Melchizedek | Sixty-six books in a year

Things I learned about Abram today:

He was obedient. At 75 years old, when the Lord told him to move on, he did. Packed it all up and set out.
He acknowledged God. When he set up camp near the Canaanites, he put up memorial altars to God. (He set up another altar when he moved his camp to Hebron. He also gave a tenth of the goods he recovered to Melchizedek.)
He sinned. When Abram got to Egypt with Sarai, he was worried he’d be killed and devised a plan of his own to keep himself safe. It was a lie.
He valued peace and relationships. When he and Lot realize their families and animals are getting too big to stay together: “Let’s not allow this conflict to come between us or our herdsmen. After all, we are close relatives! ⁹The whole countryside is open to you. Take your choice of any section of the land you want, and we will separate. If you want the land to the left, then I’ll take the land on the right. If you prefer the land on the right, then I’ll go to the left.” Genesis 13:8b-9, NLT.
He is brave. When Lot is taken by warring kingdoms. Abram mobilizes his 318 men born to his household and pursues them. That’s 318 versus an army. Genesis 14:14-15. (And he is victorious!)
He was faithful and righteous. ⁶And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith. Genesis 15:6, NLT.
He needed reassurance sometimes, just a mere 2 verses after being called faithful and righteous. ⁸But Abram replied, “O Sovereign Lord, how can I be sure that I will actually possess it?” Genesis 15:8, NLT.

Things I learned about the Lord today:

He always has a plan. “²I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. ³I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.” Genesis 12:2-3, NLT.
He loves (still) even when (Abram) sinned. God protected Abram (and Sarai!), despite Abram’s effort to take the situation by his own means. There’s no record of what else happened, but this: “¹⁷But the Lord sent terrible plagues upon Pharaoh and his household because of Sarai, Abram’s wife.” Genesis 12:17, NLT.
He reminds of his love and promise. ¹⁴After Lot had gone, the Lord said to Abram, “Look as far as you can see in every direction—north and south, east and west. ¹⁵I am giving all this land, as far as you can see, to you and your descendants as a permanent possession. ¹⁶And I will give you so many descendants that, like the dust of the earth, they cannot be counted! ¹⁷Go and walk through the land in every direction, for I am giving it to you.” Genesis 13:14-17, NLT. (And later: Some time later, the Lord spoke to Abram in a vision and said to him, “Do not be afraid, Abram, for I will protect you, and your reward will be great.” Genesis 15:1, NLT.) The Lord is trustworthy and faithful.
Even when He seems silent, He is there. There’s no mention of God instructing Abram how to defeat an army. But from this, even in the quiet of the Genesis 14 verses, we know He is there:

¹⁹Melchizedek blessed Abram with this blessing:

“Blessed be Abram by God Most High,
Creator of heaven and earth.
²⁰And blessed be God Most High,
who has defeated your enemies for you.” Genesis 14: 19-20, NLT

Psalm 148 is a beautiful song of praise for all that the Lord has done.
And in Mark–He is merciful. Jesus approaches the tormented and scary demon-possessed man and heals him. ¹⁹But Jesus said, “No, go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been.” Mark 5:19, NLT. And to the fearful woman who reached out to touch the Lord’s robe for healing: ³⁴And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over.” Mark 5:34, NLT.

Wow, Lord. Just sitting here with Your Word today is a comfort. You remind me of who You are and what You can do. My heart is full of praise for You, and comforted by knowing You love me, no matter what. Thank You for Your protection, mercy, love, patience and plan. Thank You, that even against big odds, You can do bigger things. You are the peace that carries me.

Courtney (66books365)

Read at – www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Lev.%201;%20John%2020;%20Prov.%2017;%20Phil.%204&version=NKJV

Leviticus 1 Now the Lord called to Moses, …saying “Speak to the children of Israel, ‘When any one of you brings an offering to the Lord, … If his offering is a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish; he shall offer it of his own free will at the door of the tabernacle of meeting before the Lord. Then he shall put his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it will be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for him. … shall sprinkle its blood all around on the altar.”

