Week 1
Abraham lived a blessed life. That does not mean that he lived an easy life though. Just as he
had moved into his retirement villa, God asked him to travel to a land he had never been to
before. Traveling that far with all his family and possessions would be very dangerous. He was
promised to be the father of a great nation but did not have his first child to Sarah until he was
99. Then he was asked by God to give this child up. Abraham also did not live a perfect life. He
made a lot of mistakes. He asked his wife to pretend to be his sister so people would not kill him
to take her as a wife. When it appeared that Sarah could not have children, Abraham had a child
through his wife’s servant.
Despite these obstacles, Abraham still chose to follow God. That is why he is thought of as blessed. He did become the father of a great nation as God had promised. God blessed Abraham, because God loved him. But he also blessed Abraham so that every other nation could see what a blessing it was to follow God. This is what God says to Abraham.
Despite these obstacles, Abraham still chose to follow God. That is why he is thought of as blessed. He did become the father of a great nation as God had promised. God blessed Abraham, because God loved him. But he also blessed Abraham so that every other nation could see what a blessing it was to follow God. This is what God says to Abraham.
Genesis 12:1-3 (NIV)
1 The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you. 2 "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."
1 The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you. 2 "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."
God chose to use one man and his family as an example for what it means to live with God
through all of the ups and downs of life. Abraham was blessed so that others might be blessed as
well.
In what ways is your life blessed? I know you have challenges and obstacles as well, yet do not forget how blessed you are. You are blessed because God loves you. And he also loves all of his children. So when you bless someone else, you are God’s blessing to that person. If you are not feeling very blessed, I challenge you today to write down five blessings that you have. Then write down five more tomorrow and each day for 30 days. During those 30 days, also think of ways in which you can share those blessings with others. In doing so, you will have doubled your blessings.
This is not something that we can do by our own wisdom, strength, or talent. This comes as a result of us humbly accepting God’s gift of love to us and sharing it with others. We are called to come and live in the Father’s house. But we are also called to go into the world, so that others can see his love and grace working through us. We are blessed. Will we be God’s blessings to others?
Time of Prayer:
1) 1 min – What is God saying to me through this devotional?
2) 1 min – What am I going to do about it?
3) 1 min – What do I want to say to God?
4) 2 min – Listen for what God wants to say to you now.
In what ways is your life blessed? I know you have challenges and obstacles as well, yet do not forget how blessed you are. You are blessed because God loves you. And he also loves all of his children. So when you bless someone else, you are God’s blessing to that person. If you are not feeling very blessed, I challenge you today to write down five blessings that you have. Then write down five more tomorrow and each day for 30 days. During those 30 days, also think of ways in which you can share those blessings with others. In doing so, you will have doubled your blessings.
This is not something that we can do by our own wisdom, strength, or talent. This comes as a result of us humbly accepting God’s gift of love to us and sharing it with others. We are called to come and live in the Father’s house. But we are also called to go into the world, so that others can see his love and grace working through us. We are blessed. Will we be God’s blessings to others?
Time of Prayer:
1) 1 min – What is God saying to me through this devotional?
2) 1 min – What am I going to do about it?
3) 1 min – What do I want to say to God?
4) 2 min – Listen for what God wants to say to you now.