The Character of Everyday Choices
Dr. Mark Bailey, Chancellor – Dallas Theological Seminary
Alexander Whyte writes in his book Bible Characters about the choices made by Abram and Lot, recorded in Genesis 13 and 14, “What a man chooses, and how a man chooses, when opportunities and alternatives and choices are put before him – nothing more surely discovers a man than that.”
In Genesis 13 we have a great example of the choices of the flesh and the choices of faith. Lot has eyes that are drawn to the externals of what can be seen, while Abram is asked to have eyes of faith, to see what is not yet visible. Both lifted their eyes, but each saw something different.
The occasion that prompted their choices was the conflict between the herdsmen of Lot and those of Abram. To use an American Old West expression, each thought “this town is not big enough for the both of us.” So, Abram graciously gave Lot the opportunity to choose a portion of the land on which he would settle, and Abram promised to go in the opposite direction.
What can we learn from these respective choices?
First, let’s look at the choices of the flesh made by Lot.
Lot “looked around” and chose the Jordan Valley, which at the time was very fertile and well-watered. Ironically, it brought back the visual memories of Egypt and Eden. Lot settled in the cities of the valley and located himself and his family near the wicked city of Sodom. All of these were self-serving choices based on self–satisfaction, sight and security.
On the other hand, we see the choices of Abram. In reality, these are actually God’s choices. In Genesis 13:14-15, God tells Abram, “Look around from where you are,” and look in all four directions. “All the land you that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever.”
In this section, we see a reaffirmation of the covenant. Abram is promised a land not yet his, and generations of descendants not yet here. These promises of God required great faith to believe.
The text is specific in Genesis 13:8, that the Canaanites and Perizzites were still living in the land. The conquest and settlement under Joshua would not happen for another 400 years. Furthermore, no child has yet been born to Abram. But God gave Abram a physical symbol of His promise. When He commanded Abram to walk the length and breadth of the land, He fulfilled an ancient practice that symbolized the receipt or appropriation of a land acquisition. Walking in faith, Abram obeyed.
What do these choices actually reveal?
The details of Genesis 13 may be more significant than casual reading may produce. The characterization of Lot opens with a statement of discontent and struggle between his and Abram’s servants, along with Lot’s self-serving choices. It ends with Lot settling in Sodom, mentioning the city’s extreme wickedness. By contrast, the discussion of Abram begins and ends with sacrifice and worship, first at Bethel and then at Hebron (Genesis 13:4, 17).
When we turn the page to Genesis 14, these same themes of sacrifice and worship by Abram continue. This time the struggle is not within the clan of Abram, but between a coalition of kings and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah. The coalition of forces under the leadership of Kedorlaomer, King of Elam, captures Sodom, which includes Lot and his family. At risk to himself and his own men, Abram engages the conquerors and rescues his nephew.
Upon the conclusion of his successful rescue mission, we have the fascinating account of Abram being blessed by Melchizedek and Abram paying tithes to him. By refusing any reward, even as little as the lace of sandal from King of Sodom, Abram knows God is his protector, the keeper of all His promises, and that every blessing comes from Him. Genuine worship is the rightful recognition of the value and worth of God in our lives.
God’s command to Abram to look in all directions to see what God would give him reminds us of another passage, Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3:18 – 19, that they “may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Surely, God’s promises are always better than the choices we make for ourselves. May our eyes be lifted to see what God has promised to us, and may our choices match His choices.
“Life is a matter of choices, and every choice you make makes you.” – John C. Maxwell
Dr. Mark Bailey
Chancellor – Dallas Theological Seminary
Dr. Mark Bailey, member of the BSF Board of Directors, is the Chancellor and Senior Professor of Bible Exposition at Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas, where he has served for 35 years. Prior to assuming the seminary’s presidency, Dr. Bailey served as Professor of Bible Exposition and Vice president for Academic Affairs and Provost. Alongside college and seminary teaching he pastored for twenty years in Arizona and Texas. He was seminar instructor for the Walk Thru the Bible Ministries for 20 years and is in demand for Bible conferences and other preaching engagements. He is currently on the teaching team at Christ Chapel Bible Church in Fort Worth Texas.
Was very interesting to read. I know man has free will to make his own choices even if they are not for the greater good for all
Learned so much with this article! Truly we show our character by the choices we make. By God’s grace and wisdom, may I also make the righteous choice, to see beyond what God wants and not what my selfish nature wants.
Thank you for sharing this. God allows us see the good and bad consequences of our actions through His children, our ancestors, in the Bible. We get to see the differences in making choices that are faith based, and those that are flesh based. How great to know that God knows what we are thinking to choose, in the flesh, and what we are thinking to choose, through faith. As we learn, the faith based choices are the ones that lead us to happiness and security through God’s Holy Spirit.
I like this analysis.Abraham chosed according to what he believed.Lot chosed what he liked,the present world.And then that made their life totally different.Bible teached us God’s invisible promises are valuable and visible,short term joy are driven to death.
Such clarity of exposition of scripture as Dr Bailey provides indicates his spiritual, intellectual & academic leadership vital to BSF leadership of excellence for us participants. Scripture inerrancy is crucial for our correct spiritual growth and right standing with God our Father
I like “God’s promises are far better than the choices we make!” How true. May God help us to make choices that align with His will for us.
Needed to be reminded of God’s promises and wait and pray with confidence that God will complete the work He has begun in this family. Bless you all as we continue in Bible Study Fellowship. Thank you for the message.
This was a good message. I did do the Genesis however I did do some of the readings of Genesis.
What an insightful reminder of the importance of the choices we make. How the choices we make determine who we are authentically. I ask for God’s guidance to make choices of Faith and not choices of Flesh.
The study on the book of Genesis had been a blessing. May my choices be according to His Will.
Clear, meaningful message.
Life always is presenting us with choices.
Oh how I pray that my every day choices will match God’s choices for my life as I rely on Him daily.
We just had a very interesting about our Choices tonight at our Church in Fresno. It centered around Matthew: 1, 1-11. How Jesus met every temptation perfectly. It is us that have to know when and how to say NO to SIN. God will never tempt us. We can or cannot be depending on our choices. When we accept the temptation and commit the sin, it will lead to death. We must be renewed daily by biblical knowledge to lead our lives. We all sin, and we all need to confess it, own, and repent it. Our live are know to Him, and so are our choices. He is always watching.
You message was to the point and wonderful
Just what I needed to be reminded of. Thank you
Our study shows me that God is unchanging, in that obedience to HIS call and purpose for our lives are the same yesterday, today and in the next generation.
Without obedience we cannot keep in His will. Obedience to praise Him, honour Him and serve others lovingly and considerately.
“May our choices match His choices” is sure worth remembering and striving for towards the end of our lives on earth.
Thank you for the blog. I enjoyed reading it and pray that my choices
will be God’s choice for me.
May God continue to bless you and keep you in His care!
Thank you for this study contrasting Abram and Lot. In thinking of the choices we make some of us have often made wrong choices in the food we eat. Though being overweight seems to be the acceptable Christian sin, neverless it involves sin. I must confess God has and continues to deal with me about this. He has given Grace and strength to shed many pounds and get my blood sugar and blood pressure under control. I certainly have to depend on His power as junk food is all around us. All praise goes to Him for the success He has enabled me to have.
