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Challenges of Following God
Leave a Godly Legacy

Genesis 24:1-6 (Monday)
“Abraham was now old and well advanced in years, and the LORD had blessed him in every way. He said to the chief servant in his household, the one in charge of all that he had, "Put your hand under my thigh. I want you to swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you will not get a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I am living, but will go to my country and my own relatives and get a wife for my son Isaac." The servant asked him, "What if the woman is unwilling to come back with me to this land? Shall I then take your son back to the country you came from?" "Make sure that you do not take my son back there," Abraham said.” (NIV)
1) We see in these passages that Abraham had thoroughly learned (the hard way) the power of a woman’s influence in the home, and in choosing a wife, for his son Isaac, Abraham wanted to use godly wisdom! We have discussed the differing roles for husbands and wives based on God’s sovereign plan of living under kingdom authority (1 Corinthians 11:3.) True, a woman’s God-given role is to submit to the headship of her husband, however, never ever under estimate the influence we yield in the lives of our mates!
a) Negative Influences
i) Eve—Genesis 3:1-6
ii) Sarah—Genesis 16.
Abraham’s wife, Sarah, chose to use her wifely influence and it resulted in Abraham’s failure to complete rely upon God, and God alone! God had promised to make of Abraham a great nation (Genesis 12:1-2)—this was the long awaited promise of a son. When it appeared to Sarah that God was too slow, or worse, unable to keep His promise, she took matters into her own two little very influential hands. Sarah’s impatience led her to offer her Egyptian handmaiden, Hagar, to Abraham to bear up a child for him (Genesis 16.) Now, according to the customs of that time, Hagar was the property of Sarah and Abraham, and any child she bore would legally belong to Abraham and Sarah, making the child a legitimate heir. This was clearly an act of disbelief—a human attempt to intervene in God’s divine plan for their lives. Unfortunately, Abraham heeded Sarah’s human reasoning. Sarah’s negative influence is why Israel and our own country suffer and are at war to this very day! Ishmael, the child of Hagar and Abraham, is now the powerful Arab nations of the Middle East.
iii) Rebekah—Genesis 25:19-34, 27:1-36
iv) Rachel— Genesis 29:14-28, Genesis 30:1-5, Genesis 31:11-19; and Genesis 31:22-55
Note: These passages are difficult to interpret. Before we jump to negative conclusions, Rachel may not have been holding on to the idol worship of her father, Laban. Rachel was well acquainted with the customs of her land. She knew that who ever possessed the family idols, held a rightful claim to the family inheritance! However, there are some commentators that believe these were fertility idols and Rachel may well have been trying to insure her own fertility by relying on the useless power of these man-made idols. Either way, the point is, God had already abundantly provided for and blessed Jacob. Even more, God would continue to bless him and his family! Jacob had not displayed any concern over receiving anything that belonged to Laban—certainly not these idols! He didn’t need or want the worldly riches that those idols represented. In taking matters into her own hands, Rachel demonstrated that she did not fully trust God. In taking this action, Rachel went behind her husband’s back (coming out from under her husband’s authority or headship) to insure that he would receive what she believed was their rightful dowry. Later on, Rachel’s father, Laban, angrily sets out after Jacob and circumstances lead to an agreement being reached between them. In actuality, this agreement was a negative curse, initiated by Laban against his own son-in-law!
b) Positive Influences
i) Deborah and Jael—Judges 4:1-9 and Judges 4:15-23.
Technically, we don’t know if Deborah was married, but still she had great influence throughout the land and was mighty in wisdom and in battle! Jael was the wife of a friend of the evil, Sisera. It was to Jael that the victory of this battle was accredited to!
ii) Ruth—Ruth 1; Ruth 3-4.
iii) Esther—Esther 1; Esther 2:1-17; Esther 3:1-6; Esther 4; and Esther 7.
2) We’ve just covered a few Biblical instances of the eternal impact of wifely influence. God’s Word is full of such examples! Also, you might want to look into several books by Christian authors that give us great insight on how women of faith have impacted their husbands and the world! Wives, take the time to read about the lives of godly women who have gone before us and learn how you can positively influence your husband! Let’s aim to be godly influences—pleasing to our Father! What kind of impact are we having on our husbands now?
