IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

You Will Be a Blessing

Date: Jan. 21, 2015

Passage

Genesis 12:1-9  (ESV)

Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

So Abram went, as the LORD had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother’s son, and all their possessions that they had gathered, and the people that they had acquired in Haran, and they set out to go to the land of Canaan. When they came to the land of Canaan, Abram passed through the land to the place at Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built there an altar to the LORD, who had appeared to him. From there he moved to the hill country on the east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. And there he built an altar to the LORD and called upon the name of the LORD. And Abram journeyed on, still going toward the Negeb.

Daily Bread

Key Verse: 12:2-3

And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

First, the LORD calls Abram (1-5). The LORD told Abram to leave his country, people and father's home and go to a new land. Leaving behind what was comfortable and familiar, Abram would build a new life rooted only in God's promises and blessings. From a single family with no children (11:30), God would bring forth a great nation. He would bless and protect Abram. God would bless the whole world through him. By faith Abram believed God. He packed up and moved his family to Canaan.

Second, the LORD's assurance (6-9). Upon arriving in Canaan, Abram found people already inhabiting the land. Reality did not seem to match God's promises. But God specifically promised Abram that the land would be given to his offspring. Abram believed God's word and built an altar in response. Abram moved from there and built another altar, calling on the LORD.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your promises. Help me to live by faith in your promises. Make me a blessing.

One Word: Live by faith; be a blessing

Daily Bread

Worthy is Jesus the Lamb

Revelation 5:1-14

Key Verse: 5:12

saying with a loud voice,

  “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
  to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
  and honor and glory and blessing!”

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Intro Daily