I have learned a lot from the Book of Genesis; about Abraham and Lot’s choices, Jacob and his grandchildren, and how Joseph succeeded in life though he had and later became a governor of an Egyptian province and saved his father and brothers during a seven-year famine. I also thank God for He has blessed me and I am looking forward to passing out His word.
Lovely exposition….I’m blessed! Ephesians 3:17-19 – May my eyes be lifted to see what God has promised to us, and may my choices match His choices!!
Amen , its wonderful how God’s word is a guide, light, that shows us how we ought to live. l am reminded of that narrow road that few find it and wide is the road that many walk into it and leads to distraction and all this narrows down to the choices we make. Thankyou Dr. Mark Bailey for reminding us of this.
May the Lord remind me to make choices based on Faith not flesh. God give me the grace to embrace and assist those that are in danger for making wrong choices.
Yes, there are so many choices we have to make in life and all of them will have a consequence. It is my prayer that I will learn to listen to God’s prompting and obey His leading even when I have to choose against my will.
I am very thankful for the study of Genesis. God has called my 102-years old maternal grandma (A-Ma) and my 87 years old dad home last year. I was in a great sorrow. The study of Genesis helped me to stay focus on God who never changes from generation to generation. My Lord is my ultimate pastor of my soul and spirit. I learned to follow God immediately like Abraham. Through Joseph, I learned to trust and obey God in all circumstances, see things from the sight of God and forgive others because God planned everything for the good of the Kingdom and for the character buildings in my life, even though we often may not understand it. Every year I study with BSF, God granted me new insight in His Words.
1. In March 1993, my youngest child Jonathan had a rare and deadly cancer called Hemophagocytic syndrome. We offered hime back to the Lord to serve Him someday. At the time I was on BSF’s waiting list. That fall God allowed me to attend BSF. God used BSF to add the oil in my lamp when I need him the most. He also used my discussion leaders and ASKs to pray along side me to sustain me while we face the battle of cancer. God listened to everyone’s prayers and Jonathan became the first long term survivor without relapse from the cancer in US. After the doctors had successfully treated him, the death rate of the cancer dropped from 99% to 50%. I homes schooled Jonathan and my daughter and brought them to BSF with me. Thankfully God planted the seeds of truth in their hearts through many faithful and diligent teachers (like sister Susan Kolodziej and many other unknown spiritual laborers in my children’s lives). Jonathan is a family doctor serving near our area. Praise the Lord and thank you all and every blessings flowing to us from BSF!
2. I fully understands and agrees that we ‘graduates’ need spare our spots for those never come to BSF. Meanwhile I always seeks opportunities when God allows me come back to BSF because whenever I came to the Lord through BSF teaching, my spirit is energized with God’s love and full of hopes.
3. The year my church split, I was in deep pain spiritually and I had shingles. I cried out to the Lord that I need Him. I could never forgot the afternoon when I got a call from my new leader several weeks after BSF had started. I was invited back to BSF. I thankfully kneed down to worship the Lord on the spot after the call. On my first lesson back to BSF, God opened my eyes through the sisters’ sharing during the discussion time on how they walked through a church split. God used BSF again to strengthen me in a time I was almost cracked.
I praise our Lord for your testimony and thank Him for.the way He has worked in your life.
Two choices explained so well, I pray I will remember this and choose wisely! When I fail I have the assurance of forgiveness!
Thank you for this beautiful analysis and reminder. Love the quotes and this comment “ Genuine worship is the rightful recognition of the value and worth of God in our lives.”
Lotd I oray I would see with your eyes and make decisions on what you have called me to see. Bless all the faithful stewards and members serving in BSF.
My prayer request this morning was asking the Lord to show me his will for the summer. After reading this, I will look for guidance in his promises.
To look daily at the choices that are before me and realize my
Lord is developing character that teaches me to trust His plan.
Thank you for bringing review and remberance to the depth of our choices in following His lead. So very blessed.
From the choices by Abraham and Lot, I have learnt that my choice to day determines my tomorrow.
From the faith of Abraham I have learnt that even if my weal self drives me to doubt God’s promises, I need to deliberately and blindly obey His commands and trust His characters that never change.
All the glory to our gracious Lord.
Thank you.
God is to be praised.
Powerful blog describes the benefit of
our choices we make in life.
What a thought that I completely missed. “But God gave Abram a physical symbol of His promise”. In the same way, God gives us the physical symbol of HIS eternal promise, that being Jesus Christ. Just as God gave Abraham the expectation of the promise, God gives us the expectation of Gen 3:15-“you serpent will bruise his heel, but HE the seed of the woman will crush your head”, victory over sin and eternal life with GOD in heaven.
Beautiful
It is such a true and good observation that the circumstances of life gives us opportunities to grow our faith and trust in our GOD. The experience of reading and study of the Bible has been a great help in my life. The way BSF presents the lessons has added to my seeing with heart and mind how GOD speaks to us today. THANKS TO ALL!!
A choice of faith or a choice of the flesh – good to ponder on this in our daily walk. Appreciate your insight and comment on these chapters.
It’s very nice for me to read about the two choices (the one of the faith & the one of flesh)I have always struggled but now I choose the faith
Thank you so much for more explanations. I am glad and love to read more.
I really appreciate BSF for lessons each year.
Thank you so much for more explanations. I am glad and love to read more.
I really appreciate BSF for lessons each year. Looking forward for next year study.
It’s any eye opening message” character of everyday choices” I need to focus on God, His Words and not on my sight- what I see.
I walk by faith, lift my eyes on God’s promises over my life. My protector and keeper of my promises. I should continue worshiping Him !!
Thanks for the message
That’s the prayer! A great prayer!! A new one to my list!!!: “May our eyes be lifted to see what God has promised to us, and may our choices match His choices.”
Thanks.
I thought the same and prayed: May my eyes be lifted to see what you Father have promised to Your children, and may my choices match Your choices everyday. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Thank you for this insightful look at Genesis 13 and 14. Both tangible (in what we see and touch) and intangible (God and our faith) were clearly stated in this brief summation. Thank you for you service to DTS and BSF all these years.
Thank you for reminding us of this beautiful & encouraging Truth! Genesis was such an amazing & heart
felt study. Father Abraham continues to set the example of God’s promises & provision. Our God is
FAITHFUL.
Great insight. It is true choices discover a man/woman and what i choose, how i choose when a chance arises next worth is worth a deep reflection.
Great insight. It is true choices discovers a man.
Holding self accountable every moment weighs the outcome, self serving or sacrificial
Surrender all and let God work in and through you then listen, trust and obey. Putting everything in God’s
hands and watching Him transform our lives.
I truly enjoyed the study of Genesis. I’ve read and heard ministers speak from that book over the years as well as studying it a couple of years ago during our study of the books of Moses. This past year provided an opportunity for an in-depth study from which I hope I emerged with a greater understanding and love of God.
A great review, thank you.
Thank you for the reflections on Genesis, Chapter 13 & 14. Indeed even as God has given us free will, to choose in our lives, the only sure choice one can make is choosing to follow God and by so doing The Holy Spirit will then guide us to make wise choices in life as we walk this life. God continue to bless us through this wonderful toll of BSF.
Very true every choice we make should not come from flesh but by faith. Beautiful exaple of Lot nd Abraham. Good insight God bless you.