3) Why do you suppose Abraham was so adamant that his son not marry a Canaanite woman, or even dwell in their land? Exodus 34:11-16.
4) Oh, child of the King, God’s Word screams out the name of His beloved Son, Jesus!. In these passages, yet again, we are given another beautiful glimpse of Jesus, the Holy Trinity and the salvation plan of our awesome God! Let God open your eyes to Abraham, representing our heavenly Father and Isaac, representing, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Oh, and we have to look closely to the servant—the Holy Spirit that draws us to Christ. Take humble note that you and I, represent the chosen bride that is highly sought after. Not a bride of the Canaanites (world), but a bride from God’s own family! Praise God that He searches us out! Notice what our response must always be to God’s calling—“I will go.”
5) Did you notice that Abraham didn’t want his son to have any part of entering and living in the land with the Canaanites (the world)? God tells us the same thing today (2 Corinthians 6:14-1; Galatians 6:14; James 1:27; James 4:4.)
6) Okay, so we are commanded not to conform to the world (Romans 12:2.) Does this mean that we set ourselves apart, becoming separatists—live like the Amish? What about the lost souls who are still in this world? While you ponder, keep in mind that Jesus was called a friend of sinners (Matthew 11:19!) See Matthew 5:13-16 and 1 Corinthians 10:33.)
Genesis 24:9-17 (Tuesday)
“So the servant put his hand under the thigh of his master Abraham and swore an oath to him concerning this matter. Then the servant took ten of his master's camels and left, taking with him all kinds of good things from his master. He set out for Aram Naharaim and made his way to the town of Nahor. He had the camels kneel down near the well outside the town; it was toward evening, the time the women go out to draw water. Then he prayed, "O LORD, God of my master Abraham, give me success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham. See, I am standing beside this spring, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water. May it be that when I say to a girl, `Please let down your jar that I may have a drink,' and she says, `Drink, and I'll water your camels too'--let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master." Before he had finished praying, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder. She was the daughter of Bethuel son of Milcah, who was the wife of Abraham's brother Nahor. The girl was very beautiful, a virgin; no man had ever lain with her. She went down to the spring, filled her jar and came up again. The servant hurried to meet her and said, "Please give me a little water from your jar.” (NIV)
1) As servants of God (Isaiah 43:10—notice witnesses being plural or collective, but servant is singular—God’s speaking to you, dear one!), we, too, like Abraham’s servant should be praying for success to fulfill the purpose(s) God has given to us (Matthew 25:14-30; Ephesians 2:10; Ephesians 4:7-12.) Those of us who have gone through the book, “40 Days of Purpose,” written by pastor Rick Warren (a must read), we know that there are 5 distinct purposes for our lives:
a) We were created for God’s pleasure!
From my own person experience, I am sorely aware that many will find this truth hard to fathom. I have to admit that it took the majority of my 32 year walk with God to fully allow this truth to soak deeply into the core of my own heart! My God was/is faithful and very patient with me. He used my husband, my children, my highs and my lows, mountaintops and valleys to prove His great love for and delight in me. All these evidences were helpful, but, in all actuality, it wasn’t until I decided in my heart that Jesus’ going to the cross was all the proof I would ever need of God’s great love for me. I decided right then and there that even if the world were to crumble all around me, I would believe that —“God so loved the world (me!) that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever (me!) believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16)!” When I stand on the solid Rock of this fact, satan’s lies no longer have an effect on my view of God’s love for me. Don’t let satan deceive and rob you! You are the apple of God’s eye (Psalm 17:8!) He delights in you (Psalms 35:27; Psalms 147:11 and Proverbs 3:11-12.)
b) You were formed for God’s family!
