This is Ahav!

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Where is the fist place the word “love” is used in the Bible? No cheating by looking below, so what do you think? I asked this question to a group of men this past weekend in the county jail and the answers ranged from, the first two chapters of Genesis all the way to the Gospels.

 

Genesis 22:2 is the correct answer! This is where God comes to Abraham and says:

 

Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.

 

The Hebrew word used is Ahav, which is a love that is willing to do more for another person than oneself. This is a sacrificial type of love that is given to a spouse, child, a friend, and to God.

Abraham loved his “only” boy. He was the son of promise, his miracle, his future, and his pride and joy. He would do anything for him. And yet Father God asks Abraham-as a test of his Ahav-to lay down his “only” beloved son as an act of worship.

 

In this powerful love story Abraham willing gives Isaac back to God on the altar, thankfully God intervenes and provides a ram in Isaac’s place. This act by Abraham demonstrated Ahav, he completely trusted in the Father and this response of worship overwhelmed the Father’s heart.

 

This potent love passage is a paradigm that displays the perfect love of God the Father has given to His children.

 

Father Abraham placed the wood for the sacrifice on his son’s shoulders – Father God placed the wooden cross on the shoulders of His Son for the sacrifice. The son carries the wood up the mountain – The Son carries the wood up the same mountain. The father binds his son to the altar – The Heavenly Father binds His Son to the Cross. The father lifts up the knife of sacrifice but is stopped – The judgment of the Father is lifted upon the Son but is not stopped. The Father’s only Son is sacrificed in our place for our sins. This is Ahav – This is love! (John 3:16)

 

A man in his early 20’s sat to my left in the sterile jail room as I shared the Ahav of the Father. His eyes filled with tears whispered, “I need that love!” My response, “so do I!” No jail, prison, or darkest moment can stop the Ahav of the Father from setting you free.

 

Tomorrow is Valentines Day, RECEIVE The Father’s act of Love for you and RELEASE back to Him your life as Sacrifice of Loving Worship! This is Ahav!

 

As we enter into the season of Lent I would like to invite you to follow Oceans on Instagram @oceansministries to get daily prayer meditations from Climbing Prayer Mountain starting this Wednesday.

 

 

 

 

 

Stepping Into The River

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This last week my wife Sue and I were privileged to have been invited to join a group from the USA, organised by Pastor Tim Spykstra and Mike Verkaik of Oceans Ministries The theme of the retreat in Lesotho was ‘Stepping into the River”, a totally pertinent subject at this time.

The key scripture for the retreat was from Ezekiel 47 describing a river flowing from all directions, bringing Life to all in its path. The scripture calls for faith to step out into the River and flow in the Living water it brings. This description and the whole retreat was an apt reminder to Sue and I of how ABBA Father has indeed brought abundant life from a simple act of faith and obedience we both put into action on 25th June 2001!

He had spoken to us to take what we thought were 6 babies (turned out to be 7) who had tested HIV + from terrible conditions in a struggling hospital, into a small house just big enough for 5 cribs! With no funds in our account and a belief He will provide, we took this step as we felt it would be what Jesus would do in the same situation.

During the retreat, including folk who have been key partners with us since 2004, particularly Pastor Tim, his Mom Harriet and step-Dad Pastor Bill Bierling and others who have since become part of the journey of Beautiful Gate Lesotho we were able to recall how “The River of God” has overflowed through our land and into the hearts of literally thousands of people world-wide since we started the ministry nearly 17 years ago!

The evidence of God’s glory and provision over the years were tangible in our time together this week. 70+ babies being loved on and cared for by precious dedicated local staff, committed young volunteers from different nations filling gaps in care for the children aged 1 month to 9 years, this excited team for the retreat, one of many that have come from churches in the USA and other countries, the vast ‘Campus’ that is now Beautiful Gate and rows of photos of children from BG who have gone into ‘forever families’ around the world, all speak of the magnificent flow of the River of God.

Listening to testimonies of those who have been ‘caught up in the River’ over the years, some from years ago and some from the team who are fairly new to Beautiful Gate and Lesotho, was a beautiful and deep experience for Sue and I. The challenge for us all during this time, was to intently take our focus away from our strengths and weaknesses, letting go and letting God lead us into the River by His Spirit. Our times in His presence together were so sweet and a reminder of where He wants us…with and in Him!

Thank you, Tim, Mike and team, for allowing us to wade into His River with you all

Written by Ray Haakonsen