Father of faith – Abraham.

Father of faith – Abraham.

How did Abram become such an outstanding example of faith?

Abram was different. As his life went on, he stood out more and more because of his faith. In fact, the apostle Paul was later inspired to call him “the father of all those having faith”! Romans 4:11

“Leave your father and mother.” – Abraham.

“Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get you out of your country, and from your kindred, and from your father’s house, unto a land that I will show you.”
Genesis 12:1

Abraham: Choosing faith in an impossible situation
Abraham’s faith in God was tested in a way that most of us will never know.

Abraham was already an old man when God brought him outside and said to Him, “Look now toward the heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them. So shall your descendants be.” Genesis 15:5.
Abraham believed God’s promise, even though naturally speaking, it was impossible. Abraham and his wife Sarah were long past child-bearing years and they had no children.
Abraham’s faith in God was tested with this promise, to see if he would take God at His word, no matter what his reasoning told him. Abraham did not waver in his faith, and God kept his promise (Romans 4:20). Sarah gave birth to a baby boy, and they named their son Isaac, as God instructed them.

But now Abraham was tested a second time, and this was a test unlike any other. Years later, when Isaac was a boy, God came again to speak with Abraham.
“Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” Genesis 22:2.
What was Abraham supposed to think about this? None of it made sense. God seemed to be contradicting Himself.
But Abraham’s faith in God did not waver. In spite of the seemingly utter impossibility of the situation, he got up in the morning, packed his donkey, split the wood required for the offering, and started the three-day journey up the mountains with Isaac. (Genesis 22) To him, it didn’t matter what the situation looked like, humanly speaking.
We can imagine he would have been tempted to thoughts of doubt as he took the trek up Mount Moriah. Thoughts like: “Sarah’s heart will probably break, and she’ll never forgive me. I’ll be a murderer. I must have misunderstood; a loving God could not possibly have given such a commandment!” And yet, Abraham had not heard wrong; he acted with boldness and valor because God had said it, and we can read what happened. These thoughts of doubt that Satan whispered in his ear were deflected and defeated by the shield of faith. He believed beyond a shadow of a doubt that God would keep His promise – even if that meant He had to raise Isaac back up from the dead. (Hebrews 11:17-19)
Faith gives us power to act
Of course, God did keep His promise. At the last second, he stopped Abraham from carrying out his sacrifice, and Isaac was spared, going on to become the father of the nation of Israel.
In the same way, we could be tempted to thoughts of doubt when we take a step of faith which God is working in us to do. Maybe we are not sure how the future will go if we do this, but faith gives us power to act, even though we can’t see what the result will be. (Hebrews 11:1) When we have the shield of faith, we too can resist the thoughts of doubt that Satan tries to sow.
The God of Abraham is the same God whom we serve today. He is from eternity until eternity, and there is nothing that He can’t accomplish around us and in us. No matter how impossible circumstances seem, God is able to do a miracle in my life. He has promised that I – who have a sinful human nature, and am full of pride and selfishness, and all kinds of other lusts – can be conformed to the image of Christ. (Romans 8:29) Even someone with a nature like mine, all my habits and tendencies, can be a partaker of divine nature! (2 Peter 1:4) When I live in this faith, then I will be a son and an inheritor of all things together with Jesus! (Romans 8:16-17) Is there any reason to doubt him? No, not one!
“He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.” Revelation 21:7.
No limits!
But we learn from Abraham that faith in God requires action. We read, “And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feetshortly.” Romans 16:20. What is faith then? Is it to sit back and say, “Yes, I believe God will crush Satan under my feet” and then wait for it to happen?
No. It is to go to action, and move forward in faith when God works in me, like Abraham did when he split the wood required to sacrifice his son. That will mean sacrifices on my part; giving up my own will in order to do God’s will. Abraham saw the sacrifice as a condition from God to fulfill in order to receive his promise. It is just the same for us.
Let’s follow the example of Abraham, whose obedience made him “the father of our faith.” (Romans 4) Believe in the promises of God, and be quick to fulfill the conditions so God can bless you! Don’t let your confidence depend on what your reasoning tells you. No matter what your limitations are, naturally speaking, God can accomplish a complete and thorough salvation in you! He doesn’t ask if we are able, He only asks if we are willing. If the answer to that is yes, there is no limit to what we can accomplish through faith in God.

