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- Trusting leads to a life marked by God - Andrea Lennon
Welcome to episode seven in our journey through the life of Abraham! We are in Genesis 17. This week we will continue to see how God never forgets His promise. God is a promise maker and a promise keeper! Friend, we have a daily opportunity to be “all in” with God. What does “all-in” look like? God’s encounter with Abram in Genesis 17 provides a perfect example! Being “all in” leads to a life marked by God.
Between Genesis 16 and Genesis 17, fourteen years passed. Fourteen years of waiting, wondering and navigating. Fourteen years of hard. From Abram’s perspective, he was probably asking:
- Waiting: “What is God’s plan from here?”
- Wondering: “Did I blow it? Can Ishmael be the child of Promise?”
- Navigating: “How can I navigate the challenging dynamic of Sarah, Hagar, and Ishmael?”
Abram was 99 years old when God appeared to him once again and reconfirmed the covenant. God moved the process forward by giving Abram a sign of the covenant and changing Abram’s name to Abraham. This sign marked Abraham and his descendants as God’s chosen people. The outward sign of circumcision represented an inward change of heart.
Today we are going to see four inward changes that give proof to the outward sign.
Genesis 17: Four Inward Signs of Change
- Be Blameless: (Genesis 17:1-8) God’s heart has always been for blamelessness. This word communicates the call to be faultless before God. Abram had been anything but faultless before God. Like us, Abram blew it time and time again. God is ever faithful and continually reveals His character even in the midst of our sin and struggle. Genesis 17 is the first time God introduces Himself as El Shaddai: The Lord Almighty. God was reminding Abram of His sufficiency and mighty power to accomplish His promises according to His will and timetable. Let that truth sink in. We can be blameless not because of who we are or what we can do, but because of Who God is and what He can do. This was a “stake in the ground moment” between God and Abram. As a result, God changed Abram’s name to Abraham. Abram meant “high father.” Abraham meant “father of a multitude.”
- Be Committed: (Genesis 17:9-14) God shows His commitment to the covenant through a series of “I Will” statements.
God says I will:
- Make you very fruitful.
- Make Nations and Kings of you.
- Establish my covenant as an everlasting Covenant.
- I will give you the land.
In response, God told Abram to establish circumcision as a sign of the covenant. This sign would set Abraham and his descendants apart from all other people on the earth.
- Be Open: (Genesis 17:15-22) God goes on to share that Sarah’s name is going to change and that she will give birth to a son whose name will be Issac. Abraham laughs at this news. God promises that Isaac will be born within a year. Abraham asks if Ishmael can be part of the inheritance. God says yes, but in a different way. Abraham had to be open to God arranging and rearranging his life. The fulfillment of God’s Promise was quickly approaching. God was clear about Abraham’s life and legacy and how it would look. God’s “I will” made a way for Abraham’s “Yes, Lord!” How can we be open as God arranges and rearranges our lives and legacy? Do we trust that God is good and that His plan is good even when it doesn’t make sense?
- Be Obedient: (Genesis 17:23-27) On that very day, Abraham said, “Yes, Lord” through his actions. Abraham, Ishmael, and every male in his family/possession were circumcised. I can’t imagine the confusion among Abraham’s people as he told them what was about to happen. But God knew the importance of the circumcision process. God knew that Abraham and all his descendants (and there were lots!) needed an outward sign or a mark that reminded them of their inward inheritance or reality. That is what obedience does for us. It becomes an outward sign reminding us of our inward inheritance or reality. We are the people of God. We are marked with the righteousness of Jesus. As a result, we have the opportunity to daily respond in obedience and faith… even when it does not make sense. (Right-standing and Right-living)
Transforming Truth: Trusting God leads to a life that is marked by God. What would it look like for you to be marked by: blamelessness, commitment, openness, and obedience. These inward qualities lead to outward expressions that say, “Yes, Lord” on “this very day.”
I deeply believe that a life that is lived with God, to God, for God, and through God leads to a faith adventure that we can’t come up with or produce on our own. It is a life that is centered and focused on God’s unfolding story. God leads the way by having the plan and being a way maker. We surrender by saying, “Yes, Lord!” Sweet friend, is your “yes” on the table?
