Hidden (Krypto) Treasures

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Tag: Abraham believed God

Blessed in ALL things

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On July 7, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis chapter 24 verse 1 reads “And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things.” Abraham had requested God for one blessing – a child (Genesis 15:3) and when Abraham was willing to give back to the LORD God, the very blessing of a son, that he had been blessed with, God promised to bless and multiply him (Genesis 22:7). Now Abraham is old and well stricken in age and the proof of God’s promise is recorded in the life of Abraham. He was blessed not in one or two things, but in all things. Physically he had a child as he had requested but even more as he was blessed with prosperity (rich in livestock, Gold and silver and people, Genesis 13:2), and power (the sons of Heth recognized him as a mighty Prince, Genesis 23:6).

Yet such materialistic blessings of property and position falls incomplete if we are not blessed spiritually. Ephesians 1:3 states that all who believe in Jesus Christ, God’s Only begotten Son, and who have put their trust in him, are blessed by God the Father with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. Jesus, in whose mouth was found no deceit (1 Peter 1:22), the very personification of Truth (John 14:6), said, Abraham saw his day and rejoiced (John 8:56). Those who believe in Jesus are imputed (credited) God’s righteousness  (Romans 3:21-22; 2 Corinthians 5:21). Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness (Romans 4:3). In other words, Abraham was spiritually blessed. He was blessed in all things.

Points to ponder:
Often we mistake materialism and riches of this world for blessings of God and while it is absolutely a non-issue to be blessed in such, we are to seek to be spiritually blessed – imputed Christ’s righteousness by being redeemed by his blood, forgiven of our sins and given an inheritance as co-heirs with Christ Jesus himself (Ephesians 1:7-13). Are you blessed in all things? In other words, are you spiritually blessed i.e., have you believed and trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thus imputed God’s righteousness? Only then can you say that you have been blessed in ALL things.

Genesis 24:1 (KJV)
1 And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things.

Ephesians 1:7, 11 (KJV)
7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
…
11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.

 

The notion and reality of resurrection

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On April 17, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Yearly we celebrate Easter in memory and celebration of Jesus’ victory over death, but the plan of God’s power and control over death is not one that is evident only after the crucifixion and death of Jesus. In fact, the very notion of resurrection can be traced back to the very beginning of time – to the time of Abraham. When God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac, Abraham believed God and was willing to sacrifice his son, because he knew that God would be able to resurrect his son from the dead (Hebrews 11:19). We are made clear that Abraham had the notion of resurrection i.e., the power of God to raise from the dead, even before he set out to the place where he was going to sacrifice Isaac, for he said to the young men who traveled with him – wait here, while me and the lad (Isaac) go yonder to worship, and note how he does not say – “I” will go back to you, but instead he says “we” will come back to you. If Isaac was to be sacrificed and Abraham did not believe in God, he would not have seen the glimpse of God’s power over death.

Points to ponder:
God stops Abraham from sacrificing his son, which made resurrection a notion for Abraham, despite his tremendous faith and belief in God. God however, did not stop himself from sacrificing his only begotten Son, Jesus, for the sake of the world, and after three days, God raised him up from the dead, making resurrection no longer just a notion, but a reality. And Jesus said, that he is indeed the Resurrection and the Life, and if anyone believes in him, though s/he was dead, yet shall s/he live – that is life eternal. Resurrection from our spiritual death hinges upon our believing in Jesus Christ and that is not a mere notion, but a reality. Do you believe?

Genesis 22:5 (KJV)
5 And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.

Hebrews 11:17-19 (KJV)
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

Hesitating or Hastening to obey

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On April 7, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 22:3 records that when God tested Abraham by asking him to sacrifice his only son, whom he loved, Abraham rose up early in the morning and made the necessary preparations, taking his son to go to the place where God had told him to, to offer Isaac his son as a burnt offering. While this may seems so unbelievable to many, what makes this even more difficult to comprehend is that this account describes that Abraham rose up early in the morning to obey. We can only imagine if Abraham slept through the night or if he had a sleepless night, but if he had to rise up early, it is more likely that he did sleep that night. This could only mean that Abraham trusted God with even his son’s life.

Abraham did not hesitate to obey God but instead hastened (rose up early) to obey God.

Points to Ponder:
The timeliness of obedience is important. When God’s wants us to obey him, even if it means that we ought to sacrifice something, or someone, we love dearly, Are we hesitating or hastening to obey God? Like Abraham, let us rise up early to do what God commands us to do, believing and trusting in God.

Genesis 22:3 (KJV)
3 And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him.

Why Give? :: Righteousness expression

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On September 19, 2012

In Christian, Giving

Proverbs 21:26 states that the righteous give and do not hold back. The New Living Translation renders this verse as “the godly love to give”. In fact, giving itself is an expression of righteousness, because the one who gives without sparing believes in God to be the supplier of all their needs. Jesus said, “Give and it will be given back to you” (Luke 6:38). Abraham knew this and he was willing to give his son, his only son, Isaac, whom he loved, as a sacrifice to God, because he believed that God will give his son back to him, even if that meant, that God would raise Isaac from the dead (Hebrews 11:9). Abraham believed God (and gave without holding back) and it was accounted to him for righteousness (Galatians 3:6).

Points to ponder:
Are you willing to give your ALL without holding back? Let us give our everything to Jesus Christ and believe in him so that we are accounted righteous in God’s sight. The righteous give and spares not in anything.

Proverbs 21:26 (KJV)
26 He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.

Galatians 3:6 (KJV)
6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

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