote above. What does it have to do with today’s passage? Explain.

We often say that God makes all things new. Today’s passage is a clear example of that idea. What has God made new in your life?

The Point

God is a God who makes all things new.

Respond

God didn’t destroy the earth to end it; He made all things new. Take some time to reflect today on the things God desires to put an end to in your life and the new things He wants you to experience as a result. Record your response as a prayer in the space below.

For further study:

Read 2 Corinthians 5:17 and John 10:10.

Check out “A New Beginning” by Sally Lloyd-Jones in The Jesus Storybook Bible.

Behind the Story

God didn’t tell Noah to come out of the ark until the earth was dry. It wasn’t a muddy mess, evidenced by the fact that the first thing Noah did when he came out was build an altar of fire. Sometimes we have to wait on God’s promises to be fulfilled, but when He does fulfill them, He does so with completion.

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