Thank you for elaborate sermon, am inspired to stick on the teaching of the bible and the word of God
Dr. Bailey, Genesis has been an amazing study this year and you have given a great summary. I am in my third year of study with Bible Study Fellowship and have learned so much. I pray that God will put a seal of protection on all the material put in BSF lessons; that it will all be based on God’s Word and God’s Word alone. There are many thoughts and ideas that erode our Christian beliefs and I pray that none of those will enter into BSF Lessons. Sometimes we don’t even see that it’s being done. I just ask that you and all Bible Study Fellowship leadership will be diligent in keeping our lessons purely from God’s Word. Thank you for all that you do to get God’s teaching out to so many people. Your work is greatly appreciated!
Very respectfully,
Velda
Reply
Vanna on June 5, 2021 at 10:12 PM
Thank you very much for the encouraging message. I press on with Jesus and serve Him as I gain the support from fellow leaders and group. May God continued to bless this ministry and more people come to know Jesus and increase the knowledge of of God words and walking in faith
Amen. Thank you for sharing.
Always I am being reminded to LOOK UP—-PRAY for HIS DIRECTION IN ALL that I do—— GOD’S PLANS for me are better than I could ever imagine—-
I, too, can get off track and be drawn to what looks familiar or something intriguing but not good for me—— STOP— get into THE WORD…. HE LOVES ME 👆
The blog well explained n a good reminder of the study of Genesis.
I pray for God’s directed choices🙏🏽
Our life direction based on God’s Word to us. Amen
Thanks for your insights about Abraham and Lot’s choices and God’s blessing on good ones that match His desires for us.
It’s indeed marvellous to know and to realise that the way Abram was asked to go through the length and breadth of his future inheritance is brought in close comparison to Paul’s understanding and insight into the length, breadth and depth of height of God’s love for all of us now and in future generations to come!
We who are unworthy are offered such a splendid and lavish provision of God’s great and majestic Love ! Indeed our hearts sing and bring forth our hearts of sacrifice and worship which Abram did all through his life.
Soli Deo Gloria!—To God alone be the glory!
Your words are a blessing may you enjoy as you walk your walk in Christ. May every aspect you seeking for be open to you through Christ as you pray and wait for answers. In Jesus name.
What seems insignificant can be very very significant! Looking back at life we (I) can see how little choices can make a big difference ! Thank you for your insight!
Great message to ponder on daily how every decision great or small has an impact. Thank you for this insight.
很受用真心感謝你們
Thank you for the follow up of the study in Genesis. Gods promises are true. Looking forward to other blog to follow
Gen13:14 is a fav verse. In my older version of NIV the Lord said to Abram
“Lift up your eyes from where you are….new NIV look around from where you are. I believe Abram & my success is always to lift up our eyes to the Lord to receive all that we lack to make the right choices …them when we “look around” to all we see our hearts will be enlightened & God honoring.
Thanks so much for choosing to share on these important verses that have impacted my life.
I enjoyed you thoughts about Genesis. The last time our class met, we commented that our familiarity of the general story of Genesis allowed us to look at the book in a different way. Like the thoughts in your article, God’s election in respect to the less-than-perfect life of the entire family of Abraham, and what all of this means for us.
Thank you for your blog. I always like to be reminded of our everyday responsibility of choices.
Genesis showed how God blessed his people when they chose his way throughout the book.
Thank you for sharing. Enjoyed what you had to say.
God bless you.
Great review and reminder of the principles and points we discussed in our BSF discussion class.
Thank you so much for this follow up to Genesis. Perfect timing as God’s timing is always perfect. I am looking forward to the forthcoming blogs.
Deeply satisfying. A great insight into God’s unfailing and timeless promises.
Amen and Amen The Mystery of God and how he works is the beauty of who He is. Thank you for speaking this truth.
Thanks for the sharing.
Thank you for bring both the new and old testament together. Paul said for we walk by faith not by sight 2 Cor.5:7 God is truly the same yesterday, today and forever.
Thank you for the exposition of chapter 13,. This is a good reminder, to be careful in the way I make daily life choices.
It helps me to focus on things unseen rather than things that I see in the natural also I always want to keep my focus on god
The lack of revelance of the Church today is telling and harkens back to the judgement against the Jewish Clergy and nation because the rejection of Christ which is an example to us. There religion was rife with Hellenistic paganism and the same is true today. Judgement always begins with the house of God.
Studying the Bible has taught me so much of how to live my life in God’s will.
Yes choices have many
consequences.
BSF has been a blessing in my life and I will continue in the next study.
This is my eleventh year.
Blessing to you and all who make BSF possible.
(What man chooses and how he chooses) thanks about that statement. May the Lord give me eyes of faith and always look to the Lord for guidance. Tmwanzia
This article has inspired me to look at issues of life with the eyes of faith.
I am very lucky and its a privilege being part of reading Dr. Mark Bailey, Chancellor. I could wish to be his biological son. I accept he is my Dad. It I a great to have such practical Fathers. their practical life experience commitment with integrity is governing me.
May God Bless more and more
warm greetings
Mengistu Dinote Kussia
Thanks for the review of Abraham and Lot, your summary is a blessing. Love BSF.
Thanks, Dr. Mark, for reminding us that the choices we make everyday must be directed by God. Without His leading we make choices from the flesh instead of spiritual choices. Also, the choices we make can impact our lives and the lives of others. So, I need to be sure I am following God-lead choices that will keep me in His light and from the darkness.
Dr Bailey
Thank you for the this insight in in your commentary. It has encouraged me to always look to God when I am faced with challenges. God’s promises are true and he is always available to rescue us from struggles and challenges. I appreciate and grateful to what I am learning from BSF. Thank you.
Thanks for the message in your blog.
I was reminded of my call to be a BSF Teaching Leader. It came on the day I read Oswald Chambers’ May 25th devotional in MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST… Genesis !3:9… it was transformational in my life!
Dr. Bailey, Genesis has been an amazing study this year and you have given a great summary. I am in my third year of study with Bible Study Fellowship and have learned so much. I pray that God will put a seal of protection on all the material put in BSF lessons; that it will all be based on God’s Word and God’s Word alone. There are many thoughts and ideas that erode our Christian beliefs and I pray that none of those will enter into BSF Lessons. Sometimes we don’t even see that it’s being done. I just ask that you and all Bible Study Fellowship leadership will be diligent in keeping our lessons purely from God’s Word. Thank you for all that you do to get God’s teaching out to so many people. Your work is greatly appreciated! Very respectfully, Maria
Thank you. BSF is a blessing.
I am confused about a relationship & this article comes at a good time in my life & not being like Lot and being still and let god help me choose my direction in going forward. God blessed his faithful children. Thank you
Choices are so important because it reflects God’s power, presence and providence. Each circumstance is a pulpit to grow
Thank you for the opportunity to comment. I’d like to see a change in the blog copy, if that is possible.
I see
On the other hand, we see the choices of Abram. In reality, these are actually God’s choices. In Genesis 13:14-15, God tells Abram, “Look around from where you are,” and look in all four directions. “All the land you that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever.”
Do you want
land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever.”
Great passages…& methods …we are all too often found relying on self-serving choices rather than what God deems best for us…God always keeps His promises . We need to always rely on Him!
When I first became a Christian I immediately started BSF. I moved a few times and it has been a great joy be part of this Ministry. Thank you !
