Daily Devotional, Genesis Chapter 25, 26, Remarriage, Deceipt, Peace

Daily Devotional, Genesis Chapter 25, 26

Remarriage, Deceit, and Peace

These two chapters seem to go all over the place in regards to themes. It is one of the reasons that I hope these daily devotions encourage you to check out the scriptures yourself, think about them and were possible, apply the concepts learned into your life.

We see that Abraham has remarried after the death of Sarah, despite his age he has more children. There are several things to think about here but one of the things that sticks out to me is the knowledge that this is a continuation of the story of the separation of Jews, Muslims, and to some extent, later on, Christians.

One of the things that causes me to ponder here is that despite the differences in belief that would later develop, Isaac and Ishmael came together to bury their father. There is a recognition of family among these half brothers. They found a way to come together and accomplish something despite their differences. Family and the love of Abraham had for his children, especially these two sons was a contributing factor as to why these two could come together to honor their father. As I write this, it is known in America as National Son's Day; Abraham was a father who was also honored by his sons.

We also read about other decedents and some of the early history of the decedents of Ishmael and Isaac. We also see aspects of deceit among family. There is the desire for power and wealth we see in the story of Jacob and Esau where one brother tricks the other out of his birthright. While it can be debated as to what is right or wrong, one could also debate if one appreciates what they have or do they take these things lightly.

Today, many of us are in the same boat. Do we appreciate the things we have? Do we take what we have for granted and live in the moment or do we plan for the future? I'll admit, I'm guilty and as a result I know how much better things could have been.

There is so much more in these two chapters, but you can check them out for yourself. It would be interesting to know your thoughts and what stuck out to you. What caused you to ponder?

To see Genesis Chapter 25 and 26 Click the following link:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+25%2C+26&version=CEV

Click here to follow The Virtual Pew on Twitter

Mike Furches on Faceboook.

Click to subscribe to my blog

You can also check out Mike's Musical ventures by searching for Mike Furches and Pastor Mike and the Demon Slayer Blues Band.  Mary Jane's album will be out in September of 2020 and the Pastor Mike and Demon Slayer Blues Band album will be released in October of 2020

There are hundreds of postings so make sure to check out the archives. You can also contact me for a free audio book link of The Keystone Kid at mike@furches.org You can visit http://www.thevirtualpew.com/.

Hopefully, you will consider a gift to The Virtual Pew.

You can donate via paypal at mike@furches.org or cash app at $MichaelFurches

Now I get asked this quite often, Can we repost your blogs or articles? The short answer to that is, what an honor that you would ask, and by all means, spread the word. Here is our contact information

The Virtual Pew
1249 N. St. Francis
Wichita Kansas, 67214
Email: mike@furches.org

Click on the following links to learn more about The Virtual Pew

To follow Mike's Band, Pastor Mike and the Demon Slayer Blues Band, click the following link:

https://www.facebook.com/TheDemonSlayers 

The Movie Guys

Donations to The Virtual Pew

The Virtual Pew Blog

Reviews With Mike

The Virtual Pew Sermons

The Virtual Pew News

 

 

Daily Devotional, GEnesis Chapter 21, 23, 2 Sons, 2 Directions

 

Daily Devotional, Genesis Chapter 21, 22

2 Sons, 2 Directions

In these passages for today we see two interesting stories, one of a son born to the slave woman Hagar, Ishmael, and another born to the wife, Sarah, Isaac. Abraham was the father of both.

Despite Sarah encouraging Abraham earlier on to have relations with Hagar, in order to have a son, I've always thought she had some jealousy issues, from the fact that a firstborn son was born and then encouraging Abraham to get rid of the slave woman and the son to insure that her son gets everything when the time comes. God however knows that Ishmael is still  the son of Abraham and is going to honor him. While the honors won't quite be the same, God still sees to it that Hagar and Ishmael are taken care of and that they are worthy of recognition and reward.

In many ways this is where much of the conflict between Jews and Muslims originated. Unfortunately, today people still see little value in each other just as during this time. Yet, God still sees the true story. He knows the history and will honor those who deserves to be honored. God will not abandon those He loves.

We will, just as Abraham via Sarah, face issues that could have us doing the wrong thing, based out of jealousy, hate, misunderstanding and so forth. Yet, God as mentioned above knows the truth. So many times we as individuals are caught up in conflict, yet, we must remember, God will do what is right.

Instead of going through life placing blame, sometimes it may be a good idea to try and understand where people are coming from and why they are in the situation they are. God loves. It is our actions, our lack of faith, just as it was in the case of Abraham and Sarah that leads to issues coming about. In the long run, Abraham shows God that it is to God that his ultimate love is shown to. While it was a hard lesson and temptation, Abraham came through. I can only imagine if Sarah had known of what God's test for Abraham would have been. The angels where there the whole time but the test was still challenged Abraham's faith and in the end, that faith won out.

As we go through life we need to understand and follow God and his direction, even in the hard things. In the process though, try to understand the other parties involved in our decisions. Don't hold grudges or place blame especially for the conflicts  we take part in creating. 

To see Genesis Chapter 21 and 22 Click the following link:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+21%2C+22&version=CEV

Click here to follow The Virtual Pew on Twitter

Mike Furches on Faceboook.

Click to subscribe to my blog

You can also check out Mike's Musical ventures by searching for Mike Furches and Pastor Mike and the Demon Slayer Blues Band.  Mary Jane's album will be out in September of 2020 and the Pastor Mike and Demon Slayer Blues Band album will be released in October of 2020

There are hundreds of postings so make sure to check out the archives. You can also contact me for a free audio book link of The Keystone Kid at mike@furches.org You can visit http://www.thevirtualpew.com/.

