February 20 -- "Calling Upon the Name of the Lord"

Today's Reading:  Genesis 21

"Calling Upon the Name of the Lord"

"Calling upon the name of the Lord" is a phrase that is used throughout the Bible to refer to prayer and worship directed towards God. It often implies a deep sense of devotion, humility, and dependence on God. It also implies a sense of seeking God's presence, guidance, and help.

When someone "calls upon the name of the Lord," they are expressing their faith and trust in God, and seeking His help and guidance. It can be a form of a prayer, a cry for help, or a declaration of faith. It's a way of acknowledging and addressing God, expressing one's dependence on Him, seeking His help and guidance, and worshipping Him by acknowledging His unfathomable greatness.

In the context of Genesis 21:33, Abraham is planting a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there he called upon the name of the Lord, the Everlasting God as an act of faith, and as a way of asking for God's blessings on the treaty he had just made with Abimelech. It is a way of Abraham showing his trust in God and asking for His presence to be with them and guide them in their agreement.

Jesus, in the New Testament, teaches about calling on the name of the Lord in several ways. He encourages his followers to pray to God, to have faith in God's power to help, to worship Him, and to rely on Him for guidance. He emphasizes the importance of having a personal relationship with God, and that true worship comes from the heart.

One example of Jesus teaching about worship is found in John 4:23-24, where Jesus says "But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." Jesus is teaching that true worship is not about following a set of rules or rituals, but about having a genuine connection with God in spirit and in truth.

February 19 -- "Healing through Intercession"

 Today's Reading: Genesis 20

"Healing through Intercession"

In Genesis 20, we read about a situation where Abraham and Sarah travel to the land of Gerar, and to avoid any potential conflict, Abraham tells the king of Gerar, Abimelech, that Sarah is his sister. Abimelech takes Sarah into his household, but God reveals to Abimelech in a dream that Sarah is actually Abraham's wife and not his sister. Abimelech is outraged and immediately returns Sarah to Abraham, but God also afflicts Abimelech and his household with infertility as a punishment for taking another man's wife.

In this verse, it is said that Abraham prays to God on Abimelech's behalf, asking for forgiveness and for the healing of Abimelech and his household. God grants Abraham's request and heals Abimelech, his wife, and his female slaves, allowing them to have children again. This verse illustrates the power and effectiveness of Abraham's prayer and the mercy and grace of God.

Jesus, in the New Testament, teaches about healing through intercession and prayer several times. He encourages his followers to pray for the sick and to have faith in God's power to heal. He also performs many healings himself, demonstrating God's power to heal through him.

In Matthew 9:35, Jesus teaches about the importance of intercession and prayer for the sick, saying "And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction." This passage shows Jesus not only teaching about the power of intercession but also actively going out and healing people through prayer.

In James 5:14-15, the Apostle James says "Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven." This passage emphasizes the importance of intercession and prayer for the sick, and the belief that through faith in God, the person can be healed.

February 18 -- "Don't Look Back"

 Today's Reading: Genesis 19

"Don't Look Back"

In this verse, Lot's wife looks back at the city of Sodom, which is about to be destroyed by God, and turns into a pillar of salt. Lot's wife's name is not mentioned in the Bible. According to some Jewish tradition her name was Ednah, and others suggest that her name was Ado or Amrah. (It's important to note that these names are not found in the Bible and are not considered to be authoritative or historically accurate.)

This verse is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it is a reminder of the destruction that occurred in the city of Sodom, which was known for its wickedness and immorality. The destruction of the city serves as a warning to all of us that God will not tolerate sin and wickedness.

Secondly, it is a warning to God's children not to look back when God is leading them to safety. Lot and his family were instructed by God to flee the city before it was destroyed and not to look back, but Lot's wife disobeyed this instruction and looked back. Her punishment of turning into a pillar of salt serves as a warning to not to look back when God is leading us away from danger or sin.

Thirdly, Lot's wife turning into a pillar of salt can be seen as a symbol of the hardening of the heart, she disobeyed God's command and looked back towards the wickedness, she turned her back on God, this act of disobedience can be seen as a metaphor for the hardening of one's heart and turning away from God.

Our loving Heavenly Father is always leading us away from darkness, sin, and danger. We must stay focused on Him and follow Him wherever He leads us. Looking back to the ways of the world – especially if we are looking back longingly – is a sign that we are no longer finding our satisfaction and spiritual contentment in Him. Don’t look back! The glories of fellowship with your Creator await you in the future. Stay the course. Keep your eyes on Him!

February 17 -- Today's Reading: Genesis 18 "Is Anything Too Hard for the Lord?"

 Today's Reading: Genesis 18

"Is Anything Too Hard for the Lord?"

Today's verse begins with the question, "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" This is a rhetorical question, as the answer is clearly "no." God is all-powerful and there is nothing that is beyond His capabilities.

The verse continues by saying, "I [the Lord] will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son." This is a promise from God to Abraham and Sarah that they will have a child, despite their advanced age and Sarah's previous inability to conceive. It is a reminder that with God, all things are possible and that He can do the impossible.

