New Beginnings a Time for Worship

The word Genesis, the name of the first book in the Bible, means 'beginnings'.  Reading it through that lens helps to grasp God's purposes and humanity's place in His plan right from THE start.  Two personalities in the early chapters of Genesis teach us something very important about 'beginnings'; Noah and Abram.
     Chapter 8 describes the end of the global flood and Noah's first step onto dry land in more than three months.  The first thing Noah did after his family and all the animals walked out onto dry land to begin their new life was worship.  "Then Noah built an altar to the Lord and, taking some of all the clean animals and clean birds, he sacrificed burnt offerings on it." (Gen 8:20).
     Fast forward to chapter 12.  God calls Abram (later to be called Abraham) to go to a place where he had never been before.  At several stages along his journey he marks his movement toward God's future for him.  At the place of his assignment he "built an altar there to the Lord." (Gen 12:7).  Near Bethel "he built an altar to the Lord." (Gen 12:8).  When he arrived at Hebron "he built an altar to the Lord." (Gen 13:18).
     What will be the first thing you will do with God's new beginning for you?  An new job; a new community; a new opportunity; a new home; a new baby; a new relationship; a new day; A NEW YEAR!  Will you ''build an altar"?  Not literally maybe but will you begin by acknowledging God and His sovereignty over your life and by praising and thanking Him for bringing you to a point of a new beginning?  After all, you wouldn't be there if not for Him!