Genesis 13 Abram and Lot Wednesday
Laurie’s Notes:
SEPARATION OF ABRAM AND LOT
Lot had a “what’s in it for me” mentality?
Lot started living NEAR Sodom (Chap 13:12)
Lot ended up living IN Sodom (Chap 14:12)
The pull of the world. Reminds me of Las Vegas!
When you fly in, its utter darkness as you fly over the Mojave desert. Then suddenly you see this patch of twinkling lights that get bigger and brighter. It looks all sparkly, exciting, and entertaining.
Then, once you begin to explore the area, you see the reality “all prettied up”, and some not so pretty, the brokenness, prostitution, drug addicts, people steeped in gambling addictions, and you realize why it’s called SIN CITY.
*Where my son decided to “set up his tent”, looking for fame and fortune. He gave up his family and his son, but this lifestyle sucked his spirit dry, so he left and moved to Barcelona, Spain and began seeking peace, tranquility, and identity.
I am believing that the same God who showed up in Genesis will show up in Spain!
2 Peter 2:7-8
“…and if He rescued Lot, a RIGHTEOUS man, who was distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard) …”
LOT, a RIGHTEOUS MAN
• Chose the best land for himself
• Lived and rubbed shoulders with the people of Sodom
• Argued with the messengers of God about going to the mountains
• Offered his daughter to all the men of Sodom to do whatever they wanted (Gen. 19:8)
• Got drunk and slept with his daughters (Gen. 19:33-34)
The more I read about Lot, the more I realize I don’t understand RIGHTEOUSNESS from God’s perspective.
• God sees the heart
• God is not interested in behavior modification
• God is Sovereign
Romans 9:11-12 “…in order that God’s purpose in election might stand: NOT BY WORKS BUT BY HIM WHO CALLS…”
Romans 9:14:16 “Is God unjust? Not at all! For he says to Moses, ‘I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.’ It DOES NOT, therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.”
MERCY = Not getting what we deserve
Mercy extends compassion instead of revenge. Its meant to relieve someone of their suffering.
GRACE = Getting what we don’t deserve
Grace is a courteous goodwill. It’s not asked for or deserved but freely given.
GOD’S EXTENSION OF GRACE AND MERCY!!!
(especially to those who “appear” to not deserve either!)
News flash! That’s ALL of us!
King David – adulterer, murderer
…but God says “he’s a man after my own heart.”
Moses – doubter
…but God says “diplomat for my chosen people.”
Jacob – liar
…but God says “my lineage”
Rahab – prostitute
…but God says “protector of my called”
Saul – murder of Christians
…but God says “my minister of the gospel”
Matthew – depraved tax collector
…but God says “my disciple”
Judas – betrayer/traitor
…but God says “testimony of the Blood of the Lamb”
ME! – broken
…but God says “beautiful, brave, bought with love”
Who in MY life doesn’t “deserve” grace or mercy from MYperspective?
Who has deeply hurt me that God is calling me to extend HIS grace and mercy?
What does that look like while establishing healthy boundaries? And does the Bible support boundaries? YES!!
Prov. 19:19 Rescue a hothead, you will have to do it again.
2 Corin. 6:14-17 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers…come out from them and be separate.
Exodus 19:12-13 (Gods instruction to Moses) Put limits for the people around the mountain…only when the ram’s horn sounds a long blast may they go up to the mountain.
Rev. 3:20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. (No forced entry). If anyone hears my voice and opens the door (choice), I will come in (invited) and eat with him (communion, community) and he with me (two-way relationship being offered)
ICU = Intensive Care Unit
I.C.U.= Identity Crisis University
I.SEE.YOU. = God’s Heart
GODLY BOUNDARIES OFFER CHOICE RATHER THAN CONTROL!!