This verse is also significant because it highlights the faith and trust that Abraham and Sarah had in God. Despite their circumstances, they believed that God was able to fulfill His promise and that Sarah would have a son. Their faith is a reminder to us that we too should trust in God's power and ability to do the impossible in our own lives.

This verse also implies God's foreknowledge and sovereignty, he already knew the outcome, and he was certain that Sarah will have a son, the verse gives a sense of time frame for when the promise will be fulfilled. This can give hope and reassurance to the reader that God's promises will come true in his timing.

February 16 -- Today's Reading: Genesis 17 "The Promise of Canaan"

 Today's Reading: Genesis 17

"The Promise of Canaan"

This verse is part of God's covenant with Abram (later renamed Abraham) in which God promises to give the land of Canaan to Abraham and his descendants as an eternal possession. The land of Canaan is the land that is currently Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan.

This verse is significant because it shows God's promise to give the land to Abraham and his descendants as an eternal possession. It also shows God's promise to be their God, which is a reminder of the close relationship God desires to have with His people.

This verse is also significant because it establishes the concept of the Promised Land in the Bible, which would play a significant role in Jewish and Christian theology throughout history.

Jesus, as a Jew, would have considered the Old Testament as scripture, and would have been familiar with the story of God's covenant with Abraham and the promise of the land of Canaan.

In the New Testament, Jesus does not directly reference Genesis 17:8, but he does speak about the concept of the Promised Land and the fulfillment of God's promises in the New Covenant. Jesus emphasizes the spiritual aspect of God's promise rather than the physical land, he talks about the Kingdom of God, which is not limited by geographical boundaries. Jesus says in John 4:21-24 "For salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."

In Matthew 5:5 Jesus says "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." This verse also emphasizes the spiritual aspect of inheriting the Promised Land, which is not limited to a physical piece of land, but rather a spiritual inheritance.

So, Jesus did not negate the Old Testament, but rather fulfilled it in a spiritual way and taught the deeper meaning of God's promises.

February 15 -- Today's Reading: Genesis 15 & 16 "Righteousness Through Faith"

Today's Reading:  Genesis 15 & 16

"Righteousness Through Faith"

In this passage, Abram (who has no children) has just been told by God that his descendants will be as numerous as the stars in the sky, and that God will give them the land of Canaan as an inheritance.

In response, Abram expresses his belief in God and his trust in God's promise. As a result, God credits Abram's faith as righteousness. This passage is significant because it is one of the earliest examples in the Bible of the idea that faith in God is the basis for righteousness.

The passage implies that God is not only the Creator but also the Judge of human moral actions, and that faith in Him is the means by which people can be justified or declared right in God's sight. This concept is later developed in the New Testament and is central to the Christian doctrine of justification by faith.

In the book of Romans, the Apostle Paul writes that "a person is justified by faith apart from works of the law" (Romans 3:28). He goes on to explain that faith in Jesus Christ is the means by which people can be made right with God and receive the gift of righteousness (Romans 3:22, 5:17-18).

In the book of Galatians, Paul also emphasizes that righteousness does not come through following the law, but through faith in Jesus Christ (Galatians 2:16, 3:11).

In the letter of Hebrews, the author states that "without faith it is impossible to please God" (Hebrews 11:6) and that people are made right with God through faith in Jesus Christ, who offered himself as a perfect sacrifice for our sins (Hebrews 9:14, 10:14).

February 14 -- "The Mystery of Melchizedek"

Today's Reading:  Genesis 14

"The Mystery of Melchizedek"

Melchizedek’s sudden appearance and disappearance in the book of Genesis is somewhat mysterious. Melchizedek and Abraham first met after Abraham’s defeat of Chedorlaomer and his three allies. Melchizedek presented bread and wine to Abraham and his weary men, demonstrating friendship. He bestowed a blessing on Abraham in the name of El Elyon (“God Most High”) and praised God for giving Abraham a victory in battle

Abram, in turn, gives Melchizedek a tenth of everything he has taken as spoils of war, a practice known as tithing. By this act Abraham indicated that he recognized Melchizedek as a priest who ranked higher spiritually than himself. See how great this man was to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the spoils!

So Abram received the blessing, recognized the man as the priest of the Most High God, gave tithes of all of the spoils that he had taken unto him. Nothing more is said of Melchizedek until we get to the 110th Psalm. And suddenly we read the words, "I have sworn, and will not repent, I have made you a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek."  This is a prophetic statement about the coming Christ, the Messiah, and teaches us that Melchizedek was a foreshadowing or prefiguration of our Great High Priest, Jesus Christ.

Later on, the author of the book of Hebrews begins to point out the fact that Jesus, though He is from the tribe of Judah of which the Scriptures have nothing to say concerning the priesthood, He is a Priest of the order of priesthood of Melchizedek, the superior order of priesthood. Thus, He can be the Great High Priest of those who will come unto God through Him.

This passage is significant for several reasons. First, it is the first mention of Melchizedek in the Bible and his introduction as a priest of God Most High. Secondly, it demonstrates one of the functions of the priesthood - to stand before God and bless God's people, pronouncing upon them favor and success. Third, it is one of the earliest examples of the practice of tithing in the Bible. And lastly, it shows the recognition of God's sovereignty over the universe and his role in the victory of Abram.