If we truly believe in the promises of God, we must trust His process, His timing, and His way—even when it challenges us.
[00:00:37] Welcome to The Bible Speaks with your host Elgin Carelock.
[00:00:42] The Bible Speaks is a daily podcast dedicated to sharing the good news of Jesus Christ,
[00:00:49] rightly dividing the word of truth, and learning how to apply it to our daily lives.
[00:00:55] You may contact Elgin at the address given at the end of the broadcast.
[00:00:59] And now, here's Elgin.
[00:01:02] Brothers and sisters, I welcome you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit
[00:01:08] to another edition of Words of Inspiration.
[00:01:12] Where we take God's word and the wisdom of God's word and apply it to our everyday lives.
[00:01:18] And once again, I'm joined by one of my favorite ministers of the gospel, Consuela Shaw.
[00:01:25] And we're going to discuss the topic, Sacrifice.
[00:01:29] Our inspiration comes from Genesis chapter 22.
[00:01:34] The story of Abraham and Isaac.
[00:01:37] A powerful example of faith, obedience, and a willingness to sacrifice everything, even those
[00:01:45] things we hold most dear, for God.
[00:01:48] In this passage, we see God testing Abraham by asking him to sacrifice his promised son, Isaac.
[00:01:56] This moment captures the essence of true obedience, following God's will, even when it contradicts
[00:02:04] our deepest desires and most cherished plans.
[00:02:09] In Genesis 22, God calls Abraham to do something that seems unimaginable.
[00:02:16] Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah.
[00:02:23] Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering.
[00:02:26] On a mountain, I will show you.
[00:02:29] And that was Genesis 22, verse 2, reading from the NIV.
[00:02:35] Isaac was not just any child.
[00:02:38] He was the fulfillment of God's promise to make Abraham the father of many nations.
[00:02:44] Yet God asked Abraham to sacrifice him.
[00:02:47] It's hard to imagine the emotional and mental turmoil Abraham must have faced.
[00:02:53] But in that moment, Abraham's trust in God was greater than his understanding of the situation.
[00:03:01] This is the first lesson about sacrifice.
[00:03:04] To truly experience the fullness of life God has for us, we must be willing to let go of our plans,
[00:03:12] desires, and even the promises we believe we've received.
[00:03:18] Obedience to God sometimes means surrendering the things we treasure most to follow his will.
[00:03:25] If you take into consideration from when God told Abraham that he would have a son to Isaac's birth,
[00:03:34] was 25 years before it actually happened.
[00:03:40] And then once the child was born, through my research, I think Isaac was somewhere in the 8 to 10 year range.
[00:03:51] Then to be asked to sacrifice him.
[00:03:55] That's a mind squeeze that I can't even imagine.
[00:03:59] Can't even imagine.
[00:04:01] So with that, I'm going to invite Consuela and hear what she thinks of what true sacrifice is.
[00:04:09] Wow, man.
[00:04:12] When we talk about true sacrifice, great introduction.
[00:04:17] And when we talk about Abraham and the fact that you mentioned that it was even 25 years before he even came into the promise.
[00:04:31] And so now you're in a prominent place.
[00:04:35] Have your promise.
[00:04:37] And here you're being asked to give it up.
[00:04:42] Now, you know, me being a realist.
[00:04:45] In a prominent place today.
[00:04:48] And here you are.
[00:04:50] And you're hearing the spirit of the Lord say, I need you to leave that.
[00:04:58] The first thing many people will think about is, I worked too hard for that.
[00:05:02] That's the devil.
[00:05:02] The devil lying.
[00:05:03] No, get behind me, Satan.
[00:05:06] I rebuke.
[00:05:08] And then here you hear that small, still voice again say, yeah, give that away.
[00:05:15] Yes.
[00:05:18] And God, I worked hard for this car.
[00:05:20] You're going to tell me.
[00:05:21] Give it to.