Hopefully, you will consider a gift to The Virtual Pew.

You can donate via paypal at mike@furches.org or cash app at $MichaelFurches

Now I get asked this quite often, Can we repost your blogs or articles? The short answer to that is, what an honor that you would ask, and by all means, spread the word. Here is our contact information

The Virtual Pew
1249 N. St. Francis
Wichita Kansas, 67214
Email: mike@furches.org

Click on the following links to learn more about The Virtual Pew

To follow Mike's Band, Pastor Mike and the Demon Slayer Blues Band, click the following link:

https://www.facebook.com/TheDemonSlayers 

The Movie Guys

Donations to The Virtual Pew

The Virtual Pew Blog

Reviews With Mike

The Virtual Pew Sermons

The Virtual Pew News

 

 

Observing The Sabbath

I am a Sabbath keeper, but I don't believe it has to be a specific day, for example, those in ministry can't observe a Sabbath on their day of worship if a Sunday, I realize many Sabbath keepers also observe the Sabbath on its original day, a Saturday, but also here, for those in ministry, according to their traditions and religious habits, can't keep it by definition on that day either. 

 Jim Holm former president of The Mennonite Brethren Seminary did a great teaching on the Sabbath that I sat under some years ago.  Sabbath is not a day of rest as we typically conceptualize in America.  A point of interest on this is the reality that God doesn't need rest, yet, God observed a Sabbath.  Our misunderstanding of Sabbath has to do with our Westernized concept of rest. The Hebrew definition of rest is not what many may think. Unfortunately there are different definitions and we should remember the aspect of God taking a Sabbath; does God really need to rest as most would define it?  As I have done study on this, prefaced by Dr. Holm's teachings among others, I have come to the conclusion that Sabbath is really more of a day of reflection, a day of communion with God if you will.  It is a day where nothing else matters as much as seeking God and reflecting on the things God has done through and for us, plus a reflection in part on what God wants for us. The concept of Sabbath has never been done away with, it is however unfortunately misunderstood, even by many in the church and Christianity. As a result, many really doesn't honor the Sabbath, that does not negate the things God has for us when we do honor the Sabbath, neither does it do away with our need for a Sabbath.

The Sabbath is for us, to rediscover the joy of communion with God.  I challenge those who are in need of such a thing to find a day that is convenient to make your focus God.  Make one on one time with Him as much as possible.  Don't do part of a day, do as much as possible, the entire day. Pick the same day, that makes it easier to get in the routine of honoring and observing the Sabbath. Seek God's face in the ways you feel compelled.  I normally will pick something through the day after prayer, sometimes it is a day at the zoo reflecting on God's creation of animals, sometimes it is a day in the wilderness reflecting on nature, sometimes spending time in prayer, sometimes, I believe God would have me literally rest, spending time in prayer, getting sleep.  It depends on what I believe God would have for me and how He would desire to speak to me on a particular day, but yes, I honor the Sabbath, for me each Friday.

 

While there are times I have conflicts, I more than not take Fridays to spend with God.  It isn't a luxury, it is a requirement of my faith.  It wasn't done away with but Jesus did clarify it.  Do you keep and honor the concept of the Sabbath?  Why or why not?  I can just tell you this, I have found peace, heard God in the quietness and time alone with him. I have never regretted it but do often wonder why many who say they have a personal relationship with Jesus, love God, are followers of Jesus and a part of this thing called Christianity, have made excuses to not observe it. It is a concept that was so special that God wrote it down and called it one of his 10 Commandments.  Not a commandment to hold us at the place of feeling guilty but a commandment to get us to the place of having liberty and even more important than that, a time to have relationship with God.  While you are all important to me, I honor and value my time alone with God, hopefully this will move some of you who are followers of Jesus to reconsider your own time with God, hopefully observed through a Sabbath, whatever that day may be.

The Virtual Pew and our other work is supported solely by the kind contributions of others. You can click on the donate button below to give any amount to this work that does so much more than just post articles on the net; I draw no ongoing salary from the church I pastor, Mosaic Wichita which is predominantly a homeless church; I am grateful for any small amount you can contribute to help with this ministry.  Believe me there is much more going on than most realize. I will also provide information to verify the ministry and income that comes into this ministry and work.  Thanks and feel free to share any material from The Virtual Pew, I only ask that appropriate credit is given and a link to the original site with the materials provided.


Click here to read about, and order the book, The Keystone Kid 


Click here to visit the web page The Virtual Pew

Click here to follow The Virtual Pew on Twitter

Mike Furches on Faceboook.

Click here to visit Mosaic Church where Mike is Pastor

The Keystone Kid/Virtual Pew Message Boards

Click to subscribe to my blog

There are hundreds of postings so make sure to check out the archives. You can also contact me for a free audio book link of The Keystone Kid at mike@furches.org You can visit http://www.thevirtualpew.com/.

Hopefully you will consider a gift to The Virtual Pew.

Now I get asked this quite often, Can we repost your blogs or articles? The short answer to that is, what an honor that you would ask, and by all means, spread the word. Here is our contact information

The Virtual Pew
1249 N. St. Francis
Wichita Kansas, 67214
Email: mike@furches.org

Click on the following links to learn more about The Virtual Pew

Donations to The Virtual Pew

The Virtual Pew Blog

Personal Furches Web Site

Hollywood Jesus

Reviews With Mike

The Virtual Pew Sermons

The Virtual Pew News