Word in Five

We have a Saviour, Jesus who 'why's' for us! He knows the effects of sin and carries our grief. He has born our guilt. May we turn to him and put to death sin and recognise that sin and all of its ugly consequences has an end date, because Jesus has conquered!

How was King Jesus' prayer answered? He was welcomed into heaven and made King forever. He will defeat all of his enemies, including the last enemy, death! How we need to know the unfailing love of our God and remember that because of it, we cannot be shaken, because we are 'in Christ' who is unshakable!

Jesus' prayers are always answered - we pray in his name. What is his desire? That his church will be built throughout all the nations and peoples of the earth and that we will be kept safe to one day be with him and see his glory! Therefore we can pray big and confidently in Jesus' name.

The LORD teaches us to depend upon him and sometimes he does it by bringing people into our lives who might be quite difficult. Jesus shows us what it is like to depend upon hos heavenly Father and proves how trustworthy he is.

The LORD leads us and we follow him and then all of a sudden, it can seem like everything has gone wrong? What do we do? Often we can be tempted to think we must have made a mistake or taking a wrong term, but that is usually not the case. We are called to trust in his unfailing love which we see so clearly in the finished work of Jesus on the cross.

Jacob has 20 long years ahead where it might seem like the sun has set on his life, and yet the LORD comes to him and speaks such kind words to reassure him. We can be confident that Jesus will never leave us or forsake us.

God is so kind with Isaac who had been stubborn - he gave Isaac the opportunity to do the right thing with Jacob and he did. We have God who stays with us and will carry on to completion the good work he has begun in us.

What a story! God can draw a straight line with a crooked stick. He uses us in all of our weakness and even sin. What a warning to not be like Esau who despised Jesus. Thank God for Jesus he is the truth!

The end doesn't justify the means. Just because we have good intentions, we can't say it's OK to do things that are wrong to get there - even if we're desperate. It's better to say, "Lord I believe, help my unbelief" and to follow the always trusting example of Jesus.

Jesus will build his church and nothing will overcome it - not even the immovable object of Isaac who wants to give the blessing to evil Esau!

We should expect opposition as Christians, but remember Jesus has won. Jesus came knowing exactly what it was cost him and yet he willingly finished the work he had been given to do. It is finished!

We are always teaching others what we believe by how we behave! Let's be careful not to fall, especially if we have been on a bit of a high. May people see Jesus in us and be drawn to him.

God makes this amazing promise to Isaac at a tough time. We can totally depend upon all that he promises - Jesus did, even in the darkness of the cross.

How willl God work out his plan? We're called to trust him even when it seems so difficult. Let's not be like Esau who lived for pleasure now and rejected Jesus. Jesus looked ahead to the joy set before him and kept going, finishing the work he was given to do.

Isaac had a big obstacle - Rebekah couldn't have children - so he prayed, in line with what God had promised and he heard his prayer. Sadly Isaac drifted a bit as time went on and he challenges us to keep going in the LORD and church is a vital part of that.

God always does what he says he will do. Let's be confident in what he promises. Jesus is the Saviour from the Jews for the nations.

The death of Abraham isn't the end - he was gathered to his people - his soul with the LORD and his people for ever, awaiting a wonderful reunion with his body when Jesus returns. God blessed Isaac after Abraham dies - hope lives because Jesus lives!

Isaac loved Rebekah. It's so important that we serve one another in love. Jesus the Bridegroom knows us and loves us, as he showed when he met the woman in the well of Samaria!

Rebekah had the faith of Abraham and it showed in her character - willing to go the extra mile and to up and leave and be part of the 'Jesus' story. Thank God for Jesus who has gone the extra mile to rescue and save us. May we have the faith of Rebekah to step out and be part of Jesus' story.

Let's be people like Abraham's servant who can be trusted to get a job done - being willing to use the abilities God has given us prayerfully. Thank the LORD for the Servant, Jesus who finished the work he was given to do so that we can have peace with God.

Even in old age, Abraham keeps looking forward trusting the LORD, confident that he will save the world through his Son Jesus. Oh may we have the faith of Abraham whatever stage of life we are in.

Death is sad and it's right to grieve and mourn, but it doesn't have the final word. In Jesus we can look forward, like Abraham did, even in death.

Like Abraham we can trust the LORD to provide for us - he hasn't spared his only Son - we can trust him to provide all that we need!

The LORD tests us to grow our trust in him. We need to be like Abraham and stick to the stuff we know to be true, rather than speculating about 'maybes'. God did not withhold his only Son Jesus from us. How he loves us!

Prayer can be hard work - be prepared to wrestle for others in prayer. Be a friend who comforts others. In church, we are part of something bigger than our local church - may we see that and show Jesus off to the watching world.