As human beings, we are tasked with making many decisions. What to eat or wear, for example. There are so many decisions and micro-decisions that we get used to making choices by ourselves and soon ignore that God is supposed to guide us on even the smallest decisions.
Lot's experience is a great reminder that no matter how intelligent we are or how simple a decision may appear, we need the Lord to direct us. The most insignificant choices could have the most significant impacts on ourselves and others.
Genesis 13 tells us that at one point, he and his uncle Abraham lived together, their herds of animals (and wealth) growing in numbers. That, however, led to quarrels between their herdsmen. Genesis 13:8-9 - So Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herders and mine, for we are close relatives. Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left.”
Lot chose to live near Sodom and Gomorrah because the land in that area was "well watered, like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt" (Genesis 13:10).
Seemed like a straightforward choice, correct? Most of us would have done the same. However, this choice was ultimately disastrous for Lot and his family.
Firstly, when war broke out between the King of Elam and some lesser kings (which included the king of Sodom and the king of Gomorrah), Lot, his family, and his possessions were captured. Fortunately, and by God's grace, Abram was able to rescue them from captivity.
Things worsened when God sent His judgment against Sodom and Gomorrah for the people's sins. Angels visited Lot telling him to get his family far away to escape the coming punishment. Sadly, his sons-in-law ignored the warning and chose to stay behind losing their lives in the process. Lot's wife turned to see the destruction, despite being instructed not to do so. She became a pillar of salt. His two daughters decided that there were no men to have children with, and tricked their father into sleeping with them. With this Lot also lost his dignity.
That choice of a well-watered area that looked capable of increasing his wealth proved to be destruction for Lot and his family. In the end, he left that land with his life and not much more. It is easy to dismiss Lot's story and think this could never happen to us, but a lack of wisdom and pride creates great risk (1 Corinthians 10:12).
Every Christian must slow down and invite God into their decisions. We need to seek His direction so we don't make a choice that seems easy in the short term but costs us dearly in the long run. We are so blessed to have Jesus who serves as our High Priest and intercessor at the right hand of God. He has assured that all who call on Him will receive His help. He has taught us how to seek God in prayer by giving us the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6. And, He's given all who believe the Holy Spirit so they walk with the Spirit of the Lord everywhere they go.
These gifts shouldn't be squandered but treasured and put into practice in faith. We may think there isn't enough time to seek God's face on everything but once we start, we'll soon learn that He will ensure we have the time to receive guidance. We'll notice that as we open our Bibles the answers are already waiting. He'll also tell us what is to come so we are prepared. All because God wants us to walk in His light. He wants His people to experience success and goodness in all areas of their lives.
And by His grace, we will cultivate the habit of looking to Him before we make the big and small choices that can determine the course of the rest of our lives. Praise the Lord.
From GAP1 - Thank You Jesus for this Thread...Thank you for being obedient in starting this thread..The Holy Spirit has been convicting me concerning GOSSIP and SLANDER..I found myself indulging in that on LSA...Pray for me concerning that..Thanks!
Dear God, thank You that our sister AW got to meet Ms. Bonnie and that she was present when their family got the unwelcome news. You knew You wanted a child of Yours there to begin interceding on their behalf.
As such, we take this opportunity to join our sister in petitioning for the miraculous healing of Ms. Bonnie's sister. Lord, we call on You to stretch out Your righteous and mighty right hand. Lord, Jesus died to set every captive free. Captivity can come through disease. We plead the blood of the Lamb over this woman. We pray for mercy and Your healing grace to reach her. Lord, Christ died to bring freedom from all that satan wants for people. May this woman and her entire family encounter Christ and come to know You in a deep way. May they acknowledge You as the mender of bones, the healer of wounds, their Jehovah Rapha who brought His transformation to their sister's body, IJMN, Amen.
Sis, thank You for blessing us with the opportunity to pray along with you for this family. God bless you, richly. I'm also happy to hear your dad is well. Glory to God!
From MFC - We give thanks for today's teaching. Lot and his family's story preaches to me in a different way each time I visit it.
This!!!! We know that God will make all things work together for his glory, however we can delay our destiny and purpose in God by taking the easy way out. Our Father's ways are not our ways, so we must consider The Word in each decision so we can make the right decision in Christ- the first time!
CLOSING PRAYER
Father in heaven, thank You for bringing us to the end of another day of fellowship with our fellow believers. Thank You for the great grace and love You have shown us that enabled us to gather.
God, take all the glory for today's fellowship. Take all the glory for those You brought and those You kept away. Be Thou glorified.
I put everyone before You and pray that Your mercy will always find them. I pray that Your voice will tell them the way to go. I pray Your word will always ring in their heart so they know what You want them to do. I also pray that they themselves will walk humbly before You, knowing that it is best to seek Your face at all times and in all things. IJMN Amen.
From AC - Father of compassion, I lift up the people in my life who are grieving the loss of their loved ones. Grant them strength to endure this difficult time and surround them with Your comforting presence and peace that surpasses understanding. May H’s loved ones find solace in Your promise of eternal life and the hope of reunion with him in Heaven. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
From JIR - God, I pray for those who are homeless, mentally ill and afflicted. Please bless them with comfort, love, hope and libations. Bless them to turn away from any vices or addictions they may have. Bless them to overcome obstacles placed in their lives used to steer them away from You. Please bless them with the hope and faith in You so that they may turn to you for comfort. IJMN! Amen.