[00:05:23] And when we think about this monumental sacrifice and the fortitude it took for Abraham, let's talk about the mindset it had to take.
[00:05:36] Because when we look at the mindset Abraham had to have, that mindset of faith, the mindset of trust.
[00:05:45] Trust especially.
[00:05:47] Absolutely.
[00:05:47] He had to trust in a God that he don't see, in a God that he follows by faith.
[00:05:57] And to do something that when he thinks about his wife.
[00:06:02] Wow.
[00:06:03] The other people around him.
[00:06:05] Because we're human.
[00:06:06] We think about these things.
[00:06:08] And he yet says, okay.
[00:06:15] I think about how much it took for Abraham.
[00:06:21] And being in our human self, we want to say we don't get to question.
[00:06:27] But you do.
[00:06:28] Of course.
[00:06:29] But God is not concerned with you asking the questions.
[00:06:32] He's just waiting to see if you're going to be obedient.
[00:06:35] There you go.
[00:06:36] And so when I think about this sacrifice, we tend to, as the people we are and being human, we'll think about, man, this is the only one I have.
[00:06:50] This is what you promised me.
[00:06:54] Because we know that Abraham and Sarah decided to try their own thing.
[00:06:58] That's right.
[00:06:59] And they had a substitute.
[00:07:00] But when God is asking us for something, the substitute won't do.
[00:07:03] That's right.
[00:07:04] Right?
[00:07:05] And so having that and to think about how this is so important for us today is that God, in many cases, is not even asking us for our only child or the promise.
[00:07:18] He's saying, can you trust me enough in these little small things?
[00:07:24] Can you really say you trust me?
[00:07:29] And not only trust me, but can you follow through?
[00:07:33] Yes.
[00:07:35] Abraham had to make a decision to now I have to really walk by faith.
[00:07:41] And he said, y'all stay down here.
[00:07:44] Me and my son.
[00:07:46] Yes.
[00:07:47] Oh, my goodness.
[00:07:49] Just think about what's going through Isaac's head.
[00:07:52] And the reason why I chose this story is because I wanted to talk to the brothers and sisters about your willingness to give up your plan for God's plan.
[00:08:06] You see, you may have gone to college for four years to become an accountant and your practice is going wonderfully and you're worshiping the word and you're worshiping God.
[00:08:18] And one day he comes to you and says, I need you to close that business and go to a place that I'm going to show you.
[00:08:26] What would you say?
[00:08:28] What would you say?
[00:08:29] You're like, wait, I just spent a hundred thousand dollars on this education.
[00:08:33] And, you know, we've got all of these plans and we got the house we want to buy in the neighborhood we want to live in and the car we want to drive.
[00:08:39] And God says, I understand that.
[00:08:42] But here's what I need you to do.
[00:08:45] Right.
[00:08:46] And how quickly do we activate?
[00:08:49] Right.
[00:08:50] And what stands out about Abraham's response to me is the fact that it was immediate.
[00:08:57] Right.
[00:08:58] Genesis 22 and three.
[00:09:00] It says early the next morning.
[00:09:03] Mm hmm.
[00:09:04] Abraham got up and loaded his donkey.
[00:09:07] The next morning.
[00:09:08] Yes.
[00:09:10] So he didn't have a whole lot of discussion.
[00:09:12] He didn't have a whole lot.
[00:09:13] I mean, that that is faith and trust to the highest level.
[00:09:18] Absolutely.
[00:09:18] And there's nothing that indicates he said anything to his wife.
[00:09:22] That's right.
[00:09:23] He didn't debate it.
[00:09:25] And I will believe that to be because many a times when God gives a directive, sometimes we have to make sure we keep that directive to ourself.
[00:09:34] Because once you put it out to other people, they may try to influence you.
[00:09:39] Right.
[00:09:41] Right.
[00:09:41] And so I feel that that part was left out intentionally to indicate there's no discussion needed.
[00:09:50] Wow.
[00:09:51] Wow.