Yep! You guessed it! I was slow in this area, too! If you don’t feel loved by God, it’s very difficult to feel the love of and love for His children! If we examine ourselves, we will face up to the truth that most of the time, we are all just sitting around waiting for others to show their love for us. This is so contrary to what God’s word says! Listen, it’s not about you and it’s not about me—it’s all about God! You learned in question 1 of this section, that there is work(s) for us to do, and after loving God and yourself (Matthew 22:36-40), the focus centers on your spiritual brothers and sisters in the Lord. Then, this same love is meant to spread to your given area of the world (Galatians 6:10!) I can tell you in all sincerity that my greatest spiritual growth has come in the last 7 years—years spent serving God’s family in His church! Make the most of the time God has given you (Psalms 90:12), and believe this—it’s never too late to get started (John 9:4; Hebrews 3:13!) Jesus told us in John 4:35 that the fields (the world) are ripe for the harvest and in Matthew 9:36-38 we are told to pray for workers to go out and yield a crop for God! Get out there and make someone feel loved—in doing so, you will reap a harvest (Galatians 6:9). You should not be surprised to find yourself being loved in return (Proverbs 18:1—you have to see this in the KJV!)
c) You were created to become like Christ!
i) Praise God! I’m not who I once was. I’m not who I am going to be, but I’m pressing on (Philippians 3:12-15!) A little reflection can do us a lot of good! Take a good, long look back and remember the place where God found you (Matthew 22:1-10.) Some of us He literally had to yank out of this world (me)—very much like our recent lesson on our very carnal minded brother, Lot! I sure some of our memories may not be too pretty, but this is our hope (our surety): “He who has begun a good work in you in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6!) What is this good work? Read Romans 8:28-31; 2 Corinthians 3:18 and 1 John 3:2-3! Oh, let’s all take a few moments and praise Him for choosing to shed His light into your heart (Romans 5:5 KJV!)
d) You were shaped for serving God!
We have seen that it is God that gives us our talents and gifts (Ephesians 4:8.) How then do we know what gifts we have and how they “fit” in the family of God? Well, the various gifts and how they operate in the body of Christ are mentioned in Romans 12:5-21; 1 Corinthians chapters 12-14. Scripture tells us that it is a good thing to desire spiritual gifts, but we are to pray for the ones that build up Jesus’ holy church—His children (1 Corinthians 14:12.) The best gift, of course, is love—love never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8!) Still not sure where you “fit?” Well, take an assessment of your areas of expertise--paying close attention to what drives or motivates you, what gives you joy. This is your passion! Still don’t see your “fit?” Well, God still has a job for you. If you see a need, then most probably, God is calling you to do something about taking it if, of course, it is within your power to do so (1 John 3:17!) You see, we really have no excuse for not serving! So, how to you begin to serve in your particular gift—if it is encouragement—give someone an encouraging word, a card or note to let someone know you’re thinking of them. Mercy can be demonstrated by a visit to the hospital, or graveside, even something as simple as a touch! Oh, girls, a touch can melt the hardest heart, or give the greatest blessing! You get the picture—you are needed and you have a place, a “fit!” Scared? Take a leap of faith, even Peter was able to walk on water as long as he kept his eyes on Jesus! Look up!
e) You were made for a mission!
The servant in Genesis 24:9-7 was sent out on a mission for his master, i.e., find a bride for his master’s son. You, too, are called to a mission from your Master—God! You are called to mission to help him in build His church—His bride! So, how does this differ from your service? You serve your brothers and sisters in the Lord. Your mission is to bring the lost world to Christ. Now, don’t start saying you don’t know how to witness, or that God couldn’t possibly have been speaking about you. You aren’t getting off that easy—no way! Acts 1:8 makes it very clear, this call is to every believer! So, where do we begin? In this passage, Jesus very specifically lays out His plan to reach the world with the gospel of peace. First, the disciples were told to share the good news in Jerusalem (the disciples’ hometown), then spread out into Judea (their homeland, or country), then to Samaria (other cultures and societies) and finally, into the uttermost reaches of the world. This is still our call today, and you begin right where you are! This could be your home, (husband, wife, children) your place of work, (your employer, co-workers, vendors)—any place God has planted you! So, you don’t feel the call to go to China? Okay, then pray for or financially support missions (foreign and domestic) so others can go, and guess what—you get to share in their reward (1 Corinthians 3:6-8!) Yes, this is a command, but, oh, it is such a privilege! Once you have experienced the joy of leading one soul to the Lord, you will never again be content to remain silent or sit on the sidelines! I wish this for all of us! Let’s be soul winners for Jesus and win a soul winner’s crown (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20!)
