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)

Fan or Follower?

by Charity Pence

This Week's Verse: "For if you love those who love you, what reward have you?" (NKJ)

Have you ever asked yourself if you're a fan or a follower of Jesus? There's a big difference between the two. You can like something, or someone in this case, without taking any action. In other words, you can be a fan. However, to be a follower means more than just liking something. A true Jesus follower doesn't just read about Jesus; he or she displays characteristics that Jesus displayed.

It's so easy for us to act contrary to what a Christian should be. We get mad. We hold grudges. We treat those who have hurt as as our worst enemies. But Jesus said, "Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you." Matthew 5:44 (NKJ) A fan says behaving as Jesus commanded is a good idea. But a follower goes further by striving to be obedient to that command.

Being like Jesus is what being a Christian is all about.

Dear Heavenly Father, So often I act in a way that goes against You and who You are. Please forgive me for being hasty in my anger, for not being concerned as I should be for those who have hurt me. I call myself a Christian, Lord. So please help me to be that. Make me more aware of how I treat others so that Your light will shine through me. In Jesus' name, Amen.

1 Peter 3:8: "Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous." (NKJ)

Sin's Destruction

by Charity Pence

Proverbs 5:21-23 states, "For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and He ponders all his paths. His own iniquities entrap the wicked man, and he is caught in the cords of his sin. He shall die for lack of instruction, and in the greatness of his folly, he shall go astray." (NKJ)

This passage has long been a favorite of mine, though I'd had to read it a few times before it really took hold. The meaning is clear. Sin leads us away from God. God loves us unconditionally; His love never fails. But that doesn't mean He is pleased when we allow sin to control our lives. When I've allowed sin to hinder my walk with God, I imagine God shaking His head and asking with a heavy heart, "What are you doing?"

We know better, don't we? Yet we partake in sin anyway. We tell a little fib. Take part in gossip. Pass judgment on another. Doesn't that make you just cringe? It's so easy for us to get it wrong, which is why instruction is so important. And where does our instruction come from? The Bible. As Christians, we should make reading the Bible a priority. Reading God's word helps us to draw near to our Lord. And the closer we become to our Heavenly Father, the less enticed we are by sin's destructive ways. We may still stumble, but when we repent God will be right there to pick us up.

Dear Heavenly Father, I am far from perfect; I am a sinner. Thank You, Lord, for Your never ending grace. Thank You for remaining by my side even when I choose the wrong path. Please forgive me for the sins I've committed, and help me draw near to You so that I can follow You and not the world. In Jesus' name, Amen.

The Church

by Charity Pence

Let's start this week's post by picturing the church. What do you see? A large brick building with glass doors? A small country church with a steeple and a bell?

Once you have a picture set in your mind, consider the following:

"You are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit." Ephesians 2:19-22 (NIV)

Do those verses match the picture in your mind? Probably not. That's because we are the church. Read the following again: "In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temply in the Lord." I believe that verse means that when we, God's people, join together, we become God's temple. And in becoming God's temple, we become a haven that leads others to Christ. In the temple we help build, people find hope, grace, mercy, and a love like no other. How do we become the church? By recognizing our part. By showing God's love through our actions and words, and by offering forgiveness to those who have hurt us because God has forgiven us.

There's nothing wrong with the church building itself. But without us, God's children, and without His presence, it is nothing except an empty, useless building.

Dear Heavenly Father, You have called us to be so much more than what we realize. We are Your church. And by creating us to be Your church, others can come to know you not just on Sundays but every day of the week. Halelujah!

Something Different

by Charity Pence

Due to my schedule, I've had a difficult time keeping up with this blog. That being said, I'd like to "change it up" a bit. Rather than keeping to the traditional format, I will be varying the posts. Though I will occasionally share a regular devotion, on any given week a post may focus on one of the following:

one verse
a group of verses
a person from the Bible
a group of people from the Bible
an issue currently affecting the church
a prayer...
or anything else I or anyone else feels led to share.

The Olive Branch has been God's tool since this blog was created, and I do not want to interfere with that. This blog has been a spiritual building block for me and everyone else who has taken part in it. So let's continue the work. If you have anything to share, please let me know by commenting or sending an email to fccgals@hotmail.com. I will also welcome any feedback.

I'd like to end this post with this prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, please use me and this blog as Your outlet so that Your light shines to the world. Let it be You that people see, and let it be You that people turn to. Please help me to be open to your leading, Lord. Thank You for trusting me in this endeavor. Sometimes it seems like such a small attempt to reach others for You, but if one person comes to know You, Lord, then it's more than enough. In Jesus' name, Amen.