Genesis
Ch 13
vs. 1-2: "Abram was very rich..." Honestly... can't relate.
vs. 3-7: Tentions rise! This here land ain't big enough for the both of us! Said Lot and Abram's servants.
vs. 8-13: Valleys unlike popular opinion can be great places. The water collects there and the wildlife is abundant. Also, Lot for real said this right here looks good I'll take it. He must have known how wicked Sodom was.
vs. 14-18: God for real said in all directions, including the one Lot went. Lol. Also, note that almost every time God gave Abram a promise Abram built an altar. We would do well to build more altars in our lives, one to remember God's word and two to place a monument of God's faithfulness.
P.S.- This chapter right here is the chapter I read in my earliest memory of reading the Bible with my grandma.
Ch. 14
vs. 1- 7: That's a lot of fighting.
vs.8-12: They kidnaped Lot! How crazy. First Lot just settled there but now he is so enthralled with them he is entangled in their battles.
vs.13:-16: Abram saved his nephew. Good for him.
vs. 17-20: A tenth of everything. This pre-dates tithing but Abrams's pension for the tenth is kind of the precursor to tithing.
vs. 21-24: Wow, what character. To know that honoring God and his provision over your life is more than monetary gain.
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Ch. 15
vs. 1-6: Immediately after Abram said that God gets the glory God promises to bless him, even asking Abram what he wants. This passage is also quoted in the New Testament.
vs. 7: God has a lot of I AM statements. It is a worthwhile study. Most often HIs I AM statements are in regard to His relationship and past behavior with His children.
vs. 8-11: In ancient traditions, bone reading was very common. It was a way for them to discern the will of God. Here though there was no reading. Instead, this seems to be a sacrifice given to God. An offering so to speak. This makes sense because later God discourages witchcraft and such practices in its entirety.
vs. 12-16: This is really neat. The fourth generation here is speaking of Moses I believe. Also, God talks about their enslavement and how when they come out they will be endowed. That checks because the Egyptians sent the Hebrews away with their precious jewels and gold. They later used some of that to make a golden calf but I digress.
vs. 17-21: The promised land is established and outlined.
Mathew
Ch.5
vs. 1: The sermon on the mount! Mathew kind of gives me whiplash sometimes with how fast his pacing is. I bet it's nice for people who enjoy fast-paced things. It can be hard for me to keep up.
vs. 2-8: Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God. Maybe that is why children are prone to seeing spiritual things when adults have a hard time.
vs. 9-12: Most of these are one-to-one. The merciful shall receive mercy and such however the last few are interesting because it isn't exactly one-to-one. Jesus doesn't promise vengeance to those who persecute you. He promises that your reward is great in heaven. Sometimes we apply the golden rule to others however not everything is fair. Bad people don't always get their just reward here on earth but God does promise to make it right in the here after.
vs. 13-16: Sometimes I feel like we as Christians forget to actually shine. Where is your joy? Where is your light? Misery is something acquired but it is also a choice. You don't have to be so picky toward your waitress. Not everything deserves a ten-minute tirade on the internet. Sometimes it's better to be happy. Don't let your salt lose its flavor and don't hide your light under a busshel.
vs. 17-20: Some say we don't need modesty or other parts of the Law but Jesus makes it very clear that He did not abolish the law and that not one dot or iota will pass away before the completion of time.
vs. 21-22: Don't let your anger consume you.
vs. 23-26: I know it is unpopular in this day and age to confront someone and resolve your issues openly. Many would prefer to speak ill or ignore the other. Jesus said though do not even give him an offering before you make it right with your brother. He is serious. Another portion of scripture goes further saying do not let the sun go down on your wrath. Make it right that day! Don't wait unless the Lord comes between then and now.
vs. 27-30: This is a good principle to uphold. Something might not be bad for you but if doing it will lead you to doing something bad then cut it out of your life. Hanging out with a friend might not harm you but if you have issues with what they do and succumbing to that then distance yourself from that friend. More extremely if you have a crush on your friend's spouse, don't go around your friend, especially their house. You don't want to set yourself up for failure. That is why most people preach against alcohol, not that it is inherently bad but that most people can't stop themselves from drinking to inebriation and doing something they shouldn't.
vs. 31-32: This is a hard topic in today's time to address. I won't speak much about it just that God doesn't separate from His bride unless they cheat on Him.
vs. 33-37: If you have to swear to make your word valuable your words hold no meaning or weight. It means that you are calling on a higher power to validate that you mean what you say. God says not to do that. Just honor your word and you won't have to do that. If you say you are going to do something then do it.
vs. 38-42: What a hard thing to do. Vengence is the Lords though. Sometimes I have to pray for the Lord to spare those who hurt me because I have seen HIm take it. It's not always worth it to me for the other to get punished. I have found praying for protection for those who wound me has blessed me greatly. Their attacks don't hold as much power that way. God says if you pray for your enemies He will cause them to return and bless you. I've also seen this to be true.
vs. 43-48: How hard a task to love those who hate you. I've told my friends this. If Everyone is made in the image of God and I love God then there is something about that person that I can't help but love. This is true simply because I love the image they are reflecting.
Thanks for reading along with me! Tomorrow will be Genesis 16-18 and Mathew 6. Also if you wanted to know I am reading The ESV translation for this read-through. Just in case you are reading along and get confused by something I reference.
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