Wednesday, January 1, 2014

January 2, 2014

"just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”  Therefore know that [only] those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, [saying], “In you all the nations shall be blessed.”  So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham."  Galatians 3:6-9

By reviewing the call of God to Abraham and recalling the covenant that was made we can get a clear understanding of God's purpose for the Promised Land. It was to be a place of believing, a place of belonging and a place of blessing.

That sounds like a place I would want to be! What about you?

Believing is important. It was through believing that Abraham journeyed to the Promised Land and this new land was to become a place where believing God would be easy.

Belonging is crucial spiritually, emotionally and psychologically. Each of us need a place where we feel accepted and valued and safe. Belonging makes it possible to have an identity, to enjoy intimacy and to have involvement in the lives of others.

Blessing is God's stamp of approval on your life. It signifies you have found favor with Him through your obedience and faith. God's blessing crowns you with significance and supplies your needs. The blessing of God also gives you a way to bless others.

As I think of these things, it occurs to me that not only are these three purposes important to God's Promised Land but they also form the foundation for a healthy home.

Believing, belonging and blessing should also form the dynamics of a healthy church fellowship. 

I want FredWes to be a place where it is easy to believe God is real and His Word is true because if the strength of our faith and the sincerity of our fellowship.

I want Fredwes to be a place where it is easy to belong because of the acceptance and affirmation people receive when they come to visit. I want us to make it easy for people to be assimilated into the life and ministry of FredWes.

I want Fredwes to be a place of blessing where we experience His presence and favor. I want us to be a blessing to others as He blesses us.

God designed His land of promise to be characterized by these three things because He desired the Promised Land to not be just real estate, He planned on it being a relationship! God is our promise! Only in Him will you find true belief, true belonging and tremendous blessing!

Are you dwelling in the Promised Land?