12: 1 - Abraham is called out to be a separated race unto God. Just as Christians are "called out" to be a chosen people and a Royal Priesthood to God, 1 Peter 2:9. Just as Abraham was instructed to leave all, Jesus instructed the same for us, Matthew 10: 37. God must be first above all; even family and we must follow Him in faith knowing He will take care of us. Have you placed first in everything in your life?

12: 7 - If we accept the Lord's call He will appear to us. Just as Abraham knew this truth we must understand that we must have an altar. The altar is the place where God will meet with us and appear to us. Do you have an altar in your life? A place to meet with God, to present ourselves as a "living sacrifice" to Him. It is vitally important to establish a place to meet with God away from all distractions. God wants to meet with you more than you want to meet with Him.

12: 8 - Abraham wanted to dwell close to God, he pitched his tent next to Bethel which means "House of God" and on the other side was Hai which means "Heap of Ruins." We are to always be reminded from where we came from and always dwell near the House of God. Even though sin is always present we know that if we dwell close to God that we are under the shadow of His wings. While we are confined to this earth sin will ever be present with us and even while we are dwelling close to God sin is right outside the door waiting on us. That is why it is so important to dwell in that closeness to God as much as possible so that when you confront the sin you will not do it in your strength. We are always one step away from sin!

12: 9 - We need to stay in the presence of God, but we will have to journey through life and come to the altar at Bethel as often as possible. If we ever start moving away from God as Abraham does here we will make wrong choices just as he did. Where are you today?

12: 10 - Egypt is always typified as "sin" and notice the famine was severe in sin. There is always a famine for the presence, comfort, strength, and supply from God while in sin. A famine from spiritual food and guidance. God will not force you to stay at Bethel, it is to our benefit that we establish an altar wherever we are. That is the meaning behind the scripture that exhorts us to "pray without ceasing." Where are you today? Do you have an altar?

12: 11-20 - Notice when we get away from the presence of God that we are more concerned and subjected to the fear of man. We become more afraid of what man can do to us. Have you ever experienced this? We move away from the presence and therefore leave the power of that presence.

13: 1-4 - We will make mistakes and wrong choices just as Abraham did. We must always remember that God is waiting for us to return to Him as Abraham dies here. We need to go back to where we know God is, and where we can build that relationship back up. We need to remember where that altar is in our lives and keep it from collecting dust. Is your altar dusty?