35 min - God Sees, Knows, and Cares for You - Andrea Lennon
I am noticing something about Abram’s journey that is helping me to process my journey. Abram had ups and downs. He had twists and turns. There were moments of clarity and deep faith. There were also moments of deep struggle and real doubt.
Can I be honest with you? (You know I always am!) There are days when my focus is clear. I have a clear vision of what God is doing in my life, and I am taking steps of faith. Then there are days, and you know where I am going with this one when my walk with God seems hard and confusing. On the hard and confusing days, I can’t figure out what God is doing at the moment and why I am doubting or struggling in my faith.
Seeing Abram navigate a similar type of journey with God is actually encouraging me to dig deeper into my faith and obedience. It is encouraging me to press on in the sanctification journey. There is something helpful about seeing heroes in the faith in the midst of their real struggles and doubts, yet knowing God protected them. I think that is one of the ways God brings purpose to the pain and meaning out of the mess. Our struggles and the struggles of others don’t have to debilitate us. Rather, the struggles and doubts can encourage us to press on as we keep trusting God. I want you to know that my heart is to love and serve God more and more. My passion is to have God-sized faith that believes even when I can’t see. How about you?
Friends, buckle up for today’s passage of Scripture. Genesis 16 reads like an episode of Desperate Housewives. In today’s passage, we are going to see that life is not easy. In fact, life is messy, and relationships are hard. People are difficult, and stories are broken. In the middle of our broken lives, we can know we have been seen by the One who sees. Not only that, we can see Him in the middle of our pain. When we understand this truth, our lives are no longer defined by our mess. Instead, our lives are defined by our God.
Key Points from Genesis 16
- We live in a broken world. (Genesis 16:1-6) Sometime later, Sarah went to Abram with an idea. Since Sarah could not get pregnant, she wanted to give her maidservant to Abram as a wife so that a line of legacy could be built through the maidservant. Sadly, Abram agreed to the plan. Enter Hagar into the story. In Old Testament times, it was not uncommon for men to have multiple wives and for the primary wife to have helpers or slaves. At this point in the story, Hagar had been with Sarah and Abram since their time in Egypt. Immediately trouble surfaced between the women. That should not surprise us because this plan was sinful from the beginning. Abram and Sarah turned to a worldly mindset and tried to control God instead of trusting in God and His plan. Abram and Sarah were in trouble the moment they stopped believing God for the promised son. This led to three outcomes:
- Hagar despised Sarah: Hagar looked at Sarah as insignificant or of small worth. (Genesis 16:4)
- Sarah mistreated Hagar: Sarah afflicted or oppressed Hagar. (Genesis 16:6)
- Abram withdrew from the place of leadership: Abraham gave control of the situation to Sarah by saying, “Your servant is in your hands” (Genesis 16:6)
All of us know what it is like to deal with sin in our lives and the lives of others. Sin is serious and always carries consequences. Sin is any wrong thought, action, or reaction.
- God Sees us in our brokenness. (Genesis 16:7-12) Sarah’s mistreatment led Hagar to the desert to escape the abuse. Most likely, Hagar was trying to go back to Egypt. In the desert, next to a spring of water, an angel of the Lord appeared to Hagar. The setting for the conversation is significant. The original Hebrew word for spring denotes the function of the eye. Specifically sight, appearance, and presence. The water in the spring provides a visual picture of God seeing Hagar, God speaking truth to Hagar, and Hagar reflecting the truth in her challenging circumstance. Two important things happen in this conversation. First, Hagar’s name is spoken. (Genesis 16:8) Prior to this, in the original writing, Hagar was referred to as a servant, maidservant, or Egyptian. Hagar saw and experienced God’s tender care and concern. The angel told Hagar to go back to Sarah and submit to her. The angel was honest with Hagar and told her several important details about her life and the life of her son. From this, the second important thing is communicated. Hagar saw and experienced the honesty of God in the difficult moments of life. Hagar learned the following things from the angel:
- Hagar’s descendants would greatly increase.
- Hagar’s child was a son.
- Hagar was told to name her son Ishmael.
- Ishmael would be a “wild donkey," and his hand would be against everyone, and everyone’s hand would be against him.
- Ishmael would live in hostility toward all of his brothers.
