Mar 06

Sarah Gave Birth to Isaac

Biblical Women Comments Off

Genesis 21:1-6

 And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken. For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him. And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac. And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac being eight days old, as God had commanded him. And Abraham was an hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born unto him. And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me.

The Almighty God is a promise-keeper! If He has promised us something, even though it doesn’t come to pass right away, it sure will come to pass in God’s time. Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, “He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.” No man can find out the awesome work God does from the beginning to the end. Look at Genesis 21:1, it starts out saying “And the LORD visited Sarah as He had said and the LORD did unto Sarah as He had spoken”.

Sarah conceived and bare Abraham a son in his old age at the set time of which God spoke to Abraham. The set time is mentioned in Genesis 17:21 where it says, “But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.” When Abraham and Sarah had their son they both were well stricken in age. They had no hope in having a child at this age, yet God kept His promise and the promise came through at God’s appointed time. Abraham called his son Isaac just as God said (Genesis 17:19). Abraham kept the covenant between God and himself by circumcising his son Isaac when he was eight days old.

God truly made Sarah to laugh and rejoice just as Mary rejoiced in God her savior (Luke 1:46-47). See how beautifully Lord God blessed Abraham and Sarah in His time! Do you trust the Lord for everything and in everything? His promises to His children are all in the Word of God. If God said He will do it, He will! Put your whole-hearted trust in Him and do not entertain an iota of doubt. If it seems like an aeon has passed by and yet you are waiting on Him to see His promise fulfilled, just rejoice in Him, He will come through!

Next: Jehovah-jireh

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Jan 24

From Sarai to Sarah

Biblical Women Comments Off

Genesis 17:15-16

 And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be. And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of her.

God made a covenant with Abram and called him Abraham instead of Abram. The covenant that God established with Abraham was that God will make Abraham a father of many nations. God established His covenant with Abraham and his seed and promised to be a God unto Abraham and his seed. Also God said He will give unto Abraham and his seed the land wherein he is a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession. God said He will be their God. God also asked Abraham to His covenant and that every male child should be circumcised. Yes, the God of Abraham will be our God as well and He desires that our hearts be circumcised. Today He is our God through Jesus Christ. When we commune with God, He exposes any sin in our life and when we rend our hearts we shall be forgiven and made whole. The blood of Jesus cleanses our hearts and sets us free. We cannot free ourselves by our own deeds or by our own goodness but by Jesus Christ God’s only son are we set free. In Romans 2:29 Paul says, “But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.” What God desires of us is the circumcision of the heart, in the spirit!

At the same time that God established this covenant with Abraham, He promised to give a son unto Abraham through Sarah. Sarai, Abraham’s wife was called Sarah from that point forward. God promised to bless her and give Abraham a son through Sarah. Sarah was going to be a mother of nations and kings of people shall be born from her. Abraham was an hundred years old while Sarah was ninety. For Abraham and Sarah this looked impossible. But, with God all things are possible!

God is a God of all flesh and everything is possible for Him. Human mind cannot perceive, scientists cannot prove, doctors cannot understand but God is all powerful and can do what our feeble minds cannot figure out. He is the Creator of the Universe, the many galaxies, and many planets, asteroids, stars, meteors, comets within each galaxy are positioned in place and everything functions in its right order because the Creator is in control of these. He who controls the Universe is also in control of our body which is intricately made. No matter what, when God establishes a covenant, He keeps it! If today you are claiming a promise of God and that seems impossible to you, just believe and go forward with the promise of God. He keeps His promises. If you are facing a serious trial, know that He will walk you through your trial and provide His amazing grace by covering you under His protective wings. Psalm 91:4 says, “He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.” Amen!

Next: Sarah Gave Birth to Isaac

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Jan 02

Abraham and Lot

Living in Christ Comments Off

Here is a wonderful article on Abraham and Lot written by my sister-in-law Jessica Vasa. The Lord our God is full of mercy and His compassion is inexplicable. Read on!

 The story of Abraham and Lot is a very familiar one to most of us.  A story where Abraham pleads God for Lot’s life and God rescues Lot.  God and Abraham shared a very special relationship with each other, a relationship which is based on faith and trust and a simple relationship but with a powerful impact.  Genesis 18:17 says, “And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do”. It is indeed wonderful to see that Abraham enjoyed a transparent relationship with the Almighty God. When God revealed to Abraham through His angels that He intends to wipe out Sodom and Gomorrah, we see that Abraham responded wonderfully to God’s plan. Firstly, Abraham did not panic. Secondly, he did not plead or accompany the angels to Sodom and Gomorrah to save Lot or to advice Lot; instead he stayed back and pleaded with God, a God whom he trusted. 

