Walking by faith with Abraham
Heb. 11; Gen. 12

I was thinking about my own journey from Thayer, MO, to Justin, TX, and how it compares with Abraham’s journey from Ur of the Chaldees to the land of Canaan. All in all, I had it far easier than Abraham.
	Abraham left his birthplace, his homeland where he had lived for 75 years. I, by contrast, have been gone for over 30 years from the area where I grew up. I received no special calling from God, but left by choice.
	Abraham had to leave his family and friends. Communication would be slow and uncertain. I also left friends behind, but I can communicate with them (and w/ my family members all over the country) almost instantly and very frequently. Besides that I have new friends here and am looking forward to making more!
	Abraham left Ur not knowing where he was going. The Lord simply said “to a land that I will show you.” Truly, Abraham walked by faith. Knowing that God would show him the right place was good enough. I, on the other hand, knew exactly where I was headed when I pulled out of Thayer early Monday morning.
	I don’t expect that Abraham & Sarah were met by a friendly group of believers who would help them get settled in their new homeland in Canaan. They certainly didn’t have a fine house to move into. To the contrary, they dwelt in tents (Heb. 11:9). And we don’t read anything about the inhabitants of Canaan providing Abraham & Sarah with several days’ supply of food.
	The Lord had big plans for Abraham in the land of Canaan, though for the most part Abraham didn’t know what those plans involved. I am not so naïve and conceited as to think that I am the equal of Abraham. But I do believe that God has plans for the Justin church of Christ. I don’t know exactly what those plans are, but I hope that He will see fit to use me in some way to help bring His plans to fruition. I hope He will use you, too. I resist the idea that I am working FOR you. I much prefer the concept of working WITH you to advance the cause of the Gospel here in Justin and wherever else we can be effective.
	Jesus said the harvest is plenteous, but the laborers are few. Let’s not only pray for laborers, but BE those laborers, working together to fulfill Jesus’ commission to take the gospel to the world! Jesus started with a dozen. We have more than that here tonight! CAN we do the job? Yes, we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. WILL we do it? That’s entirely up to us.
	--Joe Slater (Justin, TX)