Keeping The Peace

Blessed are the peacemakers, 
for they will be called children of God. Matthew 5:9

We will never be fruitful in our walk with God if we are not filled with grace and purity of heart. In a fallen world conflict is inevitable. God intends for us to work through our conflicts to peaceful solutions.

It is because of us that there is no peace with God or with each other. We live in a sin filled world with spiritual warfare and unseen forces of darkness. Evil intent and satanic strongholds are all around us.

 You can count on the Lord’s help in the process of working toward peace.  He came that there  might be peace between us and God.

Rick Warren’s Purpose Driven Life, Chapter 20:
Seven steps to restoration:
1. Talk to God before talking to the person.
2. Always take the initiative.
3. Sympathize with their feelings.
4. Confess your part in the conflict.
5. Attack the problem not the person.
6. Cooperate as much as possible.
7. Emphasize reconciliation not resolution.

 This picture was taken on a boat ride with my grandkids, December 2013. 

God’s Masterpiece: Creation - Bible Study of Genesis Chapter 1

Genesis 1 is an iconic chapter that recounts the majestic story of God’s creation, setting the stage for the entire Bible.

-This book begins at the beginning. 

-God is the creator of the universe. 

-He created man and then created woman. 

-This chapter took place everywhere. The entire universe and it describes all the earth.

Genesis 1 tells us that God created the world in 6 days.

Verses 1-2 describes the world beforehand.

Verses 3-5 Day 1 - on the first day God created light and called it “DAY” & the darkness “NIGHT.”

Verses 6-8 Day 2 - God created an expanse that separated the waters and called the expanse heaven.

Verses 9-13 Day 3 - God created dry land and called it earth and the waters he called seas. Who is naming everything? God Next he made the vegetation, plants and trees that grow on the earth.

Verses 14-19 Day 4 - God created sun, moon, planets and stars. He created day & night for us to know our days, seasons and years.

Verses 20-23 Day 5 - God created sea life and birds. He blessed them saying, “Be fruitful and multiply.”

Verses 24-31 Day 6 - God created the animals then created man and woman in his own image. He appointed them to be in charge (dominion) over all the animals. 

God is the author of creativity. Everything God made is beautiful and wonderful. When I am at the beach or in the mountains I sense Gods creative powers. Nature is captivating to our souls.

A Dark Day

The world and life has moments of darkness that are overwhelming. Today I was reminded of that when I heard the pain of betrayal in someone I dearly love. These are the moments that I feel so powerless. I know there is nothing I can say or do to remove the disappointment that is such a part of this world.

This morning my devotional John 1 and verse 5 was a reminder to me that Christ is our light in the darkness of this life. I began to pray that in the midst of despair God would send His light in some way as He so often has in my own life.

My hope is built on nothing less that Jesus blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly lean on Jesus name. On Christ the solid rock I stand All other ground is sinking sand. All other ground is sinking sand.

Genesis Chapter 15

  

Genesis 15

This chapter is about God appearing to Abram in a vision. The story of Abram is important because he is called the Father of all who believe in Romans 4:16. He is an example to us of what growing in our faith looks like.

Verses 1-7

He is an example to us of what growing in our faith looks like. This is the first time God says, fear not (Abram had just gone to war and there was probably the thought of retaliation from those he defeated). I am thy shield is the promise of protection.

 Vs 2-3 In this vision God promises to make Abram a great nation. Abram was baffled with this promise because he and Sarai didn’t have any children. Abram thinks this is impossible. Abram spoke the circumstances not the promise which is what we do in life.

God told him not to worry because his descendants would be equal to the number of stars in the heaven. 

Abram believed the Lord. *being right with God doesn’t activate the promise. - Abram had the promise for 24 years and still nothing happened.

Verses 8-21

Abram asked God how he could be sure his children would inherit the land of Canaan.

God told him to take a heifer, a female goat, a ram, a turtle dove, and a pigeon and cut them in half, except for the pigeon.

Abram did and that night God caused him to fall asleep and experience a “dreadful and great darkness.”

Abraham was told his offspring would be strangers in another land that did not belong to them and they would suffer there 400 years.

After 400 years they would leave with great possessions.

God was going to delay the inheritance of Canaan for 400+ years because the Amorites who lived there were not yet wicked enough to cast out.

