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Affect the Whole World? By Christianity.com (3 mins 46
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“Now in Haran, the Lord had said to Abram, ‘Go away from
your country, and from your relatives and from your father’s house to the land
which I will show you; and I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you
abundantly, and make your name great – exalted, distinguished – and you shall
be a blessing and source of great good to others;
“’and I will bless and do god for you and benefit those
who bless you, and I will curse – that is, subject to My wrath and judgment the
one who curses – despises, dishonours, has contempt for you. And in you all the families and nations of
the earth will be blessed.’” Genesis 12:1-3
“The Lord said to Abram, after Lot had left him, ‘Now
lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are and look from the place
where you are standing, northward and southward and eastward and westward; for
all the land which you see I will give to you and to your descendants
forever.
“’I will make your descendants as numerous as the dust of
the earth, so that if a man could count the grains of dust of the earth, then
your descendants could also be counted.” Genesis 13:14-16
“He said, ‘I will surely return to you at this time next
year; and behold, Sarah your wife will have a son.’ And Sarah was listening at the tent door,
which was behind him.
“Now Abraham and Sarah were old, well advanced in years;
she was past the age of childbearing. So
Sarah laughed to herself when she hear the Lord’s words, saying, ‘After I have
become old, shall I have pleasure and delight, my lord, husband being also old?’
“And the Lord asked Abraham ‘Why did Sarah laugh to
herself, saying, ‘Shall I really give birth to a child when I am so old?’ Is anything too difficult or too wonderful
for the Lord? At the appointed time,
when the season for her delivery comes, I will return to you and Sarah will
have a son.’” Genesis 18:10-14
God repeated His Promise with Abram as early as chapter 12 of
Genesis when as yet Abram was a young man in a chaotic early world where so
much had already gone wrong.
Of course, THE Promise was far too big to understand when it
was first given to Abraham. He likely
just forgot about it as he journeyed around.
Just put yourself in his place!
Out of the blue comes a Promise from an ‘Unknown God’ to a kid who had
just been moved from the place of his birth to an entirely new and strange land. Abram did not and could not appreciate what THE
Promise meant.
Many years later, when Abraham was over 90 years old God
came to remind him once again. But
Abraham, by that time, had given up on the hope of having a child with Sarah. Sarah in her disappointment and shame had
come up with a creative (and divisive) fix with her handmaiden. But God sent two angels to remind Abram of
His Promise and begin the line to the Messiah.
From the moment -- way back in Genesis -- God chose a
servant to carry His Promise into the future toward eternity. Back then, God began to lay the foundation
stones of fulfilment of THE Promise we all rely on today.
For hundreds of frustrating years, God trod through all the
sin and betrayal of His words and laws.
He sent prophets and leaders to protect this motley bunch of people
while He watched -- with confidence as His will -- always perfect and always thoughtful
-- began to unfold.
The fulfilment of that Promise – the birth of the Messiah --
was in the minds of most Jews at the time of Jesus’ birth. Yet, as so often happens, even as we read
Scripture today, the facts of THE Promise that didn’t fit the narrative of the
day – the narrative that was taught by the ‘experts’, was missed.
For example:
·
it was taught and most counted on the idea (not
fact) that the Messiah would come as a conquering King to set the Jews free
from their oppressors, the Romans,
·
when what the Word promised was that the Messiah
would come as a suffering Servant for the good of the people (fact).
We must not be too harsh with the people of Jesus’ day,
though, for we are no better. Even
today, it is easy to read Scripture and try to ‘fit’ THE Promise into our own
(or someone else’s) idea of what THE Promise should be.
And by doing this, we can miss the Truth -- never realising
or avoiding the reality that we have a role and responsibility in THE
Promise.
Once we are within the saving Grace of the Lord Jesus
Christ, we are His ambassadors in this world.
We are called to live a life that demonstrates (more than not) that HIS
Promise has moved our hearts and changed our lives.
