Category Archives: Devotion

OPEN AND HONEST

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Then Abraham complained to Abimelech about a well of water that Abimelech’s servants had seized. But Abimelech said, “I don’t know who has done this. You did not tell me, and I heard about it only today”.          Genesis 21:25,26 NIV

 

Building good relationships means being open and honest. A problem had arisen that Abimelech knew nothing about. Some of his workers had seized a well that Abraham had apparently dug for his own herds and workers. Remember, the land belonged to Abimelech and his people. The king had only allowed Abraham to live there as a good gesture. Sitting there negotiating the treaty, Abraham ran the risk of bad feelings arising if he brought up the well matter. But if he failed to mention the seizure, it could lead to far more trouble in the future. There would be an unfair, dishonest, and unjust matter that was not settled at the sealing of the treaty. Abimelech’s workers could interpret Abraham’s silence as weakness, and seize other wells in the future which would lead to a growing, perhaps explosive problem in the future. Abraham knew this. The only way to maintain a good relationship with Abimelech was to be completely open and honest. Therefore, he shared the seizure with Abimelech. We must be open and honest if we wish to build good relationships. Lies and deception only destroy relationships. This is true in business, lies and deception will destroy business relationships. This is true in all relationships of life. We must all be open and honest in order to build good relationships. Paul reminds us in Romans 12:17, “Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.”

 

PRAYER THOUGHT

Holy Spirit, as the Spirit of Truth, lead us to be open and honest.

 

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Holy Spirit, as the Spirit of Truth, who indwells us, lead us to be open and honest in all of our relationships. AMEN

 

INTERNATIONAL BIBLE READING ASSOCIATION (IBRA)

Titus 2:9-15

 

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A STRONG COMMITMENT

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“Now swear to me here before God that you will not deal falsely with me or my children or my descendants. Show to me and the country where you now reside as a foreigner the same kindness I have shown to you.”         Genesis 21:23 NIV

 

Building good relationships is making a strong commitment that one will not deal falsely with other people. Abimelech had been fair, honest, and just with Abraham. Four years earlier, he had returned Sarah to Abraham and given him a large herd of oxen and sheep, and he had given Abraham the right to live any place he wished within Philistine territory. Abimelech had done everything he could to build a good relationship with Abraham. Now, he asked Abraham to seal their relationship with a permanent peace treaty. He wanted Abraham, himself, their sons, and grandchildren to always live in peace. He wanted the land to be protected from the ravages of injustices and war. Abraham swore to never deal falsely with Abimelech nor with his descendants. He swore to always be fair, honest, and just with Abimelech and his people. Building good relationships is making a strong commitment to never deal falsely with people. We destroy relationships if we deal falsely with people, if we are unfair, dishonest and unjust. Paul reminds us in Ephesians 4:25, “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbour, for we are all members of one body.” Let us make a strong commitment to be fair, honest, and just with people in all our dealings. This is true of nations and of us as individuals.

 

PRAYER THOUGHT

Lord, may we seek to never deal falsely with all people.

 

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Lord, through the power and ministry of Your Holy Spirit, enable us to make a strong commitment to be fair, honest, and just with people in all our dealings. AMEN

 

INTERNATIONAL BIBLE READING ASSOCIATION (IBRA)

1 Corinthians 7:17-24

 

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WHAT DID ABIMELECH NOTICE?

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At that time Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his forces said to Abraham, “God is with you in everything you do.”      Genesis 21:22 NIV

 

What kind of things was Abimelech noticing? It had to be things that we notice about people. He noticed Abraham’s dealings with other people. Abraham was kind, fair, and honest in all his dealings. He noticed Abraham’s business interests. Abraham made the Lord a partner in his business, and as all his business interests grew, he gave the credit to the Lord. He noticed Abraham’s worship and witness. Abraham was consistent in his worship and witness for the Lord. Abraham sought to live a moral and just life, a life that brought honour to the righteousness of the Lord he proclaimed. Abraham’s testimony of faith was clearly seen, as he bore testimony to the Living Lord. Abraham was living for God, living a consistent life for the Lord, and Abimelech noticed his life. The Lord was with Abraham in all that he did, richly blessing him. Abraham was apparently the richest and most powerful sheik throughout the land, so powerful that kings sought his friendship. Abimelech wanted to make sure that the good relationship between him and Abraham continued. He wanted to establish a permanent relationship with Abraham, a peace treaty, a non-aggression pact. So, he took his military chief of staff with him to meet Abraham. We need to take note of what Abimelech said to Abraham, what it was that had caught his eye and brought him to Abraham. It was Abraham’s striking testimony for the Lord.

 

PRAYER THOUGHT

Lord, let our testimony for You, create healthy relationships.

 

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Lord, we take note of what Abimelech said to Abraham and what it was that had caught his eye and brought him to Abraham. It was Abraham’s striking testimony for You. Let that be true in our lives today. AMEN

 

INTERNATIONAL BIBLE READING ASSOCIATION (IBRA)

Ephesians 6:5-9

 

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BUILDING GOOD RELATIONSHIPS

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At that time Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his forces said to Abraham, “God is with you in everything you do.”      Genesis 21:22 NIV

 

Human relationships are falling apart. Lust, greed, and selfishness are producing a society of immoral, lawless, and power-hungry people. Good relationships are a rarity. Just think about it: how few good relationships really exist. How many good and healthy relationships, do we honestly know? Whether it be between husband and wife, parents and children, government officials, workers, nations. There are some good relationships within each of these, within each institution of society. But we must all admit that there are far too few. If there has ever been a time when we needed to tackle the problem of disintegrating relationships, it is now. In Genesis 21 from verse 22 onwards, we are given steps on how to build good relationships, through an event of a king seeking to build a strong relationship with a powerful sheik, Abraham. The first step in building good relationships is developing a godly, consistent testimony before others. It had been about four years since Abimelech, the king of the Philistine territory, had given Abraham permission to live wherever he wished throughout the land. During the four years, Abimelech noticed a striking fact that the Lord seemed to be with Abraham in everything he did. No matter what Abraham did, the Lord was with him – guiding, encouraging, and blessing him.

 

PRAYER THOUGHT

Lord, may others see that You are with us in everything we do.

 

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Lord, through our daily living, through the indwelling power and ministry of Your Holy Spirit, let others see that You are with us, leading to the development of good relationships. AMEN

 

INTERNATIONAL BIBLE READING ASSOCIATION (IBRA)

Galatians 3:27-4:7

 

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WHAT IF?

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“God was with the boy as he grew up. He lived in the desert and became an archer. While he was living in the Desert of Paran, his mother got a wife for him from Egypt.”      Genesis 21:20,21 NIV

 

What if Hagar had not obeyed the Lord? Remember her exhaustion and thirst. She could have easily said that she just could not do any more. If Hagar had failed at this, failed to obey the Lord, she and Ishmael would, most likely, not have been saved. They would have perished. But she obeyed, did exactly what the Lord said. The Lord calls us to obey Him. We obey, then He helps and blesses us. Hagar and Ishmael received the Lord’s continued, unbroken care and provision. Very simply, the Lord was with Ishmael as he grew into full manhood. This strongly points to Ishmael’s repentance and crying out for forgiveness. Hagar and Ishmael accepted their God-given call, environment and life. They did not travel on down into Egypt but remained in the desert of Paran. Why? Scripture does not say, but the Lord must have given Hagar some direction about the matter. Whatever the case, the point to see is this: they accepted the Lord’s call to live apart from Abraham. They adjusted and adapted to a most harsh environment, living out in the desert. Ishmael had to become an archer to hunt and feed himself and his mother. Hagar got Ishmael a wife from Egypt. Conflict can be conquered and overcome. How? Through prayer, listening to the Word of the Lord, thinking through the problem. In repentance and obedience, receiving the Lord’s continued, unbroken care. Accepting the call of the Lord wherever we are and experiencing His provision. God does promise us victory!

 

PRAYER THOUGHT

Lord, disobedience does not lead to life, but obedience does.