God caused a fire pot and a flaming torch to pass through the divided animals.

He made a covenant with Abram to give his children the land from the River of Egypt to the great River. (Euphrates)

Let’s not speak our circumstances but instead let’s speak God’s promises. Just like Abram we have God’s Word that gives us hope for not just a future but for a great future. Our future looks just as bright and just as big. Greater than the stars in the sky. Look up in the sky and when you see all the stars shine above let it be a reminder of the promises of God. It only takes one scripture to overcome the enemy in our life. That is why reading and understanding of God’s Word can change our circumstances completely. God gave us the tools for life in this book and it is up to us what we do with this wonderful gift called the Bible.

Hope For Tomorrow

 For the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed over, that all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God forever.” Joshua 4:23-24

God performed a miracle at the Red Sea and at Jordan by removing the waters so the Israeli nation could cross over on dry land. 

Then Joshua called the twelve men whom he had appointed from the children of Israel, one man from every tribe; and Joshua said to them: “Cross over before the ark of the Lord your God into the midst of the Jordan, and each one of you take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, that this may be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come, saying, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’  Then you shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. And these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever.” Joshua 4:4-7

Today we have many ways to share God's goodness and blessings. For me personally I have my photos to always remind me of His blessings. I love to look at them and smile at all the good times of those I love even if they are no longer with me. My prayer journals where I have marked answered prayers is another reminder. I write about His blessing in my blogs to share His blessings with others. 

We really need those reminders of blessings when we are under attack emotionally, spiritually, financially, physically, etc. When the darkness tries to take us we have all the blessings of the past to remind us of the hope for all our tomorrows.....

This picture was taken by my niece Theresa at Sanibel Island, August 2014. Her photos are a work of art!

Who Am I?

I Peter 2: 9-10 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;  who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

 There have been years of my life where I have been a wife, a mom, a grandma, etc. Also, a time in my life where I felt like my life consisted of being a taxi driver for my kids and all their social events. As a wife and a mom you tend to lose your identity in the family and forget who you were or why God created you in the first place. 

In order to gain perspective and find myself again I would take a trip with my own mom or visit my family and friends in Tennessee. There I would find myself again. It was always good for me, refreshing and gave me the strength to come back home and begin again with a renewed spirit.

My mom is great to travel with because she makes it a fun and enjoyable time for me and for everyone who comes along.Visiting family and friends consist of laughs and memories that we all share. Laughter is always good for the soul and this is just one way to keep me balanced! 

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." If your thinking changes, then everything else can follow.

I've always wanted to be somebody, but I see now I should have been more specific.~Lily Tomlin

This picture was taken from my driveway watching the sun set in 2012.

Facing Failure

Do not rejoice over me, my enemy; When I fall, I will arise;
When I sit in darkness, The Lord will be a light to me. Micah 7:8

Micah said, when I fall, I shall arise. I may stumble, I may make mistakes and I may fail, but with God's help I am determined to get up and keep going.  Life is full of failures for all of us!

Failure comes in many forms such as not living up to our own expectations or the expectations of others. There are times we have been a disappointment to others or to ourselves. There was once a man who said, “We are either failing, or living with the consequences of failure, or recovering from failure, or facing failure in the face, or living with the fear of failure.” 

In almost any area of our lives, we can feel like a failure. We may have failed our parents, our spouse, our kids, our friends, our co-workers, our neighbors and the list goes on.  A great reminder of failure is the verse, Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God."  

Failure is not just something for a limited few but instead is common to everyone.

These are treats the kids at church made on Sunday, January 2014.

Who Are We Listening To?

 ...raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever. Jude 1:13

We are not to listen to the ungodly even so called godly people in our life who will only pervert the truth of our circumstance. If we find people in our life are not helping to diffuse us but instead lighting up our fuse or just helping to keep our fire of fury from going out then that is a huge red flag. On our own we can hate and mistreat others without the encouragement of another who will join us. We need to turn to those who will encourage us more to do what is right especially when our own minds are telling us to do something wrong. 

