Book of Genesis, Chapter 17

 Chapter 17

Abraham and the Covenant of Circumcision

1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless, 2 that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly.” 3 Then Abram fell on his face. And God said to him, 4 “Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations. 5 No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. 6 I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you into nations, and kings shall come from you. 7 And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. 8 And I will give to you and to your offspring after you the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God.”

9 And God said to Abraham, “As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations. 10 This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised. 11 You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you. 12 He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised. Every male throughout your generations, whether born in your house or bought with your money from any foreigner who is not of your offspring, 13 both he who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money, shall surely be circumcised. So shall my covenant be in your flesh an everlasting covenant. 14 Any uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin shall be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant.”

Isaac's Birth Promised

15 And God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. 16 I will bless her, and moreover, I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall become nations; kings of peoples shall come from her.” 17 Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said to himself, “Shall a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?” 18 And Abraham said to God, “Oh that Ishmael might live before you!” 19 God said, “No, but Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him. 20 As for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I have blessed him and will make him fruitful and multiply him greatly. He shall father twelve princes, and I will make him into a great nation. 21 But I will establish my covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this time next year.”

22 When he had finished talking with him, God went up from Abraham. 23 Then Abraham took Ishmael his son and all those born in his house or bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham's house, and he circumcised the flesh of their foreskins that very day, as God had said to him. 24 Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. 25 And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. 26 That very day Abraham and his son Ishmael were circumcised. 27 And all the men of his house, those born in the house and those bought with money from a foreigner, were circumcised with him.

Contentment, Be Who God Says You Are

 I am what God says I am. 

We are currently talking about the difference between covetousness and living a content life. We talked about you being the person you thought you were. We discussed the fact that you should be thinking up, not down, and thinking more in a spiritual sense than walking in the flesh. We talked about being stagnant following your fleshly routines and serving God. Let’s pick up here because this IS how God sees us.

“If you walk in my statutes and observe my commandments and do them, then”

Stop for a second. This goes right along with last time. Look what God says here. “If” Say if. If you do this. Do what? “walk in my statutes and observe my commandments and do them.” “Then.” Say then. Because you are being obedient, and because you are being a child of mine. God says this.

“I will give you your rains in their season, and the land shall yield its increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit. Your threshing shall last to the time of the grape harvest, and the grape harvest shall last to the time for sowing. And you shall eat your bread to the full and dwell in your land securely. I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid. And I will remove harmful beasts from the land, and the sword shall not go through your land. You shall chase your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword. Five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall chase ten thousand, and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword. I will turn to you and make you fruitful and multiply you and will confirm my covenant with you. You shall eat old store long kept, and you shall clear out the old to make way for the new. I will make my dwelling among you, and my soul shall not abhor you. And I will walk among you and will be your God, and you shall be my people. I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that you should not be their slaves. And I have broken the bars of your yoke and made you walk erect.” Leviticus 26:3-13

Look what God says in Malachi 3

“Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the Lord of hosts.” Malachi 3:8-12

Again, God says to do, and I will do. God says that He will not only meet your needs, but He will also bless you. He will “rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil,” Ever been in that situation? I have been. Plenty of times. You work hard all week, nowadays mostly two weeks, and you get paid, only to wake up on Monday with little to no money? The “devourer” can come in many forms. Mostly bills, and uncontrolled spending. God says He will help you with that, as long as you put your trust in Him, and as long as you are doing the right thing.

Jesus tells us He came for us to have an abundant life. {John 10:10} He tells us the very hairs on our heads are numbered and known by God. {Luke 12-7} He tells us that there is no one who suffers loss through doing His will and because of His name, that will not be blessed with so much more than we ever had in the first place. {Mark 10:29-30}

God loves you. He created you the way you are. {Psalm 139} He set up a destiny, a purpose, and a plan for your life, He calls you, He justifies you, and glorifies you. {Romans 8:28-30} Jesus tells us we have no reason to worry. Look here,

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:25-34

Are you getting this? Are you understanding all this? You are a blood-bought, adopted out of this world of pain, suffering, and death, and you are adopted into the very family of God. No longer a created thing, but a child. No longer are you nothing more than flesh walking to your inevitable death, but you are now a child of God, waiting to be brought home. Jesus asked us this question.

“Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” Matthew 7:9-11

God is your Father. He wants to be your Daddy.

