God tested Abraham with the one thing he treasured the most – his son Isaac. He asked him to give up the one thing that he waited his entire life for. Sometimes God will test us because it’s the only way to see what our faith will really produce. Abraham responded with immediate obedience. In the end, God saw Abraham’s faith and he stopped the execution. God never intended for Abraham to kill Isaac, but by asking him it was the only way He could prove it. I also believe that it was intended to “show” us a picture of what God was going to do for us – with Jesus.

Ten years had gone by since God first gave his promise to Abraham that he would be a great nation and have descendants and offspring. Still no sign of a child. What already seemed like a nearly improbably was becoming impossible. He was 85 years old and his wife was 75. How is it that what God told him wouldn't happen? He is defeated, discouraged and possibly in depression. That's when God has to remind Abraham of how big He is and how great He is. He takes him outside of his tent and tells him to look up - Gaze upon the stars. Look at what you can't explain and can't define. When he looked at something greater than what He wanted God to do - his faith grew.

Abram is blessed because he is obedient. Not only he but his nephew was also blessed through Abraham. He went with Abraham and because of that, he too was blessed. They walked in the favor of God. Then when their blessing had become a barrier in their relationship - Abram gave Lot the first choice of the land so they could separate. Lot chose the choice property leaving Abraham with the land that wasn't as desirable. Yet the favor of God was with Abraham and not the land. Because the promise wasn't about land, but about the man.

Parable of the talents is a metaphor for the sense of urgency we are to have with what God has entrusted us. Our ability is what God has given to us to use for His glory. We either work it or we sit on it (hide it).

Mary breaks and anoints Jesus with a VERY expensive perfume. What seems like a waste to some was actually Mary could do for Jesus. This came just a couple of months after Jesus had raised her brother Lazarus from the dead. When Mary considered what Jesus had done for her and her family, it was clear what she should do with her jar of perfume that she had been saving. It was the best way she could honor Jesus. In a similar way, when we offer back to God our faith in giving His Son's work - it honors Him. It's a reasonable act of worship in view of God's mercy - (Romans 12:1)

As people's faith grows, our sphere of influence grows as a church. The way we are going to reach thousands and give millions is if we all take a step of faith in the area of giving. Most people struggle to surrender their finances to God, but this is part of stretching our faith.

The idea is that it takes more faith to stay the course when you are in the middle of something and can't see the end, than to begin it. The hardest thing to do is let your faith lead you (walk by faith) when we can't see the provision or the plan. We need faith in God in the middle of moments when we can't understand what God is doing or why He's led us to this place.

We have seen God do miracles for us over the past year and God continues to be faithful to his church. This week we celebrate all that he has done.