Daily D – Genesis 12:1-3

by David Bowman | Jan 4, 2023 | Daily D | 0 comments

Howdy! And Happy New Year!

The Bible reading plan I am using this year is the YouVersion plan Bible Project: The Bible. I invite you to join me. You can learn more about the Bible Project here: https://bibleproject.com/

The Bible translation I will use this year is the New Living Translation. I will use the New International Version, the English Standard Version, the Christian Standard Bible, and The Message for comparison.

Who do you know who would benefit from these short devotionals? Send a sample using the sharing links in the banner at the top of this page. Add an invitation to join us on the journey. Let’s get to know God better and experience him daily. As you know, there are no financial solicitations, and there is nothing to buy.

If you would like for me and others to pray for you about anything at any time, feel free to email me: david@davidgbowman.com

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Genesis 12:1-3 The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.” (NLT)

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Do you have conditional faith? As long as God meets your conditions, you will do what he says? Or do you have unconditional faith, a faith that says, “Whatever you want, that’s what I want, too”? Guess which one he blesses?

An old friend who passed away years ago had a standard question she asked when people who came to her with one complaint or another: “Is your cup turned up or down?”

I had to think about this question the first time I heard her ask it. I still think about it when I approach our refrigerator for cool, filtered water. If my cup is set to receive the cool, clear water, I am blessed. If it is turned upside down, my wife is going to complain about the mess I make.

This is not one of those cup half-full or half-empty stories. Besides, cups are always full of something whether it’s liquid or air. Keep that in mind. Life is more about what you are filled with than whether you are filled. Just a thought.

God promised Abraham his blessing. He made this promise on several occasions. Each occasion included more detail. Abraham lived from blessing to blessing by obeying God and by keeping his hands open to receive what came next. He kept his cup turned up.

If you want to live a more blessed life, open your hands to God. Allow him to fill them and to use what he fills them with to serve others.

Palms up
Cup turned up
Is how to live a life
On the up and up

Abraham was blessed to be a blessing. God wants to bless you to be a blessing. He blesses most those whose lives he can fill to overflowing. Hoarding shuts off the supply. Living a life of scarcity with palms and cups turned down is self-imposed starvation.

Here is a simple prayer that turns your cup right side up:

Our Father, whatever you want, that’s what I want, too. Fill my cup to overflowing so that I may join you in bringing satisfaction and saturation to others. As you bless me with your good and perfect gifts, I will joyfully pass them along to those who need them as well. Amen.

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I will keep my cup and my palms turned up.

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