Not A Guessing Game #276

Romans 4:17-18

17    (as it is written, "A father of many nations have I made you") in the sight of Him whom he believed, even God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist.

18    In hope against hope he believed, in order that he might become a father of many nations, according to that which had been spoken, "So shall your descendants be."(NAS)

God’s will is that Abraham would be the father of many nations. He says, “I have made you.” Abraham responded in faith to that which was the will of God. Abraham believed “in order that he might become.” It was God’s will revealed to Him that he acted upon in faith.

When his faith became united with God’s will then God’s purpose was fulfilled. God has a purpose for all of us. When our faith becomes united with His will then His purpose is fulfilled. God is looking to your faith in order to fulfill His purpose in you. The great Bible teacher, Ron Dunn used to say: “Faith operates only within the boundaries of God’s will.”

In other words, without the knowledge of God’s will there can be no real faith.

We cannot ask in faith if we are guessing at the will of God.

Faith based upon our wishes, guesses or desires is nothing more than presumption. The prayer of faith is the prayer offered in the sure knowledge of God’s will; it is not shooting in the dark, or hoping we will be lucky and hit the target.

Faith is not man’s way of getting his own will done in heaven; it is God’s way of getting His will done on earth. We must understand that faith itself is a gift from God. It is not an emotion we stir up. It is not a way of thinking positively. It is not hoping real hard for something. Biblical Faith is a gift from God and He will not grant us faith to believe something that is contrary to His will.

When Abraham believed God that he would be the father of many nations, he was responding to God’s purpose and will. Faith enables us to cooperate with God’s will.

_________________Today's personal note from Dennis

Greetings from Starbucks in beautiful Tempe, AZ.

Thank you so much for sharing your emails with me. It means a lot to hear from you from time to time. I am so blessed with the growing readership of The Encourager. Weekly, new names are added and the message expands around the globe. 

God has answered my prayers and yours. I have asked many times that you pray for opportunities for Sandy and me to preach and teach God's word. Beginning in January Sandy will again teach a Young Mom's Bible study. The 14 week study will be on the Book of Esther. I have been asked to preach weekly in the Intersect Service at First Baptist Church in Tempe until the end of July. I will take some Sundays away for other speaking opportunities and vacation time. I thank God and for your prayers for that opportunity. 

This past Saturday our church had what we call "Compassion Day." It is a day we spend on mission projects in the neighborhood and around the world. We cleaned a portion of McClintock Dr. Our choir sang at a Senior Center. The youth packed boxes for "feed my starving children." Sewing machines were humming and ironing boards were warm as many made dresses for little girls and shorts for little boys in Africa. They are made from pillow cases. The last time we sent dresses to Africa God allowed us to send 300. There are some happy little girls who received their first dress in their lives. We finished the day with hot dogs and hamburgers. What a rewarding time.

Are you making your "blessings list." It is only a week until Thanksgiving. We have all been so blessed it is hard to imagine. Think how you can share your blessings with others. You may have someone in your church or neighborhood who does not have a place to spend Thanksgiving. Invite them to your home. Be a blessing to someone else. 

December is birthday month in our family: Susan 1st, Justin 3rd, Roger 7th, Mandy 19th and Collin 28th. And of course we celebrate all of them with parties. We also celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus on December 25th. It is a busy, but fun time for all of us. It does become time that needs extra planning, because it is also the end of year band concerts, music programs, church musicals and other special parties and ministry opportunities. I thank God that I am able to participate.

Justin is walking, and Burke worked the spotlight in his school's play. 

I will be having all my physical tests at the end of this month. That includes MRI's, Labs and a visit to the oncologist. Please pray for good results. 

I do hope and pray that you and your family, friends and church have a wonderful Thanksgiving and Christmas Season. Don't ever forget "GOD IS GOOD!!."  ~ DGW