“As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.” Psalm 103:13

Oh yes, the world may no longer love you. The world may no longer like you. You may lose some friends and family because you are no longer “one of them.” You are now one of those “Jesus freaks.” “Bible thumper.” “Religious fanatics.”

“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” 1 John 3:1

Actually, if you think about it for a second, if people are NOT calling you “Jesus freaks.” “Bible thumper.” “Religious fanatics?” What does that mean? Seriously think about it. Jesus tells us the world will hate us. {Matthew 5:10-12, John 15:18-21} We read in the World that we will have persecutions. {2 Timothy 3:12, Mark 10:30,}

If you are not being persecuted, if the world still loves you, then are you sure you are doing what God is leading you to do? If the world sees no difference in you and an unsaved person, then what are you actually saying when you tell people you are a “child of God?” You must learn to be content, even in that.

“For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:10

Be the child of God, that God is calling you to be. Pray, read His word, and go to and join your local church. {As long as it is where God wants you to be. Pray about that as well.} Rest assured, fret no longer, be content in the knowledge that you are a child of God, and He is your Daddy. You have nothing to fear. He will meet your needs and so very much more. Be content.

Have you been adopted? You need to ask Jesus into your life, then say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Lead your children in this prayer when they reach the age of accountability. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I believed He rose from the dead. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, You shall be saved." Romans 10:9. You need to find a Church that God leads you to and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A New Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him."Colossians 3:10

May the comfort of the Holy Ghost, and the peace of our Lord Jesus, be with you all. May God bless and be with you, always.

The Email if you wish to contact me, is truthbygod1@gmail.com

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus is Lord!

Book of Genesis, Chapter 16

 Chapter 16

Sarai and Hagar

1 Now Sarai, Abram's wife, had borne him no children. She had a female Egyptian servant whose name was Hagar. 2 And Sarai said to Abram, “Behold now, the Lord has prevented me from bearing children. Go into my servant; it may be that I shall obtain children by her.” And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai. 3 So, after Abram had lived ten years in the land of Canaan, Sarai, Abram's wife, took Hagar the Egyptian, her servant, and gave her to Abram her husband as a wife. 4 And he went into Hagar, and she conceived. And when she saw that she had conceived, she looked with contempt on her mistress. 5 And Sarai said to Abram, “May the wrong done to me be on you! I gave my servant to your embrace, and when she saw that she had conceived, she looked at me with contempt. May the Lord judge between you and me!” 6 But Abram said to Sarai, “Behold, your servant is in your power; do to her as you please.” Then Sarai dealt harshly with her, and she fled from her.

7 The angel of the Lord found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, the spring on the way to Shur. 8 And he said, “Hagar, servant of Sarai, where have you come from and where are you going?” She said, “I am fleeing from my mistress Sarai.” 9 The angel of the Lord said to her, “Return to your mistress and submit to her.” 10 The angel of the Lord also said to her, “I will surely multiply your offspring so that they cannot be numbered for multitude.” 11 And the angel of the Lord said to her,

“Behold, you are pregnant

    and shall bear a son.

You shall call his name Ishmael,

    because the Lord has listened to your affliction.

12 He shall be a wild donkey of a man,

    his hand against everyone

    and everyone's hand against him,

and he shall dwell over against all his kinsmen.”

13 So she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, “You are a God of seeing,” for she said, “Truly here I have seen him who looks after me.” 14 Therefore the well was called Beer-lahai-roi; it lies between Kadesh and Bered.

15 And Hagar bore Abram a son, and Abram called the name of his son, whom Hagar bore, Ishmael. 16 Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore Ishmael to Abram.

Contentment, What Are You Supposed To Be Doing?

 I really am asking you to think about this.

What are you doing for God? I’m not asking you to justify yourself. I’m not asking you to stand up and tell everyone. I not asking you to email me at truthbygod1@gmail.com. No. I’m asking you to seriously look in the mirror, look around at your fruit, and see what your life has produced for God and His Kingdom. Are you growing in faith? Are you telling the truth to people and attempting to further the Kingdom? Are you?

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

Or? Or, are you simply waking up Sunday morning, getting dressed in your best dress clothes, and heading to church, only to leave and go back into the world and do the same things you have always done, even before you were “saved?”

“I am struggling to pay bills. I am struggling to keep my family together. I am struggling with alcohol and or drugs. I am struggling with porn. I am struggling with {In sert whatever it is, here.} I work all the time. I do not have the time to do anything. I do not have the time to read the Bible. I do not have the time to do anything than what I do daily. I come to church. I listen to the pastor. But truthfully? What has the church done for me lately?”

