Kansas City, Missouri, United States - Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - “No Laughing Matter” – Tuesday, 9 September 2014 - Scripture: Genesis 18:1-2 God appeared to Abraham at the Oks of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance of his tent. It was the hottest part of the day. He looked up and saw three men standing. He ran from his tent to greet them and bowed before them.3-5 He said, “Master, if it please you, stop for a while with your servant. I’ll get some water so you can wash your feet. Rest under this tree. I’ll get some food to refresh you on your way, since your travels have brought you across my path.”
They said, “Certainly. Go ahead.”
6 Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. He said, “Hurry. Get three cups of our best flour; knead it and make bread.”
7-8 Then Abraham ran to the cattle pen and picked out a nice plump calf and gave it to the servant who lost no time getting it ready. Then he got curds and milk, brought them with the calf that had been roasted, set the meal before the men, and stood there under the tree while they ate.
9 The men said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?”
He said, “In the tent.”
10 One of them said, “I’m coming back about this time next year. When I arrive, your wife Sarah will have a son.” Sarah was listening at the tent opening, just behind the man.
11-12 Abraham and Sarah were old by this time, very old. Sarah was far past the age for having babies. Sarah laughed within herself, “An old woman like me? Get pregnant? With this old man of a husband?”
13-14 God said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh saying, ‘Me? Have a baby? An old woman like me?’ Is anything too hard for God? I’ll be back about this time next year and Sarah will have a baby.”
15 Sarah lied. She said, “I didn’t laugh,” because she was afraid.
But he said, “Yes you did; you laughed.”
“No Laughing Matter” by Nina Gunter
In today's Scripture, we find that God permits difficult situations to develop so that He can turn burdens into blessings and show His glory through the release of His power.
Since we believe every child is a miracle from God, my husband and I taught their our sons to believe in the awesomeness of God. At the age of 17, our younger son, Dwayne, contracted an unknown illness shortly after a hunting trip. When his condition worsened, I took him to the emergency room, and he was later admitted to the hospital. Despite the treatment of good doctors, Dwayne continued to get worse. One night he roused from a drug-induced sleep to see his dad and me standing by his bed, praying fervently. As he become conscious of our prayers, his faith increased, and he knew that God would heal him.
They later learned that Dwayne was suffering from tularemia, also known as rabbit fever, and with an accurate diagnosis came an effective treatment. God was at work. They learned anew that blessings grow out of difficulties.
Is anything - anything - too hard for God? Your situation is no laughing matter. Expect God’s intervention.
Since we believe every child is a miracle from God, my husband and I taught their our sons to believe in the awesomeness of God. At the age of 17, our younger son, Dwayne, contracted an unknown illness shortly after a hunting trip. When his condition worsened, I took him to the emergency room, and he was later admitted to the hospital. Despite the treatment of good doctors, Dwayne continued to get worse. One night he roused from a drug-induced sleep to see his dad and me standing by his bed, praying fervently. As he become conscious of our prayers, his faith increased, and he knew that God would heal him.
They later learned that Dwayne was suffering from tularemia, also known as rabbit fever, and with an accurate diagnosis came an effective treatment. God was at work. They learned anew that blessings grow out of difficulties.
Is anything - anything - too hard for God? Your situation is no laughing matter. Expect God’s intervention.
Hymn for Today:
"He Giveth More Grace" by Annie Johnson Flint
1. He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase,
To added affliction He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.
ChorusHis love has no limit, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men,
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,
He giveth and giveth and giveth again.
2. When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half-done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources,
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.
Chorus: His love has no limit, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men,
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,
He giveth and giveth and giveth again.
1. He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase,
To added affliction He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.
ChorusHis love has no limit, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men,
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,
He giveth and giveth and giveth again.
2. When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half-done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources,
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.
Chorus: His love has no limit, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men,
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,
He giveth and giveth and giveth again.
Thought for Today:
““Are you listening, dear people? I’m getting ready to speak;Israel, I’m about ready to bring you to trial.
This is God, your God,
speaking to you.
I don’t find fault with your acts of worship,
the frequent burnt sacrifices you offer.
But why should I want your blue-ribbon bull,
or more and more goats from your herds?
Every creature in the forest is mine,
the wild animals on all the mountains.
I know every mountain bird by name;
the scampering field mice are my friends.
If I get hungry, do you think I’d tell you?
All creation and its bounty are mine.
Do you think I feast on venison?
or drink draughts of goats’ blood?
Spread for me a banquet of praise,
serve High God a feast of kept promises,
And call for help when you’re in trouble—
I’ll help you, and you’ll honor me.””(Psalm 50:7-15)
Prayer Needs:
That many people in Cuba will come to know Jesus the Christ, Yeshua the Messiah, and receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
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