We are called to follow, increasingly closer, to the Promise
of His Lordship.
This Promise, that is changing the world as you read these
simple words, is THE Promise that will launch Eternity. How generous is our God!
Take care with love, especially His, Darlene (who still
prays for you each day)
PS: Find my
statement of faith: https://especiallyhislove.blogspot.com
(where you will also find a series of beginner Bible studies to
share). You can easily find the WeakDay Devotion online by doing a Google
search for ‘WeakDay Devotion’. (Also,
there is an android ‘Google
Blogger’ app you can download to read them on your phone. Not sure about Apple.)
NEW PRAYER REQUESTS (any updates?)
·
Ray Sr. – just had emergency surgery and
is in ICU. The cancer is taking it’s toll. Pray the Lord opens His heart to the Truth of
salvation and through this time, relationships with family are strengthened and
Ray Jr and Kathy may know of his decision.
·
Ray Jr – needs additional strength and
courage as he journeys through the growing frailness of his father, especially
at this precious time.
·
Midwest
of USA – devastating and deadly storms rage across the USA. Over 70 are confirmed dead and the path of
destruction is amazing. Please pray for
all those affected by the death of a loved one, for the survivors (that they
are found) and safe. Pray rescuers,
health-care providers and agencies supporting those who have lost everything
will have strength and courage to keep on helping.
· Christians in Afghanistan – Many Christians went to this
country to share the Good News to many who would never have heard of
Jesus. These leaders and baby Christians
are now in heightened danger and need your prayers to protect them and sustain
them during this time.
·
Elina – pray she stays strong in her
faith, as she and her son have found a husband and father to share their
life. Pray her wonderful musical career
brings glory to the Lord and joy to those who learn from her.
·
Louise, sister of Rachael – MORE
thanksgiving. She has come through her
third and last surgery and is doing well.
Now cancer free and the reconstructive surgery complete after her double
mastectomy. Back to a normal life and
routines. She sends thanks for all your
prayers.
·
Grant – as
he grieves the loss of his mother.
·
Family of Eric – Eric at 52 died suddenly leaving his 47-year-old wife and three girls
(ages 16, 19 and 23). Pray the Lord
comforts the family through this time of mourning. Pray for their wisdom and that Go-d will send
trustworthy, honourable, Bible-based councilors for the many decisions that now
must be made.
· Peyton
- eldest granddaughter of Jeff and Rachael – now in her second year of
college. Please continue to pray for her
that she does well, makes good decisions and continues having a good
relationship with the Lord.
·
Adam – please pray for his strength and
peace as he pursues new job possibilities and that the Lord will guide him
clearly in his decisions and to know without doubt the depth of forgiveness;
and that his wife will be the loving supporter he badly needs.
·
Barb – my brother’s faithful and kind
wife. Thank you for praying for her. She needs prayers to sustain her and protect
her health and energy during this time of additional stress and challenge at
work.
·
Sophie – three-year old daughter of a
friend. She is chronically unwell and
frail. Please pray for her, her parents
and health carers to find ways to manage the symptoms and heal her.
·
Hans – a dear friend in Germany, the
cancer seems to be stable for now. Pray
for his financial situation to improve and for his ongoing strength through the
pain when it comes. Pray for his patience
and God’s mercy. Pray for his healthcare
providers and that he is surrounded by faithful and compassionate Christian
friends who will support him through this journey. Pray for his Mom (age 84) who is also unwell
-- that their time together is filled with extraordinary good memories and lots
of love.
·
Callilah - a lost child. Pray the Lord will capture her heart.
Pray for those in full-time service
Pray to uphold our Christian leaders – that they never compromise God’s Word, are bold and courageous in the face of evil. Pray for their wisdom, safety, ingenuity, strength and for their families.
Pray for those with ongoing health concerns
Many of us have family, friends and loved ones with fragile health. Pray God takes special care with them and protects them in practical ways and that the Lord will have mercy on them during this challenging time.
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