October 11, 2024
St. John XXIII
True Children of Abraham
…those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham who had faith.
Galatians 3:9

Abraham is our forefather in faith. He trusted in the Lord when given the promise of a son (and many, many descendants) even though he and Sarah were advanced in age. This trust was reckoned as righteousness—that is, even though he was a sinful human being, through faith, he was blessed and saved.

When we have faith, we become true children of Abraham—not descendants of the flesh but of faith. We are his heirs, the promised descendants of Sarah and Abraham because we have trusted the promises God made to his people: to send a Savior, Jesus Christ, to reconcile sinners and establish the Kingdom of God. Through him, we are blessed and saved.

Lord, my God, increase my faith so that through Jesus I may be your adopted child and a true descendant of Abraham.

- Jonathan F. Sullivan

Galatians 3:7-14 ✚ Psalm 111:1-6 ✚ Luke 11:15-26
Autumn at Lincoln Woods on the Kancamagus Highway in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Image by Craig Zerbe | stock.adobe.com
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Comments

October 11, 2024 at 03:49 PM

Lord please hear our prayers and bring your light to all those experiencing natural disasters, as well as those in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur, the Sudan, in addition to all those suffering around the world - also for their strength, courage and resilience to continue walking in faith. Send them your light. Father in Heaven, have mercy on us and on the whole world! You sent Your Son, the Prince of Peace, for the salvation of the world. We pray that the Peace of Christ will reign in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur and Sudan. Please protect and send aid to those in need and all who are at-risk. We pray for peace and rebuilding– we who are working towards it and for all those who are suffering or in danger from conflicts. We pray for an end to violence and war – we pray for wisdom for all leaders who have a hand in this. Lord God please help those in most need of thy mercy. Amen.

October 11, 2024 at 11:20 AM

AMEN!

October 11, 2024 at 10:16 AM

*** What is "FAITH?" Faith is believing and trusting in God and God alone in Galatians 3:6a, "In the same way, Abraham “believed God. God was pleased with Abraham because he believed!" *** What does "FAITH" do? Faith makes us right with God and becoming chldren of God in Galatians 2:6b-7, "God counted him (Abraham) as righteous because of his faith.” The real children of Abraham, then, are those who put their faith in God!" *** What "FAITH" is not? Galatians 3:10-12, "All who depend on obeying the law are under a curse. It is written, “May everyone who doesn’t continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law be under God’s curse.” (Deuteronomy 27:26) We know that no one who depends on the law is made right with God. This is because “the one who is right with God will live by faith.” (Habakkuk 2:4) The law is not based on faith. In fact, it is just the opposite. It teaches that “the person who does these things will live by them.” (Leviticus 18:5) ******* The Good News!!! Galatians 3:8-9, 13-14, "Long ago, Scripture knew that God would make the Gentiles right with Himself. He would do this by their faith in Him. He announced the Good News ahead of time to Abraham. God said, “All nations will be blessed because of you.” (Genesis 12:3; 18:18; 22:18) So those who depend on faith are blessed along with Abraham. He was the man of faith...Christ set us free from the curse of the law. He did it by becoming a curse for us. It is written, “Everyone who is hung on a pole is under God’s curse.” (Deuteronomy 21:23) Christ Jesus set us free so that the blessing given to Abraham would come to the Gentiles through Christ. He did it so that we might receive the promise of the Holy Spirit. The promised Spirit comes by believing in Christ!" Praise You, Lord Jesus Christ ❤️✝️❤️

Salina
October 11, 2024 at 10:25 AM

Faith is a GIFT from God, only He can grow it and increase it...don't take His works (credit) as our works (credit)! (If you know what I mean :-) Ask and you shall receive!!! Ephesians 2:8-10, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do!"

October 11, 2024 at 09:14 AM

Dearhearts! As a limited edition (only child!), I loved “Lord, my God, increase my faith so that through Jesus I may be your adopted child”. At this point in my life with no children of my own, parents, aunts, uncles - no living relatives except for a few cousins…and we’re dwindling g in numbers…it’s so reassuring to trust and embrace that I am a Child of God!❣️. Although, we are blessed with 2 God kids and a couple of nephews and their families. And they are true gifts! Max and I are about to hit the road, leaving Western New York this morning after a beautiful summer (of course the highlight was meeting Sweet Ken and Terry!). Please pray for our safe travels as we make our way to Notre Dame to see them play Stanford - Go Irish! Then Monday we make our way back to Texas. Praying for good travel vibes to accompany us today on our 42nd Anniversary! We know that we are truly blessed…we’re His adopted children!

jane
October 13, 2024 at 05:59 PM

Pam, what a great post. I was speaking at a conference this week to receptive group of folks (~75) and I spoke about who I was. Part of that desciption was “child of God, a woman of faith.” I was surprised at how many people came up with me later to chat about that. They were surprised that I chose to mention it, and in a good way. They felt at times that they couldn’t share that part of themselves publicly. I was happy to be of service in that way. Hope you enjoyed South Bend. They beat Stanford handily! Amen.

peggyR
October 12, 2024 at 09:19 AM

Hi Pam, wishing you and Max a wonderful trip and a safe journey back home. You are a lovely lady and must know how treasured you are by all of us in the LFF and that as children of God, we are all connected to each other through Him. Remember, we’re both June 8th siblings!!

Kjc
October 11, 2024 at 09:55 AM

Pam I will pray for you and Max to have a safe trip and enjoyable football game, right now. I will also show Terry your post, she was Impressed with your visit. Ken

October 11, 2024 at 09:01 AM

"When we have faith". Amen!

October 11, 2024 at 08:45 AM

Our faith is such a treasure!! Let us all take very good care of it.

Vicky G
October 11, 2024 at 09:14 AM

I like the way you put it Irene. I love my faith and never thought about “taking care of it”. I try to “increase” it, “feed” it, “inspect it” for healthy and unhealthy issues…..so although I do try to take care of it I certainly will view all those things in a more necessary light!

October 11, 2024 at 07:14 AM

Thank you Jonathan for reminding us that we are saved through our faith in Jesus and not through any good works that we do. Lord God, increase my faith.

Gayle
October 11, 2024 at 08:50 AM

Yes faith in the one true God!

October 11, 2024 at 06:42 AM

Amen and thank you Lord for your guidance

October 11, 2024 at 05:49 AM

Amen and Amen!

Autumn at Lincoln Woods on the Kancamagus Highway in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Image by Craig Zerbe | stock.adobe.com
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