Bible References:   Hebrews 11; 2 Chronicles 20:7; Isa. 41:8; James 2:3; Romans 4:9-25; Galations 3:6-9; James 2:20-24; Genesis 11:26; Joshua 24:2-3; Genesis 12:1-3   Abraham’s faith was not made under the law.   Our righteousness does not come from the great things we do.   (Romans 4:13) It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. Romans 4:16: Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. If Abraham had no faith then he wouldn’t have went as God directed and we wouldn’t have Israel or the Messiah as foretold in the Bible. Gal 3:6-9:   Consider the experience of Abraham; as the scripture says, He believed God, and because of his faith God accepted him as righteous. You

Bible references: Genesis 12:1-3; Job 1; Gal 4:21-31 Abraham:  Faithful.  Genesis 12:1-3.  Abraham was called by God to a land he didn't know.  Abraham wasn't perfect.  He made many mistakes and it took many years for him to get to the land God wanted him to go to.  But God made Abraham a promise - see Genesis 12:1-3 Joseph:  Honourable.  Joseph trusted and obeyed God through trials and temptations.  He learned to forgive those who had treated him badly. God used Joseph to save the known world at that time from famine.  Joseph was highly respected even in prison and then as Prime Minister in Egypt. Job: Righteous.  He loved God.  He wasn't perfect.  He made sacrifices on behalf of his children in case they had sinned.  But Job wasn't God and he couldn't make his children right with God.  Each person is accountable for their relationship with God. Are you in a place of bondage or freedom?  It's not about whether there is trouble in your life or

Bible References:   Matthew 5:13-16; 2 Chronicles 26:4-16; James 1:7 In the early Christian Church there were some noticeable practices: ·          Prayed for the Emperor ·          Prayed for the people around them ·          Sacrificed and helped the less fortunate – widows, orphans, poor, destitute ·          They witnessed to the world around them by their life and service to God. Today: ·          Christians are generally known for opposing abortion ·          Christians should be known more as those who love and care for orphans and seeing orphans adopted into loving families ·          Christians are to be imitators of God who has adopted us into his family ·          Take care of people and love them as God loves them ·          Christians need to be careful to live properly among unbelieving neighbouts ·          Christians should and could care for those in prisons and coming out of prisons by being there with them on release (having s

Bible References:   Isaiah 59:9-15; Genesis 39 (chapters 37 – end Genesis); Psalm 107:10-15; James 1:1-4 ·          Isaiah addressed the people as they were not living in truth ·          Like us Isaiah longs for and desires truth ·          We can feel guilty about our sins but it won’t change the fact we have sinned ·          We need to recognise and confess our sins ·          Sin is a result of turning our backs on the way God wants us to live, turning our backs on God Himself Example of Victorious life:   Joseph (Genesis) ·          People seemed to like Joseph and were drawn to him ·          Joseph was betrayed, sold and yet he ended up overseeing, being put in charge ·          Joseph was brazen about living with God in a land that didn’t serve God ·          Joseph wasn’t a whinger.   He didn’t get blessed from whinging.   ·          He commanded respect ·          He relied upon God ·          He didn’t give in to a negative attitude

Job 5:1-27 Do you know people you find wearying?   They incessantly 'share' stories of the personal wrongs done to them with anyone who will listen, and frankly, they become a burden. These people weary you, so you avoid them. Yes, I know that's not what Jesus would do. However, if we are truthful, it is what we do.   We all know others in far worse circumstances than these people - yet they who endure such circumstances are often the ones we delight to be around. Why?   Their lives exude joy! They encourage you, and you come away with a renewed sense of purpose, an uplifted spirit, and a smile.   Certainly, they're wounded, and they know it. But those who are a delight to be around even in the midst of their difficulties, don't bathe in that woundedness and others are drawn to them because of their joy. We cringe from the attitude of those who weary us and we're attracted to the attitude of those whom even in the trials of their own lives, encourage u