[00:09:51] There's no discussion.
[00:09:53] Yes.
[00:09:54] Go to bed.
[00:09:54] Get your good night's sleep.
[00:09:56] Get up in the morning.
[00:09:58] Move in faith.
[00:10:00] Mm hmm.
[00:10:01] Mm hmm.
[00:10:01] So my question is, what about us?
[00:10:04] How often do we question or resist God's leading when it doesn't align with our own desires?
[00:10:11] Mm hmm.
[00:10:12] I mean, sometimes God asks us to sacrifice our plans, whether it's a job or relationship or personal ambition so that he can lead us into something better.
[00:10:24] Mm hmm.
[00:10:25] But that's something better often requires walking in faith, even when you can't see the outcome.
[00:10:33] Absolutely.
[00:10:33] You know, of course, you know that.
[00:10:35] But a few years back, the Holy Spirit told my told me to give my car to this young family.
[00:10:44] And I'm like, what?
[00:10:47] It's like, give your car to this family.
[00:10:50] And so went home and said, hey, to my wife, the Holy Spirit said, you need to give my car to this family.
[00:10:57] And she said, OK.
[00:10:59] OK.
[00:10:59] And so we did two weeks later, that family's primary vehicle died.
[00:11:05] Wow.
[00:11:06] The engine locked up and she has many kids.
[00:11:10] Right.
[00:11:10] And so she would have been in a serious predicament.
[00:11:14] I didn't know what was going on.
[00:11:16] Absolutely.
[00:11:17] But God did.
[00:11:18] Yeah.
[00:11:18] And so through that obedience, she averted a very, very challenging situation otherwise.
[00:11:25] Right.
[00:11:25] And so Abraham's journey to Moriah was a walk of faith.
[00:11:32] When Isaac asked about the sacrifice, Abraham responded with these powerful words in Genesis 22 and 8.
[00:11:40] God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering of my son.
[00:11:46] This statement of trust was one where Abraham didn't really know how, but he believed what God said.
[00:11:54] If God said.
[00:11:57] That I will make you a father of a great nation, then lineage was a part of it.
[00:12:03] Absolutely.
[00:12:04] OK.
[00:12:05] And I don't know how this is going to work, but what did he tell the servant?
[00:12:10] Wait here.
[00:12:11] The lad and I will be back.
[00:12:13] Absolutely.
[00:12:13] I don't I don't know how this is going to happen.
[00:12:16] Absolutely.
[00:12:16] But he was pretty certain that it was going to happen.
[00:12:19] Yeah.
[00:12:19] That part even says, what are we saying?
[00:12:24] Because he had to speak in faith.
[00:12:27] Yes.
[00:12:27] And so it says, even when we're in a space of sacrifice, we have to be mindful of what we're saying.
[00:12:39] And that just lets us know.
[00:12:42] I don't I don't know how, which is none of our business, because we tend to worry about some of the wrong things.
[00:12:48] Right.
[00:12:48] We're trying to worry about God's role when God is saying, just follow my right.
[00:12:54] Just just follow what I asked.
[00:12:56] And the rest of it is up to me being the humans that we are.
[00:13:00] Well, how will win?
[00:13:02] What?
[00:13:03] Where?
[00:13:03] Where?
[00:13:04] And then we say, I don't have this and I don't have that.
[00:13:06] And I'm not this and I'm not that.
[00:13:08] Abraham said, me and the lad will be back.
[00:13:14] Yes, he did.
[00:13:14] And so being mindful of what we say in the moment.
[00:13:19] Yes.
[00:13:20] Right.
[00:13:20] Because that impacts how much we're going to move forward or how long we're going to procrastinate in moving forward.
[00:13:32] Right.
[00:13:32] We have to think about are the questions that go on through my head?
[00:13:36] Are they my responsibility or are they God's responsibility?
[00:13:40] Yes.
[00:13:41] Right.
[00:13:41] And I think that's the attitude with that statement.
