The Bible Collection: Abraham

Strength as you Rest in God

Jesus said, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

We are not sent out to plow the field without Jesus. And how is it when we plow with Him? Easy and light for the soul. God wants us to grow strong in spirit, for that is when we will see His hand.

Jesus slept in the boat while the disciples cried to Him, "We are perishing!" "But He said to them, "Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?" Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.

This is the Jesus we labor with. We are indeed called to watch and pray with Him, and it is in this manner, easy and light. Zechariah 4:6 - Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the LORD of hosts.

You cannot run your engine without oil. Oil is a spiritual reminder that it is not our might and strength, but God's Spirit. God did not create the world with great strain and effort, but by faith and His spoken word, in the presence of the brooding of His spirit. We must learn to dwell in that brooding place of His spirit.

Let me use Moses, a humble man God had to work faith into. It appears he didn't have confidence in Himself, and for the first 3 plagues God told Moses, "Tell Aaron to stretch out his hand." But then the next 4 times God told Moses to stretch out his own hand. This lesson grew confidence in Moses so much so that when Israel came to the Red Sea with Pharoah's army in pursuit, "Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace." And the LORD said to Moses, "Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward. But lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea" (Exodus 14:13-16).

Listen to the Lord's words, just like the words of Jesus in the boat: "Why do you cry to Me? Lift up your rod and stretch out your hand" because God is going to stretch out His own in your faith.

The secret is faith. Faith is very special. Not all prayer is the same: "The prayer of faith will heal the sick." Faith is being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see; and now Moses was sure! Now Abraham though waiting patiently was sure. Now David before Goliath was sure. Now Peter before the lame man was sure: "Then Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk" (Acts 3:6).

Yes faith, and the secret is in Who we do have. Abide in Him today. It is the first thing He has called us to do. God bless you.

Recently, a woman shared with me that she had a dream that she opened an old Bible and it was full of money, like fifty dollar bills and checks and colorful money too. That next morning at church she saw an old Bible that looked like the one in her dream. She opened it and inside was a bookmark that read "Wherever you open your Bible, you find treasure there."

He is not here, He has risen. Death could not hold Him down! He lives, so that we may live! Happy #ResurrectionSunday !

Jacob, in Christian culture over the years, had quite a bad reputation about him. Not many look on him too favorably. But I think that's a mischaracterization. I think a negative opinion would be being too hard on Jacob. We have all made past mistakes, and humility finds soil to immerge from if tended to. And here's how it went for Jacob:

Jacob had already got his enhungered brother Esau to sell the birthright for a bowl of soup; and then by deceit (aided and encouraged by his mom) he stole his brother's blessing from a blind father. She believed Jacob was the rightful son to receive that blessing, for the Lord had spoken to her in her pregnancy that she would have twins, and that the older would serve the younger.
Only, Isaac favored Esau. I think she thought she should help God's intentions and plans to happen, which turns into a mess (much like Sarah trying to help God's promise. Just as when we once thought our own plans and ambitions would bring us gain, we find doing things our own way doesn't end the way we imagine).
Everything went downhill: Esau was so angry, he planned he would kill his brother once dad passed away - so Jacob fled across the Jordan River to safety. Jacob found a rock for a pillow, and while he slept he dreamed of angels ascending and descending from Heaven; and there he made a promise in his heart to serve God.

For the first few years, life was good, until his father-in-law painfully deceived him. Now he was the one taking the blow of being the one deceived; yet God gave evidence that He had not forgotten him, speaking to him numerous times through dreams. After 20 years, and family's growing, Jacob was "greatly afraid and distressed" when he heard his brother Esau was on his way to meet with him. That very night, Jacob's heart was in serious turmoil: He wrestled with an angel, and wouldn't let go. He said, "I will not let you go unless you bless me." ... Was he still in agony all these years later? Was the blessing from the father he had deceived not legitimate? What are those thoughts we wonder from our past mistakes? God is the restorer. In that place, God blessed Jacob.

In facing his brother, he sent ahead many gifts of livestock. He bowed humbly, yet his brother ran to meet him, greeting him with a hug and kissed him: and they wept. The years of uncertainty ended in peace and brotherly love. "Love keeps no record of wrong." "Love covers over the multitude of mistakes." "He who covers over a matter seeks love." Of this Jacob, God later infamously states: "I am the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and Jacob."

Keep your heart humble before God. For even as He said, "Jacob have I loved", the same He says of hearts that enduringly draw near to Him. I hope this is a blessing to you. God bless.

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In the Jew's history book of Esther: on account of Haman, the king's advisor, a decree was issued that the Jews should be put to death. But his wife Esther (meaning Star) interceded before the King on behalf of her people, and found favor so that he issued a new decree giving them the right to fight in retaliation for their lives and freedom. And so they did, and with great victory, so that they gave gifts to one another in celebration. This is now one of the most joyous festivals in the Jewish calendar, known as Purim, where there is merrymaking and the giving of gifts to one another!

Yes, there is a wonderful parallel here for all humanity: that Christ Jesus has obtained a favorable decree from God! The KING has issued a new law for our freedom, that all may stand against the former and obtain life. It is because of this gift of life that we celebrate the gift of His. So, as you give gifts to one another this season, remember this is what the world is rejoicing. We truly have a reason to celebrate.

Merry Christmas!