I hope this Lord's Day finds each one of you doing well. The Commander had a mole removed Thursday.  Jen said it was starting to get a little crusty and I had to pause for a moment to ask what she was talking about. I could have told her the General was a little crusty 30 years ago, but then I realized she was talking about the mole, so I said nothing. It will be sent off for testing and the Commander should be fine.

In Matthew 22:37, Jesus lays down the first commandment in New Testament teachings which means it applies to all of us today "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and all your mind." In Revelations 2:10, the phrase "Be thou faithful until death and  I will give you the crown of life" could be used to teach that we are suppose to serve him all of our life, but that's not the real meaning the real meaning according to the text would be to remain faithful never denying the faith even if it cost you your life. Let's look at the scripture in its entirety "Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be thou faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life."

This principle of putting God first is found in Jesus teaching in Matthew 10:34-39 "Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a man's foes will be those of his own household. He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it."

Now back to Abraham' challenge Abram is given a new name in Genesis 17:5.  Abraham means father of many nations. Everyone saved today has a new name Acts 11:26 tells us that we are given a Christian one that belongs to Christ. Now, a name change is important to God and your name should be important to you. But, that wasn't Abraham challenge. Abraham's son of promise, Isaac, was born in Chapter 21.   Now the young lad grew up and Ishmael, his half brother, has been run off. So that Isaac is Abraham's only son. Now let us turn our attention to Chapter 22:2 "Take now your son your only son Isaac, whom you love and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you." Now there is a challenge! In other words, God is fixing to find out if Abraham loves him first. Our children today often put us to the test to choose them and their sinful ways or to choose God and his path of righteousness. We often times fail the test because that's our baby so lend our support to them to help them ignore the path of righteousness.

Now in all fairness, Abraham is not forced to choose between an evil son or God he simply be asked to sacrifice his entire world to show his love for God. Next morning Abraham starts his journey Genesis 22:9-13.  “Then they came to the place of which God had told him. And Abraham built an alter there and placed the wood in order; and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the alter, upon the wood. And Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the Angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, Abraham, Abraham! And he said, Here I am. And He said Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me. Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son." Brothers, that's what it means to fear God and keep his commandments.  That's what it means to love God first. Don't you know that when Isaac taught his children and grandchildren about their granddaddy, he was able to tell them this story to prove his Dad was a God fearing man that always put God first? I bet Isaac never even thought of testing the Old Man. Is God first in your life?

Let us pray: '' Gracious Heavenly Father look down on us now and forgive our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Strengthen our spiritual souls that we might be more of what thy would have us to be. Take our lives like the Potter takes the clay and gently take our lives and shape them into the image of your dear Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Be with our soldiers.  Help them accomplish their mission.  Be with the sick and afflicted all over the world that is our duty.  Continue to bless us as Thou sees fit.  Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  In Christ’s name we pray.  Amen