 

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Thank You Lord, that conflict can be conquered and overcome. Through prayer, listening to Your Word, thinking through the problem. In repentance and obedience, receiving Your continued, unbroken care. Accepting Your call Lord wherever we are and experiencing Your provision. AMEN

 

INTERNATIONAL BIBLE READING ASSOCIATION (IBRA)

1 Corinthians 12:12-14

 

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TWICE HEARD

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“Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. Lift the boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation”      Genesis 21:17,18 NIV

 

Apparently, Ishmael was also praying, weeping, and crying out to the Lord. Most likely, he was asking for forgiveness, knowing that it was his mocking and ridicule that had brought him and his mother to the point of death. The Lord stresses the fact that He heard the voice of Ishmael. He says this two times. This suggests the utter necessity of repentance, of crying out to the Lord to forgive our sins when we have done wrong. It is then that the Lord hears us, for we cannot hide sin in our hearts and expect the Lord to listen! Hagar experienced the Lord’s provision, encouraging her was not to give up. She was to arise, walk over to Ishmael, and lift him into her hands. For the Lord was going to use the young man to found a great nation. Hagar was prompted to act. She had to obey and trust Him before she would see the Lord’s answer to her prayer. So it is with us. We are called to show our trust in the Lord by obeying Him. It is then that we will experience His marvellous provisions. Hagar obeyed the Lord, rising to a new beginning. When she arose and began walking over to Ishmael, the Lord opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. The desperate prayer of repentance and the act of obedience will lead to the Lord’s provision and beginning of something new in our lives.

 

PRAYER THOUGHT

Lord, thank You, that repentance and obedience brings Your provision.

 

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Lord, thank You, that in the desperate prayer of repentance and the act of obedience, it leads to Your provision and the beginning of something new in our lives, as it happened with Hagar and Ishmael. AMEN

 

INTERNATIONAL BIBLE READING ASSOCIATION (IBRA)

Philemon 1:8-18

 

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CONQUEST OVER CONFLICT

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God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there.”            Genesis 21:17 NIV

 

Hagar wept bitterly and lifted her voice in prayer. Hagar and Ishmael would soon die, all because of the conflict that raged within the soul of Ishmael. Hagar had reached the end of her strength, done all she could. She simply could do no more, not within her own strength. Sitting there, she wept bitterly and did the only thing she could do, lift her voice and cry out to the Lord in prayer. Too often, this is the position we need to be in before we will cry out to the Lord. At the end of our rope, no strength, no way to do anything within ourselves. It is in such moments we discover that the Lord loves us and cares for us. Let us, therefore, cry out to the Lord, whether early or late, whether facing mild or desperate need. The Lord heard Hagar’s prayer and spoke to her. He gave her His Word to meet her need. The Lord stirred her to think about her problem. “What is the problem, Hagar?” When we face problems and crises, we desperately need to go to God’s Word for guidance, crying out to Him for help and direction. We need to do what the Lord was stirring Hagar to do: think through the problem facing us. If we sincerely seek the Lord in prayer and in His Word, thinking through the problem to the best of our ability, He will help us. We will be able to conquer and triumph over all conflicts, problems, and crises.

 

PRAYER THOUGHT

Lord, thank You for meeting us when we have no strength.

 

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Lord as we sincerely seek You in prayer and in Your Word, thinking through the problem to the best of our ability, You will help us. We will be able to conquer and triumph over all conflicts, problems, and crises. AMEN

 

INTERNATIONAL BIBLE READING ASSOCIATION (IBRA)

1 Samuel 9:5-10

 

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THE RESULTS

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“Early the next morning Abraham took some food and a skin of water and gave them to Hagar. He set them on her shoulders and then sent her off with the boy.”        Genesis 21:14 NIV

 

These were the results of the conflict and they were devastating. There were the broken hearts, the separation, and divorce. The conflict was deeply imbedded within Ishmael’s heart, apparently so imbedded that he would never change. God knew this, so the only way the conflict could ever be resolved was for Ishmael and Hagar, his mother, to be sent away. Picture the scene as Abraham arose early in the morning, taking bread and water to Hagar. There was bound to be tenderness, warmth, love, and brokenness as Abraham set the two leather straps over the shoulders of Hagar and Ishmael and sent them away. The piercing pain and hurt must have been almost unbearable. The results of conflict are often devastating. Many have had their hearts broken because of conflict, conflict that led to separation, divorce, the loss of a loved one. Scripture does not say where Hagar was heading, but she was probably traveling back home to Egypt. For some reason, she lost her way. She was at a loss, not knowing where to go or what to do next, all because of the conflict. Hagar’s experience pictures the experience of so many who are wandering about in the world, lost, not knowing where to go or what to do next—all because of some conflict. The loneliness and desperation of the situation are often almost unbearable. Yet all is not lost for the Lord never abandons us!

