From Abram to Abraham: Then and Now

Richard Williams

• Publisher: Covenant Books, Inc.
• Year: 2021
• Print ISBN: 9781644680001
• eBook ISBN: 9781644680018
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Religion

Education in part is the thing that prepares you for life on life's terms. It is also the thing that leads you to the abilities that God has placed within you. Through Abraham's story and the dialogue in this study guide, I believe you will be able to see not just the big things but even the smaller things that God has done in your life as well, which will bring you to a much closer relationship with the Father.

From
Abram
to
Abraham

Then and Now

Richard Williams

ISBN 978-1-64468-000-1 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-64468-001-8 (Digital)

Copyright © 2020 Richard Williams

All rights reserved

First Edition

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

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Foreword

In this day and time, we have all kinds of technology and social media like Facebook, Snapchat, Google, and a host of others. We have all kinds of math like calculus, trigonometry, algebra, and others that I can’t even pronounce. But there is one basic thing that I know is true and will never change, and that is 1+1 = 2.

In this book with Gods’ help, I am trying to bring Abraham’s past to be parallel with ours now. We read the Bible, and some of us just see a story or someone in that time and place that God has blessed to be more than we ourselves think we could ever be. But God said in (Ecclesiastes 1–9, “That which has been is what will be, that which is done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun). And that tells me that the only thing different is the times and the technology, but by God, 1+1 = 2.

Today, our lives can and should be great or greater than those of the past. “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father” (John 14:12). We need to stop overthinking God’s words and just let it be what it says in 1 Samuel 15–22, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings, and sacrifices. As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams,” and Matthew 6–33, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all things shall be added to you.”

Abraham obeyed and followed the voice of God, and in doing so, he became all that God wanted him to be, a blessing to all the families of the earth (the father of). Today, God wants to lead you and me to our destiny. I believe through this book as you read and answer the questions, it will allow you to remember or realize the things God has done in your life and bring you to a better relationship with God.

This is a small book, but my request is that you take your time and let this book read to you. Meditate on the question or add your own questions. Just let go and think back through your life and the things God has done for you and brought you through. Do this by yourself, with others, or in a church group setting.

Written from New King James

“Now the Lord had said to Abram: ‘Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed’” (Genesis 12:1–3).

We can gather from the scripture above that God wanted Abram to be in a place where no one but God could be his country, his family, his father, and most of all his God. God’s plan was to lead Abram to a place where he would depend solely on Him, a place where they could build a relationship that would bless the world.

In Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

The same God that talked to Abram is the same God that speaks to us now. The same thing God wanted for Abram then is what God wants for us now. God is God all by Himself, He wanted the best for Abram, and He wants the best for us. God created all of us, which gives Him the right to be in our lives. He will not settle for less than our obedience to Him.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. (Romans 12:1)

I APPEAL to you Therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent), service and spiritual worship. (Romans 12:1, AMP Version)

1. God’s first command to Abram was, “Get out of your country.”
   Let’s focus on Abram’s country for a minute. In Abram’s country, the people worshipped other gods, idols, and statues; they also participated in all kinds of belief systems. Why did they participate in idol worship? Because none of them knew the one true and living God! Abram was a man looking for the one true God, and for whatever reason, Abram chose not to follow the ways of his family, friends, and countrymen. He went his own way until he heard the voice of God.
   Today, our country could be our neighborhood, the city, or state we live in. The United States is very much like Abram’s country, it has different ways of worship, and its people worship many different gods and idols. We are bombarded with a multitude of voices telling us who God is and who He isn’t. With all of the chaos and confusion going on in the world today, God is calling those who will listen saying, “Hear my voice. Follow me.”
2. From your family: Family is where we get our real support and direction. They will either stand behind you to help get you where you want to go or push you forward in the direction they want you to go. Family will also teach you to worship the way they worship God or the god of their understanding. However, God is saying to you, “Hear my voice, and let me lead you for your sake and show you how to worship me.”
3. And from your Father’s house: In Abram’s time, the father was the head of the family, and whatever Abram did was a direct reflection of his Father. Today, it is basically the same with the traditional family. When you think of your father’s house, it signifies the head, the one to look up to, the image, and the name to uphold. God is saying, and we all need to hear and understand, “I am (God) your fathers’ Father, I am the head, the name, and the true image for you to uphold.”

Abram (which means great father) had a great name. And I’m sure he and his family were respected, as well as looked up to by his fellow countrymen; God wanted more for Abram, just as today God wants more for both you and me. In Abram’s time, there was no Bible to read nor anything to reflect on and no tangible instruction to live by. Like Abram, as we grow, we are constantly searching for our god, in our country, city, or neighborhood. We strive to maintain an image, to fit in, to belong if you will. Good or bad, we want to be the best, whether it’s the best businessman, athlete, police, doctor, lawyer, thief, prostitute, pimp, madam, or drug dealer. We look for direction and support from the world until we learn better. We look for others to direct, lean on, and support us in our decisions, which could be good if they are leading you to God. Abram’s family did not know God, much like a lot of families today don’t know God. It is not just in the ways of good or bad, or right and wrong, but also in the direction God may want you to go, for instance, your denomination, what church you should attend, how you should serve or worship God, or, more so, what God wants for you ...

Table of contents

• From Abram to Abraham: Then and Now