God promises incredible blessing to those who walk with him, but he doesn’t always bless us in the ways we expect him to. God continually used unexpected and even painful means to bless Abraham, yet Abraham continued to trust God. When a family member dies or another conduit of blessing is unexpectedly, painfully lost, will we, like Abraham, continue to trust God to keep his promises?
Have you ever had a hard time believing God can use you? Have you ever been frustrated that you weren’t getting what you wanted or needed out of life? In Hebrews, we are reminded of the story of Sarah – how her faith in God and His promises stood firm through all of her mistakes and misconceptions, and the entire world was blessed through her.
Have you ever wondered why some people do seemingly bizarre, illogical or even crazy things for God? Abram (later called Abraham) left home and left his family to follow God’s call on his life. As we read in Hebrews 11:10, Abram was focused on a home that was more important to him than anything else and that is why he did what he did.
Religious liberty is a gift we enjoy in most countries around the world. So, why did Jesus say that His followers should expect to be persecuted for His name? What did He mean and how is this relevant for us who can worship and follow Jesus freely in the 21st century? In this second message from the life and death of Abel, we discover a reality about opposition that all who walk with God must know, remember and embrace as we seek to live and die in union with God.
Some lives are brief. Too brief. Way too brief. It was this way for Abel. Though his life was cut short, he lived carefree with God and as an inspiration to all who desire to walk moment by moment in the presence of God.
As we learned last week, Noah listened to God and did what God commanded. In the New Testament, we learn that Noah “became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.” How do we become heirs of that righteousness? And what are the implications to our world when we receive and live that righteousness?
Noah was born with a purpose. His biological father wanted him to help in the family business, but God had other plans for him. Throughout his life, Noah demonstrated that he walked with God and followed God before anyone or anything else, even when it meant breaking from others he loved and cared for.
Does God prefer that we walk with Him or work for Him? A fuller look at Enoch’s life points us toward God’s thoughts on this all important question.
What does God expect of me in 2021? Am I doing enough to please Him? Isn’t there something else I could do to make my life matter for God glory and the good of the world? In this ancient genealogy we discover that maybe doing one thing is enough. “Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.” Maybe walking with God is enough.
Have you ever used poor judgement and then found yourself in trouble? If so, you can probably relate with Adam and Eve who hid in fear after eating forbidden fruit. In God’s response to our ancestors, we discover good news! God loves you and comes not to shame you but to walk again alongside of you!