"Precious Women of God--This Includes You!" Introducing... Sarah!

Hi Friends~

Happy Friday! I apologize, that part of this post is in large font.  I could not get it to change...even after several tries. Please don't let it take away from your enjoyment of this post.  This is the third Friday of the month, so we have a special blessing for you today!  Precious Women of God--This Includes You! is being shared by Michele as usual today.  She spent a lot of time putting this Bible Study together for today. Introducing...Sarah!

Here it is:

Sarah is one of my favorite women in the Bible.  Her life is a great reminder that God does not require that you be perfect, nor does He promise that your life will be.

Her journey began as God sent a message of destiny to Sarah’s husband, Abraham. They were told to leave all that they knew, and travel to a new land - Canaan.  God promised them that He would give them a child and that, through this seed, all the families of earth shall be blessed.  "The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you."  (Genesis 12:1).

Once they arrived in this strange land, God prophesied that He was going to deliver it to their descendants.  The ones that were to come from this child, a child that had not yet been born.  Well, weeks turned into months and months turned into years. “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you;
I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.  (Genesis 12:2)

And, for over a decade, God promised Sarah a son.  For over a decade, Sarah waited for the manifestation of that promise.  Her promise of motherhood.  But Sarah was barren.

But, years passed and Sarah had still not conceived.  Sarah could provide no heir for her husband. Sarah then decided to take matters into her own hands and she encouraged her husband to have a baby with another woman.  When I read this I feel for Sarah she wanted a baby so badly she didn’t care how it came to pass, But she did not wait for God to finish His plan and she went ahead with her own plan and , now, "a servant born in her house would be his heir" (Genesis 15:2-3).  The shame and bitterness of her barrenness began to engulf her.  

And, as time went on, Sarah began to say within heart, "The Lord has prevented me from having children," (Gen. 16:2).  You know that she said in within her heart, because she had begun to say it to her husband.

Even with all that Sarah did the mistakes that she made God still honored His promise of giving Sarah a child and also in the bigger picture a child that would impact the world and future generations.  I believe Sarah was looking at the smaller picture where it impacted her and we all do that. 

But it is such a great reminder that God has a much bigger purpose in mind for each of us and our future generations.  He will weave together the pieces of your life.  The ability to stop, ask God what we are to do in all situations in our lives and when we spend time reading His Word, praying and waiting on the Lord – He will reveal the things for our own lives and He has the perfect plan the Bible states in Jeremiah 29:11.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Just a little re-cap and some important points retrieved from The Life Application Bible: (NIV)

**Sarah must have regretted the day she decided to push God's timetable ahead.

**What parts of your life are on hold right now? Do you understand that this may be part of God's plan for you? The Bible has more than enough clear direction to keep us busy while we're waiting for some particular part of life to move ahead.

Sarah's Strengths and Accomplishments:

**She was intensely loyal to her own child.

**Sarah became the mother of a nation and an ancestor to Jesus.

**She was a woman of faith, the first woman listed in the Hall of Fame   in Hebrews 11

Sarah's Weaknesses and Mistakes:

**She attempted to work problems out for herself--without consulting God.

**Sarah tried to cover her faults by blaming others.

Lessons from Sarah's life:

**God responds to faith even in the midst of failure.

**God is not bound by what usually happens; He can stretch the limits and cause unheard of events to occur.

Key Verse:

"By faith Abraham, even though he was past age--and Sarah herself was barren--was enabled to become a father because He considered him faithful who had made the promise." Hebrews 11:11

I think I am so moved by this Biblical story because no matter what we do the mistakes we make – God still honors His word – I have said often, God is always faithful, even when I am not.  His Word lasts forever and His promises are true and perfect.  It’s never too late for God to work in you and for you to reach out to Him and have an intimate relationship with Him.  There is nothing that He wants more than a close intimate relationship with you. 

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There will be a special announcement made either Monday, Wednesday or Friday of next week!  Please be sure to check in each day, so that you do not miss out!

Also, we have a poll at the top of the right side of the blog.  Please take a moment and mark your choice.  It will help us make this the blog you want it to be.  And, Wednesday, we will have our weekly random drawing of people who leave any comment before Tuesday 8pm Eastern Time.  We are so glad that you visited today!  God Bless!

He IS Able!

Traci S.