[00:13:44] Abraham realized we'll be back.
[00:13:48] I don't know how, when, what or why or where we're going.
[00:13:52] That's God's responsibility.
[00:13:54] Yes.
[00:13:54] And having the level of faithfulness that truly believe that.
[00:13:59] Yes.
[00:14:00] Right.
[00:14:00] It is the conviction of that belief.
[00:14:04] Yeah.
[00:14:05] That I serve a God who's able.
[00:14:07] Mm hmm.
[00:14:07] And since he's able, then I believe.
[00:14:10] Yeah.
[00:14:11] Right.
[00:14:11] And so at the moment when Abraham was about to sacrifice Isaac, God intervened.
[00:14:18] An angel stopped him.
[00:14:19] Mm hmm.
[00:14:20] And instead, a ram caught in the thicket was provided for the offering.
[00:14:24] This act confirmed God's faithfulness and Abraham's obedience.
[00:14:29] God never intended for Abraham to lose his son, but he did want to know that Abraham was willing to give up everything for him.
[00:14:39] Mm hmm.
[00:14:40] Genesis 22 and 12 says, do not lay a hand on the boy.
[00:14:44] Mm hmm.
[00:14:45] Now I know that you fear God because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.
[00:14:55] Right.
[00:14:55] So, so this, this moment reminds us that God honors our obedience.
[00:15:01] Absolutely.
[00:15:01] Especially when it comes at a personal cost.
[00:15:04] And you know, I think that's something that we do forget.
[00:15:07] Yes.
[00:15:08] That sometimes taking on what God brings to you requires a sacrifice.
[00:15:13] Mm hmm.
[00:15:14] And that's the other reason why our total, our title was sacrifice is because I'll give you an example for the things that I want to accomplish.
[00:15:23] There aren't enough hours in the day.
[00:15:24] So I'm going to have to sacrifice and start getting up at four or four 30.
[00:15:31] Absolutely.
[00:15:31] Now that does not ring well with me at all, but I understand in order to accomplish what God has asked me to do.
[00:15:40] Yes.
[00:15:40] I need to extend the day to cover my, my responsibilities as a husband and responsibility as a business owner.
[00:15:48] All of those kinds of things have to go in conjunction with what he told me.
[00:15:54] And so it may seem like a small sacrifice.
[00:15:57] I don't have to, you know, sacrifice my child.
[00:16:00] Right.
[00:16:01] But, but when you're normally going to bed at 11 o'clock and 12 o'clock, you know, to get up at four, that's going to have to be adjusted.
[00:16:09] Absolutely.
[00:16:10] And so now maybe I'll go to bed at nine o'clock and there's parts of the year where the sun's still up then.
[00:16:15] Right.
[00:16:15] Absolutely.
[00:16:16] But it's that, that willingness to be obedient that will facilitate what it is that he's asking.
[00:16:24] Right.
[00:16:24] So, so this was the beginning of what God needed Abraham to be focused on.
[00:16:32] Absolutely.
[00:16:33] Right.
[00:16:33] And then the other part of that is that notice God didn't come to Abraham until he was 75.
[00:16:40] Wow.
[00:16:41] So there was a lot that Abraham had to do before God could even come to him.
[00:16:47] But when God comes to you, just know that you're already prepared.
[00:16:52] Wow.
[00:16:52] And so the, the sacrifice really is between your ears.
[00:16:58] It's not a, it's not one of capability because when he comes,
[00:17:02] that means it's already done.
[00:17:05] Yeah.
[00:17:06] It's already done.
[00:17:07] You just have to walk it out.
[00:17:08] I think one of the, um, when I heard you say the biggest part of that is when God comes,
[00:17:16] it's personal.
[00:17:18] Yes.
[00:17:19] It's personal.
[00:17:20] It's a personal sacrifice and we can, because there's a lot of things we're willing to do,
[00:17:27] you know?
