What Are You Willing to Give Up?

PRAY OVER THIS

“By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, ‘In Isaac your seed shall be called.’” Hebrews 11:17-18

 

PONDER THIS

God is going to test your faith by asking you to do something that may surprise you. The test is often not in giving up wrong things and bad things, but in giving up good things. It would be relatively easy if God only asked us to give up bad things. Most of us don’t have trouble trying to give up lying, stealing, cheating, or pride to show that we love Him. But that’s not what God is asking. God had given Abraham a possession, a wonderful son. God had also given to Abraham a promise that He would make Abraham into a great nation. And that promise was going to come through the gift of Isaac. But now God seemed to be asking for all of it back.

Are you able to give your blessings back to God? The question is not if you are willing to give up your sins for God. Are you willing to give your blessings back to God? That’s what Abraham was asked to do.

How hard do you find it to give up good things God has given you?

Why is it important to be obedient when God asks you for something?

PRACTICE THIS

Take time to reflect on the good thing God might be calling you to give up. How will you respond?

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Not Every Sign is From God

PRAY OVER THIS

"But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great, to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, ‘This man is the great power of God.’” Acts 8:9-10

 

PONDER THIS

Don’t be deceived or dazzled by the power of false religion. It is real. Pharaoh’s magicians performed miracles when Moses performed miracles of God. As we think about counterfeit Christianity, it is important that we not be dazzled by it. If some magician, some soothsayer, some astrologer, some necromancer, or fortune-teller comes and does things that you cannot understand, don’t go trailing after him because you say, “Well, I know it’s real!” That is the point. It is real. That doesn’t mean to follow it; it means to flee from it. Just because there is a sign or a wonder, does not mean the thing is from God. We should always come back to the Scripture to see what it says about such signs and about how God reveals Himself. The things of God always point back to God.

What are some examples you know of signs or wonders that are not of God?

How can you seek to prepare yourself to know if things you see in the world are of God or not?

PRACTICE THIS

Spend time reading through Acts 8:9-25 to see the difference between the signs Simon performed and those of the apostles. Consider how this might help you discern the truth about signs you witness in the world.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers