by Faye Schmidt
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The two men parted company: Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom (Genesis 13:11b,12).
Read Genesis 13:1–18
The land in which the separation of Abram and Lot occurred was already occupied by other people. This was not unoccupied territory, with the Canaanites and Perizzites in residence with their own property, herds and flocks. Abram and Lot were not only competing with each other for space but also in the midst of the original occupiers.
The recording of the separation of Abram and his nephew Lot tells us much about their character. In verse 9 of our text, Abram gave Lot the authority to make the first choice of where he would settle with his herds, flocks and family. Abram did not need to do this. After all, he is the elder, the senior adult. Also, the Lord had spoken to him; he was the one who was following the word of the Lord.
How did Lot make use of such generosity?
First, we note that he based his decision on what he saw – the outward appearance of the scene. We read that ‘Lot chose for himself …’. This was not a decision made for the betterment of others or with protection and safety for his herds, flocks and people in mind. Lot saw ease, comfort and wellbeing in the lushness of the environment and the attraction of the cities. Lot went to the cities – not the plains to rest among his herds.
It was Abram who dwelt on the plains, away from the temptations attractiveness and excitement could offer.
In the choices we make in our lives, are we making them to please ourselves or to please God? Are we looking for an easy, comfortable way out, or do we focus on the promises of God through his Son that we are led not into temptation but delivered from evil to the glory of God? Like Abram gave the choice to Lot, God gives us the opportunity to choose – to follow him, listen to him, serve him and receive his blessings into eternity through his grace.
Dear Lord, help me to choose the way, truth and life that comes through the gift of faith in you and your saving grace. Amen.
Faye Schmidt continues her diaconal calling through governance, having served on the Vic–Tas District Church Board, the General Church Board and currently as chair of her congregation, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Adelaide. Having lived and worked in many locations within Australia and overseas, Faye has a heart for the stranger and the newcomer and for being open to new ideas, learning from others and responding to needs.
Let us pray that we do not trust in riches but follow Jesus.
Our Saviour Jesus, it is through you that we come to God.
Do not let us be drawn away from you by the glitter of wealth or the burdens of daily concerns but make us ready to save everything and boldly follow you.
For you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
by Faye Schmidt
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
‘Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’ And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them (Mark 10:15,16).
Read Mark 10:2–16
Can you see yourself as one of these children, wrapped in Jesus’ arms and receiving his blessing?
In baptism, God declares that we are his children, co-heirs with Christ. In Galatians 3:26,27, we read:
So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptised into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
At baptism, we are gifted with the ability to pray the Lord’s Prayer and call on God as our ‘Father’.
As such children, we can place ourselves in this image of having a close relationship with Jesus, our Saviour. This is not a remote relationship, or one held at arms-length, but close, in his arms with his hands upon us, blessing us.
We also recognise from this text that we are part of a family. The plural is used. We are not an ‘only child’ in a relationship with a God who focuses just on us. We are part of a family. When Jesus gave us the Lord’s Prayer, it begins, ‘Our Father … It is not about ‘me’ or ‘my’. As the children of God, we live in community, in a family.
There is a saying, ‘You can choose your friends, but you can’t choose your relatives’. It is not us who choose the members of this family. God established it through Jesus; it is God who says, ‘You are mine’. God claims us and places us in this family. We recognise and endorse this family as we confess our faith together in the words of the Nicene Creed: ‘We believe …. ’
We have been created as individuals, unique – our DNA and fingerprints are ours alone. As individuals, the Holy Spirit seeks to bring each of us to faith and into God’s family, where we are united to form one body.
We give thanks that we can come to you as our Father, knowing it is your will that each of us knows you love us as your children, heirs with your Son, Jesus Christ, to eternal life through your grace. May the Holy Spirit renew and refresh our faith in you daily as we worship and serve you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
by Craig Heidenreich
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You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet (Psalm 8:6).
Read Psalm 8
Psalm 8 speaks of how God has made humankind rulers over the earth a theme repeated a number of times in Scripture.
In Genesis 9, when God blessed Noah and his family after the flood, he said: ‘Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth.’
If we understand what the Lord calls us to, our life takes on purpose. God calls us to partner with him and bring his rulership into the situations we face.
I am aware that whenever I pray the petition in the Lord’s Prayer – ‘Thy kingdom come, thy will be done’ – I, and the rest of the church, am part of the answer.
Let’s take our rightful place and declare, ‘How majestic is your name [Lord] in all the earth!’
Lord, you are great, and everything has been placed under your feet. Please help us to live this day with purpose. Amen.
Craig is married to Beverley. They have recently moved to Kapunda in South Australia after purchasing a ‘renovator’s delight’, which keeps Craig occupied most weekends. He says who needs to go to the gym when you can knock down some walls!
by Craig Heidenreich
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other (Genesis 11:7).
Read Genesis 11:1–9
Today, in Genesis 11, we have the story of the Tower of Babel.
At about this point in Genesis, the biblical account starts describing the events we see in recorded history (perhaps 3000 BC) as people ‘moved eastward’ into the area that eventually became Babylon.
The rebellious attitude that brought about the recent flood is rising again; however, this time, God initiates a new plan – one that continues to unfold throughout history.
There is more to this story than ‘confusing their language’.
God effectively creates the nations of the earth (dividing them into smaller units) with the view of winning them to himself.
In the next chapter of Genesis, Abraham appears, and God says that all peoples of the earth will be blessed through him. That the Messiah will come from his descendants.
As Jesus comes, this plays out wonderfully with the ‘Great Commission’ (go into all the world). Then, on the day of Pentecost, the Spirit enables all to hear in their own languages (a reverse of Babel).
God has been reaching out to the nations of the earth through Israel and the church, and we have the wonderful description in Revelation of every tribe and tongue worshipping before the lamb (Revelation 7:9).
