Encouragement
When Abraham was 75 yrs. of age, God basically said, "I'm not through with you yet!"
In Genesis 12, God told Abraham:
"Leave your country and I will make of you a great nation...
and I will make your name great and you shall be a blessing."
Abraham obeyed all the way and even at 100 yrs. of age...
he and Sarah were still seeing miracles of God come to pass.
They walked by faith and we must also, no matter what age...
or whatever God calls us to do.
This speaks to me for I'll be 79 tomorrow.
Abraham, as we must also, found that God's Promises are equal to His Presence!
'Streams in the Desert' devotional book on July 13th speaks to this kind of faith:
"God calls things which be, not as though they were. (Romans 4:17)
Abraham dared to believe God....even though it seemed impossible to leave his country and later at 100 yrs. of age, to have a child.
Yet God called him 'Father of many nations'....
BEFORE there was a sign of a child, so Abraham called himself 'a father'....
because God called him so!
That is faith - it is to believe and assert what God says!
Faith steps out on seeming void and finds the rock beneath.
Only say you have what God says you have....
and He will make good to you, all that you believe."
The words 'step out on faith by void and find a rock' brought back a memory for me.
One day in Korea, I was trying to get to some of the 20 churches that I was to minister to, as their missionary.
It was August (rainy season) and I was unable to get across the Naktong River.
I waited and soon some U. S. Army trucks came and forged the river with ease.
I followed the last truck and the water came up and my faith was almost replaced by fear.
But then I realized that the Army had built a crossing of rocks, unseen, but very real.
Crossing was then possible.
By His Words and Deeds, God has built for us (and beneath us) a firm path to follow.
Matthew 7:24-27 says that Jesus is our Rock Foundation for life.
This Abraham did at 90 yrs. of age and I hope to continue for as long as God wishes.
Whatever age we are...
it is time that we 'get off the perch of distrust and onto the wings of faith'.
I've claimed by faith God's Promises, Power and Presence.
Yet anxiety can enter in when the physical body encounters problems.
I read a quote this week by C.H. Spurgeon who lived only 58 yrs. (1834-92).
"Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows...
but only empties today of its strength."
I love Moses' last words to Joshua and the people.
"Thy shoes shall be iron and brass and as thy days, so shall thy strength be.
The Eternal God is your refuge and underneath are the Everlasting Arms of God....
and He shall thrust out the enemy before you." (Deut. 33:25-27)
Romans 4:18-21: "Abraham against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, 'So shall thy seed be' and being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body when he was about 100 yrs. old and that he and Sarah would have a child. He staggered at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God and being fully persuaded that what God had promised, He would perform."
Our key to faith is to know God personally by salvation in Christ...
through repentance and faith.
Then spend a lifetime learning the Promises...leaning on them....and living them.
This takes faith, but as long as God is The Giver and we willingly receive them...
the supply will never run out and we will be a blessing at whatever age!
CONCLUSION:
Therefore, this paper is for us...no matter what age.
It is about God's Faithfulness as our Promisor....
and our faith in the Promises as the people of God.
We may not understand a Promise...
but we should believe it as a little child jumping into the arms of his father.
In time, we WILL understand and be blessed...and will be a blessing.
Recently a good friend, Josie Hansel died.
She was a sweet Christian who sang of her faith.
She and her husband Jay were like family and would often join our Wiginton Reunions.
A song from one of Josie's CD's depicts her life and has ministered to us.
"Help me to do Your Will Lord, so I won't get in Your Way".
Josie (who would have been 60 yrs. of age on July 16th) left behind many lives that were touched/blessed by her, who in turn will be blessings to others!
So just remember, God is not through with you yet...
and will use you until He calls you 'Home'.
Believe God's Promises....stand on them and:
you will not fall,
you will not fail,
and a great future awaits you.
A hymn we learned early in our lives is:
"Standing on the Promises of God":
Standing on the promises of Christ my King,
Through eternal ages let His praises ring,
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing, standing,
Standing on the promises of God my Savior;
Standing, standing,
I’m standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises I now can see
Perfect, present cleansing in the blood for me;
Standing in the liberty where Christ makes free,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,
Bound to Him eternally by love’s strong cord,
Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises I cannot fall,
Listening every moment to the Spirit’s call
Resting in my Savior as my all in all,
Standing on the promises of God.
(R.Kelso Carter 1849-1928)
PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
The opinions expressed by authors do not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com. This is especially true with articles that
deal with personal healthcare and prophecy. We encourage the reader to make their own decision in consultation with God, His Word, and others as needed.
This article has been read 2406 times < Previous | Next >
Read more articles by Travis Wiginton or search for other articles by topic below.
This article has been read 2406 times < Previous | Next >
Search for articles on: (e.g. creation; holiness etc.)
Read more by clicking on a link:Free Reprints
Main Site Articles
Most Read Articles
Highly Acclaimed Challenge Articles.
New Release Christian Books for Free for a Simple Review.
NEW - Surprise Me With an Article - Click here for a random URL
God is Not Against You - He Came on an All Out Rescue Mission to Save You
...in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them... 2 Cor 5:19
Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Acts 13:38
LEARN & TRUST JESUS HERE
FaithWriters offers Christian reading material for Christian readers. We offer Christian articles, Christian fiction, Christian non-fiction, Christian Bible studies, Christian poems, Christian articles for sale, free use Christian articles, Christian living articles, New Covenant Christian Bible Studies, Christian magazine articles and new Christian articles. We write for Jesus about God, the Bible, salvation, prayer and the word of God.
Thomas