Y’all, there is SO much to share here!
1. Where is your faith?
2. How is your faith?
3. Do you have a testimony to share?
Check this out:
When Jesus said, “If you have faith no bigger than a mustard seed…” (Lk 17:6) He was not saying faith comes in varying quantities, as in 8 oz., 16 oz. or a Gallon!

To be sure, The Word says “faith the size of a mustard seed” was better than no faith at all. And, they reasoned, according to Jesus, even this size faith could accomplish much.

We stroll down the ‘path’ to point out beauty.
Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

In an uncertain world, we need to cling to hope. Fortunately, there are countless Bible verses about strength that are worth reading, pondering and integrating into our lives. The scriptures are filled with Bible verses that provide comfort and strength. It’s essential that we remain steadfast when hard times hit, never give up — and rely on God to navigate choppy waters.

Here are 20 Bible verses about strength in hard times:
Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Fear can overtake us, but God is all-powerful and will offer us all the strength we need. Take this Bible verse about strength into account when you face tough times.
Philippians 4:12-13 (NIV)
“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
True happiness can be found in Christ. When you’re looking for Bible verses about strength, this scripture is an important one. No matter what you’re facing, turn to God and He’ll sustain you.

Psalm 46:1-3 (NIV)
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”
This is a powerful Bible verse for comfort and strength. No matter what life throws at us, we can have confidence that God will meet us where we are and guide our path forward.
2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NIV)
“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.”
Paul discusses prayer in 2 Thessalonians and promises believers that God will protect them from evil. In Paul’s final greeting at the end of the chapter, he offers well wishes, pining for God’s peace to be on readers. This is yet another powerful reminder of the Lord’s power over our lives.
Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV)
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
God holds the power to give men and women strength and courage — essential ingredients needed to help push back against fear and terror. God never leaves us, as this Bible verse about strength proclaims.

Philippians 4:6 (NIV)
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Uncertainty breeds anxiety — and anxiety can overtake us. Prayer is an essential ingredient to build strength and trust in God. During moments of suffering and worry, it is important to take grievances and fears to the Lord.
Mark 12:29-31 (NIV)
“‘The most important one,’ answered Jesus, ‘is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.’”
Among the more powerful Bible verses about strength in hard times are Jesus’ words in Mark 12. He boils down the most important commandments to this: love God and love others. If each of us relies on the first, the second flows naturally.
Psalm 22:19 (NIV)
“But you, Lord, do not be far from me. You are my strength; come quickly to help me.”
This verse reminds us once again that God can quickly help us when we fall. In a world in which life can change in a split second, this Bible verse about strength reminds us that help can also quickly be found in the Lord.

John 16:33 (NIV)
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
When life feels oppressive or situations become difficult, it is often helpful to remember what Christ went through — and his victory. Our reliance on Him can then help guide us through the darkest of times.
Proverbs 18:10 (NIV)
“The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”
Among the many Bible verses about strength in hard times are those that urge us to see God as a shield or fortress. Proverbs 18:10 is just one of the verses that helps bring this concept to life.
Isaiah 40:29 (NIV)
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”
In our weakness, we can find strength in the Lord. Life might get us down, but when it does we should reflect on Bible verses about strength to remember and rediscover Truth, as we take our struggles to God in prayer.
1 Peter 4:11 (NIV)
“If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”
The chaos of life can sometimes distract us from God and Truth. But Peter reminds us that we should always rely on God to fulfill tasks and duties. It’s the Lord’s power that sustains us and when we rely on Him, we can be sure that we’re on track to achieve His plan for our lives.
Psalm 32:7-8 (NIV)
“You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”
This Bible verse for comfort and strength calls God our “hiding place” and promises His protection for those who seek Him. With God’s counsel, our lives are full and complete.
Exodus 15:2 (NIV)
“The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.”
Praising God means seeking His face as we navigate life. It also means abiding by His standards and understanding that His plans might not be our own. As we learn to exalt God, we are able to live our lives to the fullest.
Luke 12:25-26 (NIV)
“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?”>
Worrying can lead to emotional and spiritual paralysis. These Bible verses for comfort and strength remind us that worrying does little to change a tough situation. When fear creeps into your life, make

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NIV)
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
The Christian walk can be challenging, with Paul reminding believers that, despite the difficulties, he finds strength in the Lord. It’s important to remember that accepting Christ doesn’t mean life will be simple — but that, through God, we will be sustained.

