Jesus said to them,
“Amen, amen, I say to you,
before Abraham came to be, I AM.”
(John 8:58)
Jesus is God. The promise of eternal life comes through faith in Jesus and obedience to His teachings. It is important to have a personal relationship with God rather than just following religious rituals or traditions. Speaking the truth can often lead to persecution. This is the cost of discipleship and the challenges that we might face while standing up for the truth.
51 Jesus said to the Jews: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever keeps my word will never see death.” 52 So the Jews said to him, “Now we are sure that you are possessed. Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, ‘Whoever keeps my word will never taste death.’ 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? Or the prophets who died? Who do you make yourself out to be?” 54 Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is worth nothing; but it is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’ 55 You do not know him, but I know him. And if I should say that I do not know him, I would be like you a liar. But I do know him and I keep his word. 56 Abraham your father rejoiced to see my day; he saw it and was glad. 57 So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old and you have seen Abraham?” 58 Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abraham came to be, I AM.” 59 So they picked up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid and went out of the temple area. (John 8:51-59)
In the realm of faith where love is our rod, echoes the truth, resounding, "Jesus is God." The promise of life, eternal and free comes through faith in Him, for you and for me. Obedience to His teachings, a path we tread, in His footsteps, by His wisdom we're led. More than rituals or traditions of the hand, a personal relationship with God, we understand. Speaking the truth, a task not light often leads to persecution, to a challenging fight. Yet, this is the cost, the discipleship's price, in the face of adversity, His love will suffice. So, stand up for truth, let your voice be heard, remember, you're guided by His Word. Though challenges may come, in His strength, we're bold for we are part of His eternal fold.
Dear Lord Jesus, we come before You, acknowledging Your divinity. You are God, the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. We believe in Your promise of eternal life that comes through faith in You and obedience to Your teachings. We understand the importance of having a personal relationship with You, Lord. We seek to know You more each day, not just through religious rituals or traditions, but through a genuine connection with You. We desire to experience Your presence in our lives, to hear Your voice, and to follow Your guidance. Lord, we know that speaking the truth can often lead to persecution. We recognize that standing up for the truth is a part of our discipleship. We pray for Your strength and courage as we face these challenges. Help us to stand firm in our faith, to hold on to Your promises, and to trust in Your unfailing love. We commit ourselves to You, Lord. We choose to follow You, to keep Your word, and to live according to Your will. We pray that our lives will glorify You and reflect Your love to the world. In Your holy name, we pray. Amen.
God is faithful to His promises. Everything belongs to God and He gives according to His will. While God’s promises are sure, there is also a call for us to uphold our end of the covenant. We have a responsibility keep His covenant as we live the new life, new identity and destiny that He has given us. Faith and obedience to God’s word is important even when it seems impossible.
3 When Abram prostrated himself, God continued to speak to him: 4 “My covenant with you is this: you are to become the father of a host of nations. 5 No longer shall you be called Abram; your name shall be Abraham, for I am making you the father of a host of nations. 6 I will render you exceedingly fertile; I will make nations of you; kings shall stem from you. 7 I will maintain my covenant with you and your descendants after you throughout the ages as an everlasting pact, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. 8 I will give to you and to your descendants after you the land in which you are now staying, the whole land of Canaan, as a permanent possession; and I will be their God.” 9 God also said to Abraham: “On your part, you and your descendants after you must keep my covenant throughout the ages.” (Genesis 17:3-9)
In the realm where divine love resides, where God's faithfulness to His promises abides, everything belongs to Him, in His hands it all lies, He gives according to His will, under His watchful eyes. His promises are sure, as steady as the tides, yet, a call echoes for us, a spiritual guide to uphold our end of the covenant, side by side, a responsibility we carry, in our hearts it's tied. A new life, a new identity, a destiny wide, all these gifts He has given, in us they confide, yet faith and obedience to His word must coincide even when it seems impossible, in His truth we confide.
Dear Heavenly Father, we come before You, acknowledging Your sovereignty and grace. We recognize that You are faithful to Your promises, and everything belongs to You. You give according to Your will, and Your promises are sure. Lord, we understand that while You have made a covenant with us, there is also a call for us to uphold our end of this covenant. As we live the new life, new identity, and destiny that You have given us, we have a responsibility to keep Your covenant. We pray for the strength and wisdom to fulfill this responsibility. We acknowledge that faith and obedience to Your word are important, even when it seems impossible. We ask for Your guidance and support in our journey of faith. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
God is faithful and His promises are sure. His judgments prevail throughout the earth. It is important to actively seek God in all circumstances and rely on His strength rather than our own. God has done wondrous deeds in our lives and we should always remember and acknowledge God’s works and His justice. Let us continue seeking the Lord our God, remembering His works, trusting in His faithfulness, upholding our commitments, and acknowledging His sovereignty.
4 Look to the Lord in his strength; seek to serve him constantly. 5 Recall the wondrous deeds that he has wrought, his portents, and the judgments he has uttered. 6 You descendants of Abraham, his servants, sons of Jacob, his chosen ones! 7 He, the Lord, is our God; throughout the earth his judgments prevail. 8 He remembers forever his covenant which he made binding for a thousand generations; 9 which he entered into with Abraham and by his oath to Isaac. (Psalm 105:4-5, 6-7, 8-9)
In the vast expanse where His judgments hold sway, God's faithfulness shines, His promises never fray. His word is sure, His covenant steadfast, in His strength we find our mast. Seek Him in all, in the high and the low, in His strength, not ours, let our lives flow. Wondrous are His deeds, His works so grand, in every corner of this blessed land. Remember His justice, His works so divine, in every sunrise, His love does shine. Trust in His faithfulness, His promises true, in every moment, His grace we pursue. Uphold our commitments, our end of the bond, in His sovereignty, let us respond. Seeking, remembering, trusting His word, in His love, our voices are heard.
Dear Heavenly Father, we come before You today, acknowledging Your faithfulness and the surety of Your promises. We recognize that Your judgments prevail throughout the earth, a testament to Your sovereignty and righteousness. Lord, we understand the importance of seeking You in all circumstances. We choose to rely on Your strength rather than our own, for You are our rock and our fortress. We thank You for the wondrous deeds You have done in our lives. We choose to remember and acknowledge Your works and Your justice. Your hand has guided us, Your love has sustained us, and Your grace has been sufficient for us. As we continue on this journey, we commit to seeking You, our Lord and our God. We commit to remembering Your works, trusting in Your faithfulness, upholding our commitments, and acknowledging Your sovereignty. In all things, we choose to serve You and honor You. We pray that our lives will be a testament to Your love and faithfulness. In Your Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Pericope:
II: The Book of Signs
JESUS AND ABRAHAM
John 8:51-59
II. The Patriarch Abraham
COVENANT OF CIRCUMCISION
Genesis 17:1-27
Fourth Book of Psalms 90-106
GOD'S FIDELITY TO THE PROMISE
Psalm 105:1-9