Jesus: “My sheep recognize my voice and follow me.” John 10:27

“Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, and everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track.” Proverbs 3:6

It is never okay to allow others to mistreat those around us ~ we have to take a stand for what is right no matter the consequence of our actions. I appreciate those in my own life who have had the courage to defend those who have been treated unjustly and didn't listen to the crowd. It's not always popular to do the right thing.

This is a picture I took of a bonfire we made when on vacation 

with our kids in Wisconsin, September 5, 2009.

My Mother’s Day Tribute!

I have been blessed with 6 motherly souls to watch over me throughout my life! 

They are the wind beneath my wings as Bet Midler’s song describes. There was something in each of these ladies that I needed in order to do life in the way God intended for me and I am grateful for each one for more reasons than I am able to write. So I wanted to mention the highlights of each one in this tribute for Mother’s Day!!!

“Paqui has been a constant source of love and joy in my life since childhood, when I lived on the mission field in Spain. The ring she gave me at 7 years old remains a treasured keepsake I wear daily. She's always showered me with affection and continues to spoil me. To me, her family has been my family - her parents were like grandparents, her sister like an aunt, her daughters are like sisters, and her grandkids are my adopted niece and nephew. Spanning nearly 60 years, Paqui's unwavering investment in my life has been a testament to her boundless love. She's loved me with all her heart, and I'm forever grateful.”

"Mama Bet joined our family in 2009 when her grandson married into our family and she's been an angel sent just for us! She's my personal prayer warrior, trusted advisor, and confidante - a second mom and dear friend. I feel her prayers surrounding our family every day, a constant reminder of her unwavering faith. We share a special bond rooted in our love for Jesus and our southern heritage. Mama Bet shines bright with God's grace, no matter the storm, because she trusts in His perfect plan. She's my rock, always got my back like a mama bear, and I'm grateful for her love and support." Plus she’s gifted me a precious treasure- her daughter Cynthia, who has become like a little sister to me.”

“Gwen is more than just my mother-in-law from my previous marriage - she is a loyal, trustworthy, and loving friend like no other. Her protective nature towards her family is inspiring. I cherish the memories of her guidance during my younger years, helping me navigate life's tough decisions when I felt lost. Our adventures together in my young adult life were often mischievous and hilarious, and thinking of them still brings a smile to my face. In my darkest moments, Gwen's faith and support have given me hope, and her wisdom rooted in scripture is a constant source of comfort. She's a shining example of a faithful friend who loves God and family!

“My Mother-in law, Mom Gallo, showed me what it meant to be a strong, caring, and devoted mother. She welcomed me immediately into her family with open arms, making me feel like part of the family from day one. Her love and enthusiasm for her son was heartwarming, and she often shared how much in love he was with me, even before we met. She was an incredible grandmother to my children from my first marriage, she spoiled them rotten - and they adored her for it! Even into their adulthood, she continued to be a source of love and support, always lending a helping hand whenever they needed it. She played a vital role in their lives, showering them with love and attention that made them feel truly special. Her influence on our family has been profound, and I’m so grateful to have had her in our lives. She truly embodied the spirit of love and devotion.”

“Aunt Betty has been my biggest cheerleader, instilling in me the power of "speaking Jesus" from a young age. She's taught me to trust in God's sovereignty, believing He orchestrates every detail of life. Our shared love for the Lord and laughter has made us kindred spirits. Aunt Betty's remarkable ability to find joy and hope in life's challenges is a gift - she can turn darkness into laughter and light. She's always made me feel like her own, affectionately claiming me as her "baby girl" loaned to my mom. Her constant encouragement and support have been a blessing, and I'm honored to be the President of her fan club - a title I'll always proudly hold.”

And now a tribute to my own Momma!!!

“My Mother is truly an inspiration to me. She’s the epitome of hard work and play with an unmatched work ethic that’s truly remarkable.  She is brilliant, talented to the core, amazing humor, and a whole lot of mischief. She taught me to be fearless, to chase my dreams, and to prioritize time with God above all else. Even in her 80’s, she still sets aside time daily to meditate on the Word of God, a habit she instilled in me as a child that’s stuck with me to this day. She’s the reason I strive to work hard, yet she could work circles around me. She’s instilled in me a love for adventure, but her fearless spirit still keeps me on edge - she’s the true adventurer in the family. She sets the ultimate example of prioritizing time with God above all else! She’s a remarkable blend of hardworking, adventurous, with a heart that seeks God each day - and I’m forever grateful to call her my mom!”