If you have said or asked any of these, you are not alone. It is normal. It is human nature. But it is also against God and His plan for you and your life. This way of “down thinking,” or worldly thinking, will keep you from all that God wants to do in your life.

We did a whole sermon series entitled “Let’s Get Real.” I encourage you to revisit it and see what Jesus was actually asking us to do. Spreading the Good News, feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, healing the sick, and setting the captives free. Are you working towards any of that? Do you even know what God is calling you to do?

I come to you and say I have a job for you. It is over there on the other side of the water, I need you to go over there and clean out the area. If you do, as long as you are on the job you will find housing, food, and even some recreational stuff over there. When you are done, I will compensate you handsomely, and you will become part owner of my company. You agree. What happens next? I walk away and leave you to figure it all out? No. I'll give you a boat. I teach you how to use it. When you get to the other side, you find all the necessary tools to do what I have asked you to do. Why? Because I have a plan and I want the job done. So here is everything you need to do it. When you are done? I honor my end of the agreement.

Some of you are standing on the edge of the water, looking across, and saying, “Well? I can't get over there. I can’t do the work when I get there, I see no tools waiting. I just can’t. But where is my agreed compensation?” Where are all the things you promised me? Look here.

“And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

Sounds great right? All the good, bad, and even the ugly, can work together for our good, why? “For” say for. “For those called according to” who? “His” Who? God’s “purpose.” Jesus did not want to go through all He did. The humiliation, torture, and death on the cross. Look what He says here in His prayer.

“My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” Matthew 26:39

In Luke, we read how much agony He was really in over this.

“And being in agony he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” Luke 22:44

That is how much He did not want to do it. Change that. That is how much His FLESH did not want to do that. Remember what He said to Peter when Peter cut off the ear of Malchus in the garden?

“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?” Matthew 26:52-54

It is not about you. When you become a child of God, it then becomes all about Him. Look how Paul puts it here.

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

It is not me. It is not because I’m so important and I deserve this or that. No, it is all about Him. I get blessed, through and by Him, by doing His will and walking in His ways. God is not an ATM. He is not a Lotto Ticket. He is not going to bless you because you are so awesome, that you just should be blessed.

Look at your earthly family. Look at mine. I have four kids. My oldest, although not officially my child through the birth of my wife, my oldest daughter is now 31 and has two master's degrees, and is out there trying to make it on her own. My other three children are home and living under my roof and my rules and regulations. I see them every day. I am here when they wake up, and when they go to bed. I am here to hear their stories, wants, and desires, and I will be here and love them as long as they are here and love me.

Think about what happens in these scenarios. If Selina, the oldest, wants to talk to me, she has to call me or make the trip to come see me. If the other three want me they just say “Hey Dad?” and I say “Yes my child.” If Selina wants some sort of blessing from me, she has to stop what she is doing, and call and ask, or come and ask, and hope that I will have the time and or the means to bless her. My other three, get blessed daily. Why? Because they are here.

Now what happens if one of my kids falls down or gets hurt? I’m there to lift them up and help them to heal. What if Selina falls down and gets hurt? Well, I’m nowhere near where she is. She is pretty much on her own. Now if she fell and got hurt here, under my roof, especially if I asked her to do something, I would be here to lift her up and heal her.

What happens if my kids fail to do what they know I expect? Or worse, they do the opposite? Do I just continue to bless them because they are my child? No. They get punished. Sometimes I take the stuff away. Sometimes, I simply cannot bless them if they are not doing what is required for that blessing.

Look at this story about God and how he blessed His children in the middle of the desert. He told Moses to lead them out of Egypt and they left. He brought them into a place where the flesh feared and the worldly mind started to run in loops.

“They set out from Elim, and all the congregation of the people of Israel came to the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had departed from the land of Egypt. And the whole congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness, and the people of Israel said to them, “Would that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.” Exodus 16:1-3

God said go. Promised land of milk and honey. Yet all the people could see was what their flesh was craving. Although keep in mind, they were still doing what God asked them to do.

“Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not. On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather daily.” So Moses and Aaron said to all the people of Israel, “At evening you shall know that it was the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, and in the morning you shall see the glory of the Lord because he has heard your grumbling against the Lord. For what are we, that you grumble against us?” And Moses said, “When the Lord gives you in the evening meat to eat and in the morning bread to the full because the Lord has heard your grumbling that you grumble against him—what are we? Your grumbling is not against us but against the Lord.” Exodus 16: 4-8

Even though there was no physical way to get grain, oil, or anything else, God supplied them with bread from heaven.

