Sunday, January 6

Sunday, January 6, 2013

Genesis 16, 17   Matthew 5:27-48

Monday, January 7, 2013                     Genesis 18, 19                         Matthew 6:1-18

Tuesday, January 8, 2013                     Genesis 20, 21, 22                   Matthew 6:19-34

Wednesday, January 9, 2013                Genesis 23, 24                         Matthew 7

Thursday, January 10, 2013                  Genesis 25, 26                         Matthew 8:1-17

Friday, January 11, 2013                      Genesis 27, 28                         Matthew 8:18-34

Saturday, January 12, 2013                  Genesis 29, 30                         Matthew 9:1-17

Sunday, January 13, 2013                    Genesis 31, 32                         Matthew 9:18-38

16  What a mess people get into when they mess with the way God has decreed.  Were it not for Ishmael much of the conflict in the Mideast would be avoided.  Wikipedia say this, " Ishmael is recognized as an important prophet and patriarch of Islam. Muslims believe that Ishmael was the firstborn of Abraham, born to him from his second wife Hagar. Ishmael is recognized by Muslims as the ancestor of several prominent Arab tribes and being the forefather of Muhammad."  Wouldn't it be nice if only one group claimed the Promised Land.  This all happened because of lack of faith.  Sarah did not have enough faith to believe that she and Abraham would be able to have any children.  So, taking things into her own hands, she followed the customs of her society giving her servant to her husband to produce children.  The plan worked, but did not work out.  Ishmael was born but the entire story is one of conflict.  In fact, the entire story is one of conflict even down to the present time.

17:17  It was a matter of faith.  Could Abraham believe God?  All the evidence pointed toward the promise of children through Sarah not being possible.  But looking ahead to 18:14, nothing is too hard for the Lord.  Remember, in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  If we believe Genesis 1:1 then a woman being 90 years old is no problem for God to have her bear children.  The difficulties we face are also no problem for God.

Matthew 5:21-48  In each of these six moral teachings Jesus really cuts to the heart.  He exposes the hypocrisy of mere religious observance and the depravity of human society.  Who stands unconvicted by these words?  We most certainly cannot assume that we can stand before God at the judgment and claim that we are good enough to enter heaven.

Larry Evers