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Archive for the ‘Faith’ Category

How Abraham Became the Father of Faith

Posted in Abraham, Bible Characters, Explanations, Faith, tagged , on May 19, 2011| Leave a Comment »

The biblical story of Abraham’s sacrificing Isaac disturbs a lot of people. God finally gives him the promised child to make his descendants as numerous as the stars, then asks Abraham to sacrifice that child before he is old enough to have descendants.

Now, Abraham’s a rational guy! If Isaac dies before having children then God’s promise is toast! But scripture tells us about Abraham’s thought process on this.

Acting in faith, he was as ready to return the promised son… Abraham figured that if God wanted to, he could raise the dead. – Hebrews 11:17a,19a (MESSAGE)

Abraham’s obedience was more than an act of devotion, it was an act of faith – confident God would still follow through on his word even if it required Isaac to be raised from death.

So Abraham wasn’t lying to his servants when he told them on the way out that he AND Isaac would return from the sacrifice (Genesis 22:5) – he believed it and became the father of faith!

– fritz@langgang.com
Related Post: Swallowing Frogs – March 24, 2011

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Passed Over AND Encouraged!

Posted in Encouragement, Faith, tagged on May 17, 2011| Leave a Comment »

And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. – Genesis 15:2a

I was passed over for a job I thought I wanted and I am encouraged! Let me tell you why:

1. Recently, I noticed from the Bible that there are times we need to tell our desires to align with God’s ways instead of our own – I even blogged about it (here).

2. Yesterday, I noticed the biblical Sarah wanted a child so much she had her husband sire one from someone else so she could take it as hers! She even admitted it was God restraining her from children – I remember thinking at the time how unwise it is to circumvent God.

3. Today, a blog I frequent posted about feeling abandoned when others get a blessing we want for ourselves (Link) and I remembered being passed over in the past only to find something better later – and being truly grateful I was originally passed over.

4. Then I read the notice I was passed over now – someone else got the job I thought I was best suited for.

What encourages me in this is the tenderness and care God showed to me in preparing my mind and heart ahead of time. He showed me in this that he is aware of my circumstances, wants to comfort me and assure me he has a better place more suited for my skills. That place may be where I am now, but even if not, he is personally directing my career. That’s what is encouraging! That’s something I can tell my heart and know it is true!

So why write about it here? I have a sneaking suspicion I’m not the only one who needs reminding that when things don’t go as planned nor desired God has a better way!

Prayer: Thank you, Father, I am right where I can be of most service to you now and for telling me you are actively at work on my behalf. Amen!

Sound Bite: I know I’ll feel gratitude later; I choose to be grateful now!

– fritz@langgang.com

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A Million Flies

Posted in Belief, Conscience, Faith, tagged on May 11, 2011| Leave a Comment »

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”

While there is an “Our” aspect of following Christ and though in the Bible the word for “Saint”  is always plural, there is a personal aspect that dare not be minimized.

He is not just “Our” shepherd but “Mine” and he leads me.  It is not wrong to be confident in that; the group is not always the safest place nor always faithful. My crusty old uncle used to say, “Eat garbage, a million flies can’t be wrong!”

There comes a time to walk through things alone but never truly alone, He is there to lead, protect and comfort.

Be individually true to him with an honest faith and clear conscience even if that means not feeling truly a part of many nice groups.

– fritz@langgang.com

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