“Then Moses said to Aaron, “Say to the whole congregation of the people of Israel, ‘Come near before the Lord, for he has heard your grumbling.’” And as soon as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the people of Israel, they looked toward the wilderness, and behold, the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud. And the Lord said to Moses, “I have heard the grumbling of the people of Israel. Say to them, ‘At twilight, you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread. Then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.’” Exodus 16:9-12

Here they are, worried, hungry, and unaware of the fact that God, say it with me,

“knows what you need before you ask him.” Matthew 6:8

God is a God of supply. God is a God of Blessings. God is your Daddy. Look how this came about.

“In the evening quail came up and covered the camp, and in the morning dew lay around the camp. And when the dew had gone up, there was on the face of the wilderness a fine, flake-like thing, fine as frost on the ground. When the people of Israel saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, “It is the bread that the Lord has given you to eat. This is what the Lord has commanded: ‘Gather of it, each one of you, as much as he can eat. You shall each take an omer, according to the number of the persons that each of you has in his tent.’” And the people of Israel did so. They gathered, some more, some less. But when they measured it with an omer, whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack. Each of them gathered as much as he could eat.” Exodus 16:19

God blessed His people, His children, in a miraculous way. He had a purpose and a plan for them to fulfill. He will make sure that they have the means to fulfill it. Look how this chapter ends.

“The people of Israel ate the manna for forty years, till they came to a habitable land. They ate the manna till they came to the border of the land of Canaan” Exodus 16:35

Even though they were disobedient. Even though God had to delay the reward and or even though they delayed doing what God asked out of disobedience, God still blessed them, because He knew ultimately they would.

What is it that God is calling you to do? What are you supposed to be doing? Are you sure that God wants you to say the Prayer, and ask to be adopted into His family? Attend church when you can and simply work and pay bills? Or do you think perhaps, there is so much more to this life than that? I submit to you, there is more. Much, much, much more. You do not have to worry. You do not have to fear. Simply recognize who you are, a child of God, and trust in Him. Trust in your Daddy.

Find what it is God is leading you to do. Do it. Whatever it is. However scary it may be. Trust that He will pave the way. He will teach you, train you, and give you, whatever it is you need. Be content with that. You may not think it was happy to eat bread for forty years, or quail for dinner for forty years, but you know what? They had an unlimited supply and it was always there for them. Trust that whatever it is that God calls you to do, He will be there every step of the way.

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion on the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6

Be content with what God is given you. Know that even if you are in a desert in your life, God is faithful and just and will meet your needs even there. He will do His part. What are you supposed to do? Do you know Jesus as your savior? If you are not in His family, how can He even try to bless you? Say this prayer. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I believed He rose from the dead. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, You shall be saved." Romans 10:9. You need to find a Church that God leads you to and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A New Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him."Colossians 3:10

May the comfort of the Holy Ghost, and the peace of our Lord Jesus, be with you all. May God bless and be with you, always.

Brand new Email if you wish to contact me, it's truthbygod1@gmail.com

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus is Lord!

Book of Genesis, Chapter 15

 Chapter 15

God's Covenant with Abram

1 After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” 2 But Abram said, “O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 And Abram said, “Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir.” 4 And behold, the word of the Lord came to him: “This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir.” 5 And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 6 And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.

7 And he said to him, “I am the Lord who brought you out from Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to possess.” 8 But he said, “O Lord God, how am I to know that I shall possess it?” 9 He said to him, “Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” 10 And he brought him all these, cut them in half, and laid each half over against the other. But he did not cut the birds in half. 11 And when birds of prey came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away.

12 As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell on Abram. And behold, dreadful and great darkness fell upon him. 13 Then the Lord said to Abram, “Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for four hundred years. 14 But I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and afterward, they shall come out with great possessions. 15 As for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried in a good old age. 16 And they shall come back here in the fourth generation, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.”

17 When the sun had gone down and it was dark, behold, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. 18 On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your offspring, I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates, 19 the land of the Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites, 20 the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim, 21 the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.”

Covetousness vs Contentment

 Which do you choose?

Hey folks. Welcome, today. Today we continue the series entitled Covetousness vs Contentment. What is Covetousness? These all pretty much mean the same thing, but look at these definitions.

An inordinate desire for wealth or possessions or another's possessions and a craving for possession and power.