Thank you God for bringing all these amazing ladies who have breathed life into me when I needed it most. Thank you for loving me through them and shaping me through their beautiful examples of character. You have richly blessed my life with these ladies and I am eternally grateful!

Keeping The Peace

Blessed are the peacemakers, 
for they will be called children of God. Matthew 5:9

We will never be fruitful in our walk with God if we are not filled with grace and purity of heart. In a fallen world conflict is inevitable. God intends for us to work through our conflicts to peaceful solutions.

It is because of us that there is no peace with God or with each other. We live in a sin filled world with spiritual warfare and unseen forces of darkness. Evil intent and satanic strongholds are all around us.

 You can count on the Lord’s help in the process of working toward peace.  He came that there  might be peace between us and God.

Rick Warren’s Purpose Driven Life, Chapter 20:
Seven steps to restoration:
1. Talk to God before talking to the person.
2. Always take the initiative.
3. Sympathize with their feelings.
4. Confess your part in the conflict.
5. Attack the problem not the person.
6. Cooperate as much as possible.
7. Emphasize reconciliation not resolution.

This picture was taken on a boat ride with my grandkids, December 2013. 

God’s Masterpiece: Creation - Bible Study of Genesis Chapter 1

Genesis 1 is an iconic chapter that recounts the majestic story of God’s creation, setting the stage for the entire Bible.

-This book begins at the beginning. 

-God is the creator of the universe. 

-He created man and then created woman. 

-This chapter took place everywhere. The entire universe and it describes all the earth.

Genesis 1 tells us that God created the world in 6 days.

Verses 1-2 describes the world beforehand.

Verses 3-5 Day 1 - on the first day God created light and called it “DAY” & the darkness “NIGHT.”

Verses 6-8 Day 2 - God created an expanse that separated the waters and called the expanse heaven.

Verses 9-13 Day 3 - God created dry land and called it earth and the waters he called seas. Who is naming everything? God Next he made the vegetation, plants and trees that grow on the earth.

Verses 14-19 Day 4 - God created sun, moon, planets and stars. He created day & night for us to know our days, seasons and years.

Verses 20-23 Day 5 - God created sea life and birds. He blessed them saying, “Be fruitful and multiply.”

Verses 24-31 Day 6 - God created the animals then created man and woman in his own image. He appointed them to be in charge (dominion) over all the animals. 

God is the author of creativity. Everything God made is beautiful and wonderful. When I am at the beach or in the mountains I sense Gods creative powers. Nature is captivating to our souls.

A Dark Day

 The world and life has moments of darkness that are overwhelming. Today I was reminded of that when I heard the pain of betrayal in someone I dearly love. These are the moments that I feel so powerless. I know there is nothing I can say or do to remove the disappointment that is such a part of this world.

This morning my devotional John 1 and verse 5 was a reminder to me that Christ is our light in the darkness of this life. I began to pray that in the midst of despair God would send His light in some way as He so often has in my own life.

My hope is built on nothing less that Jesus blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly lean on Jesus name. On Christ the solid rock I stand All other ground is sinking sand. All other ground is sinking sand.

Genesis Chapter 15

  

Genesis 15

This chapter is about God appearing to Abram in a vision. The story of Abram is important because he is called the Father of all who believe in Romans 4:16. He is an example to us of what growing in our faith looks like.

Verses 1-7

He is an example to us of what growing in our faith looks like. This is the first time God says, fear not (Abram had just gone to war and there was probably the thought of retaliation from those he defeated). I am thy shield is the promise of protection.

 Vs 2-3 In this vision God promises to make Abram a great nation. Abram was baffled with this promise because he and Sarai didn’t have any children. Abram thinks this is impossible. Abram spoke the circumstances not the promise which is what we do in life.

God told him not to worry because his descendants would be equal to the number of stars in the heaven. 

Abram believed the Lord. *being right with God doesn’t activate the promise. - Abram had the promise for 24 years and still nothing happened.

Verses 8-21

Abram asked God how he could be sure his children would inherit the land of Canaan.

God told him to take a heifer, a female goat, a ram, a turtle dove, and a pigeon and cut them in half, except for the pigeon.