What begins as confusion at Babel ends with united worship in heaven.
Lord, your ways are truly wonderful. Thank you for persevering with us through all these generations, and we look with anticipation to joining that great multitude in heaven, worshipping you for all eternity. Amen.
Craig is married to Beverley. They have recently moved to Kapunda in South Australia after purchasing a ‘renovator’s delight’, which keeps Craig occupied most weekends. He says who needs to go to the gym when you can knock down some walls!
by Craig Heidenreich
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth (Genesis 9:13).
Read Genesis 9:1–17
The flood story is a major deal in Genesis – taking up four chapters in considerable detail.
In chapter 9, the Lord is at pains to reassure Noah and his family by declaring a covenant with them and with his descendants (us).
God is so emphatic about this that he repeats the word covenant seven times (just in case they missed it).
Not only is he saying it, but God also gives a visible reminder by placing the rainbow in the clouds.
One thing I noted in rereading the passage is the reference in verse 13 when God states, ‘I have set my rainbow in the clouds’. This is not just a meteorological phenomenon – it is his rainbow!
In recent years, people with another agenda have claimed the rainbow as their symbol – let’s remember it’s God’s rainbow through which he declares his wonderful covenant.
Lord, we thank you that you are a covenant-making God – that you are faithful, and we live under your new covenant made possible by the death of Jesus. Amen.
Craig is married to Beverley. They have recently moved to Kapunda in South Australia after purchasing a ‘renovator’s delight’, which keeps Craig occupied most weekends. He says who needs to go to the gym when you can knock down some walls!
by Craig Heidenreich
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
Then Noah built an altar to the Lord (Genesis 8:20a).
Read Genesis 8:6–22
Imagine how confronting it would be to wake up one day to find you and your family were the only humans left on earth. This was Noah’s experience as the flood subsided.
It’s the sort of scenario in those apocalyptic movies when a few people survive a nuclear war, and everything familiar is destroyed.
Noah doesn’t freak out – he turns to God as they step out of the ark and worships by building an altar.
What a picture of this faithful man who knows where his priorities lie.
We all face turning points when we need to make a declaration that our lives belong to God. To build a personal altar!
Lately, I have had the occasion to reflect on the passage in Matthew 6, calling us to ‘seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you as well’.
It is so easy to seek the ‘things’ rather than building an altar of obedience to the Lord himself.
Lord, thank you for those who have gone before, who inspire us to run our race. I pray we can see you amid the challenges and not lose sight of our goal. Amen.
Craig is married to Beverley. They have recently moved to Kapunda in South Australia after purchasing a ‘renovator’s delight’, which keeps Craig occupied most weekends. He says who needs to go to the gym when you can knock down some walls!
by Craig Heidenreich
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
And Noah did all that the Lord commanded him (Genesis 7:5).
Read Genesis 7:1–10,17–23
When Noah was a young fellow (about 550 years old), the Lord spoke to him about building an ark and the coming judgement.
Who knows what derision Noah and his family endured as they obeyed (out of sheer obedience) and the boat took shape.
The flood story is a dramatic example of God’s judgement, recorded as a warning of the final judgement at the end of the age. Let’s look at this more closely.
If you don’t know the heart of the Father, you might conclude that he judges with a certain indifference, but some clues in the story suggest otherwise.
I think the first thing to note is the many years that Noah took to build the ark. This was a tangible warning to any who might take heed. The judgement wasn’t exactly a sudden thunderbolt from heaven.
Another curious element that reveals God’s heart of mercy is found in Jewish commentary on the story. The ‘clue’ is in the genealogy – when Enoch and his son Methuselah are mentioned.
You would remember that Enoch was famously taken up to heaven (a bit like Elijah), but his son Methuselah is famous as the man who lived the longest in history (969 years).
Apparently, the name Methuselah means ‘his death will bring’.
The flood came in the year that Methuselah died.
Perhaps you can see the amazing relevance of these events. Methuselah’s very name is prophetic, and in a sense, God keeps him alive as long as possible, delaying the coming judgement.
As we look for the Lord’s return, let’s reach out with his love and remember 2 Peter 3:9:
The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance.
Dear Lord, help us to stay true to you and to declare your great love to those around us – a love that led you to die and reconcile us back to the Father. Amen.
Craig is married to Beverley. They have recently moved to Kapunda in SA’s Barossa Valley after purchasing a ‘renovator’s delight’, which keeps Craig occupied most weekends. He says who needs to go to the gym when you can knock down some walls!
by Craig Heidenreich
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward (Mark 9:41).
Read Mark 9:38–50
The apostle John is remembered as ‘the one whom Jesus loved’ and wrote letters full of instruction on how we should love – but he didn’t start out that way.
At one time, Jesus called him and his brother James ‘sons of thunder’ due to their fiery natures, after they got so cross with some Samaritans that they wanted them zapped.
Here again, John is objecting to someone Jesus chooses to commend. It’s encouraging to see how much John eventually gets transformed by the work of the Holy Spirit. There’s hope for us yet!
In Mark 9, John is defending the exclusiveness of their group, which is a common attitude among Christians. We can learn from Jesus’ response when he says: ‘Whoever is not against us is for us!’
God is at work in places and people we might overlook if we limit things to our familiar group. He is sovereign and mighty to save; we are not the only ones he uses.
We praise you, Father, for constantly working in the lives of people to defeat the enemy. Give us secure hearts so we can join you and not miss the connections you are providing. Amen.
Craig is married to Beverley. They have recently moved to Kapunda in SA’s Barossa Valley after purchasing a ‘renovator’s delight’, which keeps Craig occupied most weekends. He says who needs to go to the gym when you can knock down some walls!