Thank you for your words. This was my first BFS. It was amazing. As a senior adult, I have been in church all my life. However, even as Christians we sometimes take our eyes off God and there have been mistakes made along my journey as did the people in the Lots and Abrams times. But, like Abram, God is faithful to forgive our mistakes when we keep our eyes on him. He continues to use us for his purpose.
I have a new favorite book of the Bible. its Genesis. I also learned how God makes his own plans, we cannot make his ways ours.But Jesus Christ is Lord. God has plans for those who follow him. BSF is doing the work of the lord and I appreciate what you do. Keep up the Lords work.
Thank you for this reminder.
This was my second time to the BSF study in Genesis, my first time was my third BSF bible study and I felt recently new in how to study the bible. I remember how I was taken with Abraham being a great man of faith which I could only hope to aspire to be like in my faith. But during my time now I could see and relate to Abraham as a man, just the same as I am a woman, that God chose as His own, but it was by his choices that grew that great faith.
In the last lesson it asked the question what was the most significant, my answer was; “The most significant lesson I have come to understand is that The Almighty God, El-Shaddai who is the great creator, when He designed me with His great love, He did so that I would have free will, and in that I would have the ability to make my own choices. And as much as He loves me, He loves me more than I can understand, for His love is unconditional and unmeasurable to the things that I cannot comprehend. And though I mess things up I cannot mess up His plans, and my mistakes He will change for the better and not hold it against me.
He loves me enough to give me the freedom to choose what kind of relationship I want with Him, it is one that if I put my trust in Him, He will grow my faith in steps and manners He knows best, and allow me to choose the depth of our relationship, in Second Chronicles 16:9 it says “The eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him”. This tells me, all He asks of me is to be willing to choose Him and trust that He will give me the strength for a purposeful plan that will glorify God Almighty.”
Thank you so much, for your commentary, Dr. Bailey. Since Genesis was my 3rd year in BSF and my favorite, I thoroughly enjoyed reading your observations on Abram and Lot. It helps me to keep the entire year in my memory forever. I am so blessed by my learning from BSF. Thank you.
inspirational. choices define you I do believe that.As I get older I try and shake off what i was as a younger man.And still feeling some affects of those choices I Made as a younger man.With the help of God i’m working through those issues and trying to be a better christian all around!
I did write a small speech to my adult children,which I am planning to read to them this coming Monday 7th May 2021 at their father funeral service.I wrote about Love aor me.nd Life Choices of what they want to decide for themselves.I do pray that God will enable me,to do so. I am asking for HIS strength and wisdom.The above article has come at the right moment for me.
Thanks for sharing.
Powerful thoughts!!
My prayer is may my choices match God’s choices for me so help me God
Iam having lots doubt about my faith, because of the many trials I am facing in my life,iam loosing my confidence, getting angry and blaming my family members, which I regret, when I study the Bible,bsf principles,I want to implement in my life, but I just fail to do that
Lisa, I know exactly how you are feeling because at one point in my life I was there. I promise you that if you take what you just wrote, and speak it to God, He will help you if you invite Him to do so. He sees you and He knows your struggle, but He is the only One who knows exactly how to handle it. Trust Him and I promise you, you will not regret it. I can truly testify that our Father is Faithful and He takes care of those who seek Him. Be blessed.
PRAY!
Liza, my husband of 55 years passed away last July. Since then I have confronted issues in myself which were never dealt with in all that time–just put on the shelf. One issue is that I find myself losing my temper. God keeps impressing on me to recognize that tendency and let Him work with me regarding the root of it and how to control it. He has shown me that if I’m angry, I am clearly not trusting His perfect plan for me. I need to know that so I can reject the idea that I deserve to get angry. The next step is to recognize the early onset of a temper tantrum and nip it in the bud. Give those feelings to God immediately and ask Him to feel and speak and act through me. It’s also necessary to stay in the Word and spend time in prayer, listening as well as talking to Him. I hope that helps. I will be praying for you!
Yes, the Book of Genesis is a Words of God for all to understand with God’s wisdom… The knowledge of the Book of Genesis is not enough. God is our teacher through the Holy Spirit whom He has sent and sealed within each believer.
Yes, I have enjoyed my past 15 yrs with B.S.F.; I have plenty more wisdom to ingest… “miles to walk and miles to walk.”
Yes, I am looking forward for Jesus’ return… but most of all as Paul says, “I run the race to win.” or Jesus said on the cross, “It is finished.”
Thanks for sharing truths!
The blog sufficiently communicated truth from God’s Word. So it is an interesting “choice” to include a quote by John C. Maxwell at the end of the blog. Does BSF endorse him?
So thankful we studied Genesis this past year. God’s continual provision for his people in the past gave me the ability to draw closer and trust Him more as we navigated a global pandemic. He gives me peace in the middle of chaos.
It was nice reading and being reminded again about the choices Lot and Abeam made andchie they affected their lives. A reminder that our choices direct our path in life. Thank you for your ministry.
So good to again be studying Genesis with the reading of this Blog. I see Lot as I am searching for the comforts of living this restricted time of the pandemic. It has been so unsettling and with the weekly Zoom with my BSF group I have been able to keep my thoughts on the truth, that God is in control and always present for the comfort I so needed for so long. The hope is clear when I see Abraham helping and saving his nephew, like us, saving ourselves from all the negativity that surrounds us daily by praying continuously
Such good teaching! I will be more thoughtful in making choices, knowing God has the best choice for me
This is a great reflection on Genesis studies.Many times we make choices such as made by Lot.Hiw I pray that the Lord will give us wisdom to trust him with my choices.Thank you Dr.Mark
Thank you for all you do for The Lord God bless you.
My husband James and I are on a road trip this weekend and I just read this blog to him. Thank you for the reminder that our everyday choices have meaning to our life.
Thankful for BSF!
Thank you so much for this overview and thank God for teachers like you who opens up
our study and makes it understandable and broadens our thinking and research when
we do our lessons. BSF is the best I have ever had because it is designed for me to do the work, answer the questions and learn from others. I started my first BSF class in 2004 and
I have been there for every class. I am still spiritually growing. I also thank God for the lady that invited me to my first class back in September 2004.
Thank you for wonderful reminder that self serving decisions are not God honoring. Allowing leading from God ensues fulfillment of His promises.
Beautiful article on choices.
We are under the Devil’s spell and in most cases we opt for the glittering Kingdoms of the world (Luke 4:5-7). Thank you Mark for reminding us that it’s only the Lord our God whom we’re to choose to worship and serve (Luke 4:8).
Outstanding, such a great reminder!
An excellent, understandable summary!
The continued study and reflection of God’s truth strengthens my actions, activities, and spiritual walk. To be encouraged by His word and blessed by born-again leaders is a God send. Thanks for the flesh and spiritual acknowledgment.
Thank you for sharing those words, I especially love including a part of Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians/me/all. I needed those words today as I work to focus on plans for resuming a children’s outreach in our town. To me the needs of these children are overwhelming, to God He has a perfect plan for each one of them.
Excellent exhortation appropriate for the present pandemic situation. Yes, the only best choice for me is: “I lift up eyes to the hills; but help comes only from the Lord.” Thank you very much. I am encouraged.
Thank you for sending the explanation. It is always a great reminder.
wow..this an awsome piece
The book of Genesis has given me a fiffere5 perspective to life. Thanks for enriching me further through this passage
Well thought-out exposition of principles of Godly living in the details of life.