A painful awareness of another's possessions or advantages and a desire to have them too,

An intense selfish desire for wealth or possessions.

No matter how you define it. It is bad. So bad and so common, that God made it the Tenth Commandment.

“You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's.” Exodus 20:17

Last time we talked about why it is so bad, and we read examples of people who did covet, and the end result which was lying, stealing, and outright murder. We saw that these examples that we read in the Word were not done by evil and demon-filled people but by faithful and blessed people. One of them was King David himself.

So if people like this, like David, as God called a man after His own heart. Look here. God is talking to King Saul about David, though He did not name him.

“The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be prince over his people because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.” 1 Samuel 13:14

Also, read here in Acts 13:21-22.

“Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’”

God chose David to be King, and He chose David to be the bloodline that would lead to the Christ's coming. Yet David did what? He coveted Bathsheba, causing him to commit kidnapping, rape, and while attempting to cover it up, murder.

How can we avoid covetousness in our lives? By changing our mindset. By changing the way we think. How do we do this? We have to change some of the basic, primary facts, about us, and how we see ourselves.

Who are you?
What are you supposed to be doing?
What does God say about us?

How do we do this? We start thinking up. Not down. Thinking spiritually and not of ourselves in the flesh. You can no longer, or I guess I should say, you should not, any longer look at yourself the way the world sees you.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9

The only way you can see yourself the way God sees you is through this. {Holding up the Bible.} This is the only way. God’s Word will tell you exactly how God sees you. Are you a good person? I always thought of myself as a good person. If you ask, most will look at the question in an earthly, world sense. They would reason it out. "Let's see, I haven't been arrested. I love my spouse and kids. I give to charity, go to church on Sunday, and try never to speak ill of anyone. yes. I would say I was a good person."

However, the Bible tells us the truth. That without God, without Jesus, and the adoption into the family of God, you are nothing more than a wretch. You are guilty of sins that will send you straight to hell. It does not matter what the world says. It does not matter what you think, or do, or how much charity you give, you are dead and on your way to hell without the blood of Christ washing you clean. Even Jesus hated to be called “good.” {Matthew 19:17}

The Word declares the very distinct difference between walking in the flesh and in the Spirit.

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:16-21

I highly recommend that you read Romans 8. That gives you an even more in-depth study of walking in the flesh as opposed to walking in the spirit. But for the sake of this message, let’s assume that you have overcome the world, through saying this prayer.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I believed He rose from the dead. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

Now you are a child of God. You are no longer just a creation. You are now a child of God. We are all God’s creation. However, make no mistake about it, we are NOT all children of God. The only way to be one is through adoption. Through the process. Through the blood of Christ.

Think about earthly families for a second. I was raised by a single parent. We all lived in my grandmother’s house until she passed on. Then I and my mother moved and we lived together. She worked two jobs to afford to pay the bills. As a kid, I saw her from 7 am to 7:30 am. Unless she was off one of the jobs that day. Then I saw her a little bit more. We struggled and scraped by but I was never really in need. As a kid, I had no idea I was poor. I had toys, food, clothes, and a home. My mom would take me and do stuff with me. We took family vacation trips yearly. We were happy. It was some of the best times in my life. I still thank God for being born when, how, and where I was.

Now look at another family. Let’s call the father Mr. Moneybags. Mr M. for short, was very successful and he got married. They have children born to them and the children grow up with everything. They have people that will dress them, feed them, and bathe them. They have unlimited resources and never even think about bills or the costs of anything.

How rich is your father? I’m not talking about your earthly father, or mother if she is filling in both roles. No, I'm talking about your HEAVENLY Father. God. You know, the one who just adopted you into His family? Look what Jesus says here.

“And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Luke 11:11-13

You have been adopted into God’s Family. If you said that prayer, then you are now a child of God.

“and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” Romans 8:17

Jesus calls God “Abba Father” in His prayer to Him. We are told we can now call God “Abba Father” because we are now His child. The Spirit of God lives in us so therefore it cries out “Abba Father” for us.

“And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” Mark 14:36

“For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” Romans 8:15

“And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” Galatians 4:6

What does “Abba Father” mean? Daddy. It literally means Daddy. The Alpha and Omega, the Creator of all that is, was, or ever will be, is now your Daddy. He wants you to see Him as your Daddy. Not some old bearded guy, sitting on a throne, waiting for you to mess up so He can throw you in hell. Look what Jesus says here.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10

He tells Peter this.

“Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.” Mark 10:29-30

If your friends and family decide that they no longer want anything to do with you because you are now “one of them Jesus freaks,” look around the room. Look around your church family. You have “brothers or sisters or mother or father or children” Look around and see. If something happens and you lose your job because of Jesus? God can and will get you a far better one. Lose your place to live? You got it. God will bless you with another. Jesus even told us that we should not worry about all these things.

“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” Matthew 6:7-8

Read that again if you need to. “Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” God is not surprised. He is not caught off guard. He is in complete control and He has the means to do whatever it is He needs to or wants to do, for YOU. You are now His child. Never forget, He has far more means than Mr. M.

Never forget who you are. You are no longer a creation of God, waddling around in God’s creation. You are not His child. He is your Daddy. And He wants to teach you, bless you, and love you, and He will meet your needs. It really is this simple. If you said the prayer and believed in your heart that Jesus rose from the dead, you are now His child.

Do you want even more of an assurance that God is willing to and will bless you? Then I want you to ask yourself this question, and be honest with yourself. What are you doing? That is what we will be talking about next time.

May the comfort of the Holy Ghost, and the peace of our Lord Jesus, be with you all. May God bless and be with you, always.

Brand new Email if you wish to contact me, it's truthbygod1@gmail.com

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus is Lord!

Book of Genesis, Chapter 14

 Chapter 14

Abram Rescues Lot

1 In the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goiim, these kings made war with Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar). And all these joined forces in the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea). For twelve years they had served Chedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth year, they rebelled. In the fourteenth year Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him came and defeated the Rephaim in Ashteroth-karnaim, the Zuzim in Ham, the Emim in Shaveh-kiriathaim, and the Horites in their hill country of Seir as far as El-paran on the border of the wilderness. Then they turned back and came to En-mishpat (that is, Kadesh) and defeated all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites who were dwelling in Hazazon-tamar.

Then the king of Sodom, the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar) went out, and they joined the battle in the Valley of Siddim with Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goiim, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar, four kings against five. Now the Valley of Siddim was full of bitumen pits, and as the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some fell into them, and the rest fled to the hill country. So the enemy took all the possessions of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their provisions, and went their way. They also took Lot, the son of Abram's brother, who was dwelling in Sodom, and his possessions, and went their way.

Then one who had escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew, who was living by the oaks of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and of Aner. These were allies of Abram. When Abram heard that his kinsman had been taken captive, he led forth his trained men, born in his house, 318 of them, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. And he divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and defeated them and pursued them to Hobah, north of Damascus.  Then he brought back all the possessions and also brought back his kinsman Lot with his possessions, and the women and the people.

Abram Blessed by Melchizedek

After his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley).  And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was the priest of God Most High.)  And he blessed him and said,

“Blessed be Abram by God Most High,

    Possessor of heaven and earth;

 and blessed be God Most High,

    who has delivered your enemies into your hand!”

And Abram gave him a tenth of everything. 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.”

Covetousness, What is it?

Covetousness vs Contentment

Covetousness comes forth in our lives for various reasons. Pride. Greed. Desire. Fear. What is Covetousness? It is marked by an inordinate desire for wealth or possessions or for another's possessions and a craving for possession and power. Not only is this a bad habit to have, but it is also a Spiritual Law. As a matter of fact, it is so predominant in human nature, that God felt it necessary to make it the Tenth Commandment.

“You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's.”Exodus 20:17

It is human nature to see what someone else has, and want that. Keeping up with the Jones. Seeing someone who has money and all the toys and you are working hard to pay bills and eat. Is there anything wrong with seeing what someone else has and striving to get stuff like that? Yes. It is motivation maybe. However, it is motivation in the wrong things. This is why God warns us against it.

Why? Because if you do not greedily desire, AKA Covet, anything, especially from those you love, you won't commit adultery, you will not steal from, and of course, murder them. If you become envious of someone who appears to be better off than you, especially if you KNOW that they are not children of God, then you will be led down that same path. If they lied, cheated, stole, and perhaps even murdered, to get where they are, and you Covet what they have and how they live, you will say it with me, lie, cheat, and steal, to achieve the same.

Here is a problem for them that you have not thought about. They are temporal, while you are eternal. When telling us the story of the rich man and Lazarth, Jesus said this.