 In Genesis 18:24-32, we see Abraham pleading God and asking Him if there were at least 50, 45, 40, 30, 20, or 10 righteous people would He still wipe out Sodom and Gomorrah.  God repeatedly assured Abraham that He will not wipe out. Abraham loved Lot so he pleaded God for Lot’s life.  Genesis 19:29 says, “And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when he overthrew the cities in the which Lot dwelt.”. We see that Lot and his daughters were saved because God honored Abraham’s prayer. Lot was saved from the catastrophe because of Abraham’s prayer and his faith in God. This statement instead of consoling us poses a lot of questions.  What would have happened to Lot if Abraham had not pleaded God for his life? Does God need a reminder before His wrath? Would someone perish because God was not reminded? These questions seem so heavy.

A very closer look brings the realization of the character of God. In Genesis 19 the passage reveals that when the angels came to Lot and asked him to leave with his family, Lot went to his sons-in-law and told them what the angels had revealed him. They thought he was joking.  When people around him did not believe Lot loses faith. His faith depended on people around him. Genesis 19:16 says, “Lot lingered”. Surprisingly, after all the prayers by Abraham to save him, after God’s assurance to Abraham, after seeing the angels at his door and striking the people outside blind; Lot hesitated and loitered.  As humans we tend to give up on Lot. In spite of all these God saved him. 

 Saving Lot that night under those circumstances would have been the greatest miracle for Lot in his life. But for us the manner in which He was saved means a lot and brings out the character of God very beautifully and answers the question “Was Abraham’s prayer a reminder to God about Lot, because of which Lot was saved?”  A single verse, Genesis 19:16 answers the question and it says, “And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.” While Lot lingered, the Lord however had pity on him; so the men took him, his wife, and his two daughters by the hand and led them out of the city. God had mercy on Lot and led them by hand to safety. Not only did He lead them out but waited till they reached a safe distance before destroying the city. He took care of every single detail of their exit from Sodom and Gomorrah. God honored Abraham’s prayer but it was not Abraham’s reminder to God. God saved Lot despite his weakness because He is God of mercy and compassion.

Even today we come across similar situations in our life. We hesitate to take steps forward, in spite of a clear calling, because of the people around us. But it is a great assurance that God has mercy on us and holds our hands and leads us through.

God chose Abraham, he honored Abraham’s prayer and Lot was rescued. He kept Abraham in mind while rescuing Lot. Today we are His chosen children and He honors our prayers too. Abraham prayed for Lot to be saved from fire. Today through Jesus Christ we can pray for eternal life for those around us. He keeps us in mind when we pray for others’ deliverance because He chose us and He honors our prayer in His time and according to His plan, the plan in which we are included and have a role to play. Amen!

Next: Greeting the Members in Christ

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Dec 08

The Shunammite Woman Blessed with a Son

Biblical Women, Miracles by Elisha Comments Off

II Kings 4:8-17

And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread. And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually. Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither. And it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the chamber, and lay there. And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. And when he had called her, she stood before him. And he said unto him, Say now unto her, Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care; what is to be done for thee? wouldest thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host? And she answered, I dwell among mine own people. And he said, What then is to be done for her? And Gehazi answered, Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old. And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door. And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid. And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of life.

Shunem is a small village located in the tribe of Issachar and it means two resting places. Shunem was between Carmel and Gilgal and Elisha frequently traveled between these two places. One day Elisha passed by Shunem where a rich woman lived and she constrained him to eat bread at her place. This is similar to Abraham entertaining angels by providing water, bread and meat to them (Genesis 18:1-15). The great men and women of God like Abraham, Lot, Lydia and the Shunammite chose to entertain strangers and unknowingly entertained angels, prophets and disciples of Jesus. Hebrews 13:2 says, “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” In doing so they received blessings so mighty that they would otherwise not have obtained. Elisha, as often as he passed by Shunem had bread at the Shunammite’s place. Elisha did not hesitate to stop by the woman’s place and eat some bread as she welcomed him well. She did not stop at just providing bread for Elisha.