THANK YOU FOR THIS. Thank you.
God bless you all at BSF
May He lead and guide you
May you hear His Voice clearly as you lead BSF forward…. day by day… step by step. In Christ Jesus
Praise the Lord.
How important it is to make God centered and directed choices are n our lives.
Thank you ! For the refreshment of Genesis..
God’s choice is the best although I don’t see it upfront but on hindsight I can see His purposeful plan for me. He is a promise keeping God who never fails me. All I need is to focus on Him, trust and obeyed.
Lord knows what I needed to read. God is so faithful. !
Amen
What a beautiful yet simple reminder of the past studies. Thank you.
Ron
Amen. Thank you for your great insight into this scripture, and helping to reveal how good choices are ultimately rooted in our relationship to God and attentiveness to his Word, and his voice.
Yes ,the choice we make matters all.To be with the Lord or otherwise. Totally different , they are .
Wonderful and so helpful! I want to desire and choose what God wants for my life. He is the Master and Lord and has His purpose for me and my family. Thank you for writing this blog!🥰
Very insightful especially on exposition of person choices as opposed to God’s choices for us.
Yes May our eyes be lifted to see what God has promised to us, and may our choices match His choices.
We cannot choose the date we die but we can choose the way we live. So may our choice match His choice of the way we live and the legacy we leave behind to glorify Him.
A real blessing to return to our Genesis study!
Thank you
Thank you for the reminder.
Thank God for BSF in Singapore. My family and I have benefitted much from the yearly sessions since the mid ’90s. Praise God for continuous improvements made!
This blog had brought to my mind, many wrong choices I made in my walk with the Lord! Thank God for His grace and mercy in forgiveness and even allowing me a part in the BSF Leadership role for a season of almost a decade!
May God continue to guide our new Executive Director and the Board members in bringing glory to our Lord through the ministry of BSF!
Abraham trusted promises of The Lord, starting from Genesis 12:2-3. Abraham’s faith in the faithful God resulted in his blessed life is definitely a good model for us who are Abraham’s descendants.
2 Corinthians 1:20-22 NKJV
[20] For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.
Praise The Lord
What a good reminder about choices. I got so much encouragement and solid teaching from this study.
Thank you for the reminder. A real blessing.
Hindsight and faith are great teachers. After 75 years on this earth and after re-energizing my faith in 1983, I can now see how God’s faithfulness and life plan for me was worked out. What a gracious and merciful God we have. What a faithful and loving God I have had in my life.
The existence of God make life so nice with Him to depend on. When making decisions, I know I cannot make a right one without Him. Through past experiences, I have made so many wrong decisions that really cost. ButI know God is guiding me in the walk of life through more faith in Him and trust in Him. I feel He is more like. Heavenly Father to me in times of despire and lost.
My relation with God gets closer as I study the Bible in BSF as well as giving me the chance to follow God day by day instead of
treating Him as one who can help in case of need. I learn to trust God and hope to grow in faith as the day pass by .The bl blog I read is very helpful for me. Thanks for sending messages of encouragements.
I’m reminded of being selfish that when Abraham told Lot to choose the land first I might have decided to choose first since I’m older. Also when he won the battle against the enemies of the Sodom’s king Abraham didn’t take any portion that makes me puzzled; if I act like Abraham. Lord, help me!
Dr. Mark Bailey’s thank you.
You are an inspiration to me. I can only speak for myself.
You make it easy to under the scriptures. I am a group leader( woman) in Miami , Florida and I appreciate all that you do for the BSF Organization. Thank you. Judith Leacock.
The study of Genesis was an eye Opener about how you think about how your life should be and how God has already planned your life🙏🏾. Trusting God and obeying Him is very important as to how your life will be. Lord I ask you for listening ears and guidance for this Christian journey.🙏🏾🙏🏾
Abraham had the right idea through most of his life. Keep your eyes on the Lord and he will lead you, fight for you, deliver you from evil and comfort you. The Lord is faithful and keeps all his promises. This is the faith of our forefathers and hopefully ours today as we look to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.
How true! I had been making more bad choices than good ones all my life, even till now! But I had learnt to ask for His wisdom before making major decisions, and leaned not on my own understanding.
Being a depraved sinner that I am, who deserved to perish in hell, I am eternally grateful for His grace, love, mercy and faithfulness, despite the terrible choices I had made in this life. My only wish is that my faith will not waiver until I see Jesus face to face! Amen.
Dear Dr. Mark Bailey, Thank you for reminding us that we are accountable and responsible to God, by using our “eyes of faith” when meeting life’s challenges, not using earthly eyes that can lead us into more difficulties. This study in Genesis has helped me to remember to pray and seek the Lord’s guidance before making major decisions. I have an obligation to pass this on to the next generation and to anyone who will listen.
This stuff is too good to keep to ourselves.
I am happy that our BSF group mirrored what Dr. Baily explained. We understood the difference in wanting something right now verses waiting on God’s plan and promises can absolutely lead us astray. I have read this Book many times, but never such a thorough journey as this class. Enjoyed vey much.
Charleen Felix
I made a choice this past year to stay in BSF during the pandemic and zoom meetings. I believe it is the choice God wanted me to make and I did it with a grateful heart. I am a BSF leader. My group and I agreed many times during this study of all the studies Genesis was the best one to study at this time during a pandemic. Genesis is our beginning a record of how it all began. I learned way into our study that God is still growing me like He was growing Abraham and Jacob. I know God is my promise keeper and so grateful God has put me in BSF.
Very true.May the Lord God give us eyes of faith and a heart willing to follow God`s will.
Thank you for the article.
The study of Genesis was very enlightening .Learning the bible and living by it is all I want to do. God is showing me daily that putting him first and leaning on his promises will carry me. Thank you all for being there , BSF has really been a God sent.
Loved reading this blog and so appreciate these thoughts. Knowing that God is always moving in my life through good decisions and bad, provides me with such warmth and security and comfort.
thank you, and I receive this message.
Such a beautiful timely reminder to me to look to our amazing GOD for HIS provision and promises not to man and the world.
What a beautiful, necessary and faith building reminder. Thank you
I love your statement that “Genuine worship is the rightful recognition of the value and worth of God in our lives”.
I will post it in a prominent place in my home.
Thank you
Interesting looking at this scripture weeks after the study of Genesis is closed. I find my self at the crossroads of Faith/trust and Doubt/mistrust, daily. Do I go with what God says, has shown me, or with what my heart says… don’t trust and don’t depend on what is not seen?
Prayer helps. As I pray and ask for
help, I draw near to the one who loves me ask fir help and courage to choose wisely🤓
Thank you for that reminder….love it!!
Informative.
“Life is a matter of choices, and every choice you make makes you.” – John C. Maxwell
Abram is my favorite people.
Thank you for sharing your insights in Genesis. I plan to share this with another person who loves The Lord.
Blessed and encouraged by Dr. Bailey’s helpful summary.
These blogs are always helpful reminders! Thank you …
Very deep and useful analysis of the choices by Abram and Lot. There is a lot to learn from them.
My wife and I accomplished the Walk Through the Bible Series of Lessons many years ago and have been blessed by having gained that knowledge! John & Sharon Turk – DeLand, FL
I liked the reminders that life is about choices and whether we make them with Gods laws and ways and not our own👍
Excellent, insightful commentary. Praise God. Thanks
“fulfilled an ancient practice”
I’m always dismayed at comments relating to ancient customs and practices, since, how “ancient” can something be that was only 400 years from the time of Noah?
