“Then behold the word of the Lord came to him saying, ‘This man will not be your heir; but one who shall come forth from your own body, he shall be your heir. And he took him outside and said, ‘Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.’ And He said to him, ‘So shall your descendants be.’” Genesis 15:1-5
“Now Sarai, Abram’s wife had born him no children, and she had an Egyptian maid whose name was Hagar. So Sarai said to Abram, ‘Now behold the Lord has prevented me from bearing children. Please go in to my maid; perhaps I shall obtain children through her.’ And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai.” 16:1-2
“Abraham’s motivation was sincere [in offering Hagar to bear his child]. He had given up all hope of having a child. Ishmael was not conceived in an act of rebellion against God, but in an attitude of agreement WITH God. It was not out of disobedience, but out of a dedication to God’s purpose that Abraham and Sarah had planned the means whereby Ishmael might be born. But God did not recognise Ishmael.
“Now it came about after these things, that God tested Abraham, and said to him, ‘Abraham!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’ And He said, ‘Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah; and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you.’ Genesis 22:1-2
“Later when God tested Abraham and asked him to offer Isaac [the child of God’s promise] in sacrifice, He referred to Isaac as ‘your only son’. God did not recognise Ishmael, as He does not recognise our efforts on His behalf, no matter how sincerely they have been carried out. He invites us to be the channels of His activity, not the substitute for it.”*
God can be VERY clear, as well as VERY vague, but He is always right if we will only wait on Him and listen to Him and most of all trust Him. I love it that He choose the story of Abram to be in His Word, so I could learn from the misdirected determination of Abram. Enjoy your weekend my friends.
Take care with love, especially His! Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene
PS: ANY PRAYER UPDATES TODAY?
For any of you who wonder if prayer is worth taking time for, just page back through previous entries and see the hand of our loving Father in action!
NEW PRAYER REQUESTS: Pray for those reliving the terrible memories of the 9/11 disaster. Pray for an angel of mercy to come and help Adrian as he tries to make sense of his injured body.
PRAISE & THANKSGIVING: Reg for his ministry and patience. For God’s support during difficult times through unexpected friends.
PRAY FOR THOSE WITH HEALTH CONCERNS: David is “slowing down” now and the treatments that have been giving him a new lease on life are seen as too expensive. Michael recovering from deep vein thrombosis – a new life change for him. For Carlton’s recovery from surgery. Gwen (13 year old) and her headaches and attitude toward her mom. Deb, special friend with multiple Myeloma (please see her blog at this LINK. (http://debdarley.blogspot.com/) Wisdom for doctors caring for Tim, Doris, David, Poetry and Gary, Annette’s friend Sue.
ONGOING PRAYER REQUESTS: Tim (my brother) is doing better but needs financial help. Pray he secures a disability pension with his coronary pulmonary artery disease. For Jen as she copes with her friend’s passing & for the hope of her future. For Susan in Bulgaria, struggling to provide for her husband and two children.
PRAY FOR THE WORLD: For those affected by the many natural disasters that have raged in many places over the last year, including: east coast of the USA from Hurricane Irene, Japan and New Zealand. For Middle Eastern nations dealing with unprecedented internal conflicts. For the rest of the world to stay calm with regard to war, the economy and most of all for those who are believers, to pray and help others have peace during this time.
OTHER PRAYER REQUESTS: For Carla to have good health, satisfying work and life balance. Help for Cris. Isaias (family safety and his mission work in Philippines); God’s grace on USA & REVIVAL for His children. For Kevin (Godly wisdom with his son), Michael.
ONGOING JOB RELATED: Paul needs work. That Tim might find satisfying work. Randy needs a new job in Canada or Australia. I need a new project to tackle for my work. Working on a new book and pursuing a new publisher in the UK for my other book! And a new opportunity seems to be developing for me that would be such a blessing for me.
*Christ For Real by Charles Price
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