Today's Scripture: Genesis 11:1-8 and Genesis 12:1-9
As mentioned in the introduction to this study the first 4 days of the weeks study is related to transformation, learning about changes that God made in the lives of others. The last day of each week is about revelation, exploring the unchanging identity and character of God.
"True change is found in discovering who God is, how God reveals Himself and His love to us, and how it makes a difference in our own lives."
Can you imagine what is would be like is we tried to become more like God if he never revealed His character to us. We would be like a dog trying to catch him own tail, going around and around trying to catch ourselves.
Here are some of the characteristics of God listed in the Bible
A strong fortress, a place to find love and safety
Glory
Majesty
Unfailing, never ending righteousness
Giver of Life to all who believe
Scripture relating to God's nature: Proverbs 18:10, Psalm 1113:1-3, and John 20:31
Many people make a list of the priorities in their lives, most go something like family, job, house, etc, etc. But for Christians its important for God to be at the top of the list, put first, and made top priority. He has to be the center of our universe, not ourselves. Jessica LaGrone points something out about the story of The Tower of Babel (Genesis Chapter 11) that I never really noticed. The people came together to build this tower so that "their" name would be known. By putting themselves before God, and putting themselves in God's rightful place they start a drastic downward spiral.
Genesis Chapter 11 - Moral Bankruptcy - Bankruptcy Chapter 11 =
bank·rupt·cy, Noun - The state of being completely lacking in a particular quality or value. Failure, depleted, empty.
If the people had called out to God and asked for Him to reveal his plan and purpose for them they could have been mighty leaders and known for that, instead of causing total chaos and crashing down (bankruptcy) of the tower.
This really stuck with me: "the characteristics at the heart of God are central to the future they (we) are now seeking."
When we call out to God for help, guidance, or support we need to not be calling God to us to do something, or do things our way. We need to call out to God, with all His Love, Power, and Mercy, in Praise of Him to please for Him act in His will on this situation. More times than not, God will make changes in us (changes to our heart, our character to be more like Him) that will in the end bring about the change that we are asking for. God works in mysterious ways.
Psalm 86:5 and Romans 10:13
Instructions from God on how to pray and call out His name can be found in Matthew 6
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