Within community, conflict happens. But we have a choice on how to deal with conflict. One choice is prudent, while many others are not. Genesis 14 provides an example of a community in conflict and how various people were affected, or unaffected, by the crossfire because of the way they dealt with the conflict.

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When God appoints someone to be in a place of leadership, whether we agree or disagree with His appointment, He calls us to honor that person and their position. Genesis 14 tells about an appointed priest who God raised up and Abram honored for no other reason than the appointment God had given to this man. As we look deeper into this exchange by referencing Hebrews 7, we learn more on how we too can honor those God appoints to lead and guide His people.

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Living a simple life doesn't mean we discard everything and live as a minimalist. Instead, simple living is about knowing both our identity and purpose have nothing to do with us, but with God, the Great Creator and Owner of all things. Genesis 14 tells us how Abram lived the simple life by finding his identity and purpose in God, and Psalm 91 gives us specific ways we too can live this simplified life in the shadow of of God.

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In a task oriented world, we often choose to do and prioritize our choices and actions because of what they will accomplish or how they will get us ahead. This may seem productive and smart, but in God's economy our choices and priorities should be based instead on relationships. Genesis 14 chronicles the choices and priorities Abram makes because of his relationships and how peace and God's will were consistent as he chose this way over the way of the world.

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With today being Good Friday, it seems strange that the "good" of this day is the death of our Savior on a cross. That is why it is important to put our perception of good and evil into context of God's redemption story and the greater purpose of the ultimate defeat of the wickedness in this world. Genesis 13, 2 Peter 2, and Luke 23 help us focus on this bigger picture so we can truly call today good.

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Because we don't always follow God's plan perfectly, we need resets that pull us back to where we got off track. Genesis 13 includes an example of how God reset Abram on the right pat. This mercy God extended towards Abram parallels the mercy He shows through the Easter story, and His willingness to step in and reset the path of anyone who has gone astray and needs to realign their life again with Him.

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We may not have stone altars in our homes or yards or have access to sacrificial animals, but this doesn't mean our lives are void of the opportunity to sacrifice to God. Genesis 13 references altar building at a settled location, just as in previous chapters and helps us realize that within the settled boundaries of our lives we still have modern altars that offer our greatest commodity, time.

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From the perspective of eternity, with our eyes set on the inheritance God has promised us in His kingdom, we can't allow ourselves to get stuck in focusing on the spaces we or those around us occupy in this world. Genesis 13 tells of how Lot goes to occupy the land to the east and as he leaves God tells Abram not to focus on where Lot is going or even where Abram's feet currently touch the ground, but to look beyond, to the promises yet ahead God has willed for his ownership.

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Peace with others requires give and take, but in a self-centered society we see more taking than giving. Genesis 13 provides a wonderful model for living in peace with others, but it requires giving that trusts in God's ability to provide and fill in our losses  when we give up the best for the benefit of another.

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Religious thinking can often cheat us of the joy God desires in our lives because we do not view our perception of holiness from God's perspective. This self-denying approach to life steals away our ability to enjoy what God has given us because we are always looking for the catch that reveals what we really deserve. Genesis 12 shows of an instance where Abram reveals his own insecurities and ability to trust God with the beauty God has placed in his life.

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