Abraham's Faith: A Calling-A Home-A Leap of Faith

Hebrews 11: 8-10

8. By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.

9. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him in the same.

10.  For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

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Abraham's Faith : A Calling

As we look at Abraham, it is very clear God, indeed, was calling him. The call, simply put, was from God where the LORD told him, "I want you to go to a place which you will receive at a later date."  Abraham was called to understand this as a call to receive this place as a his very own inheritance.  Little did he know just how great this inheritance would become; nevertheless, he started stepping one day at a time into the future. He did not even know where he was going, but he had faith in the Almighty. So, he "obeyed" God, and "he went."  WOW!!!!

Abraham's Faith Caused Him To Make A Home

Now, he did, indeed, make a home for his family and himself; however, he did not go like he was some kind of big shot.  He didn't lock himself into a bunch of things that were unnecessary, He made his home in a tent, as if he were some kind of traveling stranger in the land that would be his inheritance.  Faith journey's, that please God, are like that:: Abraham like faith journeys start simple and smartly start out small and unincumbered.

 Additionally, like Noah in our last blog, Abraham's faith made an impact on his children : Isaac, and Jacob bought into this inheritance that had not yet been seen, except through the eyes of faith. They took on, for themselves, the living in tents, the nomad life style, and the journey of their father Abraham. Great faith, which is a simple faith, is contagious for family members and they were blessed for it.  So, like Abraham, they too were NOT homeless, but they had a strong family, and they had a home.  This was a secondary blessing of being faith filled towards God.

Why Take Such a Leap of Faith?

All this begs the question stated above: Why" Why would they, or anyone for that matter, take such a leap of faith?  Why leave the comfort of a solid situation and abandon all that was known before? Why leave the security of their original place of being?  It's actually simple to answer: God called them plain and simple. They listened to the calling.  They decided to do what God said: AND here is a big one.  "They were looking for a city with foundations. The architect of this city, and the contractor of this city was no mere human being.  They knew, through the eyes of faith that this architect, and this builder was Almighty God Himself. Do you see? Where they were going was a place of inheritance like no other.

Christ Followers Respond In The 21st Century

We, as Christ Followers ALL are called by God.:  We are called to be alive in Christ ! We are called to not to get too comfortable with this world as our home. Yes, we also have a calling from our Creator:: God has designed us with gifts, and He gives us grace, to carry out our calling. The requirement is that we deny ourselves, we take up the Cross to follow Jesus. He calls us to turn from our sins towards Jesus, as LORD and Savior. He calls us to believe in Him and receive Him.  He calls us, with our gifts, and with His grace, to BE whatever He calls us to be.  He calls us to do whatever He calls each of us to do. He calls us to keep in step with the Holy Spirit's leadership. We, like Abraham are to understand, "this world is NOT our home. We are just a passing through."

WE are to obey, look forward to our inheritance, take one step at a time, one day at a time, as we live by faith, by the power of the Holy Spirit. We are called to disciple our own children, and include those we love. We are to do all we can to get them to embrace the inheritance that is ours. We are not to live like the world lives, but as God's chosen holy people who are set apart to abide in Christ Jesus and He in us. 

Our Being At Home

Like Abraham, we will be at home with our calling. Our calling will be second nature to us. We may hopefully start small, and K.I.S.S.  We are to Keep It Simple Saint. With our spouses, we will make our faith intergenerational. Being at home also  means that, just as we receive God's calling and as we take a leap of faith, we help our children, our grandchildren, and maybe our great grand children to be in Covenant with God and with their own calling. We are to carry God's Kingdom into the future.

Why?

The reason "Why?" for us is also simple : We are called to a place that has the most beautiful and strong foundations ever, and this glorious place is not made by human hands. This place's architect and contractor, or builder, is God.  By faith we know Jesus told us, "Don't let your hearts be troubled. Neither let them be afraid. You believe in God. Believe also in me. In my Father's house are many custom made dwellings.  If it were not so, I would never have told you about it. And I am going to prepare this place in order for me to come again to receive you to myself. I do this so that where I am you will also be."   Indeed, "Our citizenship is in Heaven.. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ," (Philippians 3:20)

Challenge:

Are you listening for your calling?

Are you obeying?

Are you at home with your calling?

Are you obeying God's call on your life?

Or are you going to sin and live by your own plan?

Have you "decided to follow Jesus?"

We have an advantage: Abraham didn't know where he was going.

WE KNOW WHERE GOD WANTS US TO GO!

Are you satisfied your citizenship is in Heaven?

Are you eagerly awaiting our Savior , The Lord Jesus?

Abraham continued until his last breath, and for you,

have you decided "There's no turning back."

Keep on Keeping on Sisters and Brothers. Keep on.

GOD Bless You

SoJourner