Rather, I prefer to think any practices were established BY God THROUGH Abraham for others to follow, if indeed they did.
I see this all the time in pastors who seek easy and canned answers from the unknowable worldview, rather than to search the only Truth the world might ever know and learn, the Bible.
It’s a different perspective, not always received, but it allows for lessons from Scripture without influence from the lies and deception the world throws at us.
My Genesis study lead me to see the emotions leading men to a path closer to God or distancing themselves from God. The blessing of the patriarchs revealed which emotions drove the individuals they blessed. The words used by these men display God’s insight in their lives. Jacob’s family is evident to me, as well as Isaac’s son’s in the blessings. Without God’s spirit to lead, every step has dramatic pitfalls. Mary’s reply in Luke 1:38 provided another example of emotions displaying faith. This study provided deeper appreciating of how many ways God provides that we can seek and find Him. AHEM
As believers, spiritual beings having been given eternal life through Christ, we must daily, at times moment by moment deal with internal divisions/strife resulting from conflicts of our flesh with our spirit. Since Adam and Eve we have each been called to individually choose between a life of faith, trusting in the promises given to us by God, and serving desires of our flesh, self interest, pride and a strong desire to please others which have ruled our lives since birth. We walk this earth as imperfect beings attempting to serve our perfect Lord. Chapters 13-14, speak to the spirits of all as God’s Living Word clearly shows the path to victory to all with eyes to see.
This is all so awesome. God has provided what we need to align ourselves in His will. Thank you with my heartfelt apprecation.
What a pleasant surprise-to read again & remember the choices that Lot & Abram made. To Trust in God’s Promises is sometimes difficult to maintain. Being in God’s Word, Praying Fervently & Obeying Him helps sustain me & my Faith. Thank you for this refreshing memory of Genesis.
You might not be aware that in The Woodlands,TX BSF, there are members who meet at night who are discussing teaching from the perspective of “critical race theory” rather than from the Gospel of Jesus Christ as revealed in Scripture only…!!~!!~
If this is the way BSF is turning to make itself more popular, count me out.
BSF has been a bulwark we could always use even if the “counter-culture” veers off course…seems that is no longer the case.
Profound and thank you for the reminder of the life changing truths we learn in the book of Genesis .
Ok but it must of been some one els that said great blog. Not e I only sent it once
I think that you might be judging Lot a little too harshly. If I were in his situation and my brother gave me a choice of which land to take, I believe I would have taken, or at least strongly considered, the Jordan Valley for the reasons you list above. I suspect most people would make the same choice. I don’t know how much Lot knew about Sodom and Gomorrah, but even if he was familiar with their reputation, he might have believed he could resist their temptations, which he apparently did. I am certainly not saying he was as “good” as Abraham, but I believe he tried to make the best of the situation he found himself in.
Great blog
I love this statement. “Genuine worship is the rightful recognition of the value and worth of God in our lives.” The reason this statement stands out to me is that I am not an outward ‘praise and worship’ type, but inward recognition and acknowledgment I can do. Thanks for sharing and helping me remember that choices matter, to me, others and to God. Thanks Dr. Mark.
The choices made by these two men is one more example the writer of Hebrews could have used when he listed examples of the depth of Abraham’s faith in Chapter 11. As Paul wrote to the church in Corinth, our everyday choices reveal whether we can really claim that “we live by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7 More importantly, it makes me reconsider what my everyday choices reveal as a witness for Christ about the depth of my faith.
Genesis is my foundation for existence. As a child I have heard the stories but not with much clarification. I had so many aha moments that answered and connected me with God. Being a minority I often thought about God choosing a group of people Israel because I was subjected to so much hate being black.
My mind was what I was observing, and what I was being subjected to. After studying Genesis (not just reading) God knew what I needed emotionally and provided Spiritual Maturity given to me by His Love For Me. I’ve been relieved having my hidden secret answered with a throughly which was joyous.
Great insight and food for thought reminds us to keep God within our daily decision-making.
I have studied Genesis before with other bible study leaders. This was my first time with BSF. I learned so much more with BSF. Thank you for teaching the bible. God spoke to me when I was studying Abraham.I will never forget His voice and what He told me.
In your writing the part that made a change within me was where you point out that Abram KNEW God as his Protector and because of this Abram knew God would always keep His Promises and all blessings come from God and praising Him is the only way to give God thanks 🙏 Thank you 🙏
Mr. Maxwell is correct. In Genesis we saw God, consistently giving man choices and free will. Men had to make choices between his own direction or turning to God. The Father also gave men the ability to see their sin and repent and to make amends. This analysis was convicting for me. I love God, and I eventually want to dwell with God forever, but I know I am a sinner. I strive to walk in Christ’s footsteps, but like Joseph’s brothers, I fall short, I make mistakes, and I try to make things right. I constantly turn to God to ask forgiveness, more than I ask pardon from my family and friends. One thing I do know, that in this period of distress during the pandemic, I have learned that loosing those I love is a lesson from God. I look at the good those people have done in the world in general, but particularly in my life. I see that their work was done, and God has taken them home. I grieve their loss to myself, but I give thanks that their work here is done. I thank God that they were actually in my life to give glory to God for his gift of family and friends. I am sorry I didn’t learn this lesson earlier in my life, but for the people I have lost in the past 2 years, I mourn the loss. I look for our reunion to meet in heaven embraced by Jesus Christ and to be able to see the face of God our Father.
so grateful to Jesus our Sovereign God our Faithful God. thanking God for BSF love for God’s word and the clarity an.d life changing personal reflections that help me loving God more thorough this study. I love my group leader for her patience and lovingly guiding the group discussion. blessings shalom shalom
Throughout the study of Genesis, God kept His promises. No matter what the situation, or how long it took, it was not going to deter God from keeping His promises and carrying out His plans. This in depth study of Genesis was an eye opener. Must of my learning about this book was mostly focused on Creation, Adam & Eve, Noah and Joseph. It has been revealed to me I should look to God, His promises are always good even in the midst of family strife, unusual requests, and even when we decide to follow our own will.
In the power of Holy sprit, I will follow the Lord
Dr Bailey, thank you for this timely blog as I am facing some difficult choices. Please pray for me NOT to choose like Lot whose choices were based on sight, self- satisfaction and security but to choose like Abram who relied completely on God, the ultimate Provider. The decisions I have to make involve selling home, relocate, new job and marital separation while still dealing with the death of first born son.
Loved the BSF Genesis study. I am amazed at Abraham’s focus and so appreciate his example of waiting for God’s prompts. I very much enjoyed your remarks.
Thank-you
Studying Genesis resulted in my increased trust in the Lord allowing myself to be still and wait upon the Lord to carry out his plan according to him timing.
Great!
The Love of Jesus Christ and the father in heaven ist what we need instead of the Love of the world. This blog remembers me in that fact. Thank you, LORD for my sisters in Christ.
It’s true choice’s have consequences and for those who believe enjoy what they choose.