Of your own free will, bring an unblemished offering to the Lord God. Stand before the Lord God with it, putting your hand on the offering and transfer onto the offering the sins which you have committed against the Holy God. The offering serves as your Atonement. Then consider its blood is sprinkled all around God’s altar and Jesus’ Resurrection (we’ll read about later) as proof that the sacrifice is acceptable to the Lord God and your sins are forgiven.

Son of God, Jesus, You are the unblemished Lamb of God. The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! John 1:29, 36 Jesus referred to Himself, “I am a worm, and no man; A reproach of men, and despised by the people.” Psalm 22:6 (1)

Lord Jesus, You are the High Priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek. (2) “So the priest shall make atonement for him concerning his sin, and it shall be forgiven him.” “For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; …for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.… the Son who has been perfected forever.” (3)

Lord God Almighty, I put my hands on the head of Your Son, Jesus the Messiah, to be the Atonement for my own sins. “For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight— That You may be found just when You speak,And blameless when You judge.” (4)

Then the priest shall bring it all and burn it on the altar; it is a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, a sweet aroma to the Lord. Leviticus 1:9

“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18

I offer my thoughts, feelings, words, actions, hopes, dreams and all that I am to You Lord God in prayer. I ask you to accept the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross for my sins, for everything bad thing I have thought, said, felt, did and didn’t do. Cover me with the Blood of Jesus that I will be clean and fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I would live for You forever and always. (5)

Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. Matthew 27:50-53 (6)

For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:6-8

Lord Jesus, no one killed You. You performed so many miracles that this fact is undeniable. Instead, You chose to obey Your Father and be the atonement sacrifice for the sins of the world. “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” (7)

“Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.” John 10:17-18

Lord God – Thank You! Because of what You did, Lord Jesus, I have trusted You for my salvation and my daily life. “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered.” Psalm 32:1 (8)

John 20 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, … and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. … and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.” … stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; … and he saw and believed.

But Mary stood outside … Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’”

Jesus, You became alive again, healthy and whole, after dying a torturous death! Your life shows that anyone who believes Your Word and trusts You with their life will also rise from the dead! “And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. … I and My Father are one.” John 10:28 I cannot avoid Your evidence Lord Jesus!

Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. V.19-20

He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” … v.22

What patience you have, Lord Jesus. You meet me just where I am. In my frailties, my “lack of faith” and in my head-strongness.

Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” v.27-28

Thomas was the first to declare You as his personal Lord and God! Thomas “got it”. Many of us know of Your miracles, but not many of us know Who You are, Jesus Christ.

Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” V.29

Whether I have in the flesh seen You, heard You or read You, I am to trust You, love You and obey You by the Holy Spirit. Thank You Lord God for the remarkable life You give to me and everyone who adheres to Your Word by the free gift of Faith that You alone impart!

… these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. v.31

Proverbs 17 The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the Lord tests the hearts.

Help me to live my life holy and pleasing to You, my Savior and Lord Jesus Christ! Thank you for your wisdom and counsel, Lord God. (9)

Lord Jesus, Son of God, You are the “friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.”

Philippians 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Since You’ve won the war over sin and death – (10)

But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:20, 56-57

I am free to think, feel and live for You, Lord Jesus Christ.

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” Phil 4:8-9

Dear reader, if you have placed all of your sins on the cross of Christ Jesus, and chosen to live for Him today and forever, according to His Word and Holy Spirit, then: “my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.” Phil 4:19-20

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:58

Bible Insights –

1- John 3:16-21; Psalm 22

2- Genesis 14:18-23; Psalm 110; Hebrews 5:1-10; Hebrews 6:13-20; Hebrews 7

3- Leviticus 4:26; Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 7

4- Psalm 51

5- Revelation 8:3-4

6- Psalm 22; Isaiah 52:13-15; Isaiah 53

7- Matthew 26:51-54; Luke 22:51; John 18:4-9; John 18:33-38; John 11:43; Luke 7:11-17; Matthew 26:36-46; Matthew 20:22; John 5:30; John 6:38; Philippians 2:8; Hebrews 5:7; John 3:16-18

8- Psalm 32

9- Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 1-2; Revelation 8:3-4

10- Romans 8:2

Crystal (PsalmThirty4)