Driving back East

I’m here at Bruce and Lisa’s place, I stayed a couple nights and I’m at the men’s bible study with Bruce.

It’s mostly bible study, less reflecting and more knowledge.

Bible study: The Life of Abraham

Genesis 17 The Covenant of Circumcision

Gen 17:1-8 Gods Promise:

Circumcision served as a reminder of the mother and fathers faith in the God of Abraham.

• A private sign
• Males only
• Distinct from baptism

Gen 17:15-16

Abraham’s response as a laugh of disbelief.

Not total unbelief, but such a huge impossibility

No substitute son was satisfactory. Only through Sarah could the covenant be established with Isaac.

Ishmael would have 12 sons/great nation

Gen 17:22-27

Abraham’s obedience

Took Abraham a lifetime to grasp the promise that only took 3 verses to record.

How long will it take us to grasp the riches of his grace?

A growth in Abraham’s knowledge, and also in his intimacy with God.

Later he would be known as a friend of God.

Even though God was silent for 13 Years he broke through to Abraham eventually.

Gods name change

El shaddai - almighty

Questions:

1. Gods use of el shaddai. Why is it significant at this time in Abraham’s life? What new name for God have we been given in the New Testament?

God is saying that He can do anything.

New name for God in the New Testament.

‘Our Father’ - in the New covenant we are made brothers of Christ and sons of God.

Hebrews 4 - discipline through trials, difficulties

2. Why did God choose circumcision as the sign of his covenant with Abraham?

A reminder of the covenant to each generations offspring. The seed coming through the man. 

3. What is significant about Ishmael having 12 sons?

Isaac had Jacob and Essau, and Essau would have 12 sons.

Common grace to all people.

4. In v.23 Abraham obeyed God ‘in that very day’. What other significant command did Abraham obey immediately and what commands should we obey immediately?

New Testament specifically, ‘as often as you do this’ communion.

Baptism, Matthew 4? Go forth making disciples and baptizing.

When Isaac was almost a sacrifice on the mountain. 

Abraham’s life defined by his relationship with El Shaddai.

That’s all for now!

Christmas Eve

I’ve spent most of this week hanging out with Hayden and his brother at their place. Me and Hayden exchanged gifts and we gave Bruin his Warhammer 40k Ork setup.

Bring back in Hythe has been good. Unfortunately I’ve been sick non stop, the first day after staying at Hayden’s I was sick all day. And my animal allergies have been bad this whole time, except for the days at home because I’m assuming Pumba doesn’t do much shedding.

I criticized Hayden and Terris’ place a bit but they’ve got a nice house there, they probably pay oilfield rates but from what I understand they needed to get out of their moms house. I’m sure that Francess is doing well, I haven’t heard from Havallind so I’m sure she’s doing well.

Bruin is working full time as a power engineer in a new company, so apparently he just has money saved in the bank but works so much he never spends it. Probably a good system, since he’s still staying at home, hanging out with Jon and Jacob.

I got my hair cut at Dani VanBergens new place with Jeri, that was nice, she put a lot of time into thinning it out which looks better than what I do which is just let it grow until I need to have it cut.

Played board games and watched movies and such there, Zombiecide and Unearth are fun.

I saw Bryce for a bit one night, he’s staying at Jeri and sams and being a decent roommate and looking after their house with all the squatters there.

Church at BAC - Pastor Greg

Greg’s story about Katrina’s North, and how she got her full name and the meaning and prophetic thoughts behind it.

Presence Manifest: Hope.

Jeremiah 29:11

Prov 13:12

John 1:5

Matt 4:16

John 1:9

1 John 1:5

Isa 60:19-20

John 8:12

Light of the world - song lyrics

Fourth advent candle lighting

Hopelessness - heavy blanket example

Prayer

Isa 40:28-31

That’s all for now!