Handing Down Faithfulness
Genesis 12:1-3 (NLT)
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.”
Reflection
I wonder how I would react and what I would do if God came to me and said He wanted me to leave everything familiar to me, and go somewhere far away, unfamiliar and possibly dangerous. I like to think I would be obedient to God and immediately rise to the challenge. But musing about it and actually carrying through with it are two very different things!
But that is precisely what God called Abram to do. Surely Abram wrestled with his choice. Disobey God and stay in familiar and comfortable surroundings? Or, choose to be obedient, trusting that God had something greater in store for him? Abram chose to follow God. So, at the advanced age of 75, Abram, his wife, and his family packed up their belongings and started the arduous journey to the land of Canaan.
What an amazing act of faith and obedience! Because of Abram’s obedience, God established a covenant with him. God promised that He would create a great nation through Abram. He would bless Abram, as well as all the generations that would come after him. In addition, Abram’s descendants would receive God’s divine protection from their enemies, time and time again. Through Abram’s act of obedience, a legacy like no other was born. And let us not forget that Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, was also born from the lineage of Abram.
As Pastor Matthew stated last week, we must always remember the proper sequence with God. Our obedience to God must be first. His presence and power will follow. If we create a legacy of trust and faith in God for future generations, through acts of obedience to God’s callings, then we will have lived well.
Action Steps
1. Are you currently wrestling with a decision for your life? Do you feel God pulling you in a direction that you are hesitant to go? Go to God in prayer, and ask Him for the strength to be obedient to the path You feel He is leading you to.
2. Would you like to participate more in the legacy story for our church? Volunteering is a great way to help the church grow, and to help you grow in your obedience steps with God.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I love You and what You have done in my life. Every day, You help me make choices and decisions that will impact my remaining days on earth. I trust You above all others, and I know that You will always keep Your promises, if I am obedient to Your calling. Holy Spirit, help me to always be listening, and ready to serve when I am called upon. Amen.
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.”
Reflection
I wonder how I would react and what I would do if God came to me and said He wanted me to leave everything familiar to me, and go somewhere far away, unfamiliar and possibly dangerous. I like to think I would be obedient to God and immediately rise to the challenge. But musing about it and actually carrying through with it are two very different things!
But that is precisely what God called Abram to do. Surely Abram wrestled with his choice. Disobey God and stay in familiar and comfortable surroundings? Or, choose to be obedient, trusting that God had something greater in store for him? Abram chose to follow God. So, at the advanced age of 75, Abram, his wife, and his family packed up their belongings and started the arduous journey to the land of Canaan.
What an amazing act of faith and obedience! Because of Abram’s obedience, God established a covenant with him. God promised that He would create a great nation through Abram. He would bless Abram, as well as all the generations that would come after him. In addition, Abram’s descendants would receive God’s divine protection from their enemies, time and time again. Through Abram’s act of obedience, a legacy like no other was born. And let us not forget that Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, was also born from the lineage of Abram.
As Pastor Matthew stated last week, we must always remember the proper sequence with God. Our obedience to God must be first. His presence and power will follow. If we create a legacy of trust and faith in God for future generations, through acts of obedience to God’s callings, then we will have lived well.
Action Steps
1. Are you currently wrestling with a decision for your life? Do you feel God pulling you in a direction that you are hesitant to go? Go to God in prayer, and ask Him for the strength to be obedient to the path You feel He is leading you to.
2. Would you like to participate more in the legacy story for our church? Volunteering is a great way to help the church grow, and to help you grow in your obedience steps with God.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I love You and what You have done in my life. Every day, You help me make choices and decisions that will impact my remaining days on earth. I trust You above all others, and I know that You will always keep Your promises, if I am obedient to Your calling. Holy Spirit, help me to always be listening, and ready to serve when I am called upon. Amen.
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