Abram did and that night God caused him to fall asleep and experience a “dreadful and great darkness.”

Abraham was told his offspring would be strangers in another land that did not belong to them and they would suffer there 400 years.

After 400 years they would leave with great possessions.

God was going to delay the inheritance of Canaan for 400+ years because the Amorites who lived there were not yet wicked enough to cast out.

God caused a fire pot and a flaming torch to pass through the divided animals.

He made a covenant with Abram to give his children the land from the River of Egypt to the great River. (Euphrates)

Let’s not speak our circumstances but instead let’s speak God’s promises. Just like Abram we have God’s Word that gives us hope for not just a future but for a great future. Our future looks just as bright and just as big. Greater than the stars in the sky. Look up in the sky and when you see all the stars shine above let it be a reminder of the promises of God. It only takes one scripture to overcome the enemy in our life. That is why reading and understanding of God’s Word can change our circumstances completely. God gave us the tools for life in this book and it is up to us what we do with this wonderful gift called the Bible.

Hope For Tomorrow

 For the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed over, that all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God forever.” Joshua 4:23-24

God performed a miracle at the Red Sea and at Jordan by removing the waters so the Israeli nation could cross over on dry land. 

Then Joshua called the twelve men whom he had appointed from the children of Israel, one man from every tribe; and Joshua said to them: “Cross over before the ark of the Lord your God into the midst of the Jordan, and each one of you take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, that this may be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come, saying, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’  Then you shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. And these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever.” Joshua 4:4-7

Today we have many ways to share God's goodness and blessings. For me personally I have my photos to always remind me of His blessings. I love to look at them and smile at all the good times of those I love even if they are no longer with me. My prayer journals where I have marked answered prayers is another reminder. I write about His blessing in my blogs to share His blessings with others. 

We really need those reminders of blessings when we are under attack emotionally, spiritually, financially, physically, etc. When the darkness tries to take us we have all the blessings of the past to remind us of the hope for all our tomorrows.....

This picture was taken by my niece Theresa at Sanibel Island, August 2014. Her photos are a work of art!

Who Am I?

 I Peter 2: 9-10 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;  who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

There have been years of my life where I have been a wife, a mom, a grandma, etc. Also, a time in my life where I felt like my life consisted of being a taxi driver for my kids and all their social events. As a wife and a mom you tend to lose your identity in the family and forget who you were or why God created you in the first place. 

In order to gain perspective and find myself again I would take a trip with my own mom or visit my family and friends in Tennessee. There I would find myself again. It was always good for me, refreshing and gave me the strength to come back home and begin again with a renewed spirit.

My mom is great to travel with because she makes it a fun and enjoyable time for me and for everyone who comes along.Visiting family and friends consist of laughs and memories that we all share. Laughter is always good for the soul and this is just one way to keep me balanced! 

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." If your thinking changes, then everything else can follow.

I've always wanted to be somebody, but I see now I should have been more specific.~Lily Tomlin

               This picture was taken from my driveway watching the sun set in 2012. 

Facing Failure

Do not rejoice over me, my enemy; When I fall, I will arise;
When I sit in darkness, The Lord will be a light to me. Micah 7:8

Micah said, when I fall, I shall arise. I may stumble, I may make mistakes and I may fail, but with God's help I am determined to get up and keep going.  Life is full of failures for all of us!

Failure comes in many forms such as not living up to our own expectations or the expectations of others. There are times we have been a disappointment to others or to ourselves. There was once a man who said, “We are either failing, or living with the consequences of failure, or recovering from failure, or facing failure in the face, or living with the fear of failure.” 

In almost any area of our lives, we can feel like a failure. We may have failed our parents, our spouse, our kids, our friends, our co-workers, our neighbors and the list goes on.  A great reminder of failure is the verse, Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God."  

Failure is not just something for a limited few but instead is common to everyone.

These are treats the kids at church made on Sunday, January 2014.

Who Are We Listening To?

...raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever. Jude 1:13

We are not to listen to the ungodly even so called godly people in our life who will only pervert the truth of our circumstance. If we find people in our life are not helping to diffuse us but instead lighting up our fuse or just helping to keep our fire of fury from going out then that is a huge red flag. On our own we can hate and mistreat others without the encouragement of another who will join us. We need to turn to those who will encourage us more to do what is right especially when our own minds are telling us to do something wrong.

