Devotionals for July 17, 2023
TNLC Family Day is coming up on July 30th. Make plans to join us!!
READ
GENESIS 26:2-6
The LORD appeared to Isaac and said, “Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land where I tell you to live. Stay in this land for a while, and I will be with you and will bless you. For to you and your descendants, I will give all these lands and will confirm the oath I swore to your father Abraham. I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and will give them all these lands, and through your offspring, all nations on earth will be blessed because Abraham obeyed me and did everything, I required of him, keeping my commands, my decrees and my instructions.” So Isaac stayed in Gerar.
The LORD appeared to Isaac and said, “Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land where I tell you to live. Stay in this land for a while, and I will be with you and will bless you. For to you and your descendants, I will give all these lands and will confirm the oath I swore to your father Abraham. I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and will give them all these lands, and through your offspring, all nations on earth will be blessed because Abraham obeyed me and did everything, I required of him, keeping my commands, my decrees and my instructions.” So Isaac stayed in Gerar.
REFLECT
From the start, God wanted to bless “all the nations” through the faith of Abraham’s family. The same God who created the beautiful diversity of people, languages, and hearts, planned to unite us through faith in Christ. This is the “third culture” the sermon spoke about The one planned and miraculously created by God through the body of Christ, the church. Our cultural and ethnic backgrounds are bright, distinct colors, shining in a kaleidoscope of light, reflecting the beauty of God and the gospel of Jesus. We belong to a miracle, a family of faith!
Also, note the interruption of Isaac’s plans in the above passage. “Do not go down to Egypt.” Often, God interrupts our plans and preferences for something greater than ourselves.
Also, note the interruption of Isaac’s plans in the above passage. “Do not go down to Egypt.” Often, God interrupts our plans and preferences for something greater than ourselves.
APPLY
Q: How did Abraham display faith, or complete trust, in God?
Q: How is God interrupting your plans and preferences for the sake of the Gospel?
Q: How is your faith in Christ challenging you to better serve your diverse family of faith?
Q: How is God interrupting your plans and preferences for the sake of the Gospel?
Q: How is your faith in Christ challenging you to better serve your diverse family of faith?
SING
PRAY
"Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy."
Father, I praise you for your wisdom and grace! You are the holy God and thank you for adopting me into your family through the faithfulness of your Son. Help me to reflect you to those around me. Amen.
Father, I praise you for your wisdom and grace! You are the holy God and thank you for adopting me into your family through the faithfulness of your Son. Help me to reflect you to those around me. Amen.