- God speaks life and truth into the brokenness. (Genesis 16:13-15) Hagar was overwhelmed by this encounter. Hagar gave a name to God based on her experience, “You are the God who sees me, for she said, ‘I have now seen the One who sees me.’” (Genesis 16:13) She went on to name the spring of water Beer Lahai Roi, meaning, “Well that belongs to the Living One seeing me.” (Genesis 16:14)
- We have the opportunity to reflect truth to a broken world. (Genesis 17) Hagar returned to Abram’s house and bore a son named Ishmael. 13 years later, the Lord once again appeared to Abram and reconfirmed the covenant. (Son, Descendants, and Land) God told Abram to circumcise his entire household as a sign of the Promise. (It is in this encounter, God officially changed the name of Abraham and Sarah.) God promised to bring a son through Sarah. God would bless Sarah as the mother of nations. Abram asked about Ishmael, and God promised to bless him too, but Isaac would be the son of God’s Promise. (Genesis 17)
Transforming Truth: God Sees, Knows, and Cares for You. The story of Hagar is hard. It honestly breaks my heart. It shows the price of sin and how sin never stays contained. In our most important relationships in life, we must be diligent in protecting our lives from sin. We need to build in accountability for the weak moments and have people in our lives who are willing to tell us what we need to hear, not necessarily what we want to hear.
Still… redemption is ever on the heart and mind of God. He is the ONE who sees. He is the constant in the mess and the storm. Today, in the middle of our brokenness and pain, do we believe God sees us? Can we sit by the spring of water which is the Spring of Life… Jesus?
Jesus sees us in our brokenness and pain. He is willing and able to meet us in the mess and give us a message. He is willing and able to take our pain and create purpose. That, my friend, is who God is, and that is the type of life He offers.
Full.
Free.
Abundant.
Truth-filled
Redeemed.
36 min - God is sure, steady, and able - Andrea Lennon
Abram was plugging along with life and trusting God for a child. This child would lead to a nation that would lead to the Messiah. Waiting is hard! Honestly, it stinks. Our faith is tested in the waiting process as well as our desires. What do we really want out of life?
I am sure Abram had highs and lows, just like us. He probably wondered if he blew it and disqualified himself. He probably wondered if God had really spoken to him. He probably questioned so many things. Can you relate? When you are in a season of waiting, what rises up in you? For me, it is questions and doubts, second-guessing and constant wondering.
That is why today’s Scripture means so much to me. I have studied Genesis 15 a number of times. I have always focused on the details of the covenant process and what it meant for Abram, and what it means for us. Today, my heart is in a much more tender place. As I pour over this passage of Scripture, a lump forms in my throat. My heart beats a little faster. I see God loving, reassuring, and reminding Abram that everything is going to be OK. I wonder if you need to hear that truth today? Do you need to know that God sees you, and everything is going to be OK?
In Genesis 15, we are going to learn that Abram is struggling to trust God in two areas: land and legacy. These are two important themes that run throughout the Old Testament.
Land: God was promising to provide the Promised Land. The Promised Land would be a prime spot of land providing a place for the Nation of Israel to live. In this passage, God is going to enter into covenant with Abram securing the land for Abram’s descendants.
Legacy: The Promise of God to Abram had always been for a descendent. This descendant would provide the line for the Messiah. In this passage, God is going to further clarify the Promise.
Genesis 15:1-19
Key Points from Genesis 15:1-19
- God is our Shield and our Reward: (Vs. 1) I love that God initiates this encounter in Abram’s life and addresses an issue going on in Abram’s life. God is faithful to meet us at our greatest point of need!
- “Do not be Afraid”: The word “afraid” used in this passage can be used in two ways: In this case, it means “an emotional or intellectual anticipation of harm or danger, the sense of dread.” In a sense, God is saying, “Abram, do not dread the future.” Why should Abram embrace this word from the Lord?
- “I am your shield”: God reminded Abram where his safety was found. Abram’s safety was found in the One true God rather than his circumstances. We do not have to dread the future because God and His plan provide a shield of safety for us. We are told to take up the shield of faith. This is the belief that God is willing and able to save us no matter the situation we face.
- “Your Very Great Reward”: God proclaimed a powerful truth over Abram’s life. No amount of physical, tangible, or relational experiences would adequately take the place of God in Abram’s life. This truth served as a protection for Abram, and it serves as a protection for us. Before God confirmed the promise of land and legacy, God reminded about the beauty of His protection and His presence.
