When I requested to be liturgist I usually prepare by prayer and study of the liturgy and especially
the Bible readings. While I was preparing for last Sunday's service as liturgist I discovered that the old
testament reading was from Genesis 22:1-14.
This is, in my opinion, one of the most difficult
to understand stories in the Bible. How and why would a loving God ask
one of his children to sacrifice their own son. Not only was Isaac the
son of Abraham.
He was the only son of Abraham.
Through the years I have occasionally wondered about this passage of scripture. I even wondered
if this was somehow erroneously placed in the Bible.
The utter and complete shock of
this passage when I first read it after giving my life to Christ,
nearly sent me running.
Also James 1:13 says, "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot
be tempted with evil, neither does he tempt any man."
Alas, the lord saw my confusion and
bewilderment and, once again, sent along a very inspired teacher of the
word to shed light on this scripture.
One of the first things I discovere about
this passage is that God did not command Abraham to kill his son in
order to see if Abraham was obedient to him. God gave this command to
Abraham so that Abraham could see what was in his own heart.
I have experienced this in my own life
during a variety of crises that I have experienced. I will admit that I
did not always do as well as Abraham but occasionally I did do well. A
few times I even amazed myself.
Sometimes God Gives us a look inside
ourselves so we can see what is there and either chage it or emulate it.
Another thing I discovered about this
passage is that it is a type and shadow of God giving his only begotten
son, Jesus, on the cross to die for us. There are literally hundreds of
these in the old testament.
A "type and shadow," simply put, is an analogy.
I have heard it said that God wanted
Abraham to be willing to give his only son because in the future God
was going to be willing to give his only son.
A third thing I saw in the passage is that
God wanted Abraham to see that he was the provider of all things. In
the end of the story Abraham calls the place where this all happened
Jehovah Jireh which means "The Lord will provide." I think that
God was showing that he himself would provide a Savior for us. No more
do we need to make burnt offering sacrifices as they did in the old
testament but we have forever a living sacrifice, Jesus Christ,
who gave himself up to death to forever defeat death, hell and the
grave and he is alive now making intercession for us before the thone
of God.
I hope this will shed some light on that difficult
teaching. I have always enjoyed so much our scripture readings during
the worship service. It provides a wonderful backdrop to the rest of
the service. It is truly a joy to be a part of this loving church. May
God bless each of you in a special way.
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An Email From God
To: YOU
Date: TODAY
From: GOD
Subject: YOURSELF
Reference: LIFE
This is God. Today I will be handling all of your problems for you. I do not need your help. So, have a nice day. I love you.
P.S. And, remember...
If life happens to deliver a situation to you that
you cannot handle, do Not attempt to resolve it yourself! Kindly put it
in the SFGTD (Something for God to Do) box. I will get to it in MY
TIME. All situations will be resolved, but in my time, not yours.
Once the matter is placed into the box do not hold
onto it by worrying about it. Instead focus on all the wonderful
things that are present in your life now. Should you decide to send
this to a friend; Thank you.
You may have touched their life in ways you will never know!
Now, have a nice day.
-God
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You don't stop laughing
because you grow old. You grow old because you stop laughing!
**********************
At Sunday school they were teaching how God created
everything, including humans. Little Johnny seemed especially intent
when they told him how Eve was created out of Adam's rib.
Later in the week his mother noticed him lying down
as though he were ill. She asked, "Johnny, what is the matter?"
Little Johnny responded, "I have a pain in my side. I think I am going to have a wife.
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Turning Point
Needs Supplies
Turning
Point is in need of several items. Food items in short supply are:
canned fruit, canned vegetables, breakfast cereal, jelly/jam, juices
and peanut butter.
Personal care items in short supply are: bath soap, toothpaste, deoderant, disposable razors, and shapoo.
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