The need for reconciliation ranks among the most crucial necessities in our lives and the world. Reconciliation brings joy. But its roots often lie in the past. God told Abraham he and Sarah would have the son of the promise. After years with no child, they grew impatient. Sarah proposed having a child with Hagar, their servant, …
Abraham was protecting the covenant when he sent Keturah’s children away. It sounds quite hard-hearted to us today. Genesis 25: 6 But before he died, he gave gifts to the sons of his concubines and sent them off to a land in the east, away from Isaac. [1] Abraham had learned a lesson when Ishmael made …
Great trials change us, making us different people. Trials in life happen, and you may have experienced some on your journey of faith. The question for all of us is, “Will we let God transform us through these trials?” I ministered to a man who divorced his wife for another and pursued the riches of …
Abraham provides an example of what it means to be available to God. Twice in Genesis 22, God called out to Abraham, and Abraham replied, “Here I am.” They had conversations because of their relationship. James 2: 23 Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” He was even called …
The fact that God provides a substitute is at the very heart of the Bible, as we learn about Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins. The Lord had asked Abraham to sacrifice his son as a burnt offering, and just as he was about to plunge the knife into Isaac, something miraculous happened. God provided a ram …
Letting faith overcome fear is an experience that every believer wrestles with as God continually stretches our faith. Fear clouds judgment and erodes trust in God, fueling doubt and serving as a weapon of the devil. Although fear may obscure our judgment, trusting in the Lord’s strength equips us to conquer our anxieties. As we follow …
There is something monumental about being reassured when you don’t understand, which can have a profound impact on your life. When I was seven years old, my grandmother died, which was the first time I experienced the loss of someone I loved. At that age, you don’t understand much about life, but my mother assured …
We can see that Abraham was trusting the promises and the explanation in God’s test. Genesis 22: 2 “Take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much—and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.” [1] This …
When our faith is tested, it can be a confusing time. Why would God test us? God, of course, knows all, but we have blind spots. We won’t know where we are spiritually unless God tests us. God knows each of us and designs the tests in a way that will help us grow. Abraham …
God works through sinners, revealing His patience and compassion. Have you ever felt unworthy when God used you in some way during your Christian life? If so, you are not alone! God doesn’t need our help in the world, but He chooses to work with us nonetheless. This can be puzzling to some until they …