The faith of Sarah

READ: Genesis 17:15-19

And so, after he had patiently endured, 

he obtained the promise Hebrews 6:15

Questioning God

How many of you question God after asking for a blessing? Your prayers teeter between belief and doubt simply because you cannot see it manifesting. So, how deep is your faith? If you teeter then you have the faith of Sarah.

When Abram was seventy-five years old, God made a promise to give him the land of caanan - “To your offspring I will give this land.”  God also changed Abrams name to Abraham – father of many nations.  At the age of ninety-nine years old, God made another promise - Abraham and his wife would have a son in their old age.  Both Abraham and Sarah laughed at God’s prophecy.

The faith of Sarah

Though Abraham laughed he also had a steadfast faith in God’s word. Abraham’s faith should be a model for us. Whenever hearing God’s voice Abraham entrusted Him for every promise, Abraham had great faith. He believed the Lord; he credited it to be righteousness (Genesis 15:6).

In contrast, Sarah’s faith was not very deep; she laughed and doubted God’s promise that she would birth a son at ninety years old! Many of us have Sarah faith.  God has promised you something – job, marriage, or a ministry. 

Through our carnal eyes we speculate as to how the blessing will come forth so we tend to take matters into our own hands.  Every possible job opportunity never materializes, each relationship fizzles out and there is no money to fund your ministry.  “It is impossible for God to do this!”

Doubting believers

We call ourselves believers yet we doubt God’s word. We have read the parables, heard of Jesus preaching, teaching, healing and casting out of demons yet we still doubt if God could perform these same supernatural encounters today.  Thus we have the faith of Sarah. 

At the time God spoke to Abraham (Genesis 12) Sarah doubted and question God’s promise. “It is no way I’m having a child so maybe he meant for Abraham to sleep with my maid servant”, Genesis 16:1-16. It was twenty years before God spoke the promise again about having a son.   

Waiting on God

Like many of us we take matters into our own hands.  Opposed to waiting on the Lord Sarah figured since she was seventy years old and had passed child bearing age, she would allow Abraham to sleep with her maid Hagar, so he could have a child. The son Ishmael was born. Contemplate this for a moment, what if Sarah had the same faith as Abraham and believed God’s promise could she have birthed a child earlier?

So often we forget that God’s ways are not our ways and his thoughts are not our thoughts. The word clearly states for a day in my court is like a thousand. How can we think like God the creator, who pinched the soil and made mountains,  gazed into the heavens placing each star in its place, spit into the dirt formed man in his own image and put man to sleep removing a rib to create woman. Do we still question and doubt God?

Focus on God’s word

What are praying for? What is your dream? What visions has God planted in your spirit? Do you question if it can come to life? Trusting in God’s word can change your situation instantly.  Jobs, finances, relationships, or whatever you are encountering right now trust in God’s word meditate and pray on it and it will come to pass.

Begin this day praying and focusing on God’s word.  Trust and believe in the word. If you so believe claim the victory in Christ today!  We can do all things through Christ that strengthens us, by his stripes we are healed, Lord show me your ways teach me your path and lead me to your truths and fill me with your wisdom.

Find scriptures and use them as affirmations as you wait upon the Lord. They become medicine for the soul while glorifying and honoring God.  God can do all things, so have the faith of Abraham not Sarah and watch God do a mighty thing in your life!

Prayer

Father, in the name of Jesus, I pray for complete healing and changing of the mind from any doubt fear and frustration.  Your word tells me that I can count on you if only I believe.  Help me to have the faith of Abraham and not of Sarah.  Strengthen my wisdom and understanding of your word.  There is nothing I cannot do as long as you are in it.  On this day Father I turn over to you all my doubts fears, and frustrations I place them on the altar.  I will begin a new resurrection in Christ. This is my prayer amen. 

The True Vine in a Dry season

Good vines bring forth good fruit

I am the vine, you are the branches: He that abides in me and me in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing. John 15:5

Dry seasons of life

For many seasons my life was stagnant. There was drought, No growth and no signs of relief - so it appeared.