Isaiah 12:2 (NIV)
“Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.”
Where do you find your strength? Throughout the Old and New Testaments, it’s clear that God wants us to rely on Him and to see Him as our defense in all we face.
Ephesians 3:16 (NIV)
“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being.”
The Holy Spirit isn’t merely a relic of the past; it’s something believers are called to accept in their hearts — and it’s a guiding light that assists in our everyday lives. The Holy Spirit can help change hearts and minds. Have you accepted Christ?

Psalm 18:32 (NIV)
“It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.”
It’s essential to put on the armor of God when it comes to navigating the day-to-day issues we face. The best way to be sure that our ways are kept “secure” is to check in with God throughout each and every day.
Habakkuk 3:19 (NIV)
“The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.”
Life sometimes leaves us with an array of questions, especially when we face pain. One special Bible verse about strength is Habakkuk 3:19. While the Prophet Habakkuk had questions for God about why his people were suffering in captivity, he also relied on the Lord for his strength. We should do the same, even when we grapple with difficult questions.
Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
The final Bible verse about strength is Joshua 1:9, which impores us to be both strong and courageous, pushing fear and discouragement to the side. God never leaves nor forsakes us — and that’s an important reality to remember.

So many examples exist in His-story! Abraham (father of ‘faith’ had sons, the one that would be above the rest was born in His old age…Yes, at closer look it was Sarai that was ‘barren’, as we see Abraham had other children.

You who hope in Christ and follow him in the obedience of faith are Abraham’s descendants and heirs of his covenant promises.
God said to Abraham in Genesis 17:4, “Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations.” But Genesis makes plain that Abraham did not father a multitude of nations in a physical or political sense. Therefore, the meaning of God’s promise was probably that a multitude of nations would somehow enjoy the blessings of sonship even though physically unrelated to Abraham.
That’s no doubt what God meant in Genesis 12:3 when he said to Abraham, “In you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” From the very beginning, God had in view that Jesus Christ would be the descendant of Abraham and that everyone who trusts in Christ would become an heir of Abraham’s promise. Paul says in Galatians 3:29, “If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.”
So, when God said to Abraham 4,000 years ago, “Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations,” he opened the way for any one of us, no matter what nation we belong to, to become a child of Abraham and an heir of God’s promises. All we have to do is share the faith of Abraham — that is, bank our hope on God’s promises, so much so that if obedience requires it, we could give up our dearest possession like Abraham gave up Isaac.
We don’t become heirs of Abraham’s promises by working for God, but by being confident that God works for us. “[Abraham] grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised” (Romans 4:20–21). That’s why Abraham could obey God even when obedience looked like a dead-end street. He trusted God to do the impossible — like raise his son from the dead.
Faith in God’s promises — or today we would say, faith in Christ, who is the confirmation of God’s promises — is the way to become a child of Abraham; obedience is the evidence that faith is genuine (Genesis 22:12–19). Therefore, Jesus says in John 8:39, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works Abraham did.”
Children of Abraham are people from all nations who put their hope in Christ and, like Abraham on Mount Moriah, therefore don’t let the loss of their most precious earthly possession stop their obedience.
You who hope in Jesus Christ and follow him in the obedience of faith are the descendants of Abraham and heirs of his covenant promises.

We can look at the heritage and trace ancestry.
Spouse Sarah
Hagar (concubine)
Keturah
Children Ishmael
Isaac
Zimran
Jokshan
Medan
Midian
Ishbak
Shuah

The bosom of Abraham!
Bosom of Abraham” refers to the place of comfort in the Biblical Sheol where the righteous dead await Judgment Day. The phrase and concept are found in both Judaism and Christian religions and religious art.

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