The underlying story in the Old Testament is about God’s relationship with the “chosen people,” descendants of Abraham, who we call the Jews.

In the new testament Paul tells us how Jesus Christ impacted this and now the promises God made to Abraham and his heirs are also made to Christians, regardless of their ancestry.

Romans 4:13, “Clearly, God’s promise to give the whole earth to Abraham and his descendants was based not on his obedience to God’s law, but on a right relationship with God that comes by faith.”

Galatians 3:29 “And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you.”

Paul says in Romans 4:9, “Well, we have been saying that Abraham was counted as righteous by God because of his faith.”

In the same way we are made righteous, “right with God,” by our faith in Jesus. It is this faith that protects us, gives us hope in this life, and gives us eternal life afterward.

Dear Lord, Thank you for giving all of us the opportunity to be made right with you through faith in Jesus. Help us always keep in mind that it is this faith that saves us and leads us to do good. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

We know the story of Abraham following God’s direction in Genesis 22:2, “Take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much—and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.”

God had promised Abraham a son for many years and finally when he was one hundred years old, Abraham and Sarah had Isaac. Then in this verse, God tells Abraham to sacrifice the boy. We know how the story goes, Abraham obeyed God, and then God stopped him at the last minute. There are many messages we can get from this story about obedience and trust, but I think one additional message for us is that in our hearts and minds, we need to take that thing that is important to us and be prepared to put it on the altar.

If we really trust God we need to take our dreams and say “God this is what I really want, but I am giving it to you. What ever Your will is, I can accept it.” I believe that God puts our hopes and dreams in our hearts, and he will help us achieve them, but he wants us to keep our priorities in order.

Dear Lord, We submit our desires to you. If it is your will, help us achieve and realize our hopes and dreams, and if you have other plans, we thank you for that as well. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Mark 9:14-29 tells the story of Jesus casting a demon out of a boy who is possessed. Verses 22-24 begin with the boy’s father asking Jesus, “Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.” “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.” The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”

We all can get in this situation occasionally. “I believe, but help me overcome my unbelief.” We find ourselves in a difficult financial situation, legal problem, or a situation where there is just not enough time for things to work out, so we pray for God to help, but deep down we have doubts. In those times we need to remember that we don’t have to figure out how God will resolve it, we just need to believe he will.

I like the expression, “God can find a way even when we don’t see a way.”

Let’s all remember to put our belief in God’s power, and when we don’t see how things can turn out well, remember the words “help my unbelief.”

Dear Lord, We know you have all power. Help us truly believe this when it comes to our own situations, that you can find a way when we cannot see a way. in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

You may have heard the following joke before, but the message is worth hearing again.

A man is late for an important meeting and arrives at his destination to find the parking lot completely full. He drives around the parking lot looking for a place to park and cannot find one. He finally decides to ask God for help and prays, “Dear lord please help me find a parking spot, and I will go to church every Sunday.” Just as he says “Amen,” a car pulls out opening a parking space right in front of him. Then he says. “Never mind God, I found one myself.”

How often does something similar happen to us. It may not be us specifically asking for help, but we may be experiencing success in our life, or things are just going well. Do we stop and thank God for these things, or do we credit ourselves for our intelligence, discipline, business savvy, or skill with people?

We need to remember that God has provided all we have, and remember to give him the glory. This is also relevant to our country. It was very common in times past for our Government leaders to thank God for the prosperity and success of America, our country which has grown from essentially a 3rd world place 150 years ago, to the undisputed leading power and force in the world. We all need to make sure we remember to give God glory for what he has done with America, “one nation under God”

In the old testament, Moses told the Israelites before they entered the “Promised Land.” In Deuteronomy 8:14, “Do not become proud at that time and forget the Lord your God, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt.” then in verses 17-18 “He did all this so you would never say to yourself, ‘I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.’ Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath.”

Dear Lord, We thank you for the good things you have done in our lives, and we also thank you that you have given us challenges that make us stronger. Mostly we thank you that you have saved us, through Jesus Christ, and we have nothing to fear. You are always there for us. Help us remember to give You the glory for the success and joy in our lives. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

I think there are many people who were either brought up Christian, or had been practicing Christians, but went astray and got into activities and lifestyles that they know were wrong.

When they consider returning to practicing their faith, they don’t believe that they could be accepted back, because of the things they have done. Additionally, the devil, who is also called the “accuser of the brethren” in the Bible, puts thoughts of unworthiness in their minds.

Many, if not most, of the people God uses, to tell his story in the bible, had flawed characters in their past but became leaders and teachers of his message. From Abraham, who distrusted God’s promise for a child, and chose to have a child with a servant, to Jacob who deceived his father into giving him his brother’s inheritance, to David who had Bathsheba’s husband killed so he could marry her, to Paul who persecuted the Christians, and Peter who denied knowing Jesus, and many others; God used people like this to show future generations, like us, that no one is un-forgivable.

Paul writes in 1 Timothy 1:15-16, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.”

So if you feel un-forgivable, or you know someone who may feel this way, remember it only takes a moment to accept the gift of forgiveness God gave us through Jesus Christ.

Dear Lord, your grace is so amazing, that no one is beyond your love and the opportunity for forgiveness. Help us remember this for ourselves, and share the peace that comes from this knowledge, with others. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.