Abraham believed God; he trusted God – at least he said he did. Yet, did Abraham really believe God? Did Abraham genuinely trust God? He said that he had faith, but was it saving faith? We say that we believe God; that we trust God – at least we say we do. Yet, do we really believe God? Do we genuinely trust God? We say we have faith, but is it saving faith? Find out now.
James asked the question: What use is it . . . if someone says he has faith, but he has no works? He continued with a second question: Can that faith save him? Let’s make the sense of it a little more clear: Can “that kind of faith” save him? Allow me to offer an even more accurate translation: That kind of faith can’t save him, can it? Perhaps, it’s a good idea to determine the kind of faith we have.
Most of us have experienced at least one life-changing event, if not more, the kind of event that has hammered us for years and may still crush the spirit. If you are among those, there is hope in your hurt. Don’t miss this opportunity to find that hope. You may be moments away from cutting loose the past and enjoying the present.
Our treatment of others is to be based, not on external factors, but upon one factor and one factor only – a factor that James called the royal law. James presented this law as the ideal measure of Christian expression and action. Yet, is its practice to be considered as a realistic expectation? Let me think.
As long as Jacob had one more ace up his sleeve, one more rabbit to pull out of the hat, one more alternative to rely upon, he gritted his teeth and pulled up his boot straps. But at length he realized that the well had run dry. At last, Jacob, the trickster, ran out of tricks. When Jacob had nowhere to go but God then he finally started getting somewhere.
Verses 1 & 2 in Genesis 39 present a paradox. In verse 1 we are told that Joseph was sold for a second time as a slave, yet verse two tells us that Joseph became a successful man. Does that make sense? It seems that nothing had gone right and that things would get worse. Yet, Joseph became a successful man? How can that be? Let’s dig a little deeper, and brace yourself for success.
Jealousy is not the result of what we see wrong in someone else. Jealousy the result of what we see wrong ourselves. However, instead of facing up to our own deficiency, we cover the deficiency by belittling the one whom we actually perceive as having more on the ball than do we. Of course, we would never admit it! Is there a cure? Yes!
Genesis 36 deals entirely with Jacob’s brother, Esau also known as Edom. Yet, who cares about Esau? Why this great emphasis upon Edom? We have Abraham, the father of Israel as a nation. Jesus is traced back to Abraham and Jacob, not Esau. So, spending time in Genesis 36 has got to a waste of that time, right? To the contrary, Genesis 36 not only impacted the ancient world but the world in which we live today, even our own lives.
Esau might be referred to as a wild child of ancient Israel. Yet, God blessed him beyond measure. Think about this. If God blesses so abundantly those who are not believers, what is the magnitude of His blessing for those who are? If non-spiritual people experience such outpourings of God’s gifts, how great must the gifts be for believers! Get ready to be blessed.
Top cats and bottom dwellers. Bottom dweller is the default position, but top cat is a choice. Which will it be?