2) Notice that the servant took the best of what his master, Abraham owned! We learned in question 1d that we, too, have been given gifts by our Master. I agree that there are many highly successful men and women in this world who are extremely gifted and/or talented. Professionals, entertainers, musicians, doctors, lawyers, teachers—the list goes on and on ! Oh, know that there is a difference. The gifts we have been given are of empowerment and they have an eternal purpose—they are meant for serving God’s children and for searching out and finding the lost bride of Christ! Outwardly, it may appear that our gifts are quite similar to those without Christ, but our God has given us the greatest Gift of all—Himself (Luke 11:13!)
a) Truths regarding the Spirit of God:
i) The Spirit of God comes from the Father and testifies of Christ (John 15:26!)
ii) It was the Spirit of God that raised Jesus from the dead (Romans 8:11!)
iii) The Holy Spirit was witness to the death, resurrection and exaltation of our Lord, Jesus Christ (Acts 5:32!)
iv) The Spirit of God is our Counselor and reminds of all that Jesus said (John 14:26!)
v) The Spirit of God is Truth (John 14:17 and 1 John 5:6!)
vi) The Holy Spirit enables us to join God in furthering His kingdom because He:
(1) is the Lord (2 Corinthians 3:17-18!)
(2) divinely inspired the written Word of God
(3) convicts us of our sins (Hebrews 3:7
(4) is received by believing, i.e., by our faith in Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:2, 14!)
(5) lives in us (Romans 8:11; 1 Corinthians 3:16 and 1 John 3:24!)
(6) gives us life (John 6:63!)
(7) gives us spiritual rebirth (John 3:6!)
(8) leads us in worship of God, the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:3!)
(9) gives us access to God and enables us to boldly and with great confidence to cry, “Abba, Father—Daddy!” (Galatians 4:6 and Ephesians 2:18!)
(10) affirms that Jesus came in the flesh (1 John 4:2!)
(11) enables us to say, “Jesus is Lord!” (1 Corinthians 12:3!)
(12) washes, sanctifies, justifies and renews us (Romans 15:16; 1 Corinthians 6:11 and Titus 3:5!)
(13) confirms in our own spirits that we are the children of God (Romans 8:16!)
(14) pours out God’s love into our hearts (Romans 5:5!)
(15) baptizes and securely seals us (Acts 1:5; Ephesians 1:13, 4:30 and 1 Corinthians 12:13!)
(16) is our deposit and guarantee of all that awaits us in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 1:22 and 2 Corinthians 5:5!)
(17) gives us God’s own power (Acts 1:8!)
(18) is the only defensive weapon we have in spiritual battle, and is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17!)
(19) confirms our consciences (Romans 9:1!)
(20) enables us to live by the law of the Spirit, not the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2!)
(21) gives us freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17!)
(22) leads us in to all truth, and though He is co-equal with God and Christ, He never speaks of Himself (John 16:13!)
(23) enables us to understand all that God has freely given to us (1 Corinthians 2:12!)
(24) helps us in our weaknesses (Romans 8:26!) and when we do not know how to pray, the Spirit intercedes for us according to God’s will (Romans 8:26-27!)
(25) empowers us with the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23!):
(26) is our righteousness, peace, joy and hope (Romans 8:6; Romans 14:17; Romans 15:13 and 1 Thessalonians 1:6!)
(27) is the giver of love (Romans 15:30!)
(28) gives and manifests our spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:7, 11 and Hebrews 2:4!)
(29) gives wisdom and revelation (John 16:15 and Ephesians 1:17!)
(30) gives us instruction (Acts 1:2!)
(31) strengthens and encourages us (Acts 9:31!)
(32) sends us out into the lost world (Acts 13:4!)
(33) gives us boldness to preach or share God’s Word and express spiritual truths (1 Corinthians 2:4, 13!)
(34) restrains us (Acts 16:6!)
(35) warns us (Acts 20:23!)
(36) appoints us in positions of authority (Acts 20:28!)
(37) is the Power behind God’s signs and miracles (Romans 15:19 and Hebrews 2:4!)
(38) searches all things, the deep things of God (1 Corinthians 2:10!)
(39) teaches us what to say in times of spiritual persecution (Luke 12:12!)
(a) We all need to carefully examine ourselves because we can sin against the Holy Spirit of God:
(i) He can be blasphemed (Matthew 12:31—the only sin that is not forgiven!)
