Faith or Foolishness (Part 1)

Faith is like a lighted lamp, which guides you

through the darkest night.

This is the 217^th letter:

Text for the day: Genesis 12:4-5

So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.

And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came.

Our Devotional

In the book of Genesis the world is first introduce to Abraham. As you take a look at his background, you find that he was one of the sons of Terah's. (Genesis 11:26, 27) “Although archaeology has revealed much concerning the times in which Abram lived, the great empires of the day form merely part of the background. The spotlight is on certain patriarchs and their families who attempted to keep alive the truth and knowledge about God. This is the great focus of Genesis: The stories, however sordid at times, center on those whom God entrusted with preserving the knowledge of Him in a world filled with idolatry, paganism, and all forms of superstition.” By Clifford R. Goldstein

There are many schools of thought to where Abram was born, but this writer holds to the Bible only. Stephen states in, “Acts 7:2-4 and compared with Genesis 12:1” that God first appeared to Abram in Ur of the Chaldeans, “This ancient city was located in southern Mesopotamia, near the Euphrates River (see The Tigris-Euphrates Valley), about 150 miles (240 kilometers) southeast of Babylon. Today, Ur finds itself in southern Iraq, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) northwest of the Kuwait border. It was here that God called him to go to the land He would show him.

But he didn't go right away. Instead, there was the stopping point in Haran, were he lived until his father, Terah, died. Abram like many of us are attached to our parents. When my wife and children started too travel with me to the missionary field, we always talked about while being away from home if something happened to our parents. My dad had long passed, but the concern of my mother and her mother and father was always there. Sad to say, they have all passed, but praise God we where back home to spend time with them before they passed. Although we have siblings and we love them. But if we travel now, the pull of being home if something happens, is not as great as when our parents were alive.

This was the same feelings that Abram had. Now it was after his father's death that he finally left for the Promised Land with his immediate family and Lot his brother’s son? There is a lesson here which we should never forget. Abram's family was involved in false worship and idolatry; yet, for quite a while he remained with them. What might we learn from this story about how we should relate to members of our own family who are not walking with the Lord? Firstly we should treat people how we want to be treated. Abram did not become so pious in his walk with God that he lost contact with those around him, especially his family. Secondly, sometimes in life our faith takes us through difficult roads, and it may seem foolish to the onlooker, “But keep you’re head up and press on, because, it is God that is leading you not men.”

Finally, the record goes on to say that Abram went on to become the inheritor of the holy trust. Many temptations came his way, but only in vain. He is known as faithful among the faithless, uncorrupted by the prevailing apostasy, because he steadfastly adhered to the worship of the one true God. "The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth." Psalm 145:18. He communicated His will to Abraham, and gave him a distinct knowledge of the requirements of His law and of the salvation that would come through Jesus. Today God wants to communicate His will to us like He communicated His will to Abram of Ur. Let us pray that we may hear His voice and be obedient to obey.

If you would like to put forth a comment to our series, send it to
TucciGardenMinistry@gmail.com, all comments will be viewed then posted.
If you don’t wish your comment to be posted just let us know.

This letter was written by Elder Kevin Santucci

Join us next time for another ray of sunshine from Garden Ministry when we shall look at, Faith or Foolishness (Part 2)

Song of the day

Click:

Ø Today is, “Straightening someone Faith day: Share this massage with someone new today.”

If possible, share with us your response.

Our Prayer for today:

Heavenly father, help us stay close to you today, even if our faith looks foolish to the on looker. Amen.

Prayer Request

Community / International Prayer

Bermuda:

Ø Can you remember Mr. Freeland Fisher in your prayers, he is sick in hospital.

Around the world:

Pakistan:

Ø People are holding hands with families in Pakistan, where a mine of methane gas explosion has 'killed 21 people' in Balochistan. The families are seeking your prayers.

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, who are the called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

Remember that the true meaning of ASAP: "Always Say a Prayer"

A person, who loves the Bible, will also love to pray, and a person who loves to pray will delight themselves in the Bible.

Share your prayer needs with our

network of intercessors. Send your

request to: 'TucciGardenMinistry@gmail.com'

Testimonies from our readers:

Bermuda:

I think these devotionals have been great.

S.E. DeRoza

Go to our side bar. You may find something for your health like: Immunotec and see how you can have better health. Or the latest Bible studies from Amazing Facts, with good music and many other things.

We are into our 92^nd week since starting Garden Ministry; why not send Garden Ministry your Testimony, remarks, or prayer request to http://gardenministry.blogspot.com/ .