"There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. and at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried,  and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’  But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us." Luke 16:19-26

Say "Too late." There will come a time, believe it or not when it will be too late. We are told consistently throughout the Word, that we should store up our treasures in Heaven, and we should seek first the Kingdom of God, trusting in Him to meet our daily needs. Although it seems unfair that they have so much and you have nothing, know this, in reality, it is them that have nothing. You? You have EVERYTHING. You are a child of God.

How bad is it for us to allow this in our lives? Do you really think you cannot fall for this sort of thing? Look at King Ahab. He was a king. He had nearly anything he could ever want. Well, except this.

“Now Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard in Jezreel, beside the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. And after this Ahab said to Naboth, “Give me your vineyard, that I may have it for a vegetable garden because it is near my house, and I will give you a better vineyard for it; or, if it seems good to you, I will give you its value in money.” But Naboth said to Ahab, “The Lord forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers.” And Ahab went into his house vexed and sullen because of what Naboth the Jezreelite had said to him, for he had said, “I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.” And he lay down on his bed and turned away his face and would eat no food.”

Even though Ahab was a king, and even though he had even better lands than that of Naoth, look here, “and I will give you a better vineyard for it” still he coveted Naboth’s land. He coveted Naboth’s land so much that it made him physically sick. Read on.

“But Jezebel his wife came to him and said to him, “Why is your spirit so vexed that you eat no food?” And he said to her, “Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite and said to him, ‘Give me your vineyard for money, or else, if it please you, I will give you another vineyard for it.’ And he answered, ‘I will not give you my vineyard.’” And Jezebel his wife said to him, “Do you now govern Israel? Arise and eat bread and let your heart be cheerful; I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.”

So she wrote letters in Ahab's name and sealed them with his seal, and she sent the letters to the elders and the leaders who lived with Naboth in his city. And she wrote in the letters, “Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth at the head of the people. And set two worthless men opposite him, and let them bring a charge against him, saying, ‘You have cursed God and the king.’ Then take him out and stone him to death.” And the men of his city, the elders, and the leaders who lived in his city did as Jezebel had sent word to them. As it was written in the letters that she had sent to them, they proclaimed a fast and set Naboth at the head of the people. And the two worthless men came in and sat opposite him. And the worthless men brought a charge against Naboth in the presence of the people, saying, “Naboth cursed God and the king.” So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death with stones. Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, “Naboth has been stoned; he is dead.”

As soon as Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned and was dead, Jezebel said to Ahab, “Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give you for money, for Naboth is not alive, but dead.” And as soon as Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, Ahab arose to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it.”1 Kings 21:1-16

Ahab coveted, and it lead to false witness, theft, and murder. Talking about kings. What about one of the greatest kings to ever live? King David. What the Word of God calls a man after God’s own heart?

“In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel. And they ravaged the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem.

It happened, late one afternoon when David arose from his couch and was walking on the roof of the king's house, that he saw from the roof a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful. And David sent and inquired about the woman. And one said, “Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?” So David sent messengers and took her, and she came to him, and he lay with her. (Now she had been purifying herself from her uncleanness.) Then she returned to her house. And the woman conceived, and she sent and told David, “I am pregnant.”

Stop there for a second. First, it seems like David got comfortable, or perhaps even lazy. His life of ease caused him to get used to not doing much. He stayed home. He did not go off like the other kings did at the appropriate time. He got up from a nap and went outside to see what he could see, and he saw a beautiful naked woman bathing. He could have looked away. He could have gone back inside. Instead? He kept watching. He asked who she was, and take a look at the response. “Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?” Now I cannot prove it, but that sounds much like what we would say today. “Who is that?” “Come on Pete, you know who that is. That’s Billy’s wife.” Or something to that effect.

This is the wife of Uriah. Who is Uriah? He is an elite soldier in the army of David. Chances are King David knew and has seen Uriah and his wife on numerous occasions. Even if he did not initially recognize her, someone told him who she was. Then this happened. “David sent messengers and took her, and she came to him, and he lay with her.” Does that sound like she chose this? Can you say forced her to go to the king? Can you say rape? Now because David coveted Bathsheba, it caused up to this point, kidnapping, and rape. Now a pregnancy. Read on, it gets worse.

“So David sent word to Joab, “Send me Uriah the Hittite.” And Joab sent Uriah to David. When Uriah came to him, David asked how Joab was doing and how the people were doing, and how the war was going. Then David said to Uriah, “Go down to your house and wash your feet.” And Uriah went out of the king's house, and there followed him a present from the king. But Uriah slept at the door of the king's house with all the servants of his lord and did not go down to his house. When they told David, “Uriah did not go down to his house,” David said to Uriah, “Have you not come from a journey? Why did you not go down to your house?”