 No matter the direction of choice, every road was a dead end. It was one disappointment after another followed by frustration and discuss. I searched for my purpose revisited my passion(s), and even questioned why I was here. For each inquiry was a negative response despite the fact the HOLY SPIRIT was speaking to me all along. Setbacks can cause a person to feel like a failure, especially when you loose connection with Christ which later leads to questioning God. As soon as uncertainty synchronizes in ones spirit, Christians (people) have a tendency to withdraw and detach from God.

Jesus the true vine

Jesus spoke of Himself as the ‘True Vine’ in John 15. If Jesus is really in our lives as the true vine only we can hold ourselves back from growth.
Sure a person can make a case that by their own doing life is progressing and increasing dividends. Please realize by excluding God in your plans you limit your potential growth! When storms come in your life you will not be able to withstand them alone. As a result of not having a direct link to the ‘true vine’ - Jesus Christ - you are doing nothing. Your personal growth and upward mobility will surely fall just as the man who built his house on sand; without a foundation it could not withstand the storms Luke 6:48-49.

Jesus Christ confirmed this by saying “If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” As a result of getting a ‘direct hook-up’ with Christ you have to abide in Him as well as His word.

 There is no doubt trials and tribulations will come again. But let it also be known, the closer we walk with Jesus, the more Satan attempts to tamper with our weaknesses. However by walking in faith God will see us through! Hallelujah!

Find your connection to the true vine; Christ will not lead us astray. ...If God be for us who can be against us?” Romans 9:31.

All Mighty and merciful Father,
Thank you for sending your Son Jesus the Christ allowing us the opportunity to be redeemed from all our sins and have a chance to receive eternal life! Thank you for being the True Vine the branch that can produce and reproduce goodness for eternity. Lord I pray asking that you will rally around all readers connecting them to your vine and enabling them to grow spiritually. Allow their branches to bear fruit: Fruits of love, compassion, honesty, faith, creativity and helpfulness. May each reader find their purpose and to be in your will. We can do all things through you Lord as long as we stay connected to you. May these words be received by you and may blessings fall upon all that read. These things I pray in Jesus Christ name, Amen.

Tigner Rand 

When God appears far away I questioned him

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?   Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? Psalms 22:1

Not too long ago I questioned my faith at every crossroad. Was the Holy Spirit with me or was I home alone. Though I professed my faith in Christ my mind played tricks on me. I questioned God. Lord my life does not make sense. Doubt found a small breech in my foundation of faithfulness. I wanted to give up.

When God appears far away

David was hand picked by God. He slayed Goliath, and was chosen the next heir to Saul. David was a man after God’s own heart. Despite all God’s bestowed blessings David encountered emotional despair.  Why Lord do you stand far off?  Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?  Psalms 10:1

Did God forsake me? No. Though it appeared that God was far from David as heaven is to earth he confirmed that God was still in control. In you our ancestors put their trust they trusted and you delivered them Psalms 22:4.

As the ocean tides ebb and flow I learned to trust in God’s word no matter how unstable a situation may appear. Every day is confirmation God has blessed me. When bad days rise God expects me to rely on my faith in Him. To dig through tribulation, trust in his word. As with David my valley is only temporary.

The paradigm shift

I focused on these steps as I developed my Spiritual relationship with Christ.  

+ Never-ending prayer [conversation]

+ Seeking to improve self spiritually

+Trusting more in every word

+In return God made his presence known through the Holy Spirit

Spirit over Flesh

When operating in the flesh I was frustrated and unable to maintain a clear mindset. As I leaned more on His word it was evident He never left me nor forsaken me. God was always present.

Don’t give up no matter how hard the journey. Trust more in God and express it through prayer and praise. Lift your eyes unto the hills from whence cometh your help Psalms 121.  In exchange God will fulfill his word by making the expedition just a bit easier. Keep the faith and allow God to complete his masterpiece which is you!

Let us pray:
Lord, in the name of Jesus I doubt that you are with me. I am questioning your love, joy and peace. Help me trust in your word. Remove my disbelief. Make your word clear so it will lead me in to trusting you more. Give me the strength not to give up and continue to grow into the warrior you created me to be. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. No weapons can form against me if I trust and obey your word.  Lord Bless every reader of your word. This I pray in your son Jesus Christ name. - Amen