Tag: ABRAHAM

Against All Hope

If the ups and downs of our lives were pinpoints on a graph, what would yours look like? Would it be one straight line going up? Or would it look like a mountain range with highs and lows? Throughout our lives, we encounter blessings, victories, trials, and hardships. But how are we remaining hopeful even in the lows of life?

Jesus told his disciples in John 16:33 “In this world, you will have trouble but take heart! I have overcome the World.”

So when you’re against all hope when it feels as if the odds are stacked against you. Ask yourself

  1. Will I still believe it anyways?
  2. Will I let anything stop me from believing?
  3. Will I always expect God to answer?

Abraham was “against all hope,” it says in Romans 4:18 “In Hope, he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told.”

Abraham hoped when there was no hope. The hope he had made no human sense, Abraham hoped when the facts were contrary to logic. They were both well past the age of childbearing but “Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age since she considered him faithful who had promised.” – Hebrews 11:11

They didn’t let what was contrary become the roadblock to their promise, they were against all hope but yet they still believed. What is it in your life that you’ve been believing for? Are you hoping against all hope?

Leave the Wilderness Changed

Like others, I have too had to adapt to this “quarantine” “Stay at Home” or “Lose Your Mind” kind of lifestyle. It’s like life halted all at once, because it has. Everything was comfortable, normal, we were in control of when and where we wanted to go and BAM! We were left with the economy spiraling downwards, millions of unemployment within three weeks and our lives would be changed. But for the better?

We ask ourselves, what was the point in all of this?

It’s like we have been scattered in a wilderness of isolation, desolate, uninhabited and deserted by others. Let’s face it, isolation is a wilderness!

But I want to point out that the “wilderness” is an invitation. How is that?

God may be shaking us, wanting us to re-prioritize our lives and re-align ourselves for the better. He may be showing you areas in your life where you need to repent, areas that you are lacking. For some, it is a hard thing to do. But it’s been done before.

The Israelites: When they were in their “wilderness” God provided; not for days ahead but each day He made provision. – Exodus 16

Hagar: When she fled into her “wilderness” a promise was revealed to her by an angel of the Lord about her son who was Ishmael. – Genesis 16

Jesus: After being baptized in water by John, Jesus was led into His “wilderness” where he was tempted for forty days and forty nights by the enemy, preparing Him for His ministry. – Matthew 4

The Wilderness is an invitation into dependence.

Sometimes invitations from God are not wrapped in a pretty bow. Most times it’s going to cause discomfort and loneliness. But remember that we never graduate from being dependent on God to being independent from God.

//QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF\\

WILL YOU ALLOW THE WILDERNESS TO HARDEN YOUR HEART?

OR ALLOW HIM TO CRUSH US, PRUNE US?

LEAVE THE WILDERNESS CHANGED!

Anything too hard for the Lord?

Have you ever thought that there was something too hard for God? Have you ever thought to yourself, “why am I even praying this prayer”? My hand is raised. I’ve been guilty of limiting the power of God in my life. Just think about it. You have an impossible situation in front of you and what is the first thought that comes to mind? Are we casting “that” in the sea and pursuing, believing for the impossible? Or are we casting that thought down and choosing to believe that it’s too hard?

What God is asking Jeremiah is the same question that He is asking you and I. Is there anything too hard for Him? Is there a family member, someone you may know of too far to save? What about the drug addict? too far gone to deliver? The diseased? Sickness is too far gone? Your situation too far gone that God cannot still show up and show off? Of course not, He is the same today and forever and hasn’t changed. The only one that has changed is YOU!

Our vision changes when we don’t believe in God for the impossibles.

Our Vision – Without the vision of seeing it come to pass, we will never walk into what He has for us. Do you have 20/20 vision?

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GENESIS 15:1-6 < A VISION IS GIVEN >

15 After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” 2 But Abram said, “O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 And Abram said, “Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir.” 4 And behold, the word of the Lord came to him: “This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir.” 5 And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 6 And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.

Abram was questioning God, “Offspring? I’m too old.”

When a vision is given by God, we need to nurture that vision. God has pregnated each one of us with a mission, His will in our lives. Even though it may sound strange or down right crazy. Will you believe the Lord?

GENESIS 17:15-19 < A PROMISE IS GIVEN >

Abram was ninety nine years old when God told him that he and Sarai would have a son. Genesis 17:15-19 . We learn in the previous chapter Sarai said to Abram " Behold now, the Lord has prevented me from bearing children. Genesis 16:1-6

“be careful of who you surround yourself with and what voice you listen to.”

We know by now that the Lord promised Abram a child. But he listened to his wife instead of waiting for the promise. What would you have done?

I have looked past over the years the friends and people that God has put in my life. Some have stayed but most have gone. Not on bad terms, we have just grown in different ways. It’s important to be around people with the same mindset, who not only cares just as much as you do for the vision that God has impregnated you with, but a friend who you can trust to give you Godly advice