In my daily devotions I am going through the book of Genesis. I was impressed with Abraham's chief servant.
Here are some of the character traits I found in his life.
1) He was a trust worthy servant for the Bible says in Genesis 24:2 that he was in charge of all that Abraham had. This was no little thing because Abraham was wealthy and had much. Can others trust you with everything they have? Abraham found him trust worthy enough to go on an important mission for him which was to bring back a wife for Isaac. Also, believed him to be a man of his word. (Gen 24:9).
2) He believed in the God of Abraham and prayed to him for guidance in the matter of selecting a wife for Isaac. (Gen. 24:12) Do we asking the Lord's guidance in our daily life? He not only prayed, but was attentive to God's response to his prayer. (Gen 24:21) We do not only need to ask God's guidance, but we need to be sensitive and attentive to his answer or response. Sometimes we ask God something, but don't take the time to listen to what he has to say. How often do we talk to someone, but not really pay attention to what they are saying back? I know that I am often guilty of this. Sometime we do the same thing with God.
3) He was concerned about his master. (Gen. 24:12) Are you concerned about those you work for or who are over you? A believers we are not only to be faithful servants, but we should be genuinely concerned for the people we serve.
4) The servant thank the Lord for the answer to his prayer and worshiped God for his kindness and faithfulness. (Gen. 24:26) How much time do you spend in thanksgiving and worship of God for whom he is? We are often quick to ask, but neglect thanking God when he comes through for us.
5) The master would not let anything keep him from fulfilling his mission. (Gen. 24:54-56) He was focused and set on fulfilling his mission. He was in a hurry to complete his mission and didn't want anything to distract him from his duties. What mission or work that God has called you to? Don't let anything distract or hinder you from accomplishing God's purpose for you. I encourage you today to sharpen your focus.
What wonderful lessons we can learn from a man who didn't have the promise of being the father of a great nation. Yet, it didn't stop him from being a great man and a servant of God. As result he played an important role in the promise.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Walking in God's Promises
I am reading about the life of Abraham. God promised Abraham that he would make him a great nation and give him the land of Canaan (promises land). Yet, in order to obtain the promise he had to obey the word of God. He had to walk in the promise. He had to take practical steps to obtain the promise. The steps that the Lord ordained for him.
God commands him to leave his country, friends and family to go into the land of Canaan. (Gen. 12:1). Later on God showed him all the land that would be given to his offspring and God said, "Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you." (Gen. 13:17) Abraham did as the Lord commanded and for the rest of his life, he walked the length and breadth of the land of Canaan. It was a walk of faith. Abraham began walking in the promise of God. In a practical way, he was laying hold of the promise of God. Abraham did not see the fulfillment of the promise in his life. It was made to him, but for his offspring. Yet, I believe firmly that the promise would not have been realized if it hadn't been for Abraham's faith and obedience. Before the people of Israel entered the promise land, it had already been won through Abraham's faith and obedience.
What promises has God given you? What are some practical ways you can walk in the promise? Most of God's promises are conditional, and dependent on our faith and obedience. We can't just sit back and expect God to drop His promises into our laps. Get the mind of the Lord and take the first step, then the second and third. It may look impossible, but all things are possible with God to those whom believe.
Abraham was out numbered in the land. He didn't have any great army. He was only a nomad in the land herding his sheep and live stock. This didn't stop Abraham in believing God and taking hold of the land in his spirit by faith.
God commands him to leave his country, friends and family to go into the land of Canaan. (Gen. 12:1). Later on God showed him all the land that would be given to his offspring and God said, "Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you." (Gen. 13:17) Abraham did as the Lord commanded and for the rest of his life, he walked the length and breadth of the land of Canaan. It was a walk of faith. Abraham began walking in the promise of God. In a practical way, he was laying hold of the promise of God. Abraham did not see the fulfillment of the promise in his life. It was made to him, but for his offspring. Yet, I believe firmly that the promise would not have been realized if it hadn't been for Abraham's faith and obedience. Before the people of Israel entered the promise land, it had already been won through Abraham's faith and obedience.
What promises has God given you? What are some practical ways you can walk in the promise? Most of God's promises are conditional, and dependent on our faith and obedience. We can't just sit back and expect God to drop His promises into our laps. Get the mind of the Lord and take the first step, then the second and third. It may look impossible, but all things are possible with God to those whom believe.
Abraham was out numbered in the land. He didn't have any great army. He was only a nomad in the land herding his sheep and live stock. This didn't stop Abraham in believing God and taking hold of the land in his spirit by faith.
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