I have study Genesis several time in BSF in leadership , and even thou we had to zoom it was wonderful. I learned things this year that I had never seen before , I was a CL for year and first year to be a DL , to see new women love the study of verse by verse and see the growth in them what a blessing. They kelp saying I have done many Bible study but nothing like this one , they were so sad the study ended . Love that BSF is open up to many ways of studying Gods word , when you been in 21 years you see so much great changes to meet people where they are today.
Ttruly our choices reflect our character . Our daily crossroads provide opportunities to pick ‘life’ over ”death’ and it’s important that we choose right by seeking Gods will, obeying God’s way and claiming His promises.
I pray the Lord would empower me to always walk not by sight but by faith,just as
Abram did. Thank you Dr Bailey for your insight on the book of Genesis. Indeed God is a promise keeper, our protector and provider. God bless you pastor and God bless BSF
Wonderful reminder of all I learned studying Genesis this year- thanks to BSF. Abraham continues to be an awesome role model.
Thank you for this timely message. Choices do make the person so until God says move we are to stay steady & be about the work of the Lord where He has planted us.
Thank you. What wonderful reminder of God’s goodness and guidance !
We all need understanding of how God works and not pushing through our own way….Our own choices will fail us at times. God’s favour follows those who submit to him totally like Abraham.
Very profound teaching Dr. Bailey
Thank you for reminding us that the choices we make today affects us and the people we love today and forever. God thank you for your Son, Jesus Christ. Let your words live in our hearts and the choices we make bring glory to You, now and evermore.🙏🙏
I loved the information you shared. How encouraging it is to realize over and over again how great God is and his love for us.Faith wins over fresh always.Thank you for remind me that life is a matter of choices and that every choice I make makes me. Powerful words and so true.
Quite encouraging, faith verses sight.
I have been in BSF for about 25 years.
Genesis is a reminder God does the calling and the leading.
We are to follow God’s messages.
During Covid everyone is scared.
I keep reminding my self of God’s protection and leadership.I
I pray for protection and guidance for my family and others.
Thank you.
I really appreciated this different perspective on these verses we read this past year. It’s often good to read a different perspective in scripture. It also makes me want to go back and read some of Genesis again.
Walking in faith Abram obeyed The study of Genesis was such a great reminder of these words dependence on GOD surrender to HIS will and walk in faith and obedience. Thank you so much for showing the difference between Lots decision and Abrams
Very thankful to God for using the book of Genesis to help us see that every choice we make is an opportunity to seek God’s face in our daily life and gives us the privilege of being His ambassadors here in this nation. God’s work in the lives of His people takes time. But His plans will be accomplished.
Great insights that encourage and help us see things as they are meant to be having faith in God’s promises at the same time.
This a great brief review of our Genesis Study and a reminder of the value of God’s promises as it relates to our daily choices. Thank you.
The call of God upon Abram’s life and promises from God for Abram’s name to be great and to receive the land in all directions, The Blessings from God Plans were set in motion for Abram and all his descendants in Genesis 12. With that being said 12:1-9 are faithful and 12:10-20 are failures showing us our endeavors and character of our choices which set the stage for 13. Pointing us to chose our Faith in Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ or to reject The Truth and Promises of God.
Great insight. Many lessons in the book of Genesis. May God help me as I make choices. May my steps be ordered by God
What a reminder that God has not promised me what I think I want or need, but what He knows is best.
My best posture is trusting His word and leaning on Him even when I don’t have a word. Then I am amazed at how wrong I am and how right He is.
And He is glorified! Reminds me too of Abraham’s servant. Pray, Pray, Pray!Thank you for this fabulous reminder – and one I will need 2 minutes from now, tomorrow and forever. He is my Exceeding Great Reward.
Thank you for this reminder and for sending this out to remind me of the wonderful BSF study of Genesis and God’s faithfulness
Our God is a covenant keeping God, His promises are true and sure. Those who put their hope and trust in Him are safe. AMEN.
Wonderful and refreshing insights into our choices and God’s choices for us to build up our faith in Him!The study of the book of Genesis has helped me to trust Almighty God more as He works out His will in my life.The lives of Jacob and Joseph have taught me not to despair at whatever news I hear or whatever circumstances I find myself in,but rather to depend on my Omnipotent,Omniscient and Omnipresent Father to work everything out for my good.For me,the “good”is in the act of His building me up from self-reliance to fully God-reliant.Jacob “wrestled with God” but not until he was brought to a place of total submission to God did he advance in faith.I have learnt that,like Joseph,I must honour God in every area of my life,giving Him full space to fight my battles,especially where I am tempted to choose revenge over forgiveness.To God Alone be All the Glory!!!
Very educative, deep but easy to understand the choices between the flesh and of faith, Amen.
Am blessed by that teaching.
life yes is a matter of choices and every choice has its own consequence.God help me to make the right choices every day of my life as i focus on Jesus Christ.
I thank God for BSF it has helped me learn the Word of God in an orderly manner and i can share to others what i learn with confidence.
God bless BSF ALL OFFICIALS for their commitment.
I will keep in mind that every choice I make makes me.
Thank you for reminding us to dwell on the promises that God has rewarded us with to be found faithful.
My prayer is that I make daily choices that honor God .Amen
I stand amazed at God and His work in our lives. The timing of this blog for me personally was a powerful testimony that God sees my daily life. He deserves all of
my workship and praise. May He form and transform my daily choices.
The following question is for the leaders of BSF!
In 2018 we studied, “The People of the Promised Land, Part I” in BSF. Why are we waiting four years + before continuing with the study “The People of the Promised Land, Part 2”?
Very insightful the choices we make affects our destiny. God bless you Dr.B
Choosing God rather than the flesh is not always easy because although we have accepted Christ as our Savior and the Lord of our lives, we remain innately evil due to Adam’s sin. We must remain close to our Father in faith, in prayer, in humility and in wisdom. My daily prayer is “Lord, please help me! Keep a guard over my thoughts, my words and my deeds because on my own, I can do nothing – but fail.”
Thank you for this excellent article and may God continue to “bless you and keep you and give you peace”.
Genesis was a remarkable teaching to me, and one that in many parts of my life can relate too. Hagar, Abraham, Issac, Jacob and best of all Joseph’s story. This was my first time study and I truly loved it. I fell in love again with my Jesus my Lord beautiful experience that I had.!!!! Thank you so so much!!!
I appreciated this blog, especially the sentence,”Genuine worship is the rightful recognition of the value and worth of God in our lives.”
Yes, choices will be faced by all of us today and may God open our hearts to choose His best.
The Lord’s name be praised
I had a great discussion group to discuss our study. This past year in Genesis I have learned my life has been changing around my father in the Lord. Thanks for getting back with me I have the best BSF discussion group Leader that influenced me. Her name is Jenny Summers she has been wonderful this past year.
Thank You 😃
Wow! What a precious reminder! And if we take one more step into Genesis 15.. we see the first “ Do not afraid” …the first of many to come in the later chapters of the Bible.. God uttering these words to Abraham and reaffirming Himself as Abraham’s Shield and very great reward♥️♥️
To know and to behold that this Same Sovereign God of Abraham is also my God.. leaves me in utter awe…in reverence! I am glad He chose me!
Powerful message. May God help me to see all things concerning my life through His eyes in Jesus Christ name.
Thanks for getting my day off to a Godly start. I will keep Ephesians 3:18-19 in my heart all day today!
Thank you for this article. God has used it to help me make a very difficult decision.