- God can handle our Honest Questions and Deep Doubts: (Vs. 2-3) Abram responded to the faithfulness of God with honest questions and deep doubts. Let that truth sink in. Abram was real in the midst of his journey. He didn’t have to clean himself up or get his act together. He simply needed to “be” in the presence of God. The question on Abram’s heart went to the heart of the Promise God had made. “What can you give me since I remain childless?” What is the question on your heart for God? Do you believe it is OK to be real before God and with others? Sometimes we can fall into the trap of believing we have to clean ourselves up or be the “good Christian Girl” in order for God to use us. What would it look like for us to get real in our walk with God? The getting real process actually fortifies us in our faith!
- Faith is Key to Victory: (Vs. 4-6) (Legacy) When we ask a question, are we ready to listen? I think that is something we don’t talk about enough. We can figure out the questions, but how often do we sit still long enough to listen for God’s reply? In the process, are we open to God correcting us by changing our viewpoint not only on the situation but also on the future? Abram was ready to listen. Getting real with God and ourselves prepares us for God’s way over our way. “Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.” Genesis 15:6 is one of the most profound verses in all of the Bible. The moment Abram believed, he said, “Yes!” to God’s way of living. Abram placed His faith or trust in God. Let’s talk about righteousness. I like to think of it like this: right-standing and right-living. Right-standing happens through salvation. We place our faith in Jesus, and His righteousness becomes our righteousness. Right-living happens through sanctification. We have the daily opportunity to demonstrate Jesus’ righteousness applied to our lives as we walk by faith.
- God Provides What We Need: (Vs. 7-19) (Land) God reminds Abram about the beginning of their relationship and the Promise of land. This conversation brings another honest question from Abram. “O Sovereign Lord, how can I now that I will gain possession of it?” God entered into covenant with Abram. This was a formal agreement that meant what God said would come to pass. The events recorded in Genesis 15 paints a picture of God’s chosen people coming out of Egypt and towards the Promised Land. God also promised Abram that he would die in peace. God provided Abram with everything he needed. God does the same for us. Through the New Covenant:
- God sent Jesus to secure our salvation. (Victory over the Grave)
- God sent the Holy Spirit to be our Guide. (Victory over Sin)
- God gave us His Word, so we know how to live. (Victory over Confusion)
- God gave us the Church, so we are not alone. (Victory over Isolation and loneliness)
How do we access the victory? We make Genesis 15:6 our proclamation of faith as we believe God.
Transforming Truth: God is sure, steady, and able even in the midst of our questions and doubts.
This week I want to encourage you to be honest about your questions and doubts. Bring them before the Lord along with an open heart to be encouraged and redirected. Let your belief in God define and redefine how you live. This week it is all about REAL, HONEST, DEEP faith. I can’t wait to talk about it with you!
35 min - Focusing on God leads to God-sized Moments - Andrea Lennon
Welcome to episode 4 on Trusting God! Each week I am learning more and more about Abram, Lot, God, and myself. Our world faces many of the same circumstances that Abram and Lot faced. We live in an unpredictable time, yet God is calling us to live by faith.
Our time on earth as believers in Jesus Christ falls into the following categories:
- Salvation: Coming to faith in Christ.
- Sanctification: Growing in our love relationship with Christ.
- Glorification: Going home to be with Christ.
As we focus on our purpose, Jesus is always at the center of our lives. In today’s passage, Lot was in big trouble. He had settled in the Plain of Jordan and got caught up in the ways of the world. The outcome was being captured by another king. Can you relate to Lot’s situation? Have you been distracted and, as a result, been caught up in someone else's battle? To me, this is the very definition of a scattered life. A life that is pushed and pulled by the circumstances going on around us. A life that is driven by the world and the ways of the world.
Meanwhile, Abram was in the place of rich communion with God at the trees of Mamre. Abram was living his life focused on God. Let’s pick up the story and see what we can learn about living a life focused on God as we put our trust in Him.
Key Points from Genesis 14:13-24
- Preparation Proceeds Blessing: (Vs. 13-16) Abram was prepared for war long before he went to war. Part of being God’s chosen people is knowing the enemy will attack. Abram took tangible steps to be ready for the day of battle. He formed strong alliances with people he trusted, and he trained his men for the day of battle. For us, the same approach helps us know how to prepare so we can live with focus.
