Then Abram said to Lot, “Let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, for we are kinsmen. Is not the whole land before you? Separate yourself from me. If you take the left hand, then I will go to the right, or if you take the right hand, then I will go to the left.” And Lot lifted up his eyes and saw that the Jordan Valley was well watered everywhere like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, in the direction of Zoar. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) So Lot chose for himself all the Jordan Valley, and Lot journeyed east. Thus they separated from each other. – Gen 13:8-11 ESV
Warrior;
God’s covenant with ABRAHAM is also our COVENANT! Paul tells us in his letter to the churches in Galatia; If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Gal 3:29) In the book of Romans Paul goes full circle; So it is not the children of the flesh who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as offspring. (Romans 9:8) Abraham and Israel were blessed, so as to be a blessing to others! I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. (Genesis 12:2) Abraham can be considered the FATHER OF OUR FAITH!
Leader, our SPIRITUAL FATHER gives us a great example of how to LIVE A LIFE that is GOD-FED, GOD-centered and where GOD IS OUR PORTION! I heard a preacher once say, “Abraham put God first and others before himself”. He gave LOT first choice of the land and He was GENEROUS with GOD’s provisions. And the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the persons, but take the goods for yourself.” But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have lifted my hand to the LORD, God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth, that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’ I will take nothing but what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me. Let Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre take their share.” (Gen 14:21-24) Abraham freely gave the first TITHE!
Conduit, we should follow the example of the FATHER of our FAITH! Put God first and put others before yourself. RULE #1 about being a Leader is: it’s NOT ABOUT YOU- we need to get off ourselves! Our purpose in life is to GLORIFY GOD. We are called to be a CONDUIT, NOT a cistern; One is a vessel to PASS-through, and one is a vessel to HOLD onto. Abraham lived on the LEFTOVERS. Everything He had was to be used for the GLORY OF GOD! Is God’s PORTION ENOUGH for you? Does the Psalmist plea FIT YOU? My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (Psalm 73:26) The LORD is the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You support my lot. (Ps 16:5) I cry to you, O LORD; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.” Father we come to you in prayer: What we KNOW NOT, teach us. What we HAVE NOT, give us. What we ARE NOT, make us. Please do this for the sake of CHRIST- that we may bring you GLORY and HONOR in this moment and eternity! Amen!
