By faith, Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. Hebrews 11:8 Abraham, the father of many nations. How much about Abraham do you know? God highly esteemed Abraham and spoke of him often. Abraham had times of serious doubt and made some foolish mistakes, yet he had a history of faith. Remember, the bible figures are human, just like you and me. So with that being said, when we are in doubt or making mistakes, we can still allow God to testify to our…
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Sarah: Part 2
“Is anything too difficult for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, at this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.” Genesis 18:14 Do you ever move ahead in God’s plans? Do you tend to do what you think God wants you to do, to realize that it wasn’t at all what he wanted you to do? This what Sarah did. She allowed unbelief in God to keep His promise of a child and did her own plan, trying to achieve God’s plan. It didn’t go well for Sarah, and it doesn’t go well for us either. We face a challenge of God’s plan…
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Sarah
“In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the world, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior. And let not your adornment be merely external – braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used o…
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Against All Hope
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 Hope! What kind of hope do you have? Do you have guarded hope? Or do you have optimistic hope? Either way, there are pitfalls to both postures. IF you are overly optimistic, you might not be prepared for the outcome. However, if you don’t let yourself be too hopeful, you can miss blessings. Read Romans 4:13-25. What are you hoping for? What is the good news of hope? Paul speaks about faith, however, it brings in the connection of promises and hope. This brings us to a deeper understanding…
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Hope In A Family
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 Did you ever learn the children’s song, Father Abraham? Or do you know this song? It was one of my favorites songs to sing in the children’s churches. In fact, it is still one of my favorites. I teach it to all the kids in my children’s church when given the opportunity. It goes like this: Father Abraham had many sons, many sons had Father Abraham. I am one of them, and so are you So let’s all praise the Lord. The actions to this song were in verse…
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Faith and Sacrifice – Part Two
He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now, I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me. Genesis 22:12 James 2:21 states that Abraham was justified by works when he offered Isaac on the altar. Abraham showed his faith by sincerely obeying God. True faith will reveal itself by obedience to God. True faith is the kind that which people are saved. As Abraham was preparing to sacrifice Isaac, it was evident that Abraham was willing to do whatever God asked him to do. God knew that Abraham was a God-fearing man.…
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Faith And Sacrifice – Part One
He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now, I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me. Genesis 22:12 Read the full passage of Genesis 22:1-14. Abraham had faith and commitment to God that showed when he was being tested. He was tested to the maximum when God asked him to sacrifice his son, Isaac, His promise from God. This went against what Abraham knew about God. Abraham’s story shows three extreme tests of faith: God told Abraham to leave his people and country without knowing where he was going. God required…
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Abram Believed
And Abram said, “Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir.” And behold, the word of the Lord came to him: “This man shall not be your heir.” And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness. Genesis 15: 3-6 God made a promise to Abram. A promise that to man seemed impossible. However, Abram believed the Lord. What comes to mind when you think on…
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Walk Before Me
When Abram was ninety-nine years old the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty, walk before me, and be blameless, that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly.” Genesis 17:1-2 Past the age of bearing children for Sarai and Abram being old, God makes a covenant with Abram. God declares himself as God Almighty to Abram meaning that He is all powerful. There is nothing impossible with God. God Almighty can fulfill his promises even when there seems to be no way to fulfill them. This is how God brings Abram’s promised son into the world. With this though,…