- Community: Who are the people you trust? Who speaks truth into your life? Who can you rely on during the battle?
- Commitment: How do you train for the day of battle? What does it look like to put on the full armor of God so you can take your stand? (Ephesians 6:10-18)
- Belt of Truth
- Breastplate of Righteousness
- Gospel Shoes
- Shield of Faith
- Helmet of Salvation
- Sword of the Spirit
- Prayer
- Preparation Leads to Protection: (Vs. 17) God was with Abram. Abram defeated the King of Kedorlaomer and all who were allied with him. God honored Abram. This led to a meeting with the King of Sodom, who came out to meet Abram. The King of Sodom was going to tempt Abram to enter into a relationship with him, but God was making a way. Because Abram had been focused on God, Abram was ready.
- Preparation Results in a Clear Focus: (Vs. 18-20) Something significant happened in verses 18-20. The King of Salem came out to meet Abram. The origin of this King is debated. Some believe this is a pre-incarnate sighting of Jesus. (Also known as a theophany.) Others believe this is a King who represented Jesus. Either way, Abram had a God encounter that teaches us where to place our focus during the battle.
- Bread: The body of Christ (Broken)
- Wine: The blood of Christ (Poured out)
The message the King of Salem delivered was clear: Abram was blessed by God, and God alone delivered Abram. What a beautiful protection God extended to Abram. Lest Abram thought he was strong or good or capable or able, God planted truth firmly in Abram's heart through a blessing. “Your victory is in Me. I will always be the One who delivers you.” (paraphrase of Genesis 14:19-20)
Abram worshiped God by giving the King of Salem a tenth of his possessions. When we give to God, we communicate two things. Everything we have comes from God, and we trust God to supply our needs. In a world that says, “Store up and collect.” God says, “Trust me to provide.” We worship God by giving sacrificially to God even when we are unsure of our future.
- Preparation Builds our Resolve to Live for God: (Vs. 21-24) The King of Sodom reentered the picture and tried to strike up a deal with Abram. Since Abram’s victory led to possessions of people and goods, the King of Sodom suggested, “You keep the goods from the war, and you give me the people.” Because Abram was focused on God and had been in the place of worship, he was prepared for this moment. Abram did not compromise. He did not take his eyes off of God. Abram did not fall into the trap. Instead, Abram trusted God by positioning his life and legacy to be built for God and by God. Abram removed any other path that could lead to self-sufficiency or questioning who really made the way for Abram and God’s chosen people. This is the very picture of Salvation… Sanctification…Glorification
Transforming Truth: Focusing on God leads to God-sized Moments. Where is your focus during the battle? You can be battle-ready by focusing on two important steps: Building a God-honoring community and commitment to preparing for the day of battle?
I love you, and I am so glad to fight with you and for you for God’s glory in your life!
30 min - Trusting God leads to a rich communion with God - Andrea Lennon
Welcome to episode 3 in our Trusting God Series! We are well on our way in the study of Abraham. We have seen God-sized moments in Abram’s life, and we have seen him blow it. (I know all of us can relate to both!)
I want to pick up on a thought we introduced last week. During hard times, we will go the route of faith or fear. The route of trusting God or trusting Self.
This is what each path looks like in our lives:
- Fear leading to sin leading to Consequences.
- Faith leading to Righteousness leading to Victory.
Ultimately what will fuel our decision to embrace faith as we turn from fear is our trust in God. (His Character. His ability. His strength. His truth.) The all-important question is, “Do I trust God? Do I believe what the Bible says about God is true?”
Let’s transition to today’s passage. I love how Abram’s story unfolds!
4 Key Points from Genesis 13:1-18
Context: Abram left Egypt and headed back to the place of Promise. His actions and attitudes revealed a faith-filled heart instead of a fear-filled heart.
- Go Back to the Place of Worship (Vs. 1-4) Abram returned from Egypt, and he was a wealthy man. Let’s not miss the point that God used the storm of Egypt to position Abram for a strong future. God was making Abram into a Nation. (Remember, that was part of the Promise!) God was establishing Abram in every way. He was providing resources like livestock, silver, and gold. As always, God was creative in the way He provided. God was protecting the Promise while He was further established the Promise. It is important for us to remember that where God guides, He always provides! God used the storm of Egypt to shape Abram’s character, so He would be a man of wisdom and faith.
