Tag: Genesis 15:6
Father of a multitude!
January 6th Scripture Reading: Genesis 15-17
A great deal has happened in the lives of Abram and Sarai in the last three chapters. They traveled to Egypt and back. They rescued Lot from invaders. They gave the first tithes to Melchizedek, an unusual man who was a king of Salem (Jerusalem) and a priest of “The Most High God”. Sarai suggested to Abram that he have a child by her maid, Hagar, to fulfill God’s promise since she was still barren. A child resulted and trouble ensued. Good ideas are not always God’s ideas! The child, Ishmael, became a source of trouble in the house and was prophesied to be one who would cause trouble (Genesis 16:12). We are today experiencing trouble from Ismael’s offspring over 4000 years later!
God visited Abram and Sarai again about 25 years later. Abram is now 99 years old and Sarai is 90. During this visit, God renewed His promise of a son born to Sarai. God confirmed His promise to them in a covenant. Part of a covenant is an exchange of names. Abram means “Exalted Father” and Abraham means “Father of a multitude”. Sarai’s new name means “Princess”. God took Abraham’s name too. He became known as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God gave them circumcision a physical sign of the covenant. This mark in the male organ carrying the “seed”, would remind Abraham of God’s promise and mark his offspring as set apart for Him.
Faith simply says “yes” to God and obeys! Abraham is known as the father of faith because he believed God and God credited him with being righteous! (Genesis 15:6) By faith in Jesus we are credited with righteousness and adopted into God’s family. God writes our name in the Book of Life and we have an eternal inheritance in Him . He gives us the Holy Spirit as a mark of His promises! Amen!
Have you ever tried to ‘help God out’ to fulfill a promise He made to you? How long have you had to wait for a promise to be fulfilled? Are you assured of your right standing with God through Jesus?
“Having believed, you were marked in Him (Christ) with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, Who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His Glory.” Ephesians 1:13-14
Justified by grace!
Scripture reading for June 16th: Romans 3
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Romans 3:21-25 “But now a righteousness from God, apart from the Law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in His blood.”
After showing that all men, Jew and Gentile, stood guilty of sin before God, Paul gave the simple remedy. God made a way through faith in Jesus Christ and His sacrifice of His body and blood to justify all who would believe. The word ‘justify’ simply means to make right by a legal transaction. All men had sinned and the penalty was death. But God sent His only Son Jesus Christ to come and live in this world as a man, but without sin. Jesus, God’s Son, then offered His blood in place of sinful men’s blood or the blood of innocent animals. This justly satisfied God’s righteous anger against sin and the penalty of death for all who sinned. If we believe God, we are made righteous.
Observations for over-comers: Righteousness cannot be gained by any human works or religion. It is freely given as a gift to all who believe in Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on their behalf. “Abraham believed the Lord, and He credited it to him as righteousness.” (Genesis 15:6)
The blind receive sight!
Scripture reading for January 12th: Matthew 9
Key Scriptures: Matthew 9:27-30 “As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed Him, calling out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” When He had gone indoors, the blind men came to Him, and He asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” “Yes, Lord,” they replied. Then He touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith will it be done to you”; and their sight was restored.”
Blindness is a horrible affliction that cuts us off from many of the pleasures of our world. Darkness is the companion of the blind and they need assistance to get around. In this story, two blind men call out to Jesus for mercy! They address Him as the “Son of David”, a messianic title. Jesus went inside, apparently not interested in addressing these requests, but the blind men follow Him. We are not sure how they found their way, but they were persistent and Jesus questioned them about their faith: “Do you believe I am able to do this?” They answered with an affirmative, “Yes, Lord!” Jesus then simply touched their eyes and told them that they would receive what they believed! Immediately their sight was restored!
Observations for over-comers: Persistence in prayer–calling out to Jesus–is essential in overcoming “impossible” situations. We will receive what we believe! “Abram believed the Lord, and He credited it to him as righteousness.” (Genesis 15:6)