(We pray you enjoy this new series on Identity by Pastor Shyju Mathew, Founder of Revive Nations Ministry. For Part One, click here. )
Despite our best-made plans, in this busy world, when we get distracted, we lose focus, and live a life for ourself. Our worldly gaze breeds a heart of familiarity with God.
When fear of God gets replaced by our to do list, we become a people without results, bearing the Name but not the reality of a child of God. In mercy, God will leave us to the god of our own making, until that death life drives us back into HIs loving arms.
Abraham struggled with pressures like us, facing marriage challenges. labour disputes, moving issues, problems with the family, even war. Yet Abraham ordered his generation in the ways of the Lord, and ushered in a system of faith which benefits believers still today.
How did he do this?
Abraham lived as a man of strategic intention, certain of his identity before God. His obedience in all the commands of God clearly showed his intent.
In Genesis 22: 1, we witness how God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac, as a burnt offering. Abraham didn’t drag his feet. Instead, the very next day:
Gen 22:3 Abraham got up early in the morning and got his donkey ready. He took two of his young men with him and his son Isaac. He cut wood for the burnt gift. And he went to the place where God told him to go.
Beloved, never be familiar with the living God. Learn the art of fearing the LORD. Trust and obey the God who loves you!
Abraham trusted and obeyed the Lord because he knew his faithful God.
Hebrews 11: 17 – 19 explains:
By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.
God’s response to Abraham’s 100% obedience has shaped history ever since:
I have promised by Myself, says the Lord, because you have done this and have not kept from Me your son, your only son, I will bring good to you. I will add many to the number of your children and all who come after them, like the stars of the heavens and the sand beside the sea. They will take over the cities of those who hate them. Good will come to all the nations of the earth by your children and their children’s children. Because you have obeyed My voice. I have a plan to raise up a nation that fears God. In whom can I place the seed? I will deposit this seed inside of you and then see if you are faithful. When God saw there was nothing that he would not give to God, then the Lord blessed the seed. (Gen 22:17)
Abraham’s inheritance continues even to this day, both by the Jews who claim Israel as their country and Abraham as their patriarch and by all of us, who are grafted in, through Christ, call Abraham the father of our faith. Millions upon millions call Abraham their father, Muslims, Jews and Christians alike, as the stars of the heavens and the sands beside the sea.
The Lord will always test you before He multiplies you. Like Abraham, the reward may affect a thousand generations!
Abraham got God’s promise of a son at age 75 and incredibly, the baby arrived at age 100! This is the child whom God asked for. Abraham, by truly knowing his God, said yes.
After the test, Abraham’s life became unparalleled in blessing, influence and favour from God.
To stay faithful, beloved, no apathy can be allowed. Persistence for the promise is always required. When, like Abraham, you obey your God, just watch how He pours out His blessing upon you!
We walk with God like Abraham when we understand our identity as His child. [tweet this]
As a student of life, we are required to know certain things, and to understand who we are, we have to understand whose we are, and to know our God.
Our Father gives us a name, an identity, and life in Christ. He also also gives boundaries and instructions essential to live a victorious life.
Knowing your spiritual inheritance, your spouse, yourself and your flesh is critical to navigating a faithful life before God.
Knowing your children, your legacy, and knowing the world around you, will help you understand how the wolves work, help you to be shrewd like the serpent and innocent like the doves.
Knowing the church, the stream where you are placed to grow, will help you grow as a powerful child of God.
As we learn and develop our identity, it is essential we remember every child of God is blessed with two supernatural gifts which the world will never have: God’s grace and His peace!
Rev 1: 5-6:
Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth
Where does this grace and peace come from? From the One Who was, and is and is to come:
Peace and grace is your reality as a child of God!
Regarding your past, peace and grace, child of God!
Regarding your present, peace and grace!
Regarding your future, enjoy His certain peace and grace!
Grace and peace to you from the past present and future, beloved child. The Lord who was in your past, is now in your present and already in your future!
I pray this day, you will rise up like Abraham and obey God, certain of Whose you are! You know the One who was and is and is to come, and are loved by this living God!
Trust God, obey Him, and get ready to disciple nations!
Be blessed by this powerful prayer by Revive Nations Founder, Pastor Shyju Mathew ! Beloved, be intentional!
Watch the video here.
No comments:
Post a Comment