After considering the choice Lot made to go in his direction was interesting. Actually God must have done that decision for Lot. Because Abram gave Lot first choice and if Lot had not gone to Sodom then Abram would have gone in that direction. I think God wanted Abram to go in the direction he chose. They had decided to go in opposite directions. It didn’t seem to matter to them at the time. so I think God did it. I don’t think Abram would have liked living there. so he probably would have moved. Everything in the Bible is the truth and it’s all to teach us lessons.
It is very true that Lot made a wrong choice and look what a horrible consequences he had to suffer! Abraham’s choice is the best
But I don’t understand 2Pet: 2:7, it is mentioned about Lot as a “Righteous” man.How?
My husband and I have the honor of hearing Dr. Bailey preach at Christ Chapel. I always ensure I have plenty of blank paper so I can take many notes. God uses him to proclaim the truth of the Bible and in a clear yet deep way.
I will pray that I will make the choices as God has placed before me and with an attitude of sacrifice and worship.
Thank you for sharing this insight as we reflect on the treasures of the study of Genesis.
1. When He commanded Abram to walk the length and breadth of the land, He fulfilled an ancient practice that symbolized the receipt or appropriation of a land acquisition. Walking in faith, Abram obeyed. (God’s choices)
2. All of Lot’s were self-serving choices based on self–satisfaction, sight and security. (Man’s choices)
3. May our eyes be lifted to see what God has promised to us, and may our choices match His choices. (We then are living the Kingdom of Christ and leading others to do so.)
1. Leads to JOY
2. Leads to discontentment and a search for happiness.
Thank you for this lesson so well written! Thanks too for quoting John Maxwell.
Dr Bailey,
I really appreciated your blog.
Our life is indeed about the choices we choose.
Thank God for His intervention in our lives when we tend to make wrong choices. How precious is the fact that He is a personal God to each of us.
Respectfully,
Cheri Fahrenkrog
Thank you, Dr. Bailey, for your article on choices. Abraham’s faith was beautifully demonstrated in his choices. For each of the patriarchs in Genesis I noticed a characteristic I pray the Lord will help me imitate. For Abraham it is his obedience. He chose to obey immediately because he believed God. Choices show our heart.
Thank you for the morning blog reminding me of my choices and covering The Character of Everyday Choices! It is a perfect time to reflect on our reading on the choices made by Abram and Lot, recorded in Genesis 13 and 14, “What a man chooses, and how a man chooses, when opportunities and alternatives and choices are put before him – nothing more surely discovers a man than that.” This is also a perfect quote for what I am going through right not. I certainly agree, “Life is a matter of choices, and every choice you make makes you.” – John C. Maxwell”.
Perfect way to keep me connected to BSF and reflect on Genesis!
Wonderful how Abram trusted GOD no matter what trials he faced along this journey to a place he did not know. I pray for a deeper love, understanding and trust in ALL of GOD’S promises for us who believe.
Sending much love and blessings from Harare, Zimbabwe to all at BSF HQ
Dietrick Bonoefier said” One act of obedience is better than one hundred sermons”
Thank you for these excellent and encouraging reminders of where our focus should be through these challenging times in our world! Rather than worry about what is happening and may happen, we can choose to keep our eyes on God’s Word and His promises to us, His people! It is always exciting when we trust God instead of circumstances and see how He takes care of us!
The Word of God in the Bible is true. God give us choices. In our daily walk, we are given choices to choose to follow the worldly choices or follow the decrees of the Lord…1 Kings 6:12 As for this temple you are building, if you follow my decrees, observe my laws and keep all my commands and obey them, I will fulfill through you the promise I gave to David your father.
I thanked the Lord for BSF, a world wide training center for teaching the bible to produce in all participants a vibrant relationship with God, in as many as are called, a passion to commit without reservations and to lead in the cause for Christ in the world. I never looked back and moved forward with God’s leading and guidance as I walked in faith in God’s great mercy giving me a new birth in the living hope through the resurrection of Christ Jesus from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. He is our Promised Keeper. To God be the glory.
The story of God’s provision, protection, forgiveness and reconciliation for Joseph and his brothers was a life changer for me. I have an adult stepdaughter who is a constant challenge but Joseph’s forgiveness of his brothers & the celebration of reunification between them moved me to do the same. It was instantaneous through the power of the Holy Spirit. Such a blessing in my life to move from hurt and resentment to all out forgiveness and love is phenomenal. All thanks be to God.
Truly the choices we make can make or unmake us.
Lord, please help us make choices that will bring you glory.
Thank you Dr. Bailey for your faithful presentation of the Word and your service to BSF and beyond. I am encouraged to keep my eyes on Jesus and His promises in the midst of a world designed to entice our eyes away.
Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Dr. Baily, for this insightful review of Genesis 13-14. This inspired me to review all my notes again along with the readings.
Wonderful study of Genesis 13. It makes me realize that I have to be more careful with my own choices. Thank you very much for this study, and I will God continue blessing all of you
Love reading this. So helpful. Gives me more understanding.
I fully agree with this blog post and recognize the key lesson that we are each individually responsible before God for the choices we make.
Nevertheless, I still wonder whether Abram could have done more to prevent separating from Lot. After all, it seems he was the one who suggested to Lot that they go their own ways. Why couldn’t Abram instead have gone to Lot and said, “Look, I really think we should stick together. I will sell half my flocks so that there will be less squabbling between our herdsmen.” He could then have seen how Lot would respond and whether he would offer to do the same.
Alternatively, Abram might have strongly counseled Lot not to choose the valley of Sodom. (Maybe he did, but the text doesn’t say.) Lot may still have made the same choice, but at least Abram would have done the right thing in warning him.
In the end, I understand that what happened to Abram and Lot was by God’s sovereign plan. Still, these are issues that troubled me.
This is the second time I have studied Genesis. I learned so much more this second time around. Maybe because I dug deeper for answers or maybe the Holy Spirit opened my eyes, ears and heart more and I was more receptive. Anyway, I loved it!!
The article reminds us to be God-centered in worship & making daily choices, big & small. The contrast of Abraham & Lot in Genesis 13,14 reveals Abraham’s faith in God and the position of God in his life whereas Lot just chose what he saw was good for himself. We have the Holy Spirit to counsel us when we make decisions & comfort us when we make wrong decisions. This reminds me to walk in step with the Holy Spirit who is God. TGBTG! PTL!
How wonderful is our great God—extending to us the ability to chose.
In light of All that He is, what a privilege to say to Him, ‘Here am I’ , ‘I will followYou, O God, wherever You want me to go’!!
Moment by moment, day by day, our choices are etched in eternity!
Abraham failed when he and his wife did not wait long enough for the supernatural fulfillment of the vision that God had given him. God had to teach Abraham how to have faith, an important lesson. “And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.” This was a different walk from the one of land acquisition.
BSF has blessed me. First I had made good Godly friends. The teachings were always good in lecture and the study notes and questions. Many years now I have been part of BSF and love it.
Studying Genesis this year is good.
And Susie Rowan I will miss your input in BSF. Always cheerful with a word of wisdom. Thank you.
Many blessings on all avenues of BSF. And blessing on the new director. Yes, I ask all in Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.
While teaching Genesis 13:17 this week, I was also reminded of Romans 8:39 and the assurance that Christ has dominion over the length, breadth, height and depth of my life.
Thank you for your insights in this scripture. I had missed this and it is so vital.