Jesus: “My sheep recognize my voice and follow me.” John 10:27

“Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, and everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track.” Proverbs 3:6

It is never okay to allow others to mistreat those around us ~ we have to take a stand for what is right no matter the consequence of our actions. I appreciate those in my own life who have had the courage to defend those who have been treated unjustly and didn't listen to the crowd. It's not always popular to do the right thing.

This is a picture I took of a bonfire we made when on vacation 

with our kids in Wisconsin, September 5, 2009.

Life Chapters

 Each time I finish up a book I become a little sad when I know it is the final chapter. The book I am reading becomes like a friend that I enjoy spending time with each day. I always think to myself that I hope I am able to find another one soon that is just as enjoyable. I always tell my daughter that I feel myself grieve each time I finish up a good book.

Our life has many final chapters in our friendships, marriages, children, grandkids,  jobs, homes, health, finances, etc. Death may bring a final chapter we didn't expect. We feel we may not recover many times from the loss or the ending. The human spirit is stronger than we realize and with God any and all endings can be the beginning for a new chapter that we have not even imagined.

We need to trust God with our future in the midst of all the tragic losses of life. We don't know what God is going to do with our circumstances but in faith we have hope for our future. As we find ourselves at the end of a life chapter don't forget to turn the page to the beginning of something new. 

Psalm 18:28  “You, Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.” 

 This picture was taken when I visited Sevilla Spain in 2012.

A Dark Day

 The world and life has moments of darkness that are overwhelming. Today I was reminded of that when I heard the pain of betrayal in someone I dearly love. These are the moments that I feel so powerless. I know there is nothing I can say or do to remove the disappointment that is such a part of this world.

This morning my devotional John 1 and verse 5 was a reminder to me that Christ is our light in the darkness of this life. I began to pray that in the midst of despair God would send His light in some way as He so often has in my own life.

My hope is built on nothing less that Jesus blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly lean on Jesus name. On Christ the solid rock I stand All other ground is sinking sand. All other ground is sinking sand.

Genesis Chapter 15

 

Genesis 15

This chapter is about God appearing to Abram in a vision. The story of Abram is important because he is called the Father of all who believe in Romans 4:16. He is an example to us of what growing in our faith looks like.

Verses 1-7

He is an example to us of what growing in our faith looks like. This is the first time God says, fear not (Abram had just gone to war and there was probably the thought of retaliation from those he defeated). I am thy shield is the promise of protection.

 Vs 2-3 In this vision God promises to make Abram a great nation. Abram was baffled with this promise because he and Sarai didn’t have any children. Abram thinks this is impossible. Abram spoke the circumstances not the promise which is what we do in life.

God told him not to worry because his descendants would be equal to the number of stars in the heaven. 

Abram believed the Lord. *being right with God doesn’t activate the promise. - Abram had the promise for 24 years and still nothing happened.

Verses 8-21

Abram asked God how he could be sure his children would inherit the land of Canaan.

God told him to take a heifer, a female goat, a ram, a turtle dove, and a pigeon and cut them in half, except for the pigeon.

Abram did and that night God caused him to fall asleep and experience a “dreadful and great darkness.”

Abraham was told his offspring would be strangers in another land that did not belong to them and they would suffer there 400 years.

After 400 years they would leave with great possessions.

God was going to delay the inheritance of Canaan for 400+ years because the Amorites who lived there were not yet wicked enough to cast out.

God caused a fire pot and a flaming torch to pass through the divided animals.

He made a covenant with Abram to give his children the land from the River of Egypt to the great River. (Euphrates)

Let’s not speak our circumstances but instead let’s speak God’s promises. Just like Abram we have God’s Word that gives us hope for not just a future but for a great future. Our future looks just as bright and just as big. Greater than the stars in the sky. Look up in the sky and when you see all the stars shine above let it be a reminder of the promises of God. It only takes one scripture to overcome the enemy in our life. That is why reading and understanding of God’s Word can change our circumstances completely. God gave us the tools for life in this book and it is up to us what we do with this wonderful gift called the Bible.