(ii) He can be lied to (Acts 5:3!)
(iii) He can be tested (Acts 5:9!)
(iv) He can be resisted (Acts 7:51!)
(v) He can be grieved (Ephesians 4:30!)
(vi) He can be quenched, i.e., His fire put out (1 Thessalonians 5:19!)
(vii) He can be insulted (Hebrews 10:29!)
Genesis 24:50-67 (Wednesday)
Laban and Bethuel answered, "This is from the LORD; we can say nothing to you one way or the other. Here is Rebekah; take her and go, and let her become the wife of your master's son, as the LORD has directed." When Abraham's servant heard what they said, he bowed down to the ground before the LORD. Then the servant brought out gold and silver jewelry and articles of clothing and gave them to Rebekah; he also gave costly gifts to her brother and to her mother. Then he and the men who were with him ate and drank and spent the night there. When they got up the next morning, he said, "Send me on my way to my master." But her brother and her mother replied, "Let the girl remain with us ten days or so; then you may go." But he said to them, "Do not detain me, now that the LORD has granted success to my journey. Send me on my way so I may go to my master." Then they said, "Let's call the girl and ask her about it." So they called Rebekah and asked her, "Will you go with this man?" "I will go," she said. So they sent their sister Rebekah on her way, along with her nurse and Abraham's servant and his men. And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, "Our sister, may you increase to thousands upon thousands; may your offspring possess the gates of their enemies." Then Rebekah and her maids got ready and mounted their camels and went back with the man. So the servant took Rebekah and left. Now Isaac had come from Beer Lahai Roi, for he was living in the Negev. He went out to the field one evening to meditate, and as he looked up, he saw camels approaching. Rebekah also looked up and saw Isaac. She got down from her camel and asked the servant, "Who is that man in the field coming to meet us?" "He is my master," the servant answered. So she took her veil and covered herself. Then the servant told Isaac all he had done. Isaac brought her into the tent of his mother Sarah, and he married Rebekah. So she became his wife, and he loved her; and Isaac was comforted after his mother's death.” (NIV)
1) Rebekah was the daughter of Bethuel, cousin to Abraham. Whether or not Bethuel followed after God is unclear. We do know Laban was an idol worshipper, and at this point, Bethuel stepped aside and allowed Laban to make all decisions in regard his own daughter’s welfare. It is interesting that both these men realized that Abraham’s servant was being led by the LORD. How obvious is it to others that you are being led by the Lord?
2) Did you notice how Rebekah covered her face with her veil? This world could use a little modesty, don’t you think?
3) Who or what dares to deter you from coming to Christ as His longed for bride?
4) Above in verse 16, we find that Rebekah is a virgin. Would it surprise you to know that God is looking for a virgin bride, too (2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:25-32?) Does this seem impossible? One of my favorite verses in scripture is Romans 4:17b—God sees the finished product! Re-read the ways in which God’s precious Holy Spirit is in operation in your life—our purity is a process that will not be completed until we gaze upon the face of Christ (1 John 3:2!) With God all things are possible!
5) Verse 66. I like to imagine that one day I might actually bring some comfort to my Lord. I know that He comforts me (2 Corinthians 1:3-4!)
Deuteronomy 6:1-3 (Thursday)
“These are the commands, decrees and laws the LORD your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the LORD your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life. Hear, O Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the LORD, the God of your fathers, promised you.” (NIV)
1) We are commanded to obey and with our obedience comes blessing! The only way we are able obey is by living in the Spirit of God. Take heart! We fail God, but he remains faithful and He will not fail us (2 Timothy 2:13 and 1 Chronicles 28:20!)
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 (Friday)
“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 strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” (NIV)
1) Leaving a legacy. The Israelites repeated all the commands of God to their children, over and over again. Yet, time and time again they turned to idol worship and rebelled against their God. Why were their words not enough? What is? (Jeremiah 31:31-33)
2) We must be very careful! We can be doing all the right things “outwardly”! Like “fish” on our cars, Bibles in our backseats, even be warming a pew on Sunday morning. But, love—truly loving God—that’s a heart thing! We don’t need repetition, we don’t even need a heart-change. No, we need new hearts—panting and crying out for the Living God! (Psalms 51:10; Psalms 42:1-2 and Psalms 84:2)