WORD From The Woods
Genesis 12:1-9
“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.”
This is just a short story, but there is something very important we can learn from Abram’s heart in how he responded to God’s calling. In the logging industry, we're faced with a lot of difficult decisions and challenges. We can spend a lot of time and energy worrying, and trying to plan for the future. I don't know about you, but the future has never really played out how I had it pictured in my mind. Over the years, my family and I have been on quite a journey. I work with my dad and brother in a family logging company. God has led us through some difficult trials. We thought at times that there was no way out, and by our own judgement, there was no way out. But, God had other plans for us, plans that moved our family and company from Montana to Oregon, plans that we couldn't understand at the time, but when we stand where we are today and look back over the years, we can clearly see the hand of God guiding our steps day by day in ways we could have never imagined. God hasn't called us to figure out how we're going to make everything happen according to our own hopes and dreams, He's called us to live day to day, trusting in His good plan for our life. This is exactly what Abram modeled for us in account we just read. God told him to leave everything he had ever known, and go to a new land, a land that God would show him along the way, God didn't even tell Abram the final destination until he got there! I love Abram's response in verse 4, following God's call to leave his homeland, Abram simply went. He didn't check google maps for the best route and look for the best deals on hotels, he just went and trusted His Lord with each step that he took.
Matthew 6:33-34
“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.”
If we have placed our faith and trust in Jesus Christ as our Lord and savior, then we have been called to walk day by day in faith, not by sight.
Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.”
God doesn't promise that our life will be easy if we trust in His plan, but it will be the best plan for us! As you go out this week, take the time to seek God and ask Him to guide you day by day in each step you take, and that He will give you the faith, wisdom and encouragement you'll need to take the next step.
God bless, and have a great week! -Terry-
Genesis 12:1-9
“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.”
This is just a short story, but there is something very important we can learn from Abram’s heart in how he responded to God’s calling. In the logging industry, we're faced with a lot of difficult decisions and challenges. We can spend a lot of time and energy worrying, and trying to plan for the future. I don't know about you, but the future has never really played out how I had it pictured in my mind. Over the years, my family and I have been on quite a journey. I work with my dad and brother in a family logging company. God has led us through some difficult trials. We thought at times that there was no way out, and by our own judgement, there was no way out. But, God had other plans for us, plans that moved our family and company from Montana to Oregon, plans that we couldn't understand at the time, but when we stand where we are today and look back over the years, we can clearly see the hand of God guiding our steps day by day in ways we could have never imagined. God hasn't called us to figure out how we're going to make everything happen according to our own hopes and dreams, He's called us to live day to day, trusting in His good plan for our life. This is exactly what Abram modeled for us in account we just read. God told him to leave everything he had ever known, and go to a new land, a land that God would show him along the way, God didn't even tell Abram the final destination until he got there! I love Abram's response in verse 4, following God's call to leave his homeland, Abram simply went. He didn't check google maps for the best route and look for the best deals on hotels, he just went and trusted His Lord with each step that he took.
Matthew 6:33-34
“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.”
If we have placed our faith and trust in Jesus Christ as our Lord and savior, then we have been called to walk day by day in faith, not by sight.
Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.”
God doesn't promise that our life will be easy if we trust in His plan, but it will be the best plan for us! As you go out this week, take the time to seek God and ask Him to guide you day by day in each step you take, and that He will give you the faith, wisdom and encouragement you'll need to take the next step.
God bless, and have a great week! -Terry-