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Abraham: Pioneer of the Faith
Louise and I just returned from a short trip to California and a chance to visit with over 100 wonderful friends who came to help celebrate and praise God for our 25 years of service. The program served a dual purpose: to celebrate the impact of LGFM during the past two-and-a-half decades; and to officially commission James and Whitney Steiner as our new partners in ministry.
We are so excited how God has prepared us to launch this ministry into the next twenty-five years. During the past 60 days God directed some of the founders of Promise Keepers and the President of the National Coalition of Men's Ministries to ask OCM to head up their marketing campaign for 2007. Many of the program models and discipleship teachings that have been created by OCM will be utilized throughout the nation to inspire men's ministries, churches, and para-ministry groups. We are both humbled and honored by the acceptance of our research and biblical insights.
In thinking about our ministry and personal goals and objectives it causes me to become more conscious of what it means to model a "Christ-like" life. I hope that I never believe that I've arrived but will continually allow God to refine and perfect my character. People like Chuck Swindoll, my pastor, and many of you reading this memo have etched into my life concepts of what it means to be a man of God.
Recently, I was studying some Swindoll's writings that dealt with qualities associated with great Bible characters. For the next few weeks I will explore some of the traits associated with these great men of God. Hopefully we can glean from these biblical leaders ideas that will inspire personal growth in all who read these messages.
Abraham was considered the Pioneer of the Faith. At the age of 75 he left everything that was familiar to him, and he and his wife started over! He demonstrated his great trust in God by moving into uncharted territory with only one guarantee in hand - that God would be with him.
Throughout his life, Abraham learned a lesson we would do well to learn: Following God doesn't have to be complicated. Neglecting to follow God is what complicates and destroys a life. Abraham's willingness to walk with God demonstrated that this was the way to be truly blessed.
From Gen. 13-14 we can find four characteristics of Abraham that we could adopt into our lives:
- Abraham was genuinely unselfish. He was a very rich man; however, he acknowledged the source. His heart was right before God. He offered Canaan's choicest land to relatives. It was obvious to everyone who observed Abraham that others came first. Today we would say, "He had a servant's heart". Do you have a "servant's heart"? How often do you think of others before yourself?
Some noted theologians have stated that today's 30-40 year olds seem to be a generation of "entitlement" thinkers. They expect much, are not willing to work as hard as their parents did for it, and are not particularly grateful when they get it. Some would say that this generation sees life as "it's about me". We must remember Christ's example of serving others first. "He who wants to be first will be last".
- Abraham was willing to sacrifice himself for the sake of others. After Lot had moved to Sodom, a rebellion arose against the king of the region. When Abraham heard that Lot was in trouble, he could have reacted with indifference. But Abraham engaged the kings of the land and won victory over the enemies and didn't accept one thing for his efforts. When was the last time we did something big without expecting anything in return? Remember, TIME is the most precious gift we can give.
- Abraham acted out of pure motives. I believe this truth is displayed in the words, "I have raised my hand to the Lord… and have taken an oath" (14:22). His pure motives allowed him not to be tempted with the spoils of Sodom; he was able to stay true to his commitment to God. Let's not allow the slick operators of our day the opportunity to tempt us with worldly goals.
- Abraham demonstrated extraordinary restraint and power. Even though he could have forced his commitments on others, he chose to keep them between himself and his God. But in coming to terms with his own commitments, Abraham was openhanded enough to say, "look, it's my choice, but it may not be someone else's." And by making that choice, he let his life serve as an outstanding example to others.
St. Francis of Assisi said it best, "Go preach and when necessary use words."
Have a great week as we try and incorporate these qualities into our lives. Jim
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