- Seek Peace and Pursue Peace (Vs 7-8) There is so much packed in these two verses of Scripture. We learn that quarreling broke out between Abram and Lot’s herdsmen. Once again, we see that Abram was in a pinch. How will he respond this time? Will he trust God or trust himself? Before we get to the answer, let’s take note of an important point… the statement about the Canaanites and Perizzites who were also living in the land. God was building Abram into a nation, a group of people who were God’s chosen possession. God planned for the Nation to be a Holy Nation that was set apart for God’s glory. The result? The Nation would display the difference God makes among a people. So the very fact that discord was happening among Abram and Lot’s herdsmen was a big problem. And the very fact that others were watching the discord was a big problem.
- Trust God with the outcome (Vs. 8-9). Abram recognized that he and Lot were brothers. As a result, there was no place for quarreling. Abram went to Lot and said, Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me or between your herdsmen and mine, for we are brothers.” Then Abram let Lot pick the direction he wanted to go. And Abram was content to go in a different direction.
- Keep your eyes focused on the Prize (Vs. 14-18). Lot chose the Plain of the Jordan, which was close to Sodom. Most likely, Lot had been longing for the things that were available in the Plains, which looked like Egypt. (Remember, Egypt represented the world!) What an important point that we should not miss. “Egypt” will always be tempting. Egypt will always look good, but it will always lead to destruction. We live in a fallen world that is wicked. Sin abounds, and only God can save us from us. Lot chooses wickedness, and that will come back to impact Lot and his family as the story unfolds.
Transforming Truth: Trusting God leads to a rich communion with God even in the midst of the wickedness of this world.
42 min - Hard times lead to a choice: Trusting God or Trusting Self? - Andrea Lennon
Welcome to the second episode in our trusting God series on the life of Abraham! As we walk through Abraham’s life, we will see what it looks like to trust God. We will also see what it looks like to blow it. (I know all of us can relate to both possibilities!)
Open your Bible to Genesis 12:10-20. In today’s passage, we find Abram in a pinch. Let that truth sink in! Abram faced trouble and hardship even while living in the promised blessing from God. If you are wondering what I mean by that, consider these facts!
- Abram was living in the land where had God led him.
- Abram was fully settled in the land. Scripture tells us Abram pitched his tent, which is the equivalent of us buying a home.
- Abram had built an altar and worshipped the Lord. In a sense, Abram had put his stake in the ground.
Abram and his family lived a pastoral or nomadic lifestyle. They lived in tents pitched in regions with adequate water and food supply. They moved based on the needs of their animals. Here is the important point! Abram had moved around in the land, but he had not left the land… until now.
4 Key Points from Genesis 12:10-20
- Trouble happens in the Place of Promise: Vs. 10
- Famine: God allowed famine at different times and for different reasons. Often it was seen as a judgment from God. However, most of the time, God used famine as a tool to help His people see their need for Him which led the people to repent and turn back to God. Famine is found throughout the Bible from Genesis to Revelation.
- Trouble: For today, let’s think of famine as “trouble or hard times.” We have trouble or hard times because we live in a fallen world that is plagued by sin. What do we need to know in the midst of trouble?
- Trouble does not surprise God.
- Trouble does not overwhelm God.
- Trouble does not negate God’s plan.
- In the midst of trouble, we can cling to Jesus’ words from John 16:33: “In this world you will have trouble, but take heart I have overcome the world.”
- Trouble Produces and Reveals:11-13
- Produces: Fear vs. Faith (bring up)
- Reveals: Sin vs. Righteousness (bring out)
- Two paths: Fear leading to Sin or Faith leading to Righteousness
- God Protects Us from Us: 14-16 God is always faithful to His Promise even when we are not. God is faithful to the promise when the people around us are not! When Abram gave Sarah to Pharaoh, he was giving up on the Promise of God to bless and provide a Nation through them. Even as Abram was giving up, God was preparing for victory. He was protecting and providing. This did not eliminate the consequences, but it did protect the Promise and the plan. Vs. 14-16
- Sin has consequences: In this passage, we see immediate consequences for Pharaoh, and we see the introduction of long-term consequences for Abram and Sarah. Hagar came into the story in these three verses of Scripture. Hagar will be an ongoing issue of strife between Abram and Sarah. Vs. 17-20
What is Trust? An assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something. As a result, a willingness exists to place confidence in that person or thing.
