Abraham's Obedience

by Charity Pence

This Week's Verse: Genesis 22:2 "Then He said, 'Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you." (NKJ)

I cannot imagine what was going through Abraham's mind when he received the command from God to sacrifice his son Isaac. The Bible only tells us that Abraham went. But it could not have been easy for Abraham. That is why I believe we can learn much from this story.

Abraham was an old man by the time he was blessed with a son. Consider for a moment the joy he must have felt when Isaac was born. His faith was already strong, but surely receiving such a seemingly impossible blessing must have strengthened his faith in God. Isaac would be his heir! The descendants promised by the Lord became a reality with Isaac's birth. But then God told Abraham to sacrifice Isaac as an offering. At that point, I would have said, "Hold up. How are you going to carry out your promise if I kill my son?" The story in Genesis doesn't mention Abraham doubting the Lord. But taking that journey to Moriah had to be one of the most difficult trips for Abraham.

The point is, being obedient to God is easy when His command makes sense. When we understand. But when we don't understand? That's when real faith kicks in. That's when we reveal our true character.

We may never know what would have happened if Abraham withheld Isaac from God. What we do know is that Abraham took those steps, despite how hard it must have been. And he was blessed for his obedience. "By myself I have sworn, says the Lord, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son, blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand whch is on the seashore, and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies." Genesis 22:16, 17 (NKJ)

Dear Heavenly Father, It's so easy to rejoice and be obedient when things go our way. But when the path you set before us is difficult or doesn't make sense, too often we stumble. Please help us to be more like Abraham. Strengthen us so we can let go of fear and doubt, and so we can continue walking until your will is done. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Power Verse:
Deuteronomy 31:6 "Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you." (NKJ)

Just Ask

by Bethany Lashbrook

This Week's Verse: Isaiah 55:6, "Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near."(NIV)

Devotion:
Have you ever wanted something, asked the Lord for it, and then before you could say the words “maybe I didn’t mean to ask for that” you had already received it?

Matthew 17:20 states: He [Jesus] replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

Isn’t this inspiring? Jesus is telling us so simply, believe and you shall receive. I think sometimes my faith must be smaller than that simple little mustard seed because many times I have asked for something not really believing that God would actually give it to me. But, He does. Why is that?

I can think of many instances where the Lord has quickly answered. A year ago, I asked the Lord to make me a part of something that would get me out of my comfort zone. A response was quick and to the point: minister to those Jesus would minister to. Jesus didn’t tour churches. He didn’t hang with the rich, the classy, and the educated. He wanted to teach the lost and the confused.

Since this request, a small group of adults from our church visits our local jail once a month to talk to the inmates about Jesus and how He has worked in our lives. Two years ago, I would have thought this idea was crazy. But, I asked. He gave.

Within the last month I asked: “Lord, how is it that some can get in front of a crowd at church and look calm?” Well, several weeks ago at our Easter service, I was asked to give a cardboard testimony. It’s as simple as it sounds. My testimony – shortened from a book down to several words that fit onto a sheet of paper no bigger than a television screen. I stood in front of over 500 people in our congregation that day baring my soul. I asked. He gave.

And, most recently, within the last week, I asked the Lord for direction in a relationship of mine that has been struggling for years. Did you see that – YEARS. And do you know what I did (because He nudged me)? I asked this person to go on a walk with me. After years of issues, months of miscommunications, and lots of conversations that have led us nowhere, the Lord answered a simple request. I asked. He gave.

As I age, I am understanding more that God wants to answer my prayers that mean something to Him, not just to me. Really, what does He get out of a money tree growing in my yard (yes, I have prayed for this!) or my daughter’s team winning their soccer game! But, He does get satisfaction knowing that I am out of my comfort zone, sharing His word with others, and restoring friendships.

Now ask. He'll give.

Dear Lord, thank you for answering our prayers, even when we are not quite sure that we should have asked for them. Thank you for helping us become more of who You made us to be, and less of the worldly woman that sometimes we would rather be. Lord, we could never fully understand your Way or understand your giving to us as You did on the Cross, but for that, we are so very thankful and grateful. Father, help us to remain your servants, and do so with grace and pleasure and dignity. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.

Application: Are you struggling in your prayer life? Try some of these things to help “spice up” your prayer life!
*Too busy? Pray on your way to or from work.
*Not good at praying? Just pray the Word.
*Don’t know who to pray for? Just close your eyes and the Lord will give you a name.
*Need something new? Try a new location: think, “prayer-chair”. Who says you can’t be comfy while praying?
*Need a prayer warrior? Ask a friend, a spouse, or a child to pray for you.

Power Verses:
Psalm 17:6, "I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer."(NIV)
Philippians 4:6-7, "Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life."
Proverbs 2:6, "For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding."

Olympian

by Bethany Lashbrook

This Week’s Verse: Romans 15:17, “Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God.” (NIV)

Devotion:
One month ago summer was busy. My family—like most of yours—was in the midst of summer vacations, family reunions, swimming adventures, and of course, good old Vacation Bible School! For the first year, both my husband and I were able to volunteer for a week of fun! We decided to let Stacey, our children’s minister, assign us where needed. Risky? Yes. But we knew there was a great need for volunteers so we were willing to do anything, go anywhere!

It came to be that Clint and I were both needed for drama. Clint’s part came first on that Monday. He was Festus of Augustus. He was a wanna-be-athlete that won the crowd over. My part of Junia was the last night, and it went well as I proclaimed my loyalty to Christ, even as the Roman authorities were shutting down my business for that very fact. VBS was a wonderful experience for us both, and to my astonishment, it didn’t end that Friday.

John Cutshall had written in The Caller (something like) “these children will remember this VBS for a long time and will remember Rome and what it was like to be an early Christian.” I didn’t tell him this, but I was skeptical. I didn’t think that our parts would change anyone, or anything for that matter. Really, what could Clint and I have accomplished in our five minutes of drama?

A lot.

Last week, Clint and I were swinging on his grandma’s front porch when a scooter came whizzing by. Perched on this scooter were a father and his son. As soon as this boy saw Clint, he yelled “OLYMPIAN!!!” Three weeks after Clint had played Festus, this boy remembered who he was! This made my heart skip a beat!

Maybe Clint and I did make an impression on these children. Maybe they do understand the hardships of early Christians in Rome. Maybe God placed Clint and me where we were needed in order to impact at least one child, if not many more! Maybe this VBS will be remembered and Clint and I will look back on it in many years still smiling because our part in it was so fun and adventurous! Maybe, just maybe, God didn’t just change these children, but he changed Clint and me.

Often times, when we do something to bless someone else, we are the ones receiving the blessing.

This one moment, sitting on the front porch swinging, affirmed everything I believe in. My Lord, My savior loves me and wants to bless my life in big ways, in small ways, and in unexpected ways. And I’m so grateful for that.

Dear Lord, thank you for sending this child to remind me we are all needed and called to further the Kingdom of God. Thank you, Lord, for our ministers who work so hard to reach out to these children. Thank you for the many volunteers that make each year’s VBS so special. And of course, thank you for the wonderful children you send to each year’s VBS so we may teach them about you! Amen.

Application:
Is the Lord calling you to do something, but you are scared? He will stand by you. Like many, you might not quite understand the Lord’s will, but He will reveal it to you if you follow His lead.

Power Verses:
3 John 1:4, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” (NIV)
1 Corinthians 14:12, “Since you're so eager to participate in what God is doing, why don't you concentrate on doing what helps everyone in the church?” (MSG)