You see, David wanted him to go down to his house, get cleaned up, and have relations with his wife. Then when it became known that Bathsheba was with child, all would assume, including Uriah, that Uriah was the father. But David's plan failed because of Uriah's reverence and love for David, He refused to go.

“Uriah said to David, “The ark and Israel and Judah dwell in booths, and my lord Joab and the servants of my lord are camping in the open field. Shall I then go to my house, to eat and to drink and to lie with my wife? As you live, and as your soul lives, I will not do this thing.”

David’s plan failed. So he had to come up with an option B. Get him drunk.

“Then David said to Uriah, “Remain here today also, and tomorrow I will send you back.” So Uriah remained in Jerusalem that day and the next. And David invited him, and he ate in his presence and drank so that he made him drunk. And in the evening he went out to lie on his couch with the servants of his lord, but he did not go down to his house.”

Well? That failed also. David now desperate, tries to cover up his rape of Uriah’s wife and continues to fail. Time to get drastic.

“In the morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it by the hand of Uriah. In the letter he wrote, “Set Uriah in the forefront of the hardest fighting, and then draw back from him, that he may be struck down, and die.” And as Joab was besieging the city, he assigned Uriah to the place where he knew there were valiant men. And the men of the city came out and fought with Joab, and some of the servants of David among the people fell. Uriah the Hittite also died. Then Joab sent and told David all the news about the fighting. And he instructed the messenger, “When you have finished telling all the news about the fighting to the king, then if the king's anger rises, and if he says to you, ‘Why did you go so near the city to fight? Did you not know that they would shoot from the wall? Who killed Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? Did not a woman cast an upper millstone on him from the wall, so that he died at Thebez? Why did you go so near the wall?’ then you shall say, ‘Your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.’”

So the messenger went and came and told David all that Joab had sent him to tell. The messenger said to David, “The men gained an advantage over us and came out against us in the field, but we drove them back to the entrance of the gate. Then the archers shot at your servants from the wall. Some of the king's servants are dead, and your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.” David said to the messenger, “Thus shall you say to Joab, ‘Do not let this matter displease you, for the sword devours now one and now another. Strengthen your attack against the city and overthrow it.’ And encourage him.”

When the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she lamented over her husband. And when the mourning was over, David sent and brought her to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord.”2 Samuel 11:1-27

David coveted Bathsheba. This led to kidnapping, rape, lies, and murder. It goes on to say how God killed the child. 

Jesus Himself warns us about this.

“Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Luke 12:15

Some people work themselves half to death. Some work themselves to death. Some turn to lying, cheating, and stealing, Some plot, and yes, even arrange or carry out, out and out murder. The only way to truly guard against Covetousness is through Contentment. This will be what we will be discussing next time.

Have you been adopted into the Family of God? Would you like to be? It really is simple. Say this prayer. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I believed He rose from the dead. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, You shall be saved." Romans 10:9. You need to find a Church that God leads you to and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A New Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him."Colossians 3:10

Brand new Email if you wish to contact me, it's truthbygod1@gmail.com

May the comfort of the Holy Ghost, and the peace of our Lord Jesus, be with you all. May God bless and be with you, always.

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus is Lord!

Book of Genesis, Chapter 13

 Chapter 13

Abram and Lot Separate

1 So Abram went up from Egypt, he and his wife and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the Negeb.

2 Now Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold. 3 And he journeyed on from the Negeb as far as Bethel to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai, 4 to the place where he had made an altar at the first. And there Abram called upon the name of the Lord. 5 And Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents, 6 so that the land could not support both of them dwelling together; for their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together, 7 and there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram's livestock and the herdsmen of Lot's livestock. At that time the Canaanites and the Perizzites were dwelling in the land.

8 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. 9 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.” 10 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.) 11 So Lot chose for himself all the Jordan Valley, and Lot journeyed east. Thus they separated from each other. 12 Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled among the cities of the valley and moved his tent as far as Sodom. 13 Now the men of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the Lord.

14 The Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, “Lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward, 15 for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever. 16 I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth so that if one can count the dust of the earth, your offspring also can be counted. 17 Arise, walk through the length and the breadth of the land, for I will give it to you.” 18 So Abram moved his tent and came and settled by the oaks of Mamre, which are at Hebron, and there he built an altar to the Lord.