Our Pathway to Blessings

Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!”And he said, “Here I am.”2 Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” Genesis 22:1-2 (New King James Version)

Early in the Bible in the book of Genesis, there are life lessons that have the ability to shape who we are and what we can become. There are significant individuals in the Old Testament that bear witness to each of us on what can be done to find blessings that only God can provide. Abraham is one such individual that can serve as a marker for each of us during our walk with Him. In order to grasp the magnitude of the teachings exemplified through Abraham’s life we must understand and maintain the following truths:

• God is not a liar – we should be comforted in the fact that God always means what He says to us and says what He means. There are never any “gray” areas with God so we should take heart that He is true to His word. (Titus 1:2)

Has God not provided us with the Bible that recounts all the events He has manifested because of a people that were defiant? Does not the Bible recall the blessings bestowed upon those who have carried out His word?

• God does not overlook sin – we should give thanks to a God that does not look past committed sin, but instead convicts us of any unholy action we partake of; without conviction of our wrongdoing, we would never have the blessing of repentance that He uses to reclaim us. (Acts 17:30)

Has there ever been a time when you felt uneasy about a decision that you were about to make? Have you ever experienced confirmation of a decision that you felt was right? Could you have felt a spiritual nudging away from or towards a decision?

• God is compassionate, God is Love – without His love and mercy there would be no plan for our salvation or the opportunity of repentance. (1 John 4:8)

Have you had the blessing of being water baptized in Jesus precious name? Has there ever been a time when He spared you from a horrific accident, a major financial crisis, or experienced the miracle of healing for you or a loved one?

Therefore, what is the importance of these truths and how does it relate to the test that Abraham had to endure? Abraham always remembered that our God is a blessing God that will show favor on those who follow His divine direction. The path described to us in Genesis 22 is the path Abraham took without reservation allowing future followers to learn from his actions which includes:

1. Abraham realized blessings are on loan from God. Abraham did not lay claim to God’s blessings. God is the true owner of all blessings physical, physiological, or spiritual.

If asked to do something from an employer or a family member, how quickly would you act on the request? If God asked you to do something for Him, would you act on it without reservation or hesitate? Why is it sometimes so difficult to carry out a request from God, our Father in Heaven that ALWAYS has our best interest at heart?

2. Abraham heard God. It is as simple as that. The ability to listen for the voice of God is completely different from hearing God. We have to engage in order to listen to God, whereas hearing allows the distractions of the outside world to compete with the message given to us through Scripture, preaching, or spiritual “nudges”.

It is easy to be caught up with the idea that we heard God, but were we really listening? What can you do to drown out the distractions involved with hearing in order to listen to what God has to say to you personally?

3. Abraham was fully obedient to God’s word. When asked to go to Moriah, he went without question or hesitation. When asked to sacrifice the son God bestowed him, he made the necessary arrangements in faith.

Is there something God has asked you to do that you have done without reservation? Have you taken that first step towards His direction without being able to see the reason for the direction He is taking you? What can you do to allow your spirit to follow His direction without question or doubt?

Keeping these key points close to our hearts will give everyone of us, regardless of where we are in our walk with God, the opportunity to experience the blessings that only the Lord can provide. Should we choose to take our own direction we need only to reference Proverbs 14:12 to realize that it will only lead us to death and not life everlasting. By the same right, let us be prayerful that we will all experience the glory of the Lord by claiming upon family, friends, and enemies alike the blessings only He can bestow.

Neither let those who pass by them say, “The blessing of the LORD be upon you; We bless you in the name of the LORD!”(Psalm 129:8)

I've Got a Word!

Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint;but happy is he who keeps the law. Proverbs 29:18 (New King James Version)


Hundreds of years ago King Solomon observed that without a vision people perish. This fresh revelation or prophetic word from God keeps us on track. It gives us purpose. Without it we are in big trouble. Big time. If we are not tuned into God's purpose through His divine guidance we tend to run wild....as the above translation of Proverbs 29:18 puts it..."people cast off restraint." God's revelation clothes us for what is ahead, it prepares us for the good and the bad.

Years ago a song by Andrae Crouch was popular in churches across the world. The song was We Need To Hear From You.

The song asks an important question, "If we don't hear from you, what will we do?" I have good news - God is talking!

Ephesians 6:10-17 give us a blueprint for being ready for what is ahead as we engage the enemy and fulfill the purpose of God by hearing from Him.

There are six things we are to put on:

1. We must protect our loins with truth. It is critical that we be able to reproduce truth.
2. We must have on the breastplate of righteousness. Our hearts have to be guarded by right living.
3. Our feet need to be fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
4. Take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
5. Put on the helmet of salvation that protects our minds.
6. Take hold of the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. We must possess for ourselves God's Word. We must claim His Word for ourselves.

This last part of the armor of God is an offensive weapon to defeat the enemy. We will not have victory by sheer will alone. We have to have the sword. Take it up!

Here are four things God is saying to New Life Church in 2010 that we must make our own:

1. We must honor and protect our heritage. (Joshua 4:1-7, 2 Thessalonians 2:15, 2 Timothy 1:13)

Read the verses listed. What will you do in 2010 to protect the heritage God has given you? How can you actively "pass it on" by building memorials? What are some practical measures you will take to "stand fast" and "hold fast"?

2. Prayer must be a priority. (2 Chronicles 7:14, Acts 2:42, 3:1, 4:23-31, 12:5-18)

Take time to read through the listed verses. The catalyst for healing our land sits on the pews of the church. According to 2 Chronicles 7:14, how is this true? What is God calling you to forsake? What will you do this week to forsake it?

3. God expects us to be good stewards or managers of what He has given us. (Matthew 6:33)

How is Matthew 6:33 a recipe for good stewardship?

4. Evangelism is key in fulfilling God's vision for New Life Church. We must have a system and practice of sharing the message of the gospel. 2 Corinthians 5:18

The goal in evangelism: Every born again believer at New Life Church searching and reaching for someone to win to God in 2010.

God wants us to reconcile lost people. That means to bring them into proper relationship with Him. What are you going to do this week to "search and reach" for someone?