Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today is January 8, 2009 and we are continuing our studies on the book of Genesis.

Today's Message: Praise God When Suffering. At one point in time we are all faced with trials and suffering regardless of whether or not we are a Christian. However, Christians have one of the best things going for them through their suffer, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ.

Today's Bible Reading: Genesis Chapters 22-24
You can click on the link above to read them online, if the link does not work you can copy and paste this one into your browser: biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2022-24&version=9

After 25 years of waiting for the promised son, God blessed Abraham and Sarah with Issac. Isaac was a young man when this final test came to test Abraham's faith. "And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of." (Genesis 22:1-2). A burnt offering sacrifice was always to be a male animal, was the best the offerer had, and was to be wholly consumed by fire. It was an expression of dedication to God.

Abraham knew that Isaac must live since God had said He would establish His Covenant with him, yet I am sure he was a little fearful as the command of God was to offer Isaac as a sacrifice, but obediently, Abraham followed God's command. "And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together. And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together. And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood." (22:6-9).

Abraham's many years of trusting in the Lord gave him faith in God. This is an amazing testimony of how Abraham's faith had grown over the years until he knew that God never makes a mistake and has a purpose for every command. "And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son." (22:10-13).

Through trials and suffering, the Lord develops our faith. He will not tempt us with anything that we can not handle and always provides us with a way out. "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." (I Corinthians 10:13).

When our desires are to please Him, God orders all the ways of our lives so that He may bless us and we may offer Him the worship He desires and deserves. Christians should not hesitate to give Him all the praise for everything, even difficulties in life. There is reason and purpose for every thing that goes on in our lives and the more we praise Him the more we not only become closer to Him, but are blessed.

Jesus Christ is Revealed: Jesus is revealed by Issaac who was offered as a sacrifice. Jesus willingly offered His life as a living sacrifice for all mankind.

Today's Psalm: 54:6
"I will freely sacrifice unto thee: I will praise thy name, O LORD; for it is good."

Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
I confess that there are times in my life when things seem to difficult to handle, but now I realize that you will never send anything before me that I can not get through. In fact, I know I can get through anything as long as I have You with me. Lord, I praise You for my difficulties, I praise You for my struggles, I praise You for every blessing and every bit of my suffering. I know that You are with me and that You will see me through every situation. In Jesus' name......Amen.

Enjoy the rest of your day/night!
God Bless,
Christina

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