Genesis 17:1-2
1 When Abram (Abraham) was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, "I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless. 2 I will confirm my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers."

I feel sure that Abraham had many questions after the LORD appeared to him.

Faith is often tested by delays and difficulties. When we fully recognize God as the Almighty God who is able and faithful to keep every promise in His Word, we will trust Him to keep us through all our difficulties to provide protection for us in every danger, to comfort us in all our troubles, to answer our prayers, and to supply our every need. How often in our life do our questions out number our answers: "Why have I been diagnosed with cancer? Why did my husband divorce me? Why did my child become a drug addict? Where did I grow wrong with my child? Why was my child born with handicaps? Why did I lose my job? Why can't I find work? Why me?" God didn't answer the questions Abraham may have had, and seldom does He answer our questions in the way we expect.


There are reasons why Christians suffer: [1] That we may share in the sufferings of Christ (I Pet. 3:14); [2] to make our lives more fruitful (John 15:2); [3] to cleanse us from worldly ways that we may be partakers of His holiness (Heb. 3:10).

Proverbs 3:11-12

11 My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, 12 because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father [a] the son he delights in.

Jesus is very concerned about us and He wants us to do more than participate in good works, he wants us to believe in Him. he wants us to come up higher and be "like" him. When we are being obedient to God, we are doing just that: knowing Him, loving Him, and having a personal, intimate relationship with Him. to do this, we must be attentive to God's laws. This is not an option, because you can't have an intimate relationship with Jesus and trample on the words He taught. Being obedient God is not the same as sticking to the speed limit because you get a fine if you disobey. Obedience to God is living God's Word because you want to and enjoy being filled with the love of Jesus.

We must believe in Jesus, and have faith in Him, and we must trust him! Calling ourselves a Christian on its own won't do. Following the commandments step wise won't do. Reading the Bible diligently won't do. We must believe that Jesus was sent to die for our sins and accept him in to our hearts as our LORD!

Listen, Israel! The LORD our God is the only true God! So love the LORD your God with all your heart, soul, and strength. Deuteronomy 6:4-5

1. God loves us and wants us to love God.
2. God wants us to keep Gods word in our hearts.
3. We are more to obey Gods word if we know it by heart.
4. Knowing Gods word by heart helps us make right choices.
5. God gives us the freedom to choose to obey God or disobey God.
6. Obeying God leads to a full life, but disobeying God takes life from us.

Memorize Gods laws and tell them to your children over and over again. Talk about them all the time, whether you're at home, walking along the road, going to bed at night, or getting up in the morning.

Write down copies and tie them to your wrists to help you obey them. Write these laws on the door frames of your homes. I challenge you to keep a daily journal and record your thoughts, good or bad.

The Word

What a great God we serve. Sin carries a heavy penalty - eternal separation from a holy God. The Bible has a name for that - it is hell. But here comes the amazing good news. "Yet God, with kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when He freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed His life, shedding His blood." This year we need to be dedicated to sharing the gospel.