What is your favorite song?

A few days ago, someone asked me, "What is your favorite song?" That was a hard question for me. I thought about it for a week or so before I answered. When I start singing in my head the first song is usually "Oh God, you are my God" (Step by Step), then "This is the day", then "Psalm 95", then sometimes "The Mountain Song" (Oh Lord, I need a mountain to climb on), and last sometimes "Thank You Lord.". I realize that is more than one song, more like Crystal's Medley. :)

Lord, thank you for the opportunity to praise you in song. What a beautiful way to worship you! Amen.

Genesis 16:13

She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: "You are the God who sees me," for she said, "I have now seen the One who sees me."

Haggar is put in an impossible situation. She is told to do something and then hated for it. She hates her boss, who mistreats her. She runs away then God tells her to go back and submit. But God speaks to her and acknowledges her presence, which is probably far more than had happened to her before.

Lord, thank you for seeing us and knowing us. Thank you for showing yourself to us. Amen.

Genesis 15:6

Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

Can you imagine having a conversation with the Lord? I mean sitting down and having an audible discussion with the word of the Lord. Abram had this opportunity on several occasions. But even in these amazing circumstances, it was hard for Abram to believe. Abram was childless and God is telling him he will have numerous offspring, yet Abram believed. He still had questions and didn't know how God was going to accomplish the things he has promised, but Abram believed.

Lord, I believe you. I believe you have a plan for my life. I believe you have a home for me in heaven. Amen.

Genesis 13:17

Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you."

When God gives us a gift, it makes sense that we should inspect the gift. We should explore it, understand it and come to appreciate it. In verse 18 Abram builds an altar to the Lord, showing his appreciation and thankfulness for the land. How can we show God our thankfulness for the gifts He has given to us?

Lord, thank you so much for all of your gifts. Help us to understand and appreciate the things you have given to us. Amen.

Genesis 13:8-9

So Abram said to Lot, "Let's not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herders and mine, for we are close relatives. Is not the whole land before you? Let's part company. If you go to the left, I'll go to the right; if you go to the right, I'll go to the left.

Sometimes the best thing for a relationship is to end it. That can be a very difficult separation but it is necessary.

Lord, help us to know when it is time to end a relationship. Give us the strength and the wisdom to do this in the right way. Please allow your wisdom to continue with us once the relationship is over. Amen.

Genesis 12:20

Then Pharaoh gave orders about Abram to his men, and they sent him on his way, with his wife and everything he had.

Abram had acquired a great deal of wealth while he was in Egypt thanks to his deception and his beautiful wife. The fact that he leaves Egypt with all that wealth makes me think God used Abrams folly to provide him with wealth which he would need to build a nation.

Lord, I know that all things work together for good for those that love you. Please use the good and bad in my life to bring about your purposes. Amen.

Genesis 12:2

"I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.

In this passage God promises good things to Abram, but the purpose of the promise is to be a blessing to others. When we ask God for his blessings and for his help, what is our purpose? Are we simply asking for ourselves, or are we asking so that we may be a blessing to others and bring glory to His name?

Lord, please bless me so that I may bless others. Amen.

Psalm 48:14

For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.

We all have a natural desire to be led. This week I saw a video on Facebook about a mother cat who took in three ducklings. The ducklings were looking for a mama, someone to lead them, teach them what to do, to care for them. We all want guidance in our life and we have to make sure we are following the right leader. With God, his son and his spirit as our guide we can always be confident in his leadership, even if we are led into places and situations we would prefer not to go. God assures he is in control.

Lord, thank you so much for your guidance. Thank you for leading us in the way we should go, all the way to the end of our lives and on to heaven. Amen.

Genesis 11:30

Now Sarai was childless because she was not able to conceive.

How disappointing. Generation after generation each first born is mentioned and their first born is mentioned after that. And now we have an interruption. Terahs first born son, Abraham, has a wife, Sarai, who is unable to conceive. Can you imagine the devastation? This goes far beyond just wanting to have a child, this is the carrying on of a legacy. His brother will take his place in the family line. Who could have guessed what God had in store for the line of Abraham.

Lord, your plans are perfect. Help us to not get bogged down in our disappointments, but to see beyond them, react well, be patient and look for your will. Amen.