Sunday September 23, 2012
Topic: Greater Faith-Stop Laughing
Text: Genesis 18:1-15
What we find to be funny can be an indicator of our faith.
-There is one area in your life where you might be laughing because you find it hard to believe that God's promise in that area will actually happen.
- The very thing that we laugh at is the very thing that God wants to do most in our life. Ex: Sarah is laughing at what will profoundly define her life, her purpose
-laughing is overrated. God wants to do something else in your life that requires more of God and less of me
Stop laughing because.....
1. God's word is sure (v.10)
God didn't say "i'm thinking about coming back" but He said " I will surely return this time next year!"
-God has no need to exaggerate His word so when He gives He's word, that word is sure!!
- Question:
Do you believe ALL of the Word of God? Or do you just believe parts of it because you think part of it is too big for you?
- Evaluate everything by aligning it with the Word of God! Read what God says and pray for the POWER to execute it!
- You may not understand all of God's word, but because you know God the Father, you can trust that all God says is true!
2. God's timing is strategic (v.12)
waiting often times weakens our faith, but God's resolve has not been weakened.
- You begin to understand where you are in faith, until your mood changes but God does not rule based on our emotions.
-even if it's out of season, I'm the kind of God that will give you an April blessing in October. It's never late with God. Your dreams are still in place, your goals are still doable.
-Question:
Why does God have me waiting so long?
-For HIS GLORY!! When God answers prayers, He considers what will ultimately give Him the most glory, what will increase His influence in your life?How answering of the prayer will impact your whole life and the life of those that love you and know you. How saying YES to you will impact your friends, co-workers, everyone.
-By waiting, God is sticking to the plan. He sees what we cannot see. He has to make your past and future come together.
-All of the experiences we go through, the people in our life, is the perfect preparation for the future we cannot see!
3. God's power is sufficient (v14)
Don't focus on your ability, but focus on God's competence. Your ability cannot take your far but if you say "God whatever is Your will, let it be done"
Question:
Is there anything too hard for God?
The same God that put blue in the sky, the God that spins planets, holds stars, Is there anything too hard for Him? Our God can do anything!
- Though they laughed, God blessed them anyway. Because they laughed, God told them to name the son Isaac which means laughter. God got the last laugh.
-GOD IS ABLE!!!
'I know the plans I have for You, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plants to give you a hope and a future"- God
"Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, theLord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."- Isaiah 40:28-31
Yorkamazing <3
great words. i think i get what God is trying to tell me by this story over and over on one day. God is good. All the time
ReplyDeleteOver a year later, but God is still good! lol :)
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