NOTE: Today we begin our mission work in Picayune, Mississippi. I will try to post an update each evening of how the day went.
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TODAY'S READING: Genesis 17:1-8
Do you remember those playground arguments from second grade? Two boys would begin arguing about something and often it would turn into a "my dad versus your dad" battle of words. Each boy would challenge the other by saying his dad was better at something or in some way.
Well, we have a Father who is bigger or stronger than any other. God is the Lord Almighty. And He is a dad who follows through on what He says. Just consider His conversation here with Abraham.He begins with a challenge to Abram. A challenge to live a godly life. A challenge to live like His Father.
But then. Then comes the promise. God will make Abram a mighty nation. And not just the father of A nation, but many nations. And to make it complete, God changes Abram's name to Abraham. And in that day, names meant something. God changed Abraham's name from "exalted father" to "father of many."
And the exciting thing for me is that God makes a similar promise to us. Look at what Paul wrote in his letter to the Galatian churches...
"In the same way, 'Abraham believed God, so God declared him righteous because of his faith.' The real children of Abraham, then, are all those who put their faith in God.
What's more, the Scriptures looked forward to this time when God would accept the Gentiles, too, on the basis of their faith. God promised this good news to Abraham long ago when he said, 'All nations will be blessed through you.' And so it is: All who put their faith in Christ share the same blessing Abraham received because of his faith." (Galatians 3:6-9)
And all of this is possible because we serve a God who is Almighty. A Father who is bigger than any other. A Creator who can follow through on His promises.The question we need to ask ourselves is what father are we following? Is it the Father who is Almighty or the other father of this world. Listen to what Jesus said about this...
"If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but he sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don't you believe me? He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God." (John 8:42-47)
The father we listen to will determine the path we follow. If we listen to the Almighty Father He will keep His promises to bless us. If we listen to the father of lies, he will lie to us and leave us empty-handed in the end without anything. The question is, what voice are you listening to?
Satan's promises sound great, but what is behind the lie? If you have believed his lies before you know the routine. Temporary pleasure but eventual disappointment. Short-term fulfullment with long-term emptiness.
When the father of lies tries to pursuade you, close your ears and walk away. Then turn your ears to the Almighty Father and listen to the One who keeps His promises to every generation.
shine!
Jason
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