 

PRAYER THOUGHT

Lord, amid our lostness and loneliness You are there.

 

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Lord, with the results of conflict that leads to loss, separation, divorce and loneliness, You never abandon us. Thank You. AMEN

 

INTERNATIONAL BIBLE READING ASSOCIATION (IBRA)

Deuteronomy 15:12-18

 

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THE LORD’S ASSURANCE

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But God said to him, “Do not be so distressed about the boy and your slave woman. Listen to whatever Sarah tells you, because it is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.”          Genesis 21:12 NIV

 

The Lord assured Abraham that the conflict would be resolved. Ishmael would be looked after and richly blessed by the Lord. He would grow into a great nation of people. The Lord would see to it. Not for Ishmael’s sake but for Abraham’s sake. Ishmael’s egotistical, superior attitude over Isaac had apparently become imbedded and extremely sinful. Consequently, the Lord could not act for Ishmael’s sake, He could not sanction Ishmael’s sinful ways by acting in his behalf. But Abraham was a different matter, he loved and followed the Lord; therefore, for Abraham’s sake, He would bless Abraham’s son Ishmael. The point is the Lord knew all about the conflict, all of Abraham’s distress and perplexity, that he did not know what to do, that he did not know how to handle the conflict. The Lord reminded Abraham of His great purpose and assured Abraham that the conflict would be resolved. The Lord would take care of Ishmael and bless him. The Lord’s answer to conflict is the same for every generation, for every one of us. No matter what the conflict is the answer is found in His Word, the Scriptures. Our task is to search His Word for the peace we need and for the answers to our questions. No matter what the solution to the conflict may be, the Lord will take care of us and our needs if we will trust and believe Him, just as Abraham did.

 

PRAYER THOUGHT

Lord, as we search Your Word in our conflict, You give us an answer.

 

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Lord, in our conflicts, our task is to search Your Word for the peace we need and for the answers to our questions. No matter what the solution to the conflict may be, thank You for taking care of us and our needs as we trust and believe You, just as Abraham did. AMEN

 

INTERNATIONAL BIBLE READING ASSOCIATION (IBRA)

Exodus 21:20-27

 

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THE RESPONSE

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“The matter distressed Abraham greatly because it concerned his son.”      Genesis 21:11 NIV

 

Being forced to send a child away is almost more than any loving parent can bear. Sarah’s demand to get rid of Ishmael was a heavy pressure upon Abraham. But the Lord knew. He knew all about Abraham’s heavy heart and distress, all about his perplexity, just not knowing what to do. No doubt, Abraham prayed and discussed the matter with the Lord. He heard and cared about Abraham’s need and set about to meet Abraham’s need. He spoke to Abraham, encouraging him and relieving the distress and grief. We need to take note when the Lord spoke to Abraham: at night (see verse 14). Apparently, Abraham was doing what we all do when we are under heavy distress: pray. He was either lying in bed or up during the night, praying and thinking the conflict through. And the Lord met him and met his need. As for Sarah, she was right. Ishmael needed to be sent away, for his mocking and ridicule was too imbedded in him to change. The conflict would only grow worse. But Sarah’s attitude of cruelty toward Ishmael was wrong, and her failure to seek and trust the Lord for an answer was wrong. She had broken Abraham’s heart and caused heavy distress and grief for him. The Lord reminded Abraham of His great purpose in Isaac, the promised son. The Lord will always speak to us through His Word meeting the needs of our hearts, relieving our distress and grief, relieving whatever conflict wages within our souls. It encouraged Abraham and it encourages us.

 

PRAYER THOUGHT

Lord, as we turn to You in our conflict, You guide and encourage us.

 

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Thank you Lord, as we turn to You in our conflict, seeking a right response, You give us the guidance and encouragement we need. AMEN

 

INTERNATIONAL BIBLE READING ASSOCIATION (IBRA)

Exodus 21:2-11

 

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