[00:17:28] Oh, I can give a few minutes to go and help out here.
[00:17:30] I can give a few minutes to go and help out here.
[00:17:34] But when he really comes knowing, as you just said, he's given us the capacity.
[00:17:40] That's right.
[00:17:41] But that personal sacrifice is where it hits us the most, right?
[00:17:48] That's when you, you, you almost double over because you're saying, oh my goodness, really?
[00:17:55] You know?
[00:17:55] And so understanding when God comes to you in this space of sacrifice, it's a personal sacrifice
[00:18:02] because God is saying, I am in a space now with you that this is more personal.
[00:18:09] Yes.
[00:18:09] And so you may find yourself in a space where you're saying everything out here is going
[00:18:13] fine.
[00:18:14] I can give this and I give that and I do my time for this.
[00:18:18] But when God really comes in and asks for that personal something, that's where he's really
[00:18:24] saying, just like with Abraham, now your faith, I know is personal with me too.
[00:18:32] That's right.
[00:18:33] Right?
[00:18:33] That's right.
[00:18:34] That, that is, that is the biggest part.
[00:18:36] Oh, and when you even think about the, the, the Hebrew boys, I mean, that the thing that
[00:18:41] rings in my ears is when they said, but if he doesn't, you know, I'm willing to be that
[00:18:51] sacrifice.
[00:18:51] I'm willing to be that burnt offering, you know, that is faith just, just on a, almost an
[00:18:57] unimaginable level, but, but one that is afforded us.
[00:19:01] And I dare say the reason why many of us aren't living a life that we want to live is because
[00:19:09] we won't give that level of sacrifice and, and just understand that the reason why I wanted
[00:19:17] to share this and ask you to discuss this with me is if you really believe who God is
[00:19:24] and believe in his promises and trust in who he is, then you should also know his plan is
[00:19:31] better.
[00:19:33] Absolutely.
[00:19:34] Okay.
[00:19:34] You might hate giving up yours, but guess what?
[00:19:37] He's not going to replace it with an inferior one.
[00:19:40] Absolutely.
[00:19:40] That's why he said exceedingly.
[00:19:42] That's right.
[00:19:43] Abundantly above all that you could think or imagine.
[00:19:49] Yes.
[00:19:50] And so you don't have the cognitive wherewithal to conceive just at that sacrifice.
[00:20:00] That's right.
[00:20:01] Yep.
[00:20:01] And Proverbs three, verse five through six, reading the NIV, we're reminded that trust in
[00:20:08] the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding.
[00:20:13] In all your ways, submit to him and he will make your path straight.
[00:20:20] God doesn't call us to sacrifice without purpose.
[00:20:24] He calls us to be obedient so he can align our lives with his greater will and blessing.
[00:20:31] So see, we, we think we have it all figured out and he was saying, you know, all that education
[00:20:36] you did and your, your MSN and your BSW and every other little alphabet you have behind your
[00:20:42] name just got you to the point where now I can use you.
[00:20:45] Now here's what you're here for.
[00:20:47] Absolutely.
[00:20:48] And, and we sometimes struggle when that's totally opposite or in a different direction
[00:20:54] than, than we planned.
[00:20:55] But the thing to keep in mind is that the story of Abraham and Isaac is a profound reminder
[00:21:01] that our faith and obedience to God requires sacrifice.
[00:21:05] But when we surrender to his will, even when it contradicts our desires, we're open ourselves
[00:21:12] to the fullness of life that he has planned for us.
[00:21:17] So brothers and sisters, if we truly believe in the promises of God, we must trust his process,
[00:21:24] his timing and his way.
[00:21:26] Even when it challenges us, as we learn from Abraham, faith means walking forward in obedience,
[00:21:35] trusting that God will provide exactly what we need to fulfill his purposes for our life.
[00:21:41] I thank you for joining us on today.
[00:21:45] And I look forward to our conversation on tomorrow.
[00:21:48] Until then, God bless.
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