It was great to be back in church today after being away for two weeks due to visiting the mouse house and then the clucks being so sick. Dr. Lincoln's new sermon series is called: "Start Here: A renewed connection to God begins now." I've decided to use Shandon's Bible reading plan to read through the Bible this year. After about four days of reading the outlined scriptures, I realized that it was going to take me longer than a year to read the Bible because God has been stopping me and backing me up some days. Before I begin reading the assigned passages, I always ask the Lord to speak to me personally through my reading. He has been faithful and has done this which is why I am already behind. "Behind" is probably not the correct word though. Every one's spiritual walk is directed by God, so I'm not really behind. I'm right where Jesus needs me to be.
So, speaking of "connections", there are so many in the Bible. I love, love, love, love finding and seeing the way God has connected the lives of those in the Old Testament to the lives of those in the New Testament, especially those that connect to Christ. This week I was reading Genesis 21. I became intrigued with the treaty at Beersheba. First, I learned that "Abimelech was not a personal name but actually an official title. Never knew that. Anyway, in this section of Genesis 21, Abraham's well is seized by some of Abimelech's servants. Abraham confronts Abimelech with the facts as he knows them to be. After this, Abraham and Abimelech made a treaty. Abraham and Abimelech made a covenant that involved slaying animals. The men had to walk between the sacrificed animals as a way of saying "May God do to us and more if we fail to keep our covenant with each other." However, Abraham went further because he brought Abimelech seven ewe lambs for Abimelech to guard as a living witness that he (Abraham) had dug the well. The ewe lambs were sort of like receipts that the well did belong to Abraham. The well was also named "Beersheba" which meant "well of the oath." Both men swore to keep the covenant. (I learned by doing some research that the Hebrew word "to swear" means "to bind by seven things" and the words "swear" (saba) and "seven" (seba) are very similar in Hebrew.) So, what is the "connection" that I saw in this particular story? Okay, think about this: This story of the covenant made between these two men contained three elements--sacrifices (21:27--remember the men walked between the sacrifices?), witnesses (vs. 28-30--Abraham brought seven ewe lambs for Abimelech to guard as to say "Yes, the well does belong to Abraham." There was also the well itself that was a witness and there was a tamarisk tree), and promises (vs. 31-32). Now think about this--these same three elements are a part of the covenant that God made with us through Jesus Christ!!!!! First, there is a sacrifice--Jesus Christ on the cross (Hebrews 10: 1-14); THEN, there is the witness of the Spirit within each believer (Hebrews 10:15); and then there is the promise of God's Word!!! Don't you just LOVE the Bible?!! But there is a tad bit more here. Abraham and Abimelech entered into a covenant over the possession of a well of water. This well water was very valuable and needed to sustain life. God's covenant with us promises us water that is even more valuable. God's covenant guarantees His children that we have the LIVING WATER that gives everlasting life through faith in Jesus Christ!!!!
I am enjoying my Bible reading/studying so much. I love all the connections to Jesus throughout the Bible, but more importantly, I love the way God is speaking to me and helping me better understand His word. He is an amazing God!!
Thought I would include a few photos from today as well...These were taking after church on my way to get Sister. She spent the afternoon with me and helped me with my grocery shopping.
This precious face ended up drooling on my pillow this AM.
I don't know what it is about my children's lips, but I just love them.
Headed out to get Sister. I really do need to find a new pair of shades. These make me look kin to a fly.
Um, I'm thinking this picture is evidence that it is WAY past time for a hair cut. My bangs look like Edward Scissorhand's fingers. HA!
I hope everyone has a great week and finds your own special ways of connecting to a God that loves us so much that He spared not His own son.
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