She spoke to her husband of her desire to make a small chamber for Elisha so he could lodge in there and get some rest when he passed by Shunem. Proverbs 31:11 says, “The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.” Here we find a virtuous woman trusted by her husband. She just did not do whatever pleased her but she consulted her husband because she knew that it was the right thing to do. Her husband trusted her because she proved her trustworthiness to him. She perceived that Elisha is a holy man of God. God has given us a sound mind and when we seek wisdom from Him, He surely will provide it for us and this wisdom can help perceive what is according to God and what is not. Proverbs 2:6 says, “For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.” With God given wisdom, this woman was able to perceive that Elisha is a holy man of God who frequently passed by Shunem on his divine trips. She said, “Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.” She knew very well that Elisha was a simple man with godly sincerity (II Corinthians 1:12) and therefore sought to provide the simple comforts to him. She wanted to provide a bed to rest on, a table, a stool and a candlestick using which Elisha can study divine scriptures and meditate on the commandments and statutes of the Lord. When Elisha came by the next time, he was greatly pleased by this provision. Elisha was highly contented by this act of generosity that he desired to do something in return. When we enjoy the pleasant deeds of people, let us also choose to show our gratitude to them in simple ways possible.

Elisha summoned Gehazi, his servant so that he could call the Shunammite. She immediately responded and stood before the man of God. Elisha asked her what he could do for her because she has shown all this great care to him. He asked if she desires a favor from Elisha that needed him to speak to king or captain of the host. Her answer reflected that she was happy dwelling among her own people and was satisfied with her living. When the Shunammite left, Elisha further questioned his servant as to what could be done for her. He is trying to understand if Gehazi is aware of any need that the woman might be having. Gehazi instantly answered that she has no child and that her husband was old.

Although Shunammite badly needed a child, she did not mention it to Elisha because she had given up her hope. She sought the Kingdom of God and minded the things of God as it says in Matthew 6:33 “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Elisha called her yet again and she came and stood at the door. She standing at the door signifies her reverence to the man of God. Elisha said that about this season, according to the time of life she shall embrace a son. She cared for the divine things and is about to be added with something she held so dear to her heart for such a long time. Yes, we should seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all the things shall be added unto us. The Shunammite responded saying “Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid.” She could not believe that she would be having a son either because of her husband’s age or her lack of strength. This is similar to Sarah’s response when the angels said to Abraham (Genesis 18:12) “I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son”. Sarah laughed within herself because Abraham and Sarah were old. Genesis 18:14 says, “Is any thing too hard for the LORD?” Nothing is too hard for the Lord. What seems impossible for us is possible for the Lord by the Word of mouth. Surely enough, the Shunammite was blessed with a son as per Elisha’s words. This miracle for Shunammite woman is similar to the miracles in the lives of Abraham and Sarah (Isaac), Hannah and Elkanah (Samuel) and Manoah and his wife (Samson).

If you have a dire need today and you are struggling to find God’s purpose in your life with this bad need, just turn to the Lord and submit your request and simply keep seeking God’s kingdom and His righteousness, He will add unto you your desire. Do not lose hope or fret, simply hang on to His promises and believe that He will give you the desire of your heart. It might seem impossible based on circumstances but remember, the God you trust is a God of impossibilities. The Shunammite gave up all her hope and did not believe when Elisha gave her this word from God. Do not lose hope like the Shunammite, but simply believe. But mind the things that the Shunammite cared for, in providing for the man of God and be a virtuous woman like her and be respectful to your husband like she was. God visited the Shunammite through Elisha; God visited Abraham and Sarah through the angels; God visited Hannah and Elkanah at the House of prayer; God visited Manoah and his wife through an angel; God will visit you today like He did in the former days and He will grant you your heart’s desire in His time and in His way! Lord God is the same yesterday, today and forever. Trust the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; simply acknowledge Him in all your ways and He will direct your paths (Proverbs 3:5-6). Be blessed, oh child of God!

Tomorrow: The Death of the Shunammite’s Son

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Nov 15

Remember Lot’s Wife!

Biblical Women Comments Off

Luke 17:28-30, 32
Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. Remember Lot’s wife.

Genesis 19:26
But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt. 

