If you were Abram...
If I were Abram...
I've often wondered what I would do if I was Abram. I wonder, given my history of believing God for things (or more like my history of not) in my life, what would be my response to the "get up and leave" invitation.
I know how I've responded in some of my toughest moments, with faith occasionally but 
ore often with fear and doubt.
In my younger years I moved to Indiana, with no family here, it was difficult, but not impossible. Plus, as a youngin' I thought I could whip the world. But now, I have a hard time picking something to wear in the morning, it's almost too much pressure...
Add a few years and this wimp may become a super wimp.
If life was challenging during those days, what would it be like to be asked to leave all I have, at the request of my savior?
At nearly twice my current age?
Yet Abram did that. Life got tough for him along the way and he faltered, but God reminded him that HE (God) was able to be trusted and Abram, battered by life, chose to believe.
I also can't imagine having children at 100 yrs old. I can't care for my grandkids for a day 
without taking a nap with them. THEN, I need a recuperation time that evening after the parents come to get them. And I'm only 54 years old!
What if grace was dependent upon you or upon your unfaltering faith?
What if salvation was about getting all the rules right?
Where would you be?
I know where Abram (later Abraham) would be.... LOST! (Just ask his wife)
I'd be right there with him!
Take a moment and share any thoughts you have about God initiating a "clean up" plan after all the mess man made of his creation.
Read this paragraph from Chapter 2 and share how your "do something" works in your life.
"Common sense argues that if bad behavior puts us at odds with God, then good behavior 
should fix things. Our natural inclination is to do something to gain God's acceptance and approval. So throughout the history of civilization, people have devised every imaginable system and scheme to please their god or gods. But when the one true God initiated his relationship with mankind, it didn't begin with a command; it began with an invitation: will you trust me." (pg. 31)
Share any other thoughts you have about what you read in this chapter.
jennifer ressett said:
on March 2, 2016 at 7:59pm
I can't help but think how God is always initiating clean up plans all the time in today's society. It seems that all we hear about today in the news is politics and who has the right to do what they want, when they want, or where they want. Growing up in a strict Lutheran Church we were not spoken to a bunch about God's Grace. It was rule after rule and almost to the point of if you don't act right or do what is right your salvation would be in jeopardy. Then one weekend I was exposed to this miraculous thing called grace. It was explained by each letter. God's Riches At Christ Expense. Well did that ever put a spin on Lutheran doctrine. That weekend at youth group I was overcome that God would still love us and even though we screw up we didn't have to be perfect because HE was perfect. Unfortunately some took that as an excuse too live like heathens. God extends his grace to us so we can show the same grace and mercy to others.
Sheila said:
on March 3, 2016 at 10:09am
This is my third reading of this book, and I have a different feeling this time. I feel more comfortable and relaxed in my in my faith journey due to a better understanding and appreciation of grace through the book's message. My prayers are now more about thankfulness and trusting God's decisions and timing. After gaining a better understanding of God's grace, I realize how much we need grace from others and how important it is to extend grace to those we interact with on a daily basis. Every day we all have the potential to make a difference in someone's life and, by giving grace, it may be a life changing difference. Giving grace creates the opportunity to build relationships where others should be able to see something different in us because our love and trust of God is evident in everything we do. I certainly don't feel that I'm there yet, but reading this book again reminds me that trusting God's decisions and timing is less stressful than trying to avoid bad behavior and adhere to a set of rules. We can never be good enough based on our behavior, but we have the assurance of God's grace if we just accept it and share it.
Jeffrey Fuller said:
on March 3, 2016 at 8:36pm
I must admit that I never really thought through the aspect that God was creating a people for Himself... sorry to be on the dense side about that but that concept has stimulated me to think about the interplay between a man named Abram and a God he had never seen in the physical. Unfortunately, I would need more than a request from a God I had never seen. In fact there was not a burning bush moment noted in scripture (please check me on this) before Abram trusted and obeyed. It makes me think about how Abram was taught up to that point in his life. He just flat out trusted a God he had only heard about and then from with a very difficult assignment. My mind wants to believe that he was taught in the oral tradition about the flood and provision for his family line by God which strengthened his belief and enabled him to trust. In contrast to my life, I have seen many times where the hand of God moved in a mighty way and yet, at times, it seems so difficult to move and do something very simple when the good Lord prompts me to. I am especially grateful for His Grace in those times. I am also encouraged that even though Abram was called and trusted God, he still had times when he struggled with life. I am even more grateful that through this story I know that if I keep trusting and believing in God he will continue to afford me the Grace to keep moving forward.
My "do something" is a self imposed issue at times. I feel so compelled to give, go, sacrifice, react in a certain way when I have received forgiveness and grace. I feel like I owe something to Him and work hard to please Him but that has proven to be a quick road to religion and spiritual burnout! Again over the years I have come to realize that being obedient and trusting Him is the only way to honor Him for who He is and what He has done. Nothing the good Lord offers can be earned... only accepted as a gift from Him. Again Thank you Lord for Grace!
