The Greatest Father

The Greatest Father

The account of Abrahams life has always been a source of inspiration and awe for me. Have you ever thought about the story as it may apply to your life. The modern day church is not modeled on this kind of a life and certainly not focused on the dedication and principles behind and throughout this event in Abrahams life. 
At an age that most people would be hoping to retire and wind things down in life, Abram is given a promise from God. The one thing he has desired his whole life would be granted straight from God. A son would be born to him and his wife Sarah. God goes to the extent of changing Abrams name to Abraham and his wife is to be called Sarah, a blessed women.
Abraham has to wait again for God to provide what he has promised. Abrahams attempts to "help"god are disastrous and cause division in his family and conflict for his wife. Abraham continues to believe for Gods Promise even after this monumental mess up.
For 10 years Abraham and Sarah wait and then just as God had said his son Isaac is born. What a blessing and what a joy for them both. Abraham is 100 years old and still faithful and blessed. Years pass and one day God speaks to Abraham and says,"Take Isaac your Son who I gave to you as a blessing and as a promise and take him with you to sacrifice him". 
Can you even begin to imagine what was going through Abrahams mind. Abraham doesn't hesitate, he didn't waver, he simply acted in obedience to God request. He took his son and set out to 
make a sacrifice.
It is so easy to follow God and praise him when it benefits us, when we get something out of it BUT that's not actually the Gospel message. It has sadly become a "Christian misconception" peoples sit and judge and say if someone is going through a tough time, that they must have sin in their life. ****NEWS FLASH*** we all have sin in our lives. 
Equally errant is the concept that if I am successful somehow I am more blessed and favored by God then others.
Abraham was called by God "Faithful and Righteous" and he certainly had his share of suffering and trials. It was through the trials and suffering that he learned to trust God, (That's called growing your faith).
In todays world Isaac would be taken away and put in Children's Services and Abraham would be locked up for child abuse.
Living a life that pleases God is not about Prizes and Favor (sorry) It is about Worshiping God and being obedient to Him, no matter what is asked of us. Abraham, through his obedience and faith didn't just become the father of Isaac but became the father of a two nation and thousands of years latter that promise and those nations live on.

Abraham, Father of the year.
Happy Father's Day

Stephen Alexander

Who are you?

WHO ARE YOU? IT IS A SIMPLE ENOUGH QUESTION.

Can you answer the question in one paragraph, how about one sentence?
It sounds like a simple question, but the fact is that everyday it becomes more of a mystery to the world around us.

Most folks when asked this question respond by telling you what they do for employment. Ex. I'm a Chef, a Realtor, a Banker, a Welder, others explain their role in the family, I'm a Dad, Mom, Grand Father...

Think for a second about the general message our society is broadcasting to us and our children.

In short the message is," Money can solve all your problems. "

OK , I know you're thinking about alot of other things you or your kids hear and see on TV and in the movies, but I am talking about the bottom line.

For example you may hear "You need to look a certain way", it's OK if you don't look that way, you can buy those clothes, that look or the Dentist can give you those white teeth and you can buy that cool new car or that big house.

Here is the interesting part, their is nothing wrong with money. Money is a form of currency, it could be gold or sugar or oil, just about anything people put a value on.

The problem is people are creating their self image and basing their self worth on how much money they have and that is a serious problem.
Money becomes the most important thing in their life, it becomes the answer to all their problems and in effect takes the place of God.
God needs to be the most important person in your life and your relationship with Him needs to be the most important relationship in your life. You should be looking to God for all your answers.

If you are the leader of your family, you need to shut off CNN and the TV and the computer and you need to hear from God.
Even more important then your relationship with your wife or husband and children. God should always be in between you and everything else.
God must be first!

Psalm 119: vs. 105 says "Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path."

If we walk in the dark on a narrow path and we have our light behind us we are going to stumble and trip up and fall, because we will not see what is right in front of us, never mind what is coming at us from a distance.

Create a Spiritual Mirror to see yourself in.
A spiritual mirror is like an X-Ray, it sees through all the stuff on the outside and looks into your life, into your spirit to see what is going on, on the inside.

Proverbs 29:18a " Where there is no vision, the people perish";

We need to see the plans that God has for us. This should be our Vision.
God wants to bless your life. He wants you to prosper and succeed. He wants you to know how much He loves you. He wants you to know how awesome you are and all the wonders He has planned for your life. See your life through Gods eyes and you will see the power of God alive and working in your life. Then when you are asked , who are you? You can answer with confidence,

"I am a child of God!"