LAST 10 MINUTES
By now, we should have all read today's post. I pray it is making you think about some changes you should make. I know it had me pleading for mercy.
Let us pray:
Heavenly Father, thank You for today's lesson. Thank You for being the God who has told us that if we ask for wisdom You will give it freely without finding fault (James 1:5). Therefore, we submit to You for wisdom in every area of life and call on You to kindly guide us always. Help us to never think we are wise enough to move on our own. May we always remember there is no issue You don't already have the answers to, IJMN, Amen.
From M22 - Father Lord I pray that you heal the sick and recovering. I pray that your healing power touches every part of their bodies. Father Lord I pray that you heal them beyond science and technology IjMN Amen! I pray that their healing will be testaments to how mighty and sovereign you are Abba!! Amen
From M22 -Abba Father I commit my siblings into your loving arms. I thank you for your transformation and renewal within them. Thank you Father that they can depend on you and you never fail to show up for them. Father Lord I pray that you will continue to increase them in supernatural wisdom, favour knowledge, grace and the anointing of the Holy spirit. Thank you Abba for guiding them in their various endeavors. I pray Lord that your will be done in their lives IJMN Amen!
From MJ - Lord we pray that we will submit everything to you and you will guide each person here along the best pathway for our lives, advise us and watch over us according to Psalms 32:8. We are so grateful for your guidance.
From M22 - Abba Father I pray for people seeking employment. I pray that you direct them to companies where their input is prioritized. Abba Father I pray you direct them to companies where they enjoy benefits that will improve the quality of their lives. As they wait on you Lord, please help them see what you are teaching them in their waiting season IjMN Amen!
From JIR - I would like to thank the Lord for His Love, Grace and Mercy. He has been so good to me and has never left me. He has watched over me and has provided comfort and protection during my lowest moments. Even when I didn’t know He was there, He has, is and will always be around protecting and looking over me. I am not an angel and I have had many moments in where I have sinned and vulnerable moments in where I felt no one was there for me, but our Creator has always been there. He has shined His light on me and His Love and Grace have given me hope.
I never really had anyone that I could put my trust in or count on but the Lord has shown me different. I do believe that He is a faithful God of not only Power and Sovereignty but also of Love and Truth and for that I will step out in faith and put my trust and love in the Lord. I am a work in progress and it may take me time to get there but I will. Thank you Jesus for your Love, which is something that can’t be bought and what I have yearned for all my life. Glory be to God! IJMN! Amen.
From M22 - Abba Father I pray for people struggling with rent payment and a place to stay. I pray Heavenly Father that you intervene in their situation. I pray that you will provide them with finances to pay for their rent and find a place to stay. Abba Father I pray that you avert every eviction crisis that wants to look in their lives IJMN. Father I pray for stability in their finances and jobs so they don't have to struggle to make payments IJMN Amen!
From M22 - Abba Father I pray for couples seeking the fruit of the womb. I pray that you will turn their waiting into fruitfulness. Father please put an end to miscarriages, failed IVFs and difficult adoption processes IjMN amen.
From MJ -
Lord, please have mercy upon us for every time we have thought we could make choices without even considering what You want.
Father, in Your mercy, we plead for help to do better. We ask for Your grace and remembrance to look to You for everything and about anything, IJMN, Amen.
From M22 - Abba Father I thank you for very single Pepper online and offline. Thank you Father for teaching, transforming, renewing and pruning us for your glory. Thank you Lord for holding us by your mighty right hand through this week. Thank you Father that we can rest this weekend. Thank you Abba for your love, warmth and affection over us. Father we pray that you will continue to supply our needs through your glorious riches. We pray that you will continue to shield and preserve us and ours. Amen!
PRAYER TIME
Let us pray for people.
There are folks out there that just can't pray for themselves and need someone to intercede for them.
You're wondering how that's possible?
Think about non-Christians who don't know our God. What about folks that are feeling really down and can't find the words to pray because they're sad? How about the sick and those in comas who need a miracle that you could provide by praying on their behalf?
Please don't discount the need to pray for others. You could save a soul so open your mouths and pray for folks.
God, I want to thank You for a great week. I thank You for the things I accomplished. I thank You for the things I struggled with as well, knowing that as I wait and seek You, You will guide me to understanding.
Thank You for being my Teacher. Thank You for leading in love and mercy.
Almighty Creator, thank You for Cartier McDaniel and his incredible family. Thank You that after 14 hours, his heart - which had stopped beating - started beating again.
Some say it was science and that is okay. We believe that science, no matter how incredible it is, only works because You allow it to. So thank You for the doctors that worked with Cartier. Thank You that even they understand that the mystery they witnessed can't be fully explained by science.
Glory be to the God who raises the dead. There is nothing impossible for You, Father, and on account of the miracle You did for Cartier, I give You all the praise!!!