Abraham, Isaac and Jacob!

For Saturday, November 1, 2025:

Hebrews 11:11 NLT: “It was by faith that Abraham was able to father a child, even though Sarah was barren and he was too old. They believed that God would keep his promise.”

The thinking was that the opportunity to start a family had passed them by. Abraham was far too old, and Sarah had been barren all her life. That’s when God told Abraham that the number of his descendants would be like the stars in the sky! Didn’t seem possible! But God’s word is always true. Their faith is being tested.

Impatience and second-guessing the Lord can result in missteps on a faith walk. Abraham and Sarah questioned God’s timetable. In their haste, it was decided that Abraham should father a child with Hagar, Sarah’s handmaiden. Problems arose when Hagar started acting like the primary wife, and so Sarah sent her away. But an angel told Hagar to return, and Ishmael, a wild man, was born. Abraham was 89 years old.

God restated his commitment to Abraham and Sarah’s family: “I will make a covenant with you, by which I will guarantee to give you countless descendants.” About a year later, Sarah gave birth to a son, Isaac. By now, Abraham was 100 years old. Imagine being a new dad at 100!

Sidebar: God also told Abraham, “I will give the entire land of Canaan, where you now live as a foreigner, to you and your descendants. It will be their possession forever, and I will be their God.” That’s why, to this day, Abraham’s descendants choose to live in Israel, explaining, “It’s our land – God gave it to us!”

Abraham, Isaac and eventually Jacob are the three patriarchs of world religion. Abraham and Sarah’s faith got them back on track, and God’s promises are always good! Remember, it’s our trust in God, our faith, that opens Heaven’s door to all believers!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

God's Way!

For Tuesday, November 28, 2023:

Romans 15:31a NLT, Paul speaking: “Pray that I will be rescued from those in Judea who refuse to obey God.”

From God’s point of view, there are only two groups: Those who are with him, and those who are against him. Mankind can have little disagreements about minor matters. But when it comes to God, you’re either in or out.

Paul experienced a personal call from Jesus on the road to Damascus, so he was “in.” Those who couldn’t go along with what Paul had learned were “out,” and Paul was praying for personal safety as he traveled throughout the region. This disagreement continues to this day, playing out in the Middle East, but it goes back to Genesis.

Abraham fathered two sons. The first, Ishmael, was from his wife’s servant Hagar. This is what happened when Abraham and Sarah lost faith in God’s timetable. Impatient, they took matters into their own hands, and the results weren’t pretty. Ishmael is thought of as the father of all Arab nations, including followers of Islam. Abraham’s second son, Isaac, was born from his wife Sarah. That was God’s original plan. Isaac followed his Jewish ancestors, which eventually led to Jesus and Christianity. If it’s not God’s way, it’s the wrong way!

These two groups have never gotten along, each believing that they’re right, each believing that they’re doing the Lord’s work, and it’s playing out right now in the conflict between Gaza and Israel. Like Paul, we should pray for personal safety. The war could rapidly escalate. We should pray for peace. Too many little children, babies and everyday people who want no part of the conflict have died. We know this matter will be settled when Jesus returns, so we can pray, “Come quickly, Lord Jesus!”

Have a safe and blessed day!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship