egaray

Abraham addressed God so boldly in the grounds that he knew that God was his Heavenly Father, his Provider, his All. We ought to do the same. The Word says that we should come boldly unto the Throne of God. I believe that it pleases Him when we come before Him with such boldness. We are confessing our right standing with Him - letting Him know who we are in Him - accepting our place as covenant heirs with Christ. God knows who we are, but our acceptance and confessing is what He wants to hear.

The twenty-first century lifestyle in the Lord would consist of representing Jesus and doing what He would do. Modesty, caring, loving, and putting others before oneself would only name a few of the requirements. It is difficult, however, in that we may be able to do the right thing in certain areas and then fail to do so in other areas. Jesus was and is perfect in everything. We on the other hand, are working towards perfection - not yet achieved.

I can tell that I believe in God's present willingness to do miracles these days in that I believe He is the same. He does not change His mind. What He spoke, He will bring to completion. The Word says that we would see grater things. It all depends with what faith are we waiting.

To have my heart circumcised means that Jesus washed my sins. The Word says that He creates in me a new heart. He removes layers of impurities as I develop my christian walk. This is a must for all (Jews and Christians) because Jesus died on the cross for our sins. Otherwise, His death would have been in vain. Jesus is Love. In our hearts, He is the Hope of Glory while religion takes us nowhere.

The circumcision was the way of showing God that he believed in Him. It was a definite act in confirming the covenant. And his performing it on the same day, signified his total surrender to God the Father.

I do not believe that God required Abraham to be perfect for no one is perfect but God. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. So whatever He required of Abraham, He also requires of us. To be blamless, I think, is living your daily life in such a way that no one can point the finger and blame you of wrong doing.

The lesson that God is teaching me out of Hagar's experience is that I should submit myself to His will just as she did. I am sure that the Lord was there to protect her and made a way so that she did not have to suffer in excess. The Lord has good plans for us. He would not put us in a situation in which He would not give us help and a way out.

It is wonderful to know that ...El Roi, the God Who Sees... was there for Hagar, is here for me, and will be always for me and anyone who needs Him. The Lord knew where she was and where she was heading to. He also knew and told her about the future. It is of great comfort to know that the Lord is not a respecter of persons. If He did this for Hagar, I know that He sees me too. And I know that He has a purpose for me.

I often wondered why would the Lord ask such questions when He already knows the answer. I believe it is to snap us out of our mentality to have us focus and rethink what we are about to do or what we have done. In doing so, we have a chance to repent and make things right. I sure hope that Sarai did not continue to treat Hagar bad. For she was told to return and to submit herself to her mistress which she did.

I think that Sarai takes her anger out on Abram because she knows that she is the one not capable of bearing children. She also feels resentment against Hagar because of her own infertility. I do not believe that Sarai was capable of killing Hagar nor the baby. She just hated being considered useless. No doubt, Abram was happy that Hagar was pregnant and maybe made Hagar feel special. Sarai's position as the wife and mistress was questionable. At least in her eyes.

The Lord is my "Shield" means to me that He is my protector. I believe that I show respect when I use the words "Most Sovereign God" when I approach the Lord. If I can show respect to my earthly parents in the way that I speak to them, how much more should I do it with my God.

Abraham, without God, would have been killed. He would have lost all of his possessions. It seems to me that at this time, he is not yet fully trusting God. In response to the question, there are aliens in our community. And there has been times when they (the aliens) have not qualify for some type of aid from the government just because they are foreignors.

I am new to the forum and do not know exactly what to do. But my answer to the question is that Abraham was bless because he believed God. Now I have the choice either to be blessed by believing the word of God and doing what it commands or cursed by the same word by not obeying the word. And in being blessed, I can bless others.