An answer in part to a comment on yesterday’s post is found in Mark Rathel’s commentary on this week’s lesson, “God allows us to choose”. Scripture records where Abram built altars, not just the fact that he built them. Rathel helps us understand the significance of their location.
Most importantly, Abram chose to obey God. I have a friend Vic who used to say obedience includes our “thought, word and deeds”. God gives believers a choice to obey Him. He wants us to think, talk and act like Christ Jesus 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Like Abram, none of us are perfect, so as sinners we practice confession of sin to God, forgive others who sin against us, and voluntarily love others. It is most important to our sense of experiential relationship with Jesus that we choose to confess our sin, forgive others, and voluntarily love others. These don’t happen automatically. Our motivation is love of God and a desire to experience deep relationship with Him. BTW, what are the benefits of obedience to the Lord?
Several videos on this site might be useful to help members focus on what’s most important in their lives. I might use the first three minutes of this video.
Please answer the poll on the right about using PowerPoint in your class. Thanks!
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Just a thought> This week I admitted a man who had a coronary angioplasty about 5 years ago and is still smoking. I had to get his family history to see if heart disease ran in his family. He told me his mother had bypass surgery and died of a heart attack later. Then his father had lung cancer. I’m thinking as if his own angioplasty is not enough to make him quit smoking, just his family history should make him want to stop doing what could kill him. He is left with a choice of harming himself even more, or putting down the cigarettes to allow himself a chance at life. What can we “put down” to give ourselves a chance at living our life for God? There are plenty of things that I could choose to not do, and give God more of my life.
You have a good illustration! Brings a new perspective to "die to self".
One of the key take aways from Gen 12:1 is that Abram had to give up his comfortable spot (his country, friends, family, etc.) to gain a life with God.
You might consider turning your question into a prayer--"God, what do you want me to 'put down' today?"
Have members pray it and trust God to heal any spiritual blindness that would prevent perception of His answer.
Thanks for sharing,
RW
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