During the days when Lot lived in Sodom with his family, the land of Sodom was filled with sins of all kinds. There was sexual immorality at its prominence alongside some strange sins and this grieved the heart of the Lord and His wrath waxed greatly. But Lot was one righteous man and he chose to live in Sodom among the heathen given away to diverse lusts. The angels of the Lord paid a special visitation to Lot to speak to him of the upcoming destruction and to save his family from the peril. Genesis 19:1 says, “The two angels arrived at Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city. When he saw them, he got up to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground.” Lot was at the gateway of the city waiting to perform a good deed or may be he was communing with God in a quiet place away from the city, while the rest of the Sodomites were involved in the common actions of today like drinking, buying, selling and planting. These two angles were among the three visitors (Genesis 18:2) that visited Abraham to reveal what the Lord God intended to do for Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham pleaded the angels to save Sodom and Gomorrah for ten righteous men in the city. Abraham was directly pleading for the sake of Lot and his family. We know very well that the prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Lot who paid his respects to the angels invited them to his home to be with them for he knew very well the sinful actions of the city and wanted to protect the angels from the evil men of Sodom. Lo and behold, the evil men did notice the angels resting in Lot’s house and wanted to commit the unpardonable sin with the angels. Little did they realize that the angels had the power of God to destroy them while saving the righteous men. Their eyes were so blinded and their hearts hardened that they could not differentiate the angels from themselves. This is the sorry state that has stricken our generation too. May we all bow down in humble adoration to God and plead for our own generation. The evil men were struck blind by the hand of God and Lot was rescued and so were his unmarried daughters.

Angels reasoned with Lot and explained him what God was going to do to Sodom and Gomorrah and asked him to bring all his relations into his house. Genesis 19:12 says, “And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place”. The angels wanted to save not only Lot but all who he desired to be saved. This shows their generosity to save but would the people of Sodom take advantage of this great a salvation? His own sons in law thought it a mockery and were not willing to be rescued. Hebrews 2:3 says, “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;” This saving grace is similar to that of Lord Jesus Christ’s. His salvation is so great and how can we escape if we neglect this great salvation. For negligence of such a wonderful gift will lead to destruction as it did to Sodomites and also the Noah’s generation except Noah and his family. It is the same today and will be alike when the Son of Man, Jesus Christ returns. The pleasures of the world pave the way for men and women to yield to the desires of the flesh and the end result is going to be disastrous for the Son of Man will soon return to take away the saved and destroy the sinful. The time is yet given unto us to accept Jesus Christ and to confess and repent of our sins which might be as red as scarlet for His forgiveness is unfathomable by us and has the power to cleanse us completely. Won’t you turn from the wicked ways and give your life to Jesus Christ?

The angels grabbed the hands of Lot, his wife and the hands of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city and said (Genesis 19:17), “Flee for your lives! Don’t look back, and don’t stop anywhere in the plain! Flee to the mountains or you will be swept away!” The angels’ instructions to flee for their lives, not to look back and not to stop anywhere in the plain were serious and they meant it for Lot and his family’s own good. God’s intentions and plans for us are always good and trustworthy. How can we pay a deaf ear to the Almighty’s instructions? Even at this point the angels were gracious and generous to Lot for they heard Lot’s requests and responded in Lot’s favor. But will all the four pay complete respect to the angels’ words?

In Genesis 19:26 we see one person’s negligence to the angels’ instructions and what befell her. “But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.” Lot’s wife did not either trust the words of the angels that Sodom and Gomorrah would be utterly destroyed or still had a longing for the temporal benefits of the land along the lines of losing their hard earned property. This lady had a longing for her earthly possessions that was greater than her longing to trust and obey the Lord. Many of us today are like Lot’s wife. Do we trust our Lord and obey Him? Do we believe that where He is leading us is the safest and the best place for us? Yesterday my cousin sent me a wonderful line and I would like to add it here for it is just right and fits our discussion. The will of God will never take you to where the Grace of God will not protect you.

 The Savior forewarns us in this generation of the sin of Lot’s wife. When we leave our past to follow the ways of the Lord, we are not to look back like Lot’s wife lest we become pillars of salt. The best response to Lord’s call is to move farther away from the passions of the world and not even to loiter like Lot and his family when they were summoned away from Sodom and Gomorrah by the angels sent by God. After forsaking our former lives affiliated with world we should not look back or grieve the dainties of life that are temporal that lead to destruction. The Master has already designed the best place for us and so may we yield to His desire and plan for us. May the Lord God help us to align our will with His and give us the strength to resist the traps of the enemy to pull us back into the world!

 Tomorrow: Vashti’s Refusal to Appear

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