Jehovah Jireh

This upbeat song encourages my heart and is perfect for me right now :). I've been studying and reflecting on the names of God. One of them is Yahweh Yireh/Jehovah Jireh "Abraham named the place Yahweh-Yireh (which means 'the Lord will provide'). To this day, people still use that name as a proverb: 'On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.'" Genesis 22:14

As a parent, it's always difficult for me to imagine being in Abraham's shoes when God told him to sacrifice Isaac, the promised son Abraham waited for 25 years to receive. I really admire Abraham's faith and obedience. He obeyed God (he did what God told him to do without even questioning God for details or reasons at all). He was willing to surrender all (even if it meant his one and only son) to God. He demonstrated extreme trust and confidence in God when he said to his servants, "Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you." (Genesis 22:5) "We" not just "I"! How did he have such confidence? Abraham completely believed God's promises to him (before Isaac was born, God promised Abraham that countless descendants would come through his son) and knew God would fulfill His promises. Besides, Abraham "reasoned that God could even raise the dead" (Hebrews 11:19a). God did provide a ram in a nearby thicket for a substitute sacrifice for Isaac.

To ponder: Are we willing to surrender all to God and trust Him for our every need/every situation?
                  Are we walking in faith and in obedience? Notice that God's provision came after Abraham's obedience, not before. Step out in a childlike faith even when you cannot understand it all.
                  Do we remember to thank God for His provision...for being our faithful Provider?
                  Do we have such confidence in God as Abraham did? If not, let's pray for that :)!
                 
God will provide for what we need (needs are not the same as wants). He already provided for our greatest need, the need for a substitute to pay the penalty for our sin and die in our place. He provided His one and only Son, Jesus Christ! "If we can trust God for our eternal salvation, how can we not trust Him to provide for the "little" things of life?" (M.E.Howard) God loves you and He will provide for what you need when you need it. "My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19) "God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." (2 Corinthians 9:8).


This post is linked up with Weekly Writing Challenge: Moved by Music, Faithful Friday @SimplyHelpingHim, Fellowship Fridays @Christian Mommy Blogger, Faith-filled Friday @Missional Women, Spiritual Sundays, Sharing His Beauty @The Beauty in His Grip, Playdates with God at The Wellspring, "Hear It, Use It", The Weekend Brew @My Freshly Brewed Life, and Inspire Me Monday @Create With Joy.

What's In the Bible Blog Tour and Giveaway

Note: Please turn off my music playlist at the bottom of this page before starting the video.



Phil Vischer, the creator of VeggieTales, introduces a new DVD series called, What's In the Bible?  My kids and I had a great time watching the first two episodes in the series.  The first episode, In the Beginning,  talks about what the world's most amazing Book is, who wrote the Bible, and Genesis.  The second episode, Let My People Go, covers who chose which books to be included in the Bible, what salvation is, and Exodus.  Each DVD is filled with funny & interesting puppet characters, animation, catchy songs, Phil Vischer's talk, lessons from each book of the Bible, church history timeline, explanation/definition of "big" words, flannelgraph fun from the Sunday School lady, and more.  Comparing this to VeggieTales, some may find it not as entertaining or engaging; however, I think it's a wonderful series that helps teach kids to appreciate and understand God's Word and get them excited to read/explore the Bible themselves.  What I don't like are: the bickering between the characters and the boy character in the van who seems rude to his mom and quite demanding. Each DVD is approximately an hour long.

Giveaway: I have 2 certificates from Tyndale House Publishers to give away.  One winner will be randomly selected to receive both certificates which can be redeemed for a copy of What's In the Bible? DVD 1 and DVD 2.

To Enter: Please leave a comment here sharing what some of your favorite materials (besides the Bible) you've used to teach your kids about God and His Word are, or how you get your kids excited about reading/studying the Bible.  Make sure you leave your email address or blog address.

For extra entries: 1. Read any of my posts (besides this one) and come back to comment about it here.
                                     2. Follow me on Twitter (treasuredbyGod) and tweet about this giveaway and leave a comment here letting me know.

Deadline: March 31st at midnight (Pacific time)

     

~The DVD and certificates are provided by Tyndale.