In this episode we continue studying the Book of Genesis. In this episode, God calls Abram who would later be called Abraham. The call began with God telling Abram to get out his country, from his kindred and his fathers house to go unto a land he would show him.

We note that Abram passes the "get out tests." It would be difficult for him to leave his country yet, he had to do it in order to receive the promised land.

We note that we cannot love our country more than we love God and his kingdom. We note that loving one's country more than God, is dangerous and can cause a person to fall into a snare set by the enemy.

The book of Revelation tells us, a beastly man will arise in the last days. And Satan will give him his power and seat of authority to rule over the nations. We also note that John saw the beastly man's administration, speaking. And when they spoke he saw frogs come out of their mouths. He said the frogs were evil spirits, they were lying sprits.

The beastly man's agenda is to take the hearts and minds of the people captive, so they will do his will.

God does not want his people falling into Satan's snares, so he would have us love him and his kingdom more than we love countries ruled by the sons of men, who may be under the influence of devils.

Abram also had to leave his kindred, in addition to his father, he had to leave behind, all uncles, cousins, aunts, nieces and nephews (although Lot went with him).

Abrams father and his other family members were idolaters so he had to separate himself from them if he wanted to inherit the promised land. Remaining around family would be a hindrance to them.

We too are called to leave behind our kindred if they may be a stumbling block to us. We continue to love them but we are to be like Jesus, who loved God more than all others. Such is the greatest commandment of all, to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength.

Jesus's love and dedication to God was also challenged by his friends and family members. When He went about doing God’s work his friends and family members thought he was doing too much and tried to stop him.

He was so busy ministering, preaching, teaching and healing that he barely had time to eat. So they thought they needed to have a little talk with him. Here’s the text:

Mark 3:20  And the multitude cometh together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread.

Mark 3:21  And when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself.

When that didn’t work his friends went and told Mary and his brothers, that they needed to have a talk with him. But he remained at his post, he could not let them deter him, he had to do God’s will. Here’s the text: Matthew chapter 12 verses 46 through 50.

Matthew 12:46  While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.

Matthew 12:47  Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.

Matthew 12:48  But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?

Matthew 12:49  And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!

Matthew 12:50  For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

His brothers did not believe he was the Son of God at that time, so they mocked him on the sly.

John 7:2  Now the Jews' feast of tabernacles was at hand.

John 7:3  His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest.

John 7:4  For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world.

John 7:5  For neither did his brethren believe in him.

So, even Jesus had to fight to put God first in his life. He could not let the doubts and demands of other people prevent him for doing God’s will.

We must all answer the call. Abrams call was literal, our's is figurative. We must pass the "get thee out tests" if we want to inherit the promised land, that's on the other side of glory.

Like Abraham, we too look for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Hebrews 11:10