- Character: Who God is.
- Ability: What God can do.
- Strength: How God accomplishes tasks in our lives.
- Truth: God’s pure intentions along the way
Result: Confidence in God.
Transforming Truth: Hard times lead to a choice- Trusting God or Trusting Self? Trusting God leads to faith and righteousness. Trusting self leads to fear and sin. Remember, we have to live this out in “real-time” amid the pinch of life that we face.
Application: What belief about God do you need to renew so you can trust Him more? (His Character. His Ability. His Strength. His Truth.) Maybe you need to renew your mind about the troubling circumstances you face. Today can you see how your circumstance is providing a way for you to draw closer to God rather than push Him further away? Whatever it is, recognize the lie you are currently believing and replace it with the truth. Victory is ours in Jesus Christ! Visit Andrea’s website www.andrealennonministry.org to take advantage of additional free resources to help you know, live, and share the truth!
35 min - Transforming Truth: Trusting God
Hey sweet friend, I am excited to bring a nine-week study on the life of Abraham to you. This study was originally shared in my Girl on the Go with Andrea Lennon private facebook group. As we look at the life of Abraham, we can learn how to trust God.
Let’s start by talking about trusting God. Anyone else struggle with trusting God? I struggle with trusting God and have claimed the word “faith!” as my word for 2021. I want to expect big things from God and attempt big things for God. Along the way, I want to trust that God is in control and that His plan is good!
Let’s turn our attention to a man introduced in Genesis 11 as Abram, later known as Abraham. He was far from perfect, but his journey led him to trust God deeply. God had a plan for Abram’s life and that plan led to the blessing of every nation… a blessing that is available to us today!
In today’s podcast we discuss the following key points from Genesis 12:
- God Initiated an Encounter: “Leave your country, your people, and your Father’s household and go the land I will show you.” vs. 1
- God-Ordained a Promise: “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” vs. 2-3
- Abram Responded in Obedient Faith: “So Abram left, as the Lord had told him…and they set out for the land of Canaan and they arrived there.” vs. 4, 5
- Abram received a Certain Future: “At that time the Canaanites were in the land. The Lord appeared to Abram and said, ‘To your offspring, I will give this land. So he built an altar there to the Lord, who had appeared to him.” vs. 7
These key points lead to our Transforming Truth: “Trusting God is rooted in knowing who God is and how God faithfully works.” If you would like to join the conversation regarding trusting God, please join the Girl on the Go Private Facebook group here!
36 min - Bible Study Girl - Katie Orr & Andrea Lennon
This episode of Inspire On The Go is a bit different.
In this episode, Andrea is in the interviewee seat as Katie Orr, creator of the FOCUSed15 Bible study method and the Bible Study Hub, chats with her about all things bible study, ministry, family and more!
To learn more about Katie, or the Bible Study Hub, click here.
36 min - Inspire Breakout: Pursuing a God's Sized Vision Pt. 2 - Lori McDaniel
In the last Inspire Conference Breakout episode, Lori finishes her message from the 2021 Inspire Women's Conference.
She continues her discussion on what it takes to have a God-sized vision for your life and what it takes to embrace that!
We thank you for tuning in each week to hear from our breakout leaders from this year's Inspire Women's Conference. We are so looking forward to next and what God has in store! Be sure to keep tuning in as we return to Andrea's regular scheduled shows every other Monday.
To watch the video version of this show, click here.
To watch the entire Inspire Conference, click here.
38 min - Inspire Breakout: Pursuing a God's Sized Vision Pt. 1 - Lori McDaniel
Our Inspire Breakout sessions are quickly coming to a close! This week we bring you part one of Lori McDaniel's message from the 2021 Inspire Women's Conference.
In this episode, Lori begins to discuss what it takes to have a God-sized vision for your life and what it takes to embrace that!
To watch the video version of this show, click here.
To watch the entire Inspire Conference, click here.
44 min
About Arkansas Baptist Women Podcast
From the publisher's feed
Welcome to the Arkansas Baptist Women Podcast! Enjoy a podcast featuring Bible teaching, leadership development, and stories of transformation. This